PamRN

From what I read I see that there are some suggestions that banding MAY not be as good as bypass, and MAY have more complications, and MAY not have as much weight loss.... but they need to do studies to prove that theory. THAT means, it's NOT a proven fact, it's just opinions. If you read this carefully, you'll find it contradicts itself somewhat. It theorizes that there MAY be less weight loss, and there MAY be more side effects. But over a period of years, the amount of overall weight loss is closer to bypass. Look at the news today... 1 in 29 chance of bypass death? I'll take 2 in 100 chance of reflux over 1 in 29 of death. These quotes tell me a lot about the whole article. <<"that concluded that LASGB had an identical weight loss curve to the open VBG performed by the same surgeons. Kellum (2003) concluded that “t is obvious that only a prospective, randomized series would definitively establish which operation is best in terms of safety and efficacy.” >> <<"The researchers concluded that more study is required to determine the long-term efficacy of LASGB." >> <<“For laparoscopic gastric banding, the available evidence suggests that weight loss at one year is less than that achieved with gastric bypass. More limited evidence on three-year weight loss suggests that this difference in weight loss may lessen over time.">> <<" Early adverse event rates are low following laparoscopic gastric banding, and are probably lower than gastric bypass.">>

Duh... that means let the dog eat the cereal, we're too important to for such menial clean up, or maybe it's get the sink sprayer the vaccuum's broke... or holy sh!T I just pee'd myself at you idiots.... (flipping through my cheat sheets)

good gawd what's a bandster to do with out mexican rice & pinto's and cheese? I too could live at taco bell... For that combo fat grams 17... Protein 16gms... Decent amounts of Calcium vit A, vit C and Iron, but the sodium 1440 mgs!! That's 60% of the rda! I don't dare look up anything else... I'll surely perish without my weekly TB

See? It's the illuminate at work... I went recently to get my teeth cleaned, when they realized I had dual dental coverage from my husband's employer and mine, they quickly found a few thousand dollars worth of work they could do for me to suck up that money..."it's there might as well use it, right?" translate, it's there WE might as well get our hands on it... they sent me home withOUT cleaning my teeth, but with appointment cards for several upcoming appt's to use up those benefits. I got a new dentist, and had my teeth cleaned nicely the first appointment. I'm to call them if I want or need anything else... It's all a scam anymore. The more visits you make the more money they make. I hate it... you have to go to the doc to make an appointment to see the doc for services... WTF??

Sorry, I missed that last transmission... I was digging through the cereal boxes... pretty loud crunchy stuff that cereal... part of the plan I suppose... Ok, so I got my decoder "chip flipper" out of the fruit loops... how clever of you to decorate in the incredibles... that being what we are and all... So here I sit patiently awaiting your next message, hubby can walk around the cereal piles, this is important!

Congratulations Betty!! What an awesome year we've shared, here's to the rest of your years being just as full of life experiences and joy as this past one! You've done an awesome job

I went to Tijuana, paid one price that was all inclusive, transport back and forth between san diego airport and Tijuana, preop tests, hotel, surgery... bought my own plane tickets and the only other money I spent was on my meals and shopping. I didn't have to send a partial payment deposit or anything like that. I think several mexican surgeons offer all inclusive packages. Research who you'd like to use, then call and ask for package pricing... I had a notebook full of info before I picked. Good Luck to you!

I didn't drink any soda after banding for a long time. Now I have it once in a great while if I really feel like it, but not nearly like prebanding. Prebanding it was normal for me to consume at least a 2 liter of pepsi a day. Now I have one can or glass a month. Usually when I'm at work, where my choics are limited, and I just really need a cold drink and some caffeine. It is a bad choice, as anything high in sugar is a bad choice. Sugar causes cravings for more sugar. Doing without is best, these bands were expensive and should be babied to the best of our abilities. If I were in an environment where I could have something refreshing other than pop I would make a better choice, but late at night in the hospital it's pop, coffee, or weird tasting Water if I forget or go through what I've brought from home.

pms cravings caused me to bake a double batch of double fudge brownies that I of course iced with chocolate fudge icing... I'm restricted and can only eat small pieces, so I managed to eat about half the stinkin' pan in a day, that's a whole box... one frickin' bite at a time. OH YEAH... model bandster... definitely NOT me. PMS should be a male disorder damnit!

I'm a hospital RN and we do lots of heavy lifting, I took off two weeks, but should have taken 3. I didn't hurt myself, but was still too tender. At 3 weeks I was back on track. I could have gone back to a no lifting desk type job in a few days.

Sue, I am in agreement with so much of what so many of the others have said. I think your input here is highly valued, your introspect is spot on, and your sense of humor is priceless. I'm sorry for all that you've had to endure, and also hope that you continue to come here and share your knowledge and wisdom. Down the road others will unfortunately have band related issues and need an experienced voice to guide them and help them remain strong. I hope you succeed in all your endeavors, and I too wish you good health and great results.

FOIL?? CRUD! No wonder I couldn't hear anything... (wadding up the saran wrap) :|

Yep I've felt that exact sensation several times. Usually if I've eaten too fast or not chewed well enough. It makes me VERY uncomfortable, but it generally passes after a few minutes.

The thing about celebs and endorsement deals is that the companies they represent invest alot to make CERTAIN these frontmen/women succeed. They get personal support in trainers, dieticians, chef's, counseling, personal attendants that the rest of us don't get when we buy their bottle of pills or prepackaged dinners. Sure I can believe Kirstie has succeeded simply with Jenny Craig, they come to her home to help her out, she said so on Oprah. Sure Anna is losing by taking trimspa...along with a sensible meal plan set up daily by a personal chef, workouts with a personal trainer... and a fat contract kick-back... hell if I'd ever had that kind of support and personal attention I might have had a fighting chance without surgery too. For as long as I had the support on hand anyway... we'll see long term how well they do. I wish them luck.

I do that too lynn, cut them into tiny pieces but not powder... some things can't or shouldn't be cut though. Some meds are made to dissolve at a specific dose rate and cutting them up means they either dissolve in a bad place and can cause irritation, or you can get too big a dose at once. Ask if you can get a liquid antibiotic, or if it's safe to cut it up. Be sure and up your yogurt consumption or get some acidophyllus chewables to prevent a yeast infection!

Thank you... yes I did... I bought a tanning package so I wouldn't lose my summer tan, (now that I'm not afraid I'll break the plexiglass in the beds), and new clothes in a size 14! This time last year I was wearing a 24. That change in itself was the best gift of all.

Diet soda has a fair amount of formaldehyde in it. Formaldehyde stores in fat cells and there by protects it from breakdown. So while you won't gain weight drinking diet soda, it's much harder to lose fat. Your body will break down muscle for fuel instead. With banding there are varying opinions as to the damage carbonation can do to the pouch, perhaps stretching it out, causing slippage or erosion etc. I'm not sure what your doctor thinks or knows, so on this subject you should definitely ask his opinion.

I would think, if wounds seem closed, a baking soda bath might be soothing, at three weeks wounds should be pretty sealed. If they aren't it's probably not a good idea, high risk for infection from a public bath... I'd skip the iron, it could be irritating, and arsenic could really be bad if it gets into the blood stream. Your best bet would be to call your doc's office and have the nurse ask him and call you back with a recommendation. Hell he might approve any or all of them. Good Luck!

My doc always gives free samples... I think I'd like Dr Lisa's samples better!

Shelley J has an excellent point. You can have anybody take your pictures, and you do get to decide who reads them. I'd give Dr.Billy a call and ask him if he'd mind having a look. It could be that your pics will be on a computer and he can access them right after they are completed. All of our radiology films are on computer now and we live in the sticks, Surely Vegas and CA are using the latest techno. Good Luck. No one deserves a break and good outcome more than you!

Read up on the zicam, I purchased a form of it that is a nasal spray and it is something you use prophylactically. It helps reduce or prevent symptoms over time. What I have says expect to take it over several days before seeing results. They may have other forms that work immediately, I'm not sure. I take tylenol cold in the liquid forms, they have a night and a day formula. I also really like the results of alka seltzer cold formulas but let them sit a bit to reduce the fizz. They work best for me. I use about half a 5 oz dixie cup of Water so I can get it down in one shot (the taste isn't that bad, better than some, but isn't great).

It's been a while, and I'm wondering if anyone has heard from Marie lately? I always enjoyed her posts. Marie if you're lurking out there, it's time to check in!

I also have trouble with fruit. The worst pb'ing I ever had was after trying to eat a plum. I can't eat banana's anymore either. I do ok with applesauce, but even watermelon gave me the chest lump. I haven't tried canned peaches, but love cottage cheese so I'm gonna try that today. It does sound good! I would think any of the fibrous fruits would be problematic.

Gorgeous Dahling... simply gorgeous... you make a pretty hot couple don't you?

Healing vibes to you Zoe! I hope you're feeling better soon!