PamRN

Not only is everyone different, but obviously every Dr is too! I do well with popcorn, chew gum constantly and use a straw as I was told a straw reduces the size of a gulp, helping keeping gulps smaller...can't have a bandster drinking too fast, it will overfill the pouch and cause pain. How weird is that??

I take the flintstones children's too, the taste is tolerable, though kinda sour and slightly vitaminy... Viactiv DEFINITELY tastes like candy, chewy and caramel like, not a vitamin taste at all, I love those, but the kids vite's are better for me, so I stick with those since I don't eat quite right. I have substituted for a change up though, and will buy viactiv again

I tossed all the old natty drawers out with the first #50 loss, so now my undie drawer is fairly repectable... for now, ask me next year, I may still be cycling through the same 10 sets... I prefer bikini bottoms, but have been curious about the thong trend... my daughters wear them, but I just keep thinking I'll feel that wad of fabric up my ass all day and won't be able to stand it! Right now: pink hanes bikini bottoms, seamless pink VS bra... no they don't match... I've been married 20 years, they only match when I want money to go shopping...

Thanks kids for all the kind words and especially the unfailing support. Last July I found LBT, with no real plan for banding, just curiousity, but not really thinking it was something I'd ever really do. I was sure I'd have to get bypass since my insurance doesn't cover the band, and I was terrified about it. In the beginning I spent hours here, reading stories like my own, and thinking ohhh how great banding could be. I read about the american surgeons, and then got my curiousity piqued about the mexican surgeons and groups. Prior to LBT, going to Mexico for anything had never even crossed my mind. But the more I read here, the more clear it became to me that this was it, this was what I needed to fix the mess I'd made of my body and my health. Mexico just might be something I could actually do! Once I knew I'd found what I'd been looking for I began seeking a way to get it done. That was in the beginning of September. I researched Drs across the USA and Mexico. I researched the different bands, and decided I liked the Midband, and then after a couple of phone conversations, and many emails from previous patients, decided on Obesity Goodbye's package. Once all that was decided; I brainstormed with my husband to gather funding for the procedure and trip. I read posts from others and how they did it without insurance help. How money was borrowed, begged, saved, financed, multiple credit cards maxed etc... Like many others, we put up some from savings, and financed the rest through a medical loan company. We realized my husband couldn't really go as the kids were in school, and he had no vacation time left for the year. I asked my mom to go and she gave a resounding YES! The senior bandsters gave me great packing advice, what to do/not do, what to take/leave at home, what to look for, what to buy/avoid, and what to expect in general while in Tijuana... I do believe Delarla gave me sound advice regarding the donkeys/alcohol/mexicali's... though I can't find it, I remember laughing my ass off... and in the end feeling very prepared and barely nervous about it all. We got to Tijuana on Sept 20 and I was banded on Sept 21. Weight loss successes aside, I'm so very proud of myself for taking this on, and getting it done. I'm very happy about the success with it all, but proud mostly that I actually went through with such a previously unbelievable thing. The rest is just bonus bang. During my research, and initially after banding I wasn't absolutely convinced it would work for me. Every other promising weight loss venture had failed me, and hadn't cost nearly as much, so my mind had a hard time accepting that the band wouldn't fail me too. One year later, I get it. It will work for me if I work with it. If I don't it's gonna sit there waiting patiently until I do. I bought more Vitamins and Protein powder today at walmart. I've still got work to do!

coffee grounds are definitely blood, and could be caused by an ulcer, for which prilosec or prevacid could be beneficial. Also there are medications that coat an ulcer, sucralfate or cytotec, to protect it while it heals. I haven't seen where erosion causes visible bleeding into the stomach, but I suppose if it's severe it could. Signs of an ulcer: Feel better when you eat or drink and then worse 1 or 2 hours later (duodenal ulcer) Feel worse when you eat or drink (gastric ulcer) Stomach pain that wakes you up at night Feel full fast Heavy feeling, bloating, burning or dull pain in your stomach Vomiting Weight loss Signs it's getting worse: You vomit blood. You vomit food eaten hours or days before. You feel cold or clammy. You feel unusually weak or dizzy. You have blood in your stools (blood may make your stools look black or like tar). You have ongoing nausea or repeated vomiting. You have sudden, severe pain. You keep losing weight. Your pain doesn't go away when you take your medicine. Your pain reaches to your back. If it is an ulcer: Don't smoke. Avoid anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen. Avoid caffeine and alcohol (or have them only in small amounts and on a full stomach). Avoid spicy foods if they cause heartburn I've read that erosion is generally asymptomatic (no symptoms) & is generally found with a ct scan.

My heart felt condolences to you and the family. He sounds like the kind of man we all like to know. If the saying, "It comes in three's" holds true, things will begin looking up for you all. Good luck and godspeed to your healing fathers. Peace, Pam

My prayers are with all of you in that area. Here's hoping it fizzles out to a good soaking rain before it gets here! Be safe!

I think I'd try to go without for a while, if that didn't work, I'd work really hard to get another band, but if a band were not an option, I would definitely choose bypass over fat again.

Hi, I'm here every couple of days or so. I was told no fill during surgery too, but apparently during the surgery, they found my stomach to be too small for the band, so gave me a 6cc fill to accomodate. Too bad the same couldn't be said for my a$$ at the time... anyway, I woke up with band filled and in place, and other than the usual pb from time to time, I have been lucky to have no serious complications, and no additional fill to date. I chose the midband after doing a lot of research regarding the different types of bands and finding less slippage or erosion from the french midband. Those figures may have changed over the last year, I don't know. My only regret with choosing the midband is the lack of aftercare in the states. If I need band intervention, it's back to Tijuana for me. I'm ok with that considering the price differences between here and there, but in an emergency, it could be a real problem. Again, If the prices here had been more comparable, I'd have rather had it done here, just for aftercare access, but the whole experience for me so far has been great, and I'd do it again, including going to Mexico.

Now THAT made me laugh out loud! I am definitely a goddess in my own mind. If only I could convince my husband to treat me the way I see me... I've been reading from the book of Delarlaism for over a year and am always intrigued and delighted by your insight, as well as your spit and vinegar... Never ever delete your posts, we love them! Your husband must be awesome, patient, and strong because I just don't see you taking any guff you didn't deserve from anyone, and I admire that in a fellow sister!

Manicure/pedicure ranks up there for me. new clothes will be necessary weekend get-away with a best friend or sig other music concert nothing feels sexier than good music, when you know you're looking good

If you like coffee with cream, you might like this Blender 3/4 full of ice cooled coffee to just below the ice level (I use leftover coffee that I pour into a pitcher and refrigerate overnite, or make it and let it cool to room temp) add french vanilla creamer to taste (I use regular but there is a splenda blend) Protein powder chocolate syrup is optional for mocha blend, adding ice as needed to thicken to taste. my hubby likes it minus the protein and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream & choc syrup... says it rivals DQ's Moolatte

Lisa, I swear I've verbalized those exact words to folks many a time in my life. I too believe in a higher power, I am very spiritual and caring, but I don't feel I need a bible, a church or a pastor. When I need spiritual guidance, I skip the middleman. I think the reason there are so many different religious groups relates to man's different interpretations of the bible. Instead of deciding who's right among them, I skip it, and go straight to the top. I pray often for others, I know when I've made a mistake, and try to do a fair repentance, to make up for it. I try to live fair and be kind to the earth, it's animals and people. I agree that God will forgive me my sins, and it's up to him to decide what sins I've made. I do not disrepect the religion or religious beliefs of others. They may be right, and I may well be wrong, but I am comfortable in my heart with what I feel. I also teach my children to follow right and wrong with their hearts. I jump when someone needs help. I'm going to New Orleans to help rebuild hospitals in the spring, at my own expense... and I'm not rich. I love sex, I'm a scorpion, guided by the house of sex, and am very sexually intense. My husband appreciates that. Toys are an enhancement, not an affair. If something insults me, I either respectfully offer my side of the argument, or reasons for feeling that way, or skip it as not my business. Likewise here... there have been many arguments on LBT that are none of my business, and I like to keep it that way, by clicking on to something else, or taking a break from the site while it fades away. I believe that personal attacks are the act of ones ignorance and it shows. I believe that love makes people happy, and GOOD sex keeps couples together. Everyone of you have every right to believe something different.

No McD's for me either... no matter what I try to eat from there I end up uncomfortable.

This topic reminds me of a joke: A saintly priest of the highest integrity passed away and was met at the pearly gates by one of god's gate keepers. Because this priest had been so devoted to god's teaching in life, the gate keeper informed the priest that god had granted the priest one afterlife request. The priest replied, "you know, I would love a look at the book of life". Done! The angel escorted our priest to the holy library and showed him god's written plans. Knowing it would take the priest a while to look through, the angel left him alone so he might peruse it at his leisure. Many hours had passed and the angel returned to collect the priest, but on approach to the library, heard a gut wrenching wailing & sobbing coming from inside. The angel hurried inside and asked the priest, "What? What is it? What has distressed you so?" The priest looked at the angel and replied... R!... R!... There's an R in it! CELEB-R-ATE! Since I always questioned the literacy of the bible considering it was interpreted by man(and men make mistakes), & during a time when mythology carried great weight, I oftened wondered how we might interpret the same messages today, were we able to visibly witness what those in the day of Jesus got to see. The scientist in me needs to see evidence I guess. Just one letter off, one spelling mistake... and our entire theological belief system could be totally changed.

I used obesity goodbye in Tijuana, and have had great results. If I could have afforded it I think I'd rather have it done here, just for the availability of aftercare. I haven't needed any fills or aftercare yet, but when I do, it's back to Tijuana for me.

I didn't ask my regular doc. I feel like it's my body, so it's my decision. I didn't tell her for several months after the fact when she noticed I'd lost a lot of weight. She was surprised but what could she say except good for you?

I have been one of the extremely lucky ones with banding. I too went to TJ Mexico, and had a french midband placed. I was given a 6cc fill at surgery to fit the band on my "small" stomach, and have not needed additional fill since. So far no complications for me. My first bandiversary is coming up on Sept 21. To date I have lost 83 pounds. That's the good part. For me the band is an annoyance because it's fickle. Some days I am tight and can barely eat or drink, on other days not so tight, and can eat well (with-in reason), though not too much. The problem with that is on days when there is some sort of a celebration with food, a holiday, or family gathering. When I'd like to be able to eat better, I often can't, maybe one or two bites and I'm uncomfortable...sometimes too uncomfortable...the dreadful sliming/pb routine. Sometimes I'm genuinely hungry, and same thing... a few bites followed by the slimey/ropey saliva, and discomfort or even a PB. I HATE THAT PART! The main issue is the fact that I never know how I'll do until I try to eat. I don't have a warning sign or predetermining factor that tells me what to expect. I have learned that on a reasonable banding day, eating Breakfast for me requires being up for 4 or 5 hours first, and I have about a 6 or 7 hour window before I tighten up again. On a not so reasonable day, it's a bite or 2 at a time, maybe an hour apart... certainly takes a long time to clean a small plate of small servings like that... & my meals are usually cold... Having said that, I wore a bikini this summer for the first time in many years. I am getting noticed, flirted with, and looks of appreciation, both from strangers, and most importantly, my husband... The good DEFINITELY out weighs the bad! Good Luck to you in your research, finding this community helped seal the deal for me. You won't find a great support group than right here.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I know many of you use the ultimate chopper, and should know there is a recall for safety issues. I'm posting the link below so you can read about what to do if you own one. It seems they can break apart and have caused serious cuts, some requiring surgery. If you own one be careful with it, and check out the recall info. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050907/tc_nm/food_ultimatechopper_recall_dc

I've tried a beer now and again, I've had times where a couple went down ok, and other times a single drink of beer causes a distinct discomfort. I'm not a big drinker, but do find that the icy cold / slushy drinks go down very well, unless they are made from thick syrup. I don't do well with popsicles, but love mr. misty's and moolatte's from DQ... so I have to make a supreme effort to avoid them.

wow, I'm surprised to see you all have problems with rice, it is one food I do particularly well with. It goes down well, and knock on wood, I've not had a problem with it. I mix the spanish rice with pintos and cheese at taco bell, love broccoli, rice & cheese, and often have Jambalaya, it wasn't on my list of things to avoid... I don't think... I suppose I should have a better look. It just goes to show how very different we all are.

The anxiety of looking so far down the road makes me itch for the comfort of ice cream... So... lets just go for one day at a time and see if we can balance out today, and tomorrow... well.. that isn't here yet is it? I'm deciding right now that today will be a good bandster day... because right along with the rest of you... I need it!

Wow, looking fabulous Audrey! You're smile says you're feeling fab too, great job! Thanks for posting pics, they are a great motivator.

I'm an RN BSN, and work part time as a charge nurse on a med surg/cardiac telemetry floor. I'm mom to 3, one married, one a freshman in college, and one in 4th grade. I also have a pretty awesome son in law and a beautiful 9 month old grandson. My dh has all of the microsoft specialist certifications, and works for our regional power plant, and we both work on computers for family and friends in our spare time. My career wish is to work in some way with the youth in our community, maybe when my kids are grown and I dont need as big a salary...

In the beginning I went through, and continue at times to go through the same thing. I had to take stock of what I was eating. Was I getting in enough water? No... it is still an issue for me to get water down, but I am working on it. Was I getting the minimum 60 grams of protein? No... If you arent feeding your body what it needs, it will conserve what you have on board. I find that sometimes when I'm not being very careful about water and proteins, I stop losing, even when my total intake is minimal. Believe it or not sometimes I have to eat more to lose, because when I feed my body what it really needs, it doesn't go into starvation mode and conserve body fat. Try evaluating your intake in terms of nutrition, not amount or calories. Is it balanced well? Lots of water and good protein intake can make a world of difference. Good Luck!