PamRN

Kristen, I couldn't have said it better myself, so I'll repeat after you... Wonderful it is!

You can have erosion without having total penetration through the stomach wall. Those would be diagnosed by visualization via a epigastric scope. A CT scan should definitely see a perforated stomach with contrast.

That's a question for the surgeon you interview before you decide who to use. Maybe you'll find one who is experienced with mediports. Lots of folks have them, they are used for a lot of other medical reasons besides the lap-bands. I would think that the procedure for moving them would be relatively uncomplicated. Ask what their level of experience is with ports. How many have they inserted, moved or otherwise worked with. I wouldn't think a surgeon would need to be bariatric to move a port, just experienced in dealing with them. Good Luck!

I used them with very good results. I can't speak for everyone, but I'd use them again. I've heard rumors online of a couple of people not happy with them, but I can't verify their validity. I can only speak of my own experience. I haven't had a single serious complication, I've lost 72# from my highest weight ever, and 60# from surgery day 7 months ago. The surgical facility was very nice, the dr's office is old but clean, the hotel was very nice, the staff was very caring, my surgery was a complete success, I was given the box and serial numbers for my band, and lastly the price was right. It's been 7 mo.s, and they called me at home last week to check up on my progress and make sure I was still doing alright. There are good and bad things out here about lots of the doctors, research well, and make your own decision based on what you feel most comfortable with. You can search messages left by me here to read more indepth about my experiences there, I've written pretty detailed posts about it in some places. Good Luck to you!

You can have any kind of strained soups, flavored waters, tea's, coffee's, juices, popsicles, ice creams etc.... anything that would be liquid at room temperature. Sugar free is better calorie wise, but not required for a general liquid diet. If your doctor stated sugar free, you should go with his recommendation. Good Luck, it'll be over soon and you'll be in bandlandia!

I used Advanced Patient Financing online for part of my cost, a signature loan for part and some of our cash on hand. The online loan has a pretty high interest at 18% but that might be cheaper than some credit cards. Toll Free number:(800) 504-4053. I just researched for weight loss surgery loans, then compared interest and availability. Good Luck

I can only hope to look so good. You really do look like a new woman, and your smile says you feel like one. Congrats on your bandiversary!

The Flintstones complete chewables say adults and children over 4 take one, and that's all I take, I hadn't heard the take 2 advice. Since many of the supplements listed are at 100% of the recommended daily allowance, I think I'll stick with one and save the cost. Also, these do have 40mcg of Biotin which is 13% of the RDA. Flintstone's Complete Amount per Serving % Daily Value for 2 - 3 years 1/2 Tablet % adults and children 4 and older. (1 tablet) Vitamin A 3000 IU 60% 60% Vitamin C 60 mg 75% 100% Vitamin D 400 IU 50% 100% Vitamin E 30 IU 150% 100% Thiamin (B1) 1.5 mg 107% 100% Riboflavin (B2) 1.7 mg 106% 100% Niacin (B3) 15 mg 83% 75% Vitamin B6 2 mg 143% 100% Folate, Folic Acid, Folacin 400 mcg 100% 100% Vitamin B12 6 mcg 100% 100% Biotin 40 mcg 13% 13% Pantothenic Acid 10 mg 100% 100% Calcium (elemental) 100 mg 6% 10% Choline 38 mg ** ** Iron 18 mg 90% 100% Phosphorus 100 mg. 6% 10% Iodine 150 mcg 107% 100% Magnesium 20 mg 5% 5% Zinc 12 mg 75% 80% Copper 2 mg 100% 100% Sodium 10 mg ** <1%

I chose the french midband pre-surgery, and my surgeon said my stomach was small, and the band required a fill to make it fit properly. I was originally told that I would not have a fill until at least 4 weeks after surgery, but awoke to find they'd placed 6 cc's in my band. I really pleased with the results, and haven't needed any additional fill yet. Since I will be going back to Tijuana for fills, I am especially thankful for that initial fill considering how much the fuel prices have hiked plane tickets!

If it's strep, you would probably also have a slight temperature, white blisters on the back of your throat, and it would hurt continuously. You should however give your doc a call, and describe your symptoms to see if they'd like you to come in for evaluation, in case you need an antibiotic.

good lord... I'm an australian cattle dog!

That depends. For the most part the most common recommendation is to get a fill when you've stopped feeling restriction, and reached a plateau in your weight loss that lasts for at least 4 weeks. If you're still losing weight at 5 weeks out, then you wouldn't need one. I have had plateau's where my loss has stalled for 3 or so weeks, then I start losing again. I have not had any additional fill in 7 months.

My pre-op was also nothing after midnight. I had a very nice prime rib dinner with all the courses in the hotel's formal dining room the night before. I even had a glass of wine. Different surgeons seem to have differing ideas on what works. I've read many of those differing ideas in my research, and felt comfortable with my doc's recommendation. I do think it's best to follow the advise of your own surgeon for the most part, as he knows you and your situation. You could always call them and ask if it would be ok to have one last normal dinner sometime before the surgery. Good Luck to you!

I didn't have any restriction immediately after banding surgery for almost a month. Just as I was making plans to go down for a fill... whammo! There it was. I had lost initially for the week on liquids but even began to regain once I had returned to eating normal foods. I thought for sure I was gonna be the one person this band didn't work on... boy was I wrong. Aside from the initial fill at band placement, I haven't needed a fill yet. I have great restriction... sometimes a little too great... but my band is doing it's thing. I'm down 71 pounds from my highest weight ever, and - 59 from day of surgery... so yep I'm in agreement with the rest of the kids... no restriction at first is NORMAL... enjoy it while it lasts... there's something really sad about taking 3 bites of a praline sundae, then tossing the rest because your band says that's it...

BTDT (been there done that) last night as well. I got called off work, but kept on call, which means I could be called in anytime from 7pm to 7am. I was sure I would be called in, so I drank nearly a pot of coffee and here I am at noon saturday, have to work tonight, 7pm to 7am, and haven't slept yet... I did try... no avail... bleh... next time I'll try to go to bed instead, and as soon as I fall asleep the phone will ring... a nurse can't win.

I drove myself home from the airport on day 3, a 6 hour flight followed by a 2 hour drive, and I was fine. I too had my mother along and could have had her drive if need be.

I agree with all of the above, you are really doing great. I'm losing slowly too, and I don't have the loose skin I might have if my loss had been faster. Just think, without the band, it could easily be 34 lbs going the other way on the scale! Smile! You're a loser, and I'm very proud of all us losers!!

Initially, post surgery I was exactly like that, no fill noticed until about week 3, then out of the blue there it was. I have been fortunate not to need a fill since surgery, and there are times I feel like I'm too tight, times when it's perfect, and times when it's not tight at all. I'm learning when I can expect extra tightness, but not always, sometimes it's a surprise when I can't get more than a bite or 2 down. I'm finding that bands are fickle things.

2.2 lbs per kg

I also have heard of it. I was told that it was very expensive, in the 5K range... each balloon. That's a lot of money if you have more than one placed, seems like if you need more than one, you might as well get a band placed.

I'm doing the area under my chin. Since my weight started climbing a few years ago, my hormonal changes brought on a patch of dark coarse hairs that grow too fast to shave and look like terrible acne when I pluck it. Nothing over the counter has helped. I'm sure hoping this does

bumping for what about popcorn thread

There's a whole other thread about popcorn recently started, I'll try and find it and bump it so it shows up under new threads.

I went for my first laser treatment this week. It wasn't too bad. I did feel the heat of it when it got near boney areas of my chin but overall, no afterburn and no serious pain during. However, no noticeable change yet in hairgrowth. They tell me it could take a few visits for a noticeable difference, and 8 to 12 before the hair loss is permanent. They also told me no sun, use a strong sunblock...My first visit was $112.50, and on my next visit, I'm going to buy a 3 visit package which is $270. They offer a deal where after the package is bought, every visit after those three is discounted, each being less than the one before. Sounds good to me, cuz it sounds like I'm going to be going back for a while.

Thank You. Your post gave me a big smile. Your surgeon is going to be SOOOO proud of you, and all of us are too! Congratulations and best hopes and wishes for continued healing. Life is good.