live2canoe

You can put on panyhose without sitting down? I don't care how thin I get, I will never be able to put on pantyhose while standing up. I'd lose my balance, fall over, hit my head on the dresser and someone would have to call an ambulance. Good for you - you're my hero!

Lisa - I read every word you write, I have watched your struggles since last August, and am always amazed at your strength. I also enjoy all the humor in your posts. Thank you very much for everything you do on this board. I know it is a labor of love and very time consuming. Thank you for sharing all your triumphs and tragedies. I don't think you really know how many lives you have touched (and all the other contribtors to this board) Lurkers everywhere are thinking about you and sending positive thoughts your way.

What IS going on with belighter? Ann Marie certainly didn't earn any of the money she took from me.

I was traveling for work, and staying in a hotel. Getting ready in the morning, I got out of the shower and was blow-drying my hair, upside down like I always do cuz I have long hair. What I didn't notice was that the little screen for the air intake on the dryer was gone. Yep- you guessed it, the blow dryer sucked up a bunch of my hair and it got totally snarled and tangled in there. Of course, this is one of those blow dryers that they have permanently mounted to the wall, so I can't just un-plug the darn thing. So there I am, in nothing but a towel, with most of my hair stuck in a blow dryer, affixed to the wall. I have a pair of scissors, but they are in my suitcase, which is on the bed in the other room. There is no phone in the bathroom. I figured I could just wait for the housekeeping people to show up and come to my rescue, but I just couldn't bear the humiliation. So I sat there and ripped my hair out of the blow dryer, bit by bit. Needless to say , I looked like hell when I got to the office I was visiting. When I got back home, I made an emergency appointment with my hair stylist. After she was able to quit laughing at my story, she did the best she could with the mess I had made of my hair. It took almost a year before all the signs of that mishap finally faded.

I will give you the same wish I wish for all lapband patients - may you feel restriction from day 1!! (And of course all that other stuff about a speedy, relatively pain-free recovery, yada yada yada!!) But let's face it - restriction is where it's at!

Hi Ryan - Happy New Year. I just read your other posts about Patty's health, and the idiot people who may have harmed her further, and about how much you miss her. With all that going on, you still have the 'presence' of mind to send all of us on this board another 'present'. (Sorry - sometimes I am overwhelmed by being too punny!) I know you were lonely last night, and that you are worried about your wife/soul mate. How's she doing?? We're pulling for you- and her!

Take this for what it's worth. It's from Dr. Kuri's Yahho Group Message Board When you get to the border, there is no way around it. You will have to wait in a (sometimes) very long line. Do not accept any offers to "Get you across the border". [see Caution] When you get to the border crossing and inspection station, you will show some kind of photo ID, or passport. Driver's license is all that I show them. They will ask you if you have purchased anything in Mexico. Absolute Best To Say: "I Have Nothing To Declare" Otherwise, be truthful. Declare all that was purchased in Mexico. HINT: Do NOT declare any medicines. Here is a major legal problem with international meds. Without giving you the whole history about Drugs, FDA, Mexico, Sept 11, and all that. The fact is: If you declare any meds, they will take them, and you will get a stiff warning. If you don't declare them and they find them, USTres will take the meds and give you a serious fine, and an all expense paid trip to the federal jail in San Diego. Ouch! HINT2: Do not mention anything about an operation. When they ask you the reason for the visit to Mexico, "To attend a wedding". Why? Because, their next question will be, do you have any medications? And, you may not have the poker face to lie about your meds. So what to do about all those FDA legal drugs? I say to them "I have no medicines". Yes, I have seen USTres web site. But, their practice is different.

Customs will ask you if you have any medications - the answer is no! Even if your doctor has sent you home with some pain medication or antibiotics, the answer is no. Another reason not to declare that you are there for surgery or anything medical.

I provided a cashier's check. The doctor was going to charge a 5% surcharge to cover the credit card handling fees. I was advised to tell customs, and anyone who asked, that I was a there for 'pleasure' as a tourist.

The Good News is that I found a doctor (a couple of 'em actually) here in Colorado that will do fills and follow-up care for patients banded in Mexico. I went to see Dr. Johnelle in Greely (about two hours from where I live in south Denver Metro) The bad news is that after my 2nd fill, I still don't have any restriction. They sent me for a flouroscopy before my fill. Even though Dr. Johnelle's office is in the hospital, the flouro lab was about 10 miles away. What a pain. Dr. Kuri gave me my first fill in October of almost 2.0 cc's. Of that initial fill, 1.3 cc's was still 'left' in the band. The PA went ahead and gave me a fill of .7 cc's, which only took me back to my starting fill level. When I asked for a bigger fiil than that, the PA said that .7 cc's was still more agressive than Dr. Johnelle like to be. He prefers to only give .3 to .5 cc's per fill. If you've got insurance that will cover all those visits - great! But I'm a self-pay and would appreciate a slightly more aggresive approach. I guess I'll go back again in 2 weeks for another fill. Maybe the third time will be the charm. My prayer/wish for all new bandsters - may you feel restriction right out of the gate!

I am a Colorado Bandster. I live in Littleton - just south of Denver. I had my surgery in Mexico with Dr. Kuri and am getting my fills from Dr. Johnelle. His offive is 2 1/2 hours away for me, so I won't be going to any parties or support groups, either! His staff seems great. Paula had no problem hitting my port on the first try. I haven't met Steve yet.

Now that all of you are back from the Vegas Bash, and the rest of us Pity Party goers are up off the couch - is anybody willing or interested in participating in an exercise challenge? I'm not thinking anything drastic - just more than what we're already doing. I think the goal should be for a 'heart healthy' 30 minutes of activity a day, at least 3 days a week. Anything more is a bonus and worth an extra woo-hoo from the group! Anything counts - weights (Darcy), walking, bike riding (Marie), playing tag with the kids (all the Moms out there), dancing your a** off (Leatha and Lisa). I know Penni wants to do a 5K here soon, and this would be a way we could all get going with our exercise. I would love to hear suggestions, comments, any type of feedback. Do I have any takers?

Thanks again for the encouragement. Like most people, I lost that 10 pounds in the first 2 weeks and haven't lost anything since. Exercise is the one part of my life I have kind of under control. I have been a regular gym goer / exerciser for 4 years now. I usually do 45 minutes of some cardio activity - my current favorite is the elliptical trainer. Then I do 45 minutes of weight/strength training. I do this 4 days a week (I try for 5 days a week, but honestly average only 4). It's good to know that there really isn't a set 'window of opportunity' with the band like there is with the bypass surgery. I'll keep my head in the game - and watch green with envy as Betty and every other recently banded person passes me by in the weight loss department. (GO Betty, GO!!)

Leatha - Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. I must admit that I'm feeling a bit like a failure since I've only lost 10 lbs inthe 2 months+ since surgery. So many other people on this board are doing much much better than I am. You are truly an inspiration to us all. Thanks for all your time and your willingness to share your experiences. I'll let you know as soon as any 'large chunks come up missing'

Hi Marie - I'm hoping that the 'delayed restriction' so often reported here applies to me this time as well. I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to be eating (volume wise), since I don't really have any restriction yet. I don't think I'm strectching or packing my pouch, though. Wouldn't you need restriction for either of those things to happen? Without restriction - food just passes right through - hence, no stretching. Pouch stretching, it seems to me, would only be possible if you actually have restriction, and then eat too much. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I knew that I would be one of those for whom this did not work right off the bat! Not much comes easy to me in the weight loss department! I'm not giving up .... yet.......

Hi Theresa - They weren't looking for leaks with the flouro - just to see band placement. Both Dr's use saline to fill the band. That would really suck if I had a leak!! Maybe Dr. Kuri has 1 year, 10,000 mile warranty on the bands he places! You are very lucky that you were restricted right out of the gate!! I wish I could be there, too! 2 cc's in me and nothing! I can still eat just like always. No restriction, no pb, no nothing! Thanks for your well wishes!! I'm not giving up yet. Just kind of frustrated...

Becky - They have one of these beasts at the gym I belong to. I don't call it the step mill though - I call it the 'GAUNTLET OF DEATH' !!!! Even on a whimpy little setting of 3 (out of 20 possible) I can only go 30 minutes (at the very most) before I am so red that the people at the front desk have the phone receiver in their ear and their fingers poised over the push buttons for a quick '911'. I wanted everyone here on the board to have an idea of how difficult a challenge you've set for yourself. You go girl!!!! I will cheer you on from the elliptical trainer - but I hate the step mill.

I'm back!!!! And I finally met my own challenge! I have been to the gym every morning for the past 3 days. I have been doing 35 minutes or about 3 miles on the elliptical trainer. Then on Wednesday I did a full lower body weight work out - I am still sore from that one. Yesterday I did a full uper body weight work out (chest/back/shoulders) Today, since I was sore, no weights, but I added another 20 minutes on the stationary bike for 8 miles. I have to go out of town tomorrow for a conference, and I won't be back home until Wednesday night. I could tell you that I'm going to use the hotel training facilities - but it would be a lie. I am going to use the spa though - to get a facial and a massage!!

Dr. Kuri performed my surgery. I'm a single mom, and had to finance my surgery, too. I would definitely recommend Dr. Kuri to anyone considering this surgery. Dr. Kuri performs fills for free to his patients. I just went to Tijuana last week for my first fill. THe flouro equipment at the lab he normally uses was not working, so I met him at his office. The fill was very fast, and painless. Since it was my first fill, he wanted to be sure of the level. He took me in his car and chauffeured my to another flouro lab so he could 'see' my band and my fill. What a sweetie! Can you imagine a US doctor doing that? One of the things to keep in mind when deciding on this surgery and the surgeon is the cost of the fill. Although Dr. Kuri will do the fill for free, I have to fly to San Diego, get a hotel room for a night (the flights don't work to get in and out the same day) and taxi/trolley fares to Tijuana. This last trip cost almost $400, and I'll have to go again here very shortly. Dr. Kuri does not want to risk his patients being over-filled, so he likes to 'sneak-up' on the fill level. I was hoping for the 'perfect' first fill - no such luck. I'll be like everyone else, and it will take at least 2 or 3 fills. That's another $800-$1200. Just something to keep in mind since we're all on a budget. P.S. - If I win the Power Ball - I pledge to fly all Mexican banded patients on this board to San Diego for a fill/bash in Tijauna.

Michelle - Please let us know how your son is doing. All of our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I'll help yell at Penni - Lisa is right (isn't she always?!?!?!) ANY exercise is better than no exercise. 3 miles an hour is a nice pace to set. Walking for 30 minutes a day is what is recommended by the American Heart Association and all those skinny doctors. Let me repeat - any exercise is better than no exercise. With all you've been through lately - I would've stayed in bed for a month with the covers pulled up over my head! You are strong and you ROCK! (there Lisa - is that what you were after???)

How in the world did I miss this thread? It's a little known fact - but I'm a true Disney Geek. I'm not talking Mickey and th Fairy Princesses and all that (although they are nice, too) I'm talking the Parks - particularly Disneyland in Anaheim. Even though I'm 41 years old and live in Denver - I have an annual pass (shhhhh - it's a secret - if my friends knew, they would think I was nuts) I recommend going to a website www.mouseplanet.com Look for the message boards - these folks truly are fanatics and know ALL the ins and outs and every deal or bargain out there. They will happily and gladly answer all your questions (just like lapbanders) Have fun. It's been since August for me to visit the Happiest Place on Earth. Time to plan another trip! This time, I'm going to try to combine a DL trip with a fill in Tijuana!! Do I know how to party or what? Lisa (DeLarla) has nothing on me!

Reporting for 'Fat-o-Gram' Duty. Ready to kick ass and take names!! Put me in coach!! I'm ready to play!

Yeah - I agree - sneezing really really really hurts. Do what Leatha said and make a 'belly splint' for when you sneeze. Of course, if you're not at home or in your car (I even carried mine in the car) then you're out of luck. The good news is that the pain subsides. It took me over 3 weeks before I could sneeze or cough without tears welling up in my eyes. Good Luck - and let us know how you're doing.

Too Funny! You are very very witty!! I think you've covered them all - I can't think of a thing to add.