Marimaru

I vote for the unfill a well.

I don't know about Arkansas specifically, but I know there are lots of doctors in the states. I had my surgery in Mexico because I was selfpay and the price was better, as well as the doctor being more experienced than most of the docs were here at the time. If you have insurance, they should be able to give you a list of the doctors in your area that they cover, which would be a good start. How fast you see results depend on the person. I'm 2 1/2 years out and I"m a little over halfway to goal, some people have been at goal a while by the time they get this far out. 'results may vary' . My procedure cost $11,000.

I've flown many, many times since banding and I've never set anything off (at least, not because of the band, lol). I have heard that some airports have their scanners way up, and sometimes the titanium in the band can set that off, but I've never experienced it. I also keep my band card in my wallet, and I can just show them the scars if they wanna get huffy about it. I want to add, that when I flight, my band tightens up on me pretty good. It doesn't happen to everyone, but I know it happens to some people.

It's taken me 3 days to catch up on this post since I last posted, lol. Regarding the comment about what we should teach our children; I think the children of a home should be brought up on the beliefs of their parents, however, I also believe that those parent should be responsible enough to explain that there are people with other belief systems. My parents might not support certain belief systems, but they certainly wouldn't criticize me for chosing one if I were to take the time to get to know what it was I believed in, if that makes any sense. My fiance's parents are strictly of the Mormon faith, and he doesn't particularly follow it, and his parents don't have anything to say against him for that. My fiance (and myself) both are greatful for our Christian upbringing as we believe that it helped to instill some basic morals into us (not to say that people of other upbringings aren't moral, I hope no one thinks I am saying that). There are some other things I was going to respond to, but they are pages ago, and kind of moot at this point. Oddly enough, the conversation seemed to get decently pleasant when it turned FROM Religion TO Politics. Fancy that. Regarding religion, personally, I think that organized religion is part of the problem with religion altogether, although I understand why it exists. If all of the information were available to us, and we all found our OWN way to God or, found that we don't believe in him, or found that we believe in a different God/Gods/Goddesses, people might not argue so much about it... but maybe I'm just crazy. The biggest kicker to me on this entire thread was the arguments between Christians and other Christians. I'm a little late on this as well, but Gadgetlady, I'll answer your question. I do not take the bible literally, and to be quite honest, I don't know whether I believe that Jesus rose on the 3rd day. For example: I think that God creating everything in 6 days (and resting on the 7th) is a metaphor. I believe that quite possibly 7 "days" could be the time it took for things to evolve. I also believe that believing in God in my heart, and believe that I feel that He(or She, whatever) exists in some form or fashion, is enough for me. Someday, when I die, I'll find out whether I was right or wrong, or, I'll rot in the ground and I'll never know anything. Faith is faith. I don't KNOW anything.

I was so sad to hear that. I work in the horseracing industry, and we're all sad .

I use Firefox almost exclusively. It's only "almost" because I have to use it sometimes at work to verify compatibility with my client's software, and because there are still a few sites out there that just don't work right in FF. Once you get used to FF, you'll start to LOVE their tabbing system, and I also love the extensions you can get. I actually have an extension that will open an IE window IN a Firefox tab. It's so cool. Also, like Wheetsin said, if you post your components n' stuff, I'll have my fiance take a look and give his 2 cents on it as well.

I don't know about AS, but it occurred to me also that she just doesn't care much about privacy or tact. I've known people who were like that, and I didn't hang around them long enough to call them my friend. I think that the manual is a sweet idea, but I also think that if she really wanted help, she would start listening to your advice before you actually wrote a book for her. To try and see if she really wants help, or if she's just trying to get you to hang around a little longer, start pointing out when she's doing those things. Right when they happen, don't bring it up later, point it out right away. If she really wants to change, she'll get the hang of it. I think there is a BIG difference between being oblivious, and choosing to not care about whether you are a good person.

I'm curious what kind of computer and which windows OS you have that you get the blue screen all the time. I honestly do not have a whole lot of mac experience, but I used them in school, and did some programming for one in a computer app class, and I wasn't too impressed. I've been very happy with Windows XP, and I've also been using Windows Vista on my home pc since beta 2, and I haven't had any issues with it, other than drivers I am waiting for, and I'm only missing them for only one set of headphones and my off brand graphics tablet.

"So look at the graph, for a VG band filled with 5cc has about 4.8 cm2 openning, whereas a 10cm band with 2cc has 3.7cm2 aproximately openning." This is true for the opening of the BAND, it says nothing about the size of the opening of the band, in addition to the stomach tissue in it. And really, you have NO IDEA how thick or thin your stomach wall is. It's also pretty common knowledge that we really aren't supposed to feel "full" going forward, not like we did before. We are supposed to feel "satisfied" which is the feeling you describe, but then you continue to go back for more. I have had 2 fills and one unfill. My fill kept me from eating too much when I wanted to, but on some days it kept me from eating ENOUGH. So now, there are days when I can eat too much, but for the most part, I have to control that, so that on the days when I'm tighter, I'm not TOO tight. You mentioned before how mean people were and referenced another thread where someone asked the same question. The biggest difference is that the other person did not give themselves a fill, and they did not intend to, they were asking out of curiosity (or at least, that's how I took it). Frankly, at this point, I'm not sure you care what anyone's opinion is on the fact that you give yourself fills. Obviously no one here agrees with you that it's a good idea. None of us wish you harm, we all just are trying to make it very clear that you could hurt yourself. You mentioned your doctor being arrogant in saying that everyone gets the same thing, but then later defend him by saying he doesn't make enough money. I do think it's arrogant to treat everyone with a band the same way (which is also the problem I have with your statements regarding the graph you keep showing), however, if you become a doctor, you need to be a doctor. If you don't like what you are paid, go somewhere else and be a doctor, or don't be a doctor anymore, but don't give substandard care. I live in the US, and I LEFT THE COUNTRY to go get my band done. The doctor that I chose has more experience than most if not all of the doctors in the US. I knew when I did this, that I would need to find care near me, or be prepared to travel again for my aftercare. More and more people are leaving the country for procedures because the care is the same (if not better) and the cost is less. What I can tell you about doctors here, is that if I filled myself, and then went to my doctor, and he pulled out the fluid and found MORE than what he'd put in, he's ask me for the records for where I got my additional fill. If I couldn't provide them, he'd likely drop me as a patient, because he would not want to take on the liability of a patient who does things on their own. I think a large number of the comments you've received on this thread have been more directed toward new bandsters who might be reading it, to kind of show a consensus that most of us agree that it is a bad idea to try to do your own aftercare. I read the thread about the person who had the remote control band. She still has to go to the hospital to get her adjustments. The band patients don't get their own controller.

You probably gained that wieght just because you are able to consume something now and your body is putting itself back together. I think you'll level out, and if you eat right, you'll start losing. Take the 2 weeks to get healthy, and give your stomach a break.

I don't spend less either, but instead of buying tons of frozen meals, and microwave crap, I'm buying meat, and veggies n' stuff like that.

I've also been told that my band should be with me forever. In 10 or 15 years though if I'm told it has to be replaced, I don't think I'll be crushed. One the one hand, the technology will be better by then, so I'll probably end up happier anyway, and besides, it's possible I could tie the band replacement surgery into getting my tummy tightened a little bit. LOL As for Ms. Sharon... her reasons for removing the band were very surprising to me, however, I do believe it's best if she's still battling heavily with bulimia, which is what I read.

Regarding your friend who has to force herself to eat... there was a period of time where I kind of had to do that. I didn't feel hungry, and surgery was still decently knew, so head hunger was still at bay. I went on a business trip with my mom (who is also my boss), and I'd been eating like 3 'half meals' a day. All she talked about was how pale I was, and how I didn't look "well'. She helped remind me to eat a few more times a day (not a lot, just to get more nutrition in throughout the day) and it helped ALOT. I really don't want to go through another period like that. Not that I have much to worry about, I'm still working on the head hunger thing now that it's come back, heh.

I think right post surgery, PB and Vomit equate to basically the same thing. Your stomach still has to lurch, which is what they want avoided, because the stitches that are placed aren't settled yet. There's a good chance it isn't a problem, but I think you should call your doctor, and if he wants to check it out, I think you should go in.

JJB, a couple of things to you, I think you should appeal to insurance with the information that your apron causes you physical trouble. Also, you should shop your prices, because out here (CA) you can get 'deals' for Breast and Tummy for like $6500. Vickie, I think you could probably get some of this covered by insurance if you have it. It's worth a shot. I'm going to try and appeal to my insurance folks when I want mine .

I'm with Lisah25 on the idea that God is all knowing, yet gave us free will, knowing what we would do with it, and now punishes us. THAT is what was meant by being set up. "The difference is that I believe in the God of the Bible, the only true God." YOU believe that this is the case. Other people believe in other gods and believe that theirs is the "one true" god(dess), and believe that you are wrong. This is honestly the biggest problem I have with any kind of organized religion. I'm sorry, but I don't believe there is any possible way anyone really knows, other than by "faith" which is by definition "belief that is not based on proof". I am not an atheist, nor am I agnostic, however, I don't really believe in God in the sense of the Bible, either I guess, which is my form of faith.

Damn. It just floors me that anyone would even CONSIDER taking away benefits promised to Vets, let alone actually go through with it. Healthcare for the general public is bad enough as it is too. I'm no where near retirement yet, but I fear for the baby boomers, and I fear for myself when it does get to be that time. Hopefully that's enough time for someone to do something. Heh...

"Companies that force you to quit, because they don't want to pay unemployment." You can fight this one. If you are 'forced to quit' you have an opportunity to tell the unemployment office what was done that made you feel that way, and they can judge the case in your favor. At least in CA, just thought I would mention. I also hate that my boobs rest on my belly. I hate the part of my stomach that does the 'muffin top' thing. It almost doesn't matter what I wear sometimes. Jackassery on the road. Idiots that I have to work with. Namely, people who refuse to listen when they are told EXACTLY what they need to do to succeed at their job and refuse to do it.

If you don't mind my asking, why on earth were you forced to do your fill yourself?

I have been on anti depressants for just about a year now, and they helped alot with the depression I was in. There was alot going on at the time, and I didn't really have a coping mechanism. I've been in counceling almost as long as I've been on Wellbutrin, and she's helping me with coping mechanisms. I also spent alot of time looking at my past and finding out why I am the way I am. The help she has given me has been invaluable, but at the same time, I don't think I would have lost this weight without the band, even with her help. Beyond using food to cope with stress, it was also a habit. If I was bored, I went for the fridge, no matter how I was feeling. My recommendation would be to get a complete unfill and see how you fill. In most people an empty band isn't all that restricting. In a few months, re-evaluate your situation. Are you happier, or are you frustrated that you are gaining weight (if you are), do you feel more in control, or less, etc. Having the band has been hard sometimes for me, I got angry the other night and went to the grocery store, picked up a few things and didn't eat any of it when I got home, except for the dinner I'd already planned on making before I got angry. 3 years ago, I would have ate the dinner, and I would have probably bought a jar of frosting and some cookie dough and eaten a large portion of that, instead of having a pretty low cal cheesecake snack that is still in the fridge. That, in and of itself, is a pretty damn good feeling to me. 3 years ago, I felt out of control. 2 1/2 years ago when my mom told me she would pay for me to be banded, I burst into tears because I felt such relief that I would have some help with this. I'm rambling, but I guess my main point is to think about how you felt before banding, and how you feel now, and how you feel after a few months or so of having no feel (in essence, not being banded, without the surgery).

I try and drink a glass or 2 of water before the meal. Then I usually am not so thirsty during the meal. Sometimes I will sip throughout the meal, usually during times where the food just sits there after 2 small bites and another will make me PB (2 bites is not a meal, I don't care what planet you are on). Sometimes if I drink with a meal, it will CAUSE me to PB, so it really varies for me. I'm very careful not to use drinking with my meal to allow me to eat more, and when I insist on drinking with a meal, I also insist on not snacking for the next 3 to 4 hours, no matter how I feel.

Congrats!!!!

Quite simply, the band made more sense to me. Yeah, I'd probably be long since at goal if I'd had RNY 2.5 years ago instead of the band, but the very worst case if I have a problem with my band, is that I will need to have it removed. Plus, the whole adjustability thing seemed good as well. Especially since I want to have kids in the future. If I have trouble getting in the nutrition that I need, they can just take my fill out and put it back in after the baby is born. I also didn't know that Australians had quit doing the bypass altogether. That is some interesting information. I knew the band was pretty much the gold standard out there tho.

Stress makes my stomach tighter as well. (Saying that the band is tighter isn't accurate, but it's what we all say). I think you NEED to find someone to help with your mom for the first 3 or 4 weeks after surgery. You wont be able to do any heavy lifting, and you aren't supposed to be doing strenuous activities, and some people find the post-surgery diet pretty stressful too (liquids for 2 weeks or so, then mushies, etc). It depends on the person, but I think you need to give yourself as much time as you can to recover. You can always tell the person helping you "thanks, I'm okay now" but it may be hard to tell them "It's taking longer than I thought to recover, can you stay longer?" You know? I had surgery on a Friday and was back to work Tuesday, but I have a desk job.

I was 22 when I had my surgery 24 now. I'm really, really glad I had it done. I don't think it's giving up, I think it's taking charge of a problem I couldn't solve by myself. I'm one of the "slow loser" but I'm over halfway to goal now, so I'm on the way .