Marimaru

Wow... are you going to go after any kind of compensation from Dr. Wood, or is insurance at least paying for all of this? I hope that you feel better soon and that your surgery next week goes well!

First, thanks again for being around. It's nice to get a quick answer every now and then! I don't know whether this is band related, and at this point, I don't know if it's gall bladder related, but I have some pain in my upper right abdomen. I saw my PCP for it a number of months ago and she ordered an ultrasound, which found nothing, and she just basically said to try some dietary changes and "see what happens". Last Thursday night the pain got worse than it had been all this time (it was very mild, 2 or 3 level pain). Now the pain gets to be about 5 sometimes, but usually settles around 3, but has started radiating down the right side of my abdomen to about my hipbone. I went to Urgent Care on Monday, and she felt around and took come blood to check Liver function and Pancreas function. She said my blood work was perfect, with the exception of a mild case of anemia. I am going to make another appointment with my PCP to see what she recommends next, but I wanted to see what you thought. Also, I'm attaching a link to a picture I took of an xray that was taken. There's a dark mass to the right, opposite the tubing in my band which you can see. I know a picture of an xray isn't really probably all that helpful, but I though I'd throw it in anyway; http://joygraffix.com/portfolio/oh/images/bandxray.gif Thank you!

I don't like the crystal lite slurpees, and I've only had like 2 of the regular ones since being banded (maybe a couple more than 2, it's been 2 years, lol). My fiance got one a few weeks ago and I took a sip... BLEAH. I don't like them anymore!

I don't really care whether my food is organic or not, but if you have a Trader Joe's in your area, they have it, or Whole Foods markets. Try a google search "your city, organic food store"

Well, I've gone to the doctor. The pain seems more localized to my lower ribs than my actual gallbladder now. I had an xray that didn't show anything and I have an ultrasound schedule for a week from tuesday. If the ultrasound doesn't find anything I am going to get a referral to a specialist. I believe the scan you mentioned, Avilla, is a HIDA scan and I will request one. Before it was VERY Mild constant pain, and now it's pretty moderate, at times a little more than that (though not severe... yet). Hopefully it doesn't get worse before my ultrasound. Liquid tylenol seems to keep it at bay, but my liver is healthy and I'd like to keep it that way!

Alice, that sounds so great!! I'm glad you are feeling good!

I don't have a recliner, and I was in a hotel for 2 nights after my surgery anyway. To lay down, I just sit down, lay on my side, then roll into whatever position I wanted. To get up, roll onto side, use arms to push into sitting position. Loving-it is right about the bathroom or any sitting position), push on your knees with your hands while you stand up to support the upper part of your body. It takes some of the work off of your abs. My fiance came with me for my surgery, and it was very nice to have him around, but I *could* have done everything on my own. Walking around is good for you so it's not like you are bed ridden. Don't pick up anything heavy and you should be ok. (assuming there are no surgical complications) I slept on both of my sides the first night after surgery. I just can't sleep on my back. I CAREFULLY and SLOWLY rolled to each side. It was a little painful to roll onto the left side (where my port is), but once I got settled, it didn't hurt anymore.

pizza, chips, cheese dip, bowl of rice, bowl of Pasta, BREAD of almost any kind, ice cream, FROSTING, french fries. oh, and seconds please! I really love my new eating life. It's not in control to a level that I am happy with yet, but it's a work in progress. I LOVE going out to dinner, feeling 'stuffed' (as stuffed as a bandster can comfortably be), and then looking at how much I have left, and comparing that to what I would have eaten preband.

If I have daughters, they'll be vaccinated. Assuming they aren't born with it having gotten it from me. :grouphug:

When I fly I get extra tight for a day or so. I wouldn't say I have any pain tho.

That quote describes me very well also. I'm actually in counceling for this. BUT at the same time, no one knows what to do with me when I DO stand up for myself. I got in a HUGE fight with my mom because she snapped at me one day and I snapped back! I went to Mexico for my surgery 2 years ago. I've lost 65 lbs, which is good, but I would be happier if it was more. But at the same time, anytime I am not losing, I am also not gaining, which is insanely helpful. Like you said, many of us are overweight for a reason, and I am hoping that with this counceling I can quit sabotaging myself and get to goal.

Amy, I'm banded 2 years now, but have had the same thing going on the last 2 months. I was talking to my mom about it, and she said that she went through the same thing during a very stressful time, and thought she was just 'getting old'. But when she climbed on top of things after the stressful time was over, she got her 'quickness' back. I was every so glad to hear this! So, here's to both of us being able to spell again!!

Well, the first day I returned to work after having my surgery, one of my coworkers was going to McDonald's for lunch and out of habit, asked me if I wanted anything. I looked at him like he had 2 heads or something and he realized his mistake. We laughed :grouphug:. I'm sure the host probably didn't mean to hurt you deliberately. *hugs*

Hmmm... If they are still doing things the way they were when I went there, Doralisa has a nice basket of bandster friendly full liquids for when you get out of the hospital, and there is a mall that is next door to the hotel. My fiance and I walked over to the mall my 2nd day and walked around and that was nice. There's lots of seats at the mall so if you get a little tired just sit for a few minutes. Other than that, just relax :grouphug:

Perhaps you should make an appointment with the hospital NOW, so that they can look for it under flouro and see what the deal is once and for all? If it's turned, they can get a picture of it so they know what way it's turned and what way they need to go after it, OR whether or not they need to fix it. Lots and lots of people adopt a 3 sticks rule. I understand you trying so you didn't waste the trip, but I can't even imagine the bruise you have right now!! *hugs*

The only issue with the gall bladder thing is that if your gall bladder goes bad in the future (which it seems to do often after quick weight loss), then what do you say? A hiatal hernia, from my understanding, is when part of your stomach is kind of poking up through your diaphram. I think it would be a good explaination.

I'm going to get my breast lifted. There's no recovering from that sag! But after losing 55 lbs, I was stuck for about 8 months, and my skin tightened up quite a bit. My mom said she noticed it when I was in my bathing suit. In my head, if my skin tightens up the way I think it's going to, I think my stomach might be a little 'squishy' but not saggy (I hope that makes sense), and same with my thighs and arms. I might still decide to have those tightened up, but the procedures will be signifigantly less painful and invasive.

Ok, I give in. I read the first post on this when Amy first posted it, and then left it alone. I was stuck at 225 for 8 months, then in April/May lost another 10 and seem to be stuck again. I'm 5 lbs from my halfway point, and 16 pounds from onederland and as each day passes those goals seem farther and farther away with the stupid @#$%ing scale not moving. I will be buying the stuff for this before or during this weekend. I'm off work on Monday and Tuesday, which is normally when I am on the boards, but I'm going to try and remember to post on whatever day I start it. Starting saturday would probably be good because it's the weekends in front of my computer that get me snackin'. Besides, who doesn't love a good veggie soup anyway!! And I love that you guys are having so much fun with this. I've been refusing to be a part of any diet up to this point in my banded life, but at the same time I am SO SICK of counting calories. I'd rather do a soup diet than count stupid calories.

Olive! Your surgery date is 4 days after my 2 year bandiversary with Dr. Rumbaut! He is a great, great surgeon. You will love him and his entire staff.

Kim, thanks for the encouragement!!! Wild, I've never had any issues other than being slightly overfilled, which is easily fixed with an unfill. No flipped port, no slippage (yet, crossed fingers), or erosion that I am aware of. If you gained weight on a fast, I would highly recommend that you have some things tested before you have surgery. Vinequeen, who I'm sure you've read about, was banded, did not lose much of anything, started gaining back, etc, and found out she has a brain tumor that is probably contributing, and it's likely she may not have needed the band to lose the weight if this was found (possibly). That aside... I've lost 65 lbs in 2 years. Yes, I wish it was more, I wish I was at goal by now, or struggling with the last 20 lbs or so. I do not, even a little bit, regret getting my band. I was 280 when I started, and I have no doubt in my mind that I would have blown past 300 already had I not been banded. Even when I'm not losing weight, I am happy I have my band, because I am not gaining weight. I don't know if 65 lbs is "lots" of weight, but I think my skin is doing pretty well. When I was at 55 lbs lost I got stuck for 8 months-ish, and my skin tightened up pretty well on it's own. I'm thinking that after I get to goal, if I can be patient, I might only want minimal surgery to fix a few things. My breasts are never going to tighten up, so I'm already planning on having them lifted, but I think my tummy will be ok, and my arms and thighs could be ok. I'm 24, so I don't have any facial wrinkles really, but losing weight has definately helped me look more my age (instead of, you know, 15). Hope this helps.

mama, you said that your doctor was slow to refill, but that might be okay. I've heard of LOTS of people who were filled at a certain level, then unfilled for whatever reason, and it took alot less fill to get back the restriction they had. Anywho, good luck!

I was told nothing strenuous for 2 weeks, so that's what I waited for sex.

I'm not hungry all the time. I had a little pouch of beef Jerky last night as a 'snack' and wasn't hungry later for dinner. There is a period of 'agony' after being banded, but before having a fill. People choose to handle this different ways; eat until you are full, probably not losing any weight (because you aren't restricted, you can probably eat the same amount as before surgery), eat healthier food, but still eat until you are full, or diet, and probably be hungry like you were on any diet before banding. Once you start getting fills (though it can take a few to get good restriction), you shouldn't be hungry all the time, and something probably isn't right if you are.

Well, you should always follow your doctors orders, but nothing says you can't call him and ask if you can have something a little more substantial(sp). Worst case, he says no, and THEN you have to suck it up and wait. But calling wont hurt!

I can eat 1 or 2 cups of food, depending on what it is. Some days and some meals it is about a half a cup of food. What you are giving her sounds fine. If she wants to watch the calories a little more, she could do egg whites instead of eggs, each egg white has only 16 calories. Anywho, other than watching her foods, and making sure not to drink while eating and right afterwords, she'll need to start exersizing if she isn't already (boo, hiss, I know). I'm not great about it, but I'm doing alot more than I used to be. I really think it's great that you are so supportive of her!