marcyinak

I live in Nome and have used Dr. Jones as my fill doc since I was banded 7/07. He's great, but insists that if you come from out of town that you stay for a few days just in case there are complications. I know he'll "tweak" the fill for free if it's within the week. He and I have had GREAT communication at our visits and he does what I want. I don't know how the other docs in Anc do it, but Dr. Jones uses a small needle...cleans the area with alcohol, shoots it in and it's done...other docs do a whole prep thing that seems a bit tedious (and I work in healthcare!). To note: I was going through Anc. a couple of weeks ago and was going to get a fill, but Dr. Jones was out of the office....bummer! So I called around (Dr. Searle, Dr. Todd, and the x-ray place that does the flouros) the docs were about $400 to set up and $200 for the fill, the x-ray place was going to be about $800....FYI. I was lucky enought to get a doc (Dr. Lawrence) out here in Nome to do my fills (he'll do them at the hospital or at my home). Our first fill together was a little crazy (finding the right spot), but things are good now and I have no trouble being the guinea pig for him...if it allows others to get fills out here without having to go to Anc. to do it.

So...had an *interesting* fill experience. My doc here talked w/ Dr. K on the phone and got the "down-low" from him. Dr. K felt comfortable with "Bob's Fill Service" (as my sister has happily named). So, he tried a few times, unsucessfully to get the right spot (were finding the port, but fluid wouldn't come out). Plan was to extract all fluid and just re-insert new fluid + some. Well, after even using the ultrasound (which was a bust so don't pay for that) we realized he was just too low and found the spot. Interesting...I'm supposed to be filled to 3.4 cc, but only 2.8 came out (now I know that sometimes a SMALL amount of fluid is absorbed and sometimes a SMALL amount of fluid just stays put and won't come out so I'm not alarmed - unless some of you are and then I might look into it further). So he just put in the 3.4cc. Seems to be working so far. I "tested" the fill with breakfast (my usual, cereal) and couldn't eat nearly as much as last week and I've been "stopped" from eating too much at meals - no PB's yet, but that's good, that means I've learned to stop before it happens. Someone asked about all the protein shakes. I rarely drink them and when I do it's as a meal replacement. I KNOW I get enough from what I eat...I'm not as tight as the regular Joe out there (and that's my decision). I eat my protein first and if I snack it's usually on something healthy (unless there's a Hershey bar around). My prayer for us all: "Lord, may we have the strength this weekend to look at the chocolate, popcorn balls, and Starburst and say 'NO! I WILL NOT!' May we uplift each other in ways that we never thought imaginable. May we accept each other's faults and push each other to do better each day. Amen" Thanks so much! Now...I've got to go pack for my weekend in Hawaii with my sisters! Oh, yes! Now quite ready for a bikini, but at least I'll get a tan and that's more than what could be said for anyone else out here in rural Alaska!! haha!

Mal - a Yorkie? Really? Do you see me as a fluffy dog kinda person??? No, we'll be getting a BOSTON TERRIER...you know, big eyes, big noggin'? They're super fun! When it comes to naming dogs I always try to think "What am I going to feel ok with running down the street screaming?" I remember yelling "Pepper!!" When I was a kid and I hated the name, seemed so lame at the time! Our last Boston was named "Fifty" (after a P-52 Bomber airplane)...Connor thinks we should name this one "Fifty-two" Haha!:thumbup: Munch - now, older guys aren't that bad! Don't swear them all off just because you managed to find a bad one. Give him a chance...give YOURSELF a chance! Besides, maybe he'll die first and leave you everything?!?! (See how I can always look on the bright side? That "bad" sarcasm comes with living in the bush!):scared2: Halloween Challenge - I'm still the same...dang-it! My doc had to reschedule my fill today - I'll be in on Monday...so maybe I'll lose a lb or two before Halloween???:thumbup: Bella - Way to go!!!

OK, all you pet lovers...my husband is getting me a Boston Terrier (female pup) for Christmas!!! Need some name ideas. And nothing "cute"...I'm not that kind of girl! :-D

OK, all you pet lovers...my husband is getting me a Boston Terrier (female pup) for Christmas!!! Need some name ideas. And nothing "cute"...I'm not that kind of girl! :-D

Good news...I hope! Talked/emailed a doc/friend here in Nome and he said he'd be willing to do fills for me. But, get this, I could EITHER go into the hospital/clinic and pay their office visit fee (could be anywhere from $85-$300...you never know with them) OR I could have him come to MY HOUSE and pay $150!!! Ok sisters, it's time to move to Nome...we can have "fill parties". Haha! We've got to do a little more discussion on the matter (he wants a referral from my surgeon...like that'll be hard). But it looks like a done deal. I'm soooo happy!

Oh crap, just found out that my fill doc in Anchorage is not going to be there the week I am going to be there! AAAHHHH!!!! I called around and it's going to cost $600-$800 for a fill with someone else! You've got to be kidding me?!?!

Oh, so my SIL that was going to get banded this month with Dr. K has decided that "we need to attack my diabetes head-on" so she's going to get a bypass. I don't know, I still feel like it's such a drastic procedure and only the MOST needful should have it done. I don't think she understood all the long-term affects of the Band, let alone a bypass! I don't think she realizes that she'll need supliments for the rest of her life! Whatever...this is not a woman whom you can reason with...her whole life is unreasonable... Maybe I'm just being a "Band Snob?" Besides...she's only had diabetes for a couple of years and shouldn't you TRY to work on that without surgery before you do something so DRASTIC?

E'splain-a me this...I can go through an entire chicken wrap from Subway (last night), but get all stopped-up on OATMEAL this morning?!?! I'm in desperate need of a fill. I'll be going the first week of November (stop through Anchorage on the way to Hawaii with my sisters). I'm just not losing anything. I'll admit that I eat crap too much, but I just KNOW I'm eating too much when it's meal-time (and I'm doing pretty good about not snacking). AAAHHHHH!!!!!! Halloween Challenge - didn't post last week, but I've been the same for a couple of weeks. Bummer, but I still lost 4 lbs. out of all this and that's still nice. No snow in Nome...yet...it's chilly though!

Dionna - You're right...people...especially us who come from far away, should take care of ALL aspects of the surgery (cost, pre-surgery care, post-care, fills, support, etc.) It took me 6 years to finally make this decision and I would assume that a high percentage of people who have been banded (although, I'll agree not all) took the time to do proper and full research. For instance, I KNEW that I'd have to travel to have surgery, that I'd need some after-care support, that I needed to FLY (and an EXPENSIVE flight for me) to get each fill, and that I'd already talked to 3 fill docs who would take me on for after-care. I have also befriended some physicians in Nome who will be able to take care of emergencies. I'm no idiot...living rural like this, you have to take extra precautions. I'm happy to report that MANY people who have had to fly in to Denver to see Dr. K have gone through ALL (if not more) of the steps I did - which shows commitment to the process. Also to note: those who are doing GREAT on the band who might have in-person support are not on these sites...those who need support ARE (and a LOT of those that need support are having issues). So...by a statistical standpoint...of course you're going to find people with problems here...you're not going to hear about the THOUSANDS of people that have never had a problem whatsoever.:thumbup:

Munch: Ok, the line is...."No more wire hangers, EVERRRRR!!!!" Trust me, my sister and I thought we were watching a movie of our lives...I wanna say that my little sister was even strapped into bed like Christopher Crawford was! My mom was just here for the weekend and let me tell you...that was PLENTY of time! I managed to get through the weekend unmedicated though! :thumbup: Bella - yes, you're too tight, but don't be ashamed to say that you "like" not being able to eat much....I feel the same right after a fill...although it loosens up on me and I'm usually just right for quite some time...I know that as little as .1 or .2 cc's makes a BIG difference so maybe just have a little taken out. magains and mini (or was it someone else? cripe, there's so many people now, but you know who you are) - has Dr. K pulled the fluid out to see if you really have the amount he put in? If you can still eat quite comfortably then it makes me wonder (there was talk a long time ago that the band "absorbs" a little fluid - not a leak, just something to check out if you're going in for a fill) So...if I'm not back on for a couple of days know 2 things...first, I get my daily email from lapbandtalk late in the evening (for me, so it's even later for you all) so I'll be reading...second, volleyball on Thursday...I'm preparing for war - with my own team! :drool:

Jennifer!!! I see you're on!!! Miss you...hope all is well! Email me to keep in touch, eh!!

Munch - stop looking for the stuff!!! You're going to get yourself into a tizzy and gorge! We don't want that...with all the gas we're producing already we could light up half the country...wait...what an idea!! Someone call Gore!!:tongue: I'm doing decent with "moving" lately...been kickin' some butt on Dance, Dance Revolution...totally worked up a sweat, but my friend assumed it was because I had the wood stove burning up the living room already...and it had nothing to do with us jumping around like idiots! The kids thought it was great though! WELCOME new losers! So many new people...I already have a hard time with the names...especially when the names have nothing to do with the "screen name"...see how I'm so nice to just put two and two together with mine?!?! It's exciting to see so many people happy with Dr. K's work and that there IS support...even for the new folks! Mal - what happened with Anita? And some of the other "oldies"? I need updates here! Keeps me going! I'm so proud of you with all your goals! I'd love to see you again and be able to give each other hugs that will go all the way around!:biggrin:

Oh, if you REALLY need it...I have all the other recipes too! :-D

Jaime - You know...once my husband and I were going to start a diet together (Nutrisystem, I think) and we totally had last supper syndrome...we ate B&J every night until our first box arrived...needless to say we eat had 10 lbs. MORE to lose by the time the box got to us! Haha! Just be careful...you don't have to over-indulge. SOME things you still will be able to eat (heck, I can still drink soda and I'm pretty tight - now, most people can't, so I take it as a blessing:cool2:) MANY of the things I can't eat I don't WANT to eat anymore so it's not a biggie...so just relax and know that if you can get through this pre-op, you'll be TOTALLY successful in bandland! That really is the first test of the band...right before you get it! We're here/hear for you!:cool2: ColoCrazy - it has only been your presence here that has brought out the negative in anyone...I'm sorry that you haven't felt the support here that others have. I hope you have another group so that you may be as successful as we are here. I'm one of the *small* handful of folks that was at the beginning of this thread so I can say that this really IS a great group of supportive people. We ALL have to find where we're comfortable and it is obvious that you aren't comfortable here.:thumbup: Volleyball - well, that team I'm on is...well...CRAZY! :w00t:We don't get along and we've got a few ball-hogs on the team. Anyone ever watch that movie "Church Ball"? The premise behind it is the Mormons (and especially the missionaries) play basketball - and they're out for blood...totally dominant and crazy. It's a parody, but TOTALLY true (I'm Mormon and can talk about it with some sort of authority.) Anyway, we've got the missionaries on our team and one of them is Samoan and he's playing his own version of church ball....I called him on it last night while we were having dinner and I explained that I was no longer going to get bulldozed into...I was going to start doing some bulldozing...heck, I need to have fun, eh?:thumbup: Now...scroll down if you can't handle it...the recipe for B&J Pumpkin Ice Cream...straight from their cookbook: 2 larg eggs 3/4 cup sugar 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 cup milk (this is the base...it is important to whisk the eggs, then add the sugar a little at a time) 1 cup unsweetened canned pumpkin 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1. prepare the base. Pourt ~ 1 cup of base into another bowl, add the pumpkin and spices, stir until blended. Add the remaining cup of base. 2. transfer to an ice cream maker and mix away Makes "generous" 1 quart.:thumbup:

Halloween Challenge - lost .5 lbs. this week...it's a LOSS so I'll take it, especially since I didn't even TRY! :-D FYI - I happen to own a Ben and Jerry's cookbook...I'll look up a couple of the recipes and post them for you so you can make it at home without fear of gross stuff in the batch... Now, must go pick up my mother from teh airport...she's already a little crazy and after insisting on flying the 'little" plane out here instead of an AK Airlines jet...she'll be neurotic for the rest of the day...and Monday when she prepares to fly home to Fairbanks! AAAhhhh!!!

Oh, I weighed in for the Halloween Challenge and I'm the same for week two!

I concur with the 3733...I think both would be great, but the other one is satin and that'll just wrinkle and piss you off that it's wrinkled! The taffeta will wrinkle too, but the dress is made so that won't matter too much and you'll be able to just enjoy yourself. A properly fitting bra might negate the necessity for tape (although it IS handy!). Good luck and post pictures!!:confused:

Tonight we had my daughters birthday party. She is the most beautiful girl in the world...see below for proof!:thumbup: So, let's all focus on her face...forget about the mammograms, the colon surgeries, the broken puppies, the ex-husbands, the bad neighbors, the BAD nurses, the costs of fills, being on-call (and even though I'M not, my husband is and that's just as bad), not losing a lb. this week, non-existent libido, cravings, hurt arms, etc. (because I just can't remember ALL the issues we have going on here) and just enjoy what God put on this earth...little princesses!!

Halloween Challenge Weigh In - nuthin'...didn't lose, but also didn't gain...stayed the same, which is a good sign that if I diet and then go back to "normal" I'll be able to maintain! Now, I'd like to lose a lb. a week though..to keep it going. Brandy - holy cow! Will be praying for you and your husband. Munchkin - WOW! You can really see the difference in your face! You're stunning! I like the tattoo, but after 7 hrs on my leg, I just don't think I could endure it on my back..yyeeeeeoooouuuuccchhh!!

Jaime - I got fills that were a few months apart. This worked for me (especially since I had to travel to get them) because I had to "adjust" myself...and also knowing FOR SURE that I needed a fill. I've lost a decent amount of weight. A little slower than others, but it's not a race, it's life! You don't HAVE TO get a fill anyway, it just helps the tool to work better. Just take your time and PLAN on a few fills the first year - you'll be fine and we're here for support. Brandy - thinking/praying for you and your DH...even way up here! Maybe the Northern Lights ARE majical?! Mini - that's just WAY COOL that you've been chosen. You should be very proud of how you've coped with this terrible disease in your life. I'm not sure I could be so graceful. Now: the boobs - I, too, have breast cancer in my near maternal side, but breast tissue changes so rapidly that I wouldn't get myself all worked up about it - because that can cause tissue changes too! The neighbors - this is going to sound corny/cheesy, but why don't you pray for your neighbors? Yeah, go ahead with the lawyers, etc., but maybe they just need a friend and that's why they want to live so close. After all that praying I suggest getting some really loud, young, super ADHD foster kids to play in the back yard! :thumbup: Works here! Lifesaver - I'm totally not interested in BFL (although that may change), but I wanted to thank you for passing along valuable information. Thank you, thank you! I was just thinking that I wrote, but no one was listening...then WHAMO tons of kudos for my NSV leather jacket! Thank you so much...I really DO need that sometimes! As do we all or we wouldn't be here. Halloween Challenge: Got my scale working so maybe I'll be able to weigh myself Friday. I'm on a volleyball team now and that's at least getting me active (and bruised...you should see my arms!)...even got slamed in the head from a Samoan spiking the ball! I'm so tough! (Sarcasm there!) Anyway, I've decided to not try so hard with the dieting...I was so miserable last week and not enjoyable to be around...I decided that I'll just be more careful about what I put in my mouth and choose "good" food over crap and see how that goes. I may be in need of a fill, but that's not happening for a while if it does at all. I'm not quitting, but I'm not going to be as miserable as I was a couple of years ago when I WAS fat and didn't have the Band!

9pdmnm5 - First, what is up with that name? Geesh...usually I can just write a couple of letters and it makes sense. Give us a heads-up on your name, eh! Second, I asked Dr. K for a script for Ambien so I'd be able to sleep the night before surgery because I was a little anxious. I'm sure he'd call something in for you if you're really having trouble. I'm not a proponent of pill popping, but if it helps you prepare for surgery, well, then... Cassy - for pre-op he ordered...well, not a script, but I was supposed to get a laxative and that was it...he gave me a script (that I requested) for some sleep meds so I'd sleep the night before surgery because I was all anxious. He did not tell me to get the cleaning stuff...I think that's an individual basis thing. For post-op meds I had a liquid antibiotic and liquid Vicodin (nasty stuff) I got it filled at Walgreens, but the prices previously quoted (about $50) is about the same everywhere. Just make sure you have some stuff like jello, broth, water, etc. on hand for the first couple of days...I was one of the ones that recovered fairly easily. CRAP!! The scale broke last night. I thought it was the battery, but I changed that and it's still kaput! Yeah, I can go get another one, but I was pretty consistent with that one - if you know what I mean. Dangi-it!! So much for weighing in on Friday!

Denver - I guess I'll have to be ok with Sarah being in Washington...better there than here! Haha! You have much more talent than I could ever muster! Newbies - congrats on getting information, getting in touch, getting a date! I can say the only thing I regret is that I waited so long to get it done! It took me SIX YEARS to make the decision! To note: when you post a New Reply (not a quick reply - the New Reply button is on the left after all the posts) then right under your message that you type you can opt for daily emails...this is what I do so I'm not logging on all day (and, besides, internet is SLOOOWWW up here in the north). It's an easy way to keep up with everyone and to see that people are keeping up with you. Winter is coming, winter is coming! NSV for me...BIG one. YEARS ago my DH got me a cool leather jacket. It's one of those "fitted" ones with one button. Well, I never could wear it comfortably with it buttoned (boobs too big, too tight, etc.) But I decided to throw it on yesterday and, WHAM, it fits perfect! Actually, there's plenty of room to spare so maybe it's time for a new one?!?! :-)

Take care Lap!

Hey, careful there...there are WAY too many people that think Alaska is a state off the coast of California...really, my sister worked for Princess Tours and she'd have at least a dozen or so tourists pissed off that they were upset that they weren't on a tropical vacation!! Really!!:thumbup: