the best me

Whoa!! 10 lbs! Thanks for the update...it seems you are over biggest hump and on the mend. Take it easy...we'll keep checking in on you!

Hey Miles, you are smart to research thoroughly...Erosion is a very real posiibility. Many many do not have it, and consider themselves fortunate. I have seen lots of good advice here on this board about preventing/avoiding erosion so I feel comfortable that I can make the best effort. I have also heard of some who do not lose weight, and while it's not normal, unless you are prepared, well-researched, and know exactly what to expect and what is required, you will have a bad time of it. I hope you find the info here helpful. Let us know if you come up with specific questions and folks will gladly answer! It's a real helpful bunch here. Happy researching!!! And welcome!

Okay, so I went to see my Primary Care Physicain today. This was my last step before scheduling with Kuri. I wanted to make sure I at least had her support, should I need to see her after banding. Antibiotics? Whatever I might could possibly need without having to drive 2 hrs to my follow up Fill Dr. and pay cash. Here's how it went... What was my Cholesterol last time I was here, and blood pressure? 267 and 142/88 I have been exercising faithfully 3-4 days a week for the past year, and I have lost 12 lbs since I last saw you. Good. Twelve pounds in a year is not so good. Also, last year you were concerned about the possibility of sleep apnea, due to my red blood cell count being high. Since then my brother, father and sister, all overweight, have been put on CPAP machines. HMMM If I were to lose weight, the problems would all go away. Right, very probably. I have been seiously considering Weight Loss Surgery Don't you have to have a BMI of 40? Yes, or 35 with 2 co-morbidities Yes, your cholesterol is definately one. I have been looking at the LapBand I have a patient who got that and it came loose (smirky laugh) She's thinking of doing the other, gastric bypass. Hmmm So why don't you just get the gastric bypass? Blah,blah,don't want my insides rearranged...problems, yada yada. So the Lap Band... I have 1,2,3,4,5 or 6 patients who have had the gastric bypass. One was about 450 and lost 100 and then had some problems, I think maybe she wasn't following the program well....but most patients do well with the gastric bypass... She had the nurse draw blood for lab tests, wrote me a prescription for phenteramine (diet pills) which I didn't ask for, and another RX for my face medicine which I did want. Thank you! Bye! Conclusion? She does not know enough about the Lap Band to advise me against it, or for it for that matter, but she is, what's the word, amenable? to the thought of WLS for me, or at least wouldn't completely scoff at me if I did it. I have enough support from her to be able to tell HER what I need from HER if I need it. I would be educating her, but that's okay. Maybe that's why I like the idea of Mexico. I am not a good socialist, and don't want the gov't or insurance co or even my Dr. making my every decision about my life and health. I own my life, me and God. My Doctor is a resource for me, not the one who decides. I know that I have the "I'll do it my way" tendency that helps make the MX decision a little easier for me. It's not for everyone. Final Conclusion? I have scheduled a surgery date! Friday April 8th, Dr. Kuri. Next are plane tickets and mailing the deposit. I want to say to all of you that I would not be doing this if not for you. I know that I have such a HUGE resource, a wealth of info, and loving, kind support here. I would not be able to get through without LBT. Thank you. YAY! I'm getting Banded! I changed my avatar to Celebrate.

Jump on in, the water's fine! Glad to have you. Have fun searching topics and getting your questions answered...and just in case you don't know, a PB is a productive burp, where what you ate that won't/can't go down comes up. It's a common question. I wondered, thought you might. Also, how much weight are you wanting to lose? What have you learned about the band so far? Let's see, what's your mother's maiden name? Just kidding...we are a nosey bunch though. Welcome!

Gotta love the lap top! Have a great trip..and keep us posted! God Bless You.

you know how we have each of the US states listed in the LBT Forum? How about adding one each for UK, or GB, Ireland, Scotland, Austrailia, heck, the Middle East? Seems like it would be a nice place to start for the outside the States guests...can it be done?

If everyone would just QUIT POSTING I could go to BED, already! (Night all!)

Very observant...Oh man, I don't know what I'd do!!! I would start pursuing the insurance route, but not cancel MX until you get a feel for how long it will take. Or postpone MX for 1 month, and see where your insurance takes you. O, blast it all, go to MX and hope for reimbursement. Well, now your back to square one...Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Okay, for me it's better after the kids are in bed...so if it's EST, then 9 or 10pm. If it's Pacific, well, do the math, what 3 hours back? Now, that's MY perfect schedule, if you want in on it, post it here. Otherwise, me and Penni will discuss fills with and without flouro at, dang, what time is it? EST, Central Mountain Pacific Coast Bash time...it's too late. Ya'll figure it out and I'll be there...ha!!!

Quote: Who's with me? Geez I feel like Jerry Maguire. LOL!!! Hey Jerry, your'e hired! I think it's a great idea...maybe with an Eastern Time chat and a Pacific time chat. Anyone could join in, of course, but a 7pm EST on a workday would not work for you folks out west, ya know? Unless the chats were late at night enough...I think it's an awesome idea, especially when there's a topic....I'm in!

RNY and LapBand have such different issues...it's such a pain to get out of the house without an appendage or two (darling children, really, I adore them) that I don't think I'd bother to go unless is were just Lap Band. Has anyone tried taking a 2 yr old to a Weight Watchers meeting? OMG, no wonder I quit! Anyhow, how about... -dealing with weight loss plateaus -Fill Issues...what the right fill feels like, when to unfill, dangers of unfilling...etc -what's on the menu? eating out tips/issues -family "fun"...how to deal with non-supportive family/friends -Recipe exchange for full liquids, mushies, and Band friendly "real food" Hmmm, might think of some more. Can I come to your support group? Can I bring my kids? (kidding)

Okay, I'll be keeping up with this thread. On my short list, Tummy tuck, inner thigh lift. Long list includes breast lift (but not implants, no, I'll have enough silicone in me with my band...small is fine, saggy is not.) And my nose is huge (wide) but I can live with it, and I am chinless but so is DH and, now, so are our children, so we fit in. And then a little botox between the eyebrows, and I need varicose and spider veins removed from my legs...hmmm, I need Penni's bank account! I'm so glad you are happy with your results. I will eventually show this thread to DH, as he is totally against plastic surgery in MX...I'll let him get over the Band, then discuss it! Actually, he is sold on Dr Kuri simply because of his experience compared to US docs. It would be nice if your Dr there had a website...maybe by the time I go he'll have one, or I'll just PM you. Thanks for filling us in! You are a trooper! Oh, and pics? yes, you need to post the pics please...

me neither...I just signed The Pledge!

Bumping for Jan W.

You say next month? Does that mean APRIL? Do we have ANOTHER APRIL Bandster!!!! Wooohoooo! Okay, I won't get excited yet but I KNEW we'd be crawling out of the woodwork!!! I'll be bumping the April 2005 Bandsters thread...look for it under new posts (at the top) and sign up, girl! Welcome!

I Pledge Not To Be Involved In Any Open Forum Threads That Violate The Guidelines Set By The Owner Of This Board. (I pasted Nancy's, it was spell checked)

Yay KarenB!!! You show 'im! My hope is to open my Dr.s eyes about Lap Band, and educate her like Zoe said. Dont' think she'll pay me though...hmmm. Angeleyes, there are other threads about Cpaps, go up to the top and do a search and you will finds posts...I'm not sure if it will help you lose weight, but losing weight will help you lose the machine! Good luck on your sleep study, start a thread about it and you'll get lots of feedback. Oh, Denise, the Dr gave me a prescription for Pheneramine, which, I think is one of the Phens in phen/fen or fen/phen. It does increase blood pressure and heart rate, but apparently mine is borderline enough that losing weight with it is worth the risk? Too jittery for me. I tried 1/2 a tablet once and it made me want to sleep, plus I "tinkle" all day long...it really does speed your metabolism but the side effects...not my thang. Vinesqueen, you crack me up. I love your attitude. Hope your day is getting better! Haiku is one of my next stops...

DeniseG? I think this one's for you!

Dr. Billy IS a Hunky...I have seen his picture and it is the God's honest TRUTH! Making HIM proud is quite an accomplishment, Penni! Way to go! Hey, how do they test for H. pylori? My PCP mentioned this test in reference to gastric bypass at my last visit (yes, she said, "why don't you just get the bypass?" hello) and I have wondered about it. Did he check your cholesterol, etc. to see if your weight loss has caused a decrease?

I think he's a "boy" T...I have always assumed that so I went and looked, there's an ever so nicely placed "Tony" on his signature line. I hope I'm right! Big Congrats to you BigT!!! Way to come through a surgery! Keep us posted on your progress, now. Walk and sip, walk and sip (I see that alot here, like I know) Way to go!!!!

Thanks you guys, I have roaming charges...Alltel, and as long as I am in NC or SC calls to anywhere are free (as a part of my minutes) Soooo, calls FROM CA or MX are however much a minute...and if I need to use a phone THAT bad, heck, I'll pay it! However, I'd like to plan, so I'm sure I can get an Alltel signal in CA, and perhaps even TJ, like you said GeezerSue, and that's my backup. I'll call Alltel and get the scoop about getting a signal there. I meant to stop at the corner gas and at least read the back of the card...I assume the hospital/hotel phone will allow me to call a US 1-800 number so I can charge the calls to the pre-paid minutes on the card...I guess I'm wondering if that's how it works??? I'll check out the website Princess left above and let you all know what happens. At the very least my experience will help others!!! Don't you just LOVE LBT? Thanks alot everyone!

Kelly, I, and others too I'm sure, all know this. I noticed last night that it was just Penni and Alexandra, now you this morning. I just figured it was in the process of being worked out and we'd get "official word" on the Moderators thread AlexB. started. Everyone started thanking Marie as if she wasn't coming back, but maybe she is?!!! (which would be great!) I'll just sit tight, we know you aren't 'fabricating"...which is why you'll be a good moderator!

Hmmmmm... Congrats Kelly! You'll do great!

Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt. William Shakespeare Well quoted, Vinesqueen. You know the answers, you know you can do this and do it well. I know it!

Broken Heart here...I am so sorry about your dear Patty. May she be well soon and home with you, where she belongs. In ways, we need you like you need her...your presence is missed and longed for, may your birthday bring you joy in unexpected ways.