shamrock

You look so pretty. You make the blouse the blouse didn't make you. It is just gorgeous too.

I'm taking an educated guess here. They blow your abdomen up with gas so they can see. I wonder if weaker lungs have a problem with the external pressure pushing against them and deflate under the pressure? Like when you squeezre a balloon?

Congradulations on the first days of the rest of your life. Hope you continue on a smooth road of recovery

Insurance companies AGH! I wonder sometime of they even look at the paper work or just stamp them yes, yes, no. yes, yes no. Good luck on the thight job I'm rootiing for you.

Penni, I am so sorry for your loss. Your post hit home for me, in 1985 my 22yr old brother was killed in a car accident. He was the youngest of the family, it was 8 months prior to my wedding. I will say a prayer for everyone involved that they find the strength the need.

Glad it was pretty smooth for you hope your recovery is fast and uneventful

Penni, I am soooooo glad your mom is doing better. I have been blessed with 2 fairly healthy parents yet (75 and 78) but when they have need serious medical care its gets scarey. Hope your mom is totally better soon and back home, and you can relax again.

What a major relief. Hopefully a couple of weeks of medication will put you on the mend

So sorry Penni, no matter how old we are we still need our moms, I will keep you both in my prayers. I really hope they can get your moms pain under control.

My understanding when they place the band around the stomach they bring the stomach up over the band and stitch is in place. The have found that by putting an extra suture where the band fastens helps against erosion. I had specifically asked him regarding what % of his patients had a problem with erosion and also if it decreased or increases with how long you had your band. He said he found no difference on how old the band was. He told me how many he had that had eroded but he also fixed some that where not his. Thats when he mentioned adding the extra stitch had decreasesd the problem I think he said he had 6 erode out of almost 1000 bands and so far none with the new technique. The lap band center in Port HUron Mi where I am going just done their 1000th band last month since they started in 2002. I know Dr. Bhesania is one of the Drs. that go around for inamed giving seminars and teaching Lap banding.

Happy Birthday girl, celebrate, enjoy, :cool: relax

I think it can happen any time

I am really sorry to hear so many people are having problems. I know it must not only be devastating but scary as well. One of the things the Dr. that is going to band me said in his seminars is they found they need to stitch the area of the stomach where the band comes together differently and the % of erosions have come down.

I am afraid I was the one who was leery. I so wish I had been wrong you seemed so happy. I am so sorry, honey. From the bottom of my heart Here is a great big ((((((hug.)))))) I wish I could take your anger and hurt away. You will be fine. There is someone out there who will be your knight in shining armor just not him. We are all here for you so don't think alone ((((((HUGS))))))))again.

There are a couple of blood tests that have to co-inside for the diagonsis of lupus. also you have to have, I believe 5 systoms from a long list to be diagnosed with lupus. Leatha probably knows what I am talking about. Years ago when ever they could not figure out what a person had they called it lupus. Now they are aware of a whole field of autoimmune diseases. I for one have had 2 of the three blood tests quite elevated for the last 20 years but not the third one (double ss something or another) plus only 3 symtoms. I have been to 2 rheumatoidologists only to have them tell me I don't have lupus or any other autoimmune diseases. That 2/3 of the people with elevated blood test do not have a problem. Only one third will eventually get a AI disease. NO you cannot catch it . The reason they are concerned if you already have and AI disease is the chance your body will reject the band because with an AI disease your body fights against itself and does not have the good antibodies it needs to fight off inflammation or it will reject forgein things. You can miscarry really easy if you have an AI disease because your body rejects the fetus. So your body could reject the band with a AI disease. Which is different that having an allergic reaction. I have not read any where where the band could cause an AI disease. Also my DR refuses to band you if you have an AI disease. He looked at my blood work and said OK. I hope this isn't to long or confusing.

Yes please post your journey for those of us that are just starting. You have done a totally awesome job and are an inspiration to us just starting out. You have got to feel so proad of yourself :banana :banana :banana

Debbydo If you want to edit my name my DR is Dr Bhesania in Michigan

Yes thank-you for the article I like the fact that they showed the vanguard. Thats what our surgeon said he uses.

May 24Th. I need to lose 15 lbs then. DH is all set for June 10. Should be interesting around our house this summer!

What ever the Dr tells you. You don't need to deal with an infection.

Way to go, Penni. You deserve it!

NYKEE girl, I am so glad you posted, I am trying to figure you out, You know your eating way to much, and not the right stuff either. Only you know why you got your band, those inner feelings and such. You know by posting your intake you are putting it out there for everyone to see. Which I really give you credit. You know you have to make changes. So common girl get with it. You are so lucky that right now your diabetes is not giving you any outwards signs of problems. This could change in a heart beat. What you don't know is what kind of toll it is taking on your kidneys and arteries and heart. I do not have diabetes, it runs heavy in my moms family 9 of the 11 aunts and uncles have died related to diabetic complications all at different ages some young, some old, some took care of their diabetes some didn't. I am 48 it was not until about the age 45 that my weight made a difference in my life. I was always overweight but very active. Well my knees went torm ligaments,both knees. Had one fixed but when you hall around 280+ pounds it don't matter its going to hurt. I am in pain every day. I take naproxin everyday to take the edge off it. The narcotics fuzz my mind. I am a nurse I can't have clouded judgement when I work so I work in pain. I now have high blood pressure. Stress incontience (my underwear is always wet) I take another pill for that. I have cysts on my Left overy My DR told me it was more common in overweight females. I will be banded on May 24th. I want to feel better get rid of the pain and watch my kids become adults and make me a grandma. You picture tells me you are young please get with it. You are also a very beautiful looking girl. What I am trying to say is get the weight off before you do start to haveing serious problems that you can't turn around. Take it slow maye first just change one thing like the liquid calorie intake, concentrate on that for one week. Then the next week get your protien in first. I am in your corner I really want to see you succeed, you can do it girl. I am not yelling at you. It is all in a straight talk serious voice. You have lost 40+ pounds already your first month post op Lets keep it going!

Put it in a blender and whip the dickens out of it throw in some ice cubes. I would have bought vanilla and then you can put your own flavoring in it. Almond etc, Instant coffee etc. You can do this. As may MIL always tells me when I need pep talk "And this to shall pass" No one said this is going to be easy, but once it is over and you have your band and the weight is coming off you will look back at it and say "Yeah, I did it"

Ok so what are you suppose to do carry barf bags with you at all times? (not banded yet)

I'm sorry Terri that you had such a rotten day. Lets just hope they are foew and far inbetween. Are you drinking your water? I find that when I am dieting and not getting it in the weight slows down. (I'm not banded yet).