princess_n_thep

lol, yep, those are some terrific questions! I read the original question wrong ha ha

2 cc in a 4 cc band

I had to call my doctor (Dr. Ortiz) a couple of weeks ago to ask about a medication. BOTH Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Martinez said there is no conclusive proof that any type of medication will damage your band. Therefore, the myth evolved. The only thing he insists on is that it is not time released and not too big of a pill. Other than that he said all was fair game. He said that the NSAIDS myth has not been proven as true and has snowballed into a no-no. At one time I guess there was a concern but it was not proven. I am still not going to take them, but this is what he told me just a a few weeks ago.

Man, I have racked my brain and I can't think of a single question that you can't find an answer to on here. Anyone else?

Ruby Bumbleroot of Haysend (hobbit) Nessa Sirfalas (elf)

Icapec syrup after meals. Not proud of it, but did it all through high school. Eventually I didn't even have to take it but just smell it. To this day, it will make me gag with the smell.

The "me" is me. It was from when I was doing the coordinating. I had some awesome group rates back in May but no one seemed to really want make any concrete plans. Prices are a bit higher now, and remember it is over a weekend in Sept so it is starting high season. Here are some rates I have found now: Stratasphere @ $72 a night Sahara @ $85 a night Riviera @ $78 a night *Monte Carlo @ $184 a night (this is actually a smokin deal for the REAL costs of the room normally on a weekend, normally around $300 a night! This is a top of the line strip central hotel! So if you want to splurge on your room, do it here.) Wish I could go!!! I am still going to try and finagle a way to get there but I just can't get time off work right now.

someone mention my name???? My ears were burning.... I responded to you on Dr. Ortiz's message board but I will again here in case you don't read that one. I have called every band doctor in phx. No one will touch me. And I even have health insurance that will pay for a portion of it. I called everyone that is evenly remotely associated with banding and weight loss. No luck. Even if they would fill me they don't do it under flouro unless they get BIG bucks. There is 2 options I know of.... 1. The WISH center (my dog knows more about the band than these people, they are IDIOTS!) 2. www.fillcenterusa.com (they are building a center in late september, don't know their costs and don't know anything about them yet) 3. Go back to Mexico. It is only a 50 min flight and $98 round trip. It costs me $218 total to get filled there. It is WAY cheaper than getting flouro done here. So for now... my vote is grab a quick cheap flight to San Diego and go back to Dr. Ortiz for the fill. My aftercare is Dr. Ortiz. Since it is only a 50 minute flight and the flights are only $98 roundtrip even last minute purchases, he is my aftercare. With driving in Phx area it is like having a doctor on the other side of the valley. Within an hour and 1/2, I am there! Frequent flyer points are a bonus.

Hee hee, maybe that is part of the beauty about going to Mexico for me. I don't really care if they yank support or not, they will still do it in other countries.

Great! Thanks!

Holy cow you have a lot!! (lol do you own a cow?) Okay, I loveeeeeee reality TV too! Okay, now I have to come up with something?? ummmmm, hmmmmmmmmmm..... Okay... I HAVE AN EATING DISORDER. (can anyone relate?)

Where do you live? There has got to be a nice farm or something for them. What about a petting zoo? Or how about a Humane Society?

Tigger and Fairies and backyard suns (like the kind you get from Mexico that hang on the walls)

Okay, here goes.... I may leave something out...hmmmmmmm, what all have I tried.... : The entire Windsor Pilates series on DVD (9 total I think) Leg weights for walk/run Arm weights for walk/run Water weights for swimming Water press bar Bench Press with Leg Press Smith Machine The generic "bowflex" machine Treadmill Heavy bag Buns of Steel tape Ab Roller (2 of them) Body for Life tapes Atkins books Richard Simmons program Jenny Craig program on tape/meals Weight-4-ameal (local program that delivers your food everyday for 3 months and promised 30 pounds gone....whatever, only thing gone was $1000) A 3 year meat market gym membership I used exactly 3 times A Curves membership for a year I used exactly 3 times Seaweed cellulite wraps in a spa (about 4 in my life)... they do work for water weight and temp fixes (like weddings) Yoga mat The Slider Various aerobics classes at the community center I never went to Rubber bands (the big thick ones that go around your legs) Thigh Master (yep, the Suzanne Somers one) Personal stair master machine Various herbs and drugs and laxatives the good ol' finger down the mouth And my personal favorite... TRIM SPA BABY!! I KNOW I am forgetting some. I am taking bids on ebay and if anyone is interested I am having a garage sale very soon.

Rude Heffers In For Problems. OIEJH

Dogs Grunt So Must Pee. (alternate was Diane gave Sam mystical Potion) AJCGA

Request to lock thread maybe? Sounds like an advertisement to me.

Both, just GO and travel! RENT A MOVIE OR GO TO THE THEATRE TO SEE IT????

My first thought when thinking about this psychologically is that your friend is scared and jealous. The acting out of place and betrayal is often times a man in someone's life but it could be attributed to a friend I suppose. Let me explain.... she was your "only" friend for a long time. She may think that this band is going to be a magic transformation that will make you skinny, popular, beautiful, socially demanded, etc etc. Therefore, she is afraid of losing her friend. She is having these feelings of being scared for losing you as her friend as you may be her only TRUE friend. Jealousy that others would be demanding your attention and friendship. Sooooooo, her act of betrayal may not be an act of betrayal at all but more of a cry of confusion in that she is having problems expressing her feelings to you only. So she talks about the band, to anyone who will listen. Or... I have totally over analyzed the whole thing, given her way too much credit and she is just a huge big mouth who can't keep a secret. On the other side, anger and stress always makes my band ache and get tighter. No fun. Let it go. Who cares who knows what. You have a happy healthy band tool. No biggie. It isn't like you went and got a sex transformation and wasn't telling someone about it. You simply had a weight loss procedure done. At first I was keeping it a big secret but that was tiring and caused too much work and stress over it. So now I just tell people if they want to know. Much easier.

Ummmmmmm, I think you took my post all wrong. I didn't mean to make you defensive at all nor did I mean to insult you or question your motives. I was asking questions because I was interested. I am sorry if my post seemed intrusive at all on your personal life/time/budget. I didn't mean for it to be that way. I just thought that since you posted all of that information you were open to answering some questions about it. My questions were not ridicule but interested. I just wanted to get some information about the facts. I am actually a bit hurt and upset that you immediately thought I would be so intrusive. Your answers definitely seem blunt, abrupt and defensive so I wanted to apologize for that. That being said I just have one more question if you don't mind..... Does the body cleanse process make you moody?

I am 4 months out and STILL have a harder area near the port. It is not sore anymore but man oh man did I have some issues with port soreness the first 2-3 months.

Jodie, I think your frustrations are very common among all of us as we went through the process of either gathering our money for self pay or waiting for insurance approval. All things come in time. I know it is hard to wait but try and use this time wisely. You can really try to spend this time supporting others in their journey, self reflections and some healing, becoming mentally prepared for the life change, etc etc. Your approval letter is coming, I can feel it. You are NOT a loser. And let me tell you one more thing.... ONE good friend is worth a MILLION superficial ones. We are all here for you hun! We will be here doing a happy dance with you when that letter finally arrives!!!

Okay, although this all sounds intriguing... I have to be the pessimist in the bunch I guess. But they are needed questions. Sooooooo, inquiring minds want to know.... How much did all this cost? is there a program fee for having to choke down all of that icky stuff? And I go to the spas as a "treat" but this sounds REALLY expensive. Although I do like people sharing ideas, I just don't know how many of us can afford to really put that kind of money into it. I know that I struggle just making sure the Electric bill is paid on time each month. So bottom line question is... how affordable is it? And more importantly, is it worth the money? Could the same result be achieved through some good ol' fashioned DH pampering? I work all day, come home and fix dinner, drive the kid to football practice, spend some snuggly time with the DH, so where do I fit in the hours at the spa? It just doesn't seem economical and good with time management. When do you find time to do this? As for weight loss, It sounds somewhat like another diet fad. Why isn't just working with the band enough? The band is designed to work the same if you have the will power to make healthy choices so why do this? What happens when you stop doing this? Is it something you have to keep up? It sounds much like a change in a spiritual journey as well. Not saying this doesn't appeal to me as I am definitely a believer in many "different" views than others.... but I am just being realistic about my questions and concerns. I figured I would ask since most of the time, others have the same questions and are wanting to know more. I totally believe in the power of meditation and the like but I also know that it isn't something you can do for a quick fix and then stop. Okay, let the curiosity cat kill me now but darn it... if ya got questions, raise yer hand and ask!!!

I had this too when I first was banded. I attributed it to my lack of Soda Pop. But the protein deficiency sounds more likely.

I have also been told NO carbonation ever again. It irritates the pouch and is potentially painful as well as stretching the pouch. Not to mention the mere crap you are putting in your body with all of the caffeine, sugar, sodium and additives. I gave up soda and carbonations and will never even try it. It was hard for the first 3 weeks but now I don't even miss it. And I had a serious Pepsi addiction. Had some headaches for the first 3 weeks but now, nothing. Although, I do say this as I munch on some M&M's for Breakfast.....