piercedqt78

That is why my surgeon says to put No Blind NG on the Med alert tag. ~Mandy

From what I understand it is more the NG tube than intubation that is a problem. But I would want to get as much info to the doc as possible. I have to wear an ID bacelet anyway so I added my band info to it. ~Mandy

but being intubated can cause serious damage to the pouch and stomach. Not losing the band, but having to have major surgery to repair the stomach, when that could be avoided. My band doctor says that it is just a good heads up to the ER staff, also if you need CPR, the port can be felt during chest compressions. Paramedics should be aware of the port. I'm not saying that it should stop treatment, but the more information an ER staff has the better. ~Mandy

My bracelet says: adjust. gastric band w/ abdominal port no blind NG ICE (in case of emergency) and my hubby's number Severe Mushroom Allergy I was told that it is important to wear some sort of medical ID in case you were unconsious from an accident. The band is not a standard medical implant and many ER docs don't know what they are. If they see them in Xray or catscan they need to know what is going on, so they don't get the bright idea to try and opperate. Also if they had to do emergency surgery, they could try to aviod the band, tubing, and port. ~Mandy

I know an older man that believes if you drink anything cold, ever, your body has to work over time to compensate for the temp difference so that is a bad thing. However he drinks coffee extremely hot because that helps to kiss bacteria. Go figure. ~Mandy

My symptoms were sometimes mild and sometimes so bad I also wanted to die. Most of the attacks felt like I had a balloon overinflated unde my ribcage. Sometimes it was a sharp shooting pain and other times it felt like really bad gas. I lived with it for almost 2 years, and begged my band sugeon to remove it when my band was put it, he said no. Almost 7 months to the day my gall bladder was finally removed and I have had zero pain since. I insisted on the HIDA scan and my new band care doctor did it for me. He also removed my gallbladder. The HIDA scan hurt like hell but it was over in just a few minutes and I had my answer to all my pain. Let me know if you have any questions, I will answer them if I can. ~Mandy

I know I feel better now. Thanks for the laugh and the pics of Vin ~Mandy

I am from the south burbs, welcome to LBT! Who is doing your surgery? Keep us updated~Mandy

Poodles, That is the great thing about the band, you WILL be able to have all of those things again, after you are all healed. I think we all go though last meal syndrome. It's really not nessary. I had my hubby take me to Outback right before my liquid diet started and I got all weepy at dinner. I actually said between sobs, "this will be the last meal I ever get to enjoy" looking back on that night we both crack up because I enjoy our meals out just as much if not more now. I can still eat the foods I love, just much less of them. Steak is even ok, if I chew well. And I know that I was told the same thing, and it didn't sink in, but there were be other parties and cakes and goodies to enjoy, and you will be able to enjoy them. Make sure you have a great meal before you start the pre-op diet, so that you can start your liquids satisfied but don't go overboad with it. All the foods that you are talking about will still be there when you are in bandland. I am having birthday cake with my daughters preschool class this morning, it's the last day of school and she has a summer b-day so I am bringing cake and ice cream for snack, I will have some but I won't finish off the leftovers this afternoon, I will leave them for the preschool staff. ~Mandy

Did you do a completed item search on ebay to see what they are going for? That is how I decide what an item is worth. ~Mandy

$33,000 but I had to spend the night and that included my barium swallow the next day. The insurance paid around $17,000 total, my out of pocket was co-pays for the pre-op visits (x3) and the follow-up (x1) at $15 each. I don't pay for fills as they are done at the hospital and it is billed as diagnostic, but I pay a co-pay for the office visit that decides I need the fill. ~Mandy

Also the more you lose now the closer you are to goal. ~Mandy

I had to do 10 days pre-op liquids. The way I stayed on track was I bought an outfit in a size 10 and hung it on my bedroom door. Each time I was tempted to cheat I went and looked over that outfit. I also kept a journal, try www.myspace.com it's free and there are a bunch of us bandsters there. You can journal, add pictures, and chat with other people there. I am now almost 10 months out and have gone from a 22-24 to a 12-14, I am almost in that "goal" outfit and that feels great, I can't even remember the discomfort of pre-op days, that is all in the past. I think you are doing great, keep up the great work, and yes this is work. You can do this~Mandy

My almost 5 year old is ADHD and she can be a nightmare sometimes. The doctor just put her on Focalin XR and that seems to be helping. She is a biter, a screamer and these behaviors are getting better each day. Is there a TV in you sons room? That was the first thing that had to go in our house. We have a TV in the family room and there will be one in her playroom in our new place. The doctor said absolutly no TV in the bedroom, that was the worst thing for her. We removed the tv and things are much better. She also takes melatonin to help her sleep, that is another problem with ADHD kids, lack of quality sleep. It is over the counter and cost about $12 for a 6 month supply. She takes 1.5 mg 30 mins before bedtime. Also is your son on a schedual? Even on the wekends my dd gets up at 7:30 and gets dressed, as long as we are on the same routine things run smoothly. I am always willing to talk, PM me if you want my number or if you want me to call you, I have free longdistance after 9pm and on weekends. ~Mandy

Next summer will be my sizzler year, after plastic surgery. ~Mandy

Mine is on the left side just a few inches about my waist line. I am left handed and I asked about putting it on the right side so I would be less prone to bumping it with laundry baskets and the like. I was told to adapt my way of lifting and holding stuff, this was my only option. I am happy with the placement, I have no pain when bending, but when I over do lifting I am sore the next day or so. My follow-up doctor says that is normal, not to worry. We are getting ready to move in 2 weeks and I am packing and getting ready to go, so I am sore now and will be for several more weeks. ~Mandy

I think the rolling luggage is for patients going to Mexico for the airport. The lipbalm is for the very dry lips that you have after surgery, I wasn't allowed to bring it to the hospital, they gave me a glycerin (sp) thing for my lips. And ice chips to suck on. I also had to wear the leg compression stockings until I was released to go home, I wore my burks to the hospital so they were easy to put back on for the ride home. ~Mandy

I do ok with melted cheese as long as I take tiny bites. My veggies have to be cooked well done. I don't do tuna, but I love crab salad, egg salad and chicken salad. Take your time and explore "new" old foods. It is amazing how good food taste when you take the time to acually chew it well and take the time to enjoy it. ~Mandy

Don't feel bad about getting upset. Right after banding, I got really really angry with my husband because he ordered a cheeseburger and I had to have soup. Looking back, I feel bad about it now, but I was pissed at the time. ~Mandy

I can eat a bigger variety of foods if I have a cup of hot tea before my meal. The warmth seems to open up my band a bit. That is also the only way I can even consider breakfast. ~Mandy

I love a good ceasar salad with grilled chicken. I usually make it at home and add grilled dark meat (it is moister) and that makes a great dinner. I also do sliced roast beef from the deli (ask for it shaved) with a brown gravy packet (the kind you add 1 cup of water) but I add 1 1/2 cup of water, then drop in the sliced shaved beef, I serve it with mashed potatos and peas. My family loves it, it's high in protein and its quick and easy. (works with turkey and chicken too! Just use the correct gravy mix) It's a great way to still have meat and not PB. ~Mandy

I can do steak if I have the butcher run it through the tenderizer (pounder) it comes out thin so it cooks quickly and is less tough. I can also eat ribeye, and ground sirloin. Fish is a problem if it is cook too dry, it trick is to keep it moist. I take frozen fish filets and wrap them in foil with a bit of lemon juice and what ever seasoning I want to use. I make the foil like an envelope and put it in the oven or on the forman grill until done. It always comes out nice and moist with loads of flavor and little to no fat. ~Mandy

I didn't have much gas after my gall bladder was removed but I did with my band. For the chopper, walmart has one that is $12 it looks like a small blender and you can drink out of the plastic "cup part" it even has a seperate lid to drink out of, works great, I make crab salad with it. While you are at walmart check for front closing sports bras, I found 3 there for less than $8 each and still love them to wear to the gym. I did the chewable gas-x and it really did help. As for the broth, I bought cambells select chicken noodle soup and strained out the pieces, my daughter ate them, and drank the broth. I also bought the boullion (sp?) powder and made my own chicken and veggie broth. The beef was just weird to me. My mom boiled a chicken for soup and I drank the broth off of that for several days, I put it is small cups in the freezer and then just nuked it when I wanted to treat myself to something good. I also ordered egg drop soup with no eggs and that was really filling, it is made with corn startch so it is thicker than regular broth. Another really filling drink is jello that is still warm, it makes you feel full and fools you into thinking you are having something sweet. I love the sugar free peach, and the strawbery-banana. During the mushy phase, I did jell-o let it get 90% set and then whip it with a hand mixer with a small tub of light coolwhip. Put it in the fridge for about 2 hours and it becomes the texture of twinkie filling. Makes a fun light summer pie and you can make whatever flavor you want. I also tell people that I am bringing a watermelon pie, they look at me like I am crazy but it is always a huge hit. It was great during mushies. When I was allowed mushies, I ate wendy's chili in the blender with a bit of sour cream added to make it richer and more filling. I still have wendy's chili several times a month, it has become a regular part of my diet, high in protein and fiber and low in fat. I have the recipe but it is easier to just order a cup and eat it on the run. That is one of the few fast food items that I still eat. I have loads of post-op food ideas, I was starving after day 3 and I was lucky my doc had a pretty short post-op restriction for food. I was back on solids in 2 weeks. But I was creative for those 2 weeks. I also developed a terrible stomach flu over the holidays and had to be on liquids for 10 days. If you have any other food questions, just let me know. ~Mandy

Here is my list: heating pad flexible ice pack liquid tylenol (they make adult strength) chewable or liquid gas-x a few books or movies comfy clothes (loose waisted shorts or jumpers) squishy pillow for car ride (guard against seatbelt) a sports bra (doc said no underwire for a few days) protien shakes flavored water make sure you have a good blender I bought a drink mixer for the protien mix (cost $10 at walmart) broth or stuff to make broth sugarfree popsicles and jello sugar free gum (ask your doctor) sugar free breathmints (ask your doctor) *Ask at your pre-op for the pain med prescription so you can have it all ready to go when you get home, our walgreens has to order liquid pain meds and it takes 3 days to get them.

If you didn't have some concerns, I'd be worried about you. I think 99% of us had the same thought. Just remember that once you back to your old self, you will be glad you did it. After surgery, it takes anywhere from 3 days to a full week to feel normal again. Take that time to get caught up on reading a good book, walk around your neighborhood, learn to knit? I learned to knit and when I was feeling better, everyone in my family had a new scarf. It was July, but they all had nice new scarfs. I also discovered a love for the DIY channel. We just purchased a new home and I have a list of cool things I want to do there, all thanks to that channel. I have a great shopping list that I will find and post for you, it is really helpful for pre-op shopping. ~Mandy