piercedqt78

Last fall there was a luncheon planned and several people said they would attend. I know of at least 10 Chicago area bandsters on this site. I would have monthly meetings even if there were only 5 or 6 of us attending. Every group has to start somewhere ya' know. ~Mandy

I have received several very nice and encouraging emails and several questions about my experience with my gall bladder. Since there are so many people with questions I thought I would make a thread about it, who knows it just might help someone else. I started having pain just under my right rib cage almost 18 months ago. Sometimes it was a burning pain and sometimes it felt like I had a ballon inflated under my ribs. I would wake up at night feeling like there was a knife sticking in my side. In that time frame I have had 3 ultrasounds and each one came back fine. I asked my surgeon to remove my gallbladder during banding and he said no, it was too risky as it can cause infection around the port and band. After surgery I was told my gallbladder was fine and didn't need to be removed anyway. The pain continued. My PCP treated me for gastritis (sp?), heartburn, reflux, GERD and anxeity. Nothing was helping. I went to my new band doctor and told him that I either needed an answer as to what was causing this pain or I wanted exploratory surgery so he could have a look around in there and possibly find a cuase. The pain was preventing me from eating and by this time I wasn't sleeping either. It had progressed from greasy foods bothering me to everything I ate causing me pain. Dairy was a really big one, I was living on propel and applesauce. The new band doc said that there was a test called a HIDA scan that would check the function of the gallbaldder. We set it up for the very next day. The test was simple enough they put in an IV and injected some dye into it. The a machine took pictures of the path of that dye from my liver to my gallbladder to my intestines. The after about 90 mins of laying still for the pictures, the tech injected a fat enzyme into the IV and that caused the same pain that eating was causing. Basically the machine takes a second set of pictures and the gallbladder should be about half the size it was in the first set of pictures. Mine didn't shrink at all. Also the tech said that the pain was a good indicator and that was actually part of the diagnosis process. My surgeon called me the very next morning and said that my gallbladder wasn't working properly, less than 25% and it needed to come out. I had surgery a few days later and I haven't had that pain after eating since. I am able to sleep on my back again and I even managed to sleep on my right side last night. If you are having pain on the right side, or even in the right shoulder, have it checked out. There is no reason to live with pain, especially if it was be treated. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. ~Mandy

I think that for some of us sharing is like therapy but, for others sharing is almost as painful as living it. I shared because it reminds me of how far I have come and it also reminds me that I am not alone in this journey. ~Mandy

Wish center also carges for "lifetime" support. I really don't attend a physical support group regularly. I am trying to start one on my own as my group has a mixed meeting Lapband and RNY. I get great support here and from my family so I don't think I need to attend an in person meeting each month. I have gone when the plastic surgeon was there giving out information and I have attended when the chef talked to the group about healthy substitutes to make food healthy and still taste good. When I considered Wish Center and Barix Clinics both had a support fee and I don't live close enough to attend the meetings but the fee would still apply. THe surgeon that actually did my surgery has a face to face meeting and they have a yahoo group that has restricted membership. I guess every surgeon does it differently. I like the meetings being optional and free if I choose to attend. ~Mandy

I started having problems with my 4 year old daughter last fall. The ped. said to take her to a conselor. The conselor sent hrer to a psychatrist (sp?) and he sent her for more tests then I can count. We spend the entire Christmas break at the hospital having different test. The EEG came back positive for seizures. Her brain was having seizures and her body was not, there were no outward symptoms at all. Because she felt like she was losing control of her body she started acting out. The behavior became so bad I asked my doctor to give me something to help me cope. She now sees a neurologist and is on zoloft to help her deal with the panicky feeling that the seizures brought on (she will get over this eventually and be able to stop the zoloft) and she is on depakote. I am not saying that your child has seizures, but if we hadn't taken the next step, going to the psychatrist, she would still be suffering. I was hesitant to put her on zoloft, there are some scary things being said about kids on zoloft but I agreed because it was best for her. She is like a totally different child now, she goes to bed when she is told and she actually picks up her own mess without having to be told. There are no more "wars" in our home. We have our little girl back and we owe it all the the wonderful care and suppot that we receive from our medical team. One other story for you, I hope this helps. I have a nephew that is 9 he has ADHD and takes adderal XD everyday. In the summer he has to go to his dad in another state and dad says he doesn't need meds, he is just an active growing normal boy. When he comes home 2 weeks before school starts he begs my sister to put him back on the meds, he says that he only feels in control of his mind on the meds. Without them he says his mind spins and he is confused about things that he should know and understand. Sometimes it is hard to admit that our children have problems. I was told that there was a realy good chance that my sweet baby had a brain tumor. I was so scared but it turned out ok, my husband didn't want to talk about it or even admit there was a problem until the tests were all finished. I talked to my mom and sister and told them what was going on and found great support, my husband didn't talk to anyone and he struggled to even look at our baby without breaking into tears. Without the support of my LBT family and my biological family I would have had a breakdown, I am sure of that. If you are having problems with your son, get him tested and if he has ADD or ADHD then join a support group of other parents with the same issues. This is not just about your son, but the whole family. Every one is affected by his behavior therefore everyone is affected by whatever is troubling him. Please, get him tested, you might findout that it is easier then you think to have your little boy back. ~Mandy

I didn't mean to offend you, I just wanted Heather to realize how much she has actually lost. When I hit the 40 pound mark I carried my little girl up and down the stairs a few times, I'm not sure how I carried all that extra weight for so many years. Now that I am at the 60+ pound mark I think of all the things that I can do without getting out of breath or tired and I just want to shout it from the roof tops that I LOVE MY BAND!!!!!!!!! ~Mandy

I agree with JaLynn, sounds like normal port pain to me. I am 6 months post-op and still get a twinge every now and again. Nothing to worry about, my surgeon tells me it is the nerves healing from being cut during surgery. I would call and talk to someone in the office just to put my mind as ease if I were you though. I am sure the office would rather spend 2 minutes on the phone with you then have you worry about your band. Hope all is better soon, and welcome to bandland, it's a great place to be. ~Mandy

Anyone band friendly is welcome. Husbands and kids included. I would eventually like to start a full on support group but thought that a lunch would be a good start. ~Mandy

Actually that is more than 6 gallons of water, each gallon weighs 8 pounds. ~Mandy

The card that my surgeon gave me says the band is MRI compatable. I don't see it being a problem. ~Mandy

As long as you are giving up peanut butter and not being nekkid, that's ok in my book. ~Mandy

FunnyDuddies, that is the best thing about Disney, the rides are all made to accomadate "Pooh Sized " people. I am part of a Disney message board and there is actually a page called Pooh Sized riders. Our term not disney's. Even at my heaviest I fit every ride even the old ones. My sister, who is heavier them me also fits each and every ride. ~Mandy

I am not saying Horgan isn't a wonderful surgeon. When I changed aftercare doctors the first thing he said after he found out Horgan did my surgery is, "At least we don't have to make sure the band is placed properly" He reassurer me that Horgan was an excellent surgeon. But I had complications and was released by a med student the day after surgery. I was told that Horgan was in the clinic seeing last weeks band patients. THe following week when it was my turn to visit the clinic guess what? I saw the same med student. When I asked where Dr. Horgan was the nurse lughed and said " you probably won't see im anymore" When I asked about fills I was told they were usually done by a "fellow". I have never met Dr. Horgan and he did my surgery. My initial appointment was with a med student and then my pre-op appointment was with the fellow. The day of surgery he came into the operating room after I was already under anestisa and then he didn't do any of my follow up visits. I hated the attitude of the fellow, and he gave me totally wrong information. He told me I could start working out even lifting weights at 2 weeks post-op. My printed instructions said 6 weeks. Hs nursing staff at UIC is great, the staff at MIBC was less than desirable. I called to make my first fill appointment and they treated me like a second class patient. I was given the run around and placed on hold several times for long periods of time. I asked if I could make an appointment to see Dr. Horgan personally for my fill and I was told that he may or may not be there that day. I would have to call the morning of the appointment and see if he was there. Even if he was there in the morning didn't guarentee he would still be there for my appointment time. Just be aware, there are other doctors out there that respect your time, money and you as a person with just as much experience as Dr. Horgan. Don't be treated poorly, overweight people tend to settle for second best and he knows this. Why make the staff better if people give him money anyway? I am not looking for a doctor to hold my hand in this journey, I have a doctor that respects me, but at the same time makes sure I am on the right path. I'm not saying don't go there I am saying be aware, the follow-up care and office treatment is less than desired. ~Mandy

Instead of giving up something my husband 's family does something extra for someone each day. Even if it is just holding a door or letting in an extra car or two in traffic. Tey make a point to be kinder and more caring. They are Catholic, I was raised baptist and had never observed Lent until we met. Last year I gave up caffine for lent and it almost killed me, I had a migraine for 2 weeks, but I stuck it out and I am no longer a caffine junkie. We will be on vacation for 11 days of lent so that will be hard but I am sure that we will come up with something as a family that we can all make work. ~Mandy

* My daughter told everyone at her preschool that I used to be squishy but I had weight loss surgery and now I am getting skinny. * My ex-husband told me that he didn't marry me so that I could get fat. (I was getting fat cuz I was eating to comfort myself from his abuse.) * When my daughter was 5 months old the lady in the fabric department at walmart asked me if I was due anyday...duh, I have a tiny baby in a carrier it would be impossible to be due anyday again already * Right after I was banded I ordered a kids meal at outback and the waiter asked me if that would be enough food for me. * the summer before my banding I was too big to ride several of the rides at six flags Now for the happier times * I am looking forward to riding EVERYTHING at Disney in 3 weeks * I can carry my 45 pound kid and climb the stairs without feeling like I am dying * I have lost more than my little princess weighs * My size 14 pants are getting baggy * the kid that does stock at trader joes hit on me last week * I can tie my shoes without holding my breath I look back on the hard times of being my heaviest and am thankful that I was strong enough to endure. I look forward to happier days and smile, knowing that I have endured enough to deserve and really enjoy those days yet to come. ~Mandy

Selling on Ebay is simple, take good pictures of the clothing, write an accurate description, (brand, size, condition). Go to www.ebay.com and create a seller account. Click on the sell icon at the top of the page and them follow the instructions provided. It is really simple. Make sure to weigh the items you are selling so you can provide accurate shipping prices, if you are high people will complain if you are low you are going to lose money. If you take paypal, the combined fees from ebay and paypal are around 20%-25%. I have had really good luck with clothing, I always start each piece at 99c and let them go for whatever they go for. I had a pair of lane bryant jeans sell for $12 and they were used. Somethings that I think will sell like crazy don't and other things that I think I should just donate and not waste my time make the most money. I also sell my daughter's clothing there that makes really good money. The trick to ebay is be honest in the description, be fair with shipping, and take really good pictures. If you need help or want more advice let me know. ~Mandy

I personally was unhappy with Dr. Horgan and I am aware of several others that have had the same type of experiences with his practice. I was covered by insurance but was still treated what I feel was poorly. I made a formal complaint with the hospital that he operates with. I have since changed after care doctors and have found several other patients that have switched to the same practice. Feel free to PM me for more information. ~Mandy

I was banded in July 05 and I just had my gall bladder out last week. I wanted it taken out at the same time but the doctor said no, there were no stones and he wouldn't take it out. So almost 7 months later I had to have a second surgery. The pain I was feeling preband was in fact my gall bladder, not stones but it wasn't functioning properly. I wish I could have had them at the same time, the second surgery was a bit harder then my banding. I am just starting to feel like myself again, 10 days later. After my band I was up and about within a few days, by day 5 I felt like a million bucks. Be glad that they are doing both together, that sounds much easier then 2 surgeries back to back. ~Mandy

I have been selling my too big things on Ebay and that has paid for me to buy things that fit properly. I am getting ready to list about 4 hampers of things in the next week or so. I am starting tomorrow and listing until I run out of things to list. Last time I made over $300 and cleaned out my closet in the process. I am using the money from these sales to buy myself something really nice on my vacation. I already have a really nice summer wardrobe and I even have some things that are several sizes too small for fall and winter. I am lucky I have a local resale shop that sells everything for a set price, jeans are only $3.00 a pair no matter the brand name. A few weeks ago they had a buy one get one free an all womens clothing and I bought about $150 worth of clothes from my current size down to a 10. I am in a 14 or slim 16 now. I have from 24 to 16 to sell next week, look out Ebay here I come. ~Mandy

Paula, I use canned tomatos cuz I am in Chicago and the price of tomatos gets higher and higher as the temps get lower and lower. ~Mandy

I take 2 cans of red gold peeled tomatos and 1 jalepeno pepper, some cilantro and 1/2 of a white onion. Drain the tomatos but save the juice chop the onion and cilantro and the jalepeno pepper and put it in the bottom of the blender cut the tomatos in half and add them on top of the other mixture pulse the blender until you see the cilantro start to make it's way to the top of the tomatos, now is the time to add salt and some of the tomato juice if it seems dry. I have several old glass mayo jars that I store this in the fridge, it keeps for about 4 days, but never lasts that long. * if you want it hot, use the whole jalepneo if you want it mild, remove the seeds and the membrane that they are connected to. * I have added lime and substituted rotel tomatos and then just chopped the onions, jalepneo and cilantro and mixed it all togehter but the blender is faster and less messy For weekend parties I have made upto 3 gallons of the salsa and it was all gone before the game,race or fight was over. We host several sports type parties each year and this is my most requested snack. 2 years ago I made 3 5 gallon buckets (15 gallons) of this for a friends party (they own a bar) it was all gone, this stuff can be addictive make at your own risk...Mandy

I am going to have to pull out this time. I am going to be gone on vacation and will not be back in time to shop and get it shipped off. I hope everyone has a great time and gets lots of cool things. Besides I have someone on the board that also loves Disney so I will send her something from the parks when I get back. I still get to play bunny, it's just not a surprise. ~Mandy

Here is my list, but it looks like you have it covered. lab-band shopping 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.

the quote is yours for as long as you like. It really reminded me that there is an end to all of this when my daughter was really struggling with being so ill. Things are already starting to look brighter. I am sure they will get brighter for you as well. ~Mandy

Just remember that even though you are the one asking for the divorce you will greive the loss of the relationship. GIve yourself time to greive and don't let that grieving give you second thoughts. I was in a very physically abusive relationship with my ex husband and when I finally kicked him out I was grieving and almost let him come back. Remember that you are still experiencing a loss, give yourself time to heal, he will heal too. Wishing you best of luck in your decision. Take time, heal and maybe even pamper yourself, it really will help you rediscover "you" ~Mandy