piercedqt78

If I remember correctly they still the the adjustments with flouro....I could be way off but I believe the remote was very expensive and only at hospitals. ~Mandy

A pb has food in it, you are "producing" something with the burp. It is like a baby spitting up, no acid, I don't heave or retch when I PB, the food just kinds gets pushed back into the mouth. ~Mandy

LBT was down for a day or so, not much missed. Seems everything was deleted from the brief time before the server crashed. ~Mandy

My last fill was in Dec of last year. Then in Sept I started having some issues with foods that have never been a problem for me. I called the doc and he suggested a soft diet for a few days to see if a break would make the esphogus (sp) relax and work better. It didn't help so I went in for a slight unfill, I have had 100% relief, no PB other than me being stupid (steak not chewed well enough). I can eat breakfast, something I haven't been able to do since banding. I am still getting smaller, not losing weight but shrinking. I am happier now, I feel better, and I am sure my stomach thanks me. My doc believes that an over restricted band can lead to erosion, not something I want to risk. I was glad to have that tiny bit removed. If in doubt, take some out....that is my new moto. I don't want to lose my band because I was unsure of my fill. ~Mandy

Oh, Kat hope you are feeling better really soon. Let us know if the unfill helps, I know mine sure did. ~M

Hope everyone is handing out loads of candy, we have had a total of 2 trick or treaters. It's after 5 already, I think I may have a ton of candy leftover...ugh. We had a blast at the class party, there were 7 trays of cupcakes, so much for being organized huh? One mom sent in punch and I had dixie cups in my car...don't ask. It was fun, the kids had a parade around the school and there were a bunch of seniors from the local houses out watching and clapping, the kids loved it. We have decided to stay in tonight, Abi hit up a few neighbors and we are getting ready to build a fire and hang out in the basement. (that's where the fireplace is) I have a couple of new board games for us to play so that will be our big night. All is well around here. ~Mandy

I use generic tea, if I am going to add some flavoring to it, like orange peels, or cinnamon. If not I stick with what I know. My mom jokes that I am a southern tea snob. I guess I am, but I sure can tell a difference. ~Mandy

We do get an even mix of happy healthy bandsters and "problem" bandsters. But think about the number of people banded, do you think that 50% of those people have poblems? I really think that those that come here for support and information and then stay after a healthy banding experience are less common. I know about 20 people that are banded that never go to a support meething or come here. They are happy, healthy and out living their life, no support needed. But those that struggle, need to support, and help of people going through the same things. I am here to stay in contact with my friends, and to give support. Sometimes I am also here for support myself, not band related but life related. ~Mandy

I get bubbles when full. I can open my mouth and you can actually hear little air bubbles popping in my throat. My dd says I am like stitch in Lilo and Stitch, you open my mouth and can hear noise, close it and it stops, like a speaker. ( I guess you have to see the movie to get it). The doctor says it's the food passing from pouch to stomach and the air in the stomach has to go somewhere, I am lucky my air comes up not down and out.....LOL I know that is a sign to STOP, now, not one more bite. I have also been known to hiccup one time, a full sign for sure. ~Mandy

You have a very nice manager. It's nice to know that the people that you work with actually care. ~Mandy

I drink Twinnings, tazo or stash. All are a bit more expensive but still cheaper than soda. I have a huge cabinet of tea, that is almost all I drink. I invested in a Brita water dispenser, it filters and dispenses tap water. It has a hot and cold tap and I love it for my tea. I use a packet of splenda and some fat free cream in my hot tea. Just splenda in the iced tea. I brew Luzianne in my coffee maker and always have a gallon of iced tea in the fridge. I am down to buying a single case of soda a month now, from 2 a week. Only DH drinks soda of any kind, and he takes it to work with him. I know that tetley has a sampler pack as does twinnings, both on the websites I believe. I like to try new things. My fave is cranberry and I know you said no citrus but I love the orange peach from tetley. It is a nice red tea with I believe hybiscus(sp?) in it, very rich and warm. I would suggest looking at the variety boxes in the tea section. And if you have a trader Joe's near you they have a huge selection of tea, including white tea. ~Mandy

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you find peace within your parish, death really brings members together. Is there someone for grief counseling at the church? ~Mandy

My band and God may just get me through this yet... There are 21 kids in Abi's class now (a new class was created and the class size finally dropped). My cake mix only made 23 cupcakes, 21 for the kids, 1 for the teacher and 1 for the janitor. None left for me....oh darn. I have resisted the urge to eat all the trick or treat candy so far and I am getting ready to leave for school. I have Abi all dressed up, I will post pics tonight. She is being a punk rock pirate, and she looks too cute. I didn't make her costume this year, a first around here. She wanted this and I bought it, but I had to alter it to fit. I want to dress the dog up, but she just wants to sleep, I think I like her idea better. I'll check in after the party, Mandy

I'm not saying that they all turn out like my sister. I simply gave one real life instance. But you have to wonder what a 17 year old and a 21 year old have in common. Just seems like a bad situation to me. ~Mandy

If she isn't attending school now where attendance is taken everyday, what makes you think she will mature and attend class when noone cares if you are there or not? I had a sister that pulled this crap and my parents tried to work with her, she ended up pregnant and dropped out of school. She now has multiple kids, no job and no hope for a secure future. I would hate to see a deadbeat guy ruin such a good kid. What does a 21 year old see in a 17 year old anyway? I think he is after one thing. ~Mandy

Did you know that the trailer for Order is going to be shown at Happy Feet on the 17th? We are so there. We also do the book release parties and have met the twins....they are great. My whole family loves the series, can't wait for the last book. ~Mandy

Have the bf arrested for helping her skip school. There are truancy laws in most states and if he is caught with a minor that is supposed to be in school he can get in serious trouble. Call the local police and ask for local policy. Talk to him and let him know your intentions, I am sure that will cool things off pretty quickly. ~Mandy

Keep us posted. I am glad that you found a doctor that is in network. If the first doctor is also in network I would let the ins company know about his $4000 "fee" and that he is claiming he is not in network. That sounds like insurance fraud to me. ~Mandy

I agree with Alex, ask for the new bandsters program. My follow-up doctor offers 3,6,9,12 and 18 month classes for all WLS patients. They are quick 45 min sessions with him or the nutritionist. I have learned a ton from these meetings. Also ask for the food guidelines that they reccomend. I know my doc limits carbs until you are at 80% to goal. See if they offer a support group, most do, they can be very helpful. Also continue to visit here, we can be a big help too. Hope all goes well tomorrow, Mandy

I believe that someone on here is in one of the commercials. I would do it in a heartbeat. I love my band, I am glad to see it getting some positive attention. My sister in NC said she saw a commercial last week too. WooHoo!!!~Mandy

Sunsett, unfortunatly grief is fueling my energy burst. I tend to go crazy cleaning and stuff when stress is bad. I also ate an entire bag of gummy worms this weekend, and I don't even like the damn things. To make it worse I have to bake cupcakes tonight, and then have a halloween party at school tomorrow.I am going to shove several cupcakes into my pants, just to cut out the middle man, since they are going right back to my butt anyway. Can ya' tell I am having a bad day? I got a note from dd's teacher today, she says Abi was looking for attention all day??? What? she's five don't they all have days like that? The parents also got a note asking for party donations for tomorrow, nothing like last min. request. There was no prior notice of a party or anything. I figured she had other moms throwing a party, but no she just didn't make any plans. I need a stiff drink, and giant chocolate cake to wash it down with....band help me, I need a mental break...Mandy

At first it took 35 or 40 pounds to drop into a smaller size. I was also wearing my clothing too tight so I should have been in a 24 but was squeezing into a 22. So really I lost into the 22's and then into the 20's before I had to actually buy a smaller size. Now every 10 or so pounds makes a size difference. I am in a 12 or a stretch 11jr. ~Mandy

COngrats, that is a great feeling. I just hit a thrift store cuz the back of my closet is empty. I am smaller now then I have been in over 10 years. ~Mandy

I know that some centers here in Chicago charge a support fee of up to $2500. When I told the one center that I lived too far away to attend any of the meeting, the coordinator told me that was the doctors way of making up for the insurance writeoffs. Sucks, but that is how some doctors work. You should have a maximum out of pocket even for out of network providers. Let us know what the Ins company says. ~Mandy

KLM3hrt, I sent you a friend request.... my user name is piercedqt78 (the queen of halloween) ~Mandy