KarenB

I curse the day "Cool Ranch & Chedder" was ever invented. I haven't really strayed in the 5+ months I've been banded, but this weekend was not too good. I brought them into the house for my DH & son, but NEVER AGAIN. I told my DH I'm getting him a big lock-box, and I'm NOT kidding! I'm so mad at myself right now, cause I know better.

Paula, you look GREAT! You might not have not worn that stuff before, but you definately should now. I love that cute look in your son's eyes too!

We know that Jack, but we can't sleep any other way! Besides, it keeps my chiropractor in business.

Good luck to you, Ron. Check w/your doc. re: golfing. That swinging motion could possibly strain the port area (where the port is stiched down). You really sound great, and we're looking forward to hearing more from you.

Sheri, I used a long body pillow, laid it along my port side & sort of slept on my stomach that way. That let me sleep, cause I too am a stomach sleeper. Don't worry, you'll be full on your stomach soon.

Bandmesoon, where are you being banded?

I've been using Stevia since reading about it here, and I love it!

Hey everyone, the woman on the cover is a lap-band patient of Long Island Bariatric Center, where I get my fills. Her doctor was Nick Gabriel, and they didn't even mention him in the article. I know all this cause is in the LIB office Mon. nite w/my daughter. They're quite upset that the band wasn't really discussed--what a great push it would have been for it cause everyone's always saying we can't lose that much, etc. Also, I think it was pretty bad that they didn't mention her doc.

Hi Kelly. I went to him for my 1st fill, and I'm seeing Dr. Martinez again on the 26th for a barium swallow since I'll be there with my daughter. The fills I've had here have been o.k., but not as exact as his. Your date is right around the corner! Please let us know how everything is when you can. Best of luck,

Denise, I have no regrets at all. It's truly the best gift I ever could have given myself. In fact, I'm so happy with my band, I'm taking my daughter (age 17.5) to Dr. Ortiz so he can band her too!

You two are a real inspiration. Good for you both!

From what I've been told, routine aftercare is not covered; but any emergency procedure would be. BTW, I am very happy w/Dr. Ortiz. My daughter is being banded by him on 5/26--we'll miss you by one week! Where do you live??

Sheri, I live in West Hempstead (western LI) & had my banding in Mexico. (self-pay, Cigna considers the band "experimental". But I am so happy w/my dr. that now I'm taking my daughter! Where out east do you live?

Jenna, thanks so much for your post and your honesty. We look a lot alike, body wise but my stomach was bigger. I only weighed 10 more lbs. than you before banding. I don't have any pics to post, I haven't let anyone take one in 5 years or so!

Where exactly IS that 100 lbs???

Hurray for you. That's great news!

Glad to see that, Leo. It takes a big (not any more) man to admit a hasty comment. Seriously, I hate my US fills & can't wait to get back to Mexico to have a fluoro & maybe a fill. My nurse pract. here only uses fluro for "emergencies"; she doesn't have any problem finding my port, but if you'll excuse the expression, it's always hit or miss as to whether the fill will be enough. My doc in Mexico is great at fills. But I agree, we really can't make blanket statements.

No staples for me either, but boy can I whine. When I had another type of surgery, they used steri-strips, and I must be allergic to the glue, or the tape or something, because wow did I get one heck of an itchy, bumpy rash. Strangly enough, the glue that was used for my banding was just fine. (I don't think I could have stood that again!) So, whine away, I know the feeling.

Hi Cathy - Welcome! We'd love to hear more about you.

Jenna, I'm SO happy you said that. I was getting worried! I have the bulge too. I'm sure the rest of the world can't see it unless they look REAL close, and my tee-shirt or shell is tight, but still, it bothers me.

Thanks Penni. It does say children 4 & older take one...that seems like an awfully big range. Also, it's just nagging at me that I heard somewhere that adults should take two. Oh well.

Hi Kelly. I'll be there on the 26th. Dr. Ortiz is banding my daughter on Fri. the 27th! If I can I'll come see you on Thursday, but DEFINATELY on Friday, cause we'll be there too! By the way, I went totally by myself in Dec. and all was fine. I made friends there, and Mrs. Ortiz took good care of me. Looking forward to meeting you. PM me w/your last name & stuff so I know who to look for.

I tried sushi & had a terrrible PB experience. You can put in a search for "sushi" & you should find out a lot about it. People say they can have it made with rice paper rather than rice & that it's much better that way.

Jack, what in the world are YOU trying to say???

Regarding the Flinstone Vitamins, are we as adults supposed to take one or two a day? I remember reading some pre-banding stuff that said take 2 childrens chewables a day. (I take liquid, but my daughter's getting banded & I know she would gag on the liquid.) Thanks,