KarenB

Hi Bigmom. I'm o.k. w/matzah; most people, even if they can't eat bread, can manage crackers. And besides, you only need a little at the seders! I survived Purim (threw out a lot of candy & hamentashen). But, that's besides the point. If you're getting banded over the holiday, you'll be on liquids, so you won't have to worry about the matzah! You can have grape juice for liquids if you're worried about the last 2 days (which are a holiday and require meals as well, for those of u who don't know). Best of luck,

My daughter is 17 and desperately wants to be banded. I am all for it, having gone with her to w.w. and nutritionists & adolescent endocrinologist. She is border-line for getting diabetes. Apparently, her body over-produces insulin. The only cure for that is losing weight, but this makes it harder. It's a pretty viscious cycle. She was on metformin for a while, didn't help. She was a preemie (ha) & didn't gain weight till puberty. She is 5'1" & weighs 207 lbs. As soon as I can get the $ together, we're going to TJ. I already have after-care lined up for her. She is my child. I did not abuse her. She can eat all the healthy food in the world in my house & still pig out @ school & @ friends. When she was in a program when she was 14, she used to be good @ home & sneak non-diet snapple out of the house. She's done a lot of reasearch on her own at this point, as well as being a tremendous support for me. I totally support her decision. I fully believe that if you are not in a situation you really have no business making a judgement. DeLarla, it's moving that you know the pain of being an overweight teen; I know that pain too and don't want my Hanna to go thru it any more. I know she can lose weight on a diet, so does she. But as she so astutely said "but I'll just gain it back like you did". My husband supports her decision as well. He trusts my surgeon and as long as it's reversible and obviously when she gets married the band will not interfere with pregnancy, he's all for it. I didn't tell him that some dr's call it the fertility band! By the way, in case it takes more months than we hope to get the $, for $12,000 she can get banded in a low BMI in study in NY that's run by my after-care nurse when she turns 18 in Dec. The point's pretty moot anyway! So, please don't judge a mother who's trying to do the best for her child. Last time I checked, its my decision, and a pretty well-informed one at that.

Hi Dawn. I used Dr. Ortiz too & was very happy. I wouldn't change a thing & my care was excellent. I even went by myself from NY. Please let us know how are are when you get back. We're similar in age (I'm 44) and height & starting weights. Please feel free to PM me if you like. Take care,

Karen, I still haven't told anyone except my hubby, children, one close friend and all of you guys. I had an excellent Mexican experience, went back for my 1st fill & now have aftercare here on Long Island. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Good luck from the "other Karen"

Hi RainyKiss. Yes, you should do liquids for 1 or 2 days after pb'ing. Also, my Dr. says liquids 2 days after a fill (full liquids, soups, etc.) Pills are o.k. for most people...I find the smaller the easier. If it's larger than an oval-shaped tylenol, I break it in pieces. When I was filled too tight, I had to empty capsules, mash every pill, etc. I do take liquid vitamins, as the pills tend to be too large & quite hard on the stomach. I've found that many other bandsters take either liquid or chewable vitamins. I also take calcium chews and powdered vitamin c. Hope this helps, Karen

Wow, Michelle. That is so exciting! Dr. Ortiz is one smart cookie (oops)--he knows a beautiful woman when he sees one! I'm soooo proud of you. You've been an inspiration to me and from all the responses on this thread, a lot of others. You always have a kind word of encouragement for everyone; you're beautiful INSIDE and out. Congratulations, and I can't wait to see the infomercial!

Hi Darcey. O.k, what's a cleansing drink? I got .3cc's back today. I'll let you all know how that goes.

Hi Karen. I was banded in Mexico too, had a great experience, and I posted my fill follow-up under "Fill Doctors, NY area fills". Once when I was there, she was seeing someone from Deleware! It's a nurse practitioner, and I know she works with some of the Mexican Dr.'s. Good luck, from KarenB to KarenA! (feel free to PM me) Karen

Hi Karla. Welcome. I've only joined LBT in February, and everyone's been really nice, kind, compassionate & funny too! I looked at your photo on your profile...it looks like you might have make it a bit narrower. sometimes you have to start over & crop higher so the top of your head doesn't get cut off! Best of luck to you, looking forward to seeing your progress. Karen

Hey Pat, you're right...4 days apart. It's not Hailys MO, it's Phillips MO. It says "lubricant laxative, STIMULANT FREE, gentle on Hemorrhoids" It's safe for us to use. I'll also try the Senecot. I remember using it on my kids when they were potty training (seems like a million years ago, even though they're 15 & 17). Even then they wanted to be in control by holding it in! Isn't this a lovely topic?

I just remembered something from the South Beach Diet...Uncle Sam Cereal. They carry it at most supermarks, health-food stores & Trader Joes. It has no sugar, 10 gr. fiber/serving, 7 gr. protein & it works like a charm! I ate some last nite after posting on this thread, and this morning, success! It contains flaxseed & 200 mg. omega-3 fatty acids per serving. Yes, I'm reading off the box. Hope this helps someone besides me!

Hey Darcey! Let us know how the fill goes. I can't wait to hear how much you got & if it was w/fluoro or not.

I'm rolling on the floor. When my 2 kids go to drink out of a can, they say "we know mom, wash it first, there were once cockroachs & rats walking on these!"

I've been trying the Benefiber, 2tbs. at least 2X/Day, and NOTHING. I'm also not eating much cause of fill problems, so I know that's contributing. The only thing that works is Hailys MO (not stimulating, the kind that says good for hememroid suffers) The stuff is so gross, but like I said, it's the only thing that works. I'm gonna get some spinach tomorrow & cook it & pour eggs over it..kind of a frittata & lots of fiber. Boy, the things we talk about!

I do exactly what Betty does, which is my dr's protocal.

Hi Kelly. You're doing great. My fluro showed the same as yours. No damage, just very swollen & tight. Even though I had my unfill on Monday, I'm still only up to oatmeal & can't even eat that much. I don't really get full, just kind of "put off" eating cause I was so swollen. Who ever would have thought I wouldn't want to stuff my face not being filled? I'm getting a little put back on Monday, I'll let you know how that goes. Take care, Karen

I was going to post a reply, but Michelle said it all! Also my doc advocates drinking a glass of cold Water right before eating a meal--it tightens the band so you'll eat less. Good luck & let us know. Karen

Hi Penni. Glad things went well & you're feeling up to typing. I caught you cheating on the pill thread! I hope your recuperation (sp?) continues to go smoothly. Best wishes, Karen

Personally, I'm hooked on Law & Order. My fave is SVU. I don't like the new trial by jury one. Also, I love Monk. Anyone else?

Hey Kelly. I have a whole thread on this, I had the exact same problem. I had .7 taken out 1.7cc's on Monday (Yesterday) and it still hurts a little in the band area. It's gotten somewhat better through today, though. Stick w/warm liquids. If you look in Fills, my saga starts with "Got Filled on Monday... You can pm me if you want. Also, I had so much removed, but I still feel like I just got a fill! Only now, I can actually keep down water, soup & tea. And no reflux. That really scared me. When we're swollen, it does take several days to go down. Keep us posted. Best, Karen

Wow, Marie & Leatha! You ladies are more than half-way there. You must be eating the right amounts/foods. You must be so excited!

P.S. I only lost 1 pound through all this! Can you guys all come with me to my next fill?

I got a lot unfilled today. .7cc's from a 1.7cc fill! By the time I got there, i could barely sip water! I really blew it with that soup, but was surprised that just staying on fluids didn't help...I just kept getting worse. I guess everyone's body is different & takes to getting fills differently. Next week she'll start adding back SLOWLY & we'll see what happens. Marie, you were so right. The Nurse P. said to me after seeing the esophagram (?) (film of fluoroscopy) where almost nothing was going thru, "Well, Karen, what do you want to do?" I said "No, Dory, what do YOU want to do?" I have to realize that she's the professional, and a good one at that, and I have to respect that. At that point, I wouldn't have cared if she took it all out! 4 hours later, I still have a tiny bit of gurgling after drinking, but thankfully I can drink! I'm on pepcid a.c. for a couple of days, supposedly that will help. Thanks everyone for your support & encouragement.

Marie, you have such a way with words. I really appreciate it. My tummy sure does hurt now, I think it's telling me not to ignore what's been going on! My heart is hurting too cause i just found out about Blossom. I feel kind of selfish w/my problems, but I know she never would have thought of it that way. What a wonderful family we are, understanding each other like no body else every could. And boy, did she understand. What a terrible loss to her family, and what a wonderful person Philip is for sharing with us. Thank you all for your help tonite, and may G-d comfort Carolyn's husband, family and friends. karen

I did stick to liquids after I pb'd on Friday. I've not gotten off them yet. I think it's getting worse, if that cough plus spit-up is pb'ing, then I'm pb'ing liquids now. It is a vicous cycle, and I'm only on liquids. The squash puree is a soup sold in a cardboard container...totally liquid! Not good. Damn. When am I going to get this fill thing right? I guess I'm having some taken out tomorrow. I'll ask for .2cc's out & let you know how I make out. thanks to everyone for your help. Karen