dixie

I'm in Coppell Leatha and it's been a "scorcher" as my East Texas kin used to say! I had my surgery on June 7 and first "fill of 1/2 CC" on July 5th. I lost 18 pounds between the surgery & first fill. I'm hungry as a horse and have gained back 4 lbs. So I'm REALLY hoping this 2nd fill tomorrow (different Doctor) will help me. I'm a Medicare person, so have been treated a little (or a lot) different than most of you all. I will have to self-pay for this new Dr. - when my fills for a year would have been included had I stayed with original Dr. - but his fill site changed, appointments are few and far between for fills, etc. etc. So I'm switching and payin'! lol It will get better - I know it will! Please be careful with the Lupus and the sun - I have two dear friends in the same boat as you. I'm new to this site but really like the feedback and the freedom to say what you damn well please! lol Dixie

Hi Angiebell, I too had surgery with Dr. Powell and exactly 4 weeks later had my first fill. I'm totally starving as I write and have put back on 2 lbs. I don't know how much fill I received - it seemed he didn't want to discuss it - I called this past Monday the 18Th to schedule another fill, but I'm a Medicare patient and have to go to a different facility (not SCOR) than other folks. I.m gertting pretty depressed to be so hungry, not losing anyway and can't get an appointment set up - ok, feel better - whined a little. I'm sure in the long run I will be fine, just so discouraged right now. Dixie

Never heard of it!

Ahhhh! Thought my Doc ws the only one who avoided that question (about fills and how much) - because he side-stepped totally around my question! Guess it's a new thing. I had first fill on the 5th and have felt NO restriction - but someone said it might take a while - anyone else have this problem?

Hi Angiebell, Dr. Powell did my surgery on 6/7. He has not mentioned a fill yet (I know, it's not quite 2 weeks! he he) but I see you had your first fill in just a few days over a month - you think this is his schedule? Sure hope so! Good Luck!

Could someone please explain what a "stoma" is? Had my surgery on 6/7 - My Doc has not mentioned this! Thanks, Dixie

Tracy I was in the ER last Tuesday getting the steroid injection & IV also. It saved my sanity. I was banded on the June 7th, everything was great, ate some French Onion Soup broth, took a pain pill and everthing went to hell in a hand basket! Same spit-up, throw-up, vomit - could keep nothing down. Within 5 hours of the steroid shot - I was totally better! This is something we all should keep in mind! NyKee glad you're feeling better! Dixie Dallas

I love starches - crave them - but hopefully that's behind me. I really do like pizza, but know I can live without them. Quiche sounds yummy! I was banded 6/7 - sick for a week, etc. but Lipton Soup in a box is really good right now! Tuesday will be 14 days. I had a small glass of wine to Celebrate tonight - sooooooo good. Good luck all! Dixie from TX

I just want to second what Brad advised! The Medical field has done a complete reversal on their pain medication theory. They no longer believe you will wind up hooked on pain meds and out in the street on 2 weeks of pain medication! I had my band on Tues 6/7 - a lot of soreness - but nothing like a c-section or hysterectomy (sp?). I do have pain right in middle of breast bone whenever I swollow ANYTHING! Is this gas or just swelling? It's not a terrible pain and it doesn't last more than 15 or 20 seconds. I used Dr. Powell here in Dallas and so far so good. My daughter goes in on 6/20 for the procedure. I had coffee this morning - no problem, but I noticed someone said you shouldn't have coffee this soon. Any comments? Dixie

I think as long as you don't carry n a "serious" conversation with the little green men:sick or see TOO many black helicopters, or HATE your Mother TOO bad, you will be fine!:bandit Again, good luck! Dixie

Hi Mystyblu I don't have to have the psych exam for banding on 6/7. However, several years ago I had back surgery and had a 300 questionnaire to fill out. Apparently some folks will have surgeries, hospital stays, imagined medical problems, etc. for attention. Seems like it asked me about 200 different ways did I hate my mother {smile} and I answered the same way 200 times "NO". It seems back surgery, like this surgery, is elective IF you meet certain guidelines (Blood Pressure, Weight, BMI for LB surgery or PAIN in the case of back surgery). Anyway, my experience was really more comical than frightening. Here I was loaded on Morphine trying to read and make sense of these stupid questions and STILL hurting! It's not a big deal! Don't worry about it. Good Luck, Dixie

Me first! Me First! Age has it's advantages! LuvMyHarley's Mom

So sorry to sound depressing! I was joking! Honestly! That was the best thing I've ever done for myself - including my 6/7 surgery coming up! I feel so proud, to not have to go outside for a smoke. I'm a pretty independent lady and it just galled me that something - ANYTHING - could control me! NOT! I wish you sucess! And you CAN do it! Dixie

Not sure why this was addressed to me? but I too was a smoker up until about 2 years ago (over 40 years). I recerived a less than wonderful report from my Doc on a test checking on my arteries - scared hell out of me - of course we ALL know we need to NOT smoke - but sometimes it just takes a wake-up call. Anyway, I used the Patches - per directions exactly. I put my coffee on to perc every morning, showered and put a new patch on immediately! So, by the time I was dressed and on the way to work, the nicotine was flowing:rolleyes: and I made it through the toughest part (smoking and gossiping with friends outside). Hubby quit years ago, so no problem there. Now if only I could get my Daughter to quit . . . . She's having surgery 6/20 and has promised to really, really try, She smokes way less than a pkg a day (I was up over 2 pkgs a day!) so hopefully whe will kick it! My surgery is the 7th - Dr. Powell in Dallas - I'm so excited!

"H-pylori - March unfilled 05/02/05 Tested again for H-pylori" Hope you are feeling better. I'm new, no surgery YET - but it's gonna happen! Would you please tell me what H-pylori is? Thanks for any information you can share.

I quit smoking about 2 years ago - and I would kill for a cigarette right now!:smoke I really think the only thing stopping me is not wanting to have to go thru the quitting AGAIN. I used the Patches - and they really helped. I put on a fresh patch every morning BEFORE coffee (after shower) and, so far, have not committed murder or mayhem!:bandit It's gets better with time - I can go for 3-4 hours without thinking of a cigarette now;) . Seriously, I do still think of them and kinda wish I had one, but the CRAVING is gone. Good luck!

I'm probably gonna go with Dr. Powell - please tell me about your experience:Bunny with him & staff! I would appreciate ANY feedback! Thanks,

I see you used Dr. Powell - how was it? My daughter & I are thingking about using him. Did everything go as planned? Did they follow the agenda as spelled out in their seminar? How do you feel?

OK, what is a PB???? Just starting down this slippery slope and need to know the lingo. Hope to set up consultation ASAP with Dr. Powell in DFW area.

Thanks for the info. Yes I've been snoopin' and readin' EVERYONE'S quotes to learn all I can, so I do know about HarleyNana's mom. What a great support group in this forum! My daughter & I are checking out 2nd and last Dr on the 5th and will make a decision at that time on who to use for our surgery. I just read an obit of a former neighbor who was 2 years younger than me - I'm sure it was her weight that killed her - I'm more determined than ever to shed my health problems for good! Thanks all, Dixie - Dallas:banana :banana

Well . . . . how much have you lost? You sound so happy and cheerfull - I've been reading about the poor lady named Lori - who has had so much trouble - then to read your happy message is a trip. I'm not banded yet, hope to be soon. I'm 65, does anyone know anyone that old who has had the band?

"Putting me on the diet and then taking me off. No telling what my Liver looks like now. Probably a T-bone. But I have a problem with this whole clear liquid diet thing. Do you guys think it is really to get us adjusted to life immediately after the band or is to shrink the liver as I am being told? " How long before surgery did you have to be on this liquied diet?? That's pretty depressing to me.

Anyone here ever used Dr. Fred Maese? I have consultation next week, would love to hear good or bad news on him. Preston Cardiology Wellness Center on Sherry Lane in Dallas

Is a glass of wine totally out of the question?

I've seen many good ideas here and I'm excited. My daughter & I have just started the process - but I'm determined. I've seen no mention of alcohol - say wine with dinner or a cold beer???? Is booze totally out of the picture forever????