DtDtKty

Do you think that a Medical ID band is necessary to have if you have a band? Being in the health field, it seems like it would be a good thing for emergency medical personnel to know, but I want your opinions. I was also wondering if anyone knows if having a NG tube inserted is dangerous when you have a band. I have read that they are supposed to use an endoscope instead of a ng tube when you have gastric bypass, but I dont know if it is the case with a band. I see the reasoning with the bypass...blindly inserting a tube could puncture the pouch. I am wondering if blindly inserting a tube could also damage the pouch above the band or dislodge the band. If you do think it's an important thing to have, what would you say on the ID tag? Thanks.

Thanks Kathy. I didn't see the thread last night but I saw it this am. I will be ordering a bracelet or watch from Lauren's Hope. Thanks.

Teresa- It sounds like a difficult situation. I am so sorry. As far as medication goes, we have a cat who is on an anti-anxiety/anti-depressant. He is on Elavil (Amitryptiline), one pill every night. It is a human medication that is commonly used in animals. You may want to ask your vet about it. He is a much calmer, cooler, and well behaved cat now. Before, anything and everything made him mad and he would spray all over the house. It was difficult to have him sedated at first, but it has made things so much better since he is one of four kitties. Hugs to you.

I ordered it from Amazon. Not too expensive. It is supposed to arrive by June 3rd.

Margo...I found a lot of good Protein sources at www.Bariatricadvantage.com According to the site, they only sell "good tasting" Proteins. I bought a sampler pack and made up my own mind from there. I don't know why your dietician want you to stay away from whey, but there are a lot of really good ones out there. My current favorite that I got from the above site is Elite's chocolate Mint Flavor. Per one scoop, it has 112 cal, 1.5g fat, 2.5g carbs, and 23g of whey protein. I add it to skim milk for even more protein. It tastes like a "thin mint' cookie to me. As far as Isopure goes, personally, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I was so jazzed to try it the first week post-op because it was a clear protein but I just couldn't drink it. I was much happier feeling crappy without protein for a week than drinking that. Just my 2 cents.

Very interesting question. I had a nurse practioner tell me a few years ago that from reading my medical history she thought I was 65 instead of 26, my age at the time. Being a nurse and knowing full well what my obesity was doing to me, but continuing to sit on my big fat butt and say whoa is me, I just resigned myself to the fact that I would die younger with a ton of health problems. Now I don't think that is true. I feel like I have been given a new lease on life in so many ways.

Thrush is very common due to antibiotics. I had the joy of a yeast infection (sorry...tmi). I forgot to have the doctor prescribe Diflucan to ward off the infection. I would call your surgeon. Forget the three day weekend. Someone is on-call and they can prescribe you meds or give you advice. Hang in there.

June Future Bandsters....It is completely normal to be scared and nervous before surgery, especially before elective surgery. I think it would be abnormal if it didn't bother you. I have to admit that I was scared and even have several "what if I die" conversations with my husband. In the end, I decided to go for it. I did try to convince my mother-in-law to keep on driving the day of the surgery though...the beach in Ensenada seemed so much more appealing...go figure...haha. As far as being freaked out by what you are reading, I dealt with that too. I came to this site before I was banded but personally, I found it to be too overwhelming. I stopped reading before I was banded and then returned to the site afterwards. That was just my decision and my way to cope with the stress and fears. Vinesqueen is completely correct in saying that you can get a skewed view of things on a board like this because the people that have no problems or issues won't post. Good luck to you all. Try to distract yourselves and do things you enjoy. For me, that included several "last suppers". Despite your fears, know in your heart that the decision you have made is one that will positively change your life forever.

Congratultions on joining the ranks of the banded. I am glad that you liked your surgeon so much. Best of luck to you. Relax and heal.

I am very happy with my band. I could have never lost more than 27 lbs. in five weeks on my own...and the really exciting part is that I know that weight will stay off. It has been and is difficult at times for me because changing your brain takes a lot longer than changing your body. My brain wants to eat a whole plate of food because that is what I have always done. Getting used to this new reality is a strange thing. I still am constantly surprised about what my new limits really are. While I have had no PB episodes (knock on wood), I have had some stomach aches. I find I really have to watch it and eat slowly so I can try to really know when I am full. Everyday is another day to learn something new. I defiinitely wouldn't trade my band for anything.

Welcome Corsha!! Congratualtions on becoming a bandster. Best of luck to you.

Darcey, T, and Jack....I can't believe I am about to join your ranks as a fellow Oregonian...yippee. I will be arriving on June 11th. So, what is your favorite flavor of the slow churned goodness? Teresa--Glad to hear about the Tillamook yumminess. My husband is dying to take a tour of their factory. How far is Salem from Portland? Also, I would love to find out about Portland support groups if you are able to get any info. Thanks.

Thanks for the info on the cook book. I'll have to check it out.

Thanks for the tip Teresa. I was wondering about the Slow churned stuff. I am a little nervous about having the whole half gallon around though...old habits die hard, ya know. I have had Skinny cows. They are pretty good. I like the mint flavor. If you don't eat them pretty soon after you buy them they do tend to warp in your freezer though. I think the cookie part gets too much liquid and gets soft. They are good to eat with a sppon though. My current favorite is the Weight Watchers Cookies and Cream Bars. They are individually wrapped which is good for self control. They are sooooo tasty. Even my husband likes them. P.S. Teresa--I know it's not low fat, but how is the Tillamooke Ice Cream? When I visited last weekend I saw it in the store. The marionberry pie flavor looked to die for.

I am trying to decide between the VitaMist for Women or the Source of Life Liquid that Penni suggested. I like that Penni says the liquid gives her energy. I also like the mist idea though. How many times a day do you have to take it? Can you take it all at once? Can you buy it in any stores? Opinions? THanks.

Robyn, You can do it!!! I know it's hard. I only had to do the diet for one day prior to surgery but my surgeon did comment about my "fat liver". Getting used to it now will help you post-op. Keep up the good work. I am rooting for you.

Hi there. My mother-in-law was banded in November 2004 in Mexico (we had the same surgeon). She is ready for her first fill and would like to find a doctor closer to her. She live in Henderson, right outside of Las Vegas. Does anyone know any good doctors that will fill patients from Mexico for a decent price? Thanks in advance.

Bandit....Take a deep breath. You are ok. Two stupid little poptarts didn't ruin anything!!!! You are doing wonderfully, so don't get too down on yourself. No one is perfect. I don't think anyone here is...I surely am not. I had some full fat French vanilla ice cream two weeks after I was banded and almost cried. You know what, the world did not end though and I just kept moving forward. It sounds like you may suffer from an "all or nothing" syndrome like I do....if you are not totally perfect, you think you blew it. I am trying hard to overcome that because it's so self defeating. Just keep up your good work and move on. What is done is done. You are still a wonderful person who happened to eat two poptarts...big deal. I might suggest getting rid of all foods like that from your house though so they don't tempt you. Instead you could keep things like sugar free jell-o or the new sugar free jell-o pudding for when you get the sugar cravings. I have also fallen in love with the Weight Watcher Cookies and Cream bars. They are only 2 points (low cal) and taste like heaven. There are also a lot of low carb ice cream treats out there that are good. Try to have foods in your house that will set you up for success and have things to curb your sweet tooth. Deprivation will only lead to more poptart like incidents. You can do this....you are doing it. Keep up the great work!!! Hugs to you.

You look amazing Paula!!! So cute and ready for summer. Way to go on the $15 find...you look like a million bucks.

T...What sweet sentiments. I totally agree about what a nice group of people this is. I too lurked before I posted and learned a lot. I hope you will be able to rejoin us soon. Best of luck to you. Just a thought...the library usually has free internet access.

You go girl!!!!! I am so proud of you Zoe. My dream is to make it back to onederland. You are truly an inspiration. Keep on, keepin on. You give a person like me a lot of hope.

How funny!!!! I can totally relate to the "closet lesbian" remark from the husbands. I think I check out women more than my hubby does...too fat, too short, is she really wearing that, skank, etc...hehehe. I wonder if the skinny chicks are really as judgemental of me as I am of them? Interesting question. I also wonder if I will always feel like one of the fat girls even if I become a skinny one. Inquiring minds want to know...hehe.

Congratulations on doing so well on your exams! I am glad that you are happy with the results. I surely don't miss those awful tests.

Thanks everyone!! Sorry I fell off the face of the earth. The last week has been so busy. I am trying to pack all by myself to get ready for moving to Oregon on June 10th. I am also making my way through the joys of selling...the home inspection was today. It is very strange to have some one look at every single detail of your house. We also found a house in Oregon. We put in an offer which was accepted. It was be official once I approve it when I fly up on Friday. It is in Beaverton. It is almost completed but will be part of a home show (Street of New Beginnings), so we will get it on July 15th. Only one month of apartment living won't be too bad. Thanks for all the support.

Yipppeeeeee!!!!!!!! We spent the day going back and forth with our realtor, their realtor, and the buyers. After many, many conversations, we decided to accept their offer of $625K with a $5K credit. They were a sure thing since they were already pre-approved. Since the living expenses for me to stay in San Diego are over $3000 a month, we decided to go for it even though it was a little lower than we originally wanted. We will close escrow June 13th. We will probably actually move on June 11th and I will be in Oregon with my hubby by the 13th. I am so excited!! Now I have to find a mover. Thanks so much for all of you good wishes and crossed fingers...hehe.