WLSResources/ClothingExch

But if you hollow out a worm to use as a straw, it will no longer be solid food. We may be on the horns of a dilemma with this one. Speaking of straws, the reason against them never made sense to me. As I so rarely drink things for which I'd need or want one (e.g., I take my margaritas straight up; haven't had a real, fountain ice cream soda since high school or college), I don't give a cat's asss. If, however, I were your basic straw-user, I wouldn't hesitate. "When can I drink through a straw?" When a camel can pass through the eye of a needle. When you know how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. Whenever the helll you please. There are no answers to a koan. Yeah, I know, I'm here all by myself.

How did I know you'd say that? I hope you and @@gowalking won't mind my throwing in my few cents although I'm tossing them not at the main subject matter. Because Kinky Boots, which received top industry awards, including the Tony for Best Musical, was written by Cyndi Lauper (music & lyrics) and Harvey Fierstein (book), be sure it's awash with affection and kindheartedness. The countless shoe stores on 8th between 5th & 6th Aves. disappeared years ago after many years in business. They catered to everyone, primarily the hip, young and young-ish. I wonder what the owners, Israeli immigrants, moved on to. Now that you've brought it up, I'm recalling Lee's Mardi Gras on the third floor of a building in what has come to be known as the Meatpacking District, bordering and west of the Village. It, too, closed many years ago. The shop catered to drag queens and transvestites, carrying clothing and shoes in the larger Miss sizes and plus. I think 10 was the smallest shoe size; imagine mid-high Mary Janes in 13. Having heard about it for years, I stopped in for a look-around once when I was passing by. The visit was fun and unexpected, the atmosphere calm, understated, dignified, etc., etc. I'd expected the most flamboyant clothes, but found simple things, some definitely dowdy. My guess is that those were to suit secret dressers. Even the lingerie was simple, maybe only a few frilly pieces.

Good, you've made your decision, so I won't give another of the same opinion. If, however, your insurance plan does require that a PCP be on board, I'll sign off for you. I'm not a physician, but I play one on Bariatric Pal. Storm the Bastille!

Yes, I was referring to the band eroding the tissue. When I asked the other night about symptoms, what I'd heard elswhere was confirmed in part: That often there is no pain and, unless endoscopy is indicated, erosion may not be detected for a long time. It was also said the other night by the NP taking questions that infection caused at the band may travel down the pike to the port and vicinity. That came as a big surprise to me. I began to explore sleeve because I was suspecting that my band had gasped its last breath. It does seem to have life yet, though, for which I'm grateful. If the band had to be removed, I'd hope tha sleeve would be covered by insurance, but my preference above that is to not have more surgery. The info I've received about band erosion reassures me that it's unlikely I have erosion....I certainly hope it's so. Best to you on your renewed program and new surgery.

Most interesting video. I wonder, however, whether this will become common wisdom until 10 or so years down the road, when another study will disprove the theory and turn back toward exercise being a true component of weight loss. So many topics go through cycles, such as the benefits of breast-feeding and so many others. I'm glad they did take care to say that exercise is important for good health. At first I thought it would be skipped over. It's too bad that the worldwide contingent that hears only what it wants to hear will take in only that exercise doesn't have a part in weight-loss. I'm going to post the video at another site I frequent.

@@AgentSmith, I asked at a support group the other night what, if any, symptoms exist if erosion is the issue. I was told that one sign may be pain around the port site, which has become infected by germs migrating from the site of erosion. Was your pain around the port?

It may be that you're band isn't well-adjusted right now. An amount of saline that works one time may be insufficient or too much another time. I understand how frustrating it must be to have so much difficulty getting to a good point. I wonder, though, if you're watching for the wrong thing. Like many, you're talking about "restriction." That's leaving it all up to the band, which isn't what the procedure really is about, not in its entirety. For now, try to forget about restriction and watch for satiety. Over the next week, see what happens when you're eating. Rather than expecting to feel that you'll puke or explode if you take another bite, see if you reach a point where you think you might eat another bite or two, but also feel satiety: "Eureka!, I feel satisfied; I can easily skip those extra bites. I don't need them." It works for me -- when I'm mindful. I learned at the start that the band is a tool, a partner, meaning that I have a role in events. From what you've described, you probably don't have a band leak, but I'm no expert. The way to be sure is to ask the adjuster to check next time you go in. The last amount of saline in your band is on record. The NP or whomever withdraws all flud and see whether it's the amount recorded from the previous adjustment. P.S. WOops I forgot: If you take my suggestion and you truly don't find a difference, make an appt.

1. You may be correct, the "ca..." may have been the start of "care," but you didn't ask so you'll never know for sure. 2. Even if you were to find out that he was not about to say that he didn't care, would you ever again be comfortable and have confidence in him? I doubt that I would. There are other PCP's. The present one has served his purpose in signing on the dotted line in favor of WLS. 3. Any time I needed to see my PCP after and since WLS, the visit had no connection to WLS. I had routine physicals, which meant some duplicated bloodwork. The PCP weigh-in's and BP measurement and the like are part of standard medical practice that a new PCP will continue.. I don't see a reason not to shop around for a new PCP. Whomever you choose will have access to your past records.

160 certainly is reasonable for your height which is the same as mine,. It's your choice, of course, but let me suggest that you not make a major issue of "goal weight." You may be thrilled one morning to wake up and recognize that you love the way you're feeling -- the energy level, the improvements in health concerns and appearance -- and then you see a mouth in the mirror saying "Honey, I'm home!" How gorgeous a surprise would that be?

If I may, another resource is http://shrinkyourself.com whether you opt for the free or pay version. It's about emotional eating, not bariatrics or any particular method of weight loss.

Sorry to hear it. How naughty were you? Just kidding -- your typo. This whole site is an online support group. You can also look at Lapband under the Forums tab, above; it has a local support group sub-tab. If your own surgery practice doesn't offer a support group, call other hospitals in your area. If they do bariatric surgery and have in-person groups for patients, they probably also welcome others to the meetings. Much success to you.

On the odd chance that "Some people..." is a reference to moi, know that earlier in this merry exchange, I thought, "Good grief, does this mean we're dating?" The yellow, splotchy thing was a contributing factor way back. It looks more like a snide smirk than anything else.

@@Babbs, pick one, pick 'em all: 1. If that's your real, natural-born rack, I'll bet the boys stayed away in droves. 2. I see that the asymmetrical haircut you had to mask haire loss has grown back in. 3. Now I believe you're in Idaho.

Makes sense to me: Not eating cures hunger. Bottle it and you'll make millions.

I'm no shrink, but I am a person, albeit one speaking while knowing so little about you. First off, my guess is that you're not dependent on foood, but on the numbness and oblivion overdosing on food delivers. My other guess, certainly related, is that it isn't food you want, but mass quantities are. The good news is that you don't even have to give it up now. We're usually more successful at giving up what isn't good for us only after we have its replacement. As you say yourself, you're fearing another blank space. You've already experienced it when your mother died; you had nothing to soothe the hurt or fill the void (I do know first-hand that nothing can substitute for your mother), so you turned to food, readily available as it was and is. Why not try paper and pen to work on a list of things that give you pleasure or capture your interest and imagination? They should be activities rather than objects, activities that really would absorb you, take you outside yourself and connect you more to the larger world? Perhaps there's something you've wanted to study or learn to do. It might also be volunteer work in an area that matters to you. It can be as simple as getting out for an hour or so exploring a neighborhood you don't know well but you've been curious about. Whatever you choose to turn your attention to should be a genuine interest, not mere busy work. The latter would not fulfill you in any way. Second, is it really food that you want as a fill-in for your mother? There are other things in your history together that will be far more gratifying, warming, nourishing, et al. Giving more attention to any of them will make you smile; the food doesn't do that, does it? True, the smiles will often be tinted with some sadness, but that's fine. The sadness tells you that you have so much that was good. If, on the other hand, you feel that you didn't get things that you needed when you were younger, you're an adult now. You can begin steps to provide those things for yourself. They come in the form of things we do for ourselves and from the relationships we develop beyond the ones we were born into. You and people you choose to have in your life will be far more comforting than food. It's a necessity, not a friend. Are you seeing a therapist regularly? Are you taking medication? Everything and anything can be scary. The only way to get past it all is to do something differently and to take risks. Tiny risks are great. Y'know, you've already taken one by posting here. Give yourself credit for it.

Duh, I missed that part -- of course "peer-to-peer" means someone on "your side" will be there to speak up. At least I indicated that the territory is unfamiliar to me. It sounds as though you're in as good shape as can be expected for now. I hope you get what you want on Tuesday. Please post again when you get the results. If you click the little blue "Mention" under my screen name once you've clicked into the new-message pane, I'll get a notice about your post. I'd like to know.

Feeling full comes from overeating. It is not a matter of semantics or tomato-tomahto. The ideal, whether as a result of surgery or the nature-or-nurture question rooted in childhood, is to feel satisfied. When I think of having another bite or two, then realize I'm satisfied with what I've eaten, I know I'm in the right place emotionally and bodily. Another thing. When the quality of the food is high, I'm satisfied with less. If I'm eating something I like to begin with and it comes from the hands of a great cook using the highest-quality ingredients, I sooner reach satiety than I do if I'm not happy with the dish. I suspect that emotional junk comes into play some of the times..

I don't have your experience, but am stopping to throw out a couple of thoughts. Maybe I'm missing something here. If the reviewer looks at the paperwork only to see if you meet the eligibility requirements (minimum 40 BMI for 5 yrs and 21+, as you report), it seems that you'll be rejected again. Wouldn't that mean it's likely that the initial denial will stand? It certainly won't hurt your peer-to-peer procedure if you supply letters in support of sleeve surgery from any and every doctor you can. These letters aren't about explaining why you don't have the required five years, but rather to state all the medical reasons you need to lose gobs of weight, all sorts of health and physical problems that are dangerous and can be solved by weight loss. If you do have doctors who can whip out brief letters, you need to move fast so that your insurance coordinator can get them to the peer review people. It can't hurt your case. If the process fails, you may choose to go to the next stage of appeal, whatever it is. I don't have personal knowledge of them, but there is a law firm that works on these things. If you'd want to consult, the head's is Walter Lindstrom. If worse runs to worst, would you be covered if you wait until you have 5 years of 40BMI? Would you be covered despite the earlier surgery? Just tossing out questions in case they haven't occurred to you. Good luck.

@@northstar9148 -- I'm taking the liberty of putting a note on the status feed to ask other members to help.

@@Admanda Darling, many women have written about their husbands and boyfriends being afraid of being left behind once they've lost weight. Never has anyone written about a husband or boyfriend being as ugly about it as you have. Your guy is mean-spirited from every angle and you may never have noticed it before. The things he is saying to you are threatening and meant to make you feel worthless. He wants you to believe no one would want you and that you have nothing going for you. He's trying to beat down your spirit so that you'll be an obedient puppy. If his only problem is insecurity that you'll leave him, then you and he would have something you could work on together. But when a partner is beating on your heart and soul, he's only an animal. You said you want to do what is best for you and your son. Those are the two things that matter most. Part of what's best for both of you is having a home for your boy where his mother is respected. For your son to grow up in a household where he sees his mother being so deeply disrespected is very likely to teach him to treat women the same way when he grows up. Make a good life for yourself and your child. Take time to rediscover who you are as an individual in the world, as a woman who can hold her head high and feel good about herself. It's scary, but, when the time is right -- after you have time to become your own friend -- you'll attract a respectable, respectful, stand-up man. P.S. I just saw your last note (post #25) and am so glad you're taking this seriously to the point of working on a plan. It's too bad that you can't stay with family until you can pull things together. I hope a solution comes your way sooner than you think. Maybe you and your son can share a place with another mother and child?

@@even11, give yourself permission for time to more fully absorb the idea of surgery and lifelong changes for lifelong success. Don't do it until you are reasonably calm of mind, heart and gut. While you anticipate post-surgery problems, remind yourself that there's always a possibility regardless of the surgery, meaning bariatric, appendectomy, a manicure or other. We all make choices when we're as close to ready as anyone can be.

As the others have said, you may need more potassium and/or magnesium either from food or supplements. Dehydration is another possible cause.