SherryW

Do a search of Brigham and Women's and other local hospitals such as Beth Israel Deconess. You can also take a peek at the Massachusetts forum. Well worth looking into the surgical place for you and their programs. Since you're just starting the journey you should love your choice in hospitals and surgeons first!

Welcome Angi and this is the best place for information both good and bad, positive and negative. You have to make your own decision and seeing the whole picture definately helps. I know this website definately helped me with questions even though I already knew I was going to have the surgery.

Gracie...have you thrown up hard, not followed your docs post-op diet..anything to make you think it would of slipped? If not...then I can bet it's still a bubble of gas. Took me almost 8 weeks to feel totally up to par again. I was able to work and all but, for me there was dicomfort in the upper left (my left) incision. I asked my surgeon and he said that is the spot they do more of the work for the band, the moving, tunnelling, etc so it's more bruised and is through the muscle. Anyway....ask your surgeon maybe he uses the right side on his patients for the heavy duty surgery work I would think if you slipped, from all I've read, you'd have heartburn, throwing up and food wouldn't go down as easily.

I just had a fill this week....had 1.25 in my band but my surgeon only pulled out .50. He said he also pulled out some air so some saline may also be in the band. He then pushed in another 1cc on top of the .50cc. Kinda has me wondering with the original .75 went but, my doc also said some can evaporate. I know my tubing didn't get punctured the first time because he got the port first shot. I'm just taking this last fill easy and see if the restriction stays. If not I'll see if he'd check me with flouro just to make sure. Did your surgeon use flouro this time around?

Just goes to show your surgeon and his medical team are really paying attention to your health and welfare. No harm in that but definately harm if they didn't. It may not be anything at all other than an electrode that was loose etc. Always best to play it safe and see a cardiologist otherwise your lap-band surgery could of turned into something more extreme. If you haven't had problems in the past, you should be fine and have the surgery rescheduled in no time. Good luck with your cardiology visit!

THAT'S AWESOME Penni. Congratulations!

Hey everyone, I'm glad it sounds like you're all doing well but, Deezadoo where is your infection? Is it one of your surgery sites? I LOVE MY BAND. Just got my 2nd fill this past Wednesday. It did bring on a little bit of heartburn but, I'm chalking that up to having not eaten lunch or dinner that day. I didn't want to eat lunch and have food still in there and have the band filled. I was afraid the extra Fluid in the band would sqeeze anything moving down through the band lol. Better safe than sorry I say. I've already lost 4 pounds since the fill. I think the liquid diet you have to go back on for 3-4 days helps for sure. I'm now on mushies for 3-4 days and then back to solids. I definately feel restriction again and looking forward to losing more. I'm hoping to be under 200 pounds by Christmas. That leaves me 4.5 months to lose 22 pounds. Hopefully I'll get there. As far as the Psychiatric visit....they definately do use an odd psychologist. She was 40-45 mins late for my appointment and she left her door open. Me and my husband not being familiar with her office, went in thinking the other door was her office. Well she got there and practically yelled at us to get out and why didn't we stay in the hall. I told her the door was wide open and no signs to stay out...we had no idea what to do. She then kicked my husband out and told me to fill out a survey while she talked on the phone with someone. But I had already filled out the dang thing because inside the office there was a sign that said please sit and complete a survery prior to your visit. Needless to say she went on and on about this isn't a decision to take lightly. I ended up telling her I KNOW it's only a tool and I KNOW I have to do the work and I KNOW the band isn't boing to make me popular and make everyone love me. There is something you can do if you truly weren't comfortable with this woman....when you fill out your post-op surgery survey let them know what you think of her then. In the meantime, I'm going to let Angi know because, now I"m hearing so many complain about this woman and my experience with her was aweful too. At least someone will know. Good lucky ladies and gents with you post op healing or your pre-op work

Hey everyone...Welcome Allison! Cindy - I totally knew what you were doing in the Christmas thread and agree with you. This guy just isn't worth it. If we all ignore him he'll go away and if he sees this posting so be it. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but, honestly he should do his own thread and leave others alone. We have just as much of a right to believe in Christ, Christmas and how it all came about as he does in his other ways. Just not worth it and so I also chose to ignore him Awesome job skipping right over him IMHO :scared: Darcy - Have a great time at the shack. I hope you have awesome weather and you're able to enjoy the nature around ya Sounds like fun to me. I've been craving going camping myself Allison - Feel free to chime in anytime. Like Bene said we all help each other in here and we all honor the others opinions and feelings. You are very much welcome here and I hope you enjoy it so far. Bene - Girl....I hear ya on the workload stuff. Man...not sure I'd know where to put the stuff in my cubicle if I had to clean it. My piles have piles and each project is late. UGH. So stressful sometimes. I do hope you enjoy your weekend. Betty - Man....I wish I could come do some Reiki on your foot to see if it would help ya. What a situation that is huh? They don't want ya on the foot yet you need to walk...hello lol I do hope it feels better soon. Eileen - I miss your posts when you can't play Love ya well my friend is here so I have to go. I'll catch up with everyone else later. Hope you're all doing well and shrinking!!!!

Patty you can tell her by saying You love her, you care about her but, because of those things you can't sit by while she leaves your house when her husband thinks she's there. You'll remain friends, you listen to her but, you don't feel comfortable living her lie. If she gets ticked off because you're being truthful...then honestly she's not as good a friend. She should know, knowing you and your religious and person beliefs, that you wouldn't go for this and she using her for her own lies. Making you uncomfortable is not being a good friend. Sorry you're going through this. Note: Fill seems to be ok today but, I did get quite hungry. I can't help worrying about how much is in my band...where did it go

checking in dropped another pound this week. I'm now at 226. 2nd fill today so hopefully it will help me meet my Christmas goal

Hello my friends, It's so hard to catch up on everything when you stay away for even a day lol. Diane - It was a flea problem in my mom's apartment. Seems to be under control now but, some of the suckers are still living until they touch the rug or bite the cat. DH says they'll die but, I'm going to be spraying again when my mom is gone for the weekend. Better safe than sorry I say. Cindy - Whew...105/106? That's hot hot. I hope you stayed cool today Eilene - I sometimes find myself taking as long as you to eat lunch. Between working and questions my staff has sometimes it just happens. I feel I get my protein in when I do that anyway. Patty - So sorry about your fish. Its always upsetting when any animal dies. I hope you enjoy your pampering day having your hair done Betty - Wow foot is still bad huh? I hope it doesn't come down to surgery for you. Gotta take it easy my friend. Darcy - No running water in the shack? How far away from your house it is? Still sounds like a peaceful way to get back to basics in life...I think we all need that sometimes. Kat - I hope DH is rested up and feeling better. I'm with you on the food thing....sometimes I think Oh I wish I could eat that like a nonbanded person but...then I remember I got here because I did that before. One day at a time and at least with the band we're able to try some things Hellllooo to everyone else I missed Hope you're all doing well and shrinking! Went for my 6 month post-op visit. Doc says total loss of 50 is fantastic and gave me a high five :clap2: . After asking me some questions and discussing things, we decided it was time for a fill. Now...get this...he only pulled out .50? Hello....my frist fill he said was between 1 and 1.50 so I called it 1.25. Where did the .75 go? He said this time when he pulled the fluid out there was an air bubble that he figures was stuck in the tubing. He said it's common for less to come out because some fluid stays in the tubing. Anyway, he put the .50 back in plus 1.5 so that gives me 1.50? I only wanted .25 this time around anyway soooooo I guess that's a good thing cause it equals what I wanted? It just bugs the heck out of me that this isn't more accurate. My band only holds 4ccs so are we just gonna keep playing with it until it explodes? lol. Anyway....it bothers me not to know the exact amount. What have you folks found with your fills as far as accuracy of how much is in there? Hugs

Hmmm not sure how to do that Cindy. Maybe we have a computer wizard that will give us a hand with that. It would be cool to use it each day. Not sure how. I'm glad you enjoy it

sorry I haven't been around the past few days. I'm pooped but, wanted to say hello. We had a big cookout yesterday and between running to the store, setting things up, cooking, cleaning, playing hostess, cleaning it all up, washing dishes and THEN discovering that my mom's cat has terrible fleas and we're all being attached really STUNK! Sooo off to the pet store to buy flea spray, flea/tick cat wash, equivalent of frontline for cats and yet another trip to the pet store for more flea spray, vacuuming her entire apartment, getting the cat into a carrier and outside, OMG what a mess. It took well over 5 hours to complete this task and my mom wasn't here so guess who had to do it DH helped me when he got home from fishing because I was swearing like a trooper how this isn't even my cat and I'm the one taking care of it and the apartment just so it doesn't come up into my house...of course which some already did grrrrrr. My dogs are protected with frontline thank goodness but, still the buggers jump on us and bite us. I'm so disgusted and I need to talk to my mom about it. The freaking chemicals were over $80, 5 hours later and both DH and I doing it. The poor cat was being eatin alive DH gave him the flea bath and the water was turning pink thats how much this poor thing was suffering. Thank goodness DH helped. I don't know what I would of done. Anyway....the kitty seem to feel better with the bath. He wasnt' crying anymore and I haven't had a flea jump on me the last hour or so so many we got them. Oh please lord say yes cause bombing the place will be sooo hard to do. After this lovely crapola...I still had to go to the grocery store for our regular stuff and now I sit here sliming away on 1/2 a slice of pizza. Why is it when you're sliming and you spit it into a tissue you end up wearing it all? I just don't get that! Anywho.....hopefully I'll be able to catch up with everyone soon. Miss you!

How is this for a count down to Christmas counter for everyone http://home.valornet.com/sabruf2/countchr.html

Are you kidding? Are there really no other threads in the Massachusetts Local forum? My my ....we must have some other members from Massachusetts. I'm not seeing anything else in here though so I figured I'd start this one. Anyone care to join in?

Hi Lapbandit, I went to my PCP this past Monday. She said gee you've lost 49 pounds since I've seen you last. That's great keep up the great work. I said thanks doc I'm happy with it and I'm going in next week to get the band tightened. She says Band? Umm yea doc that's how I'm losing weight. Ohhh yea thats right so are they going down your throat to tighten it. UGH didn't she read anything I gave her before she sent the referral over? lol. It is frustrating but, before I left there she knew what the band was and how they fill it and what the scares look like lol.

Ok Chrispy....I did it. I kept my promise and posted my before and -50 pictures but, I didn't post them on the before and after. I just don't want them completely out there yet. I'll keep it between all of us lol. So.....DH helped me crop the pictures because I just got to frustrated. He had to convince me and point out where you can notice my loss. It's just so hard for me to look at these. I know I've lost but, man to me...all I see is fat. Sorry..don't mean to be such a downer...like Chris says...we all do a good job at beating ourselves up and that's all I ever do when I see pics. Hence why I hate having them taken and hate even more looking at em lol. Darcy - So sorry about your back. Do you use a chiropractor? Hope you feel better soon. Bene - sorry you've been so busy but, happy you were able to catch a show. I remember the older movie theaters being like that. Very uncomfy..now the stadium seating makes it more pleasant. Guess the play theaters haven't caught on. Eileen - it is nice that you can sneak in during the day. I can't really do that at work. I have way too many people constantly in my cubicle. Sometimes I'll peek at email to see if someone posted something. It usually lets me read a few of the lines. You always crack me up heh heh Dianne - Amazing how great that Frontline works aye? Don't forget next time...fleas are terrible and pesky. Good luck with your cleaning and hope you have a nice visit. Mary - sounds like things are moving along with the divorce and in the right direction. Good luck with everything. Kat - It's amazing what our in-laws do and say huh? You did the right thing for your DH biting your lip and ya know...it was great he stuck up for you as well. I'm sure that urked him that they said anything. You're doing a wonderful job taking care of him, I can just tell. *positive energy coming your way Cindy - WTG with the E wooooot! I hope I'll catch on next week. Going for that fill then I'm going to push it baby. I wanna see more poundage come off. You're quite the inspiration for that E word for me. Keep up the great work. Anne - I'd would love to see your new hairdew The BP meds seemed to help a bit today. I wasn't as woozy..just a little bit. Well.....I think I'm going to go watch some TV with DH. He certainly helped lift my spirits with the pictures. Maybe I see a little difference. Nice bra, makes me more perky lmao (pssst Chrispy told me about them. Lane Bryant brand.)

UGH I...here's another

I'm still not comfortable with this. I just don't see the difference but, DH just told me I'm nuts because there is a big difference. Just look at your ass not sticking out as much and your stomach is not sticking out farther than ya boobs in that smaller bra. Hmm one way to put it hahaha. Still hard for me to see but, I keep my promises. Here are the before and after the -50. February 13 surgery day versus last night August 9.

Loggin in.....lost 2 this week I'm now at 227 and finally hit the -50 WOOT! Also bought one gift for Christmas so I've started!

hello everyone....sounds like everyone had a crazy day one way or another. I started taking my BP med today and things were still a bit woozy but, not as bad. Hmmm wonder if it's just cause I'm naturally a little dizzy hee hee. All in fun though. I noticed a little bit of a difference though so that's good. Maybe once this BP med settles in my body it will be better. I have great news :huggie: I hit the 50 pound mark today hee hee. I'm so excited...I wasn't sure I'd see this day for quite some time. Still hard to believe that something is finally working ya know? Now I made promise to my friend Chrispy that I'd take a pic and post it. To be technical and picky about it...when I lose .8 more I'll be exactly 50 hahaha. If ya noticed I'm stalling it's cause I am lol. I'll work on taking it though...have to have DH take it for me in the same position and place I took my before pics. Funny thing on my before pics...looks like I"m on drugs. He took a shot just as I was blinkin and we didn't notice before we left. Oh well it is what it is lol. I'll try to take a new one and post it soon. I keep my promises so I have to do it lol. Hey Betty welcome back :huggie: Sounds like you've been busy. Oh Eileen you asked me before where in NY we go to visit family. We go to Newark NY. It's not far from Lyons if either of those towns sound familiar to ya. Cindy - sorry you had a yucky day back. Sounds like quite the cheer up session. Darcy - We have lots of pine trees in our yard and they are TALL! I don't know what we'd do if one came down...kinda scarey. You said your tree was split? Did lightening strike it or did it just die? Anne - isn't it funny how the kids can figure out how to claim the work? lol My son used to end up with me typing his entire report and tweaking it just by talking to me while I did it. Hmm doesn't work now at 16 though lol.Now it's mom...can I drive you to the store. *pop* another grey hair lol Dianne - can you rub alittle of that energy on me to make me go to curve too? Anyone here from Pat or Patty. They doing ok? I'm missin Bene too. Where is Mary and Becky too lol. Everyone must be on vacation I hope everyong is doing well. Love you folks!

I had my first fill in June and it went great. Can't complain at all...laid on the table, doc had me lift my legs up a bit so the stomach muscles would harden and make it easy for him to find my port, he found it, poked once, pulled the fluid out to see how much was in then pushed it back in with a little more. Easy Peasy! Weirdest feeling when the needle pops out but, it didn't hurt it's just weird. I go for my 2nd fill on the 16th...after my first experience I'm not worried Actually excited to get back on the losing part again.

Actually my doc is usually great...but this band was something I put in her head and since her affliated surgeons didn't do the surgery she had to refer me to Boston which was way out of her region. She only knows about the surgery from what I've told her. I just really thought she would of looked at my chart and it would be in there for crying out loud. She really is easy to talk with if I have a problem. I guess since my BP was so high she was more concerned about that because I can still function driving and walking...it's the sitting in front of the computer that throws me off or just plain sitting. I'll take this dang medicine again and see her in 10 days. In the meantime I'll be seeing my surgeon on the 16th and if it's still bad I'll tell him and see if he can offer a suggestion. Usually they just tell me to see my PCP cause he doesn't want to step on toes. My doc was truly interested when I told her how I had to eat now, what I ate and that I see a nutrionist each time I go to the doc. But...you're all right...she should of known about my band. I had to show her my scares and point out where my port is lol

:happybday2: Happy Birthday Eileen! :happybday: Happy Birthday and WAHOO on the rings fitting. That's just awesome! Darcy - Isn't it wierd how some food just go down no problem and others just won't budge. To think a few days ago you couldn't eat at all? Man I think we have twin bands lol. One day I can barely eat...the next watch out my name is Vacuum! Cindy - Great job on the walking. Come over here and rub that on me will ya? Anne - I can't remember the last time I was alone alone....I know what you mean though. You crave it sometimes but, when you get it you're not sure you want it hahaha. I hope you can do some things for yourself during that time like a nice pedicure and manicure...aaaa relaxing Kat - I'm so happy your DH is doing well. Make sure he takes it easy and relaxes so he'll heal up nice and easy. I've got ya both in my prayers and wishing you the best with the recovery. Dianne - Curves....hmmm I think I remember that place lol. I went faithfully for about 2 months and now nuttin. I can't get my ars back there for some stupid reason..umm even though my money has been there UGH. I've been going in our pool but, still since I'm paying for it I should be going. How often do you go? You've done awesome! WELL....I went to the doc doc says/sherry responds Temp is up 99.2/Always that temp doc even surgery day Tonsils big/You always say that doc, they don't hurt never did Ears don't hurt huh?/Nope their fine ears look fine/yup thought so Oh you lost weight/Yeap feel great cept this boat I'm on You're doing a good job keep it up/planning on it I had surgery remember You did?/Umm yea in February Lapband you gave me the referral Ohhhh that's right/Yup getting it tightened again next week You are? They go down your throat?/nope needle (showed her the port AGAIN) BP is too high/CRAP! :faint: It was good bottom was 70-75 all the time Nope 98-100 now/DANG NABBIT :think Yup could cause ya to be dizzy see in in 10 days/grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr lol then went on to explain the band AGAIN and she looked through my chart. Says I haven't weigh this weight of 229 since 2001. On her charts I've lost 49 pounds. She reminded me how much I put on yadda yadda. I know doc I'm shooting for 150 but would like to be below 200 for Christmas. Sooo that's that. She thinks its my bloodpressure. Suppose it could be it but, I'm telling ya I"m on that ship still. There is alot of pressure at work right now so I know it's not helping my BP. Oh well....take the dang meds and see what happens. Nothing like crushing that crap and taking it, it tastes TERRRRRRIBLE. well gotta go to BJs Wholesale for stuff for a cookout this coming weekend. You're all welcome if ya wanna come to Taunton, MA for a cookout on Saturday hee hee We really gotta work out getting together one of these days!

lol add Dr Phil to me as well. Seems the only weight I lost on these things was the weight of the money in my pocket. Sooo sad but true. I would have thousands in the bank had I just had the band sooner lol