Erv

I won't miss being asked to get off a rollercoaster I tried to ride with my son because the lap belt won't fit not being able to teach my son to ride a bike because I can't run beside him and keep up walking on a plane and everyone giving me that "Oh Crap! Don't sit next to me" look not wearing a seat belt in my own car because it's uncomfortable CHAFING! - seems to be a popular one on this thread! LOL

When race is no longer an issue..meaning it is not mentioned during a campaign. THEN, I think we're ready. Granted HRC is probably to blame for a lot of it this time, but I just don't think the American public at large can truly stop seperating the issue of race. It should not be a rallying point nor should it be detrimental. I'm not saying folks can't be proud of their own, but it should not be such a big deal in a general election. We've come a long way, but until race or gender is a non-issue, I don't think we're ready. For all those folks who live in a highly urban environment who are truely past the this point and ARE ready, there are a lot more rural areas (like where I live) where racial and gender divides are hidden close to the surface. Folks will spout the PC rhetoric to make everybody feel good, but when the curtain closes in the voting booth...it will bubble to the top. Sad... Lots of folks may link her too closely to Bush, but I think Condi Rice would be an excellent candidate for Prez or VP. I'll bet McCain will choose Bobby Jindal as his Veep because he is young, blows Obama's list of accomplishments away, and because he is Indian. No one will say that last part...but there you go. His youth and ethnicity will balance McCain's age and pasty whiteness. Obama will choose a white guy...probably someone with more foreign relations experience (anyone), again to balance the ticket and negate the issue of race somewhat. So Race is being used...not in the way it should, but at least they are not running from it, but embracing it as part of the process. We're just not there yet as a nation unfortunately to make it a non-issue.

I'd vote for the best man or woman no matter what race. Do I think that America is ready? Nope. I think Colin Powell would be one HELL of a president! I don't like politicians in general though. Frankly, I don't see anyone I want to vote for this year...

This thread has made me laff my hiney off. I'm 3 days postop and just took my nighttime dose of lortab elixir. Too funny! EVERYONE uses some chemical substance...caffeine, nicotine, sucrose, THC, narcs, to make them feel better. nuff said. No, I no longer partake....the DEA is funny about stuff like that!

Should be no problem in crushing the pills. Usually only extended release pills can't be crushed.

If breast implants don't have to be replaced, why would a LB? Same basic materials.

I was only on clear liquids two days before surgery. I would NOT take a laxative. Calm down, call your doctor's office tomorrow morning and "confess your sins", I really doubt it will make a difference...just don't do it again! LOL!

I have a 9 year old with Asperger's and can sympathize with you greatly! The reason I have had my surgery is to better be a part of his world..to be able to run and play and interact with him, rather than huff and puff and sit on the sidelines like I am now. One of my best friends had to help him learn to ride a bike because I was unable to run alongside. Would improved health help you interact and support your daughter better? The lap band is a tool..nothing more. Only your physician can tell you best how it will improve or hinder your current conditions. If I can't control what I put in my body with the aid of the Lap Band, then it wasn't worth the pain and effort. Believe me, I'm two days postop and these are some serious issues I am facing. The band will not do the work for you, you have to do it yourself with the band's support. The band can make your life miserable, I'm sure if not used correctly or fought. Bottom line, only you can make that decision (with help from your support) if it is worth it to you to make the extra effort to get where you want to be. Good Luck to you! There are lots and lots of great folks on this site and great information, but the determination and sheer will to succeed will only come from you.:incazzato:

Vicodin HAS Tylenol in it! Please don't take them together! One or the other, but not both. I recommend the GAS-X chewables for the gas pains. I'm day two post op as well and I feel a bit worse today than yesterday. Stomach is doing some weird spasms. Warm tea will help with these I hope! Good luck to you! As you feel better, just take the vicodin at night and do the tylenol durig the day. I've been sleeping on the couch on about a hundred pillows! LOL! :incazzato:

TeacherofK, I'll keep you in my prayers that all goes well with your scar tissue! Realsista85 and AJpink, CathyChatts will be on here soon to add you to the Jazzy Junes..WELCOME! Cathy was banded just yesterday and hopefully will be on later today to let us know how she is doing. Congrats on your upcoming banding!

If she is throwing up what looks like "coffee grounds" she needs to go to the ER asap! This is called melena and is basically digested blood. If this is the case, it may not be coming from the lap band most likely as the blood thrown up from the pouch or stomach would be bright red. It has been in her intestines. If she is not having bowel movements (usually melena is in the stool) she may have a blockage. BOTTOM LINE: Get to the ER...worst case scenario she could bleed out!

Hey everyone! I'm Erv...40 year old happily married man with two sons 15/9. I just got banded TODAY! Pain not too bad, but sore like a lot of folks have said. I'm a Pharmacist and my wife is too. I was born and raised and still live in Kingsport, TN. Good Luck to you Jazzy Junes! 334lb heaviest 322lb when banded 230 goal?:tongue2:

Good Luck to our Monday the 9th Jazzy Junes! I'll be praying for you guys! :tongue2: Bando, gardengrl, flirtyangel, vzghj3, Hayley, CarrieC, CarrieD, Hayley, Katies, 1000words, pubrownsugar, justbob, ladybuy 238, LeslieR941906, beckyltriplett, pmvb11, rxdspncr, RAMES767, BubbleLove, Tazmin99

Postop Update. I had my surgery at 7am this morning. It took 45 minutes because Dr Kramer is getting certified with the REALIZE band by Dr. Ponce from Erlanger in Chattanooga, TN. I spend two hours in recovery and was ready to go home by 12:30pm...but they wanted to give me a second dose of antibiotic (Ancef) eight hours after the preop at 6:30...Luckily I talked them into giving it to me at 2:30pm and left at 3pm! Pain..not that bad. Like most folks have said...just sore. My throat my head bothered me more from the anesthesia than anything. They must have catherized me during the procedure because it stung at bit when I went to the bathroom the first couple of times. Resting at home with a little Lortab elixir. I have heeded a lot of the GREAT advice on this board and sipped some warm tea for my throat and to avoid spasms and walked out in my yard about every hour. I have a little pain between my shoulderblades, but I'm not sure if it's gas pains or simply pain from laying most of the day. CathyChatts...Where are you? She was right after me this morning! I got mine first...:thumbup:. Hope you are doing well. Thanks for all of the great advice and support from you guys on this site. And a BIG THANK YOU for your prayers. I'll do my part!:tongue2:

Most definitely male! I think I had left before 10. I believe there are 3 of us getting the new Realize band on the 6th from Kramer/Ponce in order to complete Dr. Kramer's certification. I'm 6'3" very short black/grey hair. Hope to see you Friday! I'm going on a 275mile trip on next Wednesday...I hope I'll be able!

Cathy, I may have seen you on the 24th. My appointment was at 9am and saw someone as I left coming in...was that you? Eating my Jello....wishing it was a steak! Good Luck! I hope to go home Friday too. I used to work at HVMC, so I hope I don't come home with a new tattoo from some of the tricksters that know me....:eek:

Add me in! I'll be on the 6th. Kramer/Ponce are doing the realize. Probabably see you in recovery Cathy!:eek:

Cathy, I'm having my band on the 6th by Kramer/Ponce too! Wonder who will go first!! LOL! Good Luck! See ya in recovery!