Kat817

I was glad to wake up this morning and everyone be where they were supposed to be! Especially when we looked outside, and there was another couple of inches of snow here---and according to the news/weather---the mountains where they were got another 10 inches, with more snow off and on for the next 36-48 hours. If they hadn't got that truck out, it likely would have been spring before it got out! My son would have had a coniption fit! Which I understand he did a little of anyway! Rick said he did not handle the whole situation well...which does not surprise me! SS gift goes out today!! It has 2 weeks, hope it is ok. I have the box stuffed full! Secret Santa, when you get this box--I will explain a bit more! Judy, hope you are feeling better. We used to rub Vicks on the bottom of Kinseys feet. Now they are putting it on Lindzies, trying to see if it will help with her seasonal asthmatic nagging cough. Rick and I heard about it during a class I conned him into taking with me, on reflexology. He moaned and grumbled about agreeing to go, but he loves the foot massages now!! They told us toxins exit the body through the feet, and things can be absorbed through the feet. Now keep in mind they also believe anything can be helped or cured by ministering to the feet!! Sinus infection? Rub here! Sciatica? Rub here! Annoying neighbor? Apply here! LOL I had planned to take my Mom to town today, but will depend on Best Buy. They are delivering the TV for my inlaws to my house today. Then the siblings from Denver will show up to make a big presentation with it, make a massive mess, and leave! Then we will get to go out, and decide where to put the videos, and DVD's, and the photo albums, and tons of grandkids and great grandkids pictures. All the things that are currently in an entertainment center. The new TV of course will not have that space. It is free standing. No shelving etc. I am sure we will end up buying a shelf unit for them. We will be left to figure out how to connect all the accesories. They will leave and then everyone at church and at Walmart, and anywhere else that will listen will hear what wonderful kids they have....in Denver!! I have to joke about it, or it gets really old! It hurts me for Rick and his sister here. His sister takes his Mom to town at least once a week, helps buy all the groceries...keeps things like that up. Rick just spent an entire day replacing the stove pipe on their woodstove. To the tune of almost $200.00---they did not have a clue, gave him $40.00 to buy materials! He bought the rest, and did the work. We deal with the cattle he runs, and all the hay each year....and I never hear them brag a single word about what he does for them. I don't care if they never utter my name, but I really wish they would treat Rick better---be more appreciative. oh well, it is an old wish.....I just keep wishing it, and praying for them all! When do you get out for winter Break Pamela? Soon??? Yeehaw! I got my card Saturday--we had a good laugh! I have had a toilet seat design, I keep threatening to patent--but I am sure it has been done, and never caught on!!! You know the step on the peddle type trash cans, where the lid lifts? Voila! Step up, up the lids goes, walk away, down it comes again! LOL Cindy---I will forward your info to our girls, and send you our list today. So now that you have my address, when you win the millions, you know where to share! Michelle---I can guarantee you my DH said, he is not going hunting again period! He only went worried that something like this would happen and Gary would be there alone. And then our son, thought woohoo fun time---wrong! Rick said, If Gary did not learn anything, then he cannot help him, and will not do it again, but will remind him of this! Gary was raised in an area of Texas that seldom gets any snow, and he has not got a clue! He did not know how to drive in it, it is a miracle that he actually let Rick drive! Learning to steer into a slide is so hard! We took a winter driving school in Steamboat Springs CO. It is a big school run by Bridgestone Tires. They have a huge area that they flood and let freeze. Then they take you out in small groups, and teach you what to do and what not to do. How to turn on a curve with ice...it was scary as heck at first, then got to be kinda fun. The last time Rick went, they would not pay for spouses, so I didn't get to go! wah! They have everything from little cars to semi's to drive. I have much more confidence now than before. Well, I am going to go get things done here, and get Kinsey and I ready so if the TV gets here this morning, we will be ready to go soon after. She needs a bath. She got into gum. Manda come in, and was half mad, half giggling--Kinsey has gum stuck...right in the crease between her leg and her girlie parts! Give her some cooking oil, off come the gum, but now she is oily!!! So we are warming up the house good, and hitting a bubble bath! Be back in awhile girls! Kat

Got word last night Rick and son Lenny are stuck, unable to get out, the storm hit them hard, and they are in no less than 4 feet of new snow, on top of what was already there. We heard this morning they were still stuck. We are getting calls from people we don't know, that are making the calls when they get off the mountain. Most of them have people stuck as well. They are in a national forrest. So DD's boyfriend Ryan and I took off, the camp they were in was 3-4 hours away. We got there, and the place is 5 miles off the road, we got in maybe half a mile and even with 4WD we had to chain up! But someone had stolen (work truck) one of the chain tighteners, so every 100 yards it seems we threw the chain, and landed inthe snow bank! We shoveled and rechained, eventually the chain broke, and we tried, but almost went over an embankment about 2.75 miles in. We were stuck. We opted to try to walk in to their camp. We heard a truck about half a mile from our truck, and stepped off the road, and the snow was crotch deep! It was my son--unstuck, when he saw us he tried to stop--and ended up sliding, directly at us!!! Ryan grabbed me, and we ended up in the actual bar ditch to the road, and the boys had to dig me out, I was chest deep in snow. Now soaked, we went back to try to get our truck out, which they did. Rick and Gary were breaking camp, finally coming down the mountain---we headed on out, come up on a truck, stuck of course! Helped him out, and finally made it home about 2 hours ago! What a friggin' day! In the door, and straight to the shower! Rick showered and collapsed in bed! What I did for a few hours today did me in, and he has been doing that for 2 days----of course I quickly and frequently reminded him he CHOSE that ---I did not! Anyway--we are all home, and staying that way as another storm is hitting as I type! This forrest is on the NM/CO border on the NorthEast corner--and it is getting pounded again! If we had not got out---it would have required a snow cat to move us! I love my home tonight!!! Talk to you all tomorrow! (((hugs))) Kat

Hi girls- Just a quick check in before I go to bed. Word came in this morning, that the truck was still stuck---so Manda's boyfriend, Ryan and I took off--it is a 2-3 hour drive away. The next storm is on its way in, the sky is gray, and yucky all day! We made it to where we go off the main road, onto forest access roads. The snow was gorgeous! Thick in the forrest trees--looked like someone had blown white icing all over everything. That is the only good thing I can say about it! Other than that, it was cold---bitterly cold----and wet! We had 4 WD but didn't get 1/2 a mile in to the 5 mile venture, and had to chain up. Well this is a company truck, and lo and behold someone had taken off with one of his chain tighteners, so we kept throwing the chain, and everytime we did, we would slide into the snow bank, and have to dig ourselves back out, and rechain -a royal PITA with a dually truck. We eventually ended up breaking the chain. So we are trying to get there with both front tires chained and one rear dually. We made it about 2.75 miles, and damn near ended up off over an embankment. Dumped the truck into the trees...and were not going further without assistance. We were stuck as well. A couple of guys on little snow cat snow machines come by, they too had 2 trucks stuck further up. Ryan and I discussed it, and made the choice to walk on the next mile or 2 and get to their camp. We got about half a mile up the road, and a truck was coming down, we stepped to the side of the road--we were able to hear it, but not see it yet. When we stepped off the road, the snow went crotch deep! I am 5'9" that is pretty deep! Well it was my son coming down the mountain. He saw us, and tried to stop, which put him into a slide, right at us, Ryan grabbed me, and we ended up in the bar ditch, Lenny got stopped, and together they dug me out, I was in chest deep! So now I am soaked through and through! They finally got his truck out, Rick and Gary were finishing loading up the camp and heading down. So we rode back to our now stuck truck...and somehow my son managed to turn his truck around and get enough traction and speed, he yanked Ryans service truck out--that thing weighs 17,500 lbs! But we have 2 trucks free but no sign of Rick and Gary.....just as Lenny and I decide to go back that they must have slid off or got stuck again, they come around the curve!! YEA 3 trucks, 3 trucks unstuck!!! We have all 4 tires on the 2 trucks chained and in 4WD---and Ryan has 3 tires chained, and we manage to make it almost out, and come up on a truck----yep----stuck! The guys managed to help him get out, and we squeezed by him, and went on--we got home about 8 this evening. I landed my frozen butt in the shower! Rick showered and went straight to bed, he is exhausted. I am now going to join him! They fought for hours on end to unstick sons truck, and eventually it would not move because the chassis was froze to the ground! As for NM weather, it is wierd...it changes fast and furious! Where I am, there is not lots of snow usually, small amounts, not lasting long. Occasionally we will hit a storm and end up with a foot of snow, but not real often. Where they were though was in the mountains. Well over 7500 feet in altitude...and there were 5 foot drifts, and deeper, that looked like just a layer of snow! Deceptive! It is only about 11 miles from my front door to the Colorado State line---so weather is not what most expect out of NM!! Well I will catch up tomorrow---just wanted you to all know we are all home, and dry! Thanks so much for the concern! ((((hugs))) Kat

Part of your pain is likely from pushing to drink the suggested amounts. Sip steadily, but don't push to a point of feeling like you are overloading your stomach I would suggest. Slowly the amount you can take in will adjust, and the pain will lessen as the swelling goes down. It IS important to get proper nutrition, but sometimes you need a couple days just for healing, then you can move on with much less pain. Give your stomach a chance to really relax, and settle down--sip steadily, but don't push it. Walk as much as you can--even short walks, stroll around the house every hour....stay where you have something for support, since you are not getting much nutrition you might get a little light headed. Walk, sip, walk, sip.....repeat! Over and over again! It cannot be said enough! And as soon as you can up the Protein some so that you feel more energetic---and soon all these post surgery issues will be behind you! Hang in there, and welcome to bandland all you recent bandsters!! Glad you're here! Kat

But if someone did not know better..... For instance, if there were suddenly a new Band Board, and we put up a pick of Jachut, or Chickie, or JulieNYC----among many others----who would ever have thought them to be a WLS patient??? Imagination! I use mine to imagine that someday I will be someone no one believes ever had been overweight! Til then maybe I just live vicariously through the unknown skinny mini on the top of the page!!! I don't know, she has just never bothered me! Kat

Thanks for helping me worry everyone! Rick did not take his meds, because he was planning on being home, was his reasoning. I did the head shake, eye roll combo! He is not on anything serious these days. A blood pressure medication that keeps his heart beat more regulated. And an aspirin, and he takes a pill for degenerative bone disease in his neck, it is an arthritis pill--- and without a doubt the one he is missing the most! We also both take Prilosec OTC....or rather tonight I take it! He called several times while he was in range, and we were talking when he lost signal. I believe they are going to spend the night in the cabin---then break camp, and even the hunters are coming in, the roads are simply impassable, making it unsafe, so tomorrow they will all return. The one thing that Rick kept saying was that he knew Gary should not go alone....guess he was right. But he is not off my list! Tomorrow I am going in the morning to buy the one missing piece to my new gift, and then Monday AM it is out a here! LOL..... I picked and chose a variety....hope it is something she likes!! Think I got you? I'll tell ya who I didn't get....Tracy, Gina, Laura.....lol!!!! I too should go to bed! Will check in in the mornin'! Kat

I am going to come at this from a totally different direction. Seems to me that your fear of death from the surgery is not actually the death itself, it is leaving your 15 year old son. Everyone here has told you about the stats, and it IS a safe surgery, per se. However being banded does change your life. I do not see how you will have this surgery and a 15 year old living with you not know it. At 15, even in the worst case scenario, he would have a say in his life, and where he wanted to be. I do not know your son, but I know my kids, and I would call a family pow wow. I would have this web site pulled up, to the before and afters. I would tell my son that I have a hope to get the weight off, and become healthy, and happy so that when he goes off to live his life in a few short years, he need not worry about you and your health issues that WILL rise from obesity. Having your parents there, will allow you to discuss the less than 1% chance of something happening to you during surgery, and your fears for what would happen to him. I mean you could have a crash driving home from the grocery store, and die! If his living situation concerns you if you were suddenly out of the picture, NOW is the time to deal with that! Let your son read around here. There are a few threads that are sexual in content, but surf through some with him, show him what you hope to accomplish. There are sooooo many out there your age, getting a handle on this while they are young! I am half again your age and I can tell you this surgery was such a wonderful tool to get the weight off! I am off of all my meds, no high blood pressure, or high blood sugar---nothing! My kids are older, closer actually to your age. They are thrilled with my results. The fact is I AM older than you, but the thoughts running through my head, and the way I reason etc, has not changed, I was the same person then I am now. So look at it like this, treat your son, the way you would have wanted your Mom to treat you through it. Up front and honest. 15 is not an age to begin keeping secrets from a kid. This IS a life altering decision----you need to show him how to include those who love him in his life altering decisions. Just my .02 worth----and with inflation-----probably not even worth that!!! I love my band, the surgery was a simple one, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would take my Mother, or my Daughter if ever they needed it! Without question one of the best things I ever did for me! Kat

I too opt not to be super tight. I have lost slower than some, but it has been lost none the less! I do not "diet" per se, I am conscious of what I eat...and do my best to make wise choices most of the time. As Jachut said, that is so much easier to do when you reach a level of restriction to where the band does help you! I used to walk into the house, and was starving, so I grabbed, Cookies, chips, anything ready to eat,and gorged myself! Now I walk in, and with the hunger at bay, I can make myself happy with a yogurt, or a wedge of cheese. I keep leftovers on hand, and snack away at them. This is how I expect to live the remainder of my life, so I do not care to live on a diet forever! Did I make bad choices in food? You bet I did! Do I still make bad choices in food? Sure do! I just work on it the next time I eat. No matter what with the bad choices on occasion, I am eating so much healthier than I did pre band--it is hard for me to believe. BUT it took me a year and a half to get here, where this feels normal! A band without proper restriction is like a car without gas. You can push it, but it is not doing what it was designed to do! Your band is sitting there, it just needs its "gas". Go for the next fill, work with your Dr. to find a good level of restriction, and you will have HELP from the band! If we could do this on will power alone, none of us would be on this board. Feeling like crap from making bad choices is actually a step in the right direction, you are recognizing the areas in which you need to work. I know I would do great through the day, and then evening would hit, and I would graze! When I stopped losing, and got all bummed out, I realized I was happy with my choices all day, then went to bed feeling crappy about myself, and realized it was due to the choices I made each night. So I began revamping my evening plan! And slowly it worked! Get your band on board, and working with you, and you will find a new attitude comes with it I bet. Til then recognizing where the problem lies, is a great way to begin solving the issues. That sure sounds like a bunch of hooey from a self help book--but it worked for me! Kat

You can have your screen without her at the top---with no person on it at all if you prefer it that way. When she was first added I remember people thinking it was Racheal Ray---had to laugh at it---a cooking diva on a WLS board!! I forget she is even there!! The wierd side ads, and ads all over were not fun, but they got cleaned up, and if all we have to deal with is a strange face looking at us---it really doesn't bother me. I did have surgery to regain health, but hell sex appeal ranked right up there to be honest! I only personally know a hand full of bandsters, and then "know" many through LBT, but I wouldn't know anyone else they put up there likely, so it really doesn't affect me....because as each day goes by I get closer and closer to being able to pose with abandon like that!!! Love my band! Kat

Well my fears have been confirmed. My husband and son are stuck. It has dropped almost 2 feet of snow today. But this morning it rained on them, and turned the road in to a giant mud puddle. They walked back to camp, and got Gary---who then got stuck! Rick was walking towards a road he hoped to catch someone and hop a ride into town, and he did--and some oil field hands come along with a cat (as in Caterpillar Tractor) heading to location, and had to pull Gary's truck out as it was in their way. But they refused to pull out Lenny's. So the guys are all together again, in Gary's truck, headed down into the nearest town which is probably only 3000 people if that, and try to get a way to get Lenny's truck out. The temperature is supposed to hold steady at about 30 just cold enough to snow, but not to freeze hard--so that is not helping! The tow driver said they won't go into the roads, they are bottomless, and he is booked for 2 days. So....as of now plan is to take son in law to be's work truck up and pull them out. Rick is there without his meds. His change of clothes is now as wet as the originals. And he has a wife at home who is easily as mad as she is worried! Almost----almost----makes me feel sorry for him! Men! I really AM mad as well, but would still appreciate your prayers for their safety. And wouldn't you know it-Lifetime is airing a movie right now about a couple stranded in the snow.....hope we have a lifetime movie ending! Talk to y'all in a little while! Kat

Go Me~~ Go Me~~ My wrapping is done! In one corner, I actually have gifts stacked as high as the tree----huge boxes this year! I actually will have a couple things to wrap as we finish up. But nothing like what is done. We have a friend, she is a former renter, who is having hard times, so my oldest DD, and my friend Becky and I have decided to adopt her and her 2 kids for Christmas, so I will have some shopping and wrapping there, but nothing too serious. I plan on buying something for each of the 3 (Mom and 2 daughters, 1 is 5 and one is only a few months old), but I plan on simply giving her some $$$ so she can go and buy for her girls. She is a hairdresser, and she works full time, but with no help, she is barely making ends meet. Her Ex husband, the oldest DD's dad, is in Oregon, and runs everytime they find him for Child Support. Then she hooked up with a fellow employee for quite a while, like 2 years, and was actually planning to marry him. But he started using meth, and she dumped him in a heartbeat! He just got arrested the other day. She chose not to give her DD his name, and tie her to a man who chose drugs over family. Her words not mine. Anyway, she is trying, she is doing it, but there is nothing left over for extras. So we always buy for several angels off of the trees---this year we will just know who a couple of the angels are! Well, Michelle, I am starving too---I just have not taken time to cook, and am begining to worry about my DH--wish he would get home! Gotta go---DD is here, her company Christmas party is tonight, so she come to use my hot rollers, and polish----once a daughter always a daughter!! TTYL~~ Kat

Steph, is the arm better today? I read the post, and was wondering if you were ok. Kat

It's Dianne's birthday, and I am the one getting to old to remember anything!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIANNE!!!!!! I hope your special day is full of fun and happy things, surrounded with your favorite people, and only one of many, many, more to come!! (((((big GIANT birthday hugs))))) Kat

Oooops had no idea you were a Dr.'s wife! I meant no offense! She worked over a period of several years for 2 different GP's, both working in a small town self owned practice. Both wives were VERY involved! Since she left, not only both Dr.'s but both Dr.'s wives have ask her to return! That's what happens when you have a good employee you treat like crap---you miss them!! So that's why I say hang in there, until something better comes along whether it is there or elsewhere, the best revenge is a happy, successful life!!! One of the Dr.'s she worked for for years is my PCP. He is very interested in banding for his wife. She is not terribly overweight--obese yes, morbidly so--not at all. But she is diabetic, and will not try to control it with diet. She has seen my success, and wants it so bad, but is too far above me to ask me about it! He is a major granola cruncher, he is Mr Recycle, and he jogs daily, and bikes long distances, he has not got an extra ounce on him! They are polar opposites! He is laid back easy going, she is bouncing off the walls! He is neat as a pin, come night fall he still has a crease in his pants, she maybe washes her hair once a week. Bizarre, they raised 4 kids, and manage despite the differences!!! Kat

My DH has a little plaque given to him by an employee that says "Be careful whose toes you step on today, for they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow!" My DD actually left the medical field, because of the constant drama, and the worst offenders in her opinion are the Dr.'s wives! She worked as a private practice nurse. She is now an admin assistant for an oilfield crew. There are other women in the same position she is, but with different crews. She loves it. More money, less stress, and zero drama! Hang in there, I am a firm believer in Karma! Kat

oops wrong key!!! Keep us posted that was supposed to say!! Good Luck! Kat

Might have them check your gall bladder as well, pain radiating to the back is a complaint I always heard associated to gall baldder. And losing it is very common following any WLS. Hope you feel better soon! Keep u

Same thing I did, I used it in things with stronger tastes, so I could have flavor plus Protein. I never tried it on its own---I never found any Protein powder I could do that with! But I added un flavored to all kinds of things, that the sweetened flavors like choc. or vanilla would not work. I added it to marinara sauce--soups----gravy...that kind of thing. I used the unflavored in savory type of foods, and the flavored to enhance shakes. I used the Da Vinci syrups, so, I made all kinds of flavors of shakes. SF pudding works great too, but too much---and you get pudding not a shake!!! Lesson learned the hard way! Protein powders by and large are not tastefull---but working with them, you can use them to assist in your recovery, and continued health. Soon you will be able to get it from food, now it is just a medicine to be dealt with! Good Luck! Kat

In my family there are so many rock hounds--collectors of minerals, geodes would be a hit!!! We used to buy the ones for the kids, you put them in an old sock, and took a hammer to them---so exciting to see if you got a good one or not! Kat

How wierd--a whole page of posts and none showed up until after I hit send on mine. I thought you were all quiet and sleeping late! Suzanne sorry about the weather, it is snowing one minute raining the next here, everything is saturated---but the roads remain clear. Except it will turn the roads DH & DS need to use to drive home, into bottomless mud bogs...Just something for me to worry about! Terry---you look wonderful!!! It is an outfit I too would wear! Look at that flat belly, I am soooo jealous! Ok, I keep putting it off, but I am off to finish what wrapping I can, and cleaning up! TTYL~~ Kat

Wrapping is well under way--close to done, but needed a break! I need 2 large boxes, and 3 large gift bags! I do not want to go shopping today, so those may wait for round 3 of wrapping!!! Round one was last night, 2 is today!! So much of what we got is in large boxes, it is ridiculous! It looks HUGE! I also went to town and shopped and missed one important item I wanted for my new SS gift! So at some point today I am going to go do that, so I can box it and mail it out on Monday with my cards. Well if I don't get back to it, I won't!!! Take care everyone will check in later! Kat

Man.........can I just quote Eileenie's post? She did so well! Rick and I are good. He is an idiot sometimes...yep I said it! He, our son, and our good friend Gary are camping---in upwards of 3 feet of snow! Gary is actually elk hunting. He was going to go with another hunter, and then the guys schedule got changed, so he was going to be going out, and setting up camp and being alone for the weekend, then his friend will show up. So Rick and Lenny decided to go with him, so someone knows where he is camped in this weather. They are due back this evening. They have a cabin, and a woodstove---but it is still camping---you gotta pee outside! I stayed home, finished my shopping, and have been wrapping for hours....taking a break right now, it looks like Walmart blew up in my LR!!! It seems we bought out the store, but much of it is in big boxes this year! Kinsey is wonderful--3 as of the other day. And is truly a Princess with attitude! I was doing my Christmas cards the other day, and she was napping. When she woke up she was ready for lunch, so I went to the kitchen to deal with that, and she climbed up and ended up dumping my tea all over the cards, envelopes, done as well as still in the box, address labels, stamps, Granny was fit to be tied! I told her to GO--get as far away from Granny as you can! So...if you get a card from me with a smeared label....I only wish I could blame it on the post office! We too get the bulk of parental care. But then the ones out of Denver, come in with all their $$$ and buy big ticket items---this year it is a 50" TV. And all you hear about is how wonderful the Denver-ites are! They don't stop to think that they are warm from wood we cut and haul for them, and the clothes they are wearing we bought, or the fact that the trash will be collected again this week, and we pay for that. We get stuck with the practical, and un appreciated!! Oh well, I know we do what needs to be done, and we get the time with them, and will never have questions about those kind of things when they are gone. I just wish his siblings would spend some time with them instead of just money on them. There are half a dozen or so deer in my backyard. I heard something on the porch! It has rained, then snowed, then rained again for 24 hours, and is expected to do this for the next several days. The ground is soaked! But at least the roads are ok---well the paved ones, hope the dirt ones are froze, or my DH may not make it home!!! Well I better check my email, which is what I started out to do!!! Then get back to the wrapping. I need 2 more fair sized boxes, and then 3 large gift bags, and I am finished with this round! TTYL~ Kat

Well, my cards are finished, I have had calls from everyone under the sun!!! Going to try to get some wrapping done now...wooohoooo!!! Kat

SSSsshhhhhh.....come close, to hear this, I don't want to jinx myself by bragging it up---but I think my shopping is done! Yea!!!! Going to finish my cards tonight, and begin wrapping. I drug everything needing wrapped into the LR---the house looks like a tornado hit Walmart! I refuse to put it anywhere but under the tree now! So I am off to wrap. Will be back in a couple of hours when my back won't take anymore!! Kat

I agree that your local hospital likely could do it--whether they would is the question, and often the problem. While it is nice to be able to see the barium go through on a fill with fluoro, and most if not all Dr.'s require you to drink Water in the office following a fill--neither of those guarantees you that you will not react to the fill later, and be too tight or swell following a PB to the point of being unable to so much as swallow saliva. When it happen to my SIL, she was fine with the water in the office but withing about 8 hours she knew she was too tight. Just after we got home----our fill Dr. is over 6 hours away! IMHO the best thing to do is be proactive, as opposed to reactive. Plan for those possibilities now! Speak with your local PCP, have them refer you to someone who is used to accessing ports. In my case it is my former oncologist--I set it up with him prior to being banded! I did my level best to cover all my bases, since I am rural, and not close to where my banding Dr, is. There are any number of things that cause us to swell, and it is not all related to the fill, so I would suggest mapping out a strategy now, and not waiting until you are sick and miserable! Better to be prepared and not need it, than need it and find out they refuse to assume the liability of accessing your port! Many do refuse! You are almost halfway Purplegirl--way to go! Kat