Kat817

I also take an 81 mg. aspirin each day, due to a family history of artery disease, and my surgeon as well as my follow up care Dr. have both just suggested taking it with food. I also take an antibiotic before dental work etc. due to a heart murmur, and now the dentist just prescribes it in liquid form. Neither one seem like they should slow you down tracy. Welcome to LBT! Kat

Wow Boo---I am so glad you took care of it quickly. I am so far away from my surgeon, also in MX, even my fill Dr. is a 5-6 hour drive, that when I was planning the surgery, I was able to connect with my old oncologist, who agreed to do emergency treatment if I needed my port accessed for an emergency unfill. I am glad to hear you had no slip, and that it will heal so quickly! Scary stuff!!!! Molly---welcome---and Hi again!!! This group is such a great bunch of women, they support you no matter what level of activity you are at!!! I too have health issues that will not allow me to run ( bone tumor), but they let me do what I can to keep moving! We look forward to having you!!! We are doing our best to mentor the April 2007 bandsters, so you can work right along with them, as they begin their exercise programs---it'll be fun! Dawn, my scale budged a tiny 1 pound finally!!! However when they measured my body fat percentage, it had dropped drastically!!! Enough so that I had them check it again 2 days later! I know my pant size has dropped down to a 14--but the scale hadn't moved til the other day, it has stayed with the one pound down now for 3 days so I guess it is officially gone! yea! 3 more and I will be dancing! Anyone heard from Roberta? Ceparano---Did I miss it? I can't scroll back without losing my post, so will look back when I finish!! Ok I opened another window, and looked, and we have not heard from her since 2/20---back when Kinsey was so sick. She made a quick post over that and hoping our little group would all soon be well, and then nothing! I will shoot her an email and see if I get anything---worries me with the luck we have all been having! Blue---how goes the healing? How is the woodwork? Julie---your new pics look awesome girl!!!! Ok I am going to go do the email before I get sidetracked. Hugs to all! Kat

I don't know that the risk of the child being bi-polar would be the decision maker for me. How severe is your sisters disorder? Is it ever going to be the cause of her to blow up at you, and say something about it being HER child? Is the emotional roller coaster of pregnancy going to make it worse on your sister? How will breaking the bond she will automatically have with the child affect her? How old are all the other children involved? It will affect her children, and her marriage as well. It is a very scary thing to consider. Not sure I could chance the familial upheaval it could cause. I wish you luck in making the decisions awaiting you. Your sister is a very generous woman even making the offer. I do know it is something I personally would have a hard time doing. Now keep in mind I do not have a sister, so have never experienced the bond there. But if I carried the child, and it had my blood, and then you disciplined it in a way I didn't agree with, or something of the sort, I would find issue with it. She has to be very strong to do something like this. Any chance of IVF or anything for you and DH, without the 3rd party? Kat

The way I see it is, you have lost 102 pounds, you KNOW how to eat properly, and you may have to struggle to do just that, on your own for a period of time, while allowing your stomach to heal from the massive swelling it sounds like you are dealing with. Liquid in-Liquid out is very common on a liquid diet---not sure there is much that can be done about it. Maybe looking into some of the protein type shakes specializing in fiber.....not sure how they would work. I agree, with TOM that going back yet again seems the safest thing you can do. Let him help you, unfill you, get your stomach healthy again, and begin the fill again, as they did with Susan. Keep us posted on how you are doing. You have done so well, I hate to see you so depressed with it. Hang in there! Kat

Hi goilies! Dianne---my prayers will be with you, and all will be well, you will wake up with perky girls!!! Lotsa Love, know we will be thinking of you, and waiting to hear from you! Mandy, I agree with Betty. I have a 26 CF side by side, but it still feels kind of narrow on both sides. We went looking to buy a top fridge, bottom freezer, but the ones with the ice & water out the door, are still so new, they are not getting good ratings on the ice expulsion, and the cost is still prohibitive. But I used to love my Grandma's top fridge, I use it so much more than the freezer in the house, it was great, not having to bend over to hunt everything. But until they can get me good ice, and water out the door, I will stick with my side by side. They do make one called a Wide by Side now, it jogs over, so you have a wider top section on the fridge and a wider bottom section on the freezer. Might be an option. Sherry--I am so sorry you are getting the cold junk! I have been having some problems the last couple of days----but mine entail not getting too far away from the bathroom. I have taken meds, but nothing is helping....I hate this! Hope you feel better soon! Betty---I am beginning to wonder if you EVER relax!!!! Sounds like you go from sun up to sun down. Speaking of---we had the most awesome sunset today---DH and I stood on the porch and just watched the sky, I love the time changed this way, we actually get some daylight together. We like to eat on the patio, and watch the sunset. Beannie---hope the remainder of your travels were trouble free. We will be glad to have you back, but sorry your fun time is over.... Does anyone have anyway of contacting Patty? She never sent in an address or anything on our Christmas card exchange. I worry about her. Her one son had had some serious health issues. It is reminisent of Donna---I hate when our friends just drop off....it scares me! My scale finally for 3 days in a row has read down a pound! I used to be thrilled when it moved 2-3 pounds overnight, now the occasional pound has to work!!! My body fate percentage has dropped a lot! I hav even lost 3 more inches, but the scale, it hates me! Oh well, it will move eventually, and someday..... will see Onederland!!! It wants to be sure I appreciate it properly I guess!! Well I am going to check on a few things, and head to bed. See y'all tomorrow! Kat

Well I'll tell ya when I realized the 2 posts were both yours, cold chills went down my spine wondering if someone was purposely messing with your meds---that is a scary thought! I am glad you figured out what the cause is. Just knowing that will ease your edginess, and knowing the meds will be kicking in soon. I am really glad you figured it out. I still think you should speak with the Dr. about it, and use a bright red marker and mark her off the "friends" list!!!! Hang in there---you are on your way back to the normal world---til then---we are here! Kat

Welcome Carolann! Glad you are having such great results from your banding. I too am VERY happy with mine. I am 11 months out at this point. Been on a plateau for awhile, the losing has really slowed down, but my body continues to change!! My body fat percentage has continued to drop, as have the inches, it is just the scale that keeps getting stuck!!! Hang out, tell us all about yourself, we look forward to getting to know you!! Welcome to LBT! Kat

I believe as long as you are supportive of the bandsters, and the way they are approaching their weight loss, we will be supportive of yours! Many here are not banded yet, or have lost a band to one thing or another, and are still great supporters, and we are glad they are still here---so I am sure you too will be welcomed. Good Luck in your diet, and with your cyst, they are no fun at all! Kat

I'll behave too amourette, I was not intending to be hurtful to anyone. Kat

Molly---after realizing this post and the other, about you being tired, and cold were posted by the same person---I am wondering, if you think maybe the nurse at the Dr.'s office failed to give you info on any of your tests, or if you thought the 2 things might be related? Kat

Before you call in the shrinks, go have blood work done---check your thyroid. The cold all the time makes me wonder about that. Besides it can't hurt! Hang in there, us armchair docs will keep thinkin!!! Kat

Hi all-- Mom is home, walking well, says she is sore all over---but that is common following anesthetic, so nothing to worry over. She is being referred to a sleep clinic, for a sleep study on her apnea issues, so that is a relief. Mandy---wanna come paint my kitchen? I really don't want to paint, but need to take things down and clean....yuck! And I need a new light....may go shopping for that tomorrow, if I feel better. Speaking of----how are YOU feeling? Darcy---I am glad you like your new treadmill. I think DH is going to wear my new eliptical out for me! He uses it all the time!!! If he doesn't quit I am not going to get to weigh less than him for long! I finally do after many, many years---I want it to last!!! Cindy---how'd DD's performance go tonight? I bet you were so proud!!! Ack---I can't scroll back any further----and my brain is fried. Time to go to bed. Will catch the rest of you tomorrow!!!! Kat

My first real meal following mushies was beef enchiladas. I also had a bite or 2 of refried beans, and papas. I couldn't eat much, but it sure felt good to look at a plate of FOOD again!!! And for the first time EVER at that (our favorite) little restaurant, I did not finish my plate, and did not have a sopapilla---couldn't have if I'd wanted!!! A few bites and I was done, but they were GREAT bites!!! Kat

Welcome! Where abouts in NM are you? I am in the Farmington area. So far with weather, and family issues, I have yet to make it to ABQ for one of the support groups. Hoping Spring and Summer will make it easier! Glad to have another New Mexican on board!!! Welcome to LBT!! Kat

I am not a band expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I have never even heard anyone refer to needing fill "for the tubing". I have heard many say they go for a complete unfill, in fact I watched my SIL get hers unfilled, and he pulled the syringe back until he got nothing out at all. He compared what he got to what he knew he had put in, and told her she should have less that 0.1cc in there now. I mean the fluid flows from the tubing into the band---so how can it stay in the tube, and leave the band empty? She was left unfilled for over 6 weeks, while she tried to heal, from being too tight. She too PB'd a lot. She has now started to refill and is doing really well. I would try to find a different Dr. And work with him to try everything you can, before giving up. I feel the pain in your posts--I wish I had some answers for you. I know you have a medical background---any chance of using it to find an unbiased opinion for looking at your test results? The constant PB's and the throwing up blood are scary issues!!! My DH had a massive GI bleed, caused by poorly managed care while being prescribed blood thinners, following heart valve surgery. He had a bilateral tear where the esophagus meets the stomach. Similar to a Mallory Weiss tear---which is caused by repeated throwing up. My DH came so near dying---they told he he likely would not make it the next 10 minutes. I am telling you this, because the blood, and wear on your esophagus are not good! Find a Dr, and look into it before hurting your body even more---please! Keep us posted! Kat

I am sorry, but I do not know the comparisons from kg. to lbs. Are you losing the recommended 1-2 pounds or its equivalent each week? Also is fluoroscopy an option, so you could see if the pouch is still sized, and placed properly? I think it is good that you are following up with him, work together, and you will get it figured out!!! Glad you took control, and had it looked into---good job! Kat

Is there any way of getting your films, so they can be read by an uninvolved Dr.? I have heard of bands being placed to high or too low, but I have no idea what the effects of the misplaced bands would be. Maybe just ASKING for copies of the report and the films, would make them sit up and take notice, if it does indeed need to be reset. Let us know what the surgeon says when he looks at them again. I hope you get satisfaction from them. Kat

From one cancer survivor to another----((((hugs)))) I am so glad you made it over that hurdle. We will also make it over this one! My cancer was one of the big reasons I chose lap bandover bypass, if ever I have a recurrance, and needed extra nutrition, I could unfill. The band has been a blessing!! I love it! I hope your surgery and recovery are smooth, and look forward to hearing of your progress! Welcome! Kat

My first thought was the same as Victoriana's!!! That was always the give away of being pregnant for me!!!! If that is not an option, then I would force some extra Protein, and see if it doesn't give you some needed energy. And like you have been told, keep pushing the water---dehydration is only going to make matters worse. Keep us posted! Kat

I did go to Mexico, I used Dr. Aceves. He did give us a lower price, based on the fact we were referred by his previous patients, and 2 of us were going together. As for the hospital---it was not dingy nor run down. I found it to be much cleaner, and more modern than many if not most of the hospitals I have had the misfortune of being in in the USA. There was an emergency when I was in the hospital, a vice president of commerce of Mexico, or some such office, was the victim of an attempted assassination. There were actually 2 men shot, they were brought to, treated, and saved in the hospital I had my band put in at. In the same OR! I saw the Policia standing guard at the door! I could not have ask to be treated any better. We were picked up in San Diego, drove to Mexicali, went for some pre-op tests, then taken to a NICE motel, given rooms (one for my DH and I, and one for my SIL). We did some shopping, had some dinner. The next morning we were picked up and taken back to the hospital, where Dr. Aceves, talked to us at length about the band, how it would work the best, what our expectations should be. How he would do the surgery, how the band itself was installed---he had a band for us to see and mess with. Told us about our bands, that we would have ID #'s on them, we would receive the box etc. Also if the stomach was too large what he would do, about the other band etc. He must have talked to us for close to an hour. He stayed and visited with my husband while the nurse began my IV. Then they told him he better get going! Before I was taken, the assistant surgeon, head OR nurse,& the anesthetist, all come to see me in my room (all of them also ask the same questions!!! Who are you what are you having done etc.!). Oh and also a Dr. from Ohio was there, watching lap band placements, I had to sign a release for him to be in the OR. They all called me by name, except the nurse who insisted on a teasingly said "Katarina"! They all had words of comfort to me as I was being prepped, then the anesthesiologist told me "Night Night Ija" I went to sleep wondering what "ija" (eeeha) meant! I ask my nurse later and he said it is an endearment they usually call their children! With the exception of some of the cleaning staff, I never had any problem with the language, they spoke beautifully!! Much better at my language as I was at theirs!!! They did teach me words tho--it was a game! I was back in my room in just over an hour, and was up and walking not long after that. I walked all day off and on. They offered me something to help me sleep, but I didn't need it, the anesthetic was still kinda drugging my system. The next day I walked some more---that was when the assasination attempt was going on! We stayed one more night, and then the next morning, we were taken down for a barium swallow, to see our bands working, and then taken back to the airport. Both trips were done in a very plush van. They still to this day keep in contact with us. Prior to my surgery they helped me set up aftercare closer to me. But I live in a rural area of New Mexico, and there is not even a lap band surgeon in the state!!! So the closest one is still a 10 hour round trip. So knowing that he also set me up to talk to a local oncologist---because they are used to accessing ports, in case I had an emergency. I have not had any emergencies. Have travelled to the Dr. I use for fills several times, only 2 times for a fill. When my SIL goes for a fill, I go for a check up. It would have been nice if I had had the option of a Dr. down the road, close for aftercare, but the fact is, there isn't one! So regardless of where I went travel was going to be involved. I chose to go where I knew people had gone and had a good experience. But I still researched the heck out of it! I even had my uncle who is a MD is Mississippi do some checking for me! He found out a GYN fellow he knew was lap proctored by him! It is not an easy decision to make. Many do not want to hear anything about going to Mexico, and that is fine, we all have things that are "beyond our comfort zone". I was extremely pleased with the care I recieved, I felt well taken care of. Many surgeons help defray the cost of the flight, mine covered 1/2 of the flight. When I pointed out that the office had miscalculated, and also deducted 1/2 of my DH's---they were kind of stunned, then said that was ok, if I was going to be honest, they could be generous! If finances are an issue, then it does pay to look into it. There is no way I am suggesting to make your decision based solely on cost. But face it, if cost were NOT an issue, we wouldn't be discussing it! And no one can tell me the Ohio Dr. learning from Dr, Aceves, is not going to charge a heck of a lot more!!! I realize he has to, he has outrageous malpractice to pay---but I personally didn't care to pay their premiums for them. Good Luck making your decision! I believe getting my band was the best thing I ever did for just me! I would do it again in a heartbeat, and would take my own child to Mexicali for it if need be. Kat

Weightloss before a fill is all bonus!!! When you begin your fill process, it will definitely make a difference. I felt a change with my first fill, but it was minor. I noticed I did have to slow down and chew fully. But the second fill, a month later, brought me to excellent restriction, that I am still going with today! Someone on here related the band to a new car. You have the new car, now it is time to go buy gas---and get moving!!! Congrats on a successful surgery---the fills will get you where you want to be---inthe meantime, you are DOWN 12 pounds. Weren't you thrilled with a 12 pound loss any time in your past? It is only a start---hang in there! Welcome to LBT---it is an awesome site! Kat

I'm all for it---it will be one goal I can be guaranteed to make!!! Maybe I should be counting it as excersize now!!!!! How funny! Kat

Well that's just it, it is final........if I have to give "it" up---I refuse to get any older. No fair, no way--uh uh, ain't happenin'!! hmmmmmm, they bronze baby shoes....... Kat

ask away!!! We can try to help!!! Congrats on your surgery!!! Kat

I second that!!!! Kat