TexasTerry

I've been banded since June 06 and have had 3 fills in a VG band. NO PB YET or slime. One golf ball that was uncomfortable but went down fine. Terry

I will have a soft burp once in a while. I think it's usually cause I gulped too much at one. Same thing with hiccups. I get them now and again. They are real quiet and I know I've had enough to eat. Terry :grouphug:

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Like going to Weight Watchers again for the n-tenth time to only gain it all back plus some. My band doc mentions in his seminar that obesity is recognized as a disease. Why would you not want the best treatment for it? For me that treatment is the band. Terry

Starfish 28 What are the real word to that Blinded by the light song - I never could figure it out!! Terry

As I understand it, Bioenterics is the old company name for Inamed. It now is a part of Allergan. This is the only FDA approved band in the USA. There are other bands in use in other countries. The Inamed band comes in different sizes. I have the larger band, called the VanGuard or VG for short. It is still an Inamed band. Saline is used to fill the band. It's sort of like a little innertube around your stomach - thats a real simplistic way to put it. When filling the band some doctors use Fluoroscopy - it is a type of "moving" x-ray. It's real time picture of your insides. The saline is injected by a port that has been surgically placed under your abdominal wall. You have to drink a barium mixture and the doc can watch how it empties into your stomach. If there is too much saline, there is no barium flowing into the stomach. If too little you have no restriction. So, there is some know-how to getting it right. The port itself will show up on x-ray. This helps the doc find the right spot to put the needle in your skin. That way you don't end up being a pin cushion. Some peoples port are apparantly harder to find under their skin that others. If properly done, the fill needle does not hurt. No more sting than a mosquito bite. Hope this helps. Others may post that can explain it better. Terry:)

We have a half Jack Russell/ half "fence jumping daddy" female named Molly. My DH adores this dog. We also have a Welsh Corgi and a cat. Jack Russells are definately Type A personality dogs. They are very active. The commercial where the Russell is running circles under the bed covers is pretty accurate. Molly sleeps under the covers at night. Russells were bred to "go to ground" to get the fox, etc in its den and Molly has dug out more than one rat and killed it on the spot. It's hard to say if the JR and the cat will get along - maybe in time. Even our cat, who loves the Corgi is not real fond of Molly - she loves to jump on top of the cat and try to hold him down. He is not too happy about that. There are several web sites devoted specifically to JR's, you might look some of them up and see what advice they give. We would not trade MOlly for anything. She gives a lot of love, but she can be hyper. Best to you in your decision on a new "fur baby" Terry

Slowkat, I'm a new bandster and as far as I know I don't have any thyroid issues, but I think your specific answers will best come from a band surgeon. Now I would guess off the top of my head that the band would work just fine for you. But you really need an expert to talk to about it. You don't say where you live, but many band doc's have free seminars where you can get a lot of free info. I'm sure some more knowledgeable bandsters will reply here. I 'm hoping you have a successful journey with your weight loss. Let us know how you are doing. Terry:)

Sorry this is happening to you. Any Moderators on here that can help? Terry

Ditto gals, Ditto.... (I'm a non core subject teacher too) Terry

Ditto on how the seminars were set up that I attended. The surgeon that I selected had a very down to earth personality and was warm and friendly to everyone that attended. He certainly did not humiliate anybody! He is also a band patient and even showed us a picture of himself before his banding. I found him to be an open and honest person - one reason I selected him, besides his credentials. These seminars are usually free - I'm sure in the Houston area there are many seminars that are given. Go to as many as you need to get an idea of what the surgeons are like. Select someone that you are comfortable with, both in how they treat you and in their surgical experience. This is a big step, but you got lots of friends here to help you along the way. Keep in touch. Terry

MaliceX - so sorry you were treated like just another cow in the chute. That's what I've felt like at times from some doc offices. I would think at least the nurse would give you a call. Hope all turns out for the best for you. Terry

Mine is about 5 inches left of my belly button, but above my waist if that makes sense. I wonder if there is any correlation between flipped-moving ports and original location? Are any doc's gathering info on this? Terry

Babs, I'm hoping the best for you. I too am glad you found a compassionate doc. It really makes all the difference - your not just an animal in the chute, but a REAL PERSON with real emotions and concerns. Keep us posted. Terry

Here's a thought. Maybe some of the stitches popped and it has turned around a little bit. You know, like shirt buttons that have the 4 holes in them - if the stitches in a couple of the holes come loose the button can turn around on your shirt. Just a thought?!! Terry

Hello from a fellow Texan. Glad your feeling better. I think most of us were "down" for a day or two, then bounce back. Not bad really for having major surgery! Let us know how your are doing. Terry

It does depend on what options your individual group plan covers. I also have BCBS and WLS was an exclusion. (So, I was self pay) Terry

I've been able to buy Isopure from local GNC stores in the individual bottles. It comes in several flavors. I'm not that crazy about any of them, but the Apple Melon is drinkable and is even better if I cut it about 1/3 with white grape juice. I also believe that Isopure makes several powder Protein drinks that come in the larger containers. It was quite pricey and I decided on a different brand that suited my needs at a somewhat lower price. If your surgeon is suggesting you to use the Isopure liquid, I would call their office and ask them where you could by it by the individual bottle. All band doc's are different, but mine only suggested I use it for about 3 days, so a case would be waaaaaaay more than I would want to buy. I'm not in your state (but hey, my mom was born in Tennessee! is that where you are?) but, I hope this helps a little bit. Terry

I'm not a health care professional, but it certainly does sound like some type of reflux - heartburn. You might try some OTC meds like Maalox or Tums and see if you get any relief at all. Make sure you put a call in to your doc and find out what it really is. Let us know how you do Terry:)

I'm a new bandster too. I don't think the hiccups cause slippage, but I have notices that I get "soft" hiccups ( not big loud ones!) when I am full. It has been my sign that I am full. I am trying to learn to anticipate that hiccup feeling to know that I have had enough to eat. This is a learning experience for all of us. Terry

I didn't have to stay overnight, but I was inseperable from my heating pad! It felt sooooooo good on my aching back. I really got the gas pains in my shoulder - back area. Also a pillow for the ride home to pad my sore port area. Terry

Geezzz! I certainly didn't see anyone large or old in those photos. I think THEY have lost touch with reality lol!!! Terry

Your doing great! Men lose faster than women. Talk to your band doctor - what are his recommendations? Get a fill if you need one. Your parents might think they are helping, but they don't have a clue about what they are suggesting. Maybe THEY need to talk to the band doc and stop messing with your head. You are doing fine, just fine. Terry

I take either Flintstones chewables or the Wal-Mart generic version (Equate). The childrens chewable are recommended by my band doc. Terry

Welcome from another Texan. We have lots of great band doc's in our state. Of course I'm partial. I'm fairly new myself at this being banded thing. I've not had any complications so far. I am still working on getting restriction, but my eating habits have really changed. The old food cravings are nearly gone - that has been really amazing to me. Let us know how you do. which doc are you seeing? Terry

Welcome lamamama! Where are you located and who is your band surgeon? For most people this surgery is pretty much a cake walk. A little swelling or discomfort from the gas they blow your tummy up with, but it subsides in a few days. Let us know how you do. There are lots of great bandsters here. Terry