mbprn

don't be afraid friend. You must find out what the problem is so you can fix it. It may be something benign which can be easily fixed or it may be something more critical which MUST be fixed so you don't have further complications which can be alot more expensive than just an upper gi series. Somethings that come to mind are obviously band slippage, but could be gall bladder (I just had mine out a few months ago and thought I had a blockage-nausea, vomiting, extreme gas and bloating and pain) could be hormonal fluctuations with irritation combined but no matter what be kind to yourself and find out. I am also self pay fyi and my port flipped last year and it cost almost $4000 to have it fixed. They filed with my insurance which I could practically hear the ins. company laughing all the way from the claims office-DENIED. I then asked for the cash discount from the surgeon's office because I was originally self-pay which lowered it to around $800. So make sure to ask both the dr's office and the hospital about cash discount when you get there and keep us updated.

Beth, I love to read-I run the book club in our neighborhood-they call me the PageMaster. Muwhaaaaaa. Anyway we are currently reading "Gods in Alabama" by Joshilyn Jackson-it was a great book-kind of like Steel Magnolias with a murder mystery thrown in. I read quite a bit-I just got a book called 'Change your life in 30 days" an organizing/clutter buster book.I need to simplify my life. I hope this helps. I have too much stuff and I don't like to get rid of it. It's mine,mine,mine. Ok-I was stuck at 25lbs loss for like a week and I had a bad couple of days-I won't even grace this thread with the awful things I ate but lets just say some of them were covered in chili and cheese (and that was just the cupcakes) ok so then I lose 2 more pounds. What the hell?? So the lesson for the day (tongue planted firmly in cheek) is eat what ever you want.Maybe I need remedial band diet training...

Stephanie-you are so pretty!!I can really tell you've lost wt-especially in your face and waist!!:humble: Beth-I don't have a roll-I have an entire loaf.ugh.:tired Kari-how are you?? Okay since we're posting pictures-here's one of me. I don't like to brag but I was voted Miss Sausage Queen 1958. Don't overlook the bratwurst tiara-you can't get those just anywhere.

Kari-when you go back to the doctor you might want to ask for "magic mouthwash" . :spit:It's prescription used for severe oral pain. The mixture varies but usually includes: Benadry,Maalox/mylanta,carafate(coating agent),lidocaine viscous(numbing agent) and sometimes a steriod(swelling) Don't worry too much about your breast milk production. It'll probably come back up to speed. I've nursed all 4 of my kids (and I have the retired hooters pic to prove it) and remember even if it doesn't your baby will still be happy and beautiful, unlike my boobs. Stetsi/bgp: Forget about 'what not to wear' coming to our convention-you guys can direct us-you both look beautiful.Even your eyebrows!!:Banane23: I'm stuck again. I keep losing and gaining the same 1-2lbs. Maybe I'm losing inches but I'm afraid to get out the tape measure. This would really require me to know those numbers which would lead me to compare them to my DH's(34) and my DS (32). I fear my upper thigh is bigger than this.:violin: Do you guys ever look a sports stats -i.e. :boxing:Boxing wt and football wt? I look at these huge guys and think-I'm bigger than him. Much smarter than him, but still bigger. Hmmm. Maybe it's brain weight. There is actually ( I swear I'm not making this up)a guy on UT's team named Jim Bob Cooter. I weigh more than him. Yep-more than Jim Bob.:Cry::Cry::Cry::Cry::Cry:

Ruthie-do you mean to tell me you want these people who are hired as "caregivers" to give care? What is wrong with you?? Look just because you pay them to do this...BTW luck,luck,luck. May the Mary Poppins of caregivers come your complete with a leather carpet bag full of compassion and a bottle of wine (for you). oops sorry-looks like she's not available <CENTER>Mary Poppins moved </CENTER>It seems that Mary Poppins has moved to California. She has started a business telling people's fortunes. But, she doesn't read palms or tea leaves, she smells one's breath. That, right, the sign outside reads: Super California Mystic Expert Halitosis. ps-I take that "may"be my best as a challenge...

Kari-I know what your talking about (I'm a pediatric nurse) so every time one of my kids gets sick I'm pretty sure they have the black plague and we practice ring around the rosie. My DH is constantly lecturing me on keeping the ponies in the corral (that sounds dirty) and maybe they just have a sinus infection. What does he know? Sorry about your friend-thats really rough. How's your battle with strep going?:sick Desiree-glad to hear everything is okay.I like the advice about the pain medicine and rest -I will even go as far as to be your back up auxillary participant in the festival:pizza:. Yeah, I know I'm too nice- but you have to be there for your friends, right?:humble: Stephanie-I have the phenomenon like when you're pregnant and you fall in love with your OB:love: (mine is ever so dreamy...)with my band surgeon. He's so cute-I love seeing him -you'll remember he complemented my esophagus-you know what that means-wink,wink-(really I have no idea what that means but I liked hearing it). Now with your cold -absolutely NO sneezing!! Baylormom-you sound alot perkier lately-I just might mail you some pom-poms if you're not careful.:cheer2: Stefani-I have to admit this -I know you're a professional but-umm, okay I'll just say it "I have bad eyebrows" :eyebrows:There, sigh, I feel better. The upside is that they're blond so from a distance (cue Bette) they look ok but up close-AHHHH:second:. Blond spider nests:sorry:. I have wax phobia and I'm an absolute wimp with the tweezers. Mind you I have no problem sticking someone with a large needle or stopping massive bleeding but tweezers- So here's what I'm thinkin-after we've all lost our wt we'll get together for a huge makeover seminar hosted by BobbiBrown and TLC-do you mind throwing that together for us?:puke: Time2live-don't give up-we have all been through rough spells with our bands-this too shall pass. You haven't hit you're "sweet spot" yet and when you do -watch out!! Remember slow and steady is much better for permanent wt loss and less sagging skin. My doc recommends about 2lbs a wk so hang in there-you can do it!!!:bolt: :D Laugh for the day-Retired Hooter Girls:

Leona-good luck on Monday-hopefully it's something that can be cured by antibiotics and you can get back to being opera diva:humble: in exciting NYC while I'm at home in knoxville trying to get magic marker off the dog.:dog: Kari-I'm glad to hear you're feeling better. Strep can be so painfull. :sick Sherri-how did your(his) nails turn out? Hopeworks-my doc allows nsaids(ibuprofen,naprosen etc) and aspirin with the band. He says the erosion risk is not as high as with GBS because the pills will be washed into the larger stomach as opposed to GBS where there is no larger stomach. Don't y'all just wish they (all docs) would have a meeting and agree on a treatment regime? As far as your headache is concerned there are many things that cause regular headaches most common causes:stress, allergies(very high incidence this time of the year), viruses, jaw clenching(tmj), high blood pressure and your period (changes in hormones-also a side effect of Birthcontrol pills). There is a saying in the medical profession that if you hear hoof beats outside it's probably a horse -not a zebra.My point (and I do have one) is that Kari is right about following up but don't get too worried about Zebras yet. Mary- do you think your family would believe I am your long lost sister from TN so I can go to Mexico with you? Yo hablo espanol. Taco, burrito, MARGARITA:cocktail:...see I could even translate-at least at the taco bell. Funny for the day: :biggrin1: <TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>A young man wanted to purchase a gift:present: for his new sweetheart's birthday, and as they had not been dating very long, after careful consideration he decided a pair of gloves would strike just the right note: romantic:kiss2: , but not too personal. Accompanied by his sweetheart's younger sister, he went to Nordstrom's and bought a pair of white gloves. The sister purchased a pair of panties for herself. During the wrapping the clerk mixed up the items and the sister got the gloves and the sweetheart got the panties. Without checking the contents, the young man sealed the package and sent it to his sweetheart along with this note: My Dearest, I chose these because I noticed that you are not in the habit of wearing any when we go out in the evening. If it had not been for your sister I would have chosen the long ones with the buttons, but she wears the short ones that are easier to remove. These are a delicate shade, but the lady I bought them from showed me the pair she had been wearing for the past three weeks and they were hardly soiled. I had her try yours on for me and she looked really smart. I wish I was there to put them on for you the first time, as no doubt other hands will come in contact with them before I have a chance to see you again. When you take them off, remember to blow in them before putting them away as they will naturally be a little damp from wearing. Just think how many times I will kiss them during the coming year. I hope you will wear them for me on Friday night. All my love, Roger P.S. The latest style is to wear them folded down with a little fur showing </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Ruthie, Yes I'm a Volunteer. You have to sign a document when you cross into TN that under penalty of torture (like spending the day w/your teen or watching Dora the Explorer) that you will have loyalties to no other team. In fact I'm starting a petition to get someone in my subdivision kicked out for displaying (GASP) a Gators flag. Blasphemy I tell you. Kari-sorry about your strep but I have to tell you how demented I am because you wrote you couldn't eat and I though hmmm, maybe I need strep.:sick I need help. Sherri-don't make me pull out the dancing llama-you'll be fine in a couple of days. It's these stupid hormones-STEP AWAY FROM THE SCALE:bolt:. Good now go watch something funny and paint your toenails, or if you wish since your DH is being ornery lately wait until he's asleep and paint his. Stefani-that's so great about your wt loss:clap2:. My doctor does all his fills under fluro ($700-yes I wonder how his Lexus is running) and told me that most of his patients only need one fill. Do you have a set schedule for fills or how does that work?

Ruthie, I'm sorry to hear you are stuck in Jursea. I used to live in Marietta before I moved to Knoxville, I've been here for 18yrs and I love it. True story: My daughter was riding with a friend's parents and they asked where her parents were from. She says "My mom moved alot and my dad's from New York" They said "Oh so your mom married a yankee?" She says "no he doesn't really like baseball." I was so proud. I bought her a shirt that says "I'm too pretty to do math" She won't wear it-ungreatful child. Alright peoples.I need a pep talk/a$$ kickin.:whip: Last night I went out with some friends to Celebrate my upcoming birthday:party: and we went to the Melting pot (fondue resturant) I figured it's my BD I'll eat what I want. 4 courses:lunch::girl_hug::lunch::grouphug: and 1 raspberry martini:cocktail: later I was praying for someone to poke a hole in me to deflate my stomach. I felt so bloated :boom:and yucky and the food wasn't even that great. Well except the chocolate fondue(with marshmallows,strawberries,pound cake, brownies to dip into it) Turns out the candle was not meant to be dipped in chocolate and eaten. Does anyone know how to get melted wax out of a pouch? Hypothetically of course. Now I guess BB (before banding) I would have eaten alot more. I still managed to lose 1/2 lb today but what the heck is wrong with me. I felt like I was stuffing food in my mouth like I had been stranded in the Sudan. I feel very ashamed today.:doh: Tell me I'm not doomed to failure. Please, with melted chocolate on top. :llama:The llama has nothing to do with this post I just like him. Actually I was wondering what kind of post warrants a dancing llama?

Sue, I understand what you feel like, I only told my DH and my 2 best friends. I have always felt like I stuck out :oas the fat girl and I didn't want any attention. I was afraid people would be judging me "Should she be eating that?" or whispering :gossip:"she had wt loss surgery" People who have never struggled with obesity don't understand obesity, just like I have no idea why people suffer with anorexia ( I used to dream about catching that-isn't that awful) Don't get me wrong -I understand from an educated stand point but not from an I've been there stand point. My DH is a naturally thin person (jerk) and has no comprehension about my struggle. He has always been supportive but once when I was having a discussion about wt with him he says "Just eat carrots and celery instead of junk food and then you'll lose wt" :hungry: Oh- is that all it takes,my bad. He has been biting his nails since childhood so I told him it would be the equivalent of me saying "Well if you just quit biting them then you will stop" A lightbulb :lightbulb:kind of went off then. He really is a great guy though and has never made one comment about my expanding waist line. Anyway I have been banded for 7 wks and I have done just fine going out and such. When I was on liquids I would ask for soup and eat the broth. When I was on mushies I would order something like a baked potato or beans. If people asked I said "I just had some minor surgery so I'm on a limited diet for now." I have lost about 24 lbs so people are starting to notice if they ask "have you lost wt" I say YES!!!!!!!!! If they say how I say "I'm eating less and exercising" which is not a lie :lie:so I don't feel bad at all. This is a very private journey to me. My husband inadvertantly :phone:told my inlaws and I was very unhappy:cry . They are all thin people who can eat whatever they want so now of course they keep asking "hows it going with your diet?" and then I got an email from my SIL who said "I heard you're doing great on your diet!!" I just wanted to barf :puke:because now she knows as well. When I see them I know they will be watching what I eat and I didn't want that but such is life. You should do what feels comfortable for you. If you don't tell at first and later you decide to anyone who really cares about you will understand your need for privacy. Not that I have an opinion about this either way...

Sherri, I agree with the others-I know you have already called but call again if you're not better today-tell them the pain is different than anything you have experienced and you would like to speak to the doctor or make an appt to be seen. And tell them if they don't that I will drive over there from Tennessee and "speak" to them myself.(never tick a nurse off we are bitter,overworked,underappreciated and underpaid-a bad combo) Oh yeah and hungry... Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry (or hungry)

Hello all, I went for my fill Friday and I think everything went great. I throughly enjoyed the 7 yr old National Geographic in the waiting room. Did you guys know they're expecting some unrest in the middle east in the next few years? Anyway I thought I'd give a synopsis of my experience: Me lying on xray table draped-Dr. walks in... Dr:ranger:(looking at screen)"Okay can you check the magnification, great- a little to the left, no too far, little to the right ok now can you make it wide screen?" Me:"Did you just call me fat?" Dr:"Of course not" Me:"I'm just kidding please don't stick me with large bore needles.":crazy: few minutes later... Doctor has acsessed my port: Dr:"lets drink the yucky stuff" Me"(gagging) okay:spit: Dr."That looks a little too tight I'm gonna take some saline out, WOW Michelle you have a great esophagus!" Me"You're not the first guy to tell me that!" Radiologist and techs snickering... Dr:nervouslooking around room smiling nervously)Thinking:note to self -no more lap bands for mental patients":behindsofa: Chris: I am officially jealous of your testerone induced wt loss. I'm sure that you attention to diet and exercise has nothing to do with your magnificent wt loss and the only reason I haven't lost as much is because I have ovaries. And I melt milky ways with ice cream and drink them while lying on the couch regularly but those are the only 2 reasons. (Really I think it's great and you should be very proud-it's sounds like you are taking good care of yourself and I definitely need lessons on that. Keep on inspiring us!!!):thumb: Okay joke for the day: :scared: :scared: WHY PARENTS DRINK...... A boss wondered why one of his most valued employees had not phoned in sick one day. Having an urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialed the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whisper. Hello." "Is your daddy home?" he asked. Yes," whispered the small voice. May I talk with him?" The child whispered, "No." Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, Is your Mommy there? " Yes." May I talk with her?" Again the small voice whispered, "No." Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, "Is anybody else there?" Yes," whispered the child, "a policeman" Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, "May I speak with the policeman?" No, he's busy", whispered the child. Busy doing what?" Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman," came the whispered answer. Growing more worried as he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, "What is that noise?" A helicopter" answered the whispering voice. What is going on there?" demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive. Again, whispering, ;the child answered, "The search team just landed in the helicopter." Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, What are they searching for?" Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle: "ME".

Good Morning all... I am going for my fill today at 11am. But enough about that-Some how all these years as a fat girl I missed the coat hanger technique-what exactly is that? I a very familiar with the lie on the bed and hold your breath and pray that the zipper holds through the day. Before my surgery I had about 5-6 pairs of pants that fit-most of them were missing buttons. I'm surprized I didn't put someone's eye out with the force that they flew off at. Jane-I love Stacy and Clinton! They're one of the few shows that give advice to all sizes and they are so funny. One of the benefits of too big pants is that I walk around feeling very slim because I keep having to pull them up-now mind you I wear the lovely big girl panties so I look like I'm gangsta with my panties showing above my belt line. Hmmm-maybe I should stop wearing bare midriff tops... Ruthie-our melting conservationist!!!I drive my soccer mom van everywhere-I usually have 2-3 kids with me so I can't drive my BMW convertible-yeah right -:car:oh I just drifted away at the thought of me driving around, wind blowing in my hair, wayfarers on baby and then I'm rudely interrupted by someone throwing legos at me. I know you're jealous. Beth-thanks for sharing with us. There's another thread on here about secret eating that has been really cathartic for me. I thought I was so alone in my piles of fast food wrappers in the car but alas I'm not and neither are you.We love you:grouphug: