TerriDoodle

Kat - Wow, what an ordeal but with the BEST possible result you could have hoped for!! Hey, is your insurance gonna cover all that or how is that going to work? Just curious how that kind of thing works. Not being "nosey"....really! LOL Pammy, you looked beautiful as usual!!! I think you just have no idea how beautiful you really are... A skewed perception like most of us suffer from in one way or another. You have so much going for you in all other areas, too...you are very blessed!! Tracy, Jane and Suzanne - So glad you all got together!! Jane - enjoy your time off! Nothing much going on with me. I've been making jewelry but having problems DELUXE getting my pics downloaded to my computer!! Some kind of software issue that is driving me MAD. I've got emails out to Canon and Apple and so far nobody has come up with a fix I haven't already tried. I'm not able to get pics up on my Etsy store.....very frustrating. I have been dreaming about beads and designs in my sleep! Ok, now I know I've got problems!! I guess Haydee is still without power :embaressed_smile: They've got 50% of the customers back up and 50% (1 million) to go. The weather is getting hotter and stickier very rapidly. Not good. Those pics Kat sent were so sad.....especially the ones of Crystal Beach. I spent many, many fun days there and is always where we go to rent a beach house.

Sudoku is a puzzle game... here's a link for a source to play online (there are many) Sudoku - The official Sudoku Puzzle - Daily Sudoku NEW!!! Any bookstore will have dozens of sudoku puzzle books, too.... You should try it, it can be very addictive!!

Nah, I just use LBT as my support group. I can't imagine any better.

I'm 5'7" tall

I think we all have a common problem here...... we are BUYING junk food and keeping it in our house!!! Uh.......WHY???

Congrats Shauna!! You're finally on your way!!! Take it easy and do those deep breathing exercises...esp. since you are a cardiac patient. You'll be good as new in 7-10 days. Good luck!

There is an entire section of the forum devoted to doctors and hospitals, so I suggest you start there. There are doctors in the US that will do the procedure for less than $10K. The most important thing to consider when having your surgery away from home is after-care. You have to do your research BEFORE you get banded to make sure there is a doctor in your area....ideally less than 2 hours away....who is willing to take you on as a patient for the after-care. You will need adjustments to your band regularly for the first year or so and need to have a reliable doctor close by if you have any issues or problems. Most people need an un-fill urgently at some point in their experience. Also need to research what they charge for the aftercare....seems like they charge a LOT for outside patients....so make sure you are clear about that. Also need to find out what their schedule is for after-care. Seems like many doctors dont have much time for doing fills...which I don't understand, but seems to be the case in some areas. They should be scheduling fills at least 2-3 days a week with an adequate staff. One girl I know has a doctor that does fills one-HALF day ONCE per MONTH! Needless to say, she has a very difficult time scheduling adjustments and is very, very frustrated with her doc. Hope this helps!! Good luck to you!

Judy you must be tired or something...I can't believe you took that comment to heart! LOL As a matter of fact, I can't believe you didn't straighten her out right there! "Uh, we aren't the same size....those are my OLD clothes!" Remember, there are people who have strange body perceptions and she may see herself as slim and petite like YOU! :thumbup:

Hi RoseAnne...and welcome to LBT! You're right that this forum is invaluable! The band seems to behave a *little* differently with everyone so it's great to have so much experience to read about here. Sounds like you're doing great! Don't be disappointed when your weight loss slows down because, of course, it will! LOL Wouldn't it be nice if we could all lose 15# a week alllll the way to goal!? Well, it's 6:45 in the morning and now I've got a hankering for some hot and sour soup!!? Thanks a LOT! :-/

Just a word of caution....after a fill proceed VERY carefully with known problem foods like salad (especially iceburg lettuce and vegetable skins) and Pasta. Also, be aware that your restriction can keep increasing for up to 2 weeks. That's what mine do, so don't be surprised. If you have an extreme episode of getting stuck, PB, spit up, etc., give your band a rest for 2 days by going back to liquids and mushies. Otherwise you get into a vicious cycle. Good luck!

All doctors are different. Some doctors prescribe liquids only for up to 4-6 weeks! They have good reasons...just ask someone who's slipped their band...so FOLLOW YOUR DOCTORS ORDERS.

Good. Well, I forgot to mention also that rice gives many people problems for some strange reason. Everyone has their 'list' of problem foods and I think you can put rice at the top of yours. People are often surprised at the foods that give problems....like eggs, Pasta, bananas, melon, etc. These things are soft and mushy but yet they still cause problems!? So when you have these issues just pay attention and next time you eat this food proceed very slowly. Good luck to you!

Have you tried Sudoku?? That'll drive you nuts!

kat - thinking of you!!!

Gina -- I LOVE Corgies!!! They are soooooo sweet! We had one that lived across the street from us. They had an iron gate across their driveway so he was outside quite a bit....and when we would walk our dog he would RUN to the fence and hop and jump 'til we came over to him. Just the cutest dog ever! I can't wait 'til we get another dog. We had to put ours down right before my LB surgery and i sure do miss her. Congrats on your new baby!

I am most definitely ready for Sarah!!

Don't know for sure, but if you can't get thru I wouldn't waste a trip out there! Have you tried email? How about the professional building or hospital?

I seriously doubt you stretched your pouch. And you're right that losing 1-2# per week is just about right. I am surprised that your doc actually compared you to another patient...that's not fair....especially when that other patient lost weight at a totally abnormal pace! It sounds to me like you're doing just fine. By the way, the remedy for a stretched pouch is to unfill the band and put you on liquids.

The gerd has probably irritated your stoma and caused swelling....which is why you are now too tight. You need to call your doctor for a slight unfill to give your tummy a rest. You'll feel immediate relief! Talk to them about your diet and habits and they can get you back on track soon enough.

Good luck, Stephanie!

I agree...you don't need a fill unless you are hungry all the time and your weight loss has stalled. But when the time does come, there's no need to worry or be scared...although I don't know WHY your surgeon filled the band during your op!? Never heard of that! So keep an eye on him and if you have a 4cc band, don't get anymore than 1.5cc for your first fill!

Do you have any hobbies that keep your hands busy?? Maybe some needlework or something like that? When I'm beading I can go for HOURS without thinking about food.

Well, it's important to be educated even if it does make you a little nervous...but that's natural. 90%+ of the people on this board would have the surgery again in a heartbeat....so that's a VERY good sign. Good luck to you and welcome to LBT!

Thank goodness Kat's alright. Such good news!! I feel like I can breathe again! Tracy - What's an IEP? I trust it's not something/someone you want to do often. I wanted a shake in the worst way yesterday, but the only thing that stopped me was the electric was out at the Dairy Queen. HA! The next stop I made, JIB, the line was 8 cars long!! I decided God was trying to tell me something. So I went home and had 2 glasses of wine instead. :thumbdown: Other Tracy - I'm fine except that I'm back at work now. Yuck. Glad you like the jewelry! I've got to start selling some of this stuff! It's piling up!! lol Pam - You're going to be a wonderful officiator! I wish I was there, too. Good thing we're not....we'd be making faces at you in the back row. :thumbup: Laura - glad you're better too. Jeez!

I :thumbup: my doctor!!! Dr. Spivak is the best there is!