Alexandra

Oh, Cheri, my heart goes out to you. How hard that must have been! I still haven't been to a Cracker Barrel since banding because I know the only thing that restaurant really has going for it is stick-to-your-ribs FILLING food. I don't eat that way anymore, period, so I can't go there. But you will find new frontiers in restaurants and be able to enjoy eating out again, and even more so because you'll order things and eat them for days. Hugs!! You'll be fine, though it's not easy, we know.

Cereal is bulky enough, it seems to me, that even the milk we eat with it is not going to wash it through. And since that's the only reason not to drink while eating it's just not an issue.

Congratulations!!! That's my secret dream for 2006, maybe I'll get there by this time next year. (I haven't been there since 1983.) Good job!!!

Shelly, baby, you look wonderful! And you sound so happy. I can't wait to see the wedding pics, so don't forget about us!!

Wow! I used to think I didn't know anyone on anti-depressants. I've never taken them, so the subject didn't come up much. But this past Thanksgiving I found out that three of the six cousins in attendance are currently on some sort of mood-leveling medication. The times, they certainly do change!

Eating out does take time, yes. As I've mentioned before, one of the hardest things to me about being banded was learning when a meal was OVER. As hard as that is at home, it's made all the harder when we're trapped in a restaurant with other people enjoying an outsize meal. But it gets easier and easier. In the meantime, be sure to order Soup and chili, things like that, and remember that one meal can probably now feed both of you. Think of all the money you'll save!

And here's another one we sent to a few select lucky people.

Here are my little darlings, all duded up for the holidays.

Kare, how about printing the list here, or at least some of your favorite songs? I just got an MP3 player a few weeks ago, and don't really know where to start in stocking it up with workout tunes. It sounds like you really know what you're doing, so guidance would be WELCOME! So far I just have The Weather Girls' It's Raining Men mixed in with my REO Speedwagon Greatest Hits album. What next? (I am SO clueless!!)

Oh, man, I am SO verklempt!! If my DH had known it was even possible to get married on the bridge, well, I think things would have been a little different on our wedding day. Best of everything to you and your bride, Jonathan! Your rings are beautiful, and may all things wonderful come your way today, tomorrow, and every day from this day forward. Live long and prosper indeed!!

Whew! Lots of passion in that post. I have to disagree on several points. Weight loss surgery doesn't suck. food is not evil. And I know lots of ex-smokers who really don't crave tobacco anymore (me, for one). All of your friends are not eroding, though I'm sure it can seem that way. And what percentage of bandsters end up with a colostomy bag? It's probably infinitesimal, if that. Your band isn't failing you, it's not adjusted properly. Through no fault of yours it's been unable to be properly maintained, which is not the band's fault either. One way or another, though, I truly hope you're able to make peace with that little piece of silicone inside you, Lisa, and soon. You deserve it.

Imalene, you could get her in serious trouble if you were so inclined. This was a blatant violation of HIPAA's privacy protections and ignorance or "oversight" is no excuse. You should be very alert to ANY situations where this information getting out might have caused you any sort of damage. They should be afraid of you suing them, and I mean deeply afraid. I guarantee you she's had some kind of training on this score, so she can't claim ignorance.

Welcome to Bandland, Lisa*in*NJ!! Congratulations!!

Tootarts, just take care of yourself. Everyone has a few bad days right after surgery, and I've heard lots of people say that days 2-4 are the worst. The anaesthesia is still working itself out of your system, and that can make you shaky or nauseated. I didn't have a clear head until the fourth day out, myself. You WILL start to feel remarkably better in very short order. Just get lots of rest and try to keep sipping those fluids. Don't worry about calories or nutrients for these few days, you have plenty in reserve to keep you going. Just think about resting, sleeping, walking a little, and getting in plenty of fluids. Read!! And doze, and read, and doze. We'll be here when you wake up.

Wheetsin, the world is a better place because of people like you and your friend. Seriously. You went out of your way to do a kind thing and don't seem to be angry about the outcome. Taking the high road will always serve you well, as you seem to know already. You rock!! That said, next time just say no. No harm, no foul, no new shoes.

Why are the doctors refusing to see you?

I did find that with weight loss the effectiveness of other drugs seemed to improve. I can now take Tylenol for my major menstrual cramps (which used to totally sideline me) and just about anything else with great results. The only pain I had to take Advil for was a horrible strep infection that caused was an almost migraine-level headache. Hopefully you'll find the same to be true as well.

You have made a GREAT start just by coming here and posting!! Really, that shows an interest that many spouses just can't muster. You are doing great!! The one thing my husband wishes he'd been better mentally prepared for, he says, are the times when I just had to leave the table when I was done eating. It really can take a long time for the bandster's brain to get used to the idea that the meal is OVER after only a small portion, and during that time sitting at the table while everyone else continues eating can be difficult. I literally had to get up and leave, and when that happens small children can be confused and the husband can feel abandoned. But it helped me immensely during the tough times, and I deeply appreciated his patience. I hope we'll get to know you both. Welcome!!!

And I'll repeat my post from the other thread: Cindy, that is WONDERFUL news!! :D It's such a relief to hear that even when things seem totally amiss, it can really be just a little irritation. Congratulations, and thanks so much for letting us know!!

Cindy, that is WONDERFUL news!! :D It's such a relief to hear that even when things seem totally amiss, it can really be just a little irritation. Congratulations, and thanks so much for letting us know!!

Most docs say no NSAIDS, and it's not just because of fear of the pill sitting in the pouch. Even liquid NSAIDS have a risk, and though I'm not clear on the scientific details it has something to do with the way they work. The action of the medication actually thins the lining of the stomach, not just irritates it where the pill is sitting. It can lead to increased gastric sensitivity over time, not just when you're taking the actual medication and for the short time it's in your stomach. I have taken ibuprofen once, for a pain that didn't respond to anything else. The real risk is if you take it on a regular basis for any length of time. Talk with your doctor if you think you really need it more than very occasionally (once a month?), maybe there's something else out there that will work better and is safer.

Carmen, what a wonderful and totally heartwarming post!! What a wonderful thing to read. Congratulations! :D

It will move either up or down within, I'd say, an hour or two at the most. The body is NOT happy with something actually stuck in the stoma, and that's part of what causes PBing (when food comes back up). It's not exactly "vomit" because there is no stomach acid involved, but it is regurgitation. Sometimes the stuck thing can go down, too. When that happens, you feel instant relief. There's all sorts of different ways it can resolve, but resolve it does sooner or later.

Dani, you are SOOO lucky to have so many choices!! Don't worry. When surgery is supposed to happen, it will happen. A few months at this point won't matter a whit down the line, however frustrating it feels. Believe me, I know. But you clearly have options, and you WILL find the one that works for you. Thank your lucky stars you have insurance that will cover, and providers close by, and that you don't have to fly to another country or drive all over the Midwest to get the care you want. You're blessed, and the rest will come.

Why would they say that most of the time you will not need a fill? Perhaps they meant that many times when you think you need a fill it's not necessary. But just about all bandsters WILL have adjustments, it's absolutely an expected part of treatment. The band is not designed to work without personalized adjustment, and every bandster should absolutely have access to a good reliable fill doctor so that adjustments can be made as necessary. This is crucial both for effectiveness and safety reasons. If your doctor really said what you think they did, there is something fishy going on. Are they trying to convince you that return trips to Mexico won't be needed? That's only a safe bet if you have a reliable aftercare doc in the States. Otherwise, you absolutely MUST plan on getting back to your Mexican surgeon at least a couple of times post-operatively. It's just not complete treatment otherwise.