Vera

Hi Cindy Don't think I can help with your GP search but want to wish you the best... with Blue Cross! There's lots of Calis here..:bump:I'm north of you

Santa Engracia Hospital, Monterrey Mexico on 8-14-03 and then re-banded 3-31-05 Dr. Sanchez

Hi JD It was over a year ago when I went for a fill under fluoroscopy and saw a kink about 3 inches from the port where the tube is to curve up. At that time I had a small fill because the doctor didn’t want to over fill me. When he would try to pull the saline back into the syringe, the plunger would not pull back easily as it should and the fill would not come back out. So I called Dr. Sanchez and he had me return to Mexico to investigate. Dr. Sanchez found a very small hole in the fold of the kink. The tubing was repaired with a sleeve, which didn’t work, and eventually I was rebanded. Now I’m not saying you need to be re-banded. If your tubing doesn’t fix itself a new tube can be replaced. With my circumstance I had a faulty AMI (Swedish band) and now I have the Inamed band.

How bout OZKellie down under is what I think when I read your stuff nomorebellykelly...that's pretty good

Kellie I just LOVe the 3rd pic the best So Happy for you!!!

I'm in Love with Jessie I cook all the time...your just blowin me away.

Time for a new Hat! even though I love your avatar

Hot Dog! I'm so trilled for you!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Yeah - but how often can you go to Cannes and see a film about You & your Man?? That's a one-time event, I think. Ditto! France with a feature film! :confused: I wouldn't miss it. Leave BFL a number.

Your so Hot babe!

Rachele, I have a ton of Titanium staples in my rectum from my colon removal back in 2000 (no I don't wear a bag) unless they all fell out, which they said would happen over time. So that's not a problem for me, but I'm not aware of these seams being stapled?? Basically, it is an improvement over prior gastroplasty procedures, which are rarely done due to problems related to the placement of staples, silastic rings and mesh around the stomach pouch. In addition to avoiding foreign bodies, the other advantage over the older procedures is that the excess stomach volume is removed, not left in place. This possibly eliminates most Ghrelin hormone production and helps to reduce the sensation of hunger that people have. Thanks for this info. Karen I've got the research bug going. Lisa, I would be devestated if I lost my band. You know I feel for you. I wouldn't be able to cope watching the weight come back and I know I'm weak. All the money we dish out keeps me in check. I didn't spend all this money for nothing is the only thing keeping me from eating. We're (I'm) scared and have to know my options. Like you say babe "Peace"

Cool! You look HOT Jenna, Of course we missed you!

I read some talk about the Gastric Sleeve on another board and became very curious so I did some research. I bring it up cause with the potential erosion with any band this is a very possible alternative for me. The Gastric Sleeve is not a sleeve/tube or a devise, but a type of stomach reducing surgery. A precursor to the DS. In the DS (Duodenal Switch) the stomach is reduce to the size and shape of about a small banana, then part of the intestines are reroute. With the Gastric Sleeve the stomach is reduced to the same shape and size as the DS but no intestines are rerouted, but if the sleeve/stomach becomes enlarged or weight-loss subsides a second surgery can be preformed to re-route the intestines. I personally would only have the sleeve done. What I noted was that there is no malabsorbstion issues with the sleeve, it’s just a smaller stomach and has a lot of the same rules as banding such as chew well, no drinking with meals, small food portions, no carbonation. Most of the rules are to avoid enlarging or stretching the new pouch. And of course this is an irreversible surgery. I’m just wondering if anyone else has done research on the Gastric Sleeve and your inputs?? My description may not be accurate, I’m just starting my research so don’t quote me. For ref. http://www.obesitymd.org/surgical_sleeve.html http://www.columbiasurgery.org/divisions/obesity/surgical_ob.html

ddflinn, I'm so glad you went to Dr. Billy. You are so smart and know your own body. What you did saved your band.

Mandy, You, Abigale and your family are in my prayers.

Bright! I have really missed you! Every time I have wasabi I think of you. The story you told the skinny bitches of you diet of oxtail soup with wasabi.... Depression has hit me as well, I've got my first appt with a shrink today, I just can't stand the sadness I've been in lately. Glad to see you back! Please stick around and chat more often and you too Teresa.

I just realized you'll be out here this Sunday. Wish it was Saturday or even Friday. I can't take anymore time off work or I'd meet you for lunch. Do go check some of the places mentioned. Bring an umbrella So sorry I can't meet up

Welcome Back I remembered your Hyst in Oct and even posted a How are you? Now I know. Sorry for the pain.

Congratulations Alexandra I know you don't often set goals exept to be healthy and happy. You Go Girl Yes I can add....the C's...cookies, chocolate, cheesecake and crab(not in that order) almost everyday for 3 weeks and not a pound of weight. With this great tool you can only eat so much, a nibble, thin slice, a bite and be satisfied! Last year with my leaky band I was gaining but not this year. I can only eat so much. I'd be happy to just stay here. Good luck!! I know you can do this

Thanks Alex...for this site, I'd be lost without it.

Hello Ruth (my middle name) My old band was an AMI-swedish band that was installed 8/14/03 by Dr. Sanchez. After about 6 months and 4 fills I had a flouro/X-ray check which revealed a kink in the tubing. Well I suspected a leak, then confirmed it over 6 months later in mex, cause Dr. Sanchez recomended I go see him. At that visit the tubing was repaired and I was given a 7cc fill (big band), a month later my doctor (McKeen) here in Calif. did a flouro fill and that's when we saw that the repair didn't work. Back to mex I went and Dr. Sanchez decided to reband me, free (the makers of the AMI band is paying for it). Dr. Sanchez takes care of his people!!! I'm very happy with my new band. Never any erosion or slipage issues ever. Not here to scare you, just to let you know it's happen to me. I'M NOT SAYING YOU NEED TO BE RE-BANDED! Find your leak under flouroscopy, most leaks are near or at the port. A simple port replacement is easy. I can so relate with trying so hard and wacthing every bite, before my band fix/replacement I was always stuggling. I'm sitting in inches of rain in California...enjoy your summer. Best luck to you. Vera

Congratulations! You seem to be watching what you eating, just knowing what your consuming is a great advantage. Not that I was pregnant banded but I know I had a big difference between carring a boy and a girl and how much I ate. With my son I ate for 5, endless eating. It's baby time!!! So Happy for you, good luck I still say (he's) due on 7-11-06

I’ll raise my glass to you May your health be good, may you have a great vacation this year, may your family and friends be happy, may the sunshine bright on your heart. Pajama party here near the coast of California. Got Mr. & Mrs. Smith, March of the penguins and Willy Wonka….Karaoke set up (my latest favorite song, “I like this Bar”) Crab, Shrimp and a fish fry with dips, chips and popcorn. We’ll see if the kids and make it pass 10:30? No Pity just fun.

All the loving kisses and welcome home from pets, with those loving eyes. So Sorry.

Melting Sue, how do you do? I've been reading some of your stuff on fatblog...it's not a gravy journey as yet, the best is the weight loss. Do I get the hint of reflux or even acid balls up the throut(I've been getting- em) seem prevacid just go's so far. It must feel great to loose so fast, the energy and recovery boost How's Mr. Sue and DD? Always wishing you the best!