DeLarla

Wow, Tina, that's lots of questions! My food gets stuck between my throat and sternum, and it's very painful. I think the stoma is what the band surrounds, which is the area between the pouch and the stomach below. I get the golfball in my throat. My doc explained that all the "action" goes on in the bottom stomach, which is where all the digestive enzymes are produced. That's why she was dead-set against me getting a gastric bypass since the bypass cuts off the bottom part of the stomach where all the digestive action goes on. I could be wrong, but I think the food starts its digestive process in the top part but it starts sort of dripping down into the bottom part to complete the process. When you introduce food or liquid into your mouth, the belly starts moving around to start digestion. I'm not sure if your stomach makes acid all the time, but I assume it does since it's pretty much always active and doing stuff. Acid reflux can be pretty scary, so make sure to talk to your doc who may prescribe something to prevent/protect/repair your esophagus. I hope that made sense, and I hope it's accurate considering I'm going only from memory, which gets dusty and rusty on occasion. Be good to you.

This stinkin' thread makes me laugh! Thanks to my "partner in crime" (inside joke but damn funny) for asking me to post something funny to get things rolling around here again. When I told hubby about ratemypooh.com he said some guys mentioned ratemycameltoe.com. I haven't gone to the pooh site, and I probably won't, but if you need to see vaginas, ratemycameltoe.com has a wide variety. Which brings us to my second question... what's the big deal with vaginas, and why are so many women taking pictures of theirs?

Silly Daisy, you're not a bad girl, you're just human, that's all. And three little cookies certainly didn't cause any of us to be obese. If I could stop at three cookies I'd be thrilled with life. I was lucky cause I had good restriction before ever getting a fill, but even with good restriction I could eat 3 cookies. Teresa lost like 70 pounds with no fill, it's just that some people find it easier to give up the goodies regardless of complete restriction. Now excuse me while I go eat some more Peanut Butter M&Ms while thanking my Maker that I only eat a handful at a time these days instead of whole bags.

If I had a local doctor for follow up, I would be happy. Unfortunately, the closest band surgeon that will see me is 6 hours away. Sucks.

Most patients have excellent experiences in Mexico, but the number of nightmares have been growing out of proportion lately. I went to Mexico three times and each time the doctors made stupid mistakes (twice Lopez, once Kuri.) Too many erosions and port infections lately added to the recent drug overdose - you have to be willing to gamble if you go to Mexico. Again, MOST patients have GREAT experiences... then there's the rest of us. I went to Mexico to save five grand, but I owe more than that in bills from all my Mexican related complications. If you're lucky at gambling, go for it. Be prepared for the Mexican cheeleaders though, because some people defend Mexican surgeons and get free fills for sending over referrals. Good luck to you. BUY AMERICAN! Woo hoo! (Too bad I didn't take my own advice.)

Don't make me bump this, people! Too many of you asked for some fun, now let's talk poop.

I think I want the shot from the back. Bending over my bike. If we are gonna be brave, might as well go all the way!

Princess, you need to rent Stephen King's, "Cat's Eye" trilogy. There's a short story about a smoking clinic that could scare you to quit! Anyone ever seen it?

I'm glad you bumped this. I never saw it the first time around. With obesity running rampant, we will soon overtake the world and eat all the normies that don't understand us. Please pass the salt.

Spit, spit, and more spit. Last night on HOUSE, Dr. House also insulted an obsese woman. She was comfortable wearing a bikini, and he made wise cracks. Pig.

PENNI, you got my whole belly jiggling with that one! That's damn funny!

Okay, this might sound rude, but I KNOW I am not alone in this! What's with the guys I know being so proud of pooping out letters of the alphabet? My neighbor actually tried to drag me into his bathroom to show me the letter Q. Why are boys and (many) men so fascinated with poop?

Vine, you got to eat mushies! I'm sharing in your Heaven by having refries for lunch. Jenna, beans are coming soon!

Every woman should own a little black dress, so this is a good time for you to get a simple one that can be altered as you lose. Since you aren't used to dressing fancy, try to stick with something simple and basic and then add bold, sparkly accessories. A little black dress goes a long way - you can add a shawl or a blazer or even a flowy blouse.

Hi Carmel, first can I suggest you re-name the thread to included "Sarcoidosis" in the title? There are others with this auto immune disease that would be more apt to respond if the title was more specific. I have Sarcoidosis as well, which was diagnosed by nodules on my lungs. I was extremely ill 15 years ago, so I'm petrified of getting anything bronchial, but I don't have muscle weakness to an extreme right now (knock on wood). Looks like everyone gave you great suggestions for Protein. I learned the hard way by wasting money on all different types of Protein shakes. You have to read the labels before buying the stuff since some canned shakes have very little protein. I personally like the Atkins ones the best as far as flavor goes, and I used the Milk & Egg protein when I make my own shakes. The ones with more protein tend to cost more, and the ones with less protein can be loaded with sugar. An excellent Band-Friendly source of protein is Beans... any kind. If they are soft enough you can mash them. A favorite around here is refried beans with cheese, and you can buy the non-fat ones. Breakfast doesn't always have to be shakes or eggs or Cereal, you can have beans or liverwurst, which are both mushy and filling. Good luck with the Sarc Monster.

I just had refried beans for breakfast in honor of this post. Thanks for the great info.

Vera, is there any way you can have him remove the band and get a new one in the US? Any changes or new insurance in your family? The past week has been hell on me and my friends involved in Mexico disasters. I am THIS close to having my band removed and fighting my insurance like mad till they pay for me to have one done in my own country. My head hurts for you.

Bumping this for Jenna.

Yes, that's definitely a mushy. Stupid ERIN (food monger co-worker that drives me nuts about food) begged me to go to a buffet against my will. I finally gave in and ended up spending $12 on a meatball that had me fighting a PB through the whole meal. So I'll be eating mushy Cadbury Eggs for dinner. And breakfast, and lunch, and dinner.

I'm with Paula that the doc should have stuck with your intuition. Looking back at all my problems, I'd take on 10 more ports to save you from all your heartache. I'm sorry, buddy. Wish I could go with you.

Christina, I can't stand the fairy wings. Sachi MUST have them. I'm in love with your fur babies!

Okay, I'm in with the IN crowd now cuz someone just bought 2 coffee mugs stuffed with Easter candy. It's not much, but I just officially joined this bunch by eating the 3 Easter M'nMs and one sour ball thingy. Just leaves ya wanting for more, doesn't it?

Penni, you can use my glue gun and box of rhinestones to decorate those goggles. I'll warm it up for you.

Another thing I do is I'll start laughing out loud for no reason. People will walk in and ask me what I'm laughing at. I can't control thoughts that fly through my head, and every so often a funny memory will flood back in so fast that I can't control my laughter. The scary thing about this is I remember asking my mom 1000 times growing up, "why are you laughing when nobody else is in the room?" I inherited it from the scary Momster!

I knew I clicked with you for some reason. I've had long therapy sessions about my radio head. Every morning I'm waken by a song running through my brain. It's never the same song, and sometimes it's a stupid commercial jingle. I can't turn on the radio or TV, either, because I have to sing the whole song through a few times. And they aren't always songs I like (or even know.) I had the old "Bandaid Sticks Where it's Supposed to" jingle this morning, which I haven't even heard since the 80s. But the shrinky dink just looked at me as if I were nuts. Uh, isn't it his job to treat me like I'm not nuts?