DeLarla

Yes, I've heard directly from her, but I don't want to steal her wind so I'll wait for her to post. But yes, she's fine... and Banded! That's all you get for now!

Alex, if you are close to Hackensack you could do a driveby the Momster's house in Wallington & see why I'm "the way I am" to put it mildly! My family is in Passaic, Garfield, Clifton, etc., 12 miles from Manhattan.

Esmeralda, you and I are in the same boat. I am far, far better than I used to be before the band, but I stopped losing weight a couple months ago and have been eating goodies like they are going out of style. I've been through a lot with my band (Kuri removed my first port and I just had my 2nd port removed by another surgeon.) The one thing that keeps me going are my friends here at LBT. Also, we have to remember that while our Bands might not work today, there's always tomorrow. As long as I don't hurt myself, my Band will be there when my brain decides to partner up with my mouth and stomach. I'll be your Band bud! Where do you live?

I just sent my first appeal letter to Blue Cross of California this week. I think it's going to be a rough battle, but the band saved my life. My letter said it was a life saving procedure. Please keep us updated. Good luck.

When Lopez removed all that bad scar tissue during my port replacement, I was doubled over in pain for over a week. But I only had one horrible night of pain from Billy's port removal. Considering there was an enormous hole in my belly, I didn't even feel it. No pain at all. Today I put almond oil all over my belly for the first time to start healing all the ugly rough skin. I'm on the road home!

I normally can't eat anything before noon. My band is closed for business in the morning. But after a good workout, everything loosens up and I get hungry. Normally I have a protein shake, but I used the whole "Friday" thing as an excuse to eat deep fried convenient store food. 7-11 food is about as low as a food junkie goes, I think.

I'm not sure if I call it pain, but there are days when I feel it pinching or just tight.

Shoot, I hate when these old threads come back and force me to tell everyone that I busted my butt exercising and weight-lifting this morning, then ate 1 1/2 Go-Go-Taquitos from 7-11 after a Mocha coffee. I NEVER eat breakfast. See what evil exercise does to us?

She's banded, doing well and resting.

"PB IS A SIGN THAT WE HAVE TO BABY OURSELVES FOR AWHILE." Alex, I think I need to paint this across my front door in big red letters. Thanks for the reminder.

I asked why we're supposed to wait 1/2 hour before eating. When you eat or drink (even water) your pouch & stomach start moving to process it. So if you drink up until the first bite, your parts are already wiggling around and the digestive process is already going, so anything you eat will get digested faster since it's introduced when everything is moving. Since the object is to keep the food in your pouch longer, it defeats the purpose by drinking up until you eat. Plus, Water in your lower belly will give you more restriction, so you won't be able to eat enough, which will leave you hungry sooner. That's not the exact words, but it's the best way I can explain it. But I decided long ago not to listen to one doctor - instead I read everything around LBT and tested things for myself. I can't eat much if I drink up till the last minute, and I'm always hungry an hour later. For me, the waiting rules are a must. But all of us are different. Lots of people have learned how to eat in their heads, so they stop eating after they know they've had enough and they don't eat again till their next meal. I'm one of the weak Bandsters that still has to rely on my Band to feel full because my head still wants to gorge. The only way my band stays full is if I avoid liquids before and after eating. I don't even drink after lunch till almost 4:00 p.m. because the full feeling stays with me till I kick in the water again. (edited for typo)

Was there any doubt that Mikalah would make it another week? The poor girl probably thinks she has a faboulous voice from her parents lying to her all these years. I think Bo's got this thing hands-down. But he should walk away since he's already beyond superstardome and his biggest problem will be which offer(s) to accept, which would leave a space for Constantine. He's not the best vocalist, but I think he's the best choice for an overall idol considering how the girls (uh, old women like me and Denise) dig that love making he does to the mic! I don't think Carrie needs any more idol either - some of these kids sing so well that they don't need Idol any more. I would LOVE to see one of them win that really needs the prize. Nadia risked her life on the show with that mohawk, but her fans will stay true to her. I think she'll come back with a bang and blow everyone away. I want Scott to leave the island. His personality bugs me. He'd be better for the next Gangstah Idol.

Maria, the best advice is to simply hang in there and don't get discouraged. I had two types of insurance, and neither covered the Band. I had to pay myself. But it's damn worth the wait if your insurance will cover it in the end. I know that's not saying much, but be really thankful that insurance is taking care of the big part. Meanwhile, be double happy because the initial surgery is only part of the battle. The Band can be (often is) a very high maintenance tool that requires a lot of follow up visits. I had a list of complications, so in addition to the credit card I used for the initial surgery, I've racked up thousands in after care charges. What I'm saying is just take your time and jump through any hoops the insurance company tells you to, because in the end you'll have a paid-for band, and it will be great. Meanwhile, I think people give too much thought to the psyche exam. I personally don't know anyone that didn't pass it except for one alcoholic. As far as paying up front, it's just part of the process. Think of it as money well-invested. I had to change my way of thinking in the money department when shopping for the band. I didn't think twice of spending $15.00 at Taco Bell. I was spending $20 a day for lunch and dinner fast foods and restaurants. Loading up the shopping cart with useless expensive crap. That comes to more than $5,000 a year. And I'm left flat-broke after all my complications, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Sorry if I chose the wrong words - I mean it with all the love & support in my heart. Be patient, good things are coming your way.

Hippos & Birdies to you (saw that on a card & though it was cute.) My belly eyeball scar is winking a happy birthday at you.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE! I still don't have any Easter candy, but I didn't want DaisyPooh to feel alone so I ate many types of goodies in mass quantities last night. What, on this Earth, will stop me? Crap I don't even like. And I'm choking again from the acid reflux in my throat. Easter candy would only be a problem one day in this house, cause it would be gone in one sitting. Phooey on Food. BAN FOOD... BAN FOOD... BAN FOOD (DeLarla's latest cause.)

This is the first week I'm able to look at the "before" pics of this wound. Trust me (and ask Penni if you don't believe me) but the pictures don't do the thing justice. It looks like a surface wound from the pictures, but it was the size of a huge golf ball in depth with a 2nd gaping cave off to the side deeper into my belly. You could stuff a sock in it. (Okay, a kid's sock.) So thank you all for being happy with me. This is huge to me. Champagne-this-weekend-huge. Jack, I've heard that "sage" thing many times before, but till this day I don't know what a sage is or what it's saying, but it must be a good thing, huh? Today I am clearing all the surgical supplies off my bathroom counter! I'm even in the mood for an order of those dancing bananas.

Darn, you peeps spoke to soon. We could have really messed with Nicole's head and told her she's the only one! Nicole, are you kidding? You, the only naughty one? Pa-leeezzze! But I just enjoyed a delicious dish of fresh fruit with a blob of cherry whipped yogurt. It was really heavenly, but it was NOT candy. (In your best Sinade O'Connor - singing to the candy) Nothing compares, noTHING COMpares, to yoooooooooooooou.

Was the PB painful? They usually hurt me in the chest/throat. Glad to see you're finally getting the sweet taste of restriction. It's awesome when the band works, and we are both keeping ours big smiles to you.

I have a before nakey... anyone else?

My belly is winking at all of you! She's very happy today. All that rash around the whole thing from a years' worth of bandages can finally heal. And I can put nice lotion on now, winky wink.

Here's a current pic. Not bad compared to the original one, eh?

Melissa, I'm proof that losing a port isn't the end of the world. Yep, it sucks, but you will probably still have some restriction like I do. Make sure the doctor tucks the extra tube into your abdominal wall. I had problems healing after my first removal because they left the tube too close to the surface. Also, during my first port removal they gave me a fill to hold me over. But I recently found out that's a big mistake. If they fill you then remove your port, you might end up too restricted to drink, and they won't be able to do an adjustment without another surgical procedure. Good luck you you my soon-to-be portless pal. xo

"I really don't have any suggestions other than to throw away some of that stuff a little every day." Or send it to poor DeLarla who doesn't have any babies or grand babies, so she doesn't have no stinkin' Easter candy. I'm a lil' jelly of all the goodies.

Lots of people follow different rules about drinking. I was told to stop 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after eating. However, I chose to wait a full hour after eating because it keeps me full longer.

I saw the word, "candy" and I couldn't get to this thread fast enough. I thought candy was for kids, but I dig the stuff! I feel like Homer Simpson, mmmmm candy!