DeLarla

Musicman, the "bowling shoes" comment was classic! That's the sort of twisted stuff that keeps this board alive. Keep 'em coming!

Penni, how does your system work? Like take the bra off, give the bod one good swoosh, then using a metronome to see how they keep time? So for every full count they swing, you add a cup size, and for half counts that's a half size?

I don't understand why anybody would waste their time getting accurate measurements when all bras vary from size to size. That system for measuring sounds like rocket science - all that math being wasted on hooters. My 42B is falling off me, but my other brand 40C doesn't fit - the hook and eye won't come together. Walmart bras are cut big, but Nordstrom bras are cut small. JC Penny's are different than Dillards. My little girls know best, so I just try stuff on to see if they're comfy. Then again, the pole dancer in me kinda likes the idea of standing topless in a store letting strangers play with my boobies.

Whip, what are you trying to say? Are you hungry?

Rachel, just one more example of the difference in prices. In Vegas, the hospital is $3,025.00 more than yours. Zoe, I guess it depends on convenience, too. A local fill without fluoro is $300. That would do in a pinch, I suppose. I've learned so much at LBT.

"Our digestive system was design to work a certain way. That is why there are so many problems with the bypass." This is exactly what my doctor explained when I asked her for a gastric bypass. She said the bottom portion of your stomach has integral disgestive properties that are eliminated with the bypass, leaving you with a lifetime of digestive problems. I never feel "crappy" with my band (other than all the troubles with my port) but I do have an enormous amount of gas and discomFART. Other than that, I have a little pressure inbetween my rib cage. For those of you who know about all my complications, all I can say is THANK GOD I chose the Band. At least when things go completely wrong I can have it removed. I can't imagine all the complications I would have had with the bypass. I'd be the one that ended up on the fatality list.

When my port incision became infected after my surgery, I consulted with 4 different band surgeons because I wanted to make sure I was getting the proper treatment. All four surgeons agreed that an infected port must be removed. Then you wait till the area is healed, and they do another surgery to replace a new port. Port removals and new ports are not covered in the original surgery. Be nice to your ports!

Zoe, $250 for a fill under fluoro is cheap for the US. You're lucky.

"I havent had sex in so long, I forget who wears the bowling shoes and who gets tied up." Anyone else still tossing this one around in the ol' coconut?

I just heard that there's a big problem (bigger than ever, if you can imagine) with young girls getting prenant in Mexico. Seems the pharmacies there sell two sizes of condoms - regular and extra large. So many guys wanna be macho that they're buying the extra large ones, which are sliding off during sex. This came from a reliable source and might actually be true.... I'm taking it with a grain of salt but thought it was appropriate for this thread. If it's true, they could solve the problem by being more realistic: The two sizes should be regular, and extra small, right?

Funny, I don't recall any of the official band rules even mentioning sex, so it should be okay while still in the hospital.

I was under the impression it had to do with September 11, so it would probably affect all borders. Becki, let us know what the border patrol says when you get back, and have a nice fill

I'm not sure, but maybe I got a lower price since I was referred by one of Lopez's other clients???

Sorry for pooping on everyone's Victoria Secret parade, but I've been boycotting that place for years. They kept sending me catalogues, coupons, etc. I sent them letters asking them to stop, since they don't cater to "real" women. I told them I was plus size and none of their stuff fit me, so they sent me back a lame response with another catalogue, telling me that they did offer "some things" in larger sizes. So I looked and found 2 really lame things that were plus size, but only 1x. I wrote them back and told them I was offended, and to never solicit me again. I told them that Victoria's Secret is that she's bullemic. Even if I lose weight, I won't shop there. Frederick's of Hollywood (online) has really sexy stuff in really big sizes (cuz a lot of men buy from them... it's Hollywood, afterall.)

Well, I was talking about Mexican surgeons, but I suppose that would apply nationwide. Valley Hospital in Vegas charges $13,000 just for the hospital. But HarleyNana paid $10,500 for her Virginia hospital. So there are a lot of varying factors. I was very pleased with Oasis of Hope, so I'm glad I didn't have to make that decision, too, cuz I probably would have tried to save even more money and had it done someplace scary. Also, anesthesiologists have different rates. It would be interesting to see the breakdowns. Thanks to Nana for posting what she paid, cause that shows us that there's a $2500.00 difference just in two US hospitals.

Teresa, Nana, I have answers!!! (Nana, let's see your cute face... avatar, please.) I wanted to know why everyone gets charged different, so I asked, and it all depends on the facility. It's not Lopez getting different amounts, it's the hospitals. I went to Oasis of Hope, which was at the lower end of the pricing scale. Penni went to Sanoviv (sp?) so it cost her tons more cuz that's a fancy resort. When I scheduled my band surgery, I had no idea that we had a choice of facilities, so they took me to the Oasis of Hope, and I was pleased. Also, when Kuri removed my port, I asked for the cheapest facility. Some facilities have an ICU unit, making it more desirable for some people. Other facilities offer spa amenities that appeal to others. The day of my surgery, Lopez had 2 patients. We met at the airport and rode to his office together. But I went to Oasis alone, and she was wisked away to some fancy resort. So on the same day, I paid $7,500 and she paid over $9,000. I actually had a breakdown of what each facility charged, but I didn't think to save it. Duh. Also, this could be rumor, but I heard Lopez had a special running awhile back. Also, someone posted that the Molding Clinic is running a special. So I don't know if these "specials" reduce the rates of the surgeon, or if you get a reduction in hospital costs. Also, if you go through a coordinator like Belighter, you'll pay more. Plus, some doctors bump up the price to include fills. Some docs have a menu to chose from: Surgery alone, or surgery plus some follow up and fills. Meanwhile, I suppose each lab can have varying prices. Some labs might charge $50 for the use of their fluoro equiment, while more advanced facilities would charge twice that. Boy, I feel like I finally contributed valuable information, even if I can't type for Beans today.

Penni, I think you shut them up. Good one!

Ro Ro, no, no, no! I did not do the backwards thing! We did the upside-downy thing. Big, huge difference.

Fran, I've heard other people that had flipped ports, and the doctors can sometimes massage the port back in place. Did they try that, at least flip it around to get you a fill before you can afford (through insurance) the revision? I've had back surgery, I know that pain. Try laying flat on the floor with your legs up on a table... pull up really close to the table so your butt is touching it (your legs will be in an "L" with calves resting on the table top.) This forces the lower back into the ground. Every time my back goes out, I watch TV this way with a heating pad under my back, and it's the only thing I get relief from.

The upside-downy-thingy was something I came up with so that he had to do all the work (geeze, I had stitches in my belly, okay?) But I thought I was gonna cough up the band, so I started yelling at him to stop, which only turned him on more. Heck, I knew he was a man, but I married him anyway. RO, very good point! Nice to know the surgeons don't want us coughing up a band.

Darcy (Nightengale2u) had really bad stomach pain that sounds similar to yours. She'll probably see your post and respond, but you might want to send her a PM.

The day I got home from the hospital... but we were careful. I'm always more careful with things now. There was this one sorta upside-downy thing that we did that made me think the band popped off, so we don't do that one any more.

I just read a really cool article in Rebook about ways to make up your mind. They took a twist on the old "Pros and Cons" list. Make a regular list of pros and cons, but give each item a value of 1 through 10 according to how important that one item is to you. For example, for the "Pro Band" side you'll write 1) Completely reversible. I would personally give that a value of 10. Then you'll probably write under the "Pro Bypass" list 1) Faster weightloss. I might give that an 8. When you're done making the entire list, add up all the numbers to see which side weighs more. In your case, you'd need 4 columns. Band Pros, Band Cons, Bypass Pros, Bypass Cons. Does that make any sense? I'm curious as to what you come up with. Good luck making your decision (but get the Band, get the Band... this coming from someone who has had nothing but complications.)

The only bras I can find in my size are underwire. But as soon as I get home I use manicure scissors to snip the bra, then I remove the metal part and throw it away. Much, much more comfy.

I think the doctor should personally call each and every patient the day after surgery. There's nothing more comforting after such trauma than hearing from the surgeon. And his staff should call patients maybe after a month, 6 months, a year. Something like that. And same-day returned calls for emergencies, or next-day return calls for non-emergencies, no excuses.