DeLarla

I had several conversations with Larry from Inamed yesterday and this morning. He is standing firm that erosions happen 1% worldwide, and Lopez rates are much lower. He told me a long time ago Dr. Kuri's patients were all complaining - almost like there's always one doctor on the hot seat. He said Karen and Chrissy, who were both banded on the same day and both eroded, were coincidental. He still says Lopez is the best of the best. And on a completely different note, I'm trying a new protein shake right now and GAG. Advant Edge - YUCK. Damn, I bought a whole case. I'd rather drink barium.

I was never able to eat even a bite in the morning, so I made protein shakes. But I got tired of dealing with the blender so I went to Costco and bought a few cases of pre-mixed protein shakes. They go down really easy, and they're super convenient. I hope to get a new port, too! Even if I can only have it for a few months because I really need a fill.

I spoke with Larry at Inamed. He said that Lopez does a lot more bands than other doctors, and his erosion rate is low at only 1%. I don't know how accurate the numbers are since not everyone reports erosions, but that's what Larry just told me.

Makes sense. Thanks.

Nope, not healing. Leaking. Gross. Next time I see Penni I'm gonna get good and drunk and let her put a new port in me.

Margret, why should I call Inamed when YOU are the one that posted the letter? Why can't you just tell us the date the letter was written and stop playing games?

Margret, please answer one last question. What is the date of the letter you attached from Inamed? Don't forget the year. Thanks.

Margret, please answer one last question. What is the date of the letter you attached from Inamed? Don't forget the year. Thanks.

Michelle, can you explain why Ortiz can tell you have no erosion based on a barium swallow? I'm confused - I thought only an endoscopy can show erosion. I had good Upper GI results recently so my doctor didn't schedule me for an endoscopy. How can Ortiz be sure there's no erosion without an edoscopy? Why do some people need the scope while you & I just had the barium swallow? Maybe you can Ortiz or Martinez next time you talk to them? So far I can't seem to get a straight answer. Thanks.

Margret, here's your quote, "I know where you work and I know the same people as you, so you better watch out." Where did I post my job location? Who are these people that we both know? I've asked you this several times, but you always answer in bits and pieces. Now I'm reading that you have food clogged in your port. Must be nice to have a port. Never knew food could get clogged in there. Sounds mighty unhealthy. I thought the port only held saline. Can anyone explain? How does food get outside the stomach to get clogged in the port?

I'm glad everything worked out. You're lucky to have such great care so close to home. He's a very impressive man.

Every doctor has different pre-op rules. I was banded with 6 other people, and some ate a huge meal the night before surgery. I was told to fast for 24 hours on clear liquids. One of the women didn't get any instructions, so she ate peanuts on the plane, which caused problems for her since she needed to get her labwork done before surgery - the peanuts did something to her blood sugar level, so she got tied up in the lab an extra hour. Good luck to you!

I'm having problems with my band, but they are not the same as yours. They had to remove my port, so now I can't get fills. I need a new port, but I don't have the money. Maybe one day I'll know what it's like to be overfilled, but for now, good luck to you.

I just sent Penni an IM that said I'm trying to sneak back into bandland gracefully, as if I never fell off. I want to avoid any extra pressure (like a challenge) so maybe I'll get back to eating small portions. Thanks, Zoe!

I'm here with ya, Babs. I keep putting the same 6 pounds on. My official weigh in date is right around the corner, and I may actually have a gain for the first time. Hell's bells, why does it have to be so difficult!

I sent Greg a PM cause I'm backing out of this challenge before it's too late. I'm sinking into the old "diet mentality" that got me fat to start with. My band challenges me every day, and I'm not in a good place (mentally) right now to take on a challenge. I'm afraid it will do me more bad than good, so see ya on another post. Good luck to everyone.

I just lost my "6 pounds of Mexico Vacation weight" last week. But I gained them back over my Thanksgiving vacation. Last night I was disgusted over the gain, so I binged. I only have a little restriction, but I fight it. I'm not sure what to do about a port right now. I've got too much on my mind. Good luck to everyone, today's a new day!

I asked Inamed about Water last week. I was concerned that if I drank too much of it, or if I drank too fast, that it would stretch my band. They said drink, drink, drink. No problem with water stretching the pouch. I'm able to guzzle pretty good, which is a nasty habit, but I'm still learning to slow down. I had no problem drinking thick milkshakes, except they are really fattening. Cottage cheese and mashed bananas sound great to me. I was so gassy already that nothing I ate or didn't eat would make it any worse. Sounds good.

Margret, a couple short questions: 1. How do you know so much about me if you never read my personal medical file? 2. You claim Lopez is correcting all of his past problems. Why hasn't he contacted anyone from this post? 3. You threatened me IN WRITING. If you are not connected to Lopez or Gaby on a personal or employment level, what recourse were you planning to take against me? 4. Who are the people that we both know in the legal community that you planned on using against me (from your written threat to my PRIVATE e-mail account?)

I'm not an alcoholic. I'm a drunk. Acoholics go to meetings. Saw that bumper sticker in Hollywood and it made me go "hummmmmm."

Vickie, I came here to delete my post after getting a good night's sleep because I figured Margret isn't worth my 2 cents. But after reading your reply, I'm not erasing anything. Well done. If I had an ounce of fighting energy left, I'd take your advice and call Mexico to see if their's a hospital Chief of Staff (or something similar.) But I'm done chasing Lopez. Margret wants to know if we've tried calling since he straightened up his act. But he hasn't corrected any problems with his practice since he's STILL not calling his patients to see how they're doing (his personal promise.) "We'll be in touch with you on a regular basis." Margret, how often does his "regular basis" occur in Mexico? How can you say he corrected problems when the biggest one is still untouched? Margret doesn't know when to keep her mouth (or fingers) shut. The quote she added from Larry Fulton at Inamed was the dumbest thing she could have done, since I'll be using it extensively tomorrow in my battle. She's providing amunition, not assistance. Margret works for Doctor Lopez (or is a close personal friend) because she sent e-mails to my private e-mail address. She threatened me and said, "I know all about you and where you work, and I know the same people that you know so you better watch out." She has information from my personal medical file. Breach of patient confidentiality isn't tolerated in the United States and she'd get a mighty slap on the wrist, but it's apparent that anything goes in Mexico.

I'm confused with the "rumors" you're talking about. Three of my personal friends had their bands removed due to erosion in the past couple months. Three different friends have been promised their records but never received them. Several of us on this thread alone have left countless messages that he never returned, and he has never called any of us with his promised "follow up" care. What is your definition of a rumor? We are here to share and learn. The more we share, the better prepared we are. I'm taking your word, Margret, so I look forward to hearing from Dr. Lopez in the next couple days since he's taking care of all his old problems.

Margret, you won't be happy till I have a complete nervous breakdown over my open wound, will you? It's been open and oozing for over six months, yet Dr. Lopez has NEVER called me. NOT EVEN ONCE! Dr. Lopez ignored my infected, oozing, puss-filled infection so long that another doctor had to remove my port at my expense. Lopez could have saved my port. Is he planning on doing my 3rd surgery to replace my port? If he's rectifying old problems, shouldn't I be on the top of his list? Why is he taking on new patients when he refuses to take care of old ones? He's broken a list of promises to me personally: 1. Lisa, this is a life-long, two-way relationship, so you stay in touch with me and I'll be in touch with you on a regular basis. (I've called over 30 times. He's never called.) 2. Lisa, I understand your concern with emergency aftercare so I'm referring you to Dr. Teng and Dr. Fisher in Las Vegas for emergencies. (He referred me to doctors that refuse to treat Mexican band patients.) 3. Lisa, I promise to call you back personally in two days to discuss your port removal (I'm still waiting - it's been several months.) How typical of you to disappear without responding to any comments. If you have such faith in Dr. Lopez, why don't you explain to him how badly he hurt me? Tell him he made promises to an innocent American girl who put her life in his hands six months ago and foolishly believed his empty promises. If he cared, he'd start going through his files and call each and every one of his patients, regardless of complications, and do regular follow-up calls that was part of the price of the surgery. He doesn't need a personal advocate - he's a big boy. He knows how to dial my number. He doesn't need you to start problems, or does he? As far as his skills and abilities, they mean nothing here because you can't help your clients if you pretend they don't exist. Tell HIM to call ME. Tell HIM to fix HIS patient. Tell him to make me feel safe and confident. I want my doctor to fix me. Why won't he fix me? Why won't he call me? How come he promised to call me but never did? Margret, I got a band to save my life (like the rest of us here.) But now I feel like avoiding LBT because I'm too humilated since I'm gaining weight. I've gained 6 pounds because I'm desperate for a fill, but I can't have one. Are you laughing? Are you going to tell Dr. Lopez how miserable I am because I want a fill but I don't have a F-ING port? Are you still proud of Dr. Lopez? I'm disgusted by your ignorance. And don't even think about threatening me again or sending me private messages or personal e-mails like you did last time. Your threats don't scare me, and if you sic your husband on me again, I'll consider it harrassment. If you have something to say, say it here publicly or better yet, call me at home. You have my number since you admitted to knowing everything about my PERSONAL file. Why are looking at confidential medical records? Does Dr. Lopez share our files with you, or do you sneak behind his back to read them? Why don't you tell everyone how you know so much about me when I don't even know you?

Penni & I got up and walked at 7am. Then me & hubby went to the beach and I walked and walked and walked, just trying to get hungry enough to have dinner. It's 5pm and I just had my first food (couple Doritos) but I'm nowhere near hungry. My band is the funniest little thing since just yesterday I didn't feel much restriction at all. Best of luck to everyone, Happy Thanksgiving!

I ran today, I swear I did! Ask Penni... she ran, too! (Does distance count?)