DeLarla

And yes, being in the hospital agrees with my scale! I'm 3 damn pounds away from the 230s... geeze, could I do it? I still get 220 calories today, so I better go eat then glue my teeth shut. DeLarla's New Diet Glue - keeps teeth stuck together for 12 solid hours!

YEAH! I'm feeling better!

Vegas doesn't have a lottery or scratch off cards, plus whoever wins would have to mail their winning tickets all over the US to collect $2 or a free ticket here and there. Just scratch my idea, sounded fun for a sec.

I'll think I'll just remain my own little mystery

The odds aren't good, that's for sure. According to Inamed it's just a little coinky-dink though. I haven't even talked to them yet since my erosion was detected, but they'll get an earful tomorrow. Like I said, it's like living in a sick John Grisham novel, just waiting to see how the end blows up.

I have to applaud anyone that has had one then converts to another. To be strong enough to undergo both surgeries has my hat off to you!

Makes me the H word.

OMG, I just had a fab idea. Remember Nana's Christmas weight loss challenge where she offered a cloak to the winner? Well, what if we all send the LOSER a prize? Whoever loses most by March (the cutoff date) gets a prize from each person who joined? That's like a hundred presents! We could keep gifts from $5 - $10, just something simple. How fun would that be? And it might motivate me because I love 100 presents!

You little mystery!

Robyn, I would PAY for local support meetings. Now buck up, wash you face and get to those valuable meetings! Good luck for a better year

As far as people not doing sufficient research, that's not always true. I did my research and went to the Number 1 source of information, which is the company that makes the band. When Inamed told me that their top surgeon was Dr. Lopez, I believed them. I've had many conversations with Inamed employees, and Dr. Lopez even banded one of their mothers. So, if the maker of the band trusts Lopez to proctor their product, to teach other surgeons how to place their product, and to allow Lopez to band his own mother, then how much deeper do you expect research can possibly go? Our erosions have nothing do with lack of research. "My mexican doc actually had to cut layers of fat from around my stomach before placing the band." This statement somewhat concerns me. I've never heard a doctor skimming fat off the stomach before band placement. I've always understood that the procedure doesn't alter the stomach whatsoever. So if one goes under anesthesia thinking a band will be placed around the stomach, but wakes up to hear the fat was cut away, that sounds a little shaky to me, yes/no?

A little too ironic, don't ya think? This Inamed boys' club mixed with the Mexican doctors makes me ill. My US surgeon said he took what he learned from Lopez and improved upon it. He believes if Lopez practiced in US hospitals, that he'd be #1. However, Mexican standards fall far below the US, so their surgeons can take short cuts and do things that would never happen in the US. Makes me wonder if Lopez & other Mexican surgeons were practicing in the US, where they were forced to insert bands according to guidelines in an organized system, if these problems would be happening. No use calling Inamed, either. That's nothing but talking in circles. Sure, they're nice, but has anyone ever noticed that they'll keep you on the phone for an hour but never really say anything? Grrrr.

I noticed Alex still doesn't have an avatar. Tick tock, tick tock.

I wish my name was Ana so I could be Bandana. I guess it doesn't matter now though since I'd have to be Bandlessana. Never mind.

Good thread! Back to being good for all of us. I didn't enjoy too many holiday goodies this year since I learned I had erosion. Once you know your band is eroded, you get kind of queazy and are afraid to risk overeating. I guess my erosion saved any gain. But here I am, almost recovered from band removal and on my first day of counting calories. I get 1200 a day, which scares the pants off me. That's about how much falls on the floor while cooking! 1200 isn't much, but I have to make it work. I don't ever want to see 315 pounds again. That wasn't living.

I got Kare's CD and will use it as soon as I'm recovered from band removal. Weight ~ 243 January 3, 2006 Goal ~ To stick with 1200 calories a day and exercise every day. NSV ~ To wear this really cute size 18 outfit that I bought during a dream.

I never passed out, but I felt absolutely horrible for 2 weeks. I never thought it would get better but it did. Take it really easy and let your family pamper you. Walk as often as possible without pushing yourself. As for the pains, a Kingsize heating pad was my best friend. It was the only thing that brought my shoulders and back relief. Hang in there.

Welcome, and good luck on your jouney.

All I know is what I've read here in the past 1.5 years. I've never heard a single complaint about him or his facility - only the opposite. Good luck making your decision.

Thanks everyone Francesca, I tried calling you but got a wrong number. Most of you know that Francesca and I were banded at the same time, in the same hopsital. She had Ortiz, I had Lopez (they used to be partners but work separately now.) Now here we both are, unbanded. Today's the first day I'm starting to feel somewhat human again. That was a hell-of-a rough ride. I honestly don't think I could ever face another WLS again. Today's the first time food sounds/looks/smells good. I'm finding myself fighting the urge to eat since I'm not hungry, just and old habit. I have the best restriction in the whole world (probably due to swelling.) I was only able to eat 1/4 can of blended Soup and 2 oz cottage cheese befoer feeling too full, but the best part is that I don't get any horrible band PB feelings or misery, just wonderful fullness with no agony. If only it would last! So I'm up and about, and I plan to go back to work Thursday, maybe even tomorrow. I tore apart the sick bed and washed all the blankets and cleaned house a little, so it looks like I'll be back on my feet really soon. Thanks everyone for standing by my side through all this. I'm not one to lie or sugar coat, but the band removal experience was probably the worst thing I've ever been through. Then again, I'm the weirdo because everyone else seemed to come out okay. Francesca, I GOTTA get into that cute green skirt & sweater you gave me. I just gotta! Billy said I can have 1200 calories a day, so today I'm trying to count. Good luck to all of us for a lighter 2006.

I wasn't discharged the next day, so I didn't vote. I didn't get a barium though.

I think you can do it!!!!!

I'll be the nag who makes you all get regular endoscopies!

Like you can get rid of me? Kel, that was so nice of you

Welcome to Weirdoville! Even my own band surgeon calls me a weirdo. I hate to sound selfish, but it's nice that I'm finally not alone. Happy New Year, and good luck from the newest bandless bandster