DeLarla

Even though my belly burns and hurts, the radiologist didn't see any leaks. I'm really frustrated at the lack of time he spent with me. From now on I think we all need to bring a friend with us when we get tested. I could have used my hubby whipping out his buck knife and making Doctor give me the time of f-ing day. How much barium should I have swallowed? Does 2 medicine cups (miniature shots) sound right? That's all they gave me, just a few sips, turn left, turn right, "You're fine." I said, "WAIT!" I asked to show me the band (big inconvenience) so he briefly pointed it out while telling the tech to print the page. I asked, "Do I have restriction?" He said the liquid went straight through, but he said the band looked good. I asked if they'd seen bands before, and they were reluctant to tell me anything. I asked if he'd seen erosion before, or a leaking band...... hello, hello? Where did you go? Where did the doc go?" Gone. So, according to the Upper GI doctor, my band looks fine and I need to shut up. With these results, I'm not sure my insurance will cover an endoscopy. I'm going to say it, so get your shoes ready - I was really hoping for erosion to get this thing out of me. But the tech, at the last second, said, "Now you go home and adhere to your band rules." SO THEY HAVE SEEN BANDS! She finally admitted they'd seen them.

Dave, please post the name and address of the hospital. I can't take knowing my Sweet lil Betty Boop friend is in pain. How are you holding out? All my love, Lis

Cracking up here... according to my Upper GI, no leaks. I'll go start a thread. Doot doot doot doot doot doot doot doot Hi ho, Hi ho.

Uht oh, Uht oh It's off to Radiology I go; This band will drive me nuts I know; Uht Oh, Uht Oh, Uht Oh, Uht... You write the next verse. Everybody sing along!

A stranger sent this to me, I thought it was too sweet not to share: THE RAINBOW BRIDGE There is a bridge connecting heaven and earth. Its called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colours. Just this side of the bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved pet passes on, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. The old and frail animals are young again and those who are maimed are made whole again. They play all day long with each other. There is only one thing missing. They're not with their special someone who loved them on Earth. Each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches , the ears perk up, the eyes are staring and this one pet suddenly runs from the group. You have been seen and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace . Your face is kissed again and again and again and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together and never again to be seperated. Yours truly JOHN A

I was going to "try" to respond, but that Garth song tore me up. That's awesome, thanks for the tears (semi-sweet ones, anyway.)

Sorry, but I don't even need to read the post since the Subject Line is enough for me to say YES, YOUR DOC IS A CRACKHEAD.

TOLD YOU SO, TOLD YOU SO, TOLD YOU SO, TOLD YOU SO! What a GREAT POST that we all really needed right now!

Tell me you actually didn't say that only "sometimes" they are overrated. I'll trade you my delusional sister and raise you my bi-polar aunt. Fold? That's why Slumber rules! My Slumber Sisters are the best, like sisters are supposed to be.

Thanks, Penni. Today I'm okay, it's weird. Yesterday was torture trying to make the right decision. Maybe it's the Xanax, and every so often I choke back tears, but now I'm surrounded by a certain peaceful sense of being. I choked terribly when I lost my Cockateil. Then Chris and I had matching vivid dreams that our little birdy just left US to be with Gramma B (Chris's mom.) When Chris told me Gramma B. and Max were waiting for Kitty Milo, things seemed right. I've heard Milo cry three times this morning and went to find him. It hurts, but he's okay now. He's okay. Thanks everyone. I never posted the hell I went through when he was sick and didn't think I'd be able to talk about it, but I'm working double-time convincing myself that death is part of life. It's hard, but Milo's death was a beautiful, heartwarming experience since he left tucked sweetly against my heart. I'll never forget that, and that's what I'll focus on during rough times... sweet furbaby tucked in my heart. And Sachi's nurturing concern had her face to face with me all night. 50 pound Pitbull snuggled so deep in my face because she's sad, but she also knows Mamma needed that, with Vooey right at my feet and Chris watching over us, crying himself.

Alex, for example, the rumor was, that Diane was rushed to an American hospital because Mexico couldn't help her. Reality is that she was taken to an American hospital based on the fact her insurance would cover it. Good lesson learned! But going back to what Kathy said, I'm in the same boat as her when it comes to all the options (or lack thereof) how to get band care. It's like pulling teeth while on fire while jumping through hoops while being placed on hold for days and getting nothing but pre-recorded voice-prompted message machines. Where do we go? Who do we call? For me, I gave up on Mexico. I went to my primary doc in a fit of exhaution, and he gave in and referred me to a Gastroenterologist. Tick tock, tick tock, it took a month to see the Gastro, who had never seen a band. I showed him the picture, explained the process, etc. I even told him that I needed an Upper GI and explained what he was looking for. I told him the barium had to flow through the band, and if there was any flow around, our any leaks, then I'd need an endoscopy to confirm erosion. I was really lucky, cuz he's someone I saw years ago for anxiety that used to be a PA but has since completed medical school and chose gastro! So we had a little history. He wrote down names of band surgeons both locally and told me not to worry since even surgeons that aren't experienced with removing an eroded band DO have experience with other similar things (like fixing bullet wounds or coils for hernia repair.) So tomorrow is my Upper GI. I'll tell ya'll what happens next.

This whole thread went awry. It's just a "venting thread" about anxiety. A place to support our friends that are being unbanded and give a much-needed scream about our own individual worries. If someone doesn't have the need to vent, then there's no reason to join in. I agree that there are many happy bandsters, and I agree that stress can cause a lot of symptoms and really screw with our heads. And I agree that some of us might be jumping to early conclusions. But I've been lurking the boards and there are so many different threads where people are "freaking out" that I decided to open up a thread for those of us with similar anxieties. Alex, most of what we heard here at LBT about Diane Beck was B.S. I talked to her personally, and she couldn't believe the gossip and untruths being said about her experience. The fact is, a bunch of us are worried about our bands, then a few of us start eroding. I felt the need to vent, and apparently others did as well. So vent we shall.

Thanks, everyone. I drugged myself with Xanax pretty heavily yesterday because I kept thinking of all the things I should have done, like giving him a 2nd can of tuna before going (instead of his 2nd favorites, liverworst & chicken salad.) I'd give anything to hold him one more time, but the truth is, I'm very proud of myself. I hurt, but I feel good because I raised an amazing little boy. He was "abnormal" when it comes to cats. He loved strangers, fetched, was best friends with my bird, jumped out of the car during camping trips then jumped back in after going potty - like a dog. He was trained like a dog, even though I never trained him, I just held him close to my chest the day he was born and whispered in his ear, and I did that every day, got his shots and good medical care, fed him the best (according to vets) and made sure he was inside every night. Waking up without his tricks and habits makes me ill. He'd sit on the bathroom counter and let me put blush on him. We got ready for work together - he used to jump in my sun roof and try to come with me. Or he'd hide under tables and whack my husband's leg trying to spill his coffee, often suceeding, which was a really fun game. Alex, the pain sucks, but all that love, all those years, I was never alone. Even when I was sick, he'd walk circles around me crying and never leave my side. In the end. Sachi, Kitty Milo, Voodoo & I would just lay in bed snuggling & watching over Kitty. Losing a pet any other way would be unbearable. I'd never forgive myself if he just wandered off one day, or was hit by a car. But I held him in my arms the whole time, and gave him back all that love he gave me. Sure, I'll be stoned on Xanax for a week, but I feel really good about myself for raising him, from the first minute to the last. I have an incredible story about him. 15 years ago, a Momma cat was pregnant so my mom put a box on the porch. She also used to put food out for a different wild cat. The day our Mamma went into labor (my Mom's b-day) we saw the wild cat in the box! She was birthing our cat's kittens. So I grabbed the video and watched nature do it's thing. The wild cat birthed three kittens, then suddenly started convulsing. We thought it was dying, but she was apparently in labor herself. Our cat, exhausted, turned around and birthed the wild cat's 3 kittens. After 2 were born, Ryan (my then boyfriend) started saying, "Milo is coming out next." So Milo was named before he was born, and he was the very last baby, born of a wild cat - 3 each. Was kind of weird since the movie Milo and Otis was already out, and my Milo, like the famous one, was the only orange tabby out of the bunch. Alex, go get her a pet. It's an unconditional love that only their snuggling can define. The pain will eventually subside, but the loving memories will be with me till I meet him on the other side. But having to face work today sucks - badly.

I'm too exhausted to help right here, but go to my screen name under, "See all posts by this member" and read everything having to do with port removal/revision. I don't have a port - even though I've had two in the past. Sorry to be so brief, but I'm in mourning. Good luck.

So what if I'm a stress wreck? The question is, "Would I do it again?" The answer is, "Probably." LBT has always been the one board where the God's honest truth comes out. If anyone is looking for sugar-coating, go to another board. Had I known SO MANY personal friends before getting banded that had erosion, I would never have gotten the band. So if all these erosions help even one person decide not to take the gamble, then they might be saving their own lives. Read what you want to, people. If it's too deep or too REAL for you to handle, then politely jump to the next thread. Anyone that knows me knows I speak from my heart, and if something needs to be said, I'm going to say it. Diane Beck ALMOST DIED FROM LAPBAND REMOVAL SURGERY DUE TO EROSION. If anyone thinks I've caused a stampede or have lost control of my senses, read that line again. The band is "potentially" deadly and comes with a variety of risks, erosion is just one of them. I'm sorry if anyone was hyped about getting the band but this thread scared them. But all I've done is open everyone's eyes. Be responsible for your band and have it checked - often! Michelle eroded in just a matter of months, so if you don't have an endoscopy scheduled, or at least regular Upper GI's, let this be a wake up call. Chances are that most of us worry warts are fine. But if a certain percentage erode, then someone in this very thread may be eroded right now, and we all need to get checked out on a regular basis.

My precious angel, Kitty Milo McSorley-Bonekovic, left me today, peacefully in my arms, just like he came into the world 15 years ago. It breaks my heart to share such a sad photo, but even at 5.5 pounds compared to the 23 pound hunter he used to be, you can see the love and devotion this little man nurtured me with for most of my life up until his very last strained breath. I refused to put him down when the Vet said to last Saturday because Kitters wasn't ready yet. But today he was. I picked him up with his 15 year old Teddy Bear, and he tucked his face in me lifelessly with one are around his baby, so we went to the doctor where my sweet furbaby was sent to the angels in my arms. I'm only able to share since Chris medicated me, so I probably won't be around for a while. Wretched pain - makes no sense, does it?

Save yourself the money, ladies. While they are great garments, you can make your own with Control Top Support Hose. No, they don't run or roll up when you cut the legs off. I wear them in the summer with little dresses to keep my legs from rubbing, and they really slim you down for a tiny fraction of wearing all that Lycra.

Thanks, Vera. Any word on Michelle or Francesca? I talked to both of them last night and Francesca said she'd have hubby Dave post. DAVE, talk to us! Erosion Anxiety Girl, Lisa (see other thread.)

I'm sick, I feel like crap, my stomach is bothering me, I can't explain it, my belly gurgles different, I didn't eat much today, not due to restriction, but due to it feeling "creepy" and weird, I'm concerned about my friends who were unbanded today, I just want to be normal, I've flipped my lid, I "have a feeling" I'm eroded, I hate the suspense, I can't think straight, Penni can't think straight, all I want for Christmas is an At-Home-Erosion-Detector-Kit. Anyone else got anything to say about potential erosion?

Hi everyone, CARMENTORRES sent me a PM asking me to post this for her since she doesn't know how to start a thread. Show her some LBT love, babies! hi i have not yet had my surgery but i am extremely nervous, i go in for my consult today from 4:30-7:30 i know that i have to do something and i have tried every diet and excercise program there is, with no success. i know that there are risks . but dont know what those are. if you know how to post this so everyone can see it, i would appreciate any feedback i can get from you and everyone, i am new to this site and do not know how to post a message for everyone to see.

My gosh, I've been through such hell of my own the past month, then brand new heartache over one of my furbabies that this just hit me like a ton of bricks. Ladies, please know you're in my heart, it's just that my heart is broken right now and numb. Michelle, are you & 'Cesca having removal together? I'm so sorry for being absent, but trust me when I say it's with good reason. All my love to you girls who have been my friends and strength throughout my own band journey.

I wonder if that's what they were looking for when I had to bring a tuna salad sandwich to the lab. I'm not even kidding! My pre-op was to bring a "salad type sandwich. It was the first time in my life where they told me to eat as fast as possible, then I had to lay still under x-ray machines to see how food moved. Odd.

I'll come out of the closet first and say, "I'm envious of Sue." I'm thinking strongly of converting, but that's not even a financial option. Sue, good good extra good luck. Karen, Francesca & Michelle are both having their bands removed due to erosion.

My 4 friends (Karen, Donali, Fracesa, LaMadam) were all banded in Mexico with Inamed bands. Two were Lopez patients, two are Ortiz patients. I know several others, but considering these are all personal friends of mine, the numbers are way higher than 1-3%.

1. DeLarla is a nickname given to me by a delicious, young bartender many years ago. He said, "Lisa is too common for such a gem, you're parents should have named you DeLarla." He was Heavenly. 2. Currently reading The Lady, the Chef, and the Courtesan... BUT, I just finished the Red Tent, which every woman should read - excellent. 3. Lisa is a paralegal by day, DeLarla sells lingerie and adult items at night. 4. I'm grateful for the love, baby. From my fur babies and friends who accept my chemical imbalance and put up with my $@% but still love me anyway. 5. People might be surprised that I'm always right. (Laughing here.) People think it's weird that I know every song lyric on the radio. I never stop singing. 6. One word to describe me? Complex. I want to be simple, but it's all twisty up there. 7. One word others use to describe you? Funny. 8. Would you rather play a game with someone better or worse at it than you? I'd rather lose a game and win a word battle - it fuels me. 9. Favorite movie? Lorenzo's Oil. Favorite show: American Idol, but hear me out: Forget about the judges; I'm a dreamer so watching these young kids achieve dreams that are beyond comprehension fills my heart & soul. I live vicariously though them because dreams really do come true. 10. Something unusual about yourself? I'm obsessed with the Amish.