hagerteresa

Chrissy, It would be nice for all of us to know what/ if any symptoms you had in regards to erosion and your fill history. Thanks for the info, Teresa

I was thinking about statistics and our Lopez dilemma and here is the mathematical approach to numbers of erosions that could occur. Also some hypothetical curiousities. If Dr. Lopez proctored in the United States wouldn't all the surgeons he trained use his technique? Lopez apparently trained a popular Oregon Dr. named Emma Patterson who evidently trained the fellow that I am using for my fills. Also depending on the number of patients Lopez does band every year, I wonder what the number would be if he did have the statistical 1-3% erosion cases? I guess if he did 3 patients a day even just four days a week that is 12 per week times 52 weeks in a year equals 624 I think. !% would be 6 and could go up to 18 erosion cases per year... HMMM. It is weird that they were placed at the same time and diagnosed almost at the same time. Anyway just wanted to toss that out there and give us more to think on. I will definitely try to get a yearly endoscopy. I mentioned that to my new fill doctor about getting those done and he doesn't consider it neccessary at all unless there is an obvious problem. I am sure I can fanangle my primary care physician into ordering one though. I am going in to see my primary next week for a complete physical and blood tests. Figure it hasn't been done in years and was curious to see where I was lacking or if I had anything I needed to worry about. Well, once again very sorry about your situation Chrissy, Teresa

Well I am happily back home after receiving my first fill today. They used the flouro (recall last weeks fiasco w/out flouro) and it made it a whole lot easier. The fill doctor is also a band surgeon and he said my band looked perfectly placed. My concern and paranoia have kind of resurfaced again now that I have just read the new thread concerning more erosion issues with Lopez so I was glad to at least be told today nothing has slipped or looks odd. My port is kind of flipped on its side which is what made the fill attempt last week so impossible. Rather than being able to go straight down from above, he'll have to go from my left side in. He didn't think I would need port revision surgery anytime soon and said everyones kind of shifts some just with the weight loss. So, if Dr. Lopez proctored in the United States wouldn't all the surgeons he trained use his technique? Lopez apparently trained a popular Oregon Dr. named Emma Patterson who evidently trained the fellow that I am using for my fills. Also depending on the number of patients Lopez does band every year, I wonder what the number would be if he did have the statistical 1-3% erosion cases? I guess if he did 3 patients a day even just four days a week that is 12 per week times 52 weeks equals 624 I think. !% would be 6 or 18 per year... HMMM. It is weird that they were placed at the same time and diagnosed almost at the same time. Anyway glad my fill went well and I was happy to hear everything was intact. Teresa

You do look great! Nice to see the pics! I vote for #2. Teresa

Hi Chrissy, I too am sorry about your situation and of course it causes some alarms for me since I also had Dr. Lopez Corvalla place my band this past May. I just had my first fill and they used flouro. The fill doctor I used also performs the surgery and said my band looked perfectly placed. I would think it might look different if he was using a different technique but it is odd so many have had this problem with Lopez. Definitely suspicious. Have you gotten a second opinion on the matter? Best wishes, Teresa

I don't think Ann Marie is a bad person but I don't believe they can hold up to all the promises they say they'll provide, for example the 24 hour access to a nurse over the telephone, help setting up aftercare arrangements in my own area, etc. When I had concerns NOBODY called me back. Getting emailed responses back is asking too much as well. It seemed like Ann Marie kept in touch once in awhile the first month or so but as soon as I felt I had a problem or anything she won't respond. I am ticked that I had to pay extra money for services that don't exist. Had I been smarter I would have contacted the surgeons office personally. I think they made in the neighborhood of $2000 off of me and all she did was set up one single appointment.

Those are nice photos. That one of you and Chris is stunningly gorgeous. You'll get back on track. Glad you had fun, Teresa

My middle name is Lynn too!!! LOL.

Hi Veronica, Congratulations! I have a local band friend who just found out she is pregnant. She saw the fill doctor last week since finding out the big news and he said that for now he is going to keep her fill at the same and assess it every couple of months. Yours may not remove your fill either. I did hear about a banded girl pregnant with twins but haven't been updated on her situation in awhile. Best of luck to you. I didn't lose this week either but still holding steady. I get the first fill wednesday. Hopefully with the flouro they can get it in there this time. Teresa

Cheese and crackers, baked cheese puffs (yummy), slimfast candy bars (120 calories), chicken salad and crackers, sliced apples w/ the reduced fat carmel, popcorn, etc...

Hi Sue, Its possible that you'll be able to eat them until your first fill. I will be getting my first fill in a couple of days after 6 months of being banded. I can and still do eat some breads, rice and pasta but it is in much smaller amounts and I have to be extra cautious. I can only eat bread if it is toasted and very small bites. I'll be interested to see if I'll be able to after my fill. Best wishes, Teresa

Hi Margie, I too am greatful to have a group of understanding souls on this forum. Its nice to be able to converse all the time with people who have and are dealing with the same issues. I definitely have "blue" days and had one today. It just seemed like everything important I had to accomplish today was not going well and finally at one point I had the last straw and broke down crying. Life IS frustrating sometimes and we are dealt difficult blows frequently. I have to say though that for every bad thing that happens there are several good things that occur that I need to account for. Keep your chin up and understand that we will always be here to help cheer you up on the bad days. Teresa

No, no tip... It is actually amazing how rarely I do get tipped there. Sometimes I'll get a really great tip then won't get another one for months. I ussually do better when I am the person watching the inn while the owners are out of town. I think people really notice how much work it takes when I am all by myself keeping up with everything and still going to work on other houses too. I did get bunches and bunches of crabs which I am shelling at the moment and I am thrilled to have met him on such a personal level and gotten pics and autographs too. It was entirely too fun and cool. Teresa

I put the tealight in the hat package so it smells fresh and clean when it got there. I love the smell of that particular scent and its called Clean Cotton. I had my one and only candlelite party last spring and made off like a bandit on candle sales. I like the quality of their candles and products. I did it during their anniversary month so my prize ended up being double the normal, so I got an early start on my Christmas shopping. The year before I had my one and only pampered chef party and made off like a bandit in that as well. Ended up getting the most in sales the girl had ever seen and got most of my Christmas presents taken care of that year too. LOL... Now I got to think of next years party... The only problem is everything from pampered chef and candlelite is so girlie so I still have to end up thinking of other things for the guys. Best wishes, Teresa

Nobody has noticed I added pics of me and the guys yet... HMMM.

That all looked like SOOO much fun! I wish I could have met you all. We didn't do karoke in Vegas...That's not fair! So, Marie in the pics must be New Hope on the forum... So cool to finally see a pic of her. She looks great! Glad you all had fun, Teresa

I didn't have to do any preband diet and was able to eat till 9 pm. the night before surgery. My surgery went fine. I think it is just up to the individual doctors. Teresa

Here are the pic's.

Hi Darcy, No, I wasn't too worried about it getting there. I had speculated that it would arrive today so I am glad it got there early. You do look adorable in it. Teresa

I just had the coolest evening ever last night. I absolutely loved Rupert on Survivor the last two seasons but never thought I would actually get to hang out with him ever. Ends up they were in Oregon for a fundraiser and rented out the entire bed and breakfast I work at for the night last night. The organizers had asked Roberta to make them a dinner and I was asked to help serve and entertain. Not only was Rupert there but Rudy as well. Ethan and Jenna had also been on this Oregon trip but had to leave a day early. Anyway it was SOOOO much fun. Rupert was exactly how I always imagined he would be. They both posed for pics with us and gave us autographs. The meal ended up being less formal than Roberta (my boss) had planned, more buffet style so I was able to sit right down with each of them and chat just like normal people. TOOOO much fun!!! I love the Survivor shows and just thought I would share my cool experience with you all. They got to go crabbing yesterday and caught 25 huge crabs, had them cooked and ready to eat when they got to the B&B. MMMMM. I've never gotten to eat so much yummy crab before. LOL. Teresa

Darcy, I am so glad it fit AND it looks adorable on you!!! Did it arrive early this morning? WOW... You look great and I'm really glad you like it. Teresa

You all crack me up!!! As for myself, I don't find I have anymore or anyless of a problem since banding. I have always been able to let them fly out of either end and can still do so. I try to avoid embarrassing situations but alas... that is not always possible. My hubby will get a kick out of this thread, especially the blowing kisses bit. Teresa

How much of a fill did they give you? At the very least it sounds like your esophagus is irritated and you may be over filled. Did they do the fill under flouro or make you do any kind of drink test? Have you tried getting a hold of them since you were there for the fill regarding your problem? Hopefully one of the numerous nurse type people we have on the forum can give you some advice. You definitely don't want to mess around if you can't even swallow soup. Best wishes, Teresa

Hi Christina, I am a housekeeper and assistant inn-keeper. My job is pretty active and requires lots of bending, lifting, etc. I took one week off and was fine going back to work the following week. I had to take it a little slower and easier but otherwise it wasn't too terrible. I had flown to Mexico for my surgery, was in the hospital two nights, flew home and went shopping at Costco the following day. I found I was definitely sore but not unbearably the first few days. Good luck on your first appt. Teresa

Hi Ryan!!! I am so excited for you and your date with the surgeon!!! You deserve it and I know you'll do great! You are amazing losing 21 lbs before surgery and can't wait to see what you can do after the surgery. You and frank will be gliding way past us poor girls on the weight loss. LOL. Keep you chin up and we'll all be thinking about you this week. Promise to let us know how it goes as soon as you can. Teresa