New Hope

Hi, I'm Marie, married to high school sweetheart, 2 sons. I was banded 5/26/04.During all this drama, I found food to be my constant companion. Now I've taken time to get ME healthier. The first really major aid has been this band. I've lost 24 lbs. so far. For the first time in years, I feel good!

Wow, Vera, everyone loves a "love story"!

Lisa, please let someone come with you to Mexico. Two people can hear something in an entirely different way. If you don't feel like driving back to Vegas, your friend can drive for you. You are not being co-dependent. I'd be very, very concerned if you wer trying to make this drive and surgery all by your self. Nothing is going to go wrong. But you always need a back up plan in case there's a change in the routine. A second person with you will be able to listen and get vital info. for you. Hopefully the child will stay home. That would not be a fun trip for a child. You sound like you have a great supportive friend, that's more that willing to go on this adventure with you. Hang in there. Then return home safely....

Please have a back up plan (concerning need to stay overnight or not.). My surgery was scheduled for 5:30 am. We got there @ 5 a.m. I was actually put on the operating table at 1 p.m. Then there was the hold up in getting a room. That just goes to show "well laid plans" are subject to change. And all you can do is make the best of it. Do be sure someone will be with you when you come out of surgery. You don't want to fall and pull any lines loose. You're going to do just great!

My gastrologist also recommended Benefiber. He said Metamucil just expands in your stomach. (I take it because of colon polyps and as a laxative.) You can add it to about anything. I have been dissolving my prescription meds. in a tablespoon of water before taking them. I don't want anything getting hung up. So far, so good.

Don't you wish humans had half the compassion and understanding that your animals do? They love you unconditionally and are never in a bad mood. Our "zoo" is the best batch of homecare nurses you could ever want I can honestly say they kept me from going bonkers.

Tylenol Sore Throat Maximum Strength Adult Liquid is the very same thing. They both contain 1000 mg. acetaminophen. Just a little different packaging. (Can you tell I'm reading this off the bottle?) I guess their marketing figures they'll nab more customers with two bottles of the identical stuff.

Wow, $150,000 a year! Oh, yeah, they're probably putting themselves through college, too. We have the infamous Anne Nicole Smith from here. And we won't mention her antique husband. Yeah, I agree those kind of guys are GROSS!

Best of luck to you! Please take it easy.

Didn't you say something about wanting to be a stripper on a pole? Hmmm, the glove.

Wow, I'm worn out just reading your posts! Please do whatever is necessary to get well. That might mean a detour in your Lapband functions. But you don't want any infection left untreated. You know that you can lose weight. Look how great you've already done on your own! Pleae take care of yourself and try to get some rest. Stress can make you physically sick. You WILL get back on track, you just hit a pothole in the road.

I hate to be the dummy on the block. But what is the surgeon planning on doing? Is he replacing the whole lapband? Did you say you're going to need a third surgery? I know you can't be certain until he actually sees you.

I too am a member of the "boobless brigade". Of course with what weight I've lost, that's the first place to go. Maybe we can all get a group discount on implants.

My dr. requires you stay overnight for a routine lapband. They kept me on i.v. antibiotics until the next day. I ended up having extras done (gallbladder, tumor) so I stayed 2 1/2 days. I was glad I stayed. It was nice to get pain meds. through the i.v. and not have to wait for a pill to kick in (after you get the RX filled.) I didn't feel like going home, having problems, having to come back through the e.r. (sitting 2 or 3 hrs.), and paying out more $$ to get back into a hospital room.

Alex, you're an inspiration to all of us. Even us sawed-off squatty runts.

Lisa, best of luck! If it will make you feel any better, my husband had to have his dialysis catheter replaced because of similiar problems. That was here in the good ole USA by a top transplant surgeon! So you could have had the same problems here. But I know the main thing has been getting someone to respond to your need for help.

Lisa, this will work out. But I can only imagine how frustrated and scared you are. You're in my prayers. Take care.

You've found an excellent board for support, understanding, and encouragement. Best of luck to you on your journey!

Lisa, how are you feeling today? Please take it easy. Good luck in getting an appt. to see a local band doctor! Please don't get depressed if you're temporaily eating more than you should. You've lost a lot of weight already! They say everything lost before your first fill is a plus. Take care of yourself!

Wow, now I know you're really scared! But in reality what knowledgable band doctor is going to be available on a Sunday? Please take it easy, keep taking your antibiotics, you have your wound cleaned, and see a local band doctor as soon as you realisitically can. Best of luck to you! I know your puppies are taking good care of you.

Have you tried Cream of Wheat? It seemed to "stick to my ribs" a little more. Mylicon Drops (infants simethicone/anti-gas) helped me. You can get a lot of good info. here from our experienced bandsters! Best of luck to you!

I'm really not surprised about the vet helping you. With insurance co. paying drs. less, we're getting less medical help and costing us more. Thank goodness you went to Urgent Care before this burst. That would have really scared you to death! My husband had a similiar problem with an abdominal surgery. They'd left a stitch in and it took about 3 years before it finally worked it's way to the surface. It did the same thing. I know you don't have any stitches, but you still had infection. Maybe your local dr. was out of town. When the dr. is out, the staff sometimes goofs off. It's nice to know your husband appreciates you for your smarts (renting good videos, etc.).

Wow, you look great! I have dodged a camera for so many years, I don't think I have a recent "before" picture. It's all etched in my memory.

I "think" I've lost about 24 lbs. But my scale seems to weigh lighter than the drs. I'll know for sure on 6/28. But no one has noticed my weight loss either. Maybe we need to get some spandex. (Now for me, that's a very scary thought!)

Wow, you really did have an alien inside! Please take it easy!