New Hope

Hi, Aimee, glad to meet you! You have done a fantastic job on your weight loss! Do you have a goal weight? How has your life changed since you've had your band? Hope to get to know you better here!

Becky, from what you've said about your Dad, he'll have that dog two-stepping by the time you get back home! Please do a side-by-side of your before band w/puppy and your after band w/puppy. Wow!

Babs, wonderful job!

Lauren, what an exciting life you have waiting ahead of you! You will regain your health. You will be able to get out there and enjoy life with that handsome young son of yours. Have an uneventful surgery and a minimum pain recovery.

Oh, Ryan, you are a Sweetheart and I know Patty is just as precious! You hang onto hope and faith. They are powerful tools! Patty's pain will ease and your worries (emotional and financial) will ease. Thank you for letting us share your burden.

Mo, are you saying you've had three fills since being banded on Nov. 9? Your dr. was not concerned about giving you the third fill if you were pbing? Do you know how much fill you currently have in your band? Do you think you could possibly need a slight unfill? Please be careful. This can cause some very serious problems for you.

Thanks, Leatha! This is one I need to work on!

Lisa, do you have any vitamin E oil? That is good for itching, scar prevention, and wound healing.

Brenda, you've done amazing w/your weight loss! How long have you been banded and what are you currently filled to? Just a 0.2cc (smidgen) of an unfill will give you relief and will not cause you to eat more. Please be careful. I know you've worked too hard to risk losing your band now.

Hope the third time's a charm for you! You are so close to your goal!

Ryan and Patty, I'm asking God to successfully guide the surgeon's hands, relieve Patty's pain as much as possible, and give Ryan the needed strength and rest for the days ahead. Ryan, please be careful on that long drive back and forth. (((Hugs)))

I asked Ryan's permission to post a support thread for him and his wife, Patty. Ryan's wife had a debilitating back injury that has left her incapacitated and in severe chronic pain. Ryan is her husband, best friend, lover, primary breadwinner, and primary caregiver. Patty was receiving some pain relief recently from an implanted catheter that steadily releases medication. But a careless homeworker caused her to abruptly lose this catheter. Since then, Ryan has been trying to keep Patty comfortable with pain meds., but these are only keeping her heavily sedated. On, Monday, 1/24, the surgeon will reinsert the tunnelled epidural catheter. This will be placed in her epidural space in her cervical spine with no sedation. At this time, this device has offered Patty the most effective form of pain relief currently available. Ryan has stressed that they've been through much worse times. He realises this is just a day by day thing. But their main concern and hope is for a successful catheter implant and some relief from her chronic pain.

Leatha, so glad the worst is over. Hope you have a relaxing weekend.

And why shouldn't you be tripping out? You just played the lottery and won!! You're getting your health back! Yeah!

Teresa, that's amazing, girl!! How's the new car?

Hi, Trina, best of luck to you! Hope you can soon be regaining your health!

Finally!!! Good article.

Cy-tuss is a good RX cough syrup that works for me. Hope you're feeling better and can get a good night's rest tonight!

Pati, you're a Baby Bandster. Please concentrate on getting well right now. When you are able to eat regular foods again, your DH will see that you can still go out and eat together. But you'll be able to order a better, more expensive meal and split it. It is an adjustment when you've focused on where and what to eat as the main source of entertainment for so long. Now, you'll want to get out and do other things (non-food related) with him....walking, biking, hiking and enjoying each other more. And Michelle is right, he'll love the new, improved you (in bed and out)!

Yeah, Tanya! You're on your way, moving right on down your track!

Are you on clear liquids or full liquids? Clear liquids are like broth, jello, teas, gatorade, crystal light. Full liquids are like v-8 low sodium (feels filling), pudding, yogurt, cream soups (no chunks). How long will you be on liquids? Just try to take it one day at a time. Let your body heal properly and you'll be able to enjoy foods when the proper time comes. Please follow your dr's orders. Try to find non-related things to do to keep you from thinking about foods. Any hobbies, nice long shower, do your nails, fix your hair, etc. Don't watch t.v., too many food commercials! Is your dr. local? How much weight would you like to lose? You can do this! It's worth it.

Pretty puppy! Bet she'll outgrow that basket pretty quick. Looks like she could be related to my 9 yr. old cocker/mix.

Babs, you have made an amazing journey! Congratulations!

Best of luck to you on your journey to better health! Isn't it a shame that we have to hope we have bad enough health problems so insurance will o.k. us for a band? Hopefully, someday all insurance companies will acknowledge that tools like the band can certainly decrease or completely stop health problems, reduce RX expenses, surgeries, and early deaths.

I tried the chocolate after Michelle recommended it. It hits the spot when you've got that craving!