New Hope

Wow, Lauren! Just look at that window, it says it all....As much difference as day AND night! You are beautiful!

I'm happier, more content, more outgoing, more compassionate to others. I'm a lot healthier, less health problems, less prescriptions (and their side effects and costs). I enjoy clothes shopping now - a much wider variety of styles and colors. I look forward to what I'm going to go do, not just what I'm going to go eat. I smile a lot more and notice complete strangers smiling back at me.

Congratulations to that next step...Mushies!! Hey, great weight loss, girl!

Now that's an NSV to brag about! And we all know how those men's jeans are cut. Good for you!!

Norma, have you had earlier digestive problems? Perhaps you should mention this to your dr. An endoscope is a tiny laproscopic camera that they can run and see what's going on inside. The "upper" scope checks your esophagus and tummy. The "lower" scope checks your several feet of intestines. It could be that the problems you're having are not band related. I have irritable bowel syndrome and take meds for that (and had it pre-band). There are several other problems that can cause some of the symptoms you're describing. Your dr. would be the one that can give you accurate answers. I do hope you find out what's going on and can start feeling better. have you tried over the counter Gas-X to see if that helps?

Norma, you do realize that you'll have to go through another surgery to have the band removed? And a recouperation period? And you'll have no means of restriction to help you control how much and what type of foods. You'll revert back to your old ways of eating. Please give yourself time to get over the initial surgery. Not everyone has the bleching and farts. I never have had those problems. Best of luck to you. If you don't give yourself an honest try, you'll never know if this was the right thing to do or not.

I wanted to share an e-mail that I rec'd from Philip (Blossom's husband today). He states that he has no problem with any information that we have shared on this thread. He has been honored, comforted, and overwhelmed by the outpour of love. He is happy and proud when he reads all the posts of sympathy and condolences. He said that he could use a prayer or two sent his way and that he will keep in touch. He is truly a remarkable man!

You are doing amazing, girl!! And that pintos and cheese is going to taste so good to you. Keep up the good work!

Norma, what is an average day's menu for you? Are you eating solids now? Are you doing non-food related activities with your time now? Have you thought about seeking counseling for living w/your band? You have really had a struggle and that might be very beneficial to you. There's a lot of mental work to do along w/the physical part of living w/ our band and our new life style changes. Best of luck to you in your decisions.

I don't weigh or measure my foods. I prepare my meal on a salad plate or saucer and that seems an adequate amount.

Welcome, Kara, we have a lot of TX bandsters here...all good folks! Who did your banding and how much weight would you like to lose?

Corgi, congratulations!! I too had a lot of pain that first night. I was glad I stayed in the hospital so I could use the bariatric bar over my bed to pull myself in and out of bed. That really helped. Did you feel like a turtle stuck on your back? It really will get better. Please keep sipping and walking. That will help w/the bleching too. You're an honest to goodness bandster now! Yeah!

Hope, Capitol One offers low interest financing. You might check their website. A lot of drs. will have their application form in their office. Good luck!

It will be a lot easier just getting one eye done. I let my eyes rest that evening, but was back the next day, no problems. I was required to have someone w/me to be released, since they gave me valium (relaxant) for the procedure.

Lauren, that's a wonderful milestone! Keep up the great job!

Oh, Jamie, that makes me hurt just reading about it! Healing (((Hugs))) to both of you. One thing, don't say "What else can happen?" That is a guaranteed jinx and you'll find out (speaking from experience). Take care and BOTH of you, please get well.

Hi, Heather, I responded to your other thread. You might want to delete one so you'll get more responses. It avoids confusion to posters. So glad to hear all is going well for you.

Waving right back at you and hoping for an easy approval process. How much weight would you like to lose? Please keep us posted how things are going. Best of luck to you.

Yeah, Grammi! Now get that date and let us know! So happy for you.

Tanya, good for you! I had to wait a long time too. But I think it just convinced me that I really wanted to do this and gave me time to learn as much as possible. Yes, liquid tylenol (adult strength). Also, get a filled RX for Phenegran suppositories. Hopefully you won't need them, but all bandsters should have some on hand -- just in case they get a "bug" of some sort w/real vomiting. We can't wait to hear about your journey!

Aurora, are you pbing (throwing up - like baby spitup) often? If you are, this is not good and could be because you are filled too tight, eating too quickly and/or swallowing too big of bites. Were you doing this before your fill -- as often? Bites of solid food should be no bigger than a pencil eraser and chewed to a pulp before swallowing. If you're doing this since your fill, then a very slight unfill (even 0.2) may make all the difference in the world and still give you good restriction. How about tracking your calories on www.fitday.com for a few days? This is a good way to see what types of food choices you are making, calorie contents, etc. Are you getting consistent (routine) exercise? Are you getting your daily water load in? Good luck and please let us know how you're doing.

Hi, EC, congratuations on your upcoming banding! Wow, that's Wednesday!! We have several Dr. Ponce' patients. I'm sure they'll respond soon. Have you tried doing a "search" (at the top of the page) for his name? I just wanted to wish you the very best of luck. How much weight would you like to lose?

Continued prayers and (((hugs))) to you and your family. Your mother must be pretty special to be taking care of this little guy. I know they will have a very special life-long relationship.

Karen, please take care of yourself and let us know what you find out. (((Hugs)))

Hope, you have the right to respond to any post that you'd like! We're all here to support, encourage, and share with each other. I would suggest that you go to the introductions and start a new thread about yourself. You can share whatever you feel comfortable with. You'll get more responses that way. I noticed that you'd asked earlier about self-pay options and about a couple of different drs. Best of luck to you on your journey for better health!