Penni60

YUP 12 gauge loaded and cocked. LOL!!!! Car running! Heater going! Billy alerted. OR ready.

I am not sure how far Tahoe is from Vegas but Billy does business out of an office there now too. SO you might wanna call and see if he can see you there. Not sure if this is even an option now either though. Just a thought.

I am still laughing on this one. LOL!!!

Dr. Pleatman: Thank you so much for the clarification. It is so nice to have a DOC on board here.

I was asking the same question about Zoe about a week ago. No response yet. Teresa and KC are on a cruise right now. She should be getting home soon.

The people we bought from here in LA own a film studio. They do lots of film and music video work. The owners were really sweet and invited us to come down and watch this group do their first music video. YUP it was Staind! What an awesome group of kids. I love their music. I love how the bass player almost touches the ground when he plays. VERY COOL!!

Port issues & Antibiotics with Dental work Port Issues = I began about two months out having this HUGE (size of a softball) redness surrounding my port area. It was raised, itchy, hot, and red. I assumed it was a reaction to the port but didn't know for sure. I sent pics to my Mexico surgeon which went ignored for two weeks. I finally called him and was ignored. Long story short by the time I finally was told to come and see him in TJ the tubing was almost protruding through my skin. You could feel it through my skin. I have pictures I can show of both items. Anyway, Dr. Billy fixed the problem for me and I was fine for 18 months. However, the port issues I had initially "might" have contributed to my erosion. Antibiotics with Dental work = Neither my initial surgeon nor Dr. Billy have suggested that I would need to be treated before dental work. I even asked my own dentist about this when it came up before. He said "there is no reason for you to be treated with antibiotics just from the lapband surgery. Most times being treated with antibiotics would mean that you have a pre-existing condition that requires this therapy regardless of the lapband surgery." That is my input on that subject.

My first name was IGGY and yes it was a boy. LOL!! Now that I it is gone I amazingly still have small amount of restriction so far so I will call this PHANTOM. LOL!!! You guys can decide if it is a boy or girl.

Sore still but really able to do more each day. THanks for asking. Heck I am up to having it here at my place as well. Or we can find a mutual middle ground for us all. dinner? Movie night - I have a HUGE TV and lots of DVD's? sleep over - I have three guests rooms and a huge living room floor with a couch, love seat, and a recliner so I can accommodate lots of people? Or all of the above. IDEAS??????

Loads of luck and here's to a speedy recovery for you and your MOM. Take it easy ladies.

Still in Van Nuys here. After the holidays, anyone up for a get together for us Left Coast people? IDEAS????

Hey there band sis. I am with you. Since I don't have my band anymore I am looking at cutting back on calories and increasing exercise. Hey, let's do Jenny Craig? Maybe we will become the "FAT ACTRESSES"!! Where is my boa?

I never meant to imply the band isn't a foreign object. All I was addressing was that the body doesn't reject it and therefore cause erosion. First, the port is not the only thing implanted into the body that could be seen as foreign in your statement. The entire system from the band to the tubing to the port can be seen as foreign. Second, the band itself does not erode. Neither does the tubing or the port. The port is made of metal surrounded by plastic. This port material is the same thing used in Port A Caths used for Chemo patients. If you ever get a chance to look at a Lapband Port turn it over and it says Port a Cath on the underside. I saw this while in my surgeons office when I had port issues earlier. Third, the stomach wall is the part that erodes. Want proof? Look at my thread where I posted pics. You can plainly see the band intact and inside my stomach. The reason the reports of erosion in LapBand patients is "easier" is because this device has something to wrap around. The other devices, most actually, just lie on the surface of the organ or right under the skin of the person. Our ports for the LapBand for instance. Has anyone heard of where the port has eroded out of the abdomen or into the intestines? Look I am not saying I am the authority on the subject. All I am saying is ask the questions that give you peace of mind. Get the tests that give you conclusive proof of your fears. Don't second guess yourself and don't take advice or opinions as facts. Do your own research and be an informed consumer. We good now?

The band is not seen as a foreign object, so therefore the body does not attack it. There have been no known or reported cases as of June 2005 stating that the band was rejected, according to my surgeon. Now there have been on known cases stating it hasn't either. The erosion does not occur because of the body rejecting it. There are several factors that can develop causing erosion. If you already have concerns regarding your immune system then I would do more research and talk with your surgeon more about having the band placed. Make sure you have all your questions answered before making that surgery date.

Here are some good questions to ask before or at your initial meeting with you band surgeon. I found this when I was cleaning out my computer of all band related items. Seems to be a pretty good list actually. I will make this a sticky for all future bandsters. Questions about surgery About the surgery What is the exact name of the surgery and how is it done? Write down the name if you don't think you will remember it. Why do you need the surgery? Will you be able to go home the same day of the surgery (outpatient surgery)? If so, will you need to have someone take you home after the surgery? Does the surgery require an overnight stay in the hospital (inpatient surgery)? If so, how long will you be in the hospital? What will you need to do to prepare for the surgery? What are the risks and benefits? How often is this surgery successful? What does a successful outcome mean? What can you do to improve the likelihood of success (such as changing your diet or beginning certain exercises)? What is the risk of death or disability? What is the next step if the surgery fails? What is the likelihood that your problem will return after surgery? What kind of anesthesia will be used (local, regional, or general)? How long will the procedure take? What is the cost of the surgery? Is it likely to be covered by medical insurance? About your choices Consider your preferences for treatment. If you are not sure what treatment is best for you, get a second opinion. Have you considered all your options? Are there any nonsurgical options to consider? How critical is the timing of the surgery? Is there any flexibility in when it is scheduled? Be prepared to discuss your scheduling preferences. About your surgeon What is the surgeon's experience with this procedure? How many procedures has he or she done per year? What is his or her success rate? Does the surgeon have board certification in this area? Will another doctor be assisting your surgeon? Will the surgeon be using a new instrument or piece of equipment during the procedure? Has the surgeon been fully trained in the use of the instrument or equipment? Who will be giving the anesthesia? Discuss the anesthesia options with your surgeon ahead of time. Will anyone be in the operating room other than the doctors and nurses needed to perform the surgery (such as a person involved in training the surgeon on a new piece of equipment)? About your recovery What should you expect during the recovery period? What is normal? What kinds of self-care could you be doing to help your recovery? Will your activities be limited during the recovery period? If so, which activities and for how long? What help might you need while you recover? What symptoms should you call your doctor about? Partnering with your doctor Tell your doctor your preferences for treatment. Are there other options you would like to consider other than surgery? Discuss your biggest concerns about the surgery. Tell your doctor the results you expect to get from the surgery. What outcome would you consider to be a success? What would you consider a failure?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Paula: I felt fine till about a month ago. Then the PB started more often and I just "felt" funny inside. Hard to describe. Yes the erosion was already there I just didn't have it diagnosed till the Endo. Dr. Billy thinks my problems started way back when I had all my port issues. Remember the protrusion and the weird redness and all that well he speculates that was the culprit. He can't definitively say that is the cause because we just don't know. He also said it could have been a stitch but he didn't see one when he took my band out. He also mentioned I could have had an ulcer develop between the first Endo I had in June 2004 and this last one. So any number of things could have caused the erosion. Just no way to be sure.

Erosion = the band can erode into your stomach which is what mine did. Understand the band itself does not erode (break down) the stomach wall does. Here is a link to the page that shows pics. My Endo results -- NOT GOOD!! Hope this helps.

OK here is the link to my erosion pics My Endo results -- NOT GOOD!! Here is the link to my Erosion Experience My Erosion Experience

OK some tough love here. PB = bad Vomit = bad Neither is good for you. The whole point of the band is to stop eating when you get the full feeling. Some of us would listen and some of us would not. I fell into both categories. I would listen when I wanted to and not when I didn't. PB and or Vomiting is not good for you or your band. It can cause irritation and increase stomach acid. Both of which over time can cause more serious complications down the road. LIKE oh say Ulcers, GERD, and more seriously a possibility of either slippage and might even contribute to Erosion. The risks are just too great to you and your health to even warrant not listening to your body now guys. If you know that piece of bread, tortilla, salad, whatever it is won't like your band then,... OK ARE YOU LISTENING NOW,... DON'T EAT IT!!!! If you are stubborn enough and want to eat it anyway then chew chew chew chew chew till it is liquid. Don't chew till there are still lumps the size of a peanut but chew till it is LIQUID. I say all of the above with love and compassion for you all.

It was hard day for me finding out Tuesday and then jumping immediately from the gamut of emotions to thinking about surgery all in the same day. I left our house Tuesday morning at 5:30am headed to Ventura for the Endoscopy so Dr. Billy could check out the band. None of us thought I had eroded. Even Dr. Billy was surprised. I did hear him say, "I don't know how she knew but she did." I had not been "feeling" right for the last month. But I couldn't put my finger on it. Then a Michelle was diagnosed with Erosion and that got me scared. I immediately called Billy's office and asked for the Endo. They got it scheduled right away. OK so after the Endo is done, he takes the tube out of my throat and I say, "Did I just hear you say I am eroded?" He said yes. I then just shut down. I cry immediately and never heard another word for a few minutes. I then had to have a silent talk with myself and get it together. I had a decision to make and quick. Billy told me that the band was eroded but it was not a life-threatening situation. He did say we can take it off that night. He said we can work you into the schedule and take it off. He also told me that I could wait till after the holidays if I wanted. I told him to go ahead and schedule the surgery. I did not want to wait hoping there would not be any complications later. He was also leaving town on the 15th and I would have to go to Tahoe and have the procedure done there if I developed complications and wanted him to do it. Mind you all these thoughts and emotions I was experiencing while I was still on the table after the ENDO procedure. I hadn't even left the room yet. When Billy left the room to check on something for me I just broke down and bawled my eyes out. I was facing losing the ONE thing that had worked for me in my weight loss battle. I was scared, mad, angry, frustrated, hurt, disappointed, discouraged, deflated, why me, why now, every negative emotion you can think of I think I experienced it while I was on that ENDO table. Billy came back into the room and said for me to stop by his office before I left to make sure I knew what I was making a decision about. He was concerned that since I was under the influence of the ENDO sedation that I might not be making an informed choice. Believe me when he said I was eroded I was very alert and aware of what my decision would be. It had to come out. And it had to come out that night. So, John and I stopped by Billy's office and he told us to go home if we wanted and to call him at 4p so he could tell us what the plan of action was. So John and I headed home. On the way home, we briefly discussed the options and I wanted the band removed that day. I barely was home long enough to send out a few emails and make a couple of calls to let people know what was going on. At 4p on Tuesday I called Billy. He said to go to Admitting and he would have paperwork ready for me. Initially the surgery was set up for 7p but I was a work in remember so I didn't get into surgery till 9p. I got back to my room at around 2am on Wednesday. Don't know how long the surgery was, but Billy said it typically takes 2 hours. That would make sense. Two hours in surgery and at least an hour to an hour and a half in recovery. I don't remember much about that night. Wednesday after I woke up, I was sore and had to go for an upper GI to rule out any perforation before they would let me drink anything. The UPPER GI was all clear, so I started on a clear liquid diet that day. I was able to get up and go to the bathroom and to walk some. Thursday, Billy came in and took out my drain and sent me home. THANK GOD!! I am now recuperating and getting stronger every day. It has been a struggle and I am adjusting to the notion that I don't have this tool anymore. I can't really feel different yet because I am still on Clear Liquids. I can start on mushie foods after tomorrow, Saturday. IT will be a hard battle, but with the knowledge I have learned thus far with the band I will use knowing I don't have the band. SIGH!! It has been a long time since I could eat large quantities of food. Just tonight I was eating some Soup and was concerned when I went to regular food how the band was going to react. Weird like some phantom is hovering over me still. I would compare it to when someone loses an arm or leg. The arm or leg can still be felt but logically you know it isn't there. Billy used 3 of my old scars and used a 4th scar from my tubal ligation from years ago. I am really not in alot of pain but every now and then I feel a tug or a burn and I am reminded that yes I did just have the band removed. So I take a half of a pill and that quiets the pain. With my history of depression it would be so easy to slip into a dark hole but I can't and won't allow myself to even look inside that hole. If I start to fall I am afraid I won't come back out. I have fought too hard to get to the point I am now. I won't let myself regress. My parting words: When you don't "feel" right, check it out. When you know something is off but you can't put a name to it, check it out. Be Proactive in your how health care, check it out. Don't let someone else tell you "it isn't necessary", check it out. I say all this with all the love and compassion I can muster cause I don't want any of you to look back and wish you had and didn't. I am mentally accepting of the outcome. I am physically healing and taking it slow. I can have another band in 6 months. I will go see Dr. Billy in a month for a check up. He said we will discuss my options at that time. He also said he would support me in whatever decision I made whether it be surgery or not. What a great and caring Doc. I have said on here that I might consider the DS operation. I now know that I will NOT have any other surgery. I am through with surgeries for now. I am gonna fight the good battle with nutrition and exercise. Shoot you might see me on the next "Biggest Loser". LOL!!! Thanks for the support. HUGS

This is so beautiful. I think it is the best card I have seen in a long time. Very cool. http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=0212320003

Just click on the link and fill out the blanks. Then copy and paste your letter here. I am still laughing at mine. OUCH! LOL!! OUCH!! LOL!! Hurts my belly to laugh but this is too much fun. Here is the link: Dear Santa Here is my letter: Santa Clause North Pole, Earth Dear Santa, I have been a good girl. It really wasn't my fault what happened at Ann's Office party. It was Lisa who spiked the punch with too much Apple Martini. I can't help it if I drank 7 glasses. It was so good---smelled and tasted just like Celion Dion Notes. I thought it was funny when I put Christina's Bra on my head and danced the Samba on the Sofa while singing `That's What Christmas is to me'. I didn't mean to break Ann's Ipod and don't know why Ann would accuse me of murder. I don't remember calling Steve's wife a shitty pig---even though she looked like one with blue eye shadow and red lipstick! And when I threw up on Bea's husband's leg, it was only because I ate too much of that Cheetos. After all that fun, I admit I was a little tired. So I fell asleep on my way home and drove my Chrysler 300 through my neighbor's roof. I don't think that was any reason for my neighbor to call me a bold dog and have me arrested for prostitution! So, Santa...here I sit in my jail cell on Christmas Eve, all heavy and gorgeous. And I'm really not to blame for any of this beautiful stuff. Please bring me what I want the most---bail money! Sincerely and was yours, Penni (Really a nice girl!) P.S. It's only 3 bucks!</B>

OWIE!! 40 staples!! I was blessed that I could have my band removed laproscopically. I was so afraid I would have to be cut open but Billy didn't have to. I did have a drain in for two days though. They took it out just before I was discharged yesterday. Francesca, I am praying for a speedy recovery and no more surgeries for along long time for us. HUGS

Hey Estela I had an endoscopy done on Tuesday morning really for my own piece of mind with all that erosions happening and guess what? They found an erosion. I had surgery Tuesday night to remove my band. Somewhere on this board is a pic of my endoscopy and the erosion. I can't remember what thread it is on now. Someone find it and post a link here.

OH OK geez you guys are pushy. I have posted on two or three posts already. I will post more of the details in a day or two. You guys are so sweet.