Penni60

Yup sounds like it to me. Maybe instead of having your daughter slap you on your back, although she might enjoy that, LOL J/K, try eating smaller bites and chewing more. Food should be the consistency of liquid before you swallow your food. So chew chew chew.

Yes my Mexico surgeon used the OLD tech that Inamed strongly encourages against using since it has the potential to cause complications. The one thing I learned while going through my Erosion and removal and then speaking with Inamed is that they have NO control over what technique is used outside of the States. They can strongly recommend the pars flaccida technique is the only one used but some Mexico surgeons will use whatever technique they are most comfortable with and just hope for the best. It has not been fun dealing with all my issues but hopefully I can get a handle on it someday.

The band itself does not erode. The term erosion simply means to break down. What breaks down is the stomach wall. It can happen from the inside of the stomach to the outside or start on the outside of the stomach and work inward. It is so unclear how erosion begins because we just can't catch it in it's early stages. Most times, like in my case, the band was between 40 to 60 percent into my stomach. Yes I had a hole in my stomach wall and the band was plugging it like a finger in a dike. My doc thinks the reason for my erosion is due to a stitch that was placed wrong and simply became irritated from being rubbed by the band and caused a breakdown of the tissue. He also mentioned a differing technique used by my Mexico surgeon that has been not used here in the states by recommendation from Inamed. Hope this helps clarify that the band does not break down. The stomach wall does.

Lory: I was banded in Mexico then developed some complications and didn't like the aftercare so I went to see Dr. Billy. He is a wonderful, kind, and caring surgeon. He knows his stuff. His staff is just as caring as he is. Everytime he accessed my port he hit it the first time. Even when it was tilted. He does not use Fluoro unless he has concerns or can't access the port. He is fast too. He removed my band when I was diagnosed with Erosion in Dec of 2005. Can't seem to say enough good things about him either. PM me or email me if you have anything specific you wanna know. penni@pennimerrick.com

La_madam went to Mexico like I did for our surgeries. Sometimes they will give you a break for complications and sometimes they won't. They are more likely to do that than a US doc due to Insurance and Hospital costs. I was lucky that my Insurance took care of all but $900 of my band removal. It just depends on how your US doc codes the surgery if your insurance will cover the cost. My insurance will NOT cover a rebanding. I was self pay to have the band placed in Mexico. I lost mine due to Erosion.

My art is making jewelry. I also do abstract acrylic painting. I write poetry and have been published. I love photography. Here are some of my photos.

Leatha I think what Babs meant (correct me if I am wrong) is that if they wanted to try to save the old band she would need to be open. When they remove the old band they typically cut the off thus making it useless. So if they want to try to save the old band she would have to have the open procedure. Which would take longer to perform and have more risks too. Removing it Laporoscopically is the usual procedure and does take less time with less risk. Babs I am so sorry for all your band issues. I know it isn't fun. I just hope and pray they can replace your band and you get back to losing. I will keep you in my prayers.

Unfortunately she may not 'get' the message even after she reads the book. Hopefully she will. If not then you can't really 'do' much about the situation. If she does marry him then you and your family will have a dilemma. Do you cut off all contact with her and possibly any kids she might have because of him? Or do you support her as much as you can and tolerate her hubby? It is a dilemma for sure. If he is as bad as you say he is when she realizes that she will need her family to support her and not say I told you so. Not saying that you would do that at all so please don't take it that way. I feel for everyone involved. I hope she does see the light.

I am taking Meridia to help curb my appetite. It is working so far. I just have to remember to eat. LOL!!

Still deciding. I am not going anywhere just yet.

Thank you all that have replied for your comments. I still have nothing but love for you all. You are really wonderful beautiful special weight warriors.

In light of recent postings and my admission in a past mistake I am humbly submitting my resignation as Moderator. Some members have expressed a strong opinion that they cannot respect nor trust the actions of a Moderator that acted the way I did in the past. I have to respect their conviction and must say I tend to agree with that sentiment. I am saddened and ashamed of my past actions and more importantly I have learned from those past actions. I want to apologize for my past actions as a moderator. AS I have not yet heard from Alex as to my status as a moderator and not sure if he has even read my emails, I will assume that my resignation is effective immediately. Thank you for the time and opportunity to be a moderator on this great Support Board. You guys are the greatest. Love you all.

Curley: Thank you for the suggestion of speaking to your doc in Australia. IT does sound encouraging but the same issue with the insurance is a factor to consider. If the insurance doesn't cover the cost then I can't get anything done. I do appreciate the suggestion. I really do. Sunta: WOW!! Thank you for the compliment from your husband. That actually made me cry. I am still struggling and working on it everyday. I am doing some soul searching right now and doing some internal work related and unrelated to my weight issues. Hopefully I will come to some epiphany during this process. LOL!! I appreciate all the support and kindness shown to me during this time in my life. This weight loss struggle is no joke and is such a battle for me as I am sure it is for others as well. Emotionally it has been a rollercoaster. Just when I think I have hit the top and ready for success I plunge down the spiral and hit bottom all over again. Just when I think it can't get any worse something happens to bring me down again and to question myself. Anyway, we are all walking this journey in our own way and in our own time. I am one that likes instant gratification, guess that is one reason why my weight loss is on the upswing instead of down. LOL!!! Thank you all again for the support and encouragment. I will keep you posted.

Jack yes the smiling pic was while the leering tattoo artist was inflicting pain. LOL!! And yes it hurt like a mo fo. But once the outline was done it wasn't that bad. I do want another on on the other foot now. I also want to get a bumble bee and a honey pot around the sunflower to represent my other grandfather. Thanks for all the Birthday sentiments. I had a blast. Glad you like the New Avatar, Vines.

How did I miss this thread? WOW!! I had a great birthday guys thanks. My daughter, her hubby, and John took me to a steak restaurant in Orlando called Shula's. I got a great Filet then we all shared a CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE & CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE. YUM YUM!!! HUGS and thanks for the Birthday sentiments.

OK here is a full pic of my foot. And yes the tat on the top of my foot hurted like a biotch. YOWZA!! But oh so worth it.

FINALLY THE TATTOO

Don the tattoo guy.

Hey guys, Tuesday the 5th was my 46th birthday. Guess what I went and did? YUP got me a tattoo, my FIRST one. I LOVE IT!! My grandfather always planted Sunflowers when he moved into a new house. So I got one put on my foot to help ground me. Here is one of me getting the tattoo. Then one of the guy who did it. Then the actual tattoo.

Vines wishing you all the best. Keep us posted. Wednesday: Flew from Los Angeles to Nashville, TN to begin our short Tour. Arrived at 10pm in Clarksville, TN where we are staying with my friend Ann. Hugged her and then off to bed for us all. Thursday: Went to visit another friend and pick up some PA Speakers for the Tour, Went and had lunch. Then met my friend Ann for dinner and then off to bed. Friday: Said goodbyes to Ann, travelled to Lebanon, TN where we are doing a House Concert for another Friend of ours that night. IT was a blast. Wine, beer, Water, sodas, chips, dip, veggies, and a luscious Caramel Cake along with good music and lots of laughter. Sold some CD's and John's music was divine. Got to bed around 1am. Saturday: Had Breakfast with our friends in Lebanon, then hit the road for Chattanooga,TN where John played at Charles & Myrtles Coffeehouse till 10p. Met a friend for dinner afterward and got to bed around 1a. Sunday: Have an 11am Two song gig will get done around 1p and then HIT THE ROAD Hard for Lake Wales, Florida for a rendezvous with my daughter and son-in-law who will be hosting a House Concert on Labor Day. This will be a grueling travel day for us. It will take approx 8 to 9 hours to get to Lake Wales. UGH!! Monday: House concert with my daughter and her hubby and friends. Expecting 30 to 40 people. Par-tay. That is where I will get pics. And yes I will post them. Most likely won't be in bed before 2am. Tuesday: MY BIRTHDAY!!! Going to eat at Don Shula's Restaurant in ORlando and to enjoy my 46th Birthday. Yes I will post more pics. Wednesday: FREE DAY!! Just chill and not have anything planned. OH Yeah most likely doing laundry. Thursday: Driving to Atlanta area for a gig at Eddie's Attic. Then staying with friends in the area for the night. Will not get in bed before 2a that night either. Friday: Driving up to Elizabethton, TN for a House Concert with my daughter and her hubby. That night though we are just gonna crash and get t obed early. Yeah right. Saturday: House Concert day. Usually laid back and not much to do on this day. Won't get in bed till around 1am again. Sunday: Get up have breakfast then hit the road back to Nashville, TN. Will stay with my friend Ann again that night. Hopefully can spend more time with her this short visit. Monday: I am flying home to Los Angeles, CA. John is staying in town as he has a recording session in Nashville, TN and another House Concert in Baltimore MD he will be flying to. I will post as many pics as I can when I can. Stay safe and enjoy your holiday weekend. I hope to see my grandkids while visitng daughters and in Clarksville. If I do of course pics will follow.

Lexi: It sounds like you need to give yourself some time to heal and not do anything anytime soon. Give yourself a break. What happened to you was an aggressive doctor that should have known better. I am so sorry for your troubles. I lost my band to ERosion and rebanding is something I am discussing with my doctor. I lost mine in Dec of 05 and he wouldn't even consider doing anything for 6 months so I could heal. Take that into consideration. You might want to wait longer since you did have an infection you had to get over. Take this time to heal and make some decisions.

Kraggie Hope, TN HMMM? Wonder if that is near Upper Butt Crack? Gotta love Stephen King books. Or was that a Stephen King book/movie? Deloris CLaiborne. REmember her? OK Think it is time for bed. Too tired now. Nite Nite!

Tequila? Did I hear Tequila? Who has it? I want some. NOW!!!

I AM LAUGHING SO HARD. I HAVE TO MUFFLE MY LAUGHTER SO I DON'T WAKE UP EVERYONE. HILARIOUS.

Had to do a quick check in. HMM?? Seems I missed all the fun by flying on a plane today HUH? WOW! Ok on to more important topics. Pinkylee anyone is welcome to enter this thread. IF they are committed to losing weight or at least saying so here. LOL!! All thread killers welcome, all interested parties welcome to participate but trouble makers will be executed at close range. OOPS!! Maybe I shouldn't have said that. HEHEHEHE!!!!! Tired wore out and ready for bed here in Clarksville, TN. Got to spend about 10 min with my friend of 12 years I haven't seen in like almost a year. THat was nice. She works tomorrow but we are going out to dinner tomorrow night. Yes I am eating Mexican. So there!! Breakfast Scrambled eggs, sausage, and cappuccino Lunch Southwest Peanuts and 100 Calories Oreo, water Dinner YIKES! ARby roast beef sandwich, curly fries, and a dr. Pepper (OK SO I BLEW IT) SUE ME!! LOL!! Tomorra is anutha day! DID YOU GUYS MISS ME?