Zoe

OK, I just got a huge NSV and I had to tell y'all about it. I participated in an optional health assessment at work today. My weight was 217 (but I'm not going to count it because the scale was probably off) -- but never mind that, my blood pressure was 136/84! That's almost normal, and by my standards it's effing incredible. Last August it was 170/105. Enough rejoicing. I gotta get back to work, because if I get thrown off the computer while posting this note my pressure will go sky high!

Amen to this thread. Thanks, DeLarla, for posting this for newcomers. I'm one of the lucky ones who had both a good Mexican surgeon and good aftercare options -- but then, I live in a big city and was lucky enough to find one of the surgeon's proteges in town. If anyone is considering getting banded in Mexico, please take DeLarla's advice and arrange your aftercare doctor -- local or in Mexico -- before you take the big step.

Way to go, Leatha! You can probably wear petite sizes now. I love your story about the mysterious legs in the tub. I'm wearing the same three pairs of pants throughout the winter, so I guess I can brag that my wardrobe (not to mention my body) is 50% bigger than yours. They're going to have to see me through the season, then it's on to 1980s revival wear for spring. Are shoulder pads coming back in style?

A modest suggestion: Might our wise moderators consider one thread for pictures only, and another thread where we can comment on them? I'm thinking that a pictures-only thread would be an impressive wordless testament to everyone's success with the band, and would be especially encouraging for newcomers. While it's fun to be able to write notes back and forth commenting on everyone's photos, the thread is getting pretty long, and it's only just started. Each picture generates about five messages; now that so many people have added tickers and slogans, we have to scroll through a lot to get to each set of pictures. So how about giving us a virtual slide show with photos only?

Good luck, Brenda. Let us know what your insurance company says.

Yes, give us details! And photos! Have you reached your goal weight?

Thanks, Donali. I'm on liquids today; I PB'd at work yesterday after eating a salad, and barely made it to the bathroom. You've given all of us an important reminder of why PBs are more than just uncomfortable or an inconvenience -- they can cause serious damage.

Betty, I have a watch NSV too. The metal-link (not stretchy) watch that was a little tight before banding is now a little loose. My wrists aren't exactly Audrey Hepburn's, but it's great to have a very real indicator of success that I look at several times a day.

Oh, come on, Greg -- you can make it by 2007, I just know it! You'll probably drop a lot of pounds all of a sudden and make us all envious.

Dr. Rumbaut gave me paracetemol, which worked OK -- but I don't think it's available in the US without a prescription. Glad the wound passed inspection. Hope you have more good news soon.

Welcome to Bandland, Jonathan! It probably doesn't seem like a fun place right now, but everyone's right: Things do get better every day. Try to force yourself to walk whenever you can; it will help dissipate the gas & you'll feel a little better. Hang in there -- the first few days are the toughest. Congratulations!

That's a wonderful, and rare, quality in a trainer. Wish she moonlighted in Chicago! You're doing great. Congratulations on your loss.

Hi Kathy -- There are lots of old posts here -- some of them hilarious -- from people who are Mexico veterans. Promise your husband you'll pick up a bottle of tequila for him and set his mind at ease. Seriously, the main thing we Mexican bandsters need to worry about is after care. Who will do your fills? Who will you see if something goes wrong? Line up your US connections before the surgery and your life will be much easier. You might want to start by searching for Dr. Kuri on this site to see who he's operated on and how they have managed their after care. Good luck, and welcome!

Hi Paula -- I know exactly what you mean by the "ribbit" noise. I've been frogging all the time since my last fill. I never know when a new weird noise is going to emerge. I don't have the "crackle" you describe, but I'm constantly croaking -- in fact, I'm doing it as I write this, twenty minutes after lunch. Ribbit. Ribbit. It's not easy being green . . .

Natalia, I had a similar experience with a tight fill, but I'm on a much slower timeline than you are. After my first fill of 1.2 cc I didn't have much restriction; it would come and go, and I was able to eat pretty big quantities, although certain foods (like eggs) always got stuck. I was exercising a lot, so I was still losing a few pounds and quite a few inches, but I was baffled as to why I could eat full servings of just about everything instead of the minute portions I had read about here. So the holidays ended and I went in for another fill. This time not only did I get instant restriction, but I could feel every single swallow. I even made an appointment for an unfill after I had trouble swallowing water one night. That problem resolved itself, though, and now I think I have the normal restriction I had heard about. Yes, it is a real shock after having a pretty loose band for months! For me, the key is chewing the hell out of every bite, and avoiding dry meats. I also allow myself the occasional indulgence; for me, that means dessert. Yes, I know melted liquid goes right through the band, but even with one scoop of super-rich real ice cream twice a week, I'm still averaging 1000 - 1200 calories a day, well below my metabolic requirement of 1750 (that's how much I burn just sleeping and standing still). Give yourself a few days to get used to the restriction, and stay away from those eggs!

Penni rules! And Dr. Billy's giving you the real answers you desperately needed. He sounds like a dream doc. Let's all send Lisa/DeLarla lots of healing vibes, prayers, thoughts, and hopes -- whatever religious, spiritual, or humanist impulses we might have -- toward her rapid healing and triumph with the band. Ommmm....

My new fill kicked in right away. I'm down 2 lbs. this week; it probably would have been more, except I went to a party yesterday and could eat everything I wanted: guacamole, tamales, Godiva chocolates, and apple pie. The band barely tolerates a well-chewed bite of water-packed tuna, but chocolate truffles ease on down!

Uh, not to be dense, Trish, but what Bandster Bash in April? Do you have details?

She really thought you might want a sandwich she had already munched on? The girl needs help. She just doesn't get it, does she? You'd think after you told her several times not to bring you food, she'd be too embarrassed to even think about offering anything. What a weirdo!

Erin has a big problem. And it'll probably get even worse if or when she gets reamed out for smearing tomato sauce on court documents. Just remember, her food disorder is no reflection on you, and you don't have to be part of her obsession. She must be one of those people who turn to food when stressed out. Oh, yeah, I remember -- I was one too. Still am, in a small bandster way!

Emmy, check out the Food forum here; there are a lot of suggestions & recipes for mushy food. I couldn't handle eggs either!

I just received a little cardboard box from Eureka, California. What a lovely surprise! Becky sent me not only some groovy green bath goodies, but a much-needed pair of black knit gloves and, best of all, a beautiful hand-made hat! The hat is a cute cap made from a soft black boucle yarn with gorgeous trim featuring little black and sherbet-colored (I'm hungry!) fibers, and it fits perfectly. Thank you, thank you Becky! This is a wonderful bonus for moving during the holiday exercise challenge. I'll wear the hat on my daily dog walks throughout this cold winter.

Funny about the dosage business -- the veterinarian adjusts my dog's medications precisely according to her weight, but my MD hasn't made a single change in my pills throughout years of ups and downs! Yet another reason to visit the vet. I've just had a fairly tight fill and am opening the plastic capsules I take each morning to wash down the bitter powder with a smoothie.

What a horrible story, Ryan. It's truly a shame that so many medical workers, from receptionists to doctors, don't understand how hard it is for patients and their families during an emergency, and that people are not just cases to be signed in and out at the hospital's convenience. I hope you both can get some much-needed rest. You can vent here anytime.

Oakbrook's far -- I live in the city -- but I'll make it if I can!