GrizGirl

Hi Gang-- I am going in to see my Doc this afternoon for (perhaps) an additional fill. I've lost a few pounds in the last two weeks since my fill, but I generally am feeling little or no restriction from the initial 4cc's . I'll fill you all in!

I just wanted to say I was a bit skeptical when I read some posts regarding that time of the month and band tightness. I am here to say, Sisters I Believe!! I have nearly strangled on the veggie sausage patty that is a part of nearly every Breakfast. I broke out in a cold sweat at lunch with a triscuit with Tuna. The way I see it, I have about 80 pounds to go--If I have my period for the next three months straight I should be able to knock of those pesky pounds in quick fashion!!!

Really Stinky Pink Undulating Kneecaps PLKMW

AND ITS' NAME IS RICE What the hell is up with that--This seems to be the only food that gets stuck!! I am not a big rice eater, but in the last week I have been in situations where I have been served rice (work functions)--I dutifully take a bite of chicken, chew the bejesus out of it, swallow it without any problems. Then I follow that up with a bite of rice. And then the pain, Oh God the pain. I've only done this a couple of times--I am a slow learner.

I've got Horizon BC/BS of NJ--They did cover my surgery. The only bit of advice I have is to stay on them--Take scrupulous notes regarding who you talked to and about what. Also make sure to get and keep copies of any correspondence sent to them on your behalf. From the time my initial letter from my PCP was sent to them, to approval was about was 8 months--I think this is on the long side for them--I hear of others who've been approved in a more timely fashion--I used that time however to research, research, research...... Good Luck!

I stuck to liquids Saturday--(those liquids did include one large blended margarita)--What can I say, the weather was nice. I had some scrambled eggs and softer stuff on Sunday--Ate pretty regularly this morning Breakfast: 1 veggie sausage patty and one packet of cream of wheat Snack: Banana & 8oz latte Lunch--4 low fat triscuits with egg salad and tomato soup I really can tell though when I don't chew well enough. I also know that I gulp water--I'll need to stop that. I don't think I've got a huge amount of restriction, but we'll see how it goes.

Catchy title-- I had my first fill on Friday. Didn't hurt but I've come to the conclusion I am the biggest wiener ever!! They first informed me that I would be standing for the fill--I think I knew this, but I had blocked that piece of info out. I have to lay down to get blood drawn--One way ticket to the floor if I try to sit up to have blood drawn. They numbed up the area where the port is--(while I'm standing mind you)--Here comes the big head sweat and the sound of voices speaking to me from inside a tin can. I say WOAH--I better lay down. Great news, when you lay down, the port moves (makes sense)--they have to renumb the area--Excellent. The doc has to do some serious rooting around to find the port. No pain, just a huge ick factor. He finally hits the port with a hearty "There she is" Fluid went in--then I had to sit up and drink water--I gave the doc the crazy eyeball--You want me to sit up with that needle in my side??? What are you, nuts? I managed to sit up and slug some fluid down--Which promptly gurgled back in my mouth--Cripes--I am light-headed again-have to lay back down. Back off on the fluid a little--take another hit of water. I managed to sit up that time and not nearly pass out. We decided to quit while we were ahead. I ended up with 4cc's in the band and a very amused Doctor. He said to check back in two weeks--He may add a bit more then. I do think I have a little restriction--may just be an angry esophagus/stoma--We'll see! I AM A HUGE WEENIE

I am famous for having large coffee stains on my shirts and jeans at work. I am hoping for the day when the stuff falls and hits my shoes instead of splatting on the big ole boobies.

Better yet--Let the world now exactly what you're sending to your loved (and perhaps not so loved) ones. As a general habit I make sure to label any package I'm sending out with its' exact contents with A LARGE BLACK FELT PEN. For Example--I labeled my Best Friends 40 birthday Package as such: CONTENTS: 1 Tru-Touch Life Like Look-A-Like Blow Up Brad Pitt Doll with Extra- Extra Large Member attached. I find that the UPS man/woman get a huge charge out of this. To hell with discrete brown packaging. I also sign for UPS stuff with the Name Sally Lipschitz or Buckfutz-- Small amusements for a small mind

If there is a God, this must be her Country-- GORGEOUS,GORGEOUS,GORGEOUS You is looking good, sugar. Kind of wierd though--your husband bears quite a resemblance to mine?? (or vice/versa)!!

Thanks-- That was just the info I was looking for!!

Hi Everyone I was wondering if anyone out there with a vanguard band can tell me how much Fluid was placed in their band during their first fill. I realize that some docs will put some fluid in the band right away--not mine. I am several weeks out from surgery--I can tell I have no restriction what so ever. That being said, I am doing my best to follow docs order regarding portions and textures of food. I am scheduled for my first fill July 22 and I know that adjustments are not an exact science, but I am curious what I can expect. Also, for those with the vanguard band did anyone have any level of restriction right out of the chute? and if not, how many fills and with what amount of fill has it taken to achieve any restriction?

Hi All- I have failed that I've not updated the first post with upcoming surgery dates lately. I went back to work the Monday after my surgery. I've felt great aside from finding myself ravenously hungry at times. I played golf yesterday (made it through all 18 holes!)--(I did check with the Dr. on this) Didn't play too shabby--it's never great, but I had a ball. I had my preop appointment on June 17--The doc said I had a great looking liver! I go back to see the nutritionist on July 7th.. My first fill is scheduled for July 22nd. I think that will be none too soon!! All in all I'm doing dandy.. I hope and wish the best for all June Bandsters-and everybody else too Sal

Car Accident--Can't help but look America's Next Top Model--I am even embarassed to type this

Here's my wedding story- I got married in a Country/Western Gay bar in Seattle. Wedding & Reception all in one place. This was their first hetero wedding. Mind you, it was 1993 and Country Music was all the rage. The rental charge was whatever the bar tab was. Got the rental of the place & beer, wine & peanuts for about 5K. Anyhow, this bar is in a beautiful old building which used to be the Sons of Norway Hall and also the Painters Union Hall. My husband is Jewish, I am not--At the time I was working for the City of Seattle Municipal Court--One of the judges I knew did the honors. I still to this day have a vision of my dad carting this huge container of condoms out of the mens bathroom and looking for a place to hide it. My mom & dad new that the place was a gay bar, but my Mother & Father-in-law didn't have a clue. My mother-in-law even commented that "all of the posters/art works were of men without any shirts on" Also had an incident with my dress and my three bridesmaids dresses. I took them to a woman who did the alterations on my best friends wedding dress. Well it got to be about two weeks before the wedding and I hadn't heard anything from this woman. I kept calling and leaving messages. One week from my wedding I get a call from the womans daughter. Apparently the woman had keeled over from a heart attack. She was 65-70 years old and not even 5 feet tall. I kept wondering--Did this tiny old woman die from tossing my big old dress around? I hated to seem insensitive, but it was kind of like "She died" oh, I'm so sorry can I have my dresses?--

Here's the red headed terror--She was three on March 1--Scabby face is from doing a header down some concrete steps in Key West.

Hi- How tall are you? I am about 5'11--I always try to find boot cut jeans--Ever since I saw a few pictures of myself in some "straight leg" jeans (20lbs less than now too) --What's tough is I have to wear leather work boots to work in. Those really don't make anything I put on too flattering. I must have 20 black cotton t-shirts-V-neck-Mock-T-neck short sleeves, no sleeves. Those t-shirts along with jeans is kind of my uniform. Good luck with the smash-o-gram today..I had my first last fall--what a delight. My initial S-O-G came back with a suspicious area--Had a follow up--Saw a surgeon-Had an ultra sound and was then scheduled for a biopsy--Day of biopsy came, they did another ultrasound--Radiologist couldn't find a damm thing to biopsy--She said everything looked normal. Had a three month follow up to all of that--Everything still looks okay...It still was a scary situation though.. Sending good thoughts your way!! I'm sure everything will turn out just fine.

Hi Margo- Hang in there--I think I wrote a duplicate of this (your) email about six months ago--Do you have an HR person that you can enlist to help? I have a wonderful HR person that helped me tremendously--together we had to kick it up a level to our Benefits Broker to get any sort of response though.....

Hi RiverRat Any history to that screen name--A rafter/kayaker by chance? Anyhow, I was banded a couple of weeks ago. Ditto the feeling of being able to eat anything that's in front of me. I was up and about and feeling pretty good after surgery. The first few days I would feel a tightness in my chest after sipping some soup that had to be from the initial swelling after surgery--that has gotten better. I am onto "pureed" foods now. If I overdo that I and eat too fast I don't get the same tightness but I do get the burps. I need to practice eating slower and need to really work on portion control. I've got my first fill scheduled for July 22-I am going to use that time to practice the slow eating & portion control.

Some days I would sell both of the beasts for .59 cents a pound. Sister Mary Frances is a ball obsessed black lab mix. She is named after my best friend Mary and my mom, Frances. Add sister in front of any name and I think it's damm funny. Douglas is a peniley challenged yellow lab mix-Again, named after a friend. A vet told me once that "That dog has the smallest penis that I have ever seen on a dog...of any size." I love them both... My husband feels he runs in fourth place around our house. My sweet red headed girl Sophie (3+years old) being number one .

Hi All- Back at work today--All in all it went pretty well. I think the worst thing was the barium swallow right after surgery....Used the pain medication directly after surgery and that evening. Honestly didn't feel too bad. I felt like I had been punched several times in the stomach however. On full liquids now and for the rest of the week. Then it's onto pureed for a couple of weeks. My doc has a very conservative post-op diet, but I knew that going in! Have my post op appointment with the doc Friday--I think I was too groggy day of surgery to ask any intelligent questions. I've got my list for him.

Hi All Well here goes--I am heading out of work today. Got to go buy some decent (comfy) PJ's for the hospital.... Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I think I've got it all lined up at home for after surgery... Heating pads to DVD's. Thanks to all for the wonderful support since I started this journey last October...When you hear from me next I'll be banded!!

Right on sis Glad all seems to be going great- Right behind you on Thursday!

(Just for a short time) I'm starting my preop diet Thursday--I've been revving up for it this last week. I am using up my last latte on my prepaid Latte Card. In the last month I've gone from a triple 12 ounce latte to a single 8 ounce 2% latte. The docs preop diet doesn't seem too tough--no more than 40 carbs a day-(this statement may come back to bite me in the backside). Foregoing the lattes to save the carbs for other things. I'm going to try black half decaf coffee..I've cut out the soda's for the most part in the last month. This is going to be swell....

I'm a project account for a large Construction company.. I just came off a 2 year+ seismic retrofit job in Seattle. The job I'm currently working on is a 150 million dollar mixed use project in Bellevue Washington. Also mom to a 3+year old redheaded terror named Sophie--Hubby was laid off last year (longshoreman)and went back to school to get a teaching certificate.