northerner

Michelle . . .

-104 pounds? you ROCK!

28.5 bmi? you are a SOLID ROCK!

i share sentiment with all others: you have been such a blessing and inspiration to so many, it's hard to express in words the mixed feelings this news generates. i often say that it's easy to show that we're 'good people' when things are going well; the challenge is showing our goodness when things are not going well. you are exemplary under fire, though, demonstrably so. i admire you immensely and wish you the best through the duration. thanks for keeping us well-informed.

final thought: they say that "if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger." i now imagine the beautiful michelle, great smile, picture of success . . . . . wearing a bright red cape!

happy thanksgiving . . . and thank YOU for YOU.

many, many blessings; you deserve them.

i had a lengthy flight just 2 days after surgery, and all went well. move gently, and handle your luggage very carefully; leave it to others if possible. i'd suggest asking for an aisle seat, near the back of the plane, for the ease of standing when you'd like during the flight. (though not the furthest back row, because those seats do not recline.) i thought that arriving at home somehow meant that i could jump back into my regular schedule, but i now think that being gentle with yourself for a day or two thereafter, too, is important; seems it takes some time to adjust back from the stresses of travel.

best wishes and safe travels, whatever your decision!

"Did you know that you can make your own soymilk for under $0.20 per gallon!"

This site has the small appliance, and sells the soybeans to grind, as well:

http://www.wheatgrasskits.com/soymilk.html

DeLarla,

To try to give some answer to your original questions about soy milk, months ago, while shopping online, I happened across a small kitchen appliance designed to "brew" soy milk, similar to the way one would do coffee. It's an extractive process, and the product that results is referred to as "milk," though it's not at all related to dairy products. I'll see if I can't find that item again, because reading about it taught me more than I ever knew about soy milk.

I think the benefits of soy milk would be similar to those of tofu and edamame, for antioxidants, Protein, etc.

i think it's important that you sort the situation out, using your vision of what you see in your future . . . and learning more about what he sees in his. for some, living near or with the extended family makes logical sense; for others, it doesn't. i think all is well, so long as everyone concerned has a shared vision. if you don't, or can't imagine it as your future, you're probably right that it shouldn't be.

the new food pyramids and supporting information might allow for a good foundation for the discussion.

with reasonable certainty, the nutrition provided for the children will fall within the recommendations, and the burger king supplement won't . . .

(on a side note, 'my pyramid' didn't coincide with my dr.'s recommendations for me, but what he's suggested is working -- i'm gladly sticking with it.)

while researching for the band, i came across a site for a doctor in cancun (if my memory is correct) who did this balloon, in addition to the band. it's something they put in, but then have to remove in six months, after which another could be inserted.

i remain obsessed with this tuna martini . . .

bah, humbug. i'll go from an april fool to an april ghoul in one weekend. : )))

I'm allergic to phenergen, so when 'the bug' hit me (just 10 days after banding), I ended up hospitalized. We had contacted Drs. Ortiz and Martinez at the onset of the vomiting, and they remained in close communication with the hospital throughout my stay. (Local doctors faxed a diagram and later emailed the x-rays to Mexico, so that they could be sure everything was still in place.) I received some i.v. meds to relax and calm me, but all of the doctors worked closely together, sharing information on how I was doing, watching and waiting for the return to normal. I was very pleased with the follow-up care by Drs. Ortiz and Martinez.

I just purchased a Tanita scale at drugstore.com. Some models are on sale right now, and the amt of purchase might qualify for free shipping (it did for me). I noticed there were certain models stated to be capable of measuring body Water percentage, as well.

This was my biggest concern, also. I told the doctors so, and was reassured that the anesthesiologist was part of the surgical team, and saw their camaraderie. I was at peace with myself when I realized it was the beginning of the procedure. Then they gave me a couple of pills to hold under my tongue that made everything even more 'serene.' I was a very cooperative patient by the time we all went to the operating room. The last thing I recall was the anesthesiologist saying my name and telling me that we're starting now, is that okay? (Of course, it was.) He began the i.v., and all went well.

I think everything they did with me was part of normal procedure, but would advise that you inform them of your fear. They know what they need to do to reassure you. I began at peace, and their meds made everything beyond that an easy ride...

All went well, was banded without incident. The experience was terrific; Drs. Ortiz and Martinez, Mrs. Ortiz, the anesthesiologist--all A1 people in my book. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again! Thanks to everyone for words of encouragement; now I'm off to other sections of the boards to get through the next stages. Tom Petty put it best: "The waiting is the hardest part."

the ONLY thing in my life i've been declarled allergic to is phenergan. i don't necessarily agree with the diagnosis, but the experience was SO BAD that i won't question it. at this point in my life, i declare that i'm allergic to phenergan. or whatever. it's posted in neon stickers on my hospital file. don't think for a moment i agree with their assessment, but i'll play along......

after phenergan, what are the other alternatives? there have to be many! can you help? i've found that the more intelligent i approach my (local) health situation, the FAR MORE intelligent we all tend to be. . .

la_madam, i have to tell you this, out loud: you've made such a difference in my mental and emotional approach to the process. the web was designed for folks like you, who make an honest and real difference in the lives of others. i Celebrate you!!!

1st, i'm glad to hear of the gas mask. this is what i recall from my last jaw surgeries. worked quite well, thank u! 2ndly, i think apprehension is all part of the process. i hear of people going with out their families, and feel frail, very frail. if folks can do this easily on their own, i can surely do this easily with as much support as i have! and so i c arry on. we all know that the deepest changes needing to be made are withini my head!

as the bandsters know it. . .

not what they say is supposed to be said, but the truth, you know....nothing but the truth:

I'd like to hear the honest truth about this, the smoking and the alcohol....

i've had several episodes of not being able to stop pewking, and don't know how they're going to accomodate. i'm worried about slipping, but figure if i tell them all they'll need to know ahead of time, they'll tell me all i need to know to prevent this. i'm worried for this, though, which prob goes right along with the 24 hrs leading into surgery......

I'm researching for doctors closer, just in case. The doctor and I are on opposite ends of this great continent, though, so in the case of emergency, I must have back up plans. My intent is to return to Mex for follow-ups. (Hey, never in my life have I had such a great excuse to escape to Mexico!) However, if there are any complications, I know I will need to have reasonable and quick alternatives, and am doing what I can to make those arrangements accordingly. Thanks again to all of you for your info, support, knowledge, wisdom, and willingness to share it all.

I just want to mention how great and supportive you all are; it's peace of mind for someone like me, who has preops tomorrow. As much as I am in tune with worry and fear, it's so nice to know there are folks like you all just a click away...

Surgery date: Jan 5, originally, and now Jan 6. I'll be sure to have plenty of questions ready for them tomorrow. Thanks for your reassurance, Zoe. I feel like I'm doing a whole other New Year countdown right now, this one with some real resolutions!

Can others comment on declaring meds, etc., upon returning to the US? Do the Dr's offices advise on this? Seems like it'd be fine to declare whatever you're bringing back, since it's at a Mexican doctor's advice (and script, presumably)? I'm a reasonably good citizen (imho), and fear lying to customs! Help!?! I'm not a seasoned border-crosser, and since my surgery date is getting so close, I seem to becoming ultrasensitive to concerns. Border-crossing, declaring meds, denying meds, these are more things to worry me. What's the advice on this? Do reputed Dr's on the Mexican side provide advice/assistance to patients on this matter? Please help!

On a couple rather serious notes:

1. Is aftercare/followup/fill the patient's responsibility, or should I await recommendations from the Dr? What I've read on the board is unclear, and seems to go both ways. I've been somewhat awaiting the Dr's recommendations, naively believing that is the best choice. Can I please get some feedback on this? As I get closer, these concerns are becoming very real for me, particularly because the Mexican Dr and I reside far, far away from eachother...

2. I'm also finding myself stressing on going under, thinking what if I don't come back. I don't have much experience under anesthesia, just twice that I can recall in my lifetime, and the closer and closer I get, the more fear I sense (my own and my family members'). More information, so that I feel knowledgeable going in, might help. Anyone?

Thanks again for everything. Time's ticking! Happy New Years All!