want2bmeagain

I have spent many hours pouring over posts on this thread, and have been creepered out by PGreen. There was a time where I thought as Patty does, and even gave my college speech class final on abortion, gorey pictures plastered on posterboard and all....My thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, and purposes have changed dramatically since then, for many different reasons (hopefully I can get into that on a later post). Because my former evangelical belief system had me once on the same train Patty now rides, I have found her posts disturbing. What disturbs me most is that there was a time when my attitude mirrored hers, and it is the epitome of being UN Christlike (the "goal" for any born again) ~ Patty, if you are lurking, I want to say that a prized character trait for anyone on this earth to cherish is their own humility. Ya know, by the grace of God, there go I? It really is grievious to read your posts, which on most matters, especially abortion, show the exact opposite of a humble spirit. It's gunna be hard work for any entity, dare I say God, to bring your spirit to a place of brokenness and humility. The higher and more uppity one stands, the harder they fall. This thread really is a thinker. Abortion is a pretty intense subject and I have enjoyed getting to read so many points of view. I have more thoughts on all of this, but it is late. In reading (or ducking so I wouldn't be slapped through the computer) the saddest part is, Patty seems to be missing out on one of humanity's greatest callings ~ loving each other. What I am seeing regarding her abortion stance, is no where near coming from the spirit of love or peace, something she well knows is tatemount (ok, the spellcheck isn't working here ~please don't cringe to death if I missed a few!) to her faith.

Holli ~ I have been reading as much as I can on this thread and have, thus, read about your son. I went to your myspace page, and he is BEAUTIFUL! You will be in my thoughts, and keep the hope ~ it sounds like he has good doctors and treatment! Hang in there, girl! also, the "green" that passed away, was her name on here "Green" only or something with green in it? man, that is so sad. BJean, I LOVE reading your posts ~ articulate and thoughtful, wise and intelligent keep em coming this thread has my mind going 90 miles an hour. For now, I am not going to put in my 2 cents...just yet. I need to form the words that go with the thoughts!

If you are in Western Colorado, Dr. Steven Sawyer in Montrose is wonderful! If you are in the Denver area, Dr. Kirshenbaum hands down!

welcome!! where in Western Colorado are you from? Have you been banded or looking into it?

Someone, PLEASE, describe what your sweet spot is like.... I had my 4th fill, and magically, no longer felt like I was getting stuck every time I ate and feeling like there was food in my throat after a couple of bites. Suddenly, I could eat maybe a 4 oz hamburger patty and be full, but not feel like I was choking...it was MARVELOUS. Heaven. But, I had intermittent reflux. I had a .2 or so unfill, and back to choking, but no reflux. do you think I was at the sweet spot? the next thing will to try a .1 cc fill, hopefully to have the full, not stuck, experience, without reflux. could you please give me your thoughts and experiences? thanks!

I had my fourth fill last week. The first two fills were in the first 2 months post op, then no fill until 8 months post op. Until these last two fills, I had lost only 10 lbs in the last 4 months. Hope that makes sense!:smile2: So..fill 4, last week. I have been restricted well, to the point that it feels like getting the band all over again. I have lost about 2 lbs in the last week. I get very full on 4 or so bites of food. But.......I am having intermittent, random reflux. I had reflux often before my band. I have never felt anything come up and burn, just a random, fiery burn in my throat. It went away after banding, until this last fill. All else feels fine, and I am re adjusting to being disciplined again :redface: I havent called my fill doc yet, I have been waiting to see if it eases up. Should I call him ASAP? give it another week? not worry about it at all? I am really liking this level of restriction. Do any of you know what can even cause this reflux to start? I am pretty worried, only because I don't want to do damage. I have no idea if this is a real problem. The reflux doesn't wake me up, it doesn't seem to get better or worse if I eat or not,...it's just...completely random. Please, someone give me some ideas! thank you so much!

I chewed Tums like candy before I was banded. I had random (didn't matter if I was sleeping, standing, eating, hungry, etc) burning in my throat, but never felt anything "come up" into my throat. After banding, the reflux completely went away...bada bing...gone! Fast forward...I just had my 4th fill with .5 cc in a 10 cc band. I now have a total of 5.5 cc's. The fill was on Tuesday. Restriction feels fine, not too much. I don't have any trouble with liquids or mushies, and the stuff I struggled with before (namely meats), I still struggle with. I just notice I have to be even more careful with bite sizes, etc...the usually bandster stuff. BUT....I started having reflux yesterday. Nothing coming up into my throat or mouth, just the random burning in my throat. Tums takes care of it. But, why in the world do I have reflux NOW???? What in the world happened? Someone, please help! thanks a bunch! :thumbup:

I need some input I have been going back and forth wondering if I need a fill. Right when I think I do, I have this happen: Last night, I ate some pulled BBQ pork. It went down fine, almost too easily. Today, I had a few bites, and about 45 min. later I started having pretty bad stomach pain. I would describe it as the kind of pain and burning one might get from stress or even an ulcer. This has happened maybe 3 times in the last few weeks, always randomly, always from eating something that I had easily eaten before. This time it is going on about 6 hours, and although the pain is better, it's still pretty painful. Tums aren't doing a thing. I tried a creamy yogurt, thinking that might coat my stomach or something. No relief. Here are my questions: -Do bandsters sometimes just have random, nonsensical pain like this? -If it doesn't happen regularly, should I worry? I have no reflux, btw -Could this be erosion or pouch dilation, ? Being self pay, it is extremely difficult for me to just get an upper GI or a procedure like that. I called my doctor's office and asked about fluoro to check for dilation and was told the doc only uses fluoro if he can't find a port, NEVER to check for dilation. I want to respect my band, but I don't want to be paranoid. Can you all please give me some thoughts? thank you so much~

can someone tell me the symptoms of pouch dilation?

Even though I was banded by Dr. Kirshenbaum, I wanted everyone to know that we have a surgeon in Western Colorado who will begin banding soon. He is an EXCELLENT surgeon (has done surgeries for my mom and step dad and my colonoscopy !) and has been training non stop in order to begin banding. In spite of the fact that he wasn't a banding surgeon when I had mine done, I would recommend him hands down. I just thought I would let everyone know! His web page is: Black Canyon Surgeons - Montrose, CO 81401 On the left, click on "Click here for more details.." and it will take you to another page. Then click on "staff". Email Lois for more info. I attended their first orientation and hope to help with a support group in our area.:tt1:

I wanted to let fellow Coloradoans know that we have a doctor who will begin banding this summer. He is a phenomenal surgeon (has done surgeries for my mom and step dad and my colonoscopy !) and has a great bedside manner as well as a great staff. I was banded by Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver (who is wonderful), but now that we have a doc here, I thought people should know. I will put his web page below, and you can email Lois for info. I believe her link is under "staff" Black Canyon Surgeons - Montrose, CO 81401

does anyone else experience this?: When I am eating a meal, if the food is more solid like meats, some veggies, etc, I will take a couple of small swallows. Then, often it will almost feel stuck. I will get up, walk, take deep breaths, etc. Suddenly, I will feel a ker-plunk, the food goes through, and i am fine. Is this normal? I thought the food was supposed to sit on TOP of the stoma and slowly digest. And, I don't drink Water with my food, so water isn't pushing it down. I wonder...could I need a fill? or, plainly, what the heck is going on in there?

I have been trying to figure this out and have gotten nowhere...I am able to eat more than before. When I read about pouch dilation, it talks about being able to eat more volume. Then, when I read about needing a fill, one of the symptoms seem to be being able to eat more. Can someone clarify this in practical terms for me? I have other questions, but we'll start there! thanks:smile:

Hi everyone! it has been a long time since I have been on here and was just checking in to see how everyone is doing. Let's get some updates and keep our comfy thread alive. I am sorry that I haven't been on much...lots going on here, but I wanted to say hello!

Hi everyone! I haven't been on here forever with so much going on at home...but I feel guilty for going AWOL and miss everyone! Dee~ how have you been feeling? I continue to love my band, and have now reached the point where weight loss is becoming harder, I assume because the "less" we have to lose, the harder it is for our bodies to let it go. I recently went to a business meeting and heard non-stop how good I looked. It was so strange and so encouraging at the same time! I know I WOULD NOT have lost the weight without my little appliance! I have tried to get more creative when I eat, to avoid PBing all the time. My restriction is fierce, but I can have all liquids, mushies and other stuff if I remember to cut it into little bites. My chicken looks like toddler food by the time I am done cutting, but tastes soooo good! Fatboyslim~ when is your wife's surgery? Smsmith~ do you have leads on help while you are here? Dee has been such a godsend, and sounds like she might be able to help. I agree, you DON'T want to be totally alone. You will be sleeping and resting after the surgery, but there will be stuff that you have to have help with. Keep us posted on how the plans are going. Hi Nik, Brandy, Viri, LA, munchkin, peaches, linz,living, tar, shelbi! Hope all is well in bandland!

SHELBI ~ HOLY SMOKES.....50 pounds lost?????????? WAY TO GO, GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's quiet here! How is everyone doing?????

Welcome, Linz!!!!!

I told my SO when I decided to get banded, which is really hard because at that time our weight difference was over 80 lbs...yuk... I would NEVER have voluntarily gave out the info... My mom had NO idea until I had lost some weight then told her, she was floored that I was a good chunk over 200. She weighs about 130 and always has. They have both been incredibly supportive and excited for this journey I am on. I know it is just a number, but in my lifetime I wouldn't have believed it if someone told me I would some day weigh over 200 lbs....so when I went there and beyond, it did a number on my head and I couldn't even tell anyone. Once I hit onederland...it all came out, and I don't regret talking about it one bit!

Hey Munchkin...glad the cast will be coming off! Man, my new gym is about 1/2 mile from my house...dammit, if it were across the river, I WOULD have an excuse! I am trying to enjoy exercising,...it is the first time in my life I have actually joined a gym. Funny thing, once I am there, I really love it. I get bored really, really easy and the treadmills have TVs :whoo: woo hoo...so, although I have only gone a few times so far, I plan to make it work and to be committed. Have you ever looked on Buy Discount Vitamins, supplements, Low Carb and More at www.Vitacost.com ? they have tons of different Protein powders...I wonder if they all smell like tube feeding to you (yuk) ?? I gag on Isopure...funny how we all handle different things. Two things I heard about hair loss (and there are a miriad of ideas)..Head and Shoulders shampoo and taking a Biotin supplement. You may be already, but thought I'd share those two Brandy Keep us posted on your fill experience. He was so awesome with my two fills...amazing guy wrkl8 ~ I don't know why it is that getting in and out of the shower and facing the mirror...doesn't look like I have lost anything...what's up with that???? The clothes getting bigger is awesome though! Cheers everyone! Keep posting so we can keep Dr. K's legacy number 2 rolling!

Hey everyone! I am glad that everyone is continuing to plug along...I am happy for our new bandsters and those with upcoming surgery dates! Lap ~ you are looking wonderful!! How have you been feeling since your last fill? when do you head to Colorado again? How is the journey into grandmahood coming? Tar ~ excellent pics! It always cracks me up when I, a CO resident, never go and see these awesome places, but our out of town buddies do...gawd, what is wrong with that picture?? Mal ~ I haven't had the chance to make you laugh lately..! I have missed dialogue with you and hope all is well.... I have read that you are pretty consistent at going to the gym...any advice to get me off my scared little, allergic to exercise, a**?? :nervous Tina ~ how are the kids doing? Dee ~ are you getting excited???:whoo: Shelbi, Brandi, Living, threedog, munchkin, nicnak and the rest of the gang...how are you all doing in your journey? My lapband journey has been steady. I went in for my second fill in November. Dr. K asked me to explain how I was doing, and then he told me he thought I was ok without a fill...well, the goof I am asked for a teeny weeny one anyway and got .5cc...omg...I have been having to direct everything that goes in my mouth around not getting stuck..my bad. Although, sometimes I wonder if I were able to eat anything, if I would be an out of control freight train. I don't plan, yet, on getting a slight unfill because of the drive, but I have NO plans to get a fill for a long time...maybe forever!! liquids, mushies, soft veggies, pounded to death and simmered beef and pork, oatmeal and some other softies go down great...chicken gets me EVERY time...you'd a thunk by now I would stop trying! I have found a very strange thing, though. I was never much of a sugar eating person, but am more drawn to sugar since being banded...what's up with that???? and, I was a bread-a-holic, and have NO desire to touch the stuff. If anyone has ideas, let me know! I have dabbled in working out at the gym. I'll tell ya, I am grossly out of shape, and do take it easy there. I need cardio, and have been very proud of fast walking the treadmill for even 20 minutes. I do need encouragement to go though...a very strange mental block for me, and I don't know why! THe weight keeps trickling off...my biggest foe is empty, liquid calories. Ok, I will admit, and have before, that I love a good microbrew...and they have no problem going down...go figure. I have been tempted for weeks to add Protein powder and call it a balanced meal! :heh: I LOVE my band, now 3 1/2 months out, it needs me to work with it. I am giving it my best shot and can't wait to actually wear shorts this summer....I think the world might fall off it's axis if I wear them outside, so, come May or so, if you feel a thud, it's me!!!:bounce:

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has a wonderful one!! PS hey Nicnak...how are you??

Munchkin ~ ok, I can't stop cracking up, the sympathy will follow..! OMG, if you just popped your PB cherry....ya know what that makes me???? A PB WHORE!!!:lalala: Gawd, how can something so horrible be so damn funny??? Somewhere back on my posts is my account of my first pb story...how do I copy that onto here? I thought I was going to DIE...how bad (or good, if you're a pb whore like me...gawd, I must be in a crazy mood...sorry for the demented humor!) was it? Pbing or EWT (egg white throw up) as I want to call it happens a lot here at my house (and once in Dennys...!!!), but I am finally learning to read my body and it has slowed down to first gear. ugh. I'm sorry you experienced it...I have yet to understand how people can go a whole year without experiencing it.... LA and viri...I also have health insurance that excludes banding. Now, I pay $355 per month to have insurance just for myself...and they would have paid if my heart exploded because I was getting so fat...or for bypass, or you name it...but something preventative that could save them money in the long road....NOOOOOO I ended up putting mine on a credit card.....My debt load is so much that I won't even put it on here, but I don't have a car pmt....so, this is now my car pmt. A few thoughts....if you go the medical loan route, find out if there are prepayment penalties. If there are none, then you have that option. The 0% till next August is a good one. In the meantime (the next few months or year), get copies of your credit reports (usually one free per year from Transunion, Experian, and Equifax)...and scour through it. If your credit report needs things resolved, jump on them and start working through it with the creditors. If your credit scores are good, then shop around in the meantime to possibly move your money to a better deal once you get approved somewhere else. Does that make sense? I originally put mine on an interest credit card. I get a ton of those low or no interest offers in the mail...now, especially since putting the banding on a card, I am sure my credit is looking kind of stressed. So, within a day of eachother a couple of weeks ago, for the heck of it, I applied for two different offers for 0% balance transfers....one denied me completely, and the other one gave me a $10000 limit...bingo...I moved my surgery one over there. The critera varies a lot, obviously. Now, you don't want to apply for a ton, because each time a creditor pulls your credit report from you applying for a card, that is recorded on your credit report. If you apply for 20 different cards, it will hurt your score. ...gosh, did that all make sense? bottom line, debt wise, i had no business racking up more. But,, health wise, emotionally, mentally, etc, I HAD to have the surgery. I have never regretted it. Not once. I just want to encourage you girls to keep on looking at your options...believe me, you won't regret it! LIVING THE DREAM... HOW ARE YOU FEELING???? CONGRATS!! Fill us in on everything! I am so excited for you! Where are you from? I am so excited for everyone who is joining us in Bandland!

LA be sure and let us know how your phone consult goes! I am so excited for you! I haven't regretted spending the money for my band at all...and you will love yours! all of you will!

Brandy~ how are you now feeling? I had a terrible time the first week, but then the pain began to subside. For some reason, I never had any shoulder pain at all, so I don't have advice. Just the pain meds and lots of sleep got me through it. Has it eased up since your last post? Gosh, I wish I had more ideas, but I just want you to feel better! LA ~ don't chicken out! It is kind of an interesting journey..it is the fastest and most complete way I have ever lost weight, but some days aren't easy. Some meals, I would love to shove all the yummy stuff in my mouth, but can't ! I know that is the point of the band, so I usually chuckle till my compulsion subsides! I drive to Dr. K's for my fills..it takes a bit over 5 hours, so gas is a cost for me. But, do you live in L.A., or where are you from? I have heard stories of people paying $200-$900 for fills from docs different from their surgeons. I know many people fly in to see Dr. K because it would cost as much, or more, to go to a local fill doctor. Have you found out any interesting tidbits since your last post? VIRI~ congrats on choosing Dr. K...I know you won't be disappointed. I was originally going to a mex doc, but hadn't yet scheduled. I got to thinking of the aftercare and having to go back to Mexico...then made my switch to Dr. K. Have you called yet to cancel the Mex doc? How did it go? Amieru~ WELCOME to this thread! I thought the other one could get overwhelming for some, so went out on a limb to start this one. We have had a lot of newbies and it has been great! Congrats on your banding decision! Munchkin and Tarheel...how are you feeling? Trina and Dee~gettin excited for your upcoming surgery? I hope all else is well with everyone! It has been crazy here and I haven't posted for a few, but always think of my bandsisters! Hugs!