kgloverii

I self-paid for my band and it has been a great tool for my weight loss. But, if you had the band and lost it, I don't think many doctors out there are advising a replacement of a new band. re-slippage rates for those who are rebanded are ridiculously high. And the sleeve is another option, but there are not a lot of doctors who are doing them in the US with good self pay prices and stats, which means traveling abroad. And some people like that idea, and some not so much. And the credit markets are VERY tight right now, so people who got financed a year ago, with very good credit are having a hard time getting financing now, even with stellar credit. OR, the terms they are offered are less than stellar. My husband and I have said if I ever lose my band, I will immediately revise to something else, but in today's credit market, its not as easy as it used to be.

Just weighing in here... Here are my statistics: The band got me skinny. I didn't know about the sleeve. I have a sleeve-fund set up for **when** my band goes south. I will ride my band till the wheels fall off. I never know if/when I will be able to eat on a day to day basis. IF I can eat. I CAN EAT, if I can't, I can't. It is a PITA. My band is my best friend and my worst enemy. I encourage everyone do to the research into a sleeve.

keep drinking that broth today!!! along with a little motrin, you will be better in no time!

motrin, in small amts will help with the inflammation, but tylenol will not. again, we are talking pediatric doses, to be on the safe side.

it might have been heathero... she was the one that clued me in on this tip and my doc DID give it the thumbs up...

Just wanted to jump in here... When i get irritated, I take the liquid motrin dose for an 11 year old, every 4 -6 hours for a 24 hr period. I DO NOT TEST MY BAND and ONLY drink HOT HOT HOT chicken broth. I give my band a full 48 hours of rest, first 24 hours only consuming chicken broth. 2nd day, start my day with chicken broth and move on to SOFTIES like yogurt, etc. NO REAL FOOD. The reasons for the chicken broth are various: a) it is a clear liquid :smile2: I can drink it HOT and like it and C) it is high sodium. High sodium is good for help in retaining water which will help maintain and build water levels in the body until the irritation is gone. I am a 'expert' in this irritated stoma thing cause my band is easily irritated. I usually go through this routine once every couple weeks. It is annoying, but I have always had a sensitive stomach. This routine works like a charm.

The band dims my appetite. As some of the previous posters have said, it makes it so that food doesn't rule your life. If you get to the right spot, you don't wake up thinking of what you're going to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You're not consumed with the next meal. And that new brain-wiring helps you when making your food choices. You are not 'so hungry you've gotta eat' and just fill up on pasta cause you're famished. You have the ability to make better choices. I know I do. It is a whole new world out there with my band. And as an FYI, I am almost 2 years out, so I am quite realistic. The 'love affair is over.'

I am doing GREAT, RM!! Are you ready for this... A girlfriend of mine had some pants to return in a size 2 cause they were a wee bit big. Well, since I'm wearing a 4/6 comfortably now, I asked her to let me try them... They FIT. They weren't the right cut, and emphasized my muscular calves and ankles, so I didn't want them, but the point is... I got a size TWO on me. A fluke... but nonetheless... unbelievable! I never wore a two, EVER. I went right from 'big girls' to misses size 8 as a kid, and only went up... The summer is GREAT for eating. Living on almonds, fresh fruits and veggies (I eat tomato and mozzarella salad daily, with FULL FAT dressing!!)... Loving blueberry season. I had a period of random tightness, and my doc was in China, so he told me to go to the ER. I found an AWESOME urgent care doc that used to be a trauma surgeon who was familiar with the ports cause of cancer patients. I called her, she told me to come right in, and gave me a small unfill of .3 ccs, and charged me $50. That woman is a saint, and I am all better now. I am a little looser than my 'sweet spot' but it allows me to eat lots of FRESH stuff, which is GREAT. And I haven't put on a pound... even eating my Haagen Dazs! :smile2: How are you??????