kamicola

My 5 year old is very perceptive and very in tune with how the world works... she knows about very deep topics like death and such.... she is a pretty sophisticated child... we have always talked "real" to her, without gorry details of course and she just seems to get it. As far as the surgery, she knows what it is for, she watched the video our doctor sent us about it, we told her about the little cuts we will have and how we will have to eat for the rest of our live's... she is very into health and seems to get it.... she reads labels at this point too.... so as far as telling your children... I don't know the relationship or how you communicate to them, but I always believe in informing at the level your child is capable of handling... My daughter just does better with things when she has the facts. I don't know if that helps or not, but that is what our situation is... she is going with us as well to Mexico... my parents and my husband are also being banded, she will be with my parents at the hotel while my husband and I are being banded and then when we go to the hotel for recovery, we will care for her while my parents are having surgery.... she is very independent, but not the wander off type... we will spend most of our time by the pool as she is an avid swimmer and will be swimming for days! Kammi in Everett, WA soon to be banded 5/27/08

My mom called down there to ask a question to the Dr. Kuri office as well and in a minute or so, they had Dr. Kuri himself on the phone talking to my mom answering all her questions. She can't even get her Doctors up here to call her back! She is getting banded too at the end of May. Read my above post, but I would recommend Dr. Kuri. Kammi in Everett, WA soon to be banded 5/27/08

I look forward to hearing good news! Kammi

you are so welcome! Kammi in Everett, WA soon to be banded 5/27/08

just also check that thyroid issue... remember the medical field will tell you the range is from like .3 to 5.5.... although I think it has recently changed to .3 to 3.3.... but it really should be less than 2 or you could still have issues... your thyroid really effects your whole body. Good luck, thinking of you this week! Kammi in Everett, WA soon to be banded 5/27/08

I am going to Dr. Kuri in Tijuana.... so far I am more than impressed and so grateful. I know a lot of people that have gone to him and all were very pleased. He is at Hospital Angeles... top of the line facility. $7500 including two nights at a hotel. My husband and parents are being banded at the same time. Hope that helps Kammi in Everett, WA soon to be banded 5/27/08

Xylitol FAQs PLEASE go to this website for more info on Xylitol

Have any of you tried Xylitol.... way better than Stevia and natural as well... not a chemical... read my post above... I am a diabetic and have been using Xylitol for about 4 years.. you can buy it at Super supplements or online.. it's not too incredibly expensive and is the best thing you can buy for sweetening.... it also is good at killing bacteria and germs... they have Spry toothpaste and mouthwash as well because it is so good for your teeth... I make my daughter use the toothpaste, chew the gun and eat the candy (Spry brand) as it helps control ear infections as well as bad breath and is excellent for your teeth. PLEASE try it.... it is SO MUCH better than anything else. If you have any questions, please let me know! Kammi in Everett, WA soon to be banded 5/27/08

Since my parents are being banded at the same time as well as my husband, we are holding it at my parent's home.... it's close to people in our area and it's pretty large, large enough for lots of people, but my patient facilitator luckily lives near by and she said that as soon as a lot of people start coming more regularly, the surgeon's office will most likely pay for a rental of a place that will be better suited to our group's needs... so someone home, a cabana building at someone's apartment complex, someone's office conference room after hours... just think in those directions.... I do send luck and hope you find something that works for you and your group, they are helpful for some! Kammi in Everett, WA soon to be banded 5/27/08

Hmmmm.... as far as PCOS.... I was diagnosed it back about a year and a half before I got pregnant.... I tried so many things.... even got on the ovulation drugs... none of it worked.... then after I read a book that led me to the high Protein, low carb diet.... not the Atkins, but I can't think of the author or title right now... my husband and I started it and within 4 weeks my body was in ketosis, I lost like 18 pounds in those four weeks as well.... then.... 2 weeks later and I was pregnant... this is after trying and failing for 5 years.... I think a lot of PCOS is diet.... but now I am questioning whether I really ever had it.... although I do get the facial hair on my chin and have to shave everyday... that is so gross!, the rest of my body, I would not call hairy.... I haven't tried to get pregnant since my last child was born over 5 years ago as my weight made it not a good idea... I definately would go to an endocrinologist to start, but the thryoid issue is still questionable to me ... find a doctor that you can stick with for a long time and who specializes in PCOS and thyroid disorders... when you call for appointments at local doctor offices, ask them about the doctor and their specialties.... don't just go to a doctor because that is who you called first.... I still advocate for naturopathic doctors! But, you do what you feel is right and what your insurance covers... if you need any more info I will try to help. Kammi in Everett, WA soon to be banded 5/27/08

Can you contact the doctor's office directly? Kammi In Everett, WA soon to be banded 5/27/08

Just choose a doctor with a low rate of death.... my surgeon has done thousands of surgery and has only had one death and it was due to a blood clot... could happen to any one.... just choose wisely, but the risk of death with this surgery is generally very low.... 1 in 700 is scary to me though! Kammi in Everett, WA

My husband and my parents are getting banded at the same time as I am as well.... I think it will be so much easier when we have a built in support system really 24 hours a day! good luck to you two! Kammi in Everett, WA

I have not been banded yet, but with all that I have heard, it is normal to have pain at your port site for a while... I am confident that it will go away. Remember everyone reacts differently to surgery, keep your chin up and keep up the good work! Kammi in Everett, WA

It sure sounds like there is an underlying health concern... I don't know how low your thyroid was, but a medication increase could be necessary. I haven't been banded yet, but was diagnosed with low thyroid last July. I increased meds once and my husband diagnosed at the same time has increased his meds twice, we both have good thyroid levels now.. but takes blood tests every few months to determine that.... also with your diabetes... pretty stupid of a doctor to take you off of a medication just because you are going to lose weight.... I would go back to your doctor, get tests... A1C and such and determine if you still need metformin or other oral meds for diabetes. You should have your blood work done at least every 3 months , if not more often until this problem gets under control. I have all of the same issues as you, besides the gaining weight after banding.... take control of yourself and learn everything you can about your diagnosed or presumed issues and demand the care from your physicians... or switch doctors... just one suggestion.... Naturopathic doctors take way better care of you and are better at diagnosing.... also... just for your info.... I went 10 years without being diagnosed with a thyroid disorder, as the range of NORMAL is huge with the American Medical Association.... your TSH should really be under 2, ideally under 1.... the other thyroid tests are very important as well.. I think there are like 3 or 4 blood tests to really truly determine a thyroid disorder... make sure you have all of them done! Don't let your doctors tell you that because your TSH is "in range" that you are ok..... do your research and if you have any other questions, I would be happy to help... I have done a ton of reading on diabetes and thyroid issues... I'll help in any way I can. kamicola@yahoo.com Kammi in Everett, WA

I just started a local support group last week... it is so nice to be face to face with others going through this journey with you.... online is great too, but it makes it so more real when you sit with others physically.... the speakers on fills, nutrition, etc. are part of the furture meetings... I would highly recommend them. Kammi in Everett, WA

Hi, I am getting banded on 5/27/08 what I have started already is.... 1) drinking 80-100 oz.of Water per day 2) taking tiny bites and chew chew chewing 3) trying to cut my portions down 4) taking 20 minutes to eat, not more not less 5) walking 6) being AWARE when I am eating 7) finding band friendly recipes 8) found the best Protein shakes... the SAFEWAY brand (if you have Safeway grocery stores in your area), they are creamy and way better than Atkins or the others and only 2 net carbs 9) found 3-4 Protein Bars that were to my liking 10) Read the book the Secret and The New Earth , working on self-improvement and learning the power that I do have in life 11) prepare my 5 year old about some house rules on foods (although we have never had sugary things and chips in our house) 12) practice visualization techniques, especially things like what I will look like 20 pounds lighter, then 50, then 75, then 100, then at goal... 13) Find out everything I can about Lap Band surgery and life 14) Started a local support group with people that are banded or are thinking about it, already had one meeting 15) Probably doing more, but can't think right now Kammi in Everett, WA

that would be so cool. I think you should save her worry, let her go, you both probably need a break and then surprise her...! Just my opinion.. I bet it's hard to keep your mouth quiet though when you are excited I am sure... Kammi in Everett, WA Dr. Kuri - Mexico

All I know is about the 4cc band.... you don't get filled until about 6 weeks, as your stoma and stitches need that time to heal properly. Which doctor are you going to? I have been pretty informed by my patient facilitator throughout my whole process so far, won't be banded until 5/27/08, but so looking forward to it. We have a local fill center 15-20 minutes from our home that we are planning on using and have heard really great things about them!

I have not been banded yet, but will be with my husband and both parents at the end of May by Dr. Kuri... I am so convinced that he is the doctor for me... I have met many who have been to him for their surgery and I think he would be an excellent choice... it sounds as if there are several very good surgeons in Mexico... I know Hospital Angeles has a very good reputation! I am happy with my choice, just choose the one that is highly recommended (you have a few choices) and also the one that offers the best deal and is most convenient for you of the best doctors. Kammi in Everett, WA

I haven't been banded yet... I am in my 30s.... I have met a lot of banded people and believe it or not, it often is not how old you are that ends you up with sagging skin or not... depends on your genes and how your body is built.... I have slightly hanging skin since I was a teenager so I know I will most likely need to deal with it... depends though... I really don't know the outcome.... and I know those in their 60s that had this surgery and were quite large and did not have a lot of sagging skin... at least not enough to justify a TT.... anyhow.. hope this helps. Kammi in Everett, WA

I also will be a self-pay.... my insurance won't budge, so I won't either in my decision to get banded on 5/27/08 in Mexico with Dr. Kuri.... $7500 and then I have a fill clinic 20 minutes from my home and they are $150 for the first fill (free unfills) and $125 for fills after that.... $300 for a fluroscope if I need it. No regrets.... my parents and my husband are getting it done at the same time... my parents are paying for it and I will make monthly payments back to them for my husband and I. Good luck! Kammi in Everett, WA

I think a good chewable multi-vitamin is best anyhow... the liquid ones can also irritate the stomach more so.... Kammi in Everett, WA soon to be banded 5/27/08

Got it!... Just one question though.... when I go back to Ticker page how do I get the ones I configured? Right now they are just reduced at the bottom of my page...

I am trying this ticker thingy.... I'll see if it works... Kammi