Morsaille

Jacqui- have you taken a CPR class? My friend's sternum port is just below the xyphoid process. Right where breastbone meets the stomach. So when you go 'natural' the port is right between the 'ladies'. *winks*

JJB, can't say I have the throat thing. Maybe you are just quirky. You are doing great with your weight loss. Welcome to you too MaryPetunia!!! Looks like our little group is actually starting to grow a little. I am with you on how much LBT has done for me. I'd be lost... seriously... without everyone here. What do you guys think? I have a fluoro fill scheduled for the 30th. Now this will be my third and although the fluoro is nice, I am not sure if I need it. I can get a blind fill for under $200 with a nurse practitioner I have not yet met. The scheduled fill will cost $350. Should I cancel it and stow the extra cash in my daughters savings?

Pear..rah..noyy..duh? I wasn't sure if I wanted to go manic, or full on schizo. How'd I do? I'd hate to think anyone thought I was serious... <- love this icon with the tinfoil hat. Blowing kisses to the audience (and Jack):humble: Gotta go now, the Peanut Butter is getting demanding.

I've had two and the worst part of both was finding the port. The needle is barely an issue. It looks scary, but the pressing and belly kneading is more uncomfortable than the needle sticks. You will be planning number two before you know it. I am waiting on number three right now as I chase down the elusive critter they call, restriction. Relax, it will give you a better fill.

What do you do? I answer to a two year old and was holding my own a week later, as good as new in a month. Desk job? It is probably realistic, if you are a professional bender-over-er, like a gardener or a preschool teacher, you may need a month.

Mine is essentially on my waistline on the left side. Apparently it is a real bear to fill since it is so deep. I asked about placement since I have a friend with a sternum port. I was told by one of the hospital staff "that is NOT where the surgeon places ports". I got the impression that it was non-negotiable. If I'd had my druthers, I'd have wished it about 3"-4" higher on the same side.

:thumb: Thanks, I kept opening it.

Hey Kim K! :welcomeB: I just can't wait to get into the clothes already in my closet! New ones would be a bonus.

Thanks P'nut. Ooh, and msheavensent, Stitchy has a very comprehensive list on the mushies help thread. Thanks Stitchy. Now... I am going to try and relearn how to copy links.

Definitely get tested. It could have been an allergy to something other than shellfish. Like maybe nuts. Some restaurants fry in Peanut oil and fail to mention it on their menu. This happens to a friend of mine about once a year. I almost enjoyed my allergy testing. I included plastics on my panel prebanding to be sure I wouldn't have a reaction. I was allergic to my sleep mask and didn't want to have a similar reaction to the band. Get it checked out. Something like an allergy helps pull your attention to meal planning and could even make being banded easier.

Found the sticky in the 'Food' forum. LapBand Food Stages Lists Suggestions Just had an issue remembering how to copy the link. Hope this helps, there are threads for liquids and mushies there too.

looking for the link...

Try a heating pad on your sternum. I even use a hot coffee cup. It relaxes the muscles in the short-term making it easier to swallow. What did the doc say?

Stitchy, congrats on the banding! I didn't have anything significant until I went to full fluids. How much bulk is there really in Jello and tea? Take care and hope your recovery is smooth and easy.

Alicia, do you take a water pill? Diuretics pull necessary moisture from the large intestine. You may want to see a doc about your meds if this is the case. Otherwise, I agree with everyone here, drink up love.. Oh and try the shredded wheat. It's delicious.

I don't think you are psycho... Want to hear psycho? I don't think you have a crush on Jack at all. I think he asked you to post this to bait me into saying I have a mind crush on him too so he would know that legions of banded women hang on his every written word. Shame on you Poodles and Jack! Didn't think I'd see through your little plot did you?:nono: :loco:

You guessed it, dry lips. I was banded in Mexico when my home state is damp almost all the time. I woke up feeling like I had journeyed through the desert. I was parched and my lips would crack whenever I smiled, ooch. I picked some up at the pharmacy when I got my pain meds but would have liked to have had it in the hospital. I went the dress route too and was very glad I had packed one. About the hernia, I think you are lucky to get all the uncomfortable stuff done at the same time. Recovery isn't fun, but you are killing two birds with the same stone. I think you will do great, take care.

Not really a chicken lover, but the swansons broth was sooo good after all the sweet of the pre-op diet I was on. I was looking forward to beef but the canned stuff was gross, I poured it straight down the drain. Luckily I had a stroke of brilliance while still planning my surgery and decided to freeze all the fluids that came out of my crockpot. Mmmm, roast water! The garlic and rosemary flavors were comforting and incredibly substantial..for clear fluids. Add to your packing list...slip-op shoes, lipbalm, and rolling luggage.

Water is probably a huge factor for me too. Since we moved I have been drinking much less. City water is gross and I just can't bring myself to buy it (or carry it in). Guess I should get one of those faucet filters. I'll ice some up right now since that kills some of the nasty. Glad you could join us Jamie! Welcome everybody! Sorry you are with me in a stall. I scheduled a fill for the 30th. It's a wait, but will give me a chance to find and pull myself up by the bootstraps.

I don't know what to say, I wish I was closer so that it was easier to empathize. I shouldn't be the first one, you have countless friends here who love you and could give a much stronger shoulder. Sheesh, what a huge pile of nasty! Maybe you should just give her a good hug and cry with her for awhile. Make an event of it. You both have plenty to mourn. When you are all good and drained, go to the park and blow bubbles...

Who-cooks-for-you... I am an Owl too, who'da thunk I was so evolved? 9% will be reincarnated higher.

:bump: Are there really this few January bandsters? There are more, I know it. So... I will continue to troll until we snag a few more. Didn't I read a post a while ago about 'banding season'? If there is any truth to people getting bands as a resolution there should be plenty of company here. Not me, I have never been a resolution gal. My banding came about after 2 years of educating myself and my family, failing on a few more programs, and soul searching. January was a coincidence for me. Plus I was rushing to get banded before the Seattle Splash. Thanks tacwoman for joining in! Glad to hear your hair is coming back in. I used to frequent Anchorage, AK when I was a young'un. Loved it.

..Well into year twelve of my rosacea outbreak... Do you think if I went to your Doc it would go away?

Thanks StrawartS! Just wish I was running XP. No power toys for me on ME..sniff

Nope, haven't had it looked at yet. I am a MX bandster on a limited budget. Currently I am planning a fill as close to yesterday as possible so I will ask about it then. Pics wouldn't do any good P'nut, the weirdness is inside of me..*making ghost sounds* I could take a picture of me pointing to where it hurts, but that would be more for my own amusement than anything else. Thanks for trying to help.