Morsaille

I was so busy putting it together I missed your post, Great Minds... right Amy?

Firstly, I couldn't agree more with Alexandra. Marketing. Plus, it easily justifies the golden sets of the televangelists. Isn't it wonderful to send them money knowing God trusts them to do good with it. All the while they feel justified in keeping most of it because God rewards the faithful. If anyone thinks that "GOD REWARDS GOOD" (weather it is riches or a good life) then what do you say to people who have tragedy? I mean a family who loses a child, a person in a natural disaster, your neightbor who's house burns down... I think that faith is it's own reward. If I ever lost my Soren I would know that she was here to teach me about the power of Love. That she had done her job so well and so quickly that her soul couldn't wait for another assignment. That my task was to show her gift to others and to be thankful for the time we had. Easier said than done, right? In a natural disaster there are limitless lessons. If you were the person who ignored the warnings, the one who doubted the power of God, or the person who doubted the goodness of others, a hardship can be the classroom in which we discover the best and worst in ourselves. That is the gift.

I am nervous because I had my fill this last Tuesday. I love it, I finally have restriction. It is so sweet that I may have found my spot. Here is the but.. I was menstruating when I got my fill. I am going to be so sad if I lose restriction... guess I just have to wait and see. Is this TOM problem common do you think?

He is so adorable, I wonder how to make it a screen saver. I am happy now... Lets try Morsaille... Tee Hee

Don't do that ANYMORE!!! Did it hurt? Did you bring it back up? If you didn't realize until way later then you probably didn't hurt anything. If it had caught against the band you'd know it. Luckily you are unfilled and not too swollen if you can get nuts down. Are there nuts in a Mars? Now if you had inadvertently scarfed a mouthful of melted cheese the story would be different. The reason for the liquid diet is to let everything heal slow like... everything solid-ish makes the stomach churn. The more the stomach churns during healing, the higher the chance of popping or loosening a stitch. Healthy scar tissue makes for a stationary band. Most of the stuff we should avoid the most will slip right through with no issues. Chocolate, ice cream, and chips will slide right through (which is why I try to keep them out of the house). Chew ice and sip fluids. If there is something in your hand all the time it is harder to forget. Heal well, Brenda

Hope everything works as smoothly and comfortably for you as it did for me. Pack light. Make sure your luggage rolls because lifting is forbidden post-op if you will be traveling solo. Take small bills for tips and purchases I think I used about $70 (tips, Mexican phone card, groceries, and prescription) I was on a pre-op diet for almost 3 weeks. Protein shakes, calorie free liquids, and protein bars not to exceed 40g carbs daily. For snacks I just packed more of the same. I don't think I used any of them. I took two low-carb Pria bars and a low carb Slimfast. I gave them to the mother of the gal banded with me. When I got into San Diego, Miguel picked me up at the airport and drove me over the border and right to hospital. I recommend sitting up front with him if possible because he is a crazy driver and the van has very bad shocks. This is only a suggestion for the way there; coming back it is a priority. Miguel is shorter, about 5'5" 250? Hispanic :doh: , usually wears black and didn't have my name on a card, but a little slip of paper in his pocket. He drives a red/maroon minivan clearly labeled. He was hurried and not quite on time. This probably has not changed in the last few months. He is sweet, I think I tipped him $5. I got settled in my hospital room, a nice large private room with an INCREDIBLE shower. I was bored because I didn't anticipate all my alone time. Bring DVDs if you don't enjoy telemundo (only one channel at least when I was there). Ooh, pack slip on shoes, a robe, and clothes with no waistband (dresses are the best), lip balm, band-aids, and a Spanish / English dictionary too. Brush up on your charades, its fun and it makes communicating easier. I hear the staff is doing better with English, but education is never wasted. I had my pre-op tests done right in the room- EKG, questionnaire, lab-work, and urine sample. Then we had our orientation with the docs. Ask questions. Dr. Kuri chose the surgery order during orientation. My band was placed at 6 am. Don't worry about it being early, they wake you up and put you right back to sleep :nervous . They took us to pre-op, placed our IV's, and then put us under. I woke up later and was very groggy most of the day. I drifted in and out of sleep. People came in numerous times to take my blood pressure. I hurt some, but no gas pain. I think it was the liquid diet. Traveling was easier for me since I flew with my husband and daughter. They stayed in CA while I did the Mexico thing. The pharmacy is one block from the hotel the grocery store is one more block. Walk down the driveway along the hotel and take a left. I bought sugar free jello, fruit juices, and bouillon cubes. You might want to skip the cubes because I had a hard time getting the lumps of salt and fat to dissolve in bottled water. You could request a coffee pot… My “band sister” did and it worked for her. You might find that a cheap can opener and canned stock work better. Phone cards are right across the street. Drink LOTS of water if you swell. I was filled about 6 weeks later. US cards don't work to call out of Mex. and Yes there is a phone in the hospital and in the hotel. Take a cell if you can. Ooh, conversion: Mex. dollars divided by 10 - $100 phone card was $10 US Take care and have fun, Brenda feel free to PM if you have anymore questions that I may have skipped over in my novella.

What is your docs name Yasmin? I was banded by Dr. Kuri in the new hospital but can't remember the name of it. I would be more than happy to describe my experience to you but why advertise if you are going somewhere else?

If it is a retching PB that empties my pouch, then YES! 24 hours or more. If it is sliming, mouthfuls of saliva and other that if swallowed cause problems, NO. I put a coffee cup on my sternum, spit the offending material, and wait an hour or more for the stoma to clear. Then back to normal.

Most of us have been working our butt off for years even decades and getting absolutely nowhere, or worse, even bigger. It seems like the more energy I focused on getting healthy the bigger my eventual failure. With the band, all the basics are covered. The crazy cravings, insane hunger, and fear of failure are left out of the equation. It is like instead of running the whole marathon every morning, you get to skip ahead to the last leg. How cool is that?

SPLIT PEA - Big batch freezes well 2 lbs split peas 1 onion quartered or chopped 2-4 cloves garlic 1-2 potatoes (optional- makes the soup more stable when blended) 3-4 stalks celery 1/2 lb carrots peeled salt and pepper to taste Put everything into a big pot with enough water to cover everything. Add more water as the peas swell. Blend it in small batches when everything gets good and soft and the peas are falling apart which is usu. about an hour. It is easier to use a blender wand or other hand held device. I make this soup vegan because it is easier to dress it up than to dress it down. It is fat free and filling, not many soups can say that. If you want you can add some olive oil or a strip of bacon, but plain is just great for me. My husband likes a dollop of low-fat sour cream.

On the bright side, once you have restriction you won't want it so much anymore. I got a fill yesterday and it may just be me adjusting to it, don't hold your breath... I may have restriction!!! I have been sipping diet soda on and off post-banding, I just gave it a long pour over ice and the carbonation was nearly gone. Yesterday, I had a little sip with my soup and meal over. There was a carbonation induced golf ball that took about ten minutes for me to burp my way through. You all can have my diet sodas still in the fridge. I quit yesterday!

Did you enjoy Son of a Witch? I read Wicked and liked it. Instead of going to the sequel I read Confessions of an ugly Stepsister. It was an entertaining read but different. I read The DaVinci Code over the course of two nights. And was glad that I did, with so much talk going on. Much of it seemed review. Was I the only one that had at least heard much of the "controversial content"? I really love reading classic literature and am kind of sad that I have finished most everything that piqued my interest. I am currently looking for a good book, Vinesqueen's book The Bors Hede Boke of Cookry looks interesting since I have been restoring my family's last four generations worth of recipes (It'd be easier if I read Swedish). So many recipes for plums, what the heck? I like the Potter books oddly enough, read 'em all. I picked up the first one in an airport out of desperation after book four was already published.

*Deep sucking sound* *Plop* There you go... It didn't fit right anyway, it is either the missing 2", or the whole metric conversion thing.

Thanks guys, there have been days when most of us just wanted to lay low for awhile. I admire that you guys were not only in on the fight, but did your best to rope and tie them all, rodeo style. I figure with all the time you have spent on this board it has become a second job; that you are not paid is a testament to your dedication. Thank You.

C'mon Carlene... Oh, I swear... at this moment... you mean everything... Close enough to Eileen to get the joke-let right off. Thanks for the giggle. Did the financial fisher get deleted? Oh and yeah, what about those sizes... geez! Some stores have their very own sizing systems, like Chicos.

Developmentally as in DD (developmentally disabled)?

I am sorry you are angry DerbyGirl, you've got good reason. What a nasty situation! We have enough in the way of issues without everyone looking to hand over their extra baggage the second we drop a pound. No matter what they may make you believe-it is not about you. It may make you feel like crap, but the crap was theirs. They just flung it in your direction. (((derbygirl))) <--Hugs Thanks to everyone here for the support! I really appreciate it. Brenda

Keep a pitcher of water, iced tea, or Crystal Light in the fridge. Suck on party ice Get a cute sports bottle and keep it full of iced water Get a faucet filter (this was a good one for me) Try the sodium free/sugar free waters there are lots of good ones Good luck and get drinkin'

I would like to introduce "Double B". It is like Jacqui's uppie duppie except with B's. The B sound comes after each vowel sound/syllable. We used to do it as kids. When you've got it right it sounds like you are underwater. Youbou arebar ubunderber wabaterber.

I like it gadgetlady! But the word I was thinking of would be better with fart sounds. Sorry Poodles, that is horrible. That is why I didn't enjoy Jr. High, some people never grow up. I saw a bumper sticker one time that said stupidity should be painful. I agree and would have wanted to cause them physical pain too. (((Poodles)))

Thats OK, you can be my online friend... WA is just a click away.

Where do you live cathmo? You can be my new friend!

I disagree with willbethin too. I think the post is absurd and that a 168 pound person should not be banded and that the whole thing smells like an advertisement. But if I had been through what DeLarla has been through with her band I would be agreeing right along with her.

Thanks again ladies, you all are so special! I am not sure if she has it in her to be the kind of friend I need right now, but I will give her scrawny backside a chance. We are getting together next week. She was very supportive when I quit smoking, but has made comments about my weight from time to time. Like, for example, the time she compared me to the bouncer she met. "He would make even you look diminutive." Sweet huh? We used to work together. I left the job behind three years ago; if she doesn't shape up... I'm gonna pelt her with something foul and sticky! Love you guys!

Courtney- I wouldn't know about Ortiz, I am a Kuri gal. My doc had a finance company he worked with. Have you asked Ortiz or his patient coordinator? My friend got a regular loan from a bank, but I suppose that is what you already tried, huh? DeAnn- Congrats!! I hear great things about Dr. Srikanth and Dr. Fox too, my friend goes to him for fills. He charges $402 for a first fill and $250 for subsequent fills. They are working on getting fluoroscopy, but currently do blind fills. Hey Kurt! I was banded in MX too and am in Bremerton. I get my fills in Olympia. Feel free to PM or email. It would be nice to have a band buddy who is almost local.