Morsaille

I collect sugar-free syrups. I mix them with coffee and iced tea. I tried to mix a little into some plain yogurt, but it didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. I was able to turn my little mis-adventure into an INCREDIBLE smoothie with some frozen fruit, milk, and a handful of cereal.

My policy had a written exclusion... that is a BOO-HOO. All insurance usually covers WLS, but employers can opt to add an exclusion. This way they save lots of money not paying for that coverage. It is not discrimination, it just feels that way. Your insurance company probably covers WLS, but your employers policy excludes it. Check with HR to make sure.

I gave up soda after my last fill....Ouchy! COLD TURKEY QUITTER You only need one air golfball to learn that lesson. I just gave it a little shake/stir until then and had no problems. Tea is great, I keep some in the fridge all the time. Propel makes me swell. It has a lot of sodium (for water). I put water or crystal light in the empty bottles and even freeze them for take-aways. Give 'em a little squish first so they don't crack or leak in the freezer.

Other than being a nuisance, PTC generally has no complications other than those caused by the co-occurring hypertension (high blood pressure) right? Is this one of those new diseases that the good people at Pfizer "discovered"? Sorry for the sass, if this can help Vines I am all for it. This just looks like more fear fuel. Brenda

We were buying the flavor splash ones (can't remember who makes them) until the Dannon/Nestle waters went on sale and we realized they were even better. We haven't gotten any recently, but I like them much better than Crystal Light...

I was banded in Mexico, but a few of us were banded at NWWLS. I will copy the link to our local page and you can either post or PM from there, K? http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=2068 Enjoy the journey, Brenda

I got 19! What does that mean? I got lucky on #13, but WOW... What was my handicap BTW?

Oooh! I love the Pureed Broccoli one!! My first Productive Burp was on Broccoli!

This has been a hilarious read, thanks guys! And thanks Kathy for posting the link to the PB info. I put this thread into "Rants and Raves" because I wanted people to be able to have fun without threatening the learning curve of others. On the bright side, no one will have to relocate it... This thread is becoming a "I'm so much better than others" kind of thing. I sure hope that wasn't what it was intended to be when it started. It was never my intention to mock others, but the threads have been a bit dry lately since I have managed to absorb all the 101 info and am not ready to give you guys up yet. Oooh... I thought of another one! Defensiveness! Much love guys! *Deep cleansing breath*

I do the foam thing too, usually in the mornings before it has a chance to dissipate. The morning foam is easy, coffee or tea makes it go away. My mid-day foamies I blame on gravity. My foam won't go through the band if there is too much of it. I have also noticed that when my meal is more solid/dry, the stoma freaks and starts with the sliming. I turn into a slime-spitting freak who refuses to swallow saliva. Luckily a big cough is generally enough to bring up the foam. A mini-PB, sans wretching. Eeeew

Wow! You ladies have said it all! I would have to agree. Apathy is a big turn-off, and designated victims are hard to handle. I hate being the last poster too, but didn't want it to happen to any of you guys. I have "killed" my fair share of threads. What a lonely sensation. If this is the last post...well, it is only fair since I started it. Toodles, Brenda

Thought it might be fun to make a list of things that render an active, fun-loving thread... well, Dead. I was reading the other day and I saw for the ka-zillionth time or so where some well meaning newbie jumped into a lively discussion to ask the question. You know the one... "What is a PB?" Don't get me wrong, I am sure I did it too. Well maybe, I sure hope not. What can someone post that will make you shut it down and walk away?

I have a floaty lumpiness that is scar tissue. It freaked me out for awhile. Definitely call, don't let the weirdness get you all stressed. I am STILL making friends with my band. I named it "puckers" Brenda

Blind fills are generally "safe", fluoro fills are generally "safer". They also hurt less (fewer needle sticks), can give earlier restriction, and can spot issues before they become problems. Congrats on your great taste in surgeons, did you like him?

Good God Woman!! If this is a real story, you should find yourself a good counselor, not just a lawyer. Hugs gsp princess and to everyone reading this because this is the kind of story that breeds fear in the whole community. Brenda

I remember when I lost half of my hair in months 4 and 5. Looks like you are right on schedule, darlin'. Luckily mine was so thick it looks better now. I thought it was only the GB'ers too, until I started losing 3 inch hairballs daily. Your hair will fall out until it stops, not showering will only make your showers more traumatic. The shampooing and conditioning only make the already severed hairs slippery enough to slide out. We have different theories... I am leaning toward system-shock, but there are anaesthesia, nutrition change, protein, biotin, and weight-loss theories too. Do what you have to to feel a little better, it WILL stop. (((DonnaB))) Brenda

I have five ear piercings, my tongue, and two tattoos. One on my back and one on my foot. I have about outgrown the tongue piercing...I am 30 now...and a Mom. My DH loves it and would REALLY miss it if it turned up missing. I have never played with it much, in fact, almost no one notices it and it is an 8G. My teeth are great (use lucite balls if you are nervous about this), "oral" is enhanced, and the only swelling I ever had was in week one, about 5 years ago.

There are a few.. I go to Dr. Neal in Olympia who uses a barium swallow (Fluoroscopy). It is more expensive, but more accurate. $350 www.pacsurgical.com There is a Kitty Carmichael in Arlington 360-435-5365, who can do your non-fluoro fill cheaply if your port is shallow. She only had 2" needles last time I asked. Can you feel it easily? Dr. Fox in Tacoma can do a non-fluoro fill for $400 the first time, then it gets cheaper, $225 I think. Dr. Chebli is nice, and affordable, but I had a less than positive experience there. Check him out on Obesity help. He has a new Seattle address. There may be a few more, but these are the ones we discuss most frequently. PM if you need more contact info on these guys or if you have questions, Welcome to the boards!

VooDoo Jane, I married Deadeye Smythe and we had a little one.. Jolly Esmerelda! Sounds like a handsome crew...

If I met someone outside the marriage who I imagined was my dream-partner, kindred spirit or other I would contemplate divorce. How sure can you be that a new spouse will be better than one already "broken-in"? There will still be inside-out crusty socks, toothpaste to clean off the mirror, and the occasional day of loathing. If I saw this dream lover as an option only for physical pleasure I would question my own selfish motives and work harder on my marriage! I am proud to say that I have never cheated in relationship. Once I slept with someone I later found out was married...oops...I suppose that is cheating, isn't it?

I suppose it is kind of like eBay... There are always going to be a few freaks who would never be satisfied... If the complaints are more than 2% of the surgeons total numbers? That is just over the average for bandster complications, right? Severity would have to come in there somewhere too. If someone called the doc "Rude", that would be easier for me to gloss over than "I spent 3 weeks in the ICU with a perforated fill in the blank"

Thanks Chelley for the chat. My little punkin has worn out her tonsils. I will leave the chat room for other night owls. If you see me in there... It is a ghost... Much love everyone, g'night!

Sometimes the threads get dry and I just want to talk to bandsters without the delay of posting. We joke about how the chat room goes unused. I figure the way to fix it is to set an example. Shame the pagers are gone... Hey, pick a topic, I put my DD to bed hours ago. She is still awake and I need something to distract me from the tantrum... I may have to take little breaks to give Water and potty breaks... Geneva Convention and all...

Happy Band-day to You... Happy Band-day toooo Youuuu... Happy Band-Day Dear Zooo-eeee Haaappy Band-Day to You!! You're doing it! I will wish only happy positive things for you, and I will send this positivity as often as I can today and until we hear from you. You will do great! Brenda

Who wants to share their best dive ever? I took classes locally, during my third open water dive I lost my buddy. It was slack tide under a bridge. Visibility was not so great. I was looking around for Greg's hot pink dive fins when I came up against the bridge stanchion. No barnacles, no kelp, none of those really vicious spider crabs... I could barely see my hand pressed against the pillar when the pillar moved up and to the left. I turned and swam real hard and popped up a good deal away. There was Greg smiling and pointing behind me. He asked if I had seen the gray whale... :eek: :faint: