maestrita

Yes, of course. That totally makes sense, but I thought Katylady just went to a new clinic for a fill. They'd not really have known any of that, right? Katy, did you have these symptoms or was there some other reasons they stated? I am just trying to learn as much as I can about the different experiences people have with the band. Restless, I do appreciate your perspective on this matter, too. This kind of dialogue is very informative of the different situations that can occur with the band! :bored:

Thanks. It just sounds so strange. I understand what you're saying, but I can't imagine that working, I guess. How would they know she'd stretched her pouch unless they'd done some imagining, though?

I am shocked at how rude some people can be simply when they don't agree with someone. Thank God for the Ignore feature!

If your pouch was stretched, why would they take more out? I don't get that part. How could they tell that you'd gotten stretched? I think your first doc should advise.

I am concerned that so many people are thinking that this is a normal occurrence with lettuce, and they're ready to swear off of it. I think it is a rather unusual situation! I eat greens of all types. Just tonight I ate Dhomas wrapped in steamed grape leaves. I think if you chew you are not likely to have this sort of thing happen. OP, I do hope you're feeling better now.

Ghannouge, I don't mean that they control your life, but yes, the doctor decides whether or not a surgery is appropriate for a person based on his health profile. The medical literature about the different surgical options describes which treatments are most appropriate for specific conditions. The weight ranges and behavioral patterns that meet the indications of the sleeve are not the same as those for the band. Just as an example, I would not have been considered a candidate for any of the other surgeries. Some people are, but again, it is the surgeon's choice whether or not to do the surgery. I wouldn't have it any other way, either. I don't know about you, but I don't have over a decade of formal education in the area of human wellness. Besides, I am paying quite a bit for their expertise! I expect them to not allow me to do something to my body that I will regret later!:smile2:

John, Your response was not friendly. We were not all advised to avoid bread. Bread product provide nutrients that can't be found elsewhere, and not all doctors/nutritionists believe that the low carb approach is healthy. Eating breads is not a reflection of whether or not we are committed to the process. Moreover, when you first start out, it is difficult to even figure out which foods you can get down. You have no idea whether or not she was referring to whole grain or white products. Besides, if she were referring to white products, would it kill you to be kind in making a suggestion that might actually HELP a person? You know, I just have to say, I hate that people feel free to get on LBT and act aggressively. I guess it's much easier to be self-righteous when you can hide behind an avatar. How are people supposed to come here for education or help with issues related to the band if this is the sort of thing that we do? Jeesh. Sorry... I am just really fired up... Santa Maria.

Anything can stretch your pouch, but you will feel it if you are not passing it through. It will hurt pretty bad. You should practice not gulping. It is a skill that will come in handy after you are filled some.:smile2:

Go to the doctor if you have not gone yet. You might even consider going to the hospital. This is not normal, and you could be very ill. Don't just think about going. Go. Now.

Just something to think about...The band and the sleeve aren't always indicated for the same health profile. We have a lot of freedom in the US to make health care decisions, but it's not necessarily the case that you can just go and choose one or the other. For some of us, the sleeve would not be indicated. Just a thought...

Hi Cheryl from Burbank, Forty pounds is great! Can you tell about the port experience? I kind of wondered how much of a situation this would be to get a repair. What was involved, how much did it cost, what kind of recovery was involved? That would be great. I also wonder about having the tubing replaced. It would be great to hear from anyone who might have had that done, too.

OMG-Starting a lecture on verbs in my fourth period class. I just took one bite wrong before the bell rang! Excuse me, Darlings. I have to go puke... Wally, it's not terrible. You learn how to do it right pretty quickly. I know it sounds horrific before you're banded, but it really isn't half as bad as it sounds.

Good to hear from the 12-steppers....

Oh, I didn't mean that to sound negative. Now that I read back over it, I sound like a total ass. I'm sorry for that. I meant to encourage instead. I should have been more careful about the way I phrased that. I don't agree that you should give up on it. Have you lost any weight whatsoever? Perhaps there is another component to your health that is making it more difficult to lose or to control cravings. Maybe the band plus some other intervention might be what it takes in your particular situation. I think you are feeling really discouraged. It might be that you need something more to do the losing, and the band will be what helps you keep it off. Listen, we're ALL flawed to some extent. If we weren't, we would have lost the weight without the bands, right? None of us is right to get on these message boards and get all self-righteous. I'm sorry if I came across that way. I hope you find success here pretty soon. Hang in there, K? and keep us posted.

I used to love to drink water with meals. I simply can't do it now. I barp if I do....:biggrin:

Oh, Esposita, this will pass, and you'll be feeling like a million dollars in no time. You are going to love it once you get past the surgery ick. It should not last more than a couple of days more. I was worried, too, and I can't tell you how great I feel now. For me, I had trouble "going" after I had surgery, and it was making me feel queezy. I had to get some exercise and take some lax medicine, and ....after that, I felt so much better. I think the anesthesia is hard on one's body. Hang in there. It gets better...and fast. :biggrin:

:biggrin: That may be, but it sure is working for me...and nothing else has in the past. It's not magic, but it sure is close. I hope you find a way to make it work for you, Friend.

Oh, I have a feeling you'll know if you try to eat too much! I could eat about a child-sized hamburger before I got my fills, but every tummy is different. Just go slowly and stop when you feel full. When you get filled, you will have to go more slowly until you find your new size. Then it will just keep becoming less and less with each fill.:biggrin:

I eat lettuce, spinach, mustard greens, celery etc. with no problem. I think this is a rather unusual situation. I am finding that I only think I have been chewing all of these years. Now that I get to see it come back up if I do it wrong, I am amazed at how big the particles are sometimes. I finally understand what people mean when they say chew, chew, chew. Then chew a little bit more. Personally, I wouldn't rule out a food unless you find that you don't tolerate it after several tries. I'm sorry it went badly for you. I hope the swelling goes down soon and you start to feel better....

I am so happy, I just have to share. I took some advice from another gal on the site and went to see Joan Richardson in Lewiston, Id. It is a bit of a drive (from Spokane), but it's not bad. I really liked her. I am so excited to find someone who can do my fills for a reasonable price and someone so knowledgeable! Can you believe she only charges $100. a fill??? A-mazing.

I fly from WA to use Dr. Kirschenbaum in Aurora (very close to you). He is wonderful. He charges just $15.00 for patients who had their ops through him. I don't know what he might charge for folks who have moved there. You're lucky to live so close to him! :wink:

That sounds like a tiny amount, but maybe you have a tiny tummy :smile: I might try to stick to cold foods for a few days to see if you are just swollen. Doc recommended that to me after I had fill/unfill/fill. It did help. I hope you feel better soon.

If you did all of this fill and unfill within two days, there will be some swelling. I would wait to see what happens. Do you mean 4 cc or .4cc? My first fill was 1.7 cc (which is a little lower from what I understand). I had swelling for almost a week, but it settled down quite a bit after that. I don't know if this helps or not... Can nurses buy the Huber needles in BC?

Oh, My. I have been down this road. Don't try to interfere with her progress directly. You will lose a friend. The only thing you can do is try to come around the other way. Tell her a story, about some "friend" you have on the website. Tell her that this friend had such and such a horrible thing happen, and ...oh, Lord, you are so worried about this other friend.... People don't like to be made aware of their shortcomings. It hurts. Badly. It's the kind of hurt that doesn't allow you to feel like you can ever be on the same level with that person again, and it damages the trust. You probably don't want to risk that. Lead by example and demonstrate the beautiful consequences of losing weight right before her eyes. Hopefully she will choose to do the right thing once she settles in. If not, it really is her call. I know it's hard to accept, but it's her journey.

Are the ladies from Marysville surgeons? I am not comfortable going with someone who is not a doctor. It would be great if they are. I am really looking for a comprehensive after care rather than just fills. I understand that Dr. T charges thousands for after care. I wish I could afford that, but I simply can't. I met him once, and I was impressed with his knowledge of the procedure. BTW, I was not banded in Mexico. I was banded in Colorado, and I strongly wish I lived closer to my surgeon. But for the distance, I wouldn't be looking. Too bad I have to live here...