Well, after making & cancelling 2 fill apointments over the last few months I, finally got my butt down to Dr O's in TJ and got a fill. It was a very relaxed atmosphere and I was talking to the nutritionist and another pt when Dr Ortiz came out, sat down and started visiting with us. We of course peppered him w/ questions and he asked us about our experiences.

One of the the things he said that really shocked me was he said he doesn't think aspirin is a problem and that the band is outside the stomack so NSAIDS don't affect it. Honestly, it never made sense to me that medicines would make the band slip but it's something taken as gospel on this forum. I'm not suggesting that anyone start taking NSAIDS, or not follow their docs advice, I'm just letting you know a very experienced surgeon doesn't agree with this. And he said he's working on a paper about erosion. I'm going to email him about when and where we could all read this.

So anyway, after about 45 minutes of a very nice visit, Dr O looks at me and says, "So! You ready for your fill?" I thought Dr Martinez does the fills so I didn't realize Dr O was just shooting the breeze with us for the heck of it while waiting for me. Kinda cool to have such a relaxed and friendly doc. Can you IMAGINE a doctor in the US sitting in his waiting room visiting w/ patients???

Anyway had the fill (2cc) and while sitting there in the waiting room sipping Water to make sure the fill wasn't too much after my phone rang and I picked it up to be informed by my secretary (one of only 4 people close to me--none of them my parents who knows about my banding) that my father went to the ER that morning and was now in the CCU at Hoag Hospital. Pauline (my sec) is the only one who didn't just think I was taking the day off for fun. So here I am 3 hours from the hospital in OC... and my only sibling is in Hawaii on his Honeymoon.

So that was a loooooooong taxi ride to the Amtrak station and the longest train ride you can imagine. I had to call & leave a msg in CCU for my mom that I'd gone down to San Diego for the day and would be at the hospital in a few hours. Sitting on the train I ended up calling the High School and asking them to tell my 17-yr old to go over and sit in the ICU w/ his grandmother. I really didn't want my mom to be alone.

Anyway, Pop has an embolism in his arterial artery down in his gut. They are still deciding if he need to have the "long" (5-6 hours) surgery versus the "SHORT" surgery (3 hours). He's 78 so any surgery is of course serious. The good part (if there is such a thing) is that my parents were leaving Wednesday (day after tommorow!) for a 12 day trip to CHINA! Thank God this happened before they left.

Believe me I would be eating every thing in sight if that were an option. It is not. The last thing I need is to deal w/ a PB or some band-related problem when I have to be up for whatever is ahead.

Sorry for rambling. Not feeling too coherent right now--but full of nervous energy. I'm going back to the hospital now. Send your good thoughts and prayers this way.

Thanks for being there guys!

Wow Kare, what a day! You will be in my prayers, and Pop will be, too. Geez. Take care, girlie. We are thinking of you!!!

I'm sorry to hear that your day was so traumatic. That must have felt like the longest train ride in history. Sending get well wishes for your Dad and huge (((hugs))) for you and your Mom.

God bless you guys Kare, I hope everything works out for the best! Yes thank god it didn't happen while he was in a plane over the ocean hours from anywhere. He definitely has a guardian angel watching out for him. You're all in my prayers. Let us know how you all are, We're here for you!

You poor dear! I'm saying a prayer right now for you and your father both.

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, and am sending you mega hugs.

Warm Regards, ~Kelly

What a day for you.Hope everything goes well.

Glad to hear your fill went well, but sorry to hear about your Dad. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

Oh {{{{{Kare! }}}}} I'm sooo sorry to hear about your dad! Here's hoping everything goes well for him. I'm sorry this happened but it is really great it happend now, and not when they were on their way to China! I'm sure that sounds wrong, and I don't mean it wrong.

Ye Gods, I'm rambling. Sorry Kare!

Sending prayers you way for you and your family. Please keep us posted on your father.

Kare honey, sorry to hear about your father, what an ordeal.If you need a friend I'm here, call me and I can come down and sit with you I'm not far from Hoag... Be careful , stress can make your band tighten up like a drum and withyour new fill and all when you got to eat your first meal take it very slow.

Kare sorry to hear about your Dad, hope he gets better.

Glad your fill went well. Prayers going out to you and your family...

Just *hugs* Hang in there, we are sending you LOTS of good healing energy!!

They postponed surgery until tomorrow. Long hours at the hospital today. I'm sure most of you know the routine.

Not sure how this will affect my weightloss. I can't eat much, but sucked thru two packs of lifesavers. I'm not going to stress myself out with weighing this week.

Thank you for being there. I really can feel your love reaching out & it's very appreciated.

Saying a prayer for all of you today Kare. I'm sorry, what a miserable experience for all concerned.

How is your mom holding up?

Good Gracious Kare -

I will certainly think of you and keep you in my prayers.

Take care - nancy

Kare, hang in there, girl. I just went through what sounds like the same kind of thing with my mom. Is it an aortic aneurysym?

(((((Kare))))) A cyber hug and a prayer ^ for you and your parents. Cindy