Hey everyone, I wanted to check in with all of you to let you all know Iam home from TJ and bandless. I'm doing amazingly well emotionally...physically however I do have some pain. I found out what caused my erosion....we all know they stitch the band in place..well when I had bowel obstruction surgery Dr. Ortiz was concerned about a stitch he saw which is why he was so adamant of me coming back in 6 months for another endo, sure enough after reading my endo report and viewing the dvd the endo doctor gave him there is no doubt in his mind what so ever that the 1 single stitch caused the band to erode, the good thing coming out of this is Dr. Ortiz said and I qoute " you will be saving alot of peoples bands with this info, Iam going to a lap band conference in Feb and I'm going to take your reports and submit and share this info with Dr.'s all over the world and with Inamed" .( he did not even let me take my reports home, he wants them for this conference) So me losing my band is not such a bad thing if it will help others to not lose theirs. I'm taking one for the team here I'm in a good place with all of this, I truly am. I'm ready for the challenge of maintaining my weight loss. For those of you who have not had an endo, go and have one, just becuase there are no symptoms does not mean everything is good. Dr. Ortiz reccomends an endo between 18 months to 2 years out. Having it done at a year is useless in his opinion. Thanks to all of you for your awesome support and love, It isso greatly appreciated

I will continue to be hear for support for myself as wel las offer it to others.

P.S. Dr. Ortiz and Martinez oth told me it wil lfeel like I still have abvand due to the ring of scar tissus that was produced while I had the band..So I will pretend to still be a bandster, eat like a bandster and follow the rules like a bandster.

Hey there band sister. SO happy you are home safe and sound. I was so worried when we didn't hear something right away. HUGS

I am soo glad to see/read your post and understand what caused the problem...and I want to say thank you for sharing all the information and giving all the support you have since I have been part of this great group. YOu are an inspiration and someone I look up to a great deal.

Take care of yourself, heal quickly, and continue your journey, and PLEASE give us advice when we need it! Cindy

It wonderful to hear from you, and that you are doing okay... Thanks for checking in

You are an amazing woman. I know that this has been an emotional roller coaster for you. Also, you have to be in pain and yet you take the time to answer our questions and soothe our fears.

May God make your recovery quick and continue to give you peace.

Very happy to hear that you are home and safe.

Be well, heal well.

All my good thoughts go with you.

Welcome back and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Michelle, It is SO good to hear that you are home. I am glad everything went well and that you have answers to what went wrong. The way you've handled what has been dealt to you has been so inspiring. Your spirit has shined through it all. Now go get in bed and get some rest.

P.S. thanks for taking one for the team!!!!!

Glad to hear you are well. And I mean "well" in so many ways, not just physically. It takes a very centered person to handle something like this as you are.

I have heard of certain stitches causing problems. As a result of Patty's four gazillion surgeries we've discovered that she is "allergic to the last stitch" (doctor's words, not mine).

What is different about this stitch? I don't know.

DeLarla. It's so hard to lose a pet. They truly are members of the family. In some cases, like yours and mine I suppose, they ARE the family. My Mr. Whipple is in kidney failure. Comfort measures now, untill..........

Pets have an angelic quality about them. They, unlike any human in our lives, love us unconditionally. That is their true calling. To show us what it is like to be loved without condition or reservation.

Thanks Michelle, for showing me how to have some grace and class in an unimagineable situation. Your fantastic attitude is a lesson in and of, itself.

We must realize that the band is a helpful thing. Like all man's endeavors it is not without problems. They must be faced, and, with courage, overcome. I am not worried about band problems as much as I am convinced that being fat was killing me. K-I-L-L-I-N-G me. Discomfort, or band problems seem small in the face of Death.

All the best. Whip.

Michelle, I am so glad to hear that you are home and recovering. Feel better soon!

Glad to hear that you're home and that everything went smoothly for you.

You are still such an inspiration to all. You have handled this whole situation with such grace, class, and dignity, and you should feel proud of yourself and hold your head high. You are truly an awesome woman.

Wow, you have a "Casper" ghost band like Donali! So glad you made it home safe and well. Rest and heal. We are so proud of you!!!! You are gonna do great.

Michelle, I'm so glad you made it through, and are on the recovery track! I send big warm hugs and well wishes to you, and hope your scar band works as good as the original so you maintain with no need to have another placed!

I was thinking what Kathy said - a ghost band! Just like Donali's.

We're all happy you're home and doing well. Thanks for eveything you bring to this board.

(((Michelle))) -

Welcome home, and so glad you are safe and sound. Your Casper2 will be a big help to you in the next few months, I think. So glad you're sticking around, and thanks for all the info passed on from Dr. O.

Heal up quick!

xxoo

Michelle,

Glad to hear you are back and are in good spirits. I hope you continue to have some restriction to aid you in additional weight loss. I have no doubt that you will be able to maintain your present weight and continue to be successful.

Hugs,

Babs in TX