My endoscopy came out fine. Just got out of the doctors office a couple of hours ago. Procedure went fine and was a peice of cake (except for the starving and dying of thirst all day part) but otherwise slept right thru the whole procedure. I did have a minor case of esophagitis (irritated throat) and a minor hiatus hernia but nothing to worry about. Anyway I was mega relieved. Teresa

Great news!!!! You must be so relieved!

Absolutely relieved considering the statistics for Lopez patients and erosion. The doctor did put me on Protonix to help the irritated esophogas. Otherwise pictures all looked good.

Thanks for the update, I haven't seen you around much and been thinking about you.

Glad it's a somewhat minor issue to deal with.

Great news, Teresa! What a relief, and I'm sure you'll feel 100% better when the Protonix kicks in. Whew!!

Veddy veddy good.

Whoooo Hooooo! That is good news, I have been thinking about you a lot!

I know you're relieved. What made you decide to have that done? Were you pb'n a lot? Nice to see your smiling face.

Ahhhh, that's awesome news!! Congrats!

That is very good New Teresa

Hello all,

Yeah, I still can't get over the fact it was all okay. I didn't let myself stress about it much but I was thoroughly convinced that it wasn't fine. Not because of any particular symptoms or the persistent sore throat but mainly because I am the only Lopez patient I know who still has their band. I'm just glad it was all okay except for those minor problems that shouldn't be an issue. Now I feel I can get back on track. I have been swamped taking some spanish classes and working too. By the time I got home I hardly wanted to look at the computer. I also found that I stressed less about the safety of my band if I wasn't on here all the time. I really hardly think about it much on a daily basis but when I get on here and see the occassional horror story (and especially those pretaining to Lopez) I would stress. Even my mom told me to quit thinking the worst and was sure it was fine. I do want to see people post complications and all their vivid details because I think its important but the erosion cases related to Lopez were unnerving me a little. Anyway like I said I'm just glad that stress is done with for now.

I am not by any means a model bandster (I smoke, I eat chocolate, drink latte's, etc) but I really do try to go easy on my band but sometimes I just can't control everything and something will get stuck or I'll gulp down a few consecutive bites and be in big trouble. I need to work on drinking more Water, getting back on the excercise wagon, snacking less or making healthier choices, etc.

Pat, no I don't PB that often. On occassion I will have a few episodes over the course of a few days but I also go for many days or weeks without Pb's too. I FIRMLY believe that anybody with the band should get an endoscopy done somewhere between 18 and 24 months out. It was also critical that I had one done considering DeLarla's, Penni's, Donali's, Diane's and Tracey's situations all having used Dr. Lopez as a surgeon and experiencing erosion. All of them except Donali and Diane got their bands within a few days to 6 months of when I got mine. So considering that, it was imparative that I be concerned about mine also. As it was, they found some crazy loose stitch down in the bottom of my stomach. Seems like a Lopez trademark...

Well Sweet Heart

non of us are perfect... I drink and eat chocolate too, the band is just a tool.

We know what we need to do and live as well and have fun.

Sending you happy thoughts

Teresa, I am happy to hear your good news .....Fantastic!!!

non of us are perfect... I drink and eat chocolate too, the band is just a tool.

Ditto to what Vera said! You have done a great job with your band...Be proud

*Whew*

So glad all is well. Hey, Lopez couldn't be getting them ALL wrong - that would be a freakier statistic than the number of erosions from his work on this board!

Looks like you were the Lucky One!

Congrats!

Whooo hoooo!!! That is absolutely FANTASTIC news!! I could NOT be happier!!

:banana:

Congrats, HagerTeresa: I know you are so relieved. Good for you! :clap2:

I am not by any means a model Bandster (I smoke, I eat chocolate, drink Latte's, etc)

Model Bandster, there is such a thing?

QUICK! Get this strange and rare animal right in this chat room immediately. It's like a unicorn - if they exist, where are they? :eek: I've been banded for what seems like forever, have met a zillion other Bandsters and have never seen a model Bandster, in captivity or in the wild.

Believe me, there might not be such a thing - so no beating yourself up. If occasional chocolate and the odd latte meant Band failure then no one would be posting the incredible success stories that we do see daily, with the band.

And luckily, smoking is one vice I don't have (I'm more of a wine and cheese girl :nervous ), but when I go out to nightclubs with my Banded pals I'm continually amazed and how many of them light up regularly. (Three of my most successful banded patients - who have lost 380# between the three of them - now work for Band surgeons and they smoke. They are in brochures, at seminars, and in all the ads. And then they sheepishly light in up public and are embarrassed when people remember them from the seminars or the newspaper ads.Oy, vey! )

So if you quit for your own health, hooray, but so far it hasn't stopped my friends from losing 100# or more pounds with their band. In fact, I have two other banded pals who quit without any significant weight gain - and the band probably stopped them from the weight gain that a lot of patients fear when they are contemplating giving up smoking. So that's just something for you to think about. One thing at a time, eh?

I FIRMLY believe that anybody with the band should get an endoscopy done somewhere between 18 and 24 months out. ...

Absolutely, I agree 100%. I've honestly seen most band issues rear their heads around the 2-to-3 year mark, and nothing beats a good offense like a good defense. So a peremptory check to make sure everything is where is should be, is a great idea coming close to the 2-year Band anniversary. I highly recommend it to all Bandsters.

Happy Band Journeys To All...