Hello again! It has been a VERY long time since I have posted (I've come and read a post or two in the past year, but have hidden away for the most part!)

My history - I have been banded for 18 months now. Started out at 266.5, got down to 208 earlier this year, now I am back up to 228. I suppose in a perfect world I should be roughly the size of Paris Hilton by now...

I ended up with H.Pylori somehow, which the doc says is caused by injesting contaminated fecal matter?!?!?! I do have 3 kids and teach 4 yr old kindergarten, but I am still amazed at the fact that I could injest something like that without knowing it! Gives a whole new meaning to the term "eat sh!*&%", ya know?!

Anyway, I had to get completely unfilled and go on a big course of antibiotics, prevacid, nexxium, carafate, anti-viral drugs, etc, etc. That was back in late March/early April. I am headed to the doc today to hope for some fill again. I am afraid it isn't going to happen for me though as my symptoms are back with a vengeance! I had to wait eight weks for the infection to clear up completely, but I am so worried that it isn't gone!

So, why have I come back? Besides the fact that I miss the daily dose of laughs, cries, and support... I am asking for everyone who reads this to pray that my doc has mercy on my quickly reinflating body and allows me some fill in this tool to hopeully slow down the damage I am re-doing to myself!!

I am glad to be back, and I hope y'all will feel the same!!hehehe

Cheri

I'm just grateful that I had the good sense only to eat uncontaminated fecal matter.:heh::heh::heh:

I do so enjoy those frozen South Beach Low Carb Sh*t On A Shingle

LMAO Mark...thats funny

Well, my poopie infection is gone! I am now the proud owner of a 2cc fill in my 10cc band - and my insurance is now covering fills!!! WOOHOO!!!!

Awesome! The prayers worked i guess. No more poop-eating for you, ok?

I had H.pylori a few years ago. My doc said it is caused by fast food. (I'm guessing poor hand washing???) It was cleared up with simple anti-biotics. Was there a reason for all the other meds? Congrats on being rid of it, HP can be nasty to deal with. ~Mandy

Hey QT~

I had a pretty intense case I guess. I was on something called the Prevpac, it has bunches of meds + they put me on nexium and carafate for the heartburn/tummy aches. So glad it's gone!!

I just got back from Disney on the 11th!! I miss Mickey already! It is the greatest place on Earth as far as I'm concerned. Disney is for everyone, even my father had a great time! WE went with 11 of us - I don't recommend it! Do you live near or is it a big trip? Do you pin trade? If you need any info, I've got tons of Disney suggestions for you!!! Just let me know!

~cheri

:faint:EWWWWW!! Sometimes my breath is stinky, but OMG!! hehehe

So glad that you are okay...congrats on your fills...that is great news...

Hi Cheri, I am new today and only wanted to send you support. I have been debating for over a year if I should take the jump and thought talking to real people that had the surgery would help more than anything else. Hope the doctors are helping you with the infection and that you are starting to feel better. Jenny

Hey QT~

I had a pretty intense case I guess. I was on something called the Prevpac, it has bunches of meds + they put me on nexium and carafate for the heartburn/tummy aches. So glad it's gone!!

I just got back from Disney on the 11th!! I miss Mickey already! It is the greatest place on Earth as far as I'm concerned. Disney is for everyone, even my father had a great time! WE went with 11 of us - I don't recommend it! Do you live near or is it a big trip? Do you pin trade? If you need any info, I've got tons of Disney suggestions for you!!! Just let me know!

~cheri

This is also a big family trip (11 family members and a bunch of band sisters will all be there at the same time) , but we are all doing our own thing. I am a Disney nut, living in Chicago. I write for a Disney newsletter, and also plan trips for everyone I know. I always joke, I may not know everything but I know Disney. My hubby and I want to retire to Lake Buena Vista someday. ~Mandy

WOW, I thought having to have the H. P. test was a waste of time and money prior to my banding. Guess not! Whew...glad it was negative. Sounds like rough stuff. Glad you are better and got your fill! Welcome back to the family of "Banders".

Cheri,

Are you the gal that cried at the Cracker Barrel when you were first banded???

Then, please update on what happened since last june. Did you get the fill and how do you feel?

Hi, this is Patty, been following you from the early days. I finally got my band -- paid for it myself and in debt to my eyeballs. I'm 3 months almost 4 months out and slowly losing..... slow but steady. Dropped a ring size and clothing wonderfully loose. I had the best summer of my life. I too work in a school district. School begins Sept 5th, I'm the Health aid for 800 kids. Hope to hear from you.