Just checking in

[Guest guest]

that's what I was thinking also but I'm not sure how much fill is normal. I felt totally stupid not knowing what the Dr that did the fill was talking about concerning the 4cc comment. Thanks Belinda

just checking in

Hey everyone I had my first fill Thursday and everything went well. He gave me 1cc and it's taking me awile to get use to the differance. Nina my band info says I have a 9.75 band the dr that did the fill said it was a 4cc band. What does this mean? Could you ask Dr Aceves how much fill I should get for my size band. I'm down 25 pounds and walking 2 miles 3 to 4 times a week. Well got to go Belinda

[Guest guest]

Exactly right! both the 9.75 and 10 cm is the diameter of the band and both of them hold 4 cc of liquid, the cc are centimeters as well. I am not sure how much you got on your first fill , usually around 1 cc in teh first fill but the total you will be able to hold is 4 cc. I have not heard of anyone getting to the limit yet so I am sure it is enough.

Nina Eguia

Coordinator

1800 958 9509

760-457-5879 (US)

01152-661-100-2514 (mex)

www.mexicolapband.com

----Original Message Follows---- From: "Belinda Spoonemore" <mamolinder@...> Reply- < > Subject: Re: just checking in Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 21:31:03 -0500 that's what I was thinking also but I'm not sure how much fill is normal. I felt totally stupid not knowing what the Dr that did the fill was talking about concerning the 4cc comment. Thanks Belinda just checking in Hey everyone I had my first fill Thursday and everything went well. He gave me 1cc and it's taking me awile to get use to the differance. Nina my band info says I have a 9.75 band the dr that did the fill said it was a 4cc band. What does this mean? Could you ask Dr Aceves how much fill I should get for my size band. I'm down 25 pounds and walking 2 miles 3 to 4 times a week. Well got to go Belinda ----------------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Tania:

Glad to hear you are making progress. I meet my surgeon and undergo the

dreaded manometry AGAIN on April 26 at Cedars Sinai. Once we have

surgery, we get to look forward to figuring out how not to gain the good weight

we have lost back!

Hugs

Peggy

>

> hello everyone its been awhile since i posted.. i haven't been doing

> to good.. " A " is taking its toll on me.. I also might have gallstones

> so when i have my surgery they might remove my gallbladder at the same

> time.. I meet the surgeon on the 27th.. His name is Dr Easter.. anyone

> know of him? hes at UCSD in San Diego.. Im a lil nervous I have been

> having nightmares about the surgery.. actually just told my husband i

> was gonna hold it off and see how long i can put up with this but i

> know i cant.. ive gone from wearing a size 18 to a 10 thats not so bad

> i was excited about it it just sucks that im starving myself.. not

> wanting to of course.. well just wanted to say hi to all of you...

> thanks tania in san diego

[Guest guest]

-hey ,.

thanks for the update, im glad you guys are enjoying your new home

and surroundings. I am sad though to read that Drea has has some

increased symptoms. how is she doing today??

What a great story about all the kids opening up in her class. WTG

Aundrea for making everyone feel comfortable enough to share.

hugs Helen and (8, systemic)

-- In , " sonia1md " <sonia1md@y...> wrote:

> It has been so busy here but wanted to take a few minutes to check

> in with everyone and say " hi " .

>

> I mentioned last week about my friend in New Orleans that I had

been

> unable to reach. She fianlly was able to get a hold of me. Her

> home is destroyed but she and the kids got out safe. Her husband

> had to stay behind with the nursing home where he is the admin.

The

> home got hit with trees and no electricity etc..but at the time we

> spoke everyone had survived! Such a devestating nightmare. It

was

> hard listening to her cry on the phone and speak of the horrors

that

> have gone on there. Her brother was on a roof top for 3 days. He

> is in the FBI and works downtown New Orleans. I am just thankful

> that they have all survived.

>

> On a personal note we are doing pretty good. Getting use to Az

and

> our new neighborhood. Aundrea had a few great months of no pain

or

> at least fairly minor. Sadly, this weekend has been difficult for

> her. Lots of knee pain and today the ankle pain started. Found

the

> heating pad, crutches and lots of tub baths today. Hopefully,

> things will turn around soon.

>

> Lastly, I just wanted to check in on a few members. How is Tree

> doing. I sent her a card last week and was hoping to hear some

good

> news about a discharge date?????

>

> How about Alia. Is everything going ok with the new baby boy and

> how has Caroline been fairing with her pic line?

>

> , the last time I saw you post you were working on setting up

> some support groups..How has that turned out?

>

> , I was glad to hear that your first infusion went well...I

hope

> this is the answer for you.

>

> Hope the rest of our gang is doing o.k and getting settled into a

> new school year. I think of you all often and Aundrea and I keep

> you in our prayers.

>

> God's Blessings to each of you,

>

> (Aundrea 10 systemic)

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen,

Aundrea is doing much better. She had about 4 days of aches and

pains. She used the crutches one day at school but she seems much

better now. I think she had overdone things on the labor day

weekend and perhaps fatigue plays a greater role with her illness

than I realized.

It seems like the mtx helps to keep these mini-flares to a shorter

duration and not quite as painful as in our pre-mtx days.

Did Nick enjoy his lunch with the principle?

(Drea 10 sjra)-

-- In , " hburger64 " <hburger64@h...> wrote:

> -hey ,.

>

> thanks for the update, im glad you guys are enjoying your new home

> and surroundings. I am sad though to read that Drea has has some

> increased symptoms. how is she doing today??

>

> What a great story about all the kids opening up in her class. WTG

> Aundrea for making everyone feel comfortable enough to share.

>

> hugs Helen and (8, systemic)

>

> -- In , " sonia1md " <sonia1md@y...> wrote:

> > It has been so busy here but wanted to take a few minutes to

check

> > in with everyone and say " hi " .

> >

> > I mentioned last week about my friend in New Orleans that I had

> been

> > unable to reach. She fianlly was able to get a hold of me. Her

> > home is destroyed but she and the kids got out safe. Her

husband

> > had to stay behind with the nursing home where he is the admin.

> The

> > home got hit with trees and no electricity etc..but at the time

we

> > spoke everyone had survived! Such a devestating nightmare. It

> was

> > hard listening to her cry on the phone and speak of the horrors

> that

> > have gone on there. Her brother was on a roof top for 3 days.

He

> > is in the FBI and works downtown New Orleans. I am just

thankful

> > that they have all survived.

> >

> > On a personal note we are doing pretty good. Getting use to Az

> and

> > our new neighborhood. Aundrea had a few great months of no pain

> or

> > at least fairly minor. Sadly, this weekend has been difficult

for

> > her. Lots of knee pain and today the ankle pain started. Found

> the

> > heating pad, crutches and lots of tub baths today. Hopefully,

> > things will turn around soon.

> >

> > Lastly, I just wanted to check in on a few members. How is Tree

> > doing. I sent her a card last week and was hoping to hear some

> good

> > news about a discharge date?????

> >

> > How about Alia. Is everything going ok with the new baby boy

and

> > how has Caroline been fairing with her pic line?

> >

> > , the last time I saw you post you were working on setting

up

> > some support groups..How has that turned out?

> >

> > , I was glad to hear that your first infusion went well...I

> hope

> > this is the answer for you.

> >

> > Hope the rest of our gang is doing o.k and getting settled into

a

> > new school year. I think of you all often and Aundrea and I

keep

> > you in our prayers.

> >

> > God's Blessings to each of you,

> >

> > (Aundrea 10 systemic)

[Guest guest]

Hello Deborah.

I wanted to share with you a little of my experience because some of

what you are describing sounds too familiar. I had surgery in

December, a open thoracic approach to the Heller's. They found I

had aspiration pneumonia and I had a lot of aspiration in my lungs.

I was amazed because, like you, I always felt I had coughed

everything up and cleared my airway just fine. I never had pain

breathing but in the last few weeks before surgery I was coughing

all the time. In addition they biopsied some of the stuff directly

from my lungs and found I had a mycobaterial infection which, while

rare, is associated with aspiration. I am now on a 6 month course

of mega doses of antibiotics to get rid of it. My question would

be, do you have just bronchitis or something more? You might want to

see a respirologist for a good assessment of what is going on. The

first respirologist I saw sent me on to the guy who is the " expert "

in these types of infections. By the time I saw him I felt great

and thought it would be a waste of time but the CAT scan showed

significant infection still present in my left lung which led to the

treatment I am on now. This may have nothing to do with your

situation but it may be worth looking into.

Good luck

Liz

Cambridge, Ontario.

>

> Hello, and I hope everyone is doing very well,

>

> Alas, I am regurgitating a bit now and then. It's a

bit troublesome when I need

> to keep it together, when I'm giving talks in public. ugh. But

it's the nighttime

> coughing that is getting worse. Last night was pretty bad: I've

been having a lot

> of saliva pooling up in my mouth at night and I am aspirating a

bit of it...last night

> I nearly inhaled all of it and I woke up, coughed it all out and

managed to go back

> to sleep just fine, thank you. But I now have bronchitis, have

had it heavy artillery

> for two weeks and the coughing is nasty.

> Any suggestions? I had my VAT January 25.

Swallowing is much,

> much better. Once in a while, it still just comes back up,

usually liquids.

>

> thanks, Deborah

>

[Guest guest]

I would check in with your doctor.

>

> Hello, and I hope everyone is doing very well,

>

> Alas, I am regurgitating a bit now and then. It's a bit

troublesome when I need

> to keep it together, when I'm giving talks in public. ugh. But it's the

nighttime

> coughing that is getting worse. Last night was pretty bad: I've been having

a lot

> of saliva pooling up in my mouth at night and I am aspirating a bit of

it...last night

> I nearly inhaled all of it and I woke up, coughed it all out and managed to

go back

> to sleep just fine, thank you. But I now have bronchitis, have had it heavy

artillery

> for two weeks and the coughing is nasty.

> Any suggestions? I had my VAT January 25. Swallowing is much,

> much better. Once in a while, it still just comes back up, usually liquids.

>

> thanks, Deborah

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Deborah,

Sorry you are having a problem with the regurgitation...

I was wondering, are you drinking enough water? I know that if I don't drink enough water, my saliva will just sit in my esophagus and i'll get the white froth, but if I keep myself hydrated, the frothiness deminishes. I also make sure I get all the yuck down before I go to bed at night...

Just a thought!

Hugs,

Sandi in No CA

-------------- Original message -------------- From: Deborah Lattimore <deborah_Lattimore@...>

Hello, and I hope everyone is doing very well,

Alas, I am regurgitating a bit now and then. It's a bit troublesome when I need

to keep it together, when I'm giving talks in public. ugh. But it's the nighttime

coughing that is getting worse. Last night was pretty bad: I've been having a lot

of saliva pooling up in my mouth at night and I am aspirating a bit of it...last night

I nearly inhaled all of it and I woke up, coughed it all out and managed to go back

to sleep just fine, thank you. But I now have bronchitis, have had it heavy artillery

for two weeks and the coughing is nasty.

Any suggestions? I had my VAT January 25. Swallowing is much,

much better. Once in a while, it still just comes back up, usually liquids.

thanks, Deborah

[Guest guest]

Wow Jenni

You are almost to ONEDERLAND!!!! And your NSV about

the chairs is great! What a wonderful feeling!

Penny

Penny Manville

Walden, Colorado

DOB 9/26/05

230/183/135

1st fill 12/9/05 1cc

2nd fill 1/27/06 0.5 cc 1.5 cc total

5'4 "

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Yea!! Your weight loss is awsome! My biggest fear is I'll be one

of those people who won't loose so to know you felt the same way

makes me feel better. I have a place with " The Chairs " , too. It's

my favorite sushi restaurant. Of course most of the people that go

there are asian, petite, etc. Then here I come. My stuff barely

fits into these tiny chairs and everything kindof hangs over the

edge. The arms cut into my hips and I feel very self conscious. So

way to go with your NSV! I can't wait to post mine. Ginger

>

> Hello to everyone new and old! I don't get to post very often

> because I spend all my computer time reading so many posts! It is

> amazing how often some people write! Tammy...you must spend

> countless hours on the computer each day!

>

> I am doing great. I was banded Feb. 23. My life has been

incredible

> since then! The two weeks immediately following surgery...you

know,

> the clear liquid I want to kill somebody diet...also known as the

> concentration camp diet was extremely difficult but everything

since

> then has been a breeze! I am on solid, regular foods now but I

tend

> to stick to the mushie foods even now. I haven't had any bread

but

> that is just about all I haven't eaten. I don't eat much at all

but

> I do get hungry. I drink a TON of water every day between meals

but

> never with my meals.

>

> I haven't ever PB'd but I do know that the band is there and

working

> because there have been several times that I had difficulty with

> various foods going down. Talk about some major, instant

heartburn!

> WOW! Thank goodness it doesn't last too long! I have to admit

> something...french fries are my favorite food EVER...(I kept

thinking

> I would outgrow that!) Well, I got some the other day and by the

5th

> french fry, everything was getting backed up and the heartburn set

> in! I was crushed since this is my favorite food but I have to

admit

> that I was ELATED that I couldn't eat them! I knew that if I

could,

> I would not be able to resist them! Now THAT was a glorious day!

>

> In fact, I think that is one of my newest NSVs....Not being able

to

> eat french fries. I want to share a couple of other NSVs with

you...

> 1. Although none of you have been in my son's orthodontist's

office,

> I'm sure many of you have dealt with this in other places. The

> chairs in his waiting room are the most narrow chairs I have EVER

> tried to squeeze into in my life! It would KILL me to squeeze my

fat

> butt and thighs into those chairs but there was no where else to

> sit. (I always thought people were looking at the fat squishing

out

> between the arms...YUCK!) I took my son to the office today and I

> FIT! Did you hear me??? I FIT!!!!! Nothing was being squeezed

to

> the point of being bruised and NOTHING was squishing out for

others

> to see! I was so excited!

>

> I have broken my plateau. I had maintained a loss of 20 pounds

since

> surgery until late last week. Since THursday, I have lost 5

pounds.

> In all I have lost 23 inches! I have gone down another size in

> clothes....from a 24 to a 16 SINCE FEB. 23!!! Can you believe

it???

> I am still exercising at Curves Monday through Friday. I was so

> afraid that I would be one of those people who wouldn't lose....my

> band is awesome!!!

>

> Those of you waiting to be banded, you will NEVER regret this

> decision! Be ready for the ride of your life!!! I am high on

life!

>

> Jenni Currie

> DOB 2/23/06

> 247/231/206/145 (1st number is weight on day of scheduling

surgery)

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jenni, Its Tammy here. Well I always go online 1st thing in the morning and last thing at night. I do all my online banking and check my emails in the morning. Right now especially I seem to be having some serious anxiety (worrying that I wont be able to lose the weight) but I know that I will. I am doing alot of self talk right now. I keep telling myself to shut up!!!! You sound like you are doing awesome!! from a 24 to a 16??!! That is great!! Good Luck to you!! Tammy I.

[Guest guest]

Awesome story...I am being banded in 3 days and it is stories like that, that make me have no doubts whats so ever. Thank you for sharing your story. giftedtch <giftedtch@...> wrote: Hello to everyone new and old! I don't get to post very often because I spend all my computer time reading so many posts! It is amazing how often some people write! Tammy...you must spend countless hours on the computer each day! I am doing great. I was banded Feb. 23. My life has been incredible since then! The two weeks immediately following surgery...you know, the clear liquid I want to kill somebody diet...also known as the concentration camp diet was extremely difficult but everything since then has been a breeze! I am

on solid, regular foods now but I tend to stick to the mushie foods even now. I haven't had any bread but that is just about all I haven't eaten. I don't eat much at all but I do get hungry. I drink a TON of water every day between meals but never with my meals. I haven't ever PB'd but I do know that the band is there and working because there have been several times that I had difficulty with various foods going down. Talk about some major, instant heartburn! WOW! Thank goodness it doesn't last too long! I have to admit something...french fries are my favorite food EVER...(I kept thinking I would outgrow that!) Well, I got some the other day and by the 5th french fry, everything was getting backed up and the heartburn set in! I was crushed since this is my favorite food but I have to admit that I was ELATED that I couldn't eat them! I knew that if I

could, I would not be able to resist them! Now THAT was a glorious day!In fact, I think that is one of my newest NSVs....Not being able to eat french fries. I want to share a couple of other NSVs with you...1. Although none of you have been in my son's orthodontist's office, I'm sure many of you have dealt with this in other places. The chairs in his waiting room are the most narrow chairs I have EVER tried to squeeze into in my life! It would KILL me to squeeze my fat butt and thighs into those chairs but there was no where else to sit. (I always thought people were looking at the fat squishing out between the arms...YUCK!) I took my son to the office today and I FIT! Did you hear me??? I FIT!!!!! Nothing was being squeezed to the point of being bruised and NOTHING was squishing out for others to see! I was so excited!I have broken my plateau.

I had maintained a loss of 20 pounds since surgery until late last week. Since THursday, I have lost 5 pounds. In all I have lost 23 inches! I have gone down another size in clothes....from a 24 to a 16 SINCE FEB. 23!!! Can you believe it??? I am still exercising at Curves Monday through Friday. I was so afraid that I would be one of those people who wouldn't lose....my band is awesome!!! Those of you waiting to be banded, you will NEVER regret this decision! Be ready for the ride of your life!!! I am high on life!Jenni CurrieDOB 2/23/06247/231/206/145 (1st number is weight on day of scheduling surgery)

How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

you go jenni were all beamong woth pride for you keep up the good work jessiegiftedtch <giftedtch@...> wrote: Hello to everyone new and old! I don't get to post very often because I spend all my computer time reading so many posts! It is amazing how often some people write! Tammy...you must spend countless hours on the computer each day! I am doing great. I was banded Feb. 23. My life has been incredible since then! The two weeks immediately following surgery...you know, the clear liquid I want to kill somebody diet...also known as the concentration camp diet was extremely difficult but everything since then has been a breeze! I am on solid, regular foods now but I tend to stick to the mushie foods

even now. I haven't had any bread but that is just about all I haven't eaten. I don't eat much at all but I do get hungry. I drink a TON of water every day between meals but never with my meals. I haven't ever PB'd but I do know that the band is there and working because there have been several times that I had difficulty with various foods going down. Talk about some major, instant heartburn! WOW! Thank goodness it doesn't last too long! I have to admit something...french fries are my favorite food EVER...(I kept thinking I would outgrow that!) Well, I got some the other day and by the 5th french fry, everything was getting backed up and the heartburn set in! I was crushed since this is my favorite food but I have to admit that I was ELATED that I couldn't eat them! I knew that if I could, I would not be able to resist them! Now THAT was a

glorious day!In fact, I think that is one of my newest NSVs....Not being able to eat french fries. I want to share a couple of other NSVs with you...1. Although none of you have been in my son's orthodontist's office, I'm sure many of you have dealt with this in other places. The chairs in his waiting room are the most narrow chairs I have EVER tried to squeeze into in my life! It would KILL me to squeeze my fat butt and thighs into those chairs but there was no where else to sit. (I always thought people were looking at the fat squishing out between the arms...YUCK!) I took my son to the office today and I FIT! Did you hear me??? I FIT!!!!! Nothing was being squeezed to the point of being bruised and NOTHING was squishing out for others to see! I was so excited!I have broken my plateau. I had maintained a loss of 20 pounds since surgery until late

last week. Since THursday, I have lost 5 pounds. In all I have lost 23 inches! I have gone down another size in clothes....from a 24 to a 16 SINCE FEB. 23!!! Can you believe it??? I am still exercising at Curves Monday through Friday. I was so afraid that I would be one of those people who wouldn't lose....my band is awesome!!! Those of you waiting to be banded, you will NEVER regret this decision! Be ready for the ride of your life!!! I am high on life!Jenni CurrieDOB 2/23/06247/231/206/145 (1st number is weight on day of scheduling surgery)

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

You crack me up girl!!! Keep calm and keep posting...

Liz >> Hi Jenni,> > Its Tammy here. Well I always go online 1st thing in the morning and last thing at night. I do all my online banking and check my emails in the morning. Right now especially I seem to be having some serious anxiety (worrying that I wont be able to lose the weight) but I know that I will. I am doing alot of self talk right now. I keep telling myself to shut up!!!!> > You sound like you are doing awesome!! from a 24 to a 16??!! That is great!! > Good Luck to you!!> > Tammy I.>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Liz!! I will try and keep calm!! I guess I should QUITE DRINKING COFFEE THEN!!!! LOL Tammy I.

[Guest guest]

Bonnie,

That's fantastic about the weight loss and smaller clothing sizes!!

[Guest guest]

just checking in

Hi ladies, we've been without internet since Friday or Saturday andI've been going crazy not being able to read posts in here! You havent really missed anything. has been on the fritz again and hasnt been delieving mail. I have heard several different reasons for it but reguardless there hasn't been much mail coming though. Iweighed in Saturday morning and was down a pound to 271 (67 lbsgone!),Yeah!!! How great is that? I love hearing that! I have my own story on weight loss to tell soon:) and my goal is to hit 268 by June 1st. Went to Lane yesterday to act as my husband's personal shopper (in other words, Ibought my own Mother's Day gift ), and got a size 18 skirt with an18/20 top!

[Guest guest]

Just something...........check the calorie count on the smoothies...........very high!!! Virginia <lvanderweken@...> wrote: hi all just wanted to do my 10 day check in, im doing fine no pain, i go on wednesday to have my dr take out the stitches as im too big of a chicken! i have cheated i started yesterday haveing yogurt smoothies blended very well and very runny i know im bad but the broth and jello were too much, i feel fine tho, hope everyone i was in mexico with is doing good as well! take care and i will check in again in 10days! Virginia

[Guest guest]

Hi , I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't take the broth any longer. I have been eating yogurt, slim fasts, tomatoe soup, smoothies, and runny mashed potatoes since a couple days home from the hospital. I feel fine but I worry about my band slipping. I know that is bad but I just have no will power. I can only handle so much jello and broth and I was starving. I feel so much better since I switched to non clear liquids. Did I ruin my band? That is the only thing I'm worried about because other than filling up fast (one small size yogurt fills me up) and some shoulder pain I feel fine. How do I know if I have slipped my band - does anybody know? I think I'm ready for a fill already but I know I have to wait. Does anybody know how long it takes for the stomach to heal after being banded? Am I slowing my healing process because I haven't stuck to the clear liquids?

[Guest guest]

hi lisa, i dont think we have ruined our bands, i think that when they slip you cannot keep anything down and do alot of vomiting and i think there is a lot of pain, i too get full fast which is great i think. im not sure how long it takes to heal but i would imagine the 5 to 8 weeks cause your on restricted diet for 5 weeks and they want you to wait 8 before a fill so that is my guess, anyways take care and no your not alone!!

Re: just checking in

Hi , I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't take the broth any longer. I have been eating yogurt, slim fasts, tomatoe soup, smoothies, and runny mashed potatoes since a couple days home from the hospital. I feel fine but I worry about my band slipping. I know that is bad but I just have no will power. I can only handle so much jello and broth and I was starving. I feel so much better since I switched to non clear liquids. Did I ruin my band? That is the only thing I'm worried about because other than filling up fast (one small size yogurt fills me up) and some shoulder pain I feel fine. How do I know if I have slipped my band - does anybody know? I think I'm ready for a fill already but I know I have to wait. Does anybody know how long it takes for the stomach to heal after being banded? Am I slowing my healing process because I haven't stuck to the clear liquids?

[Guest guest]

, The reason for the clear liquid diet is to protect your band in the early stages...allowing time for it to heal. Don't let not having will power get to you. You have to have will power for this to work successfully. Remember, this is a tool, not a cure. Yes, broth and jello are the worst part of this whole picture but you should be able to last the 2 weeks on as little as possible because that will ensure that your band has every chance of working properly and heals properly to stay with you for a long time. I doubt if eating what you have eaten will cause your band to slip but it sure won't help the healing process. Your stomach area is swollen and irritated simply from the trauma of surgery. Don't make it stay swollen or irritated longer than it should simply by eating foods that are too thick. You have to take care of your band if you want it to work for you. We have all

been where you are. We have all been miserable with broth, jello, gatorade, applejuice, etc. etc. etc. But, YOU can do this! One of the reason's we all selected Dr. Aceves to perform this life-changing surgery on us is because we trusted him. We trusted that he knew what he was doing. We trusted that he knew exactly how to put our bands in. We trusted him to safely perform a major surgery on our bodies. So, we also have to trust that he knows the very best way to take care of our bands, especially in the early stages and follow the dietary restrictions that he tells each of his patients to follow. I have been banded for 3 months. The first two weeks were the worst 2 weeks of my life. I was starving to death. I was crying ALOT. I had no energy. I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. But, then, those 2 weeks ended and I moved onto full liquids. Life was

improving dramatically. I had no problem finding things to eat during this time. Yes, I was still hungry but it's mind over matter at this point, and, again, I had to trust that Dr. Aceves knew the purpose for this slow progression of foods. Moving to the mushy stage was a breeze and then, I was well on my way to living with a lapband. YOU will make it to that next stage! DON'T push it! You might end up regretting it in the long run and that would be a shame. We all understand where you are and how you feel. When it is the hardest for you, sit down and email. Post a message to the board. GET YOUR MIND OFF FOOD! Do anything! Take a walk...go to the mall...ANYTHING! I do have to tell you that I would go right back through those 2 weeks again if I had to do it all over again. I love my band and no matter how difficult it can be at times,

it is the greatest tool I have EVER used to help me fight the battle of the bulge. I was banded February 23. I had my first fill 10 weeks later on May 13. I am so happy to tell you that I have lost 42 pounds and 41 inches. So, are the 2 weeks of the clear-liquid-I-want-to-kill-somebody-diet worth it??? You better believe it!!! Go back to clear liquids. Treat your stomach like you would a newborn baby. Keep in touch and take care. Jenni Currielisatmoore@... wrote: Hi , I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't take the broth any longer. I have been eating yogurt, slim fasts, tomatoe soup,

smoothies, and runny mashed potatoes since a couple days home from the hospital. I feel fine but I worry about my band slipping. I know that is bad but I just have no will power. I can only handle so much jello and broth and I was starving. I feel so much better since I switched to non clear liquids. Did I ruin my band? That is the only thing I'm worried about because other than filling up fast (one small size yogurt fills me up) and some shoulder pain I feel fine. How do I know if I have slipped my band - does anybody know? I think I'm ready for a fill already but I know I have to wait. Does anybody know how long it takes for the stomach to heal after being banded? Am I slowing my healing process because I haven't stuck to the clear liquids?

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

and , I have had a slipped band and you are wrong about a few things. First of all I did not vomit all the time and there was absolutely no pain. I could keep food down most of the time. The only symptom I had was acid reflux. I was absolutely shocked when I went in and found out my band had slipped because I felt perfectly fine. Just be real careful because I don't want you guys to go through what I did. Best of luck, Sheri Wilkins

--------- Re: just checking in

Hi , I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't take the broth any longer. I have been eating yogurt, slim fasts, tomatoe soup, smoothies, and runny mashed potatoes since a couple days home from the hospital. I feel fine but I worry about my band slipping. I know that is bad but I just have no will power. I can only handle so much jello and broth and I was starving. I feel so much better since I switched to non clear liquids. Did I ruin my band? That is the only thing I'm worried about because other than filling up fast (one small size yogurt fills me up) and some shoulder pain I feel fine. How do I know if I have slipped my band - does anybody know? I think I'm ready for a fill already but I know I have to wait. Does anybody know how long it takes for the stomach to heal after being banded? Am I slowing my healing process because I haven't stuck to the clear liquids?

[Guest guest]

Sheri, , and Jeni,

Thanks for the wakeup call!!! I guess I have been being pretty stupid and am really feeling guilty about it. I am 11th day post op now. Would it make any sense to go back to clear liquids for a while? If so - how long? Sheri - do you have any idea as to what caused your band to slip? Did you need another surgery? Your right I really don't want to have to go through that - so I guess I better shape up!! I hope I'm not too late.

[Guest guest]

Jenni,

Very well said.

I hope the newbies save this email and refer to it. We have to take care of our

bands! J

M

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of J Currie

Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 1:49

PM

Subject: Re:

just checking in

,

The reason for the clear liquid diet is to

protect your band in the early stages...allowing time for it to heal.

Don't let not having will power get to you. You have to have will power

for this to work successfully. Remember, this is a tool, not a

cure. Yes, broth and jello are the worst part of this whole picture but

you should be able to last the 2 weeks on as little as possible because that

will ensure that your band has every chance of working properly and heals properly

to stay with you for a long time. I doubt if eating what you have eaten

will cause your band to slip but it sure won't help the healing process.

Your stomach area is swollen and irritated simply from the trauma of

surgery. Don't make it stay swollen or irritated longer than it should

simply by eating foods that are too thick. You have to take care of your

band if you want it to work for you. We have all been where you

are. We have all been miserable with broth, jello, gatorade, applejuice,

etc. etc. etc. But, YOU can do this! One of the reason's we all

selected Dr. Aceves to perform this life-changing surgery on us is because we

trusted him. We trusted that he knew what he was doing. We trusted

that he knew exactly how to put our bands in. We trusted him to safely

perform a major surgery on our bodies. So, we also have to trust that he

knows the very best way to take care of our bands, especially in the early

stages and follow the dietary restrictions that he tells each of his patients

to follow.

I have been banded for 3 months. The first two weeks were the

worst 2 weeks of my life. I was starving to death. I was crying

ALOT. I had no energy. I wanted to crawl in a hole and die.

But, then, those 2 weeks ended and I moved onto full liquids. Life was

improving dramatically. I had no problem finding things to eat during

this time. Yes, I was still hungry but it's mind over matter at this

point, and, again, I had to trust that Dr. Aceves knew the purpose for this slow

progression of foods. Moving to the mushy stage was a breeze and then, I

was well on my way to living with a lapband.

YOU will make it to that next stage! DON'T push it! You

might end up regretting it in the long run and that would be a shame. We

all understand where you are and how you feel. When it is the hardest for

you, sit down and email. Post a message to the board. GET YOUR MIND

OFF FOOD! Do anything! Take a walk...go to the

mall...ANYTHING!

I do have to tell you that I would go right back through those 2 weeks

again if I had to do it all over again. I love my band and no matter how

difficult it can be at times, it is the greatest tool I have EVER used to help

me fight the battle of the bulge. I was banded February 23. I had

my first fill 10 weeks later on May 13. I am so happy to tell you that I

have lost 42 pounds and 41 inches. So, are the 2 weeks of the

clear-liquid-I-want-to-kill-somebody-diet worth it??? You better believe

it!!!

Go back to clear liquids. Treat your stomach like you would a

newborn baby. Keep in touch and take care.

Jenni Currie

lisatmoore@...

wrote:

Hi , I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't take the

broth any longer. I have been eating yogurt, slim fasts, tomatoe

soup, smoothies, and runny mashed potatoes since a couple days home from the

hospital. I feel fine but I worry about my band slipping. I know

that is bad but I just have no will power. I can only handle so much

jello and broth and I was starving. I feel so much better since I

switched to non clear liquids. Did I ruin my band? That is the only

thing I'm worried about because other than filling up fast (one small size

yogurt fills me up) and some shoulder pain I feel fine. How do I

know if I have slipped my band - does anybody know? I think I'm ready for

a fill already but I know I have to wait. Does anybody know how long it

takes for the stomach to heal after being banded? Am I slowing my healing

process because I haven't stuck to the clear liquids?

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great

rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply Sheri, I went back to the clear liquids and am learning to take the clear liquids more seriously now. Somehow my hunger faze seems to have subsided. I don't know if it is because I didn't stay on clear liquids for very long or if my body finally just got used to the idea of not having solid foods. Glad to hear your doing well with your surgery.