donali

Hi Penni - There are two well established groups in the L.A. area - the original SoCal bandsters, and another group that's pretty quiet these days. the OSCB meets at least once a month, and had a big picnic a month or two ago. I haven't been, because it's kind of a trek from San Diego, but I've met a couple of people from that group, and they're wonderful. Some of their meetings are HUGE. You'll find lots of support there, I'm sure. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OSCB/

Yay, Bailey! What Alexandra said. If you're still in the liquid phase, try blending Protein shakes with ice - that may help you feel a little fuller, faster. I also found hot broths helped to take away my hunger, and let me think I'd actually had some sort of "meal". I had the painful burping too - it went away after two weeks.

WOW - Penni, that is GREAT news! Hopefully you'll have no further problems. Thanks for the update!!!

I can't believe anyone has the stomach for even one more little word from me in the emotional advice category. lol I wish I did have some good advice, but I think you said it all. And when you're dealing with alcoholism, it is totally out of your hands, just like our dealing with our weight was totally out of anybody else's hands. I have an Aunt who chose to go to Al-Anon, and stayed with her husband. She said that she learned that she was not responsible for his behaviour. I admire that, but at the same time, I don't really understand why someone would choose to stay in that situation (he could be very mean when drunk). But it worked for her, and after the kids grew up and moved away he got sober. That's a really long time to wait for improvement, in my opinion. I realize I wasn't the one in love with him, but... I don't think I would have done it. There are other things I'd put up with that others wouldn't, but I've had my fill of mean people. But again, it wasn't me - who knows what I would have done in the same situation. I personally think I'd do what you're doing instead, as painful as that must be. We all have our limits, and our requirements for happiness. I think it's good to be open to other possibilities, but at the same time we have the right to live our lives, and make of our lives what we choose. Taking responsible steps towards personal happiness requires no excuses or apologies. ***hugs***

My heart goes out to you. My sis is in the same boat, so I know how hard it is. Hang in there, girl...

Michelle!!!! :( No! What happened? You guys were soulmates... I am so sorry...

Welcome, Karen!!

Yeah, Lisa, hoping everything is going great with you!!! Francesca, we have a great group of San Diego bandsters. We meet once a month on the second Sunday (unless there is a holiday conflict, like with Mother's day, and then it gets moved.) I highly recommend that you join us - there's lots of support there, in person, and it's really nice to be able to see others face to face and hear their stories and share yours and get advice. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SanDiegoBandsters/ The board is pretty quiet usually, so you won't be bombarded with messages. Announcements about where/when of the meetings happen through that Yahoo! group, so I recommend you join. Just like with Lois, though - DON'T LEAVE US!!! Do us both... :(

Hi Lois! Welcome again! You are definitely not out of the range of lapband BMI - however, I have heard some people who are having the surgery in the U.S. being told they are "too big" and that they have to have the RNY. IT'S A LIE. There is a group on Yahoo! specifically for extraordinary bandsters - people with a BMI of 50+. I would definitely recommend that you go there to find out more info that may pertain specifically to your situation. (But don't leave US!! Do us both!!) The address for that group is: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ExtraordinaryBandsters/ I know for a fact that the lapband works for people who have a lot to lose, so stick to your guns, and very very best of luck to you!!

Hey Cmore! Welcome! Is that bass=fish, or bass=low voiced singer? You must be excited about your upcoming date. Sending you good wishes!! Let us know how it goes!! :(

Whooo hoooo!!! Yeah, Lois!!! We have our OWN pharmacist!!! :( And welcome to the boards. (Did I miss your entrance from before? I am so bad.... )

And I thought there were mostly NJ-ites out there! Welcome, Pamie!

AAAAACKCKKKKK!!!! You go girl!! Make a run for the border!!! You better call me, too, when you get here! Safe travels, and don't forget the slutty red glove.

SUE!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're BACK!?!?!?!? How are you feeling? You're home? Tell us all! We've missed you horribly!

Alexandra, you are ON!!!!!!!!!! :(

Penni - Great, quick results!! Congrats! Sorry they're coming at such a price. Still, once you two put this bump behind you, things SHOULD be smooth sailing... Sending out healing vibes energy to you both!!

Ahhhh.... Pets.... The true nectar of the Gods. I miss mine everyday. Can't wait to get my big paleontologist pet... Just a few more months. Trying to prepare him for all the roles he'll be assuming once he gets here... One good thing about a pet paleontologist - he won't be sitting there barking at me to throw the ball that is just 1 foot out of reach. Over, and over, and over.... lol One bad thing with pets that big, I won't be able to carry him around cradled in my arms like a baby. And oh, how I loved kissing that little furry muzzle right above the corner of his mouth, and rubbing my face on his... I don't think my pet paleo will be so patient or accomodating with my extreme and constant displays of affection... Maybe he'll let me get a dog after all, once he sees how demanding the pet position is going to be!!!

Hi - San Diego area. 43, single, childless, petless. (All alone in the world... sniff, sniff... lol) Surgery with Dr. Lopez in Tijuana, Mexico, 1/23/03. Four fills, current restriction at 2.6cc 97.5 pounds "released" Port revision 11/03, after tearing a suture in June from over stretching to reach something in the back seat of the car. Size 28/30+ to 18 5'6" Still would like to lose down to at least 185 (another 25 pounds or so), would be super thrilled to hit 160, dead with excitement at 140, in total disbelief at 135. Would do this again in a heartbeat.

Wow, Penni - That looks pretty awful... And Lisa - I thought the child care was all arranged?!?! Boy, I go to sleep for a few hours, and look what happens! I wish both you girls speeding and uneventful recoveries.

Oh, Thank God!!! I'll be able to sleep tonight after all!

Now I'm craving pie. Thanks a lot, you two!! All I have in the house is soy milk, SF/FF chocolate pudding, and some whip cream in a high pressure can. Sounds like a party to me!!!

Supposedly costco has a liquid Vitamin called... uh.... I wanna say "Glacier Milk" or something or other. I have never been able to find it, but I have been told by this person that they get it all the time. I saw liquid Adult Centrum at Longs the other day. It was about $9 for I believe a 20 day supply. They also had an adult chewable. I mix my crushed Vitamins with so much other stuff you can't taste them. I use that Super Green powder and Alfalfa Powder, chocolate soy milk, a banana, two packets of SweetnLow, 3 scoops of soy Protein powder, some flax oil, the ground up vitamins and a bunch of crushed ice run through the blender for a couple of minutes. It looks really repulsive, but doesn't taste that bad. Maybe my taste buds are dead, though... lol

Lisa, DEFINITELY TMI!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol Get a pair of pants with POCKETS, for goshsakes!!! ROTFLMAO :(

Penni - I think it would be a great idea for you (SOMEONE!!!!) to be the U.S. liason for Dr. Lopez's office. I think Anne Marie was going to nominate Diane, a gal in our San Diego group, who also had surgery with him and just started working with the BeLighter group. Diane already has a very close working relationship with Dr. Lopez, and speaks some Spanish as well, so that might be a good solution. I don't know if Dr. Lopez will agree, or if that has all been worked out, but I know it is a hot topic with the conference in town. Hopefully things will get ironed out, and we can all have a little more peace of mind about what happens when there are complications after surgery, regardless of their severity. Good luck on your upcoming surgery!!!

Boy, Lisa.... Now I'm worried about something... If you get all fixed up, and finally on a smooth sailing track, who's going to keep lapbandtalk alive?!?! I have never seen the board this busy, and it's all so darned interesting. And there are pictures, and purple bras, and slutty red hand gloves... You know I'm a true friend when I say I hope you're better soon, because I have an addictive personality disorder, and the board is filling that at the moment... lol