meswede

Oh yeah ... it's not only the poor choices of fabric and the shotty quality and the outrageous prices ... but some of the styles really STINK! I was in one of those stores before heading to Mexico for surgery and they actually had belly shirts ... something like a corset look in a size 26? GET REAL! When was the last time you saw a size 26 woman look good in a belly shirt? Then I happened to see a lady in town wearing one of those shirts ... and she turned heads alright because people were snickering at her. It was awful and I felt bad for her. The other gripe for me is not only the sleeveless shirts ... but I can't even count the number of shirts I've bought and they've just made required length (for big tummys) and sure enough ... you wash it once and it's up to your belly button!!! A total waste of money! I just started REFUSING to spend anymore money on clothes and things were looking rather ratty and my selection was few. And now that I'm banded ... and losing weight ... guess what's on my agenda when I get to my goal weight??? SHOPPING!!! Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03 (265/245/140)

Hi Diann, Nice to have you on board and great job on your weight loss too! Keep up the good work!!! Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03

Dearest Lulu; Babehood awaits you around the corner! If you come across bumps in the road ... just run right over 'em and keep on going. Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03 (265/245/140)

Hi Chrissy, That's an excellent weight loss! I was banded the day after you but done by Dr. Rumbaut. Today I'm celebrating three weeks post op and 20 pounds off. And here you have 6 more pounds off than me! Just goes to show how everyone's journey is different from everyone elses. Congrats to you and keep up the good work! Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03 (265/245/140)

This is quite the subject ... how our weight loss effects those around us. Wendy, I have thought of the same ... about my heavy friends and how it will effect them because I'll no longer be a "partner in crime" eating things with them that I used to. And if anything, it's a way of challenging every relationship in my life to see what quality each is made of. It will be a refining process. The other thought is ... Perhaps certain friends just seem to move on because you don't have as much in common anymore? Like Wendy for example ... now doing marathons where she didn't before and I'm sure her focus is very different from where it once was. And is it possible that thin friends could have problems with us losing weight because we could seem like competition? You know the saying ... men watch women ... and women watch women. Hummm. Anyway ... this road is still ahead of me since I've only lost 17 pounds so far. The one thing I'm most looking forward to is being ONE SIZE SMALLER than my little sister!!! I told her I've been the BIG Sister long enough and now it's her turn. She screamed ... "You're going to be smaller than me???" She's now back on weight watchers! Ha!!!! Watch out little Sister ... Here I come! xo Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03

Thanks Leo! I'll pass the compliment on to my hubby. He loves hacking on such projects and so I've told him to go for it! Now that I've got the guest book going, I need to get the journal going like Chris has on her website. I just want to add a blip here and there about the progress I'm making and the discoveries along the way. Thanks again Leo. Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03

Wowsie from one Big Swede to another! You look fabulous darling! Thanks for sharing your story Julie! I can't wait to report 100 pounds off too!!! Perhaps I'll make the front page of the newspaper since I live in Mayberry RFD! Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03 (265/248/140)

Hey There Chis, Just keep in mind ... this isn't about failure anymore. THAT'S ALL GOING TO BE BEHIND YOU!!! You'll have a brand new beginning and all things in the past are just lessons learned. We all have to learn some new HEAD behavior when getting banded and you can start on that right now by looking forward to all the things you have waiting for you at your goal weight. Try writing out a list of all the things you miss doing and want to do again. And add to that list all the things you see yourself doing when you reach your goal weight. Success is yours!!! It's just waiting for you to find it and your Band is going to be your BUDDY to help you reach that goal. I've only been banded for three weeks and there's something called PAIN that keeps me on task. Have you heard others talk about the pain in their chest that feels like they swallowed a golf ball??? Oh yeah ... it's true!!! So you'll be learning to listen to your BODY instead of dealing with HEAD HUNGER and all those nasty little whispers that say you'll fail. Health and small jeans are waiting for you! Wishing you a happy banding journey, Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03

When you check out my website be sure to sign the guest book! I just checked it and my hubby was the very first to sign it ... and that entry is a MUST READ!!! LOVE THAT MAN!!! Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03

Hey Tina ... Thanks for responding to my introduction and for checking out my webpage. It's still under construction but it's coming together little by little ... thanks to my hubby! You asked about my user name. MESWEDE is for Me Swede. I came about that name because before my husband and I were introduced, he used to see me coming into work and would say, "My big Swede is here!" ... meaning long blonde hair, blue eyes and big ... sisters! When my boss told me that Kurt said that about me, my comment back was, "Well I don't have a drop of Swedish blood in me but "HE" can call me Gretchen or Inga or anything he wants! So the name stuck and I've been his #1 Swede since way back when! And he's my "hunka hunka burnin' love yeah yeah man of mine". And they rode off into the sunset together .... Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03

So that's what they call it ... a C-Section Hang Over??? Well my HANGOVER has now lasted for 23 long years!!! I can relate all too well since I survived two stem to stern c-sections. My tummy has never been the same since. However ... Robin's pics give me hope that I too will be proud to sport around in purple one day! I'll be a prancin' pony! Lori in Oregon

Hi Michele, I live out towards Estacada/Molalla area, South East of Portland. I plan on going to Tacoma Radiology for my fills, however, another Bandster in Vancouver,WA just contacted me and said that he is currently working on an arrangement with Epic Imaging (in Portland) to do fill. Their fee is going to be $179. He is currently in the process of contacting InaMed to have them do the training. So it's good news to hear that there are active Bandsters out there trying to get someone in our area to do fills. Do you belong to a support group? Chat later, Lori in Oregon

Hi Jen, Thanks for your reply. Well you've done a great job so keep up the good work and everyone's going to "stay tuned" as you continue getting closer to your goal. Nice chattin' with ya! Lori in Oregon

Leo ... the webpages are listed at the bottom of everyone's post with the www button. Here's my link: http://www.cascadeaccess.com/~kbauer/Lori/lorilapband.html Lori in Oregon

Dearest Alexandra, Think of your lap band as your Buddy! I've thought of it being inside me as no different than someone needing a pace maker. This is your Buddy that will help you reach your goal to better health and help you move and skip around and do the happy dance every day! I have had several surgeries and really this one is quite an easy one to recover from. I was up and out of bed as soon as they wheeled me into my room and by 10 days post op I was back to cleaning my house and feeling like a million bucks ... especially when I already have 17 pounds off only two weeks post op. The short recovery time will all be worth it and your body will thank you! YOU GO GIRL ... Sucess is yours right around the corner!!! Wishing you peaceful nights of slumber, Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03 (265/248/140)

Welcome Jen, Gee, you've done so good on your weight loss in such a short time! What are you doing for your diet and are you exercising too? I've only been banded for a couple of weeks and I have 17 pounds off and my goal is to get another 48 off before Christmas so I'm interested in what you're doing to be so successful. Have you had a fill yet? And did you join a support group too? Welcome to lapbandtalk. Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03

Hey Michele ... Welcome to Oregon! And great to hear you had Dr. Rumbaut band you. You didn't mention how much weight you have lost since you were banded. How's that been going? I'm just over two weeks post op and now have 17 pounds off ... and will have to wait for another 4 weeks before I get my first fill. Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03

Hey Robin ... thanks for sharing the tummy tuck pictures! That is next on my "body & fender" agenda once I reach my goal weight. I am familiar with your website and it was an inspiration to me while I was doing my research before being banded. Thank you for sharing your story and I can't wait to be looking as great as you. Lori in Oregon Dr. Rumbaut 07/09/03 (265/248/140)