DeLarla

I'm tap dancing for you in Vegas!

My band was removed due to erosion, and I'd NEVER consider another band after my real experience. I had the band about 18 months and had it removed about 4 months ago. I 100% definitely still feel a pouch and some sort of restriction. I don't think it's safe for anyone to reconsider a second band (after erosion) at this point because there aren't enough long-term studies to date of people who eroded and were rebanded. I'm using simple common sense based on my own reasoning. While most of the scars I've accumulated on my skin throughout life have healed to a bare fade, I have a few marks that have raised skin, red, thick hard "kiloid" scars. If the outside skin can form hard scars, then what's happening with the scars on the inside of my stomach (from the perforations that were surgically repaired during band removal?) Will my belly ever heal and go back to normal, or will I be the lucky one who always has a ghost-pouch to help keep my eating in check? OR, will my internal scarring become worse one day and block my ability to eat? Who the heck knows at this point? The miracle (for me) is that I'm down 5 solid pounds since having my band removed. THAT'S A MIRACLE! Part of the reason is because I won't give up the fight, but my pouch prevents me from overeating. Go figure. Just like when I was banded, there are certain days when I can eat barrels, while other days I can't eat till late afternoon. I actually threw away ice cream after eating only 3/4 of the carton because it was too uncomfortable. Another eroded friend started saving for a new band as her old one was being removed last year. Now she's decided against a new band for similar reasons as me - her stomach doesn't feel "normal" and she's not sure if it ever will. You can't consider a 2nd band until you know the extent of the damage from the first one, and since there's no way of knowing that, I'd never recommend band life after erosion. If I ever see 300 again, I'll most likely look into a gastric bypass.

I can NOT believe how unreal your lil doll looks! I'm very jelly in my belly and wanna hold that teenie tiny baby.

Priceless! I almost didn't read this post, thinking you were one more person who had all the answers, but this is great! And way to go with -21 pounds!

The big problem with support groups is that members share others their naighty bad tricks to "eat around the band." I learned all those bad tricks right here at LBT. You still have plenty of time to get on track though since you don't have good restriction. Once that restriction kicks in, you won't be able to eat and drink. Good luck to you kiddo!

I started taking hair and nail vitamins a month before getting banded. They didn't help since I lost a lot of hair anyway. However, it was very temporary, and I didn't notice that my actual head of hair got any thinner. It's all back to normal now.

Karen, I'm here for ya. Don't worry, band removal isn't the end of the world (unless you go on too many vacations.) If I can maintain most of the weight loss at my level of insanity, then you can too. I'm really sorry that someone sweet as you has to go through this, but it's better to take care of your health and safety. xo

This thread inspired by Alexandra's ice skating thread :girl_hug: Here's a place for us to post our NSV pictures. An NSV is a non-scale victory, so here's me riding a bull last week after losing 75 pounds since banding. Post pictures of your old pants, bending over to tie your shoes, dancing, wearing a bathing suit or anything you've done since losing weight that makes you feel amazing. Hurry, we want to see!

Thanks Nyk! I think he's kinda cute when he's not being a major pain!

I felt like Cinderella at the ball, and since I went in as a pumpkin, I didn't have to turn into one at midnight.

You always want to be a little protective of your port. I know a few people who have pulled theirs & needed corrective surgery. The port can be a vulnerable area, but as far as sex, think of how traumatizing a bad sneeze is. You're belly & chest lurch & contract while your band stays in place, so what's an orgasm or three? Now if you're doing sex on a trampoline... that might be a different story! However, according to my surgeon, while it's not likely, he supposes a severe sneeze or coughing spell might be able to cause a slip. He didn't say it "would cause a slip" just that we should always be a little more cautious of strenous, traumatic movement. I'd never bungee jump while banded, but I went on roller coasters. Every doctor is different.

By the way, at Convention our new "soft catalog" was introduced. Slumber isn't just about sex. Our line of relax & massage items are something everybody should be using to let go of stress, tension and anxiety. This new catalog will allow us to advertise on daytime TV and leave the soft catalogs anywhere we please without offending anybody. What's so offensive about soaking in bubbles made with real champagne, a good almond oil & lavendar back massage or a rash-free shave?

Last week we drove outside the French Quarter a couple miles into the city of New Orleans and saw nearly 100% devastation from Katrina; there's nothing left. Every McDonald's, business, gas station & most homes are abandoned and/or condemned. I can't imagine anything worse than what Katrina did to New Orleans, yet the media says Misssissippi was hit way worse. Anybody worried about something so stupid as banning sex toys in Mississippi, while that state is in such severe desperation and devastation, should be banned from Mississippi. Unbelievably shameful that they'd waste energy, time and money on such a ridiculous cause right now. Those people aren't getting their 1.8 weekly required orgasms and need a toy more than anyone.

You are so lucky to have been through all that and come clean without the Big E and smart enough to do all your own research before, during and after seeing your physician. While I agree that I had more frequent/longer lasting bronchial problems while banded, I can't agree they were band related since I only got sick after being around people with that same bug.

F the phone. Walk into the docs office. If I were closer, I'd do it for you. I'm sorry I've been gone, but why are you packing your apartment? Are you coming to live with me? I'll let you paint

Dixie chick. But I lied cuz I say "cuz" and "yoons" instead of because or you all, although I didn't see those choices.

That's a good girl. But did you ask if Prilosec is okay till then? All my surgeons (both Mexican and American) wanted me on the stuff, and you can buy it over the counter. At least chew some Tums. P.S. Tums backwards is smut. I notice these things.

I heard my name being called through space so decided to log in for a spell. Los and beholdings, the one thread I decided to read mentions DeLarla! At my parties, most girls think about painting the ceiling, the spider webs on the walls, cleaning air conditioning vents or exactly how far of a reach that Costmo really is (and if he'll notice you're reaching for it.) I don't think being concerned about oogy floaties is odd, I just think you need to spice up your bedroom interest. Try a blindfold - if you cover one of your senses it heightens the rest of your senses. Even the mild mannered sexperts in magazines like Redbook agree that all married couples eventually lose a lot of sexual spark as the years go by. Adding some spice to your marriage doesn't mean you don't love your husband - fantasy is healthy. Tie a scarf over your eyes and make love to Johnny Depp tonight instead of worrying about the floaties, then do that bleach thing.

One reason I try staying away from LBT is because now that I'm not banded, I give bad diet advice. I say eat a pint to soothe & cool the pain. Okay, all kidding aside, why the heck are you telling LBT and not your doc? HUH? Get on the horn, girl. In the meantime, you might want to start taking Prilosec since it might be reflux/acid, but please call your surgeon, k?

Thank you all for the compliments, they are horribly needed right now because if I don't get back on track soon, I'll be in big trouble. I won't torture you by describing the meals we had, but I endulged in ever southern fantasy known to man and some Italian ones. Hubby & I even shared decadent deserts in bed in the very late hours, let alone the booze & real Cokes! They don't even have the word "Calorie" in southern dictionaries! Tomorrow better be the day I get real again!

OMG, YES the new 2006 products were announced! Here I thought I was immune to adult toys considering I own $20,000 worth of them, but even all us Slumber gals were squirming in our seats at some of our new stuff! New soy candles that turn to massage oil as they melt; I walked on stage & volunteered a bare arm & the wax doesn't burn, just rubs in so nice & comes in chocolate that's heavenly! But the Sugar Spoon... holy smoke! The tip is shaped like a spoon so it cups your G-spot while the whole thing does the Hokey Pokey & Macarena all at once - I looked around and all the girls were crossing their legs really tight, including me! I won 5 packs of new catalogs but won't have them till the printers release them, so go to my site & request one and you'll be the first to see my new goodies!

A bunch of us went cowboy dancing & bull riding.

Something's really wrong with the cops in New Orleans! Look at this naughty horse nipping my Pina Colada!

Chris sure had his hands full, and he loved every second!

Bourbon St.