DeLarla

Steer clear of the lemon one that starts with an "L" (Luna Bars, I think.) I couldn't even gag down a whole one. YUCK!

I'm trying to quit the beast completely. I just had my band removed and have to take Prevacid for 3 solid months because I had some esophageal erosions. Coffee is really hard on the stomach. If you go back, maybe you can do a half-caf blend? Be nice to your pouch and belly.

Celest, you dare to take on 2 rooms AND 60 minutes on the treadmill? And I'm up against you in my own weightloss challenge? Can't you just watch a movie marathon on the couch today?

I hate this thread! I'll walk the dogs and do my exercises. I'll get through the buckets of paperwork & bills in my office (this is the part I hate.) YUCK!

I had no idea this would be so funny, but huge tears are rolling down my face at 5:38 this morning. Jack, FYI, not ANYBODY has 2 gallons of frozen gooseberries! I always thought those were cartoon berries from Willy Wonka! Throw away the marinara, crab, paint brushes! There comes a time... Great thread, can't wait for more!

Alex, (laughing) The technician told me not to weigh for a week, but instead wear the same pants and see if they fit better. I laughed at him and told him straight up, "Listen Pal, if I lose any weight, I'm certainly not giving credit to your lasers!" I only tried it hoping it might reduce appetite and for cravings. Last night I didn't crave anything but that's because Chris hadn't smoked all afternoon and was holding me hostage in the bedroom trying to kill me. Today we let the monster sleep. I'm considering drugging him. Poor guy. They gave him a 2 page list of cigarette ingredients. He was really pissed at the list and tossed it grumbling, "Everyting from rat poison to dog tranquilizers in f-ing cigs, trying to kill me." CJ has called several times bugging us to see how it works. I keep telling him to stop bugging us before he drives Chris over the edge and just go spend his gift certificate already. He's the one that started this, but he's such a heavy smoker that the thought of quitting scared he heck out of him. I hate smoke. I have no idea why it's even legal. Can't smoke pot, snort coke, shoot up heroine, but people drop dead from cigs every minute, and that's just fine. This is why I hate politics. NSV ALERT - I'M ON MY PUTER WITH MY LEGS CROSSED! CROSSED I SAY!

Chop chop chop! Last night I stocked up on fresh veggies. Peppers, carrots, cukes, etc. Baby pickles, too. If you keep them chopped and handy, they're much easier to grab. Heck, steam some with a lil olive oil if you gotta. Anwyn, I'm on 1200 calories a day. If I can do this, then you can eat some veggies for me, can't you? Please? It's not worth gaining the weight back. When I was having really hard times, I collected LBT phone numbers and talked people's heads off. Just send out a pleading for numbers and they'll come. I'll PM you mine. A few long distance bills were worth it in the end.

I forgot to answer you, Nana. I'll see if they have a site. All I know so far is that the several people in the lobby were all smoke free for over a month, and one man brought his 4th family member in for treatment because it worked for the 3 others. I'll keep you guys posted.

"Do you have a lot of money you don't need, or something?" Now THAT is funny! We don't have kids, so we enjoy tossing the stuff around! The process is the same as acupressure, which has been around for ever. The only reason I tried it was to support my poor husband, who has been smoking since before birth (his Mom smoked while nursing.) It's sad watching him try to quit. Our friend, CJ, got a gift certificate for Laser Concepts and is going to try to quit. Since they are smoking buddies, I asked Chris if he wanted to try with CJ. Since Chris is like a child, if CJ gets laser, he HAS to have laser. At this point, I'll try anything for him. His mom died a few years ago from smoking (emphasema.) Mine was only $30, so I let them put pressure on me hoping it would ease Chris's nerves. I would never have done it if it weren't for these poor guys who need all the help the can get. Plus, I figure anything that might supress hunger can't hurt. I don't know if it's working, but I'm below my 1200 calories today!

This is my favorite thread. Ever! Thanks, friends. I feel like starting new threads just for you!

I also had mine removed by Billy. I'm sorry, I don't know anyone in the US that would remove it without a whopping bill. Is your only option Mexico at this point? I hate to see you suffer. Is your band eroded?

It's normal for your port to be sore right after surgery, but it's NEVER normal for it to be hot, inflammed. red or swollen once you've healed. An infection isn't something to mess with. An infected port must be removed. If you surgeon doesn't agree, I suggest getting a 2nd opinion.

Biggest Loser is a one time deal, but France has been around forever. You gotta make your own choice. What means more to you?

Sue, thanks for the advice - I sent my demand letter yesterday. Sugarbear, good luck to you. I'll never go to Mexico for surgery again. Last week while lying miserably in pain, I swore I'd never have another WLS, but I'm fickle and might change my mind in 5 years once things are perfected. You might want to ask Lopez if he changed anything in the way he places bands since Me, Penni, Donali, Karen, Michelle and Franceca were all banded around the same time from he & his old partner. Be good to yourself and get regular endoscopies. My husband told Dr. Billy he wants to toss my band in a pot of boiling Water with my old bras and make Soup. He's an ill man.

Thanks, Rachele. I realize now that I would make a bad GB candidate. I get yelled at by the doc all the time because I forget to take my meds. I'm supposed to take thyroid meds every day, but I simply forget. I often forget 2 or 3 days in a row, and way too often. I've never been good at taking daily supplements, maybe because I often gag on pills. I keep chewable vitamins on my desk but I cringe at the thought of taking them. Not sure why though.

My GB friend, Denise, gained back 50 pounds even though she eats like a dainty 120 pound woman. She started writing down her intake and realized that the entire 50 pounds is from her several daily trips to Starbucks. So her GB helped control the amount she eats, but her choice to drink sugary, fattening coffee drinks all day has her up 50 pounds. I have 2 other GB friends who have gained all their weight back. I asked, "How?" The both said the same thing, "We graze." They can't eat in large amounts, but their food is processed so quickly that they can eat often. They train themselves to eat bad, just the way us bandsters learn how to eat around the band. I've known many GB patients over the years since it's been around longer than the band, and I personally know more people who have gained all their weight back and fewer that have maintained the loss. But still, I can't compare them to bandsters since I only heard of the Band about 1.5 yrs ago. Regardless of what surgery, it always boils down to the same nonsense, which is blah blah blah, watch what you eat and the weight will come off (I'm naggy cuz that's what I'm doing now, and I'm hungry!) I guess Inamed bandsters can argue that their bands are better than the Swedish band. And RNY patients can argue that DS is better. The grass always seems greener on the other side, but it's all the same color in the end.

"You truly rock, even without a back-up band!!" OMG, someone cloned DeLarla! Now there's two of us!

Rachel, thanks so much for showing me this thread! I agree, "Each surgery is awesome in its own way." I've waiverd on what surgery is better since this whole process started, but the truth is, any weight loss surgery that gives us a 2nd chance at life is remarkable. I've said in the past that any WLS sucks because I just want to be normal, but ALL of these procedures have people losing weight and living life again. Even if the weight doesn't stay off, I've noticed bypass and unbanded people trying harder and maintaining hope, which I didn't have prior to surgery. Rachel, good luck to you, and please keep us posted on your journey. I'm especially interested in the supplements you have to take.

Who said I work? Actually, my 2006 resolution is to actually work before they fire me for being at LBT so often. But I just love all the love, it's infectious! I'm too much of an LBT junkie to ever leave my family here

Yeah for you!!! Good news for sure for sure. Thanks for sharing, Leatha

Alex said what I was going to say. Ask girls at the grocery, hair salon, bank, etc. A high priced guy doesn't mean he'll do a good job.

I was just daydreaming that same dream this morning! Congrads to you, that must feel incredible! My husband tortures me by using (losing, breaking) my stuff, espeically my collection of Harley t-shirts from around the US, even when he has his own collection. I keep threatening him that I'll get skinny enough to wear all his jeans. I can't wait - I think I'll stick some panty liners to his boxers to freak him out, just for fun. Congrads!

"Is your hypothesis that there was a bad batch of bands?" My hypothesis is that Inamed is too mysterious and refers people to Lopez stating he's cream-of-the-crop, refusing to acknowledge the rash of recent erosions is anything other than mere coincidence.

I suggest making sure there's a band surgeon wherever you travel, just in case of emergencies. Other than that, make sure to pack only comfy clothes (general rule for anyone banded.) No tight jeans or binding clothing, lots of liquids and move around the plane so you don't cramp. Oh, and have fun and buy me presents

Day 3 of my 1200 calorie diet: B: 4 oz l/f cottage cheese 4 oz n/f yogurt L: 1/2 can split pea soup - yuck but need fiber & protein after band removal Snak Pak pudding D: Broiled chicken, no skin steamed veggies with 1/2 tblspn olive oil & 1/2 tblspn butter 3 mini boiled taters 1/2 cup pudding