Zoe

Penni rules! And Dr. Billy's giving you the real answers you desperately needed. He sounds like a dream doc. Let's all send Lisa/DeLarla lots of healing vibes, prayers, thoughts, and hopes -- whatever religious, spiritual, or humanist impulses we might have -- toward her rapid healing and triumph with the band. Ommmm....

My new fill kicked in right away. I'm down 2 lbs. this week; it probably would have been more, except I went to a party yesterday and could eat everything I wanted: guacamole, tamales, Godiva chocolates, and apple pie. The band barely tolerates a well-chewed bite of water-packed tuna, but chocolate truffles ease on down!

Uh, not to be dense, Trish, but what Bandster Bash in April? Do you have details?

I just received a little cardboard box from Eureka, California. What a lovely surprise! Becky sent me not only some groovy green bath goodies, but a much-needed pair of black knit gloves and, best of all, a beautiful hand-made hat! The hat is a cute cap made from a soft black boucle yarn with gorgeous trim featuring little black and sherbet-colored (I'm hungry!) fibers, and it fits perfectly. Thank you, thank you Becky! This is a wonderful bonus for moving during the holiday exercise challenge. I'll wear the hat on my daily dog walks throughout this cold winter.

She really thought you might want a sandwich she had already munched on? The girl needs help. She just doesn't get it, does she? You'd think after you told her several times not to bring you food, she'd be too embarrassed to even think about offering anything. What a weirdo!

Erin has a big problem. And it'll probably get even worse if or when she gets reamed out for smearing tomato sauce on court documents. Just remember, her food disorder is no reflection on you, and you don't have to be part of her obsession. She must be one of those people who turn to food when stressed out. Oh, yeah, I remember -- I was one too. Still am, in a small bandster way!

Emmy, check out the Food forum here; there are a lot of suggestions & recipes for mushy food. I couldn't handle eggs either!

Funny about the dosage business -- the veterinarian adjusts my dog's medications precisely according to her weight, but my MD hasn't made a single change in my pills throughout years of ups and downs! Yet another reason to visit the vet. I've just had a fairly tight fill and am opening the plastic capsules I take each morning to wash down the bitter powder with a smoothie.

What a horrible story, Ryan. It's truly a shame that so many medical workers, from receptionists to doctors, don't understand how hard it is for patients and their families during an emergency, and that people are not just cases to be signed in and out at the hospital's convenience. I hope you both can get some much-needed rest. You can vent here anytime.

Oakbrook's far -- I live in the city -- but I'll make it if I can!

Thanks, Sue, that helps! And, Greg, your enthusiasm for education is truly inspiring.

Congratulations! Mary's right -- walking will help the gas go away (I won't say pass). The first couple of days are the roughest. I didn't have any trouble with burping; it just felt normal. Pamper yourself this week! Try a heating pad on your belly, and give yourself one huge pat on the back for taking this giant step.

Amazing! What an inspiration you two are. And how wonderful that you have a "band sister" who's been on the journey with you. Thanks for sharing the pictures, and please tell Fiona she looks great -- although I'm sure she's already hearing that from everyone she knows. You both look maaaahvelous!

A student just got $30,000 on eBay from a company that's renting out his forehead as a billboard for a month. That's right, one month. I'm going to try renting my entire body as a billboard -- there's plenty of space available! BTW, one of my brothers got $71.50 on eBay for one of his half-eaten sandwiches. His friend wrote the description; it was a collector's item, he said, because my bro rarely has any leftovers. $71.50! People are nuts!

BigBand, read some of the past posts on this forum (especially those that the moderators have marked with an electronic "sticky") and you'll get a better idea of whether the band is for you. The "General Discussion" and "Introductions" forums are good places to start. Meanwhile, Becki, congratulations! You'll be under the 300 mark soon! A couple of people on this board have called your next stop Twoville or Two-nesia. Welcome.

Sorry I can't be there; I attend an annual music event over Memorial Day weekend. I can forward some stuff for a clothing exchange (at Lisa's or the general Kuri-fest).

Works for me! My weekends are pretty busy, but pick a date & I'll be there if I can.

Hi Bigmom -- I experienced the same thing. Some bandsters get an appetite almost the minute they come out of surgery, and some of us have no interest in food for a couple of days or weeks. Marie offered good advice; there's no need to follow a fixed schedule, but keep yourself hydrated. Make sure that you're getting some Protein each day. I drank EAS protein supplements for the first two weeks; you might find something similar at your grocery or health-food store. Alas, the day will come when you'll marvel at the disappearance of your appetite. Meanwhile, congratulations on your band!

I belatedly discovered this thread. Ryan, I'm so happy to learn that Patty got immediate relief from her pain. I hope your drive home is safe and comfortable, and that your wife not only stays free of pain but begins a true recovery. Know that we all are wishing/praying for both of you. When you come up for air, please tell us how you're doing with your band, if you haven't already posted someplace else.

OK, I'm not thinking February for this -- but would anyone be interested in a Chicago bash? Maybe next summer? Let's see if anyone's interested, and we can take it from there. There's tons of stuff to do for everyone from music nuts to power shoppers; it's easy to get around on public transportation; and the whole place comes alive when we thaw out. It's centrally located for Midwesterners (that is, equally inconvenient for everybody), and flights are relatively cheap because Chicago's a major airline hub. Attractions: the Art Institute of Chicago, Ravinia music festival, jazz and blues clubs, hanging out or power-walking along the lakefront, more museums, Michigan Avenue stores that will wring out your wallet, and did I mention pizza? (Plus the cheezborger-cheezborger-cheezborger joint that John Belushi made famous.) Interested? Suggestions?

Marie is right -- since Bandstock in Michigan will be held in June, I for one suggested dropping the Chicago summer bash. I'm sure Chi-town will be well represented in Michigan!

If I'm not mistaken, the "slime thing" is in fact a PB, which stands for Productive Burp.

OK, I've been whining to myself (and to anyone who isn't already tired of listening) that I don't have much restriction with my 1.2cc fill. I can eat two cups of most foods without any trouble. So I scheduled an appointment for another fill tomorrow (1/21). Guess what? During the last three days I've had good restriction. Nothing extreme (although I did PB yesterday after not chewing a piece of dry chicken well enough), just what I thought I was supposed to have. No, I'm not in PMS or M mode. Funny, it feels as if my band knows it's going to be messed with tomorrow, so it's behaving itself now! Tempted as I am to cancel the appointment, I'm going to keep it, just to make sure everything's in place and to get topped off with just a wee bit of saline for good measure. Sheesh!

Great advice from Michelle! I'm the same way -- I just can't have junk in the house. If I'm craving ice cream, I'll buy a scoop of it at a fancy-schmancy ice cream parlor, but no way can I have a pint (much less a half-gallon) sitting in my freezer. Maybe you should buy Chris a combination safe. He can keep his junk food in there but he has to swear that he will not tell you the combination no matter what evil tactics you devise to get him to reveal the code. If you can't lock it up, throw it away. Pronto. You can always run to the 7-11 if you absolutely positively must have a candy bar, but why make it easy to torture yourself by keeping the stuff right at hand? Believe me, I know what you're going through with junk food -- and I bet almost everyone here can say the same thing. We're all behind you in your struggle to get past this.

No need to hop on a jet, DeLarla, just make the phone call. Maybe your band will kick in if it thinks it's getting a fill soon! Voodoo science, but it worked for me. Boy, I agree with Vickie about that 13-year-old. Good grief -- she hasn't even reached her adult height yet, and her internal organs are still developing.