Zoe

Congratulations, Rica! And you're down 40 lbs. in just four months. You'll be at your goal in no time. One question: Is "throwing hammers" exactly what it sounds like? Claw or ball peen models?

Whippledaddy/Ryan, I think every bandster -- new, experienced, or wannabe -- should read your wonderful post. The band has allowed so many to turn our lives around: not only our bodies, but our hearts and souls as well. Even before we get the band, just knowing that we're beginning a journey toward a better life, and just knowing that there is hope, can make such a difference. Denise, hang in there. You're just a little over a week away, and while the time might seem to drag (especially while you're waiting for all those tests), before you know it, you'll be banded. I agree that it's a good thing your surgeon is so thorough. Among other things, he's probably keeping a close watch on your heart to make sure you won't have an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Let us know your test results -- we're all rooting for you!

Sounds like you're doing fine, Betty. By this time next week you'll have a lot more energy and the pain will have faded. Things get better fast!

I vegged out yesterday and felt kinda blah, so this morning I took a brisk half-hour walk without the dog and felt great. I could have gone another hour, but it would have been hard explaining that one to my boss. Those weights I bought last week? They're decorating my hallway floor; I haven't picked 'em up since I took them out of the car! Tomorrow I begin, promise! I can't quite remember that stuff you call sex. Is it more fun than walking the dog?

Welcome, Nora. I was about your size when I decided to get banded -- and I haven't even had my band for two months yet, so I'm a relative newcomer. What made me decide? The fact that I kept piling on weight and felt totally defeated about losing it. Every time I started a new diet -- and I've tried most of 'em -- a little voice would whisper, "Just remember, 95% of people who diet, fail. And gain back even more." I felt there was no point in trying, and that I might as well resign myself to being fat. I'd remind myself that lots of people were fatter than I, and would love to wear my size 24 jeans. A couple of years ago I looked into gastric bypass surgery. I had a BMI (body mass index) of 39.5 then, and was told I wasn't fat enough! When I jokingly asked the doctor what would happen if I just gained enough weight to qualify, he just sighed and said, "You wouldn't be the first one." But in the end I lost my nerve; in my gut (no pun intended) I knew there had to be a better way. My motto in life is "Change it or accept it" -- in other words, deal with what you're dealt and don't whine. I wasn't following my own advice regarding this huge life-long problem, though. As much as I tried to convince myself that I could accept myself as fat forever, in my heart I wanted to change. And in my 40s I started to have weight-related health issues that really got to me. When I was younger, no matter how heavy I was, my blood pressure was always textbook-perfect. The day I had a reading of 170/95 I knew I'd better do something, and pronto. Funny, I'd always been self-conscious about the way I looked, but it took something as scary as being told I was a heart attack waiting to happen to finally prod me into action. I had read about the band three years ago when I first started researching bypass. At that time, the band had not yet been approved by the FDA. So, even though it sounded almost too good to be true, I didn't do anything back then, thinking I might be signing myself up for some quack remedy! Little did I know. This summer I was feeling pretty desperate. I visited the same web site where I had learned about the band years ago, and went on a research spree. Finally I joined this wonderful board to learn first-hand what banding was all about. I got excited. I got hopeful. I got a home-equity loan. So far, the best thing about my band is that it has given me hope again, and faith in myself. I KNOW I can lose the weight and keep it off this time. I can't fully express what a difference that makes, from the first moment I get up each morning. Well, Nora, that's more than I really intended to write, and maybe too much information. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck.

Congratulations, Betty. Welcome to Bandland! Give yourself a break over the next few weeks (especially these first days) and let yourself heal. You'll feel better every day.

Way to go, Donali! Hey, if you can get those jeans on, and get them zipped and buttoned, it counts, never mind if it's a little hard to breathe. Now go put a shirt on before you catch cold. Whip, if you think you can say "One costume was pink tights, pink leotard, pink tutu, and a blonde ringlet wig" without posting a picture, think again, Frilly!

Congratulations, Joanne, both on your new band and your wonderful husband! The gas will go away soon. Are you on liquids for another week or so?

Grand Canyon bash in September 2005, anyone? Rafting, hiking, sipping margaritas (or lemonade) under the stars. . .

I think you should have a word with your surgeon about his office staff. Remind him that he might lose patients if his front office representatives don't treat callers with courtesy and respect. As for the woman who treated you so rudely, maybe she's forgotten that it's thanks to people like you that she has a job and is not living in a cardboard box.

Hi Jack -- I didn't need a psych test for my band, but I do remember taking the MMPI years ago and having to answer "True or false: I think I would like the work of a forest ranger" and "True or false: I am a special agent of God." From the sound of your test, British PM Tony Blair, with all his European jaunts, would be a total wacko. Let us know how you're progressing toward band approval.

What a beautiful thought! Years ago I reassured a relative going through a traumatic divorce that he was in a chrysalis stage, and needed time to get ready for the next phase of his life. To think that all bandsters are growing our own wings, each set beautiful in its own way, to let us alight on flowers or soar. Live2canoe, I promised myself a Grand Canyon rafting trip to Celebrate my banding anniversary next year. I might not look good in shorts by then, but I won't be self-consciously wondering if I'm going to sink everyone in the raft.

Whip, I went back to work four days after surgery, and I was a mess. Coming from a stiff-upper-lip family, I figured I would just tough it out. But between the pain meds, the difficulty moving (even though I have a desk job), and the need to sleep, I definitely should have taken another week off, or at least a few days. The dumbest thing I did was to take a four-hour professional translation exam a week after surgery. One of my wounds started leaking through my shirt (Gross Darcy would have loved it) and it was nearly impossible to lug all my giant dictionaries, even with a wheeled suitcase. So my vote is: Stay home! You've got the time coming, you've got the need, and if you start to go stir crazy sitting around, you can always log on to LapBandTalk and hang out with us slackers who should be working instead. Hope your wife comes around. After her amazing weight loss, I'm surprised she doesn't understand the importance of healing. Do you have to go back the day after Thanksgiving? Could you wait until the following Monday? (That's my inner slacker speaking.) By the way, November 16 is sneaking up on us -- just four weeks away! Go Whip Go!

Come drive in Chicago during rush hour and you too will get an aerobic workout of your ankles, feet, and finger. Doesn't help with high blood pressure, though! Seriously, I've been going on half-hour to hour-long walks just about every morning, making sure to work up a sweat and get my heart rate going . . . and I've been feeling great. I go faster without the crazy dog, who has to sniff every tree and leave a liquid message for her friends, but somehow it's not as much fun. Our fall rainy season is about to begin (just before the snow season) and I'm thinking about splurging on some decent rain gear, even though with luck it'll be too big for me when spring rolls around.

Another Rumbaut patient speaking up here: Dan, check out the "Mexico misconceptions" thread at http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=3111. As several bandsters point out, not all Mexican docs are equal (neither of course are their Yankee counterparts), but some of the most experienced and well-respected surgeons are in Mexico.

Everybody, do check out Jodie's page at http://www.geocities.com/jumpineddy25/. It's a wonderfully candid story told from the heart. She might be miles across the Pacific, but she's on the same journey as the rest of us.

Oh yes, they definitely count! Falling down onto the couch exercises not only the gluteus maximus but your arms (bracing yourself) and legs (steadying yourself). Falling into the computer chair might require just a little less exertion, but think of the calories you're burning by moving those fingers across the keyboard. And don't forget falling into bed (big points for raising those legs onto the mattress), picking up dog poop (knee bends!), and driving (all that ankle flexing, not to mention repeated use of the limber middle finger).

The Stumptuous site is fabulous; thanks, Marie, for letting us know about it. I'm just starting to use weights again (I, too, have back trouble) and love the common-sense advice and smarty-pants attitude of the site. I didn't find anything on Water weights. However, you may be able to modify traditional weight-training exercises -- on land -- to avoid injury. One great thing about weight training: It does increase your metabolism, not just during the exercise itself, but by increasing the proportion of muscle to fat in your body.

And I thought I was the only one! Maybe we can use AA as a model. The first step is admitting that we have a problem. . . Seriously, I'm amazed that I write things to strangers that I have never told the people closest to me. But then you have been going through the same stuff that I have. And I have read extremely personal and moving things on this board that make me feel a true connection to people who are just avatars (if that!) to me. Anyone else getting addicted to LapBandTalk while staring at the computer while at work?

Tanise, that's fantastic! You're an inspiration to those of us who are just getting started. Do you have any before-and-after photos?

LoveMe, I second what Alex and Leatha said. Maybe your surgeon had a good reason for letting you eat pizza so soon after surgery. . . but that's not the standard recommendation. When I was in the mushy phase I had some melted cheese and sauce (no crust, no toppings), and I'm not sure even that was such a great menu addition. Lauri, most of us here can relate to your frustration, and your desire to take control of your body and your life. Waiting for insurance bureaucrats (who haven't even met you) can drive the most patient person totally bonkers, and those of us who aren't patient. . . well, some of us wind up doing self-pay out of sheer exasperation. I second Alexandra's comment on the nutritionist's diet suggestions. If you do get banded, you'll get used to challenging, and educating, medical professionals who aren't familiar with the band! It sounds as if you've already done quite a bit of research. If you're having second thoughts, read some more. Don't get the surgery if you aren't sure it's for you. But if you think -- if you KNOW -- it's the right thing to do, don't let anything stand in your way! You'll have lots of support from everyone here. Good luck, and let us know what happens.

Tomorrow's the big day! I'm so excited for you. You're starting an amazing journey. See you on the banded side!

Kelly Ann, you're in excellent hands. Dr. Rumbaut and his staff are great. Let us know how your tests go -- they're pretty straightforward, as I recall -- and check in with us after your surgery. You may feel sore at first, but remember it does go away. Congratulations on taking the big step! You won't regret it.

If you can give me another 48 hours, Alex, I can come up with something. (I used to run a publication design business in my past life.) Just let me know if you'd like a TIFF, JPEG, or other file format, and the preferred size. I have Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop, plus Macromedia Studio (although I don't know how to use the sophisticated animation software). By the way, I love the new look!

What a wonderful post, Megan! Thank you so much for sharing your story, and your pictures. Those missing 51 pounds make a big difference in the new Megan you're creating! And thanks, Bright, for posting the photos side by side so that we can really see the difference.