Zoe

What a mess. . . and I don't even know these people. Do you know if Babs has any normal family members who might be able to step in? Here in Illinois, the child-protection services people seem to turn to family members first, rather than friends and neighbors, before placing a child in a foster home. That's a drastic step, but it sounds as if these wacko parents are endangering at least one of their kids. Blessings on all of you who are providing love and stability (and limits) for this little girl. She looks adorable in the pictures, but as you say, they don't tell the whole story.

This is so cool -- I wanna meet everybody! You know it's a great party when the dogs are getting in on the act . . . and I think that big portrait photo of Sachi with the boa is suitable for framing. Any news on the clothing exchange? I'm wondering if all you ladies are now too small for the stuff I sent.

Excellent news, Katie! You'll break that 300 barrier in no time.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now go get some much-needed rest. The pity party awaits more pictures from your happy guests. Is it too early to start thinking about a 2005 gathering, if not in Vegas (in case the hostess hasn't recovered after 12 months), then somewhere else with a good flight schedule and plenty of liquor stores?

Hi Lisa -- Glad to hear your husband at least apologized, but it sounds as if you know there's still anger simmering. What a shame that your band is bringing out his bad side, just when you need his support. You've taken a huge step to become healthier and happier, and it's a shame he's not really at your side for the journey. Is it jealousy and fear? Earlier anger issues coming to the surface? Who knows. All we know here is that you're doing great -- look at those weight-loss numbers! -- and you deserve to be treated better. I hope your husband realizes that if he doesn't change his ways he's going to lose a good woman who's been willing to look the other way with his own weight issues and who's beautiful at any size.

The big smiles say it all! Everyone looks beautiful and happy. And by the way, DeLarla, your husband's a hunky guy. Thank you so much for posting these pictures so we stay-at-homes can be part of the party. Keep 'em coming!

Darcy, where did that belly go? Amazing! And the rest of your body, including your arms, looks thinner too. Glad to hear you're feeling better as the pity party is going into its last day (for now).

Hey, Brenda, this band can turn your life around. I hope that before long you'll be saying, "This time I got something I really really wanted." Find out as much as you can. I'm happy that your insurance may cover the procedure; that'll let you clear one of the biggest hurdles for us Bandsters. When you have some free time, read some of the old posts, especially in the Introductions sections. Lots of people have shared their experiences and will tell you exactly what they went through in surgery and immediately after. But I am going to try harder and fight like hell to get it. That's the spirit! Good luck, and let us know what happens.

Kim, your old gray sweats are as slutty as you want to make them (knock yourself out!), and are perfect pity-party pajamas. "I can smell pity coming out of my pores!" -- Darcy, I think you've just written the first Pity Party Country Western Theme Song.

That's not Oprah's camera crew outside your house -- it's the guys from Girls Gone Wild. Love the photos. I think all of us at Pity Party Central feel as if we're right there!

Well, DeLarla, I never thought there was anything slutty about muu-muus -- but you've proved me wrong! That item has seen me through three surgeries; it will bring you luck and minimal scarring. Hope those black velvet pants aren't too big for you; that's the only designery thing I owned. Someone shorter can always hem them. Yes, let's see pictures of the clothing exchange! I can only imagine all that stuff from around the country. Meanwhile, who's hung over from the pity party? (Vegas crashers welcome.)

Someone's weekends are getting off to the right start! Here in the big city, I got home (alone) at 10:15, and an hour later I'm on the computer instead of whooping it up somewhere. 'Fraid I'm just not in Betty's league: The most powerful thing I drink these days is Spicy V-8 I have on my comfortable cotton underwear I have on my (baggy!) unironed shirt I have on my bifocals The dog is farting on the couch At midnight I'll fall asleep in the recliner doing last Sunday's NYT crossword puzzle . . . And I'm happy! (Darcy's right, though -- keep yer cheese under lock & key if I'm around.) Let the non-Vegas weekend begin! I know I've got those furry dice around here somewhere.

This is great -- I feel like our stay-at-home pity party is part of the Vegas party! Are those all empties in the last picture? Someone please promise to tell all!

I'm not sure the Vegas bunch will be turning green with envy, but let's make this weekend the best pity party ever. Love your suggestions, Darcy! Hope you're feeling better. Recovering Cheesehead,

Oh Lisa, what a drag. It sounds like your husband is thinking about food the way most dieters do -- there's "forbidden stuff" never to be touched, at peril of ballooning up. Come to think of it, only six weeks into banded life, I still have to remind myself that this is not reality. If you are craving a cinnamon roll (and your band won't force it back up), go ahead and have one. I don't know about you, but pre-band I might have first denied myself what I wanted, then started obsessing about it, then wind up buying out the whole bakery because I couldn't get sweet stuff off my mind -- a much worse result than if I'd just had a single pastry in the first place. I hope that you are feeling better since the fight last night. Remember, you have made incredible progress since you were banded! Banding was a great choice for you. And getting the band is a way to have a (semi-) normal life while losing weight. No more living on cottage cheese and grapefruit. I hope your husband comes around and finally understands that you are a SUCCESS story, and you're still successfully on the road to your goal. . . cinnamon roll and all. Let us know how you're doing.

I'm walking around vacuuming sheetrock powder and sawdust, listening to the cold rain come down. . . hey, it beats working (I'm off today), but what's a girl to do when she'd like to be in the desert? Here's a couple of things for the next 72 hours: 1. Spend the money I would have thrown at the slot machines and blackjack tables on something nice for myself. . . maybe a pedicure for my no-longer-puffy feet. 2. Watch the presidential debate with friends tonight and bet on the outcome. 3. Teach my black dog a white tiger trick. 4. Get a pair of furry dice for my rearview mirror. 5. Serve shrimp cocktails to everyone who comes in the door. 6. Put on a thick coat of SPF 45 sunscreen and pretend that I need it in Chicago in October. 7. Sing along to Elvis tapes in the car -- the closest thing to a bad live impersonator. 8. Do at least one thing that, if it had happened in Vegas, should stay in Vegas.

Elizabeth Edwards for president! Just think of an America led by a plus-size woman . . . look out, Osama.

Congratulations! Just one month to go. . . just think of the skinny costume you'll be able to wear on Halloween 2005.

What a relief! Now you can concentrate on an all-out attack on H. pylori (good name for a comic-book villain) and give your mind and soul a break. How disconcerting, though, to think the doc had you pegged as an RNY guy. Maybe he conflated RYaN and RNY! Yeah, a message with a big marker on your belly should do the trick. Congratulations on getting the thumbs-up, without delay. Do you still have that November surgery date reserved?

Great photos, Ginger! You have a lot of courage to post that wedding dress photo;) -- and you have a great attitude, too! I know you'll meet your goal for next year. Thanks for posting this wonderful reminder that change takes time, but it WILL happen.

Congratulations! So glad to hear you're feeling good. Let the healing, and the big losing, begin!

Wow -- fabulous! I can't even imagine the beauty in that picture plus 138 pounds. You are an inspiration to all of us. Who's the cute little guy in the photo?

Hi Kelly Ann -- I'm a Rumbaut fan, too. Tomorrow is my six-week banding anniversary, and despite the initial pains in my abdomen and bank account, I'm delighted that I made this decision -- full of energy, feeling great, and down a size! Lots of us have posted threads on our Monterrey experiences; I think the most recent ones are Andrea's (http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3070) and mine (http://lapbandtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2959), but be sure to check this board for older posts from more experienced bandsters. You're entering an exciting, scary, wonderful phase in your life! Good luck -- and please let us know what you decide.

If I can get the time off, I'd love to join you. I have lots of family in LA and I'm way overdue for a visit. Hope to have lost another chin by then!

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine. By the way, I had BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, and carrot cake for my last dinner before surgery, and had no trouble. The surgeon said the only restriction was not to eat anything the morning of the operation.