Zoe

Almost 30 years ago (I am so effing old) I went on a solo bike trip through Wisconsin in a manic fitness moment. One night I camped at Newport State Beach, a beautiful car-free spot in Door County. In the middle of the night I heard footsteps and scratching outside my tent, growing closer and closer. I froze with fear, terrified to move or even look. After a sleepless (and eventually quiet) night, I crept out, only to find the leather toe-straps on my bike gnawed to pieces and a big irregular chunk taken out of the bike seat. The culprit, according to the guy at the next site, was a band of porcupines. They have a thing for leather, it seems! Scared me to pieces.

Well, Miss Penni, if you can say that about having the operation while you were in your 20s, that's mighty encouraging to an old broad like me. I'm going to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, maybe the best in the city, so no worries on that score. I just wish I could have the operation right NOW!

Thank you, thank you, everyone. Mousecrazy, I've already checked out hystersisters.com; it's great. Vera, how are you feeling now? My fibroid is 13 x 10 x 9 cm -- "the size of a baby's head" according to the doc. My big old belly will be flatter once this thing is gone; it's sticking way into my abdomen. Surgery date: October 3. (I tried to get in earlier, but between the surgeon's schedule and the hospital's, no way.) This is such a wonderful support site. I knew I could count on my LBT friends! Now if only I could find a way to go to Vegas next month. . .

Alex, I had reflux for the first time in ages a couple of nights ago, so I can imagine what you're going through, although your experience sounds more painful and intense than mine. I hope the unfill does the trick. I've been wondering about getting one myself for a while, but I'm embarrassed to go to the doctor since I've lost so little weight since my last fill! Anyway, please let us know how you feel after your appointment on Thursday.

Rica, I have been caffeine-free for about 25 years. If a manic eight-cup-a-day mama like me can do it, so can you! I don't order decaf anymore; once a waitress mistakenly gave me the real thing and I could see my heart beating. You might get headaches during the first week or so, but nothing you can't handle. Anyway, even though I can't really join you in newly kicking the habit, consider me a supporter in Chicago!

I agree with Jenna. Or you could try my routine: blush (if you're a pale white person), look shyly away, and say it's a delicate matter. He'll figure it's either a gyne problem or hemorrhoids. If he pushes you, you can assure him that your prognosis is good, and you'll be back to work soon. Good luck!

I just got this silly link from an Irish friend: http://www.chriswetherell.com/hobbit/ Check it out! And don't forget your elven name (see link on hobbit page). I'm Ruby Sandybanks of Frogmorton!

Welcome back! I hope your exile isn't too painful this year. Hey, there's a guy called FuelMan with stats similar to your husband's; he posted on this thread: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=9067 Thought the two guys might want to put their heads together and/or raise some hell.

There're just two things wrong with Dove's "Campaign for Real Beauty": All of the models are under 30, and none is truly plus-sized. There's not a Lap-Band candidate in the bunch, nor do any of them really need Dove's "firming lotion." Sure, this beats skinny-ass models, but the manufacturer has shrewdly calculated that most American women can better relate to a size 10-12 than a size 0-2. When Dove decides to use a 300-pound 50-year-old woman to sell soap, I'll be willing to give them points for corporate bravery.

Halle Berry looks almost exactly the same in her before & after pictures. I guess there are some people that don't really need retouching.

See stats below. Before, size 22/24. Now size 14/16.

Steri-strips for me. As you can see, each doctor is different, and some doctors may use different closing methods for different patients. Ask your doctor to see what he/she has in mind.

I hope your sister-in-law recovers quickly. It's lovely that she has in you a family member who can understand what she's going through.

Barb, you could do a grand tour across the USA and visit all of us slovenly Yank bandsters. If you come to Chicago to clean I will make you Vegemite sandwiches! Promise! You wouldn't mind a little dog fur on the floor, would ya?

I've gotten hooked on the BBC's "Brand New You" show. . . partly because the "before" subjects don't look all that bad, then they're given $200,000+ of plastic surgery! So, Kare, do you have any "before" pictures -- before scars, before bruises -- so we can see the real results of your eye work? The "after" looks great!

Oops. . . I'm an August bandster, but August 2004. Duh! I never thought this year would fly by so quickly! I still have a way to go on my weight-loss journey, although I can now shop in "normal" stores, sit on an airplane without bruising my backside, and walk for more than a few blocks without getting winded. Good luck to everyone in the August 2005 crowd. You have an amazing journey ahead, and you should congratulate yourselves for taking a big step toward a healthier body. See you in Bandland! :banana

Zaksmom, if you change your mind again, stop on by. You can still stop by even if you go for the RNY. We don't discriminate! Whatever you choose, good luck from another Chicagoan.

Good luck, Joy. I'm a Chicago bandster too; there are a lot of us around. I've seen Dr. H for aftercare & he has been very helpful. I see him at the Michigan Ave. office, but I think the actual surgeries are performed at UIC Hospital. For more opinions, search for "Horgan" or "MIBC" at the top of the page to see if you find some posts. Welcome to LBT!

Sorry I didn't see this thread until now. I'm another happy Rumbaut patient. So how was your surgery? Please post something on the "introductions" forum -- and welcome to Bandland!

Fantastic list, Vines, especially for those of us who haven't had any SVs lately. (NSV = Non-Scale Victory). Thanks for posting this.

From www.stumptuous.com (weight-training site) discussion: "I didn't have to be a fat ass for my entire life. However, I do still have to be an ugly motherf*cker."

Hey, PS ladies -- that means you, Estela and Babs -- when do we get to see pictures? Wait until the bruises disappear if you must...

Here's a funky suggestion for overcoming scale addiction: If you can't bring yourself to get rid of the damn thing (and three cheers for Brandi for holding out a month before buying a new one), how about moving the scale to the basement? If you are in an apartment or condo building, maybe there's a common storage area where you can leave the scale. You have to go out of your way to weigh yourself. Of course, if you live in a basement, this idea will be no help!

My ex-husband would be Drogo Bumbleroot. I think I like him better that way.

Yes, pictures, please! Especially if you can post your new "after" photos along with some of you just before the surgery, so we can see exactly what your doctor did. Glad you're feeling better!