vinesqueen

Hey Trish, have you heard of extrodinary bandsters? It's a yahoo group for folks with really high BMIs. My DH is a member of that group (he started with a BMI of over 80)

Welcome to the Banded Gentry!

Christina, being banded is just part of Penni's cover story! She's an internationally renown spy and celebrity pharmasist! (Dangeresque, Dangeresque!) I've gotta get my pix developed... went out and bought a disposable camera just so I could have pix of my tummy... (my digital camera didn't make it with me into exile...) My scars are still bright red lines, and several of them are still irritated from the glue and steristrips. I have very sensitive skin...

You will do just fine! Tina's getting her ba=and! Tina's getting her ba-and!

Some folks don't have insurance to covery the procedure, so they go out of the country where it is less expensive. The majority of the out of country, and self pay folks go to Mexico, but some go to Europe.

this is wonderful! You rock!

Hey Kris, the vast majority of people do really, really well, and many are able to return to work or normal activies within days, not weeks, not months. Like Jessie likes to say, "what makes you think you're so special?" Actually, I think we are all special... You will do fine. Honest!

I couldn't find is she posted how tall she is, but at 5'5', her BMI comes out 35, so I am guessing that she is taller, maybe 5' 8". Again, it is a scale and scales lie. To get a true idea her fat ratio, she should either be tested with an electornic scale that uses electrical impedence, a skin fold test (the "pinch" test) or be weighed underwater. Part of the reason my BMI is so high because I've been on steroids for huge wacks of my life, starting as a small child. That, and my family is just naturally more dense than normal. At a size 22 with a BMI of 32-ish, I would strongly recommend these tests. (sorry, you might be fatter than you think...)

oh honey! I'm sooo sorry you had this sucky experience! Sending you plenty of hugs and white light!

I suppose it all depends on the insurance coverage you have and whether the TT could be considered medically neccessary. If you have problems with the skin breaking down, get inflamed or rashes, then your insureance just might cover it. If it is purely a cosmetic thing, then maybe not. Sorry I cannot give you a definate answer on this Francesca...

bumping because I wanna!

I am constantly amazed that the Band not only helps one drop pounds, but it is apperntly the fountian of youth as well! When I got home I show this thread to my son, and he is convinced there is no way all your before pix belong to your afters. I can't wait to have my own after pix!

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Kathy!!!!!)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) This is the sucky part of the internet...you are too far away for me to do anything but sit here and hope you are okay. Sending you a huge plast of the good old white light, the brightest and bluest I can! (white being the color of protection, and blue being the color of healing)

Oh Penni, what a heart break. my most sincere condolences

one of my sister's hens, Henny-penny lived to a ripe old age, which is very surprising given her little accident. (more on the best "chicken and ducktape" story in another post....) One day, my mother looked out the second story and was horrified to see Henni-penny in the mouth of my sisters dog. The poor chicken was terribly limp and begragged, and covered slobber. My mom ran outside (my mother never runs) with a broom to walop the dog for killing Henni-penny. Well, as soon as Tisha saw my mom, she opened her mouth, out hopped the hen like nothing ever happened. The dog was giving the hens "rides" all over the yard. She'd pick up a hen if she's decided the hen had wondered too far away and bring them back closer to the house.

Hey Paula, dim sum is what I think of when I hear "chinese dumpling," although I suppose a won ton would be more in keeping with dumpling. Dim sum are wonderful little tit-bits of Chinese delicasies. There have only been a few I've not liked, but I've also never had the nerve to try the chicken feet. Tonight, brased lamb shank in a tomato and rosemary sauce, second half of the artichoke, and either the popcicle or a pudding.

As far as I can tell, there is no such thing as normal. well, have you checked how many calories you are getting in a day? Are you still losing 1-2 pounds a week? I've just moved to solids, and i was a little worried that I was eating way too much. There is a huge difference in one of my little pots of liverwurst and cream cheese, and a plate of real dinner with veggies and stuff!

omlette du framage, steemed artichoke, rootbeer popsicle

Hey Trish, I thought it was time for your own medicince! This was my quote when I was in the same stage you are in, so I thought I'd bring it back for you... Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt. William Shakespeare

It never rains but it pours! Good grief! Can you delay your moving?

((((((((((Hugs Trish!))))))))))) Man you sure have waited for this! I am right there with you hon. Remember wht a basket case I was? You'll do fine! Honest!

Hey Rae! As another Idaho Gem, let me formally welcome you to ... ta-da! LBT

I think it will still be a while yet before the Band is the prefered bariatric surgery in the US. Part of the issue is that people see how fast they lose with the various types of by-passes. And since we live in such a "I want now!" socity (think of Veruca Salt's song form Willy Wonka), I think people will continue to press for the by-passes. According to my surgeon, they find that one of the revisions that they are doing with the by-pass patatints is the band. I think of those poor people who've had huge wacks of their innereds removed, only to get the band, when they should have had the band in the first place. I think as more people have the by-pass, and have troubles with that procedure, insurance companies are going to start looking at their cost/benifit analysis and decide that the Band is a much better alternative. Doctors will start looking at the lower mortality rate of Band patients, and the lower over all complication rate. Of course, there are unethical doctors out there, just as there are in any profession. So, that is my opionion.

Isn't it funny, Lisa here weighs 212, BMI of what, 32? and she's a size 22w. before my banding, I weighed 271, BMI of 47, and wore a size 24/22w. Again, proof that the scales lie. Thank you for sharing your stats Lisa . This has given me something to ponder.

Sending you lots of white light your way! Hope you have as easy a time as I did!