PennyLane

I'm pretty sure that people who get banded in the same month come up with a theme and the Shrinking Violets is the name of the group from a particular month and year (something about April 07 sounds familiar to me). Usually it will say a date. I know that the Jan 08 are the New Year Knockouts and the March 08 are something to do with shamrocks.... I think it's just like a social group/a way to keep up with people who are on the same kind of timetable that you are.

I'm not but I'm curious to know what they may be used for...is this to try to avoid loose skin? Or some sort of body contouring? Something else entirely?

Oh man if that was a boyfriend of mine he'd have lost a whole lot more than just me. And because I can be a vindictive witch I'd have chosen his point of sensitivity and somehow publicly embarrassed him with it. I'd actually probably plan it for years. (I'm terrible sometimes). I'm extremely sensitive, though, especially with men and my weight and most especially with the two of them together. I promise I'm actually a very sweet and kind person (too sweet and kind for my own good usually) 99.9% of the time but I guess that tiny .1% needs to be vicious to kind of balance me out? I don't know. All I know is that my "bad side" is a terrible place to be and the few people who've made it there have never gotten off of it.

Exactly! I get really frustrated with that too. The new Lap Band brand model (the AP) is the newest model out there and has improved on those things that made the Realize Brand band a more competitive model. It's like Ford saying that they've got the better car, comparing their 2008 model it to Toyoda's 2004 model, while ignoring Toyoda's 2009 (more or less). To me, it seems that the Realize and the new Lap Band are basically the same and it's up to the surgeon and his/her experience and opinion.

Good luck! There are some programs out there that offer their own financing, it could be worth checking them out.

I've been going to see a therapist for the past nearly three years, first to address some depression/anxiety issues (mostly related to a painful breakup). My mental health issues have largely subsided (still get some anxiety but nothing beyond the normal human experience) but I continue to see her for career and family related issues. We have a nice rapport and while I don't (and shouldn't) consider her a friend, our in-session relationship is very much like a friendship. She and I are basically the same size, and sometimes talk about clothes and fits and things (not as part of therapy but in the first 5 minutes, hi how are you blah blah stuff). She's comfortable with herself and tries to encourage me to feel the same but (a) I just can't and (:smile: I really do want to do this for health reasons as well as the more "social" reasons. I haven't been able to tell her that I've been considering this surgery yet and it's been 4+ months of "thinking" and the past 1 month of action...going to info sessions, comparing programs etc. My first appointment with the surgeon is on Wednesday and I still haven't said anything to her. I feel guilty and worried about this on several levels--like how could I be making such a large decision without even informing her...she's going to find out eventually and I'm afraid that she'll find it strange that I didn't talk to her about it. I'm worried because I wonder if in my psych eval they'll ask about my therapist and what she thinks and if the answer is "I haven't told her"....that would look strange to them. I'm not even sure WHY I haven't told her...maybe because I'm worried that if I do it would almost be like telling her that I think SHE should as well ( we are the same size)? Or I'm worried that she'd try to "talk me out of it"? I don't know. I just need to know what I should do! Keeping this a secret from her really isn't so much an option, you know?

Thanks for all your help, guys. Unfortunately I don't have an update as of right now because I somehow slept through my alarm and didn't make it to my appointment today! Next week, though.

Hey, I know I'm a little late joining this thread but I say go for it! I did my junior year of undergrad studying in Botswana and loved every minute of it and in my adult live have had the opportunity to work/volunteer in developing countries. It's great, as long as you're fine with the living conditions but I never personally had any trouble because I adjust quickly and am pretty easygoing. I DO wonder if you know anything about the medical clearance part of applying to the Peace Corps? I am looking to become employed by USAID or the State Department to work abroad and they have very stringent medical clearance requirements. State in particular has a "worldwide availability" requirement--meaning that you must be medically cleared to serve in ANY US embassy or consulate abroad and some have severely limited access to standard medical services, medicines, and emergency services. Basically, if you have a medical condition that they think needs to have access to an emergency room, or if you need to take certain medications daily, or have medicines that need access to refrigeration then they turn you down. So I guess if they see a slip or erosion as an emergency or something that needs constant medical supervision then I'd get turned down. I'm just wondering if you know anything about this or if anyone has had any experience with it.

Hi, I haven't been banded yet but I have been reading a lot about eating post-op to get an idea of what it will be like. I know that everyone is different, and fill level has an effect on what people can eat but there is SO much contradictory information out there--it's confusing! Basically, I know that bread and Pasta should be avoided because they can get stuck but some post-op eating guides I've read say that rice is fine, and some say not. How about rice in sauce (like Indian food) or Soup? I was also curious about wraps or tortillas? I know that they are high in carbs and should be avoided for that reason but what about the "stuck" factor? Also: eggs. This is a confusing one too. Almost all of the post-op eating guides I've read seem to really push eggs as a great band friendly source of Protein and yet here I see that a lot of people seem to have serious problems with them. It's especially confusing because eggs are so soft--I don't understand how they could get stuck! Veggies: I LOVE asparagus and it's one of the few veggies that I eat because I like it rather than in an attempt to balance my diet (not that I hate veggies, and there are lots that I enjoy but asparagus is the only one I ever seek out, you know?). Sadly, many of the plans specifically mention asparagus as a food to be avoided though. I realize that it's stringy and that's why it gets stuck but what about if you chop it up into very small pieces (like 1/2 inch) and it's very well cooked? Anyone have any experience with asparagus? Finally, meat. I love meat. It's really my one true "crave" food (red meat anyway). I've read that fish, dark poultry and ground red meat is fine. True or not? I am willing to give up (grudgingly) steak and non-ground lamb and such, but I am curious to know if anyone IS able to eat that kind of stuff. I don't expect to eat a steak for dinner every night, or even every month but it would be nice to have the option. Also, for those on maintainence--if you've gotten unfilled do you find that you can eat just about anything but in smaller quantities or not? That honestly would be my ideal--to be able to eat all "normal" foods but in very moderate quantities. Again, I don't expect it to be this way but I have heard that some people can and that would be great if I could too. Thanks for enduring my long post! And thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.

I swear by Nordstrom's online plus size shop. (Plus Shop - Nordstrom) The clothes are on the expensive side, but investing in a few nice pieces and mixing them into your existing wardrobe works really well. Also, there are some good deals to be had with a little bit of planning and luck. Often, when I don't like the price, or my desired size/color is sold out I'll search Ebay with the designer name and the name of the clothing item--sometimes that can work out REALLY well, sometimes not. Especially look at the dresses--there are SO many options (professional, casual, evening etc) and the concept of dresses as professional wear has really made a serious comeback in the past couple of years. Also, it's nice because one nice dress costs a little more than one pair of really nice pants or skirt or blouse costs but you only have to buy the one item! I find wearing a dress to be a great shortcut to looking "done" with very little fuss. It's amazing how just wearing a dress and blow drying my hair (not even styling--just using the dryer) makes me look like I've spent much longer getting ready than I have! Also, at 14/16 you can look in the Missus' section as well, but pay close attention to the size charts (each item should have a link to that designer's size chart--and they vary wildly). Look at where the article of clothing fits the tightest (most of the time it's the waist but some dresses and tops are the bust) and go by that measurement when selecting your size. Hope this helps :regular_smile:

Thanks all for the advice, and you're right. It's just so hard to bring up the topic all of a sudden with her, but I know that I should. I see the surgeon on Wednesday (first appointment) and see her again on Thursday so we'll see what happens : )

Cripes. Disregard! Apparently they got both of us a little late for April Fools. ::runs and hides::

Hey ladies! A friend of mine just sent me this website, which could help with the whole "stocking up" on pg tests issue: ThinkGeek :: PTeq - USB Pregnancy Test Basically, it's a little USB pregnancy test. It comes with the strips (that you pee on) and there's a USB connector that you plug into your computer and get your results. Totally reusable (you have to change the strips) and apparently it's an ovulation tester too. Cool, huh? Now if I only had use for it myself... :tongue:

Washington, DC over here....originally from Philadelphia.

I feel exactly the same way. Not that I've ever been after the guys I hang out with (seriously, just....no) but I think that if they start going after me, but only after losing weight I'll be really pissed!

I hadn't even thought to ask how many bands he's done. There's no information on the website but he was the Chief of Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (major Army hospital here in DC) from 2004-2006 before moving over to Sibley to help start this program, so that looks good. I'm be sure to ask that at my next appointment. I'm still open to going to other programs, too. I just really liked this one.

I started looking into hospitals in my area (there are at least 4 in DC alone that do LBS, and probably more in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs), and first went to what is generally considered the "best" hospital in the area--Sibley Memorial. I went to their information seminar and really liked their program and staff and generally got a good feeling about the whole thing. I just went to obesityhelp.com to read reviews, and there aren't any. This is a pretty new program for the hospital (less than 2 years) and I'm sure that's the reason why. Another hospital, George Washington University Hospital had over 100 reviews and every single one I saw was positive and apparently their program is considered the "Roles Royce" of WLS. My question is, should it matter? I have a high regard for Sibley as a hospital and confidence in the surgeon and staff and just because this is a new program should that be a problem? I may be doing this self-pay and the price was reasonable and because I may not have insurance to slow things up, basically as soon as my tests are done (about 4 weeks) we can do the surgery...which is much sooner than I expected and sooner than I may choose to do it. I don't know about GW's prices or how quickly they can accommodate to it or if I'll even have this choice of timing. Has anyone had experience at Sibley or with other, "younger" programs? Thanks Penny