TheGh0st

Wombat - I'm truly feeling better but come on it still hurts to laugh that hard. Are you trying to make me bust a stitch? But, I know what you mean. I only worked on my arms because I just couldn't reach my thighs under all the excess stomach skin and I just couldn't figure out a rubbing technique on my stomach that felt like it was doing anything more than making it jiggle like Santa when he shouts "Ho Ho Ho" :heh: (Sorry, private joke from another thread) Keep me posted though. I want to hear some results by Christmas.

Keep Breathing. I know this is one of the hardest things you have had to go through but each day will hurt just a tiny bit less. We may be a poor substitute for a 25 year friendship but we are here for you just the same. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Calling Maziemommy, TracyinKS & Wombat 712... This may be Off Topic but I need some updates please. The three of you all suggested you were going to try the arm rubbing thing about 2 weeks ago. Have any of you done it? Have you had any results? I had dinner with another bandster last night who had some physical therapy on one of her arms. (long story as to why) but she said by the time it was complete it had the side benefit of shrinking that arm down by 4". So that's 2 people that have had good results with it. (3 if you count my mother which I don't)

or the ever annoying "WE ALL THINK LESS OF YOU NOW FOR PICKING ON HER" I've probably been guilty of it too, but I swear nothing feeds a fire worse than everyone else jumping in the middle of those "Quit picking on me" aguments.

Ignor Option -AND- Other - Add a pop-up window that re-states the RNR motto that the viewer has to close before they see the thread they linked to.

No matter how "easy" you make it some newbies and not so newbies will still ask rather than dig. Just now I tried looking for quick "sticky thread" answers to your 2 examples and found that there wasn't one I could find for the question about slime but I did find a great thread in the Basics for Beginners Lap-Band Surgery FAQs and References Forum titled Abbreviations and What They Mean that listed definitions for PB and many other common abbreviations. The thread was dead easy to find and very obvious. Yet even though it has been there since the month I was banded I can still remember asking someone what PB meant myself a few months later on an unrelated thread that had used the phrase a few times. I guess that made me one of those idiot newbies at the time, Oh well, it wouldnt be the first time (nor last I fear) that I'm accused of being stupid. Don't get me wrong I still thing the stickies like the abbreviation sticky is GREAT! and it probably weeds out a few of the repetitive questions from newbies. I'd even like to see one that lists some of the common terms that we bandsters use that aren't abbreviated but still might be confusing to the un-innitiated such as the "slime" reference. One other suggestion might be to send an automated welcoming e-mail to each new member with either a link or an actual breakdown of the answers to some of these most common questions. I know another local band group that does something similar. It still won't stop people from forgetting that they were e-mailed these answers when they joined or remembering they got them but not knowing where to find the old e-mail when they need it. I guess us "old-timers" might just have to grit our teeth and thicken our own hides up a bit when we keep seeing these same questions over and over. After all we have the same ability to ignore those repetitive posts as everyone else does to ignore the RNR's that push thier buttons.

:faint: I just got the most unexpected compliment of my life last night. On my way out for dinner last night I saw a neighbor I hadn't seen for a few months putting his Christmas lights out with his children. When I went over to say hi he looked confused at first then said "OMG is that you? I was starting to think your husband had traded you in for a new wife. If you hadn't come over to talk I would have never recognized you." He even made one of his kids run in to get his wife to come out and take a closer look at the "new" me. The only thing that ruined the moment for me was realizing after I got in the car that I had stepped in his dogs fresh poo and was now both late and stinky for my dinner appointment. But it was all good for a compliment like that.

OOPS - Could swear I clicked the Quote button before replying the first time but obviously not. It was Faith's Suggestion I was agreeing with. I think the waiting period idea isn't bad either but Faith's seems the best idea all around.

Great Idea. I think even us "old timers" need to be reminded of this from time to time. Not sure if the programming would be difficult but it would sure be useful. It is too easy to stumble into RNR without realizing it if you aren't paying attention.

Hey there :pout: I was waiting to see your response about Second Life as well. Could you PM me as well? Thanks

I'm not trying to bash your former friend but from your posts and your pics it is obvious you are absolutely beautiful both inside and outside!

You are both very normal in your fears. Either that or I'm just as wierd But the very day of the surgery I was talking to my DH on the way to the hospital about wether or not to postpone the surgery since the pre-surgery diet was going so well. I was trying to rationalize that maybe as long as this "new" diet was working I'd just keep postponing it over and over. But then I remembered something someone else here on LBT said. "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, while expecting different results." I know you two will make it. I will keep you in my thoughts, and look forward to watching your progress.

OMG girl you've been approved. I'm so excited for you!!!

Neal, Thankyou so much for posting your journey here. We need more men posting. Infact there was a couple guys that post on a local yahoo group of bandsters in my area that were recently asking about other men who had or were considering PS. I will have to forward them a link to your thread. Thanks again and I can so relate to the clothes just not looking right and having to lift that dreaded flap.

I am so terribly sorry for you. I have no words that can explain it or make if feel better. But I know there are others out here that are thinking of you. We can't replace a friend of 25 years but we still care.

Hey I actually have a couple of size 12 jeans and cords I'd love to offer to another bandster if anyone is interested as well as a few other clothes I no longer fit. I planned on eventually donating them to goodwill or a womens shelter but would actually rather pass them onto another bandster working her way down the scale. PM me if any of you are interested in a more detailed list. Warning on the pants I am 5'2" so most are short leg though even with a short leg they were too long but rather than cut them shorter making it even less likely to find someone else to give them to I duct taped them up inside the leg.

Hey silly comment. Are you having to pin those drains to you all the time or just for the pics? I know your an old pro at this PS thing but I had a little fanny pack the docs office gave me to tuck my two drains into when I had the Tummy Tuck. I really liked it, pinning them up just made me nervous and it was easier to camoflauge them in the fanny pack when I had to go out.

HOLY COW:eek:. I am totally floored:faint:. Your afters are totally AWESOME!:clap2: You know it is so easy for people to look at your clothed before photos and think why would she ever want to have more surgery you looked freakin' HOT already. But the difference is just amazing, absolutely AMAZING!:whoo: I am so happy for you:D. (still hate you and want that friends and family discount:heh:, but happy all the same )

OK Paulax - you asked for me to pipe in. To be honest I was so desperate to get the skin removed I didn't even want to know the risks before hand. I believe they are higher than the band surgery and my family fought me hard enough on that one so I didn't want to find any ammo for them this go round. But since you asked I did find an interesting site. Link to info on Tummy Tuck (also has a link to some pics): Abdominoplasty Link to info on avg doctor rates for various Plastic surgeries. But NOTE this does NOT include the facility or Anethesia fees which can nearly double some of these costs. Still this is VERY interesting wish I'd seen it before looking around. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/media/Press_Kits/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=23422 Info about patients satisfaction with Plastic Surgery (Still doesn't give actual complication statistics but it is an interesting read) http://www.plasticsurgery.org/media/statistics/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=23761 Here are a couple links about the stats I just found as well. (This one is just an overview of a larger study but stiil lists some stats and might be a good jumping off point for digging further into google for the full report) Abdominoplasty and abdominal contour surgery: a na...[Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006] - PubMed Result (This one is lengthy with lots of stats but maybe a bit confusing.) Tummy tuck complications Finally here is a link suggesting the importance of using prophylactic antibiotics in abdominoplasty operations. My doctor did use antibiotics post-surgery. Didn't really ask why but I'm glad he did now. Elsevier Are you still glad you asked Paulax?

Don't stress the holiday meals. Double check your doc's guidelines but I think I was back to eating most foods after approx. 3 weeks. Just in much smaller portions. I remember thinking how in the world can 2 tablespoons of Mashed Potatoes, 2 pieces of over-cooked broccoli and a piece of chicken the size of 2 fast food chicken and MAYBE one bit of pumpkin pie afterwards, possibly make me happy? Well first off having foods "make me happy" is part of what got me where I was. But ultimately I found that the meal described above did make me "happy" and it took me just as long to eat as everyone else at the table so my fear of finishing in two seconds flat then sitting there feeling like a freak and left out as everyone else continued to eat wasn't founded either. Actually I think I felt more uncomfortable in previous years as I desperately tried to eat enough to feel satisfied without everyone noticing just how many seconds, thirds, fourths I'd gone back for and still wishing I could have ate more. Oh, and in the end the one bite of pumpkin pie turned into more like 1 slice (average person's slice not my pre-band 1/2 the pie slice that is) It just slid through the band a little too easily, still I lost 3 pounds that week if I remember correctly, so it was all good. A couple tips - Not only should you try to serve your meal on a dessert plate or coffee cup saucer. Try to find a set of "children's flatware" The doctor's office I go to hands out some for free at their support groups that looks quite nice (silver with clear acrylic handles). I also saw some online at flatwareoutlet.com that looks just like an adult silver set just smaller. It sounds silly but it really does help keep you from taking too big a bite, as well as making that 2-tablespoons of mashpotatoes feel more like 10-15 bites instead of 1.

Great Post Lap_dancer

I don't want this thread turning into an argument between me and others over whether you should delay the surgery or not. I'm sure you appreciate the comments on both sides of the point however, ultimately the decision is yours alone and not our place to judge. I'm sure everyone of us will be behind you 100% on your band journey wether it begins on our timetable or yours. Personally, I delayed mine by a week or two as well. I had delayed mine from the beginning. The doctor had been willing to do it in August but I had some work and home obligations I really didn't feel I could neglect during the recovery. I was also tempted to postpone it further as I have 6 family B-Days from Sep 25th through Oct 9th. including my & my toddler son's b-day's. Then there was T-day, Chistmas, etc. If I had allowed myself I could have easily found reasons to wait forever. I'm glad I didn't postpone the surgery even longer. Afterwards I found that I was back up and running in under a week not the 2-4 weeks the doctor was telling me. But I still have NO, I repeat NO regrets waiting those extra few weeks to get past the other obligations I had first. My point. In 2 years time I doubt you are going to give a flying fig wether you had the surgery in November or December, probably even January. Only you can decide if you can handle juggling todays issues and your recovery. So please don't take anything we say out here too seriously. The only regret I have over my surgery date is really too silly to even take seriously. That is that it was so close to my birthdate that I'm having a hard time convincing my husband or family members to treat my "bandversary" as a new holiday that deserves its own celebration (and gifts ofcourse!).

so... that paypal debit/mastercard. What happens if you use it to pay for the surgery in December before the funds have been deposited? Will the card get rejected? If so can you call Mastercard and ask if it can be changed so it doesn't get rejected? I know this is a lot of work but if my math is correct for every 10K extra you show in income for the year that is another $750 you can't deduct on your taxes. Assuming you fall in a 15% tax bracket that comes out as $112. I suppose that isn't as large a difference as I thought when I started typing this. Maybe it's not enough to worry about. Then again maybe your income will continue to climb and by the end of next year you could be looking at an income of 20-30K more than you expected. So why risk losing more money next year when you know you could get it all this year?

I still like the idea of trying to find some way of paying for the surgery in December on some type of credit then cashing out your VR money in January. It would have to come from your own credit too, it couldn't come from money borrowed from friends or family or I don't think it would count. Maybe you could get several low limit / high rate cards that would add up to the surgery cost. As long as you paid them off immediately there wouldn't be any fees. Or if you talked to your bank maybe they could set you up with an overdraft protection on your check account. The downside to the overdraft would be they do charge a fee when the check hits but its still should be smaller than the tax benifit you would gain by pushing this through in December. I also think that if you write a check in December but it doesn't clear until January it still counts as December's business so if you could convince the doctor's office to hold the check until Jan 1. that would work as well. I know its a bit of a long shot but you might be surprised, the last two places I worked at regularily held off on depositing funds near the end of the year so it would look like they had made less money. If someone had asked them to hold a check at year end they would have been glad to (heck, they probably already were planning on it).

Yeah, the issue with Kim aside, it was probably Amy's time to go. She really didn't seem to have her heart and body into it the way the others do. Ofcourse us viewers really don't have the best picture of what is going on there. Only what the editor's let us see. They could probably spin the clips on any of the players to look just as *whiney* as Amy did. Even though I wasn't routing for her, part of me really wanted to. If only to show Kim that Amy could do it without her. But then again. Look at Amy's now pics - she busted out and lost 100 pounds without Kim or Vivian so I guess she still did show Kim and without the rest of us having to watch the drama each week.