shangefan

A mid-size microwave and an ostrich egg.

Burlington also is another good option. They have great prices for clothes that are fashionable.

Maryrose, I saw the one about the guy you referenced. I did not see the episode with him on the flatbed, but I saw episodes about his journey.

I watched this show last night and am wondering if anyone else did. It is about a guy who was 650 pounds and lost 400 pounds. They make a point to mention that he did it "the old-fashioned way." Aargh! I am curious what others thought of this show.

I find the Brookhaven show addictive!

I certainly agree that it is an outstanding accomplishment to lose 400 pounds, no matter the manner. Dude has done great and I hope he can maintain his healthier life.

The Surgical Clinic of Louisiana, which is located at West Jefferson Medical Center just outside New Orleans, offers the surgery for $10,000, which includes a year of aftercare. Beyond that, they provide excellent service. The doctors -- Dr. Todd Belott and Dr. Treen are spectacular and their support staff is outstanding, too. Weight Loss Surgery & Lap Band Clinic in Louisiana

I have been banded for about seven weeks. I have had no problems with steak or salad, but found lamb to be a killer. Also, I decided to experiment with a piece of ham during the weekend. It was bad -- and I thought I chewed it well. I don't like ham well enough to try it again. I don't really know about breads because I purposely avoid them -- even though I love bread.:wub:

I had surgery on Wednesday morning and went back to work on Monday. Honestly, though, I could have gone back on Friday. I had a flawless surgery. It was so pain free that I asked my doctor if they really did it. I took only one dose of pain meds and that was the first night. Even then, I did it only because I was afraid of waking up in pain. All of that said, I think it is very individual and some people, as evidenced from the posts, experience far greater challenges. But I think that a few days off will generally suffice for people in desk/office jobs.

I was banded on February 25 and I don'k think it could have possibly gone better. The basics are the same, so I will fast track through them. I got to the hospital at 6 a.m. All of my registration and payment had been done in advance, so the nurses simply directed me to my room and had me get into my gown. The doctor had a couple of other surgeries ahead of me, so it was about 9:30 when I went back. I remember saying goodbye to my family and rolling out. Then next thing I remember is being back in my room after the surgery. Mine honestly went so well that I joked that I don't think they actually did anything. While in the hospital, the nurse asked the level of pain on a scale of one to 10 and I never felt it was over three and never wanted pain meds. In fact, I have taken a total of one dose of medicine, and that was just before I went to bed the first night. I took it then only because I was afraid of waking up in pain. I also had no gas and very little soreness. I left the hospital at about 3:30 p.m. and the ride home was fine. I chatted with my mother and sister on the way home. When we got home, we sat and chatted until the normal bed time. The next day, we puttered around the house for a bit, then went to the mall. My doctor's directions were that I could drive as soon as I was no longer taking pain meds and since I was not taking them, I drove and had absolutely no problems. My family members had planned to spend a few days with me, but since I was doing so well, they left the day after the surgery. I have had no problems since then. I have lost a total of 25 pounds -- 15 in the two weeks leading up to the surgery and 10 pounds since the surgery. I am feeling great and had to go shopping today for new jeans to replace the ones that are falling off. I am thrilled.

I think you will do fine. I was self-pay and was banded on February 25. I feel amazing. I've lost 23 pounds (in the week leading up to the surgery and the week since) and am feeling much more confident and energetic already. I am getting into the swing of exercise -- just walking right now -- and that has never been my priority. Perhaps I was just fortunate, but I had absolutely no problems. I was in the hospital at 7 a.m. and left for home by 3 -- and my surgeon was late getting started on me because of some other surgeries that ran over. I had absolutely no pain. Even at the hospital, it never registered more than a 3 on a 10-point scale. I took only one dose of pain meds and that was the first night. Even then, I did it only because I was afraid of waking up in pain. No problems with gas. No soreness. And so far, I have had no difficulties as I have adjusted to foods. I am just in mushies stage now, which I don't mind. I say all of that only because I think that if I am having success -- and granted, it is still very early, but it looks like success so far -- anyone can. I've failed at every diet and have just gotten fatter and, at least to myself, more disgusting over the years. Just take it a step at a time. Submit your request and see what happens. All the best, Shangefan

Hi folks: I'll be thinking of you on tomorrow. My surgery is on 2-25 and I can hardly wait. Don't get me wrong -- I am nervous. But I am ready to get on with it. The clear liquid phase is turning out to be difficult. I am physically hungry,but I realize that more than anything else, I just WANT food. But I guess this is as good a time as any to start getting over that.

Wow, you are off your blood pressure meds already? That is amazing. Keep up the good work. You are definitely on track.

Muttlein, I also am getting banded on January 28!

I'll bet they are right. You are going to be all tight and muscle-bound! You are doing great. You deserve some congrats. :laugh: Keep up the good work.

That's really great. 70 pounds! Are you feeling good about it? Ik now it must be easy to see. Can you tell it otherwise? Are you feeling better? I have gotten a date -- January 28. I'll let you know.

I have a date!!!! I get banded on January 28. Yippee!

Thank you so much for asking. I am looking at later this month because of my schedule. I am really anxious. I don't know if it is my imagination, but it seems like lately I am experiencing more of the difficulties that come with obesity. I am trying to determine if this is real or if it is just because I am eager to move forward with the surgery. I would love to know how you are doing now.

The issue is not whether Oprah is wonderful, a good person or even likable. The point is that what she said resonates for people. She, like many others, feels embarrassed and disappointed because despite her fame and wealth, she is a "normal" person. Nobody would care about you because you, presumably, are not a celebrity. That is part of what comes with celebrity. The other piece is that she has the unfortunate experience of gaining and losing weight in front of the entire world. It sounds as though your issues with Oprah are deep and have very little to do with this. Here's hoping you can work through that.

mmnairn: I just noticed you were to be banded on December 29. I hope it is doing well and that you are feeling good about the experience. Do update us when you feel up to it.

I agree with Tylrgurl. I just find this obsession with Oprah odd. She is not the single source of problems for the wls community. And frankly, whatever Oprah says, the viewers have a responsibility to think for themselves. Why is she saying she can't believe it? Because that is the position many of us -- and if we are honest, most of us -- find ourselves in each time we lose weight and gain it back. Because it is horrifying to see that once again you have lost the battle. Because it is depressing. And yes, because her publics are talking about it and she has to say something. And she is all over the place because she is a celebrity. Say something like that and everyone wants you on their show. And like it or not, there is something positive that she is doing for people struggling with weight, those who will never consider weight loss surgery. I am alarmed by the venom expressed here. I truly believe you get back what you put into the universe and for people who want to be greeted with understanding and respect, what is going out is far different. I certainly have my problems with Oprah, as I do with most public figures, but I don't think she earned this one. She does speak for millions when she says what she did. And for that, she earns my applause.

I think there is enough to criticize Oprah about that we could spend more than a wee bit of time doing it. I must say, however, that I am alarmed by how harsh and, frankly, nasty some of the posts are. It is almost like people feel somehow vindicated that Oprah has regained the weight and simultaneously have some irrational rage focused on her. I get that Oprah has not been kind about weight loss surgery. But guess what? Most people aren't. Otherwise, why would there be so many threads dedicated to coversations about whether to tell, who to tell, how to tell and when to tell that you have a band. I am scheduled to get the band in January and I'll admit that it took me years to get to a place where I could decide this is the right thing to do. There IS a stigma against it and it is not reasonable to somehow assume that Oprah would exist outside the hegemony of weight culture. She is, as has been pointed out, just a human. Let's allow her that. None of this is to say that it isn't fair to critique her politics around this. What I am arguing is that the comments have gone far beyond that to something far more sinister. As a media empire, Oprah has lots of power to influence public sentiment. That makes it important that people continue to try and influence her so that she can become at least kinder, even if she ultimately disagrees with WLS. As to whether Oprah should consider WLS -- I think it is highly presumpious of anyone to try to make that determination. It reminds me of a friend who told me about being asked by the woman doing her pedicure if she had considered gastric bypass. What??? It is not appropriate and is unkind. Here's wishing everyone a wonderful end of year. :thumbup:

This is a really old string, but I was excited to see it. I am being banded in January and part of the timing for me is that I will turn 40 in August and want to be as healthy as possible as I welcome it. I am one of the (apparently) rare souls who is estatically looking forward to this birthday.:biggrin:

Wow! This is truly impressive and inspiring. You are doing the damn thing!