Kat817

Wow---that's a big me!!! Thank you Terry! I changed my avatar! I still don't see the changes in the last 50 like I did the first 50---but I am just glad it is gone. When the belly goes away I'll be even happier!!! People seeing these has my heart pounding!!! Thank you again! Kat

I voted 50%, I would guess it to be between that and 75%---it was drastic! I have spoke to many of you about this---but for the new ones, I will say it again---mine may be worse due to the fact I have lost ALL my hair in the past due to chemo, so I may be more predisposed to losing it. I am now 15 months out, have zero hair loss, and new hair---tons of new hair---about 2 inches long! running my hands through it next to my scalp, it is thick and lustrous again....unfortunately it is also unruly as hell!!! I look like a dandelion without lots of product!!! BUT I am NOT complaining---I am just thrilled it is coming back, and it is coming back the same color, and texture it appears! When I lost it due to the chemo, I lost pale blonde straight hair, and grew back darker blonde curly hair!!! I was afraid this time what I'd get!!! Big hugs to all of you dealing with this, I so understand. Figure mine is growing back in just in time for me to undergo surgery again for the TT.....dangit! I have read many lose it with that too. Oh well, at least I can be comforted knowing it WILL come back! Kat

Before I start here, let me say I have tried to read through most of the posts, and apologize in advance if I skipped over important info in regards to this. Reading this post above, then the one following by BJean, I have to agree with BJean, that we should strive to create an equal 50/50 give and take. With that in mind, wouldn't it have been just as intimate, and shown your DH what you want in return to have spent the time cuddling him...rubbing his neck and shoulders, or his temples, trying to help with his headache? I mean wouldn't you feel more loving towards him the next day if he had tried to help you ease a headache. Even if he is one of those who want to be left alone, knowing you wanted to help him, goes a long way. Being loving, and affectionate starts outside the bedroom. And while we (DH & I) work to have a 50/50 give and take in the relationship, it is not always an even split, there are times it is 80/20--when one of us picks up the slack, during times of personal stress....what have you. The goal is to make it where they are aware of what you need and want---but sometimes the best way to let them know is to show them... We too are not newlyweds---and have went through highs and lows in regards to intimacy, and finances, and everything else couples deal with....and yes this marriage has been worth any and all efforts put into it. It is not my first marriage though, and it does take both of you to want it to work out... Kat

I still make different pasta dishes, mac & cheese being one of them, because my DH as well as the rest of the family love it. I find it to be hard to eat much of, it feels like it grows after I swallow it! But I like it, so I still eat it, I just make the bulk of my meal from meat & veggies, and have a bite or 2, maybe 3 or 4, depending on what we are having...and it goes down fine. I have not eliminated anything due to the calorie or fat counts, I do limit them, keep things within reason...but continue to enjoy it all. I eat today the way I hope to eat for the rest of my life. Reasonably! I love that the band makes that possible for me. I likely could have reached goal, or would make it sooner, if I did eliminate things like the mac & chz, or cookies, or a million other things, but I know me....and it has always been when I felt like I was being deprived, that the demons started that destroyed a diet! This way I am enjoying everything, and I'll get those last 20 pounds gone....it WILL happen! I KNOW it! And the journey has been fun along the way! Kat

Ok, ready to hyperventilate here, I sent Terry my pics!!! Before they get posted, I was NOT drunk in the before, I truly hated my picture being taken and DH insisted on it before we could leave for the airport for me to go get banded, so it is 3 AM---and I am mad as hell!!! I hated my picture being taken, I hated me for how I had become, it was not a great time of my life, and I was so scared that morning, that I was spending all of this money, and going to do something else that wouldn't work. He kept reminding me of how much research we had done, and that it would work, and I would want the befores to put on the site....Of course he was right, and I needed them to look back to the horrors of what was, but it is kinda nice to not be deathly afraid of the camera now! Not that I love it...but I don't mind so much taking pictures with family & friends, and when I get the pictures to look at, I see us all, I see the good time we were having, I don't just see how huge I am---that was all I could see before. I look back and realize how few pictures I have holding my grandchildren as tiny babies...kinda sad. But in reality, even the ones I do have, I still despise! I only kept them on the camera because the babies are in them, and I cannot bring myself to destroy their picture! But boy the digital camera and its ability to erase pictures was this fat girls friend!!! Thank you in advance Terry.....hey can you photoshop out my wrinkles???? j/k---I earned them! Kat

Pre-op diets vary drastically! In my case, I was just put on a high Protein, low fat diet for 10 days or so prior. I was so excited to get going, I had been doing an Atkins type thing, so just continued it. They put you on the diet usually in an effort to shrink the liver some, and make it more pliable, as it has to be moved out of the way to get the band wrapped around your stomach. While the post op diet may not be more fun, it is likely even more important! You do not want to cheat on it! When they band you, they pull the larger, lower part of the stomach up, and stitch it in place over the band. Scar tissue starts forming to hold the band in the proper place. If you eat too early, then your stomach has to move to digest, and move the food through---and that interupts the healing process. Those stitches are in a moist environment, so they take longer to heal than the outside ones. With either pre-op or post op, protein will help some with the hunger, and eliminating sugar and carbs from the diet during pre op will make post op much easier as you will no longer be physically craving them. The head hunger is what is hardest, and that takes sheer willpower---but if I can do it, anyone can!!! Hang in there!!! Kat

The thing that shocks most people who know my husband and I, who have now been married many years, is that I had been married twice before him! My first husband cheated non stop---had a son with another woman several months before we were divorced. My second husband is still in prison for my attempted murder among other charges---that was his 3rd strike. He was horribly abusive. My current DH and I went to school together from 4th grade to graduation, so even though we had years between---we seem to people like we have ALWAYS been together----I think we should have been, sure would have saved some pain---emotional as well as physical! Kat

I did survive the day---did ok, ate mostly meat. Now I know it had BBQ sauce which is high calorie, but for the options I had it was the best I could do!!! Ate some beans, drank tea, mostly enjoyed the company. Our friends we ride with, and hang out with at things such as this are back from vacation. We had DD and her crew with us, left them doing the Mom & Dad thing at the carnival...aka spending the big bucks!!! And Terry I had some brisket, it was great, but the pulled pork was wonderful!!! IT was the one I voted for. When our friends got here she swore I had lost more weight (I have NOT!) but she thought so, so she did an update on my pictures for me tonight, but I am so computer illiterate, I don't have a clue how to post them!!! If someone cares to help me, I'd appreciate it. I have a side by side a friend on my NJ board did for me of my before and my 50 lb loss, so now I have the 100 to put next to it. A front and a side view---man my side view especially is still pretty pathetic!!! And Becky insisted on a face shot, she says that is so dramatic...well someone was being dramatic anyway!!!! It is so unnerving, thinking of posting pictures for the world to see---you guys are fine...I feel safe here at LBT!!! Oh yeah, if I get one of you to help me, I also want to update my avatar pic. Please! I am going to learn to do these things some day!!! I come home and did my time on the elliptical---I about took a dive off of it, my knee went out! It has done that occasionally since I was a kid---had never done it on the trainer tho!!! Thank goodness I was working my arms and holding on! Jenn I have not been brave enough to wear anything that skimpy even in the yard. But I have a neighbor who is ALWAYS outside working and piddling around. Nice guy, one of the best functioning alcoholics I have ever known, but I do not want to be in a swimming suit and him be around!!! OMG Michelle---I too got knocked over by a wave when in Hawaii, I got so disoriented, I damn near freaked out!!! Finally my laughing DD grabbed my arm! Poor you!! Well if someone will come to my rescue over the pics I'd really appreciate it!!! Off to check my email I guess, then to bed...too much caffeinated tea tonight, I am wide awake!!! Kat

Awww that's sweet Lillyanne---every now and then, something that one of us was told by a Dr. or a bandster before us, hits home!! Glad this one helped you! Welcome to LBT!!! Kat

ok guys---I am off to a bbq cook off---wish me luck!!! Too many of them overcook the meat. It is going to be some serious control helping me avoid the wrong thing!!! Will let ya know how it goes!!! Catch y'all later tonight!!! Kat

hi, my name is Kat, and I am an addict too..... But the cravings do not call as loudly to me, and I can ignore them much, much easier than ever in the past!!! Congratulations to you couples doing this as a team, what wonderful support, and understanding you will have for one another. Just ALWAYS keep in mind, you will heal differently, lose weight differently, be able to eat differently---and respect the way one another approaches life with their band. One thing you said in your original post Danimal, referred to you "walking down this path." I encourage you to do just that starting now if you aren't already (and with bypass you may already be!) WALK!!!!! Begin the simple exercise plan with walking. It will make your surgery easier, your recovery easier, and your body will begin to change before they ever get your band in. My husband had open heart for a valve surgery a year ago last month. Not long after I had been banded. About4 months or so. I had lost the first surge of 35 pounds or so, and had begun stalling out on occasion. When he come home with the orders from the Dr. to walk 3 X a day, we did! Started with a block at a time, ended up a mile at a time 3 X a day! My weight loss once again went into overdrive!!! I now go once a day, and he is back at work and logging well over his 10,000 steps a day with work----and I need to get back into multiple walks a day!!! The fresh air, the movement---it is ALL beneficial!!! Plus going together is wonderful time to talk over everything! Start now!!! Welcome to LBT---you are right, this site is FULL of good support and ideas, advice, you name it!!! Hang out, we look forward to knowing you and your spouses. Kat

Are you exercising at all? I got to a point, where my weight loss stalled, and stayed a minimal pound here or there, until I began walking, and working out some, and then it really started coming off fast again! You might also try to up your caloric intake for a few days, to jump start your metabolism again, that was suggested by a nutritionist. Good Luck! Kat

Zannie, I have been thinking about you with all this going on... I also wanted to suggest, that you see a therapist on your own. Yes see the marriage counselor, without a doubt, but see someone on your own as well. Let them help you to remain strong in this. It will give you a place to say all the things you lie awake at night and think about. YOU need to take care of YOU, so you can be strong for your kids. Having us to vent to is wonderful, and we are more than willing to be a sounding board...but there are things you need to SAY---get the anger and hurt out of your system. Hear the words coming out of your own mouth---sometimes when you hear them they shock you! Nothing you say is going to hurt the therapist. If you say it to your sister for instance, she is not going to ever get past that to deal with your DH---she will hurt for you. Not so with a therapist. I urge to you find someone to work through this with. He needs to be aware that you are doing so, not just going to lay back and pretend it never happen. My first husband was a cheater, as I said before. People expect you to be angry as hell, and not have any other emotion. And you DO. In many ways it is like dealing with death, there are a range of emotions you go through. It IS a death, the death of what you thought your marriage was. You still have a marriage, it is just not how you imagined it was. You will go through the anger, and hurt, and even denial, and self blame....I hope you have someone to help you through that so you don't allow that to happen, you did nothing to deserve this. If he didn't like the weight, or the marriage for whatever reason, he should have got out, then found another woman...this is his wrong, let him accept it. Please check in with us, and let us know you are ok. If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine too, just let us know you are alright! Kat

I shop at Walmart regularly---but do it for my own convenience, and the money I can save. None of the other stores here will price match. I can sit down with my newspaper on Wednesday with the grocery ads, or Sunday with general sale ads, and if I find it on sale wherever, Walmart will match that price. That means to me, I can make a list, load up the kids (granddaughters aged 2 & 6), drive to one store, and do all my shopping. The cashiers here, vary, some fill a bag, and move it back to your shopping cart, others just let them pile up on the carousel. I too have worked retail---and the cashiers greeting, and attitude set mine. If she is pleasant, I am. If she acts like I am wasting her time....then I will! Where I live, there are help wanted signs EVERYWHERE!!! If they do not want to be there, they don't have to be---so I expect to be treated like a customer, insuring your employment! I hate store employees who try to run you over with freight loaded carts---when I worked retail, the customer come first, and you waited for them, not run them over! I expect to be treated that way still! On the debit/credit card machine now in our local Walmart, it asks a question each time, usually it will be Was your Walmart store clean today? I don't think I have ever seen this Walmart clean!!!! Or it will ask "Did your cashier greet you today?" And I ALWAYS answer in honestly. Those machines are my biggest complaint, in stores lately. My Mom has arthritis, so she has begun using her debit card in place of the pain of writing a check. Well she is also over 70, and has trouble seeing what some of those machines ask. Some want your zip code, others want a yes or no if the amount is ok...they are all different, and some of the cashiers treat her horribly when she does not know how their particular machine works. I hang on to the receipt, and I cannot tell you how many managers I have called and complained about impatient, snotty cashiers being rude to my Mom! Some things I will put up with, but here we are complaining about changes, and to the senior citizens out there, the changes are even more dramatic and they deserve to be treated with respect! My Mom is sweet to everybody, way too much so---she tells them thank-you and they ignore her!!! In high school I cashiered at K Mart, and each of our registers had a sticker across the cash drawer that had TYFSAKM on it---to remind us to say to EVERY customer...Thank You For Shopping At K Mart. If we didn't --- it was a write up! And I didn't make any more for the time than they do now----but a lot more was expected of me! So....yes I shop Walmart, and I make them match every sale price I find that I need!!!! I wish I could both afford the time, energy and money to avoid them...but I can't! My DH was putting LED lights on a trailer last week, and he hates shopping so he went to a local NAPA store and bought some they were $19.49 each. When I was in Walmart I bought him some for $6.57. They were both made in China....which one would you have taken back? We needed 8 of them, you do the math!!! We shop there because it is affordable. Kat

I went to Alberto Aceves in Mexicali, Mx. I could not be happier with my experience. I talked extensively with his office prior to being banded by them. They helped me find a more local Dr. to do my fills/adjustments. I live in New Mexico, and there are no band surgeons in my state---so even the Dr. they found for me was 6 hours away, one way. So they also sent information to a local oncologist I had spoke with concerning any emergency I might have that would require a port access. All three offices, spoke back and forth and come up with what I deemed an acceptable plan of action! My trip to Mexicali was wonderful, the motel they put us up in was top notch, as well as the hospital. I was impressed with the level of cleanliness! I had no difficulty understanding the Dr. or the Dr.'s staff, they all spoke English very well! There was always a nurse on duty who spoke English as well. They were VERY attentive, and concerned with my well being. They have followed up with me, through phone calls and emails. My sister in law was banded the same day I was, and she just returned home yesterday from taking 2 of her Daughters down to be banded. She saw Dr. Aceves while she was there, because she was having some problems eating---hard protein, would not stay down. He took one look under fluoro--and pulled half her fill, she was too tight. She feels much better now she said! He did not charge her for the visit. I have referred others, and would have no qualms in recommending him again. Good Luck in your decision~ Kat

Welcome to LBT---it sounds like you have had a time of it to put it mildly!!! I have close friends who 2 of their 3 daughters have celiac disease. They discovered it while the girls were in their late teens. My DH has had a rough year with his heart. The last procedure done was cardiac ablation. In his case he was bouncing from A-fib to A-flutter, with no visible pattern to the fluctuations. They told me the ablation procedure could last anywhere from 2 hours to over 12. That they will go in set the probes, and watch to see if a pattern develops so they know where to cauterize. Then when his rhythm changed, from fib to flutter, they would start all over. In the end it was about 6 hours, and he has been doing really well the last 8 weeks. Right now he is in week 2 of wearing an event monitor, similar to a holter monitor, for 30 days! He feels good though so that is wonderful!!! Hope your band continues to aid in your recovery! Kat

Awesome job Judy----I bet you feel wonderful looking at those pictures. My 50 lb loss pics, seemed like 2 different people! Great job!!! Laura---I have to say it, you know I do......I TOLD YOU SO!!! I remember telling you not to put them away too far, soon the would fit, and if you weren't careful you would miss the moment!!! I am so glad you can see the progress you are making! Enjoy Chuck E.'s Terry---been there & left my mark---same as everywhere---I nose into EVERYTHING!!! It is an inspiring thread. Jennifer---invite your friend to the gym with you!!! Get her endorphins kicked in, and let her obssess WITH you!!! Well I am off to offer unsolicited advice!!! TTYL! Kat

Oh Zannie, I wish I could reach through the computer and give you a big hug. Nothing hurts the same as the hurt you are feeling now. I have been in your shoes, I know the pain. Many things jump out of your heartfelt post. One of them being that neither of you had ever been with anyone before---so I am doubly sure this has really appealled to him on that level too. Another thing, was that with his depression, and your uncertainty over yourself, quite possibly her bold go get 'em attitude, and upbeat, come ons to him, were as likely what truly attracted him as opposed to what her body type or hair color or anything else are. I know right now you are crushed, but I would suggest not showing that side of myself as much as possible. As for the woman not sharing any characteristics with you, I read back when I was dealing with this, that men choose that because the guilt is too strong when the person looks like their spouse. My former husband was the same way, we were nothing alike, looks, attitude, and most importantly morally. My marriage did not make it. We stayed together for several months, and he too told me he just couldn't choose, it was like apples and oranges he said, we were both so different, he wanted us both. Well that was not an option! Then his gf ended up pregnant! I could not deal with it, in my face everyday. I tried, I was losing my mind I thought! Eventually, I made the choice to move on, with our daughter. He never did change, he was with the woman he was caught cheating with on me (come to find out there were others) for several years, but he cheated on her all the time as well. He has since divorced her and 2 others since her...cheated on them all. The problems in you marriage may have been brought to light with your banding, him knowing that you would be changing, may have scared him...but we all know there are better ways to handle that! I would suggest to you that at this point, since you truly want to be able to move on from this, and it CAN be done, many do it, would be to insist on the counseling, and if this counselor is not effective, find another. Try to remain upbeat, to remind him, but also to remind yourself, of the person you were when you fell in love in the begining. You need the reminder, that even if it is a concious choice YOU deserve to be happy---and a big part of happiness is by choice. If you truly choose to give him a 2nd chance, throwing it in his face at every arguement, and feeling like he owes you is not an option. You cannot forgive a person sins, only to serve them up at Breakfast again the next morning. If you don't put it behind you it will never be behind you. Leave the serious discussing it for now maybe with the counselor. Find some things to enjoy together. Spend time as a family---remind him he is a Father right here at home, without saying the words, if that makes sense. And finally, before you move to respark your own sex life with him, insist he be tested, since his affair was without protection, with a woman who sought him out knowing he was a married father. He likely is not the only one. Good Luck Zannie, I will be thinking of you, and will say a prayer for your heartache to be eased. ((((((big hug))))) Kat

Ask away AzGirl---we will try to help! Welcome to LBT! Kat

I never had pain following a fill. However if you ARE having pain, then I would for sure go back to liquids for a day or so, then try something soft again. Anytime it causes pain it is irritating something, whether it be your esophagus (the throat hurting) or the stomach, in the band area. Continuing to try to force food through will only result in swelling, which will cause pain, and an evil cycle is developed. If you are still having pain with soft foods after 3 days---I'd call the Dr. and at any time if you cannot drink without pain, or without spitting it back up---go see your Dr!!! Good luck, I hope the pain stops. Kat

Hi ladies! Welcome Smyly---not sure I got the name right, and unable to scroll far enough back to check!!! Judy, glad the soreness is easing! But hey at least you protected your cool bike!!! j/k!! Ms. Jenn---WOW!!! You look a good 10 years younger!!! I was always afraid when the fat left my face the wrinkles would sag and would age, but hopefully I will be as lucky as you!!! Good Work! Jennifur---hope the foot holds up tonight, ice & liquid motrin sounds like the plan. RICE is what they always told my kids for sprains, Rest (you messed up already!!!!) Ice, Compression, Elevation. Hope it is ok---and that your interview pans out for you. Gina---just be careful not to get too tight. Sometimes, when you can eat a lot, just not the right things you are actually already too tight. Being too tight can cause problems for a long time to come, so be very careful!! Tracy---I know you are off on your vacation---if you log on---ENJOY!!! Terry--whoop me---no workout today, and while I have time tonight, I cannot guarantee I will do it! I personally would wait for the fill. This is not a race, and being away and overfull could be horrendous~ JMHO Sara---good for you working out today!!! Hows hubby? Denise don't work too hard!! Laura---where ya at chickie??? Well today was a loooong day. But we will start with last night. The kids went to their counseling session, and let them know there was something going on, so he spoke with all of them, and told Lindzie point blank she did not have to tell anyone anything she did not want to, and if she was afraid to go, all she had to do was to say so, and let her Daddy know she wanted him to protect her. She would only say she just didn't want to go. He told her she could play in the corner of the room while he talked to the adults, and she sat over there coloring but listening closely. Where the table was she actually had to turn around to see them, and she did on occasion but for the most part just sat very alert they said. The therapist, wrote a note, on a manilla file folder, telling them not to mention anything direct in regards to this--let her relax and be comforted that Daddy will protect her. So they talked about how to discipline children effectively when there is an age discrepency. Twice in that time she tried to involve herself in the conversation, and he told her she didn't have to worry about that, that the parents would take care of it, it was not anything a child need to worry about. She is pretty cautious about arguing with unknown adults so was quiet!!! He is meeting with Dad Monday at lunch to give him some suggestions on how to help her open up. As for her Mother, she did not react much when he told her, but she called and left a message (dumb girl, it is of course saved as evidence now!) saying she thought her bf scared Lindzie last time because she and the little boy who is like 18 month old, were taking a bath together, and Lindzie let him go under the water, and he got bubbles in his eyes and was crying and the bf yelled at Lindzie for not watching him properly. She has tried calling back several times, but has not left other messages, and they will not take a call on their cell phones from her---but she was not outraged at the new visitation order he made, and has not said anything about legal problems etc. A 6 year old should not be left in charge of a rambunctious 18 month old in bathwater---period. That is their child, they need to watch him. Today my DD took her to the pediatrician. I sat in the waiting room with the girls while she spoke to her, about the situation, so she did a documented well child check on Lindzie, and kind of the same on Kinsey...more as a cover. We told Lindzie it was her check up for back to school. The Dr. told Manda she would not physically check for sexual abuse unless it had been verbalized, because the child would see it as another assault. She ask her all kinds of questions, then would change direction, and come back to things. She did get her to pee in a sterile hat and the dip was negative for blood, or infection. With Kinsey just in the hospital and her input and output measured, Lindzie didn't even blink at peeing in the hat!!! All in all, she was ok today, some usual, jealousy things, and arguing---wanting to be able to fit in the front seat section of a shopping cart, and crying when told she was too big...that kind of usual thing for her. The biggest PITA today was her Dad, he is just bouncing off the walls, he is livid, he is scared, and he is all of them at once! He could not hardly voice one thought without 10 others crowding in, he made me crazy---my poor DD!!!! Anyway, I will keep you posted, and let you know if anything is discovered. DH is working late again tonight...the last 2 nights as well. The guy he works with at the same management level, is on vacation so Rick has not just his own half of the department to deal with he has it all! But next week---HE is on vacation!!! Well I am off to brew some fresh tea.....TTYL!! Kat

Zen girl, I feel your upset and frustration in your posts, and wish there was a way to help you! You are right, every one reacts differently, and that includes their hunger triggers...the Dr. who did the seminar I attended, explained it to us this way. There are 2 nerves in the upper part of the stomach, he called them Vega or Viga (I have no idea of spelling, he was talking it was not wrote down) nerves. He said in order for the brain to be signaled that you were full these nerves had to be stimulated. He went on to say the nerves like everything else, are not always located in an identical spot in everyone---same as some people have wide set eyes, and others close set. These nerves, being hit is what makes you feel so miserably full following a big holiday dinner...when you REALLY stuff yourself, and food is all the way up to the top of your stomach. Back when dieting and you tried the old trick of drinking a full glass of Water before your meal, and it worked for a little bit---but the water passed through fast and the nerves were no longer triggered. Ok now---when the band is placed, or the stomach cut depending on which surgery you have---sometimes those nerves are right there, and affected. Which eliminates hunger. It sounds like some of the bypassers you know had this happen. Personally I believe my band is placed in a way that it has kept my nerves triggered where I seldom feel true hunger anymore, but it took 2 fills to get it squeezed onto them and leave it that way. With the band, when it gets adjusted/filled to a good level of restriction, where it holds your food in place for several hours--the food will come in contact with the nerves, and the hunger will dissipate. No one including your Dr. knows where those nerves are on you. Some people come out of being banded with the band putting pressure directly on those nerves, and they lose all their weight with no fills....most of us are not that lucky!!! Keep at it, go slow with your fills, I know some of us have a long drive, mine is 6 hours each way---but several trips in comfort are better than one emergency for an unfill---that just sets up problems in the long run. Take it slow, and steady, and learn a new way of eating and training yourself in the meantime. Should there ever come a day you lose the band, or someone with bypass who has stretched their stomach, the knowledge you gain, and the habits you changed will make maintaining the loss that much easier. Hang out, and vent as you need, and we can try to help you figure out ways to cope until you reach a level of restriction that allows the band to really work!! Kat

No green popcorn for me, I am one who would have promptly presented it to the manager! BUT....I have sat through many a boring movie that DH wanted to see, consoled only by the endless bag of beautiful, fluffy, slick with butter, popcorn. Still love the stuff. Still eat the stuff. I am able to eat more of it than you would think, but still nowhere near my pre band capacity! I too have tried every microwave brand known to mankind, and every type of popper...nothing compares. I buy the butter salts, and oils---no deal. Many years ago (back when you could go to a drive in in any town!!) my family had a little metal popcorn popper. It had the heating element in the base, and a small metal bowl that sat down in it, to pop the kernal corn. I was about 10 and drying dishes and dropped the glass lid, and broke it, I was crushed even then......my beloved popcorn! Alas, Mom to the rescue, another lid was found and popcorn was back! We are going to the Bruce Willis movie either tonight or tomorrow, I will without a doubt think of you all!!! Kat

You know, the more I think about this, and talk about it with other banded friends, all adults, the more worrisome it becomes to me. For instance, I was one of the bandsters who lost massive amounts of hair. Are they even aware that it can happen? How is a young girl going to handle losing so much of her hair her scalp is visible? And walking around feeling like you are wearing a hair shirt as you shed? Girls place a lot of importance on their hair too. My friend said she is worried about it too. She was banded a year before me, and has not changed her eating a lot, and has only lost about 35-40 pounds, she is perfectly happy with that, but someone like this girl and her family who apparently want instant gratification, likely would not be. My friend has a very high BMI so her weight would drop faster than the young girl with the low BMI---what is she going to do if this is not her answer? How stable is she mentally? Teenagers have been known to put a permanent end to temporary problems over lesser things. It scares me. Makes me sad for the girl. They seem so uninformed of what lies ahead of them. I know things they read might be unpleasant, but I too hope they find these sites, and can learn and benefit from them. And maybe be concerned enough to get follow up therapy for the daughter, she is going to need it I believe. Kat

That's me Terry---I never shut up!!!! Kat