BJean

T_O_M Thanks for being generous with me. I just knew you were one of the good guys! I was afraid I had SERIOUSLY offended you. I really appreciate your sense of humor. I have the same problem with people misinterpreting my words. I don't have a serious bone in my body. By the way, 61 ain't old. Tired maybe, but not OLD~! Haven't you heard? 60 is the new 50!

Oh yeah. I've done the cake thing. Then eat it until it's gone. I can't believe someone said "cream horns" ohmigosh, it is seriously triggering an impulse! I'm sure glad I'm here and I'm going to try to erase that vision from my head... I can almost smell it! Ok. I'm going to move on. I'm supposed to lose 7 to 10 lbs. in the next 2 1/2 weeks. Somthing about shrinking my liver. I'm pretty sure my liver wants to explode everytime I think about cakes, ice cream and cream horns. Right.

Wow! You all give me so much hope. I envision myself with the band, not being able to stuff myself and growing slowly slender. I'm trying to make myself accept the fact that this should be a 2-yr program - not overnight. I'm just so frustrated with feeling so lousy about myself, and feeling that food controls me!

Cloe: Your progress looks amazing! I hope I can do as well!!

I was agreeing with Greatdame. But looks like Photonut has won me over too. I'm not taking sides, but all I can go by is who sounds like a unhappy camper and who appears to have it together.

Cool girl, I'm with you!

Greatdame, what's happened here? I'm totally new to LB Forum. Why are these folks duking it out? Sign me: Curious!

Dody: Guess you're right. I don't know past history. I only know how things sound right now. And you're right again... this thread's gone on way too long. You sound very unhappy!

Goannabanda: Reading your blog I could feel exactly what you went through! Been there, felt that way. It feels mysterious. Intellectually you know you're above all that. But that primal urge takes over and you can't help yourself. It must be what a junkie feels like. Driven until you get that fix. AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Guess that's why I'm in this mess I'm in.

Melodee: I haven't been banded yet - I'm scheduled for 9/11. Funny date, huh? Well, I'm here trying to get some reassurance that I'm doing the right thing. This forum is a scary place to be sometimes. This morning I'm reading all kinds of negative stuff. Some folks seem to not have any problems at all and the others run the gamut of complications. I think there's no real way to know if you're going to be one of the lucky uncomplicated surgeries, or not. I think one probably has to be in enough pain from being overweight that the results seem worth it to accept the risk. Anyone else have anything dispel Melodee's and my fears?

Photonut: I totally got you. Someone sounds very defensive. Poor dear. I read everything and keep the good that relates to me and throw out the bad. There's not much bad here, though. Mostly people trying to be helpful. Thank goodness!!

I just tuned in. I am shocked to find so many people that shared my eating in the car behavior. I can't tell you how many times I stopped at the drive through ice cream place and drove around neighborhoods until I ate it all. Then I had to find a place to ditch the evidence. Before I learned how be very careful, several times I dripped chocolate on my shirt. When I got home I would have to make a dash to the bathroom, like I needed to go, so I could clean up the drips before anyone saw me. I was definitely a closet eater. Like no one suspected a thing. I hate being out of control like that - or is it what someone earlier said - it is really that I liked the fact that no one could control me and keep me from eating whatever I wanted! Either way, self-destructive behavior. Do I need psychoanalysis? I'm not banded yet and I'm struggling with the pre-op diet.

"TOM" you keep me entertained. I've seen the movie, read the book, about bugs being the only survivors one day. My thought is that I have to get my Band and get skinny. That's the only way I'll ever be able to run faster than all them little critters. And Lisah25, that's the best website to dispel all those ridiculous urban legends! Before I read that, I had to check my mouth for tiny fuzzy legs every morning.

A good reason not to buy crunchy brands. By the way, I decided to call Tired Old Man "TOM" for short. Wonder if he's offended.

Yeah. I had a little trouble dealing with that "urban legend" Then I read a website that is used to dispel all those unbelievable things we hear and read about. It said that spiders don't like air blowing on them and that our breath keeps them from climbing in. Hmmm. Wonder if that applies to sleep apnea people. Maybe spiders sit around waiting for us to stop breathing for a whie and then they dive in!!!

Eeeekkkk! I looked at the pix of a "vinegarone" and want to move to the frozen tundra somewhere. (I live in TX too) Morsaille- are you saying that hot dogs, cold cuts, restaurant meatloaf, bread and Peanut Butter have bugs? I was told in a home ec class in college, that cereals can have X percentage of "anything" in their ingredients, and it's legal. Guess that could be bugs too. Maybe "TOM" has the right idea. Embrace the little critters. You never know when we might have to "eat off the fat of the land."

Horse chestnuts? Please enlighten me.

I read that it is common to gain weight after the surgery when you're doing the Protein drinks. I was surprised to hear that. Also, some people seem to have lost quite a lot quickly, and others haven't been very successful. My doc says the LB is just a tool, that you still have to work hard to achieve the best resuts. I'm pretty convinced that it's the right thing to do, but I must admit that I have some fears that creep in from time to time too. What scares you the most?

Bezoldme: I've spent a couple of hours this morning browsing through all the messages. I'm learning a lot. It's crazy here. I'm not sure if I feel less apprehension about the surgery or more now. They say ignorance is bliss, but I think we fear the unknown. So I guess I'll keep reading. How are you feeling about what you're reading?

TOM (Tired Old Man): You are one inventive dude. Isn't that just like a LB person to think of a way to make something edible out of almost any old thing. You are very entertaining. I'll keep an eye (or 2) out for your posts from now on! :heh:

ok. I'm officially creeped out! I have a friend who lives near you Babs, and she has all manner of creepy critters. I've lived in Arizona and Florida and now Texas. I don't have nearly as many biters and jumpers here. I am way more scared of a Brown Recluse than a BW. When you have a new house it takes time to get out all the bugs. LOL Hang in there!

I haven't been banded yet and I am so glad I read Mousecrazy's reply! I would definitely have panicked if I had started gaining after the surgery!!!! Thanks!

You are so lucky to have a family and husband who support you 100%! That will help a lot throughout your decision-making process. Having my husband's support is critical for me. My doctor is "out of network" and therefore none of the LB surgery is covered for me. Even if he weren't out of network, my insurance company doesn't pay for any obesity wellness treatments. Of course, they pay for my meds for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and probably eventually diabetes meds. And they will have to pay for knee replacement surgery, if that becomes necessary. So it doesn't make any sense to me that they won't cover something that could reduce their costs in the long run. The whole insurance industry is a mess. And the doctors are tired of insurance companies telling them how to practice medicine. It's something you may have to face when you go to the seminar and if you subsequently decide to go forward with the surgery. Good luck!!! :mad: BJean

Amgiovan: Sorry! I just re-read your original mail and realize that you are doing the pre-op liquids. Your date with destiny is tomorrow!! Wow. That's fantastic. I am so looking forward to being in your shoes. Hope everything is just as you've planned! Keep in touch as soon as you're able. We'll be thinking of you! BJean

amgjiovan: thanks for the reply! It sounds like you're doing a week of just the protein shake? My doc puts his people on 3 weeks of: a shake for breakfast, one for lunch and then a normal chicken, veggies and fruit for dinner. I guess a week of just a drink would be worse! I was on Optifast years ago for 6 weeks and thought I was going die! My doc said that the weight loss shrinks the liver and gives him more room to maneuver. That sounds pretty darned important. And motivating. Did they suggest a number of #s to lose before surgery? You're only a week from surgery? We can do it!! BJean