June 2006 Band Crew

[Devana 0]

Happy Birthday Lisa, and Happy New Year to everyone.

I've learned, over these holidays, that brie, shortbread, fruitcake and all sorts of stuff goes down easily if chewed well enough. So much for my good intentions to stay away from treats. I'm glad the holidays are over!

I, too, am not crazy about all this loose skin. Regardless of my size, I always felt like a goddess when making out with my sweetie. However, I feel decidedly yukky and unattractive with extra skin flapping about. PS for me down the road for sure!

There's a clothing site that I read about here somewhere, and they have swimsuits that have legs that go down to mid thigh or almost the knee. I think I would feel less self conscious in something like that than I would in a pantie length with flappy thighs.

Las Vegas in June sounds great. I have to figure out some things first before committing. My son is graduating from his school around then after his first eight years with the same small group of kids and the same teacher. (It's a Waldorf school) It's quite a deal that involves a camping trip, dinner with the parents, the class performing a Shakespeare play and a bunch of other stuff. I definitely have to be around for that.

[warmmorningsun 1]

Warmmorningsun, good to hear from you. Jog our memory. Is your engagement new since banding? Have fun planning a wedding where the photographer won't be an enemy.

Hi Pinky, thanks for the welcome back It has been months since I've been on; I've not really kept up my end of the 'deal' with this band, so my weight loss has been strictly without trying - which is great....IF I didn't have another 100 or so to lose! So I'm back on the wagon.

My engagement was actually 6 months prior to my banding. And my sweetie loved me enough to pay for this when my insurance said no. He hasn't really had an adverse reaction to my weight loss (jealousy, esteem issues, etc). He just seems to really encourage me and I'm thankful for this man! I can't tell you how thankful I am. He's truly wonderful. Enough bragging on him (I try to any chance I can - he deserves it!).

I would LOVE to go to Vegas with all of you. Timing is just off for me this year. I think it's so wonderful that the Junebies have such a supportive group here.

[barbara465 2]

Not sure what I've had, but it was no fun. I got something like a cold on the ship, but each day home I wasn't feeling any better. Friday night I just couldn't get warm. Yesterday I had the heated mattress pad, my heating pad, and several blankets on me. Finally I got warm enough after I slept most of the day away. I feel better today so hopefully I'll get my fill tomorrow. I'll make sure today I'm feeling good enough for that. I am very busy at work so don't want to miss any time.

I watched a show yesterday about a woman who weighed 600 lbs and had bypass. It was very sad to see what she went through. I think it was on the discovery health channel. I guess they do lots of those type of shows. They are going to show Gil Gerrard next. Glad I didn't have to endure all that those people did.

My flapping skin continues. I notice it more and more. Oh well, I'll just live with it for a year and see where we are then.

Have a great day everyone.

[Pinkylee 7]

Barbara465

I almost pm'd you, but I'm hoping others will jump on this soapbox. If you are recovering from some unknown virus, or even if you have just recovered, a fill is the last this you need. We aren't spring chickens and the stress of recent illness with the responsibilities piling up at work could set you back. You need a few "clear" healthy days before you tackle a fill.

You don't take a fill as easily as some. Please consider rescheduling if you don't feel 150% healthy. What's another few days going to mean? I know how important sticking with the program is to you, but your illness and work pressures could make you really tight right now which could mean a bigger setback than a rescheduled fill would bring.

You know I'll stand behind you whatever you decide, but I couldn't help putting in my 2 cents. I'm praying you are feeling perfect when you get up tomorrow.

[warmmorningsun 1]

Not sure what I've had, but it was no fun. I got something like a cold on the ship, but each day home I wasn't feeling any better. Friday night I just couldn't get warm. Yesterday I had the heated mattress pad, my heating pad, and several blankets on me. Finally I got warm enough after I slept most of the day away. I feel better today so hopefully I'll get my fill tomorrow. I'll make sure today I'm feeling good enough for that. I am very busy at work so don't want to miss any time.

I know I've not been on recently and probably should not be the one to offer advice, but my concern would be the same as what Pinkylee stated...that if you're not in optimal health, will your fill result in non-optimal results? I know I personally have changes in the 'tightness' of my band related to minor things: TOM, a cold, etc. It stands to reason that the band can react to your body and if you're not 100%, react not so well. Barbara I hope that you are able to feel better soon! And get that fill when your body is in it's ideal state.

My flapping skin continues. I notice it more and more. Oh well, I'll just live with it for a year and see where we are then.

I haven't had the flapping skin yet... (notice I said YET) but I think that's due to slow weight loss. So YAY me, no flapping skin. BOOOOO me, slow weight loss. I'm not sure which is better I haven't been following 'the rules' so I'm back on track this week. Aimee

[barbara465 2]

Thanks for the concern. I'll see how I am tomorrow before making final decision. I think I have a bladder infection now. They go right into kidney infections so no fun for me. I felt better today except for this.

[Pinkylee 7]

Devanna

Hope you can make Vegas. I think I'll name my next dog Junebie. This has been an amazing experience.

The thrill of a new number on the scale still outweighs any loose skin I'm developing. Denim and dark colors seem to minimize the rolls.

Barbara4

Bumber. Maybe it was a bladder infection all along?

Barbara12 and 4

Let us know if and how you did on the fill. Out of curiosity, does hunger increase significantly with an unfill?

DH and I finally got Christmas decorations put away. We actually took a walk yesterday. Hope to be released to exercise soon. No more running. Next time I feel athletic, I'll buy another walking DVD.

Have a good week everyone. So far my New Year's resolutions to get back on track are making a slow comeback. The last of the treats are going to the back of the pantry and out of their clear containers. For some reason, if I don't see it, I'm not tempted.

[barbara465 2]

Definitely an unfill causes increased hunger. That's the way it works for me so that's why I'm anxious for a fill. I'm going ahead with it today. If its a mistake you can tell me I told you so. I just don't want another week of eating too much. I think I'm OK on my weight, but haven't really lost now for several weeks.

I'm finding hanging skin and odd shapes to be a part of my daily life. I'm finding all kinds of weird stuff with this old body. The latest is this new roll of fat above my waist. I guess before it was a solid roll. Now that my waist is coming back this roll is more pronounced. A panty girdle just makes it stick out more. The waist cingers just roll up. What's a girl to do?

I haven't started my exercise routine yet either. I just can't get motivated. I've got to get myself back into a good frame of mind. Work is stressing right now and I'm looking for any excuse. Maybe this fill will remind me of all I have left to do.

Have a great day everyone.

[Pinkylee 7]

Barbara4

All the best on the fill today. No way an I told you so is coming! I got to thinking, with omni-pack if Spiegel is still doing your fill, you could end up waiting quite a while for the next appt.

We've worked too hard to take a step backward. You go girl!

[barbara465 2]

I hope I wasn't supposed to make it with Spiegel. I just made a regular appointment. I think I was only to go to him the first time to get "permission" for omnipacque. I think now I can get it done with regular tech. I guess I'll find out. If not, he does them on Tuesday mornings at 7. Ugh, I hope I don't have to wait for him.

[warmmorningsun 1]

Just a quick question....what is "omnipacque"?

[Pinkylee 7]

It's a thicker solution used for fills rather than saline. It's designed for people who "lose" part of their fills. (Barbara465 and Melissa Lea are 2 Junebies that I know of off-hand that need the Omni-pack)

[Melissa Lea 1]

Good luck with your fill Barbara456. Let us know how it goes for you. And as for your tummy roll, I can relate. Have you tried Spanx? ? I love SPANX'S! They have high waisted ones to help with the problem you just mentioned. They are more forgiving than a girdle (you can actually breath) but much, much more control than your top of the line control top pantyhose. I know the Lane Bryant by me sales them and some of the big stores like Macy's, etc. They are a bit expensive but you can wash and wear!!

Devanna --I too hope you can make it to Vegas. I hope that everone can make it to Vegas! I can't wait!!!

Pinky --I love the idea of you naming your next dog Junebie! That is so cute.

I hope that everyone else is doing good. I'm stuck for the past week between the same pound (up/down 1 pound) ...but I will succeed.

Melissa Lea

[warmmorningsun 1]

barbara 465 - how did your fill go? how are you feeling?

[Pinkylee 7]

I was lax in checking posts over the holidays and almost missed this one. Hope Carlene doesn't mind the quote. I would have cut and pasted an addy, but I couldn't get it to work.

Someone sent this to my DH, though he couldn't possibly appreciate it to the fullest. I laughed til I cried....

WAX is "Not your Friend"

All hair removal methods have tricked women with

their promises of easy, painless removal - The

Epilady, scissors, razors, Nair and now...the wax.

My night began as any other normal weeknight. Come

home, fix dinner, play with the kids. I then had

the thought that would ring painfully in my mind

for the next few hours: "Maybe I should pull the

waxing kit out of the medicine cabinet." So I headed

to the site of my demise: the bathroom.

It was one of those "cold wax" kits. No melting a

clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips together

in your hand, they get warm and you peel them apart

and press them to your leg (or wherever else) and you

pull the hair right off. No muss, no fuss. How hard

can it be? I mean,I'm not a genius, but I am

mechanically inclined enough to figure this out.

(YA THINK!?!)

So I pull one of the thin strips out. Its two strips

facing each other stuck together. Instead of rubbing

them together, my genius kicks in so I get out the

hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. ("Cold wax,"

yeah...right!) I lay the strip across my thigh.

Hold the skin around it tight and pull. It works! OK,

so it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad.

I can do this! Hair removal no longer eludes me! I am

She-rah, fighter of all wayward body hair and maker of

smooth skin extraordinaire.

With my next wax strip I move north. After checking on

the kids, I sneak back into the bathroom, for the

ultimate hair fighting championship. I drop my panties

and place one foot on the toilet. Using the same

procedure, I apply the one strip across the right side

of my bikini line, covering the right half of my

*hoo-hoo* and stretching down to the inside of my butt

cheek (Yes, it was a long strip)

I inhale deeply and brace myself....RRRRIIIPPP!!!!

I'm blind!!! Blinded from pain!!!!....OH MY

GOD!!!!!!!!! Vision returning, I notice that I've only

managed to pull off half the strip.

OH NO! What have I done???!!! Another deep breath and

RRRIIIPPP!! Everything is swirly and spotted. I think

I may pass out...must stay conscious...Do I hear

crashing drums??? Breathe, breathe...OK, back to

normal.

I want to see my trophy - a wax covered strip, the one

that has caused me so much pain, with my hairy pelt

sticking to it. I want to revel in the glory that is

my triumph over body hair. I hold up the strip!

There's no hair on it. Where is the hair??? WHERE IS

THE WAX???

Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the

toilet. I see the hair. The hair that should be on the

strip. I touch. I am touching wax. WHAT?!

I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my

body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted

hair.

Then I make the next BIG mistake...remember my foot is

still propped up on the toilet? I know I need to do

something. So I put my foot down. My LIFE FLASHES

BEFORE ME!!!!!! I hear the slamming of a cell door.

*hoo-hoo*? Sealed shut!

Butt?? Sealed shut!

I penguin-walk around the bathroom trying to figure

out what to do and think to myself "Please don't let

me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off!"

What can I do to melt the wax? Hot water!! Hot water

melts wax!!! I'll run the hottest Water I can stand

into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax-covered

bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it

off, right??? WRONG!!!!!!!

I get in the tub - the water is slightly hotter than

that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize

surgical equipment - I sit.

Now, the only thing worse than having your nether,

regions glued together is having them glued together

and then glued to the bottom of the tub...in scalding

hot water. Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax.

So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub as though

I had cement-epoxied myself to the porcelain!!

God bless the man who had convinced me a few months

ago to have a phone put in the bathroom!!!!! I call

my friend, thinking surely she has waxed before and

has some secret of how to get me undone. It's a very

good conversation starter - "So, my butt and *hoo-hoo*

are glued together to the bottom of the tub!"

There is a slight pause. She doesn't know any secret

tricks for removal but she does try to hide her

laughter from me. She wants to know exactly where

the wax is located, "Are we talking cheeks or

*hoo-hoo*?" She's laughing out loud by now...I can

hear her. I give her the rundown and she suggests I

call the number on the side of the box.

YEAH!!!!! Right!! Like I should be the joke of

someone else's night.

While we go through various solutions. I resort to

scraping the wax off with a razor. Nothing feels

better than to have your girlie goodies covered in

hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot

water and then dry-shaving the sticky wax off!! By

now the brain is not working, dignity has taken a

major dive and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need

Post-Traumatic Stress counseling for this event.

My friend is still talking with me when I finally see

my saving grace....the lotion they give you to remove

the excess wax. What do I really have to lose at this

point? I rub some on and OH MY GOD!!!!!!!

The scream probably woke the kids and scared the

dickens out of my friend. It's sooo painful, but I

really don't care. "IT WORKS!! It works!!" I get a

hearty congratulation from my friend and she hangs up.

I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and

then notice to my grief and despair.... THE HAIR IS

STILL THERE.......ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!!

So I recklessly shave it off. Heck, I'm numb by now.

Nothing hurts. I could have amputated my own leg at

this point.

Next week I'm going to try hair color......Not!