DeLarla

Hey, that's a decent price. Thanks. But I still don't understand how it knows the difference between muscle and fat. Maybe there's a tiny man in there.

I have confidence that you bought me one, too. I just KNOW you did... you better have, anyway.

I don't know about The Avenue, Alex. I had to get a part time job there just to decide really hate the store. I've been shopping there for 15 years, and they've been carrying the exact same clothes since then. It's always the same shirts, they just add a button, or change from horizontal to vertical stripes. And I have some loose Avenue 18s and some tight Avenue 22s. The Avenue would be a great opportunity for a fasion makeover from some TV reality show. Alex, 100 pounds is a huge mark. Who cares how you got there, but you got there! I'm in the same boat, I think the last "skinny" weight I have documented is 235. If I got to 230, that would be heaven.

How does that scale know what is fat and what is muscle? Do you stand on it like a regular scale?

What's a Tanita scale, and how do you use it? I assume you would have to use that kind of scale before starting to lose though, so that you'd have current numbers to compare? I never knew there was a device that measured muscle mass vs fat. Interesting.

The only thing I don't like about Tankinis are the name. Why the hell do they call big woman suits Tanks? Wrong, wrong, wrong. Penni, how 'bout posting a pic... you don't even have to be in the suit, but lemme see it. Do they have pink ones?

Pat, where did your fill go?

This is just general information to give you a ballpark idea of rates for September. I checked The Excaliber, since that hotel historically has the lowest rates on The Strip for decent rooms. Rates are subject to change (they lock them in when you make a reservation.) These are for 2 people in a room, staying Friday night and Saturday night. September 2 & 3 (Labor Day weekend, higher rates) Friday night $139.95, Saturday night $169.95 = $309.90 for 2 nights All the remaining weekends in September are $40.00 cheaper for the weekend Friday night $129.95, Saturday night $139.95 = $269.90 for 2 nights Trish, yes, you are welcome. It's a fabulous experience for anyone interested in the band.

Zoe, I still love your quilted jacket and the long black one! But your pants are all to big on me now, HAHA and WOOHOO to that! So you're the one buying the only 42B bra they make? Give it to me!

This post took my breathe from me. Alex, have you been holding secrets? Didn't your stats say 267? You must feel fresh and alive. Your new avatar shows it. I might have to cry now.

Musicman, the "bowling shoes" comment was classic! That's the sort of twisted stuff that keeps this board alive. Keep 'em coming!

Penni, how does your system work? Like take the bra off, give the bod one good swoosh, then using a metronome to see how they keep time? So for every full count they swing, you add a cup size, and for half counts that's a half size?

I don't understand why anybody would waste their time getting accurate measurements when all bras vary from size to size. That system for measuring sounds like rocket science - all that math being wasted on hooters. My 42B is falling off me, but my other brand 40C doesn't fit - the hook and eye won't come together. Walmart bras are cut big, but Nordstrom bras are cut small. JC Penny's are different than Dillards. My little girls know best, so I just try stuff on to see if they're comfy. Then again, the pole dancer in me kinda likes the idea of standing topless in a store letting strangers play with my boobies.

Whip, what are you trying to say? Are you hungry?

Rachel, just one more example of the difference in prices. In Vegas, the hospital is $3,025.00 more than yours. Zoe, I guess it depends on convenience, too. A local fill without fluoro is $300. That would do in a pinch, I suppose. I've learned so much at LBT.

What does everybody pay for a fill? My best friend is an RN in Texas currently fininishing her MBA. She's going to be a professor but she's also learning about the band. She might decide to do fills in Texas one day. I told her I'd find out what everyone pays. In Tijuana you can get a fill under fluoro for $50 to $100. In Vegas, one doc charges $100 for the initial consult, $300 for each fill, plus several hundred to the hospital for the use of a fluoro machine. Where do you go, and what do you pay?

"Our digestive system was design to work a certain way. That is why there are so many problems with the bypass." This is exactly what my doctor explained when I asked her for a gastric bypass. She said the bottom portion of your stomach has integral disgestive properties that are eliminated with the bypass, leaving you with a lifetime of digestive problems. I never feel "crappy" with my band (other than all the troubles with my port) but I do have an enormous amount of gas and discomFART. Other than that, I have a little pressure inbetween my rib cage. For those of you who know about all my complications, all I can say is THANK GOD I chose the Band. At least when things go completely wrong I can have it removed. I can't imagine all the complications I would have had with the bypass. I'd be the one that ended up on the fatality list.

When my port incision became infected after my surgery, I consulted with 4 different band surgeons because I wanted to make sure I was getting the proper treatment. All four surgeons agreed that an infected port must be removed. Then you wait till the area is healed, and they do another surgery to replace a new port. Port removals and new ports are not covered in the original surgery. Be nice to your ports!

Zoe, $250 for a fill under fluoro is cheap for the US. You're lucky.

"I havent had sex in so long, I forget who wears the bowling shoes and who gets tied up." Anyone else still tossing this one around in the ol' coconut?

I just heard that there's a big problem (bigger than ever, if you can imagine) with young girls getting prenant in Mexico. Seems the pharmacies there sell two sizes of condoms - regular and extra large. So many guys wanna be macho that they're buying the extra large ones, which are sliding off during sex. This came from a reliable source and might actually be true.... I'm taking it with a grain of salt but thought it was appropriate for this thread. If it's true, they could solve the problem by being more realistic: The two sizes should be regular, and extra small, right?

Funny, I don't recall any of the official band rules even mentioning sex, so it should be okay while still in the hospital.

I was under the impression it had to do with September 11, so it would probably affect all borders. Becki, let us know what the border patrol says when you get back, and have a nice fill

I'm not sure, but maybe I got a lower price since I was referred by one of Lopez's other clients???

Sorry for pooping on everyone's Victoria Secret parade, but I've been boycotting that place for years. They kept sending me catalogues, coupons, etc. I sent them letters asking them to stop, since they don't cater to "real" women. I told them I was plus size and none of their stuff fit me, so they sent me back a lame response with another catalogue, telling me that they did offer "some things" in larger sizes. So I looked and found 2 really lame things that were plus size, but only 1x. I wrote them back and told them I was offended, and to never solicit me again. I told them that Victoria's Secret is that she's bullemic. Even if I lose weight, I won't shop there. Frederick's of Hollywood (online) has really sexy stuff in really big sizes (cuz a lot of men buy from them... it's Hollywood, afterall.)