DeLarla

Most of you know that my darling Francesca became my friend for life as we bonded in Tijuana. I got my band first, so she got to pick my brains about the surgery, and then I watched her wheel into and out of surgery. Her sister, Loretta, stayed with Francesca the entire time and treated me like a sister, she even brought me flowers and sat with me in my room. Well, I've seen Francesca since then, but yesterday I saw Loretta for the first time since May of 2004, and she looks amazing! She was so inspired by Francesca's weight loss that she's lost 60 pounds on her own! Now Francesca is officially a Harley babe. Not only did she sit on my bike, but she got on back and we went for a great ride together. DELARLA LOVES FRANCESCA, SISTERS AND COUSIN!!!

Loretta, is that you my darling? HI! And you look so very fab yourself! Tell hi & kissy to baby Sister & Cousin, k?

NICE JOB! You inspired me to go home & take "after" naked pics. I took them butt naked before surgery. I'm up 10 pounds again so I better get pics soon. You look smashing, congrads to you!

Hey girl, I'm here cheering you on.

OMG, looks painful but well worth it! Thank you for having the courage to share these. I'm thrilled with your boobs because you must feel like you're as light as air now. Congrads to you and your new flat belly!

My brother is 18 years younger than me. When he was two, he got really mad at me and crunched up his forehead and called me a Taco Head, and he was damn serious because he thought that was cussing. He also told me I was a horrible cook and didn't know how to make macaroni and cheese! What an insult! (Big sis used the cream packets but I prefer the powder.) My stepdaughter would get mad when we told her no, so she'd be just as serious and say, "NO YOU SAY ME NO!" So now when someone says no to me, I say, "No you say me no, Taco Head!" Nobody gets it, but I feel like I really told them off.

I have to limit my LBT time, but I want to say HI to everyone!

I'm wearing NORMAL STORE (Old Navy 18) jeans today! But they feel so foreign to my body. What year did women's jeans change to where they button 3 inches below the belly button, and is this supposed to be a comfortable fit? Will I get used to it? I put them on with my usual French Cut Jockey panties, but had to change into a thong because 5 inches of panty showed above my waistband - but I can't even call it a waistband because the band sits on my hips. Even a thong panty shows above these jeans. All kidding aside, are skinny women actually comfortable with this hipster clothing thing that apparently happened when I was hiding under all that weight? It's a very odd, odd feeling.

A PLUS SIZE GAL WON SLUMBER'S TOP DISTRIBUTOR NATIONWIDE!! DID YOU HEAR ME? A PLUS SIZE GAL TOOK THE TITLE FROM A SKINNY ONE AND WALKED AWAY WITH TONS OF PRIZES INCLUDING A 2 KARAT DIAMOND RING! A PLUS SIZE GAL!!! Holy Stars, people! I've never experience anything as amazing as Slumber Parties, and I'm bursting with gratitude over the opportunities that the Universe sent my way by teaching me how to earn money in a fun, fabulous way. Many people think what I do is inappropriate, and they are SO wrong! We empower, educate and entertain. Now that I've been to my first Convention, I am so proud and thrilled to share with women everywhere. Nearly 700 women (out of 8000 distributors nationwide) attended Convention, and I had the honor of sharing a table with my Slumber Mom, my Slumber Grandma, Slumber Great-Grandma, two of my Slumber daughters and several other Vegas girls. We laughed, cried and gave each other standing ovations as girls walked across stage to receive the most amazing prizes including laptops, cash, trips, a Waverunner, and SUV, and can you imagine the thrill of seeing a sexy red & white boat parked right in the banquet room? I was stunned when the owner called my name as the #2 Top New Distributor. I was escorted from my table buy a hot guy in a tux and walked across the stage, where the owner hugged me and presented me with a beautiful (I also earned a stunning topaz & diamond ring, etc.) My Slumber mom won a trip to Europe, my 25 yr old granny the Bahamas & engraved Tiffany jewelry, and my great granny a laptop, trips, awards and a check for nine grand! It was better than the Academy Awards or Oscar night. We were treated like royalty for our hard work and dedication. If any one of you gals is unhappy with life, I can change that. All I can say is WOW over and over again! Here are some pics:

Hey Doll, I don't want to alarm you, but you need to see a doc ASAP. If there's any internal infection around the tube/port, it could lead down to the band, which can be bad news down the road. Please call your Band doc and tell him you're e-mailing that picture to him. Your PCP might be able to help with the external infection, but you need to tell your band doctor what's going on, okay?

I watch Gone with the Wind every chance I get, and as God as my witness, I will NEVER.... I'm afraid to say 'overeat' again or lightening will strike.

Wow, all amazing posts. Starting with Paula, powdered coffee creamer was a staple for me as a kid. My friends used to look in our cupboards and wonder why we were so weird for not having food, and one day a friend was so hungry she dumped Creamora down her mouth. That's when I learned you can make a meal out of it. I can't believe you eat it, too! Jack, similar to the dwarf that screwed you, I have a different twist. My family is 100% Polish; when they landed in America and got off the boat, they headed straight towards the cheese and potato lines. By the time they had the grub, all the Willpower booths were gone. Damn ancestors! Shanna, Metamucil would just fill me up more. It's a head hunger thang. I'll be stuffed but my head spins out of control wondering what else I can shove down the pipes. I WISH I was like Penni or the other grazers. I don't graze, ever. I SCARF. Grazing might keep you heavy, but scarfing causes hiatal hernias, esophgeal erosions plus all the crap from being obeast, as hubby calls it. Lady in Red, ain't it the truth that our true friends stick to my flabby belly for life?! Food is always there - always. Warm, cool, saucy, spicy, hot - anything I want it to be. Tina, we need to set up phone dates. My life spun out of control when I got sick for convention, and I need to get back on track. Everything's so busy trying to work full time and run a company. Cherri (and everyone) thanks for the cry and the laughs! And I'm glad ya like my funky avatar! Yesterday I begged Chris to tie me up when I got home, but when I got home he was sleeping. And I've already had Voodoo treatments. Hypnosos, psychic healings, rake (sp?) and other stuff. The only thing I haven't tried yet is an exorcism, but only because I can't find a good exorcist. Anyone know one? Thanks for staying my friend! -

OMG, that's the grossest thing ever. I think you topped Zoe's famous PB stories, Jess!

Great, now I won't be able to sleep till I can find Pop Rocks in Vegas. The Coke is easy, but I'll experiment and let you know. Got Rocks?

Mmmm, cake. Megan, can I eat guilt free cake in celebration? HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What are you out doing? Rippin' up the town, I hope.

My kitty went to Heaven not long ago. Losing a pet is so hard, and your baby was so young. He's not in pain now he's free, remember that.

Appetite has never been (nor will it ever be) a problem. I don't eat because I'm hungry. Hunger means nothing. So far I ate two normal portion meals today and two sugary drinks (1 coffee, 1 Pepsi.) I'm not going to hate myself for enjoying a couple sweets, but I have to limit myself to only 2 a day. One meal at a time today, so all I gotta do is get through ONE normal dinner. then have my fruit or popcorn snack. What's so friggen hard about that?

I don't think nibbles should count. I hate this damn food obsession. It's ONLY food!

Being overweight puts extra pressure on the bladder, and weight loss can help the problem. I have the problem when I sneeze - I really have to clench. Also, my PC muscle gets weaker right before my period. I'm using Ben Wa Balls, which are metal balls you insert vaginally to exercise the PC muscle. At first the ball kept falling out (I figured it was broken) but now I'm able to hold it in place a little longer, so they really work.

Hi Kel! Now that there's a separate forum for us I won't miss your threads. I think I'll just stick around here and the lounge. I'm not too happy with the way I've been eating, so if one damn banded person comes here and tells us to eat small portions, I'll probably throw my computer in the pool!

Life alone can be fatal! But slippage & erosion aren't usually considered emergency problems. Any surgery can be fatal considering the risks of anesthesia, and I suppose doctor error could be a problem. But so far I don't think anyone would consider band related complications fatal.

Plans change so fast. We aren't going to the races as planned, so other than my Slumber Party and Pipefitter's picnic, we might be able to squeeze in a visit. These tiny 2-day weekends are killing me, DeLarla needs 3 or 4 days!

Francesca, I thought we got pics with Baby Sis but I guess that was someone else's camera. Where's Big Sissy's pics? I'll look for sunglasses when I'm out shopping

JoLynn, your prize went out this morning. DON'T open it in front of kids!

OMG, are those her pubes peeking out from that dress? And why on Earth did God bless that girl with a voice when she already got the damn bod?