DeLarla

It's just like any other surgery where they prep you first, then take you into surgery, then put you under. Soon you are awake in another room with no memory of the surgery. For the band, they normally have you put on these tight stockings to help prevent clotting, then they put an IV in you till they're ready to wheel you into the surgery room. I always go in with a sense of humor, which helps tremendously. I ask for Tequila in my IV bag, and that gets the team laughing, which decreases the tension. All you see are masked faces. Soon the anesthesiologist is standing over you, then you are awake. Sometimes they have you count backwards from 10, but you're out by the time you get to 9.

No Kitten, I don't want to hear this. Will it ever stop? You've been through too much so I'm coming there and having the surgery for you. What's your address?

I have to get some Ricotta. Kel, how do you eat it? I just bought a frozen soft yogurt and ice cream maker, but I sent it back before I opened it because I read the recipes and there was too much prep work. What machine are you talking about? The one I got actually wanted me to cook in a pan, blend in a blender, then chill the mixture for 30 minutes before putting it in the machine. I just wanted to toss all the ingredients in and walk away!

I need mental help. I can't concern myself with your horrible PB experience cause all I can think about is a baked clam. I don't even know what it is, but I must have one. But honestly, most of us know your pain, and it's horrifying, and it's not very pretty. It's definitely not girly. Are you feeling better now?

I know you can't see this, Kelly, but I just did a birthday tap dance in my office for you. They all think I'm a lunatic anyway, so I hope you enjoyed it. Happy Birthday!

I think the close up of Penni is one of her best shots. She's got beautiful cheek bones and no wrinkles even though the #$^@ is a year or NINE older than me snort snort. She's gonna throw a shoe at me as soon as I see her!

It's only been a couple days, and yesterday I broke down and had half a Diet Coke. My problem is 3:00 p.m. It's like Amityville Horror where the creepy guy wakes up the same time every night with demons talking to him. I don't like 3pm. Then there's the whole set of night time demons. Maybe I don't need a Band. Maybe I just need an exorcism.

The back underside is brunette. I've always wanted to go blonde-blonde once in my life, but I've always been too, what's that word you used? Chickenshit! This is my first step towards going blonde. Maybe. Scared. (Flapping wings again.)

Me & Penni making nice... John trying to be cool.

Here's a beat up, sunburned, tired & most likely drunk me and Chris. I'm wearing my favorite Tink shirt. I got one for Penni but she only sleeps in hers. She must have seen the same shirt at Target in the Jammies department. Hey, if Madona can wear bras to go out, then I can wear my jammies.

Here's another of Penelope & John and some little Indian dude.

Some of us love pictures (like me) so we post them all over the boards. What if we build on this thread and try to keep all the pictures together? These aren't band-related, just fun pictures we like to share. Anyone wanting to share family & friends is welcome to post them here. Here's pics of me & Chris with Penni & John from their recent Vegas trip.

This is long and boring so nobody has to read it but I have to write it for my own therapy. I've had TWO good days! And I couldn't do it without all you guys, that's for sure. I learned a valuable lesson that we've all heard over and over again regarding sugar crashes and carb highs 'n lows. I told you that I started this Coke (a Cola) habit a couple months ago? Addictions are tricky cause I never drank the crap pre-bad but became quickly hooked recently. Not having a Coke in the morning was really hard the other day. Somehow I managed to get through the whole day without one. I was my own living science experiment as I quickly recognized that one Coke isn't doable if you have it in the morn. As soon as you crash, you have to drink another. Not an option, the body craves it. I'd have one in the morn and would fight the noon craving, but there was no way to fight the 3:00 p.m. craving. The day I gave up Coke (couple days ago) was the day I was able to avoid binge eating at night, and to have fruit instead of crap. I said in another post that I'd never have Splenda, but I realize I need something sweet and am taking the risk of eating poison since I don't have Splenda crashes. I bougth 1/2 gallon sugar free lowfat ice cream, and that's what I have at night before bed, otherwise I go insane wanting something worse. The crazy thing about SF ice cream is that one bowl satisfies me, whereas I'd need the whole carton of regular. Point is - Sugar is more powerful than Cocaine when it comes to addictions; in my book anyway. I've been doing the dairy thing, too. Karen H (band removed due to erosion and looking fabulous and tiny) drinks latte every day, so that's what I do now. 1% milk mixed with some strong coffee, I add cinammon and a pinch of fake sugar. I eat a yogurt when I get to work, then a fruit based lunch. dinner is whatever hubby is having, back to a small bowl or plate. Fruit at 7pm, then SF ice cream later. I noticed that fruit and yogurt for lunch doesn't fill me up, so that's probably not a smart choice for me since I'm hungry too fast. Today I brought some cheese and chicken salad with flat crackers and a bunch of grapes. I was up 9 pounds. Now I'm up only 4 pounds. This morning I felt like eating and almost gave in to it, but I keep having to tell myself that "this is the way I eat for life." I can't go back or I'll hate living.

Crossing my toes & fingers too, and I have huge hands and feet for extra, extra pull.

I nominate you for woman of the year. You are a miracle, do you realize that? Smoking increases your metabolism, but I can't offer any other explanation. However, I can offer hope. I know people that have quit smoking, and the general consensus is that yes, they all gained weight at first, but eventually the weight came back off naturally and they stabilized. It's only temporary, believe in that.

Excuse me??? Does anyone realize THAT is the Karen that had her band removed due to erosion months ago and still looks this faboulous? THERE IS LIVE AFTER EROSION. Karen, you look fabulous!

Don't get your panties in a bunch! I can only post one at a time!!! Okay, I did the dead. YOUR TURN... EVERY one of you! (walks away flapping wings)

By the way, the only makeup I'm wearing is a tiny foundation, lips and bronze powder. The eyes are my new permanent makeup! I've had the lowers done twice and the uppers once. It's the best girly investment I've ever made.

And here's the Olt Woman, as Chris calls her. I like the blonde/brunette thing - 2 chicks in one! Notice how I wore the old shredded Walmart bra this time as to not incite riot like the purple one did? Anyone want this one?

Objection. Unreasonable and burdensome, furthermore, will not lead to admissible discovery. Nothwithstanding said objection but in light of it, here's the back of my head!

Heck no, I'm not posting a big picture that shows the real me! Keep the compliments coming based on this tiny picture that doesn't even look like the flawed old woman that I really am! It's a sham! This girl that owns the Fantastic Sams did her training out of New York. I never realized there was a difference, but she rocks!

I'd like to thank the Academy of hair Design.... Dang, I'm gonna have to get my hair done more often than my usual once a year! Thanks girls, I'll pass on the compliments to the fabulous MaryAnne. She was trained in New York and owns a Fantastic Sam's by my house. I also got my eyebrows waxed because someone around here (not mentioning names) told me to!

Most doctors say to wait before and after you eat. I personally can't eat much food if I drink right up to the time I eat. I get full really fast, which is good, but then I'm hungry in an hour. I was told to wait 1/2 hour afterwards, but I try to hold out for 1-2 hours before drinking because I stay full all day that way.

Sure you can. You have to eat an extra 3500 calories to gain a pound. It all depends on the type of food. A pound of carrots doesn't have many calories compared to a pound of butter.

Katerzz, is there a thread somewhere about why you were re-banded?