DeLarla

The Blue Cross/Bull S*** network denied me, too. The wouldn't pay 15 grand for the band but they paid over 30 grand for my port removal. Brilliant.

There's no port in my immediate future. Even if I heal, I can't put out any more money till I pay down a few grand.

Sharon T, that's the biggest reason I'm leaning against it. I'm the one that always gets the weird side effects, so I'm sure I'd be a stinky one.

I'm still confused though because sometimes the same old posts would be showing all day even after I read them and shut down. That thing that Alex said has my eyes crossed. I think I'll stick with Megan's easy way and just check in more often! Thanks though.

Hold on a moment here, I've been told never, ever, ever drink water especially when feeling a PB coming on. What am I missing? I always figure some water could help avoid a PB but I avoid it at all costs. Does everyone drink to help a near-PB go down?

Snow? I roded my motorcycle in a spaghetti strap tank over the weekend. Looks like somone needs a weekend in Vegas!

Christina, your ordeal is even exhausting me. Deep breathe, stay strong. YOU WILL SUCCEED. There, now you don't need a sticky saying it. And I'm sorry to laugh after you already posted that you were denied, but that list of vites and diet aids in your cabinet (now in the trash) was pretty funny considering I've tried all the same junk. Please keep it in the trash, and don't give up. I've actually considered standing on the corner with a cardboard sign, "NEED MONEY TO PAY FOR WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY." There are many options!

Paula's right. Give the thread a good title so it gets lots of attention. But at the same time, thank you for sharing about the odor. It's no laughing matter, and I'm one that might consider the bypass in the future, which is why I wanted info. What causes the foul odor, and is that only with the old fashioned bypass? Has the problem been solved with new procedures?

Is anyone else wondering what's going on when you click on New Posts? Right now my list is completely empty. Earlier it was loaded with stuff I haven't looked at yet. I find this happening more and more often, where I don't get a chance to read the new posts before they're gone. Has something changed? For example, I didn't even know there were new posting rules until just this second when I started this thread. Never saw it.

The whole weightloss challenge has me baffled right now. I thought getting the band would remove the need to challenge myself or anyone else, but without the ability to get a fill, it's just me and Willpower right now. And Willpower is for the most part, non-existent. What's everyone doing different now (for this challenge) to lose? I was enjoying too many cocktails but cut back and only had one this weekend. Next weekend I'm going for zero. I wasn't a big drinker before the band (well, back in my 20s I partied too much.) For me it's a deep rooted sugar addiction. Booze quenches that need, so when I'm not having drinks I'm craving soda. Go figure, I started drinking after getting the band but quit soda. Now I'm quitting booze and drinking soda. Sugar is gonna kill me one way or another.

Zoe, what kind of course? Are you taking them long-term? Or is it just one of those Medrol Dosepaks?

Tick tock... waiting.

Don't worry about bothering your surgeon! Call him and ask his opinion. I've had two ports removed already, but as bad and ugly as my problems were, severe pain was never a problem (except while recovering from surgeries.) I was doubled over in pain a couple weeks ago and went to Urgent Care. They diagnosed me with gas. I also thought I knew what gas pains felt like, but they can be debilitating. And you're describing the same gas pains I had. But call your surgeon! Dr. Ortiz is really good at taking calls.

B U M P. Yes, I'm back, and in full swing. I tried leaving LBT; I even sent a request to have my name and profile removed. But instead I got too many messages from people who really touched my heart - people asking me to come back and add some life, color, energy, and humor to LBT. It's what I do best, so I'm back. But, someone here already started in on me. I'm letting ya'll know in advance because I was being really cool. I laid low, kept quiet, and then came back in a typical DeLarla fashion. But like I've said 20 times already, some people simply want blood. If anyone has anything to say, please keep it in this thread. At the risk of sounding like an immature snot, I didn't start it. Be cool. Chill.

Oops, is Michelle a moderator now, and did the new guidelines that were just initiated (the ones that say moderators can't dictate what we write) already change? Since when is a little humor considered a thread hijack? Every thread goes off topic, so why is this one suddenly being addressed, and why wasn't it addressed earlier during the "sciatica" hijack? It's called humor, some of us are having a hard time losing weight and if we don't laugh we'll cry. I want to lose weight just like everyone else. I'm back. Ease up.

I'm gain. I mean I'm gain. I mean I'm GAME.

Vegas, Baby. Smack dab in the middle of the desert.

This is my "during" shot.

Everyone is jealous of my long slender face. I wouldn't dream of removing the fuzz!

Thank you, Zoe, but do I accept your weight gain challenge even though you have the steroid advantage? Sometimes ya just gotta laugh!

I never understood the traditional meat/potato/vegetable dinner thing. Hubby says "normal people" eat that way. But for me to dirty every dish, utensil, pot and pan to prepare something that takes 15 minutes for them to wolf down is wasteful and odd. I say open a can of soup with fresh veggies dipped in hummus or refries. One bowl, one spoon, one knife. Say NO to washing dishes!

Kristi, I had all mine out and had a blast. They give you really good drugs to keep you really loopy. You'll look like a chipmunk for a week, so please post pictures!

I don't suppose anyone would think a weight gain challenge would be very funny? Cause that's one I know I could win.

I put everyone on DeLarla restriction for a week. I tried to leave LBT but I got sucked back into its vortex. I'll post a new one cuz I adore you freaks. Whacka whacka, she's a backa.

My opinion usually isn't worth much since I'm the wild one of the bunch, but girlfriend, Opportunity is knocking on your door! Go on the show, go, go, go! If you lose the weight through diet and exercise, there's a small chance that you'll keep it off. Ya never know. The Band isn't going anywhere - it's not a once in a lifetime chance. Be a star, baby!