DeLarla

I agree it's a good idea to feed the whole family healthier. But again, when only one person has a problem then suddenly fwaps (thanks Nut, love that new addition to my vocab) the whole family with new habits just isn't right... And why do I feel this way? Because me and 99% of you have all dieted in the past. We've all cleaned out our kitchens and committed to healthier lifestyles. But little by little, the old habits creep in. Soon the kids see a big bag of Doritos. Then the pizzas start rolling in, then Ben and Jerry are knocking out the door because, "Mommy is being bad." Then BOOM, Mommy is good again so there go the Snacks. We fight the Yo-Yo Syndrome, why make the whole family go through it, too? Many bandsters have gained back some or all of their weight. Remind yourselves of that. So Susan, how many signs do you think we'll need?

And Dawg never suggested going out into the world with picket signs, 'STOP UNFAIR TEMPTATION OF THE OBESE!' WHY NOT? Isn't it time we fight back? I'm in.

My poor husband has lost 15 pounds since I started this whole thing. His family has the opposite problem that we do - can't keep weight on. We worry about his scrawny dad, and his mom passed away at barely 100 pounds. His brother wears sweat pants under his jeans all year round to fill them out. My husband needs to eat more than the average guy. Why should he be the one suffereing? He's doing his best to help me by making me salads every night, but he misses me. I often eat dinner alone to avoid looking at what he has. He accepted me at my heaviest and missses the eating part of our companionship.

"I seriously think food is the worst addiction anyone can suffer from." That's an understatement! Not only is it legal 24/7, but people can shove it in your face. Imagine if somone brought plates of cocaine to a recovering addict? How about handing the clean heroine junky a nice fat juicy hypodermic needle filled with lovely nectar? What if I pulled up to an AA meeting in a Budweiser truck with "FREE BEER" signs? We'd be shot! But if we shoot the ice cream man? The poor, sweat ice cream man?

"If we could all just stop bringing in the 'tempting' food or just saying no, wouldn't we all BE thin already and not need the band? I've been hearing "just stop..." for years and it hasn't worked for me or I wouldn't be FAT!" I'm not being defensive, but that statement says it all. Dawg, you asked a good question, but if it's so easy to resist temptation, then why not just do it like Nike said? Why get banded if it's all so easy? I'm so sick that I thought I saw someone named Cashew in this thread. Cashley, not Cashew, DOH! Now I want some cashews.

Why should I expect my husband to suffer just because I have a disease? Why would anyone want their spouse to change? I think that's very selfish. My decision to lose weight shouldn't affect anybody but myself. What next, tell my work I'll quit if they don't stop putting junk food on our community snack table? Asking the neighbors to stop their weekend barbeques because the smell is tempting me? Suing the grocery store for perpetuating obesity by flaunting all the crap in brightly colored packages instead of concealing them in a discrete corner only for thin people with no eating issues? I think it's great when spouses or partners support each other, but I'm not that selfish. Chris equates the kitchen and so many fond eating and food memories to his late Mom. When she left this Earth, part of him died. His family centered around the kitchen where Momma always had something warm and toasty on the stove. Who am I to take away such fond memories of huge pots of Mom's Mac n' cheese or Sticky Buns, Sunday Pot Roasts, homemade goodies? To me, that is selfish. Dawg, I gotta fwap you this time because nobody should have to chose between junk food and love. That isn't love, that's control. I've stopped 90% of cooking that way for him, but I won't deprive him of his Sunday eggs Benedict or homemade peanut brittle. I don't usually touch either one, but I want the memories of his mom to live. Now that is unselfish love. My husband was raised with junk food in every nook and cranny of his kitchen. Gloopy, gloppy baked goods from his small community, candy in dishes, puddings, pies, white breads. Now all he gets is a cold, empty kitchen with one tiny drawer for a couple store-brought Snacks. It's horribly unfair to shove our eating issues down the throats of our loved ones. I'm a little sad for all the parents here at LBT who suddenly tell their kids, "Eating the way you are used to is over because Mommy has a problem." If our spouses, kids, roommates don't have eating problems, then leave them out of it. Deal with it. Food is everywhere, you can't escape it.

I told you we didn't have cancer! I waited to hear your results (I was worried for myself as well.) I'm clean too, just my Sarcoid Monster peeking is ugly head. Breathe on, baby!

My surgeon addressed this with me. He said we can't control the world, so who am I to deny my skinny husband the crap he's been eating his whole life? I've asked my husband countless times to help me, but he's also trying to switch a whole life of bad habits for me. It's hard enough keeping my own bad habits at bay, but even last night he made one of his staples, which is an enormous soup-pot of homemade mac n' cheese. I've asked him to store it in the fridge so I don't have to see the pot. He forgets all the time and leaves half pizzas on the counter. He always feels bad, but these are his habits, and I married the guy. I'm with ya, Dawg, but I allowed tempation to sneak back in my life and gained a wad of weight back in the last week. There's nothing the band or anything save sewing our mouths shut to quiet the urges in our minds. Band or no band, it's impossible for me to be on-guard 100% of the time, and temptation sneaks in when I least expect it. Men don't know what it's like to have raging hormonal cravings every single month. Let me tell you, when the PMS Monster strikes, I'll end friendships over a good binge - nothing gets in my way. It's much easier said than done. If resisting temption was something we could all do, none of us would have needed weight loss surgery.

Susan, you better not go anywhere near the "Do you swallow thread." Buttercream Icing is supposed to cancel itself out after all the exercise! Paul, thank you for stopping by and NOT reading. You are such a gent! Jenna, what was that link? HA HA HA... I'm still laughing because I have two parties this weekend, and I can't wait to get the panties out!

If it weren't for LBT, I don't even know who the woman is. I just see her name all over here, which is why I read the article. I wouldn't mind being scary thin. Bones n' all, I'll take it.

I recently read Star's magazine interview, who spoke eloquently and intelligently about her choice not to discuss how she lost weight. She admits to seeking medical attention to help her lose weight but specifically doesn't want to be the voice or poster child for her weight loss plan (or device, procedure, diet, etc.) The way I see it, she doesn't want anyone asking for the "Star Jones Procedure" or "Star Jones diet." By keeping it secret, she doesn't have to worry about others that want the same thing she wanted. Many people rely on celebrities and want to be like them. Could you imagine if someone got a bypass simply because a celebrity lost so much weight after a bypass? What if the person had bad complications or even death? The media would eat that celebrity alive. Celebrities can't keep people from blabbing secrets but at least Star covered herself by admitting she's not an advocate for what she did. Her hands are clean, just in case.

They're one-size-fits SMALL but the little vibe/bullet slides out and can slide into any panty that has the little crotch pouch thingy that many normal panties have. Now I'm laughing all over again. They'e pretty expensive but I give them out for free at parties if 17 women show up. ($90) I had 2 best friends that each bought a pair for Valentine's Day. They went dancing in them over the weekends, but the joke was on them. After they each gave their boyfriends the remotes, the boyfriends switched remotes. They had no idea what was going on with each other, but they said it was the best double date of their lives. I'm wearing mine now but I don't know who has the remote (just kidding!)

I've been crying every 10 minutes because I can't stop laughing from last night ~ I just gotta share with you gals. I did a Slumber Party last night and asked a shy girl in a skirt if she'd help me try out a new brand of panties. I asked her to slip them over her panties and wear them for 20 minutes to see if they fit as well as the designer said. She was nice and happy to help. Nobody else knew except my hostess. Five minutes into my demonstration, the girl in the panties turned bright red, threw her head back and started laughing so uncontrollably that I nearly died laughing myself. NOBODY knew what was going on, but the whole room was screaming in laughter trying to figure out why Shy Girl was writhing and cackling and holding onto her chair. One girl fell off her chair pounding her fists into the floor laughing so hard.. SO funny! Shy Girl was wearing Remote Control Panties, and the hostess had the remote control. Nobody (not even me) could tell when the hostess would turn them on till the girl started up agin. I can't stop cracking up this morning. There's a little buzzer vibe in the crotch that turned Shy Girl into "I'm Not Giving These Panties Back!" girl. I can't wait till my next party ~ I wish I could video it for ya'll!

Maybeillstarttypingwithnopunctuationsothemeaningdoesntgetlost.

Yes I do. I massage my belly with Sensura Massage Oil made with Calendula, which has healing and relaxation properties for scars, bruises, stretch marks & dry skin (it gets down into the muscles.) The stuff is amazing considering how great my belly looks after 5 surgeries.

"Forgive me, but I'm not just being the grammar police here. The two are totally different things, and I don't want anyone getting the impression that you are speaking for the surgeons (which is what "on behalf of" means)." I object. If that's not being the grammar police... Alex, time to go to grammartalk.com! It's like people talking about "their theory" when actual theories are limited. Why not run a grammar check on the entire thread? Notwithstanding but in light of and subject to said objection, I have re-edited my statement.

Oh that stupid bra! Desertmom, my bra really bothered me when I was banded ~ all that squeezing drove me batty.

Vera, funny you mentioned Gidget. That was my nickname growing up till the movie, Sybil, came out. Then all my friends said they finally understood me, so they'd call me Sybil certain days and Gidget other days. Kinda the whole DeLarla/Lisa thing. If DeLarla and Lisa were two real different people, they'd probably debate each other to death.

If your mom pays for your band, do you think she's the type of person to keep tabs on everything you eat? Will she constantly be in your face asking how much you lost, or why aren't you losing faster? Please take those things into consideration. Having a family member constantly monitoring our intake can have a rebound affect and mess with your emotions. My mom came to Vegas when I got married with a fat cashier's check in her purse because she wanted to buy us a house. There was no way I wanted that hanging over my head because she'd have smeared my nose in it for life. My husband, however, accepted a loan of a few grand to consolidate some debts from before we met to improve his credit score, and my mother promised not to tell my siblings or family. But the first time she flipped out, the whole family knew. Even though my husband made arrangements to pay his mother-in-law back, now my siblings will always believe that I wasn't able to buy my own home, which is a burn that never goes away. I didn't need her money and wasn't happy that my husband accepted her help, but she's always loved him like her own. If you decided to accept your mom's loan, at least protect yourself with a contract so they realize they'll have to separate the loan from your progress. Does that make any sense?

Did I hear a Sex-off between Heather & Kel? I better get to the sport's book early tomorrow to place my bet.

Renee, my experience is far from unusual considering the growing list of recent Mexican erosions. I lost count after 10 people I personally know had their bands recently removed due to erosion. There has been more than enough apprehension here around LBT lately, so please check facts before making inaccurate accusations. If you quoted me correctly, that’s an obvious mistake on my part since I never meant to claim I know “all” the Mexican band surgeons, so I’ll edit that statement immediately. I can, however, share that four most popular surgeons in Tijuana, who do in fact [normally] give very aggressive fills since most patients aren’t able to travel back and forth to another country. The “sneak up” approach simply isn’t feasible or affordable to many patients. Meanwhile, I have never bad-mouthed ALL Mexican surgeons. I speak adamantly and openly about my aversion to Mexico as a surgical option after all I've learned and been through in the past couple years, and I've posted on various threads how I believe these same Mexican surgeons would be at the top of their game if they practiced in the United States under controlled guidelines. Renee, please follow your own advice of "Please do not make such broad and inaccurate statements." You’re only speaking on behalf of your surgeon, while I’m speaking on behalf of quite a few that have personally seen and/or treated me.

"HARDLY ABLESON" If you keep talking like that, I'll have Chris put Screamin' Eagle pipes on that bad boy and show you how able you really are! Did you get your crash helmet yet for the next bash? Sachi says hi but Voo is in the other room protecting his pig ear from the fish.

Porc, I'm in the same boat. Let's commit to starting from scratch tomorrow. I ate so much that I hurt myself, and I'm afraid I'll steamroll backwards if I don't get back on the train tomorrow. So 1200 calories - counted - for me tomorrow. You game?

Ladies, don't let Dawg fool you. It's Reverse Psychology 101. He says he doesn't want hugs because he's fishing for extras. No hug hogging, Dawgggy.

Careful, Dawg, or I'll throw in a goose!