DeLarla

I'm really, really, really supposed to be doing paralegal stuff now. But I can't let go of the Bash and my family here. I love you guys so much, ya know that? I took the first step by going to the post office for passport forms. Zoe, I've been practicing French CDs in my car for months, plus I speak Spanish so it makes it a little easier. But I don't think I'll try to pass my "goodies" through customs. Thanks for all the port-support (haha, rhymes.) Let's see how I feel after the holidays.

I told ya'll that next year things are going to change a little, so the first thing we need is our own, unique and individual name. From now on, the annual event at my house will be known as the Vegas Blast. This idea came from a Vegas gal that has been lurking. She's off to get banded by Ortiz soon, and she referred to our party as the "Blast." She asked if she could join our bandster family, and I stole her idea for our new name. Jenna, she said she loves your posts! Michelle, send me a PM if I can give her your name and number for questions, but don't even think about stealing my new friend! LAS VEGAS BLAST 2006 is tentatively scheduled for the last weekend in August. That's "tentatively" so please don't start making reservations. I'm planting the seed so you don't go making plans for anything else. Plan weddings and childbirth around the bash next year! I'm moving it to August so more people can enjoy a warmer cement pond. In order to enjoy more pool time, food will be simplified by a "team" of chefs. I hate the idea of store bought food. I'll (TRY) to limit the food instead of trying to feed an army, but it's still going to be assembly line style. I'm thinking dinner salads and make-your-own mini pizza. I've had requests to try something different than Buca. The reason I stick with Buca is because of the huge servings and the price. Where else could we get a 7 course meal for $13.00 each? Jenna suggested Claim Jumper, which is an excellent choice, but reservations get very tricky, and there isn't a central Claim Jumper. The bigger problem is making a solid reservation. I'm friends with the event coordinator at Buca, so she always lets me slide with last minute changes. That's how we got the bigger table at the last minute (I called her.) Jay (our friend) showed up at the last minute due to an emergency. Several people that were supposed to show didn't at the last minute. There's simply no way to make a solid reservation, which is why we'll take votes as the time nears. It's either Buca (centrally located) or I'll have to ask someone else to coordinate the dinner. And since so many women were excited about Slumber Parties, I will do my demo before the Blast starts. Anyone (females over 18 only) that wants to come to the Slumber Party has to be at my house by 11:00 a.m., then the Blast will start at 1:00 p.m. Clothing exchange is a must! Everything will be kept packed and sealed in boxes. We'll all pitch in to move boxes into the bedroom at the same time and then organize piles of pants, blouses, skirts, etc. We'll pick a number to see who goes first, then everyone can have a fair shot. I'll have a prize for the sexiest underwear since I got to see so many near-naked people. But someone better bring me a prize because I plan to win that contest. My Name Game will be an annual event. Whoever made the suggestion to go around the table gets a gold star! We'll have better guidelines next year so we aren't accused of cheating! I know it's early, but I want this thing figured out to a science. I simply can't wait. Love, THE LAS VEGAS BLAST HEADQUARTERS

WINK, Hi secret friend!

Many weightloss doctors hold regular seminars. I attended one here in Vegas, where 2 doctors work together doing both bypass and Lapband. They explained the pros and cons of each surgery. There were lots of factors, but I ended up with the band. It's a personal decision for each of us. The band is less invasive, a safer surgery, and completely removable. You can gain weight back with either surgery, but once you get the bypass, your body has changed for life. With the band, your body goes back to normal if it's removed. Good luck with your decision.

Okay, I did it. I don't know why, what or how, but some coupon is printing off my puter! Thanks.

Good luck on this wild & crazy adventure!

Hi there, glad you stopped by. Good luck on your journey. Enquiring minds want to know. Are you related to the map people?

My moods ebb and flow like the tides. I never said I won't get a port, I just said "right now" isn't the time to think in that direction. Gag, barf, spew. I can't stomach the thought of another cut or open wound unless it's for full body plastic surgery, then show me the table! Kathy, in a few years I'm leaving my paralegal job. I can't sit on my butt much longer. Slumber Parties is awesome, but there are millions to be made in real estate. Slumber Parties will practically run itself while I buy houses, fix them, then resell them. Also, I'll be making hundreds of presentations over the years, and that's too much personal contact to let slide. So far, all my Slumber gals have been more than fabulous because they come to me. I won't have to go looking for RE clients, but my gals will know I'm there for their bedroom needs as well as the roof it sits under! Like a package deal. My poor husband walked around moping from lack of attention, but even our marriage has improved 110% because of SP. Now instead of missing me, he helps! Ask Jenna about the catalog that she got in the mail that was all jacked up and taped closed because his big pipefitter hands don't know how to work an envelope, but he's trying!

The "lack of DeLarla's port" topic has come up too many times for me to ignore lately. Fact is, the thought of another surgery makes me physically ill. The gamble of another port infection is less than appealing considering I can't even win a 4-of-a-kind on a damn nickel machine with only one nickel in. I've been working my butt off to start a new business while keeping my head above Water at my law firm. Plus, I'll be renewing my real estate license this winter. Working three jobs should take me to a feathered mattress in Bora Bora, not another stainless steel bed on wheels in a surgical suite. So, if any of you nurses will volunteer to come to Vegas and Tequila me up, I can probably buy a port on the Black Market for you to implant on my kitchen table. I just can't stomach the thought of any more medical bills because I'm going to Switzerland. Yep, that's right, I just decided that. We were invited to visit Chloe, so it's final. Hey, maybe I can get a port there for a few Francs or Bits or whatever currency they use.

One thing you must rely on is your instinct. If women's intution is telling you to hold onto the band, then listen to your gut. Don't fret and stew over a decision that doesn't have to be made right now. Ditch the gallbladder and keep the band till you know you're ready to let it go.

Wow, Pam. I dig that kind of honesty. Makes me want to torture myself with yet another port replacement and keep my band afterall. Thanks for that.

Good luck, Cissy. See you on the banded side!

Mommy, I'm happy with my band, and I don't regret it. However, I might decide to have it removed some day. You asked for honesty, so here goes. Most people only post about positive experiences. People are often afraid to post negative statements about their experiences or doctors in fear that they won't get further care, and for other reasons, such as simply not wanting to pooh on the parade. The problem with my band is the lack of aftercare. I wasn't able to afford a band in the United States, so I went to Mexico. I've had many complications and ended up having 3 additional major surgeries as well as several local urgent care surgeries. The amount added up to an overwhelming sum. Seems to me that the people who love their bands are the ones that are close to their doctors, or that have insurance that cover both the surgery and the aftercare. It's always going to be a gamble, but you're doing the right thing by gathering all the information up front. If I had a local doctor, this might have been a more positive response. Good luck with your decision. One thing you already have on your side is this site. I would hate to see anyone even thinking about the band without joining lapbandtalk.com first. There are other boards, but there's no place like home, and here you are.

I've been avoiding this thread all day because I was afraid to get on the scale myself. But I finally made it here to read such amazing news. Girl, give yourself a pat on the back! No, forget about the pat, go get yourself a well-deserved spa treatment! Congrads, and it's nice to see you out of the closet.

When my mother-in-law passed, I was sure there was no possible way humans were designed to withstand the pain I watched my husband endure. It was awful for me to see, so I can't imagine how you feel. Sounds like you have wonderful, loving memories - hold them close to your heart, and get that Band for Mom when you're ready.

Fight it with all you got. If you have health problems due to your weight, appeal, appeal, appeal. People can and do win.

I had to delete it for 2 seconds then start over because it was all screwed up trying to make it colored and bolded and fancy. Too complicated. Anything ordered from my site gets shipped directly from the warehouse, completely confidential. The company then gives me credit to shop with, which is how I build my inventory and keep it stocked. Did anyone at my party have to wait for orders to be shipped? Heck no, not in Lisa Land! Thanks gals, this is super fun. If anyone is bored or wants bunches of extra money, feel free to call me. I'm blown away!

Whispering.... Shhh... quiet everyone.....it's here.... it's official... shhh.... You must type the WWW. first, or just click the link below. www.slumberpartiesbylisab.com I feel like I just delivered a baby. I hate the pic, but I'll deal cuz this is flippin' exciting!

I was never a milk drinker. It took years for me to taste soy milk because the thought grossed me out. Then I tasted it on a dare, and now I love the stuff. I had some this morning. Good stuff.

Hey you! I've heard several women that had their bands completely emptied with the hope the Band would settle back into place. I can't say for sure, but something in the back of my memory tells me they got better, and then had their bands filled back up. Good luck either way.

Christina, I do remember now, but my husband cleaned the house after the party, boo hoo, poor me. He probably hung it in the garage! I miss the Bash. I'd consider two a year but Chris doesn't like drunk women in their underwear. NOT. He loves you girls!

I can't remember if I told ya'll the story about Basic Instincts (the pheromone cologne Christina used to reel in all the young babes.) Two weeks before Katrina, a case of the cologne fell in the Baton Rouge warehouse. Even after it was cleaned up, an obviously horny 3-point buck broke down the warehouse door and went berserk and trashed the place. Scared the pooh out of the staff, so if you're trying to attract the opposite sex, get yourself some pheromones! See Christina's testimony. Dillards has a pheromone cologne for around $70.00. I have some for $26. Plug plug plug plug. I actually have 5-6 items that contain human pheromones. Plug plug plug. And I can't say "no" to my friends, so YES, next year I will absolutely end the Bash with an intimate demo!

Christina, Penni made new avatars but I don't see yours up yet. I vote mandatory avatars. Anyone second that? Also, I can't find the black bathing suit I lent you so I had to swim naked. Darn. Did you leave it here? I'm thrilled that everyone had a great time. I learned lessons the hard way from the first Bash, so this year I tried harder to organize. Vegas Bash 2006 is already in the planning phase. A few things will change because Jenna said so. Food will be plentiful but I'll need more volunteers to help prepare, or we'll chip in for Subway or something that allows more fun and less kitchen work. I hoped to play more games but spent too much time cooking. Dinner might be reduced to cocktails since it's too hard to make reservations when confirmations & cancellations happen at the last minute. I realized I said "no more clothing exchange" but I changed my mind. Last year's wasn't organized so half of us were in the pool and walked in to find the exchange over with. This time I kept everything hidden in the closet so everyone got an equal chance, and it was a total blast. Except I still can't find my drink. One of my favorite parts is seeing everyone trying on brand new clothes that make them look fabulous. The Vegas Bash Clothing Exchange lives on! The theme moving forward will remain, "less work, more fun." Any complaints?

I was crabby and tired when I reponded yesterday. I do not suggest that anyone else gets their band removed. I'm just worn out and exhausted with mine. It's been too much of a struggle being a self-pay. Sure, I've got Slumber Parties money coming in, but I hope to "enjoy" life for a change instead of spending every last cent on medical bills. I need a vacation, not just a wild weekend getaway. Billy is great, but he's also in another state. I'm not making immediate choices. Just thinking outloud and there's no possible way I'm mentally or physically prepared for another surgery, so a new port is out of the question. Gimme a few months and I might change my mind.

My reward... there's a massage school very close to my house. If I can even stop eating past dinner, I'll get a full body massage Saturday. I have two Slumber Parties booked, too. Believe it or not, my second job is a huge reward!