DeLarla

Sleepyjean, you hit this nail on MY head! "Is drinking a lot of alcohol like overeating? Is it a compulsive thing that you have to fight to control? Is telling someone not to drink as useless as telling a binge eater not to eat?" Yes, yes, and yes. I don't crave alcohol (unless it's been a really bad week like after taxes.) I can go weeks, even months, without drinking. But I can't have just one once I start. One drink sets off a trigger and I need more. Sometimes it's just like our cravings for sweets that makes us need salty that makes us want more sweets. First it's the candy, then the chips, then the ice cream. Well, I'll start with a glass of wine, which leads to a 2nd, which makes me crave something else, which makes me crave something else. Soon I'm bombed doing shots. For me, it's definitely part of the obsession of just cramming something down my throat.

Right before you start to fall off your barstool, ask for Water. Gag it down if you have to, and keep asking them to refill the glass. Soon you'll be wobbling to the bathroom to pee. Then ask for more, no matter how bad it tastes. I'm a big weekend party girl, and not even the band could stop me but I never got to the point of vomitting because I start pounding water around midnight to avoid hangovers and barf-a-thons.

I'm just not as nice as you! I would have asked how long it's been since her last dental exam since her breath was really foul, and then tossed in something like, "You might want to take care of those roots and mustache at a nearby salon while you're at it." Smile, then plug ear back up with good tunes.

It's Megan and Mini Megan!

I feel like 3 cows even though the scale says I've only gained less than 10 lbs. Huge difference, big ol belly. Poop.

You can delete a thread only if you're the one that started it. Meow.

I'm whom the lesson just does NOT compute. I learned the lessons necessary to lose and/or maintain a healthy weight, but for me, addiction is stronger. I'm not only addicted to food, I just have an addictive personality (that I'm working on.) I have anxiety disorder and should avoid caffeine at all costs but I don't - I crave the crap. Once I get some caffeine in me, then the anxiety starts, which makes me eat. Plus I love to drink booze even though I keep trying to quit. I only drink every few weekends but I often get sloshed because I'm the Polish Party girl that loves a good time. Now I sit here in pain, worried about permanent damage - or worse, another surgery to correct whatever the hell I did to my belly. I know what needs to be done, and every day I say I'll do it. But the cravings and voices are too strong, so I give in.

I was dieting afterwards, but now I'm struggling and shoving way too much pie into the hole. My belly hurts. Yes, I'm quite worried. It's no different than pouch packing or shoving too much food down the chute after bypass. I think my band removal left me with a tiny pouch that I tore to shreds the other day. Fairwell cruel world, I don't feel so well. Poop.

Kara, some of us had our bands removed after it eroded and others after other kinds of complications. Dr. Pleatman posts around this board from time to time and once said something to the effect of "Why keep a band if it's not doing it's job?" I never liked the feeling of the foreign object in my body, so it was a relief when they removed it once it eroded. I'm not doing so well, either. I've been overeating again, which is causing tremendous discomfort and pain. Now I'm wondering if I re-injured the hiatal hernia that I had prior to the band.

Now hey there, now now. I've been really good about not deleting stuff. As a matter of fact, I'm hardly ever here. What's missing? Was it anything good n' juicy?

Those baby pics make me cry. It's not fair that YOU have baby bunnies and I don't. Shelly, that's a big ol' bunny but that thang is way over 22 lbs. My cat was 23 pounds and about 1/4 the size of that bunny. Maybe 122 pounds?

I didn't give anyone permission to post my picture here. That's me, the fluffy one with the red headband.

Suzi, looks like someone has Houston covered this summer but we'll still see each other at Training in August. I can't make this Texas party because I'll be traveling to Arizona that weekend. So many parties, so little time...

Skinny face, skinny legs... you look like a normal skinny chick!

I don't consider the gondola offer an advertisement ~ Lake Las Vegas is about 20 minutes from my house, and very romantic! Maybe some of you can plan to unwind there on Sunday before going home? Thanks, Gadget!

Suzi, did you have to remind me that Training and the Bash are only a week apart? I'm wiped out in advance just thinking about it! Jenna gets the guest room and Suzi gets the office (futon.) Tina, I'm sorry that my house is so small - I don't mind a tent on my tiny lawn but the neighbors might! For those who have been to my house, if you thought it was small before, now Slumber takes up all the nooks n' crannies. We need a bigger house!

OMG, you'll get advice by the truckloads here! Most of all, try to relax, and do your best not to eat yourself into oblivion as if you're having your next meal! You'll eventually be able to eat most (if not all) the same foods you eat now. My best advice is to have your aftercare lined up, your house in order, you life completely organized - this way you'll have lots of time to relax and heal after surgery. And my 2nd best advice is to pack light! You only need one tote bag since you'll live in hospital gowns. And I know I've said this 100 times before, but I bought some brand new pink fuzzy bootie socks to wear around the hospital. Everthing else was ugly and surgical looking but my feet were cute! That was my favorite thing that I brought :uwelcome:

Last night from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. I shoved all this in my hole: 1. Four tacos with 15 packets hot sauce 2. Large fries 3. Two quesadillas (shared with dogs) 4. Huge bowl of frozen fruit with Cool Whip 5. Entire large tub Chocolate Cool Whip (see frozen fruit above) 6. A real Coke 7. Two sunday cones (Drumsticks) 8. An ice cream sandwhich chaser

Yep Penni, that's it. The top cup has a straw hole, so you just pull it off the base and go.

Hamilton Beach, it's the pic that Penni posted. Even though I lost my band, that little gadget is still on my counter, and I use it all the time. Even hubby likes putting popsicles mixed with fruit in there, and we use it for gravy and sauces. Maybe I'll take this BUMP as a sign to have a shake! It was less than $14.00.

Yak shamash, and dobranoz. Pirogi and janedubrey. Welcome to LBT, that's the extent of my Polish. I should be ashamed since I'm nearly fluent in Spanish though I have zero Mexican in me. 100% Polish in Vegas.

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!