Zoe

Had to see this thread after staying away from LBT for months. . . I'm fluent in Spanish, speak Portuguese (Brazilian/Yankee accent, K@t, in case you're wondering!) but not fluently, read French and Italian but speak both badly with terrible accents; in French I sound like Saddam Hussein doing an Inspector Clouseau impersonation. I used to read Hebrew (biblical, not modern) but that has disappeared along with about half of my brain in the past 25 years... oh, I forgot, I used to speak German pretty well but now I can't remember anything except a few phrases related to food and sex. So I can ask for a raspberry puff pastry and say "You have enjoyable thighs" but I probably couldn't get directions for the nearest bathroom.

This post isn't meant to be show-offy; I'm no genius, I just like languages, and I've got semi-Rain Man wiring for them. Now if only I could remember, in any language, where I left my car keys. . .

I agree with Alexandra. I love my two-layer parka, and I don't want to replace it even though it's too big for me now! FYI, it's a size 1x and it fit me perfectly when I weighed 230 (@ 5'9"). I suggest ordering a size down from whatever the sizing chart tells you to order, unless you like a really loose fit.

Crystal, I haven't been around much recently, but I had to read your thread. I'm so glad you're back with family and friends who love you, and away from the hated Taterterra. I hope you'll be able to relax into a comfortable life and finally get some answers from the docs. Sending good thoughts your way.

I'm sorry to hear of your two losses, Megan. But you have a special place of honor in dogdom. I hope you and Rocky have many happy adventures together.

My recommendation: make a commitment to stay away from added sugar for 2 whole weeks.

A counterrecommendation from a sugar fiend: Make a commitment to stay away from sugar for two whole hours. Then see if you can make it through the entire day.

Damn, I really didn't mean to offer advice, just support. Can you and Cheri make room for a lapsed bandster on that bench? I think I have "Band Fatigue" -- after a year and a half, I'm bored with the band rules, even though I know they work. A scoop or more of ice cream every day, on the other hand, does NOT work. My problem lies not in the band but in myself.

Just wanted you to know you're not alone. And, by the way, Whoyah, 40 lbs. gone in seven months is a real achievement!

What a relief to hear that you don't have erosion. I hope your esophagus recovers completely so that you can get on with bandster life. Sending good thoughts your way . . .

Consider it done! One size 11 up the backside for the insensitive doc.

Kelly, I'm late to this thread, and I'm very sorry to hear that you had to have your band removed. It sounds as if you had no choice, given the horrible symptoms you suffered. If only your doctor were more supportive of your choice to fly solo. Your attitude is an inspiration, and I'm certain you'll be able to control your weight. Please let us know how you're doing.

All the tales of erosion and slippage from experienced, careful bandsters makes me realize that I should have an endoscopy this year. Jonathan, your post is a good reminder that slippage can take many forms.

Or you could say " ya know Mary, the boob thing is getting boring, can't you think of something else to say...

I agree with NJ! Looks like ole Mary has some major mammary issues. You could tell her, "In case you haven't noticed, I've lost weight in other parts of my body, too, and I'm feeling pretty good about it." Or something that gets across the message "I don't make fun of your nonexistent tits, so leave my girls alone!"

Congratulations! Every day will get a little easier; just don't ask too much of yourself during this first banded week. Welcome to Bandland!

chocolate? Did someone say chocolate? Where? (sniffing the ground like a manic bloodhound)

I'm worse than ever after banding. . . I love dark bittersweet chocolate, but at least I can stop after a few pieces (as long as I'm in manacles). Good chocolate ice cream is my real demon. Aaaargh!

Off-topic: Jenna, welcome to the 5'9" club! That's one way to get a lower BMI -- get taller.

I'm a happy Rumbaut patient. Just make sure you line up your aftercare arrangements (assuming you aren't going back to Monterrey/Tijuana for fills and check-ups) before you select the Mexican option. As you've probably read elsewhere, not all US doctors accept other surgeons' patients.

Excellent post, Kare! So many of us forget just how lucky we are... just by drawing the lucky card of being born in the economically developed part of the world. Thanks for the reminder.

I had a massive (cantaloupe-sized) cyst removed, along with one ovary and the attached fallopian tube, years before being banded. Actually, I think my obesity prevented me from identifying the problem early on; I assumed the newish protrusion was just a symptom of uneven weight gain.

I'm sorry to tell you that you won't lose much permanent weight if your cyst is the size of mine or smaller. This surgery was done before I got my band, so I don't have any band-related tales to report. But last year, one year post-band, I had a hysterectomy. The band did not get in the way at all, and in fact the surgeon reported that my recovery would be easier than with the first surgery since I was nearly 70 pounds lighter this time around. I lost about 6-8 pounds in the first weeks after I left the hospital, due not to the weight of the fibroids (etc.) that left my body but to my lack of appetite. That little side effect didn't last long, though.

Good luck to you. The surgery is no fun -- band placement is a lot easier on the body -- but you'll feel much better without that grapefruit pressing on your internal organs.

Dog threads get me every time! If the boxer adoption doesn't go through and you don't want to keep him, you might PM Christina (I'll Succeed), who had a beautiful boxer boy and may have some suggestions. If you change your mind about keeping the lab mix, please PM me to let me know what state you're in (geographical, not emotional!) and I'll send you the info for a local Labrador rescue contact. Most breed rescue groups keep the dogs in loving foster homes until they find their permanent guardians. You are a special person for saving these two big guys!

Sorry I was gone for several days... happy belated birthday! Let the party continue all month!

Try fat-free Fudgsicles. Mind you, this falls under "Do as I say, not as I do." I am an ice cream fanatic and have to make up for my (many) indulgences with exercise.

Bom dia, K@t -- you might also try http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/costmain.html -- nothing in Portugal, though. Boa sorte!

Excellent idea, D! Ever since my highway PB disaster, I keep a little plastic sealable tub next to me in the car. . . but your lovely PB bags can go anywhere, discreetly.

Heather, that banana and the dancing dot in your signature look like they're smiling while doing the nasty! Does that qualify for an award?

I'm fine now, thanks. And grateful that I'm not in a cube, for so many reasons! I hope the thread's heading is blatant enough to scare the weak of stomach away from reading this stuff. . . maybe I should start a poll on worst PB experiences.

Your mom is putting you in a difficult position, and the money issue seems to be the least of it. Whether you take the loan/gift or not, you'll probably benefit by talking to her seriously about the band so that she understands it is not a quick and easy fix but a serious, sensible alternative for people who have tried many diets (including Nutrisystem!) and been unable to keep the weight off. 98% of diets fail. But look at all the successful bandsters just on this board! Some of us may be just inching toward our goals, and some of us occasionally relapse, but we ARE going in the right direction.

I dunno . . . maybe because I'm a geezer, I don't really see "take the money and run" as a good option. You're still going to have your family in your life after you get the band (I assume), and if you accept the loan you'll probably also have to accept that your family will put conditions on its use. I don't think that's necessarily unloving, just human. Even if your mom finally accepts that you will get the band, if she's supplied the cash she may look at your weight loss as an investment she's made and monitor every little thing you do. "You're having a scoop of ice cream after you went to all that trouble?" -- that sort of thing. It's happened to some of us. This might not happen to you, but it's something to consider. If it does, could you deal with this kind of hounding?

I have to say I don't think your mom was being nasty by saying you could choose between her paying for your wedding or a band. Unless she's well-off, she may not be able to part with more than band surgery costs, and that money may have been what she was setting aside for your wedding. (Mind you, with all of the over-the-top weddings today, the 20 grand band fee would barely cover the catering bill.) Only you can know for sure if she's being sensible or just controlling and/or cheap.

Good luck, Velvet. You might want to try searching some old posts for stories from other bandsters who had trouble getting emotional support from family. At least you know that the gang at LBT can sympathize with what you're going through.

... right as it happens! I'm eating lunch at my desk and having not just the usual simple slime but what I can only call a multiple PB, which is not anything you want for Valentine's Day. I ran to close my office door and made it just in time. I thought I was already the queen of badly timed slime (see earlier posts on pulling over on eight-lane interstates), but this is a new low. Culprit? Ravioli. I took small, well-chewed bites, I swear!

Oops, gotta grab that mug again. . .

Six o'clock on a Saturday night and I'm taking a peek here before I go on my romantic weekend stoll with Tribble. (My dog.)

Hey, Kare, don't knock it!

1. A dog will never say you look fat in those pants.

2. A dog is always deliriously happy to see you, even if you've just been out to pick up the newspaper.

3. Dogs might shed, but they don't leave dirty underwear on the floor.

4. A dog won't come home drunk.

5. You can shower affection on a dog anytime, including in public, and the dog will never squirm or turn away.

6. Dogs don't say one thing and mean another.

7. Dogs don't say, or even think, that they could do better than you.

8. Dogs chew bones, they don't pick them with you.

9. A dog is always delighted to go anywhere with you.

10. You can have the worst hair day, wear ancient sweats, be covered in mud and stink to high heaven, and your dog will still wag his/her tail with delight when you walk into the room.

Sorry for the Detour. Hijack over!

I made my own during the liquid/mushy phase: Orange juice, 1 banana, handful of frozen raspberries (or other fruit), a scoop or two of Trader Joe's plain Protein Powder. Toss it all in a blender and let 'er rip. Yum! I still make this smoothie, although it is NOT a low-calorie food.< /p>