Zoe

Way to go, Trish! You can do it!

Until recently I could match you exactly. But I've been getting rid of the 20s-24s, and the 18 tops are too big. I recently dug out an old box from my basement that had some size L tops that I didn't even remember -- and they fit! It was a surprise present.

Hi Caramel -- I still have some 22s that are unaccounted for. I promised to give my remaining fancy-schmancy dresses and work suits to Dress for Success (an Oprah-recommended charity) next week, but that still leaves some casual clothes, including a pair of purple paisley pajamas! Send me a PM with your shipping address (I use UPS) and I'll send them to you. I've sent stuff to DeLarla and Kyleigh recently; my office hasn't asked me for reimbursement yet, so there may be no charge. And I'm only two inches taller than you, so most everything should be a decent length.

Seven days? Wow! And are you really going to quit smoking? Jenna (Princessnthep) did the same thing; she might have some suggestions for you. I think it's so exciting that you're on your way to a new life. Congratulations!

Wait a minute, Charnita -- how come you're the one who's supposed to be doing all the compromising here? You haven't demanded that your SO stop all contact with Mr. Associate. No, all you've done is just ask to be excluded from anything involving the guy. Does SO think that he should give up all contact with Associate because he loves and cares for you? I thought not. I think you're being extremely reasonable. SO still can have Mr. Associate in his life, but you don't have to. (Sorry, I don't even know you, much less the men in question; this just got under my skin!)

Amen! That's a big achievement for most of us.

I'm a biggun (5'9") too. I got down to the 160s almost 30 years ago, which felt about right. I'm hoping for 160, which should put me at a healthy size 10/12 -- but I looked pretty good at 175. Hell, I lived with 250-270 for years and years, so who am I kidding? My old GP's calculations had my ideal weight at 145, using the old formula of 100 lbs. for the first five feet and five pounds per inch over that. Yikes! My skeleton and the rocks in my head weigh that much!

Yeah, this is a thought-provoking thread. I'm with CoffeeWench: sure, the guy could have done much more, but he's not a failure. Five pounds lost is better than nothing. And the story is a great reminder to all of us who go on "vacations" from good bandster behavior, whether for a day, a week, or months, that the tool still lies waiting for us to use properly when we're ready to follow the rules again.

I know what you mean, Babs. I kind of feel like someone who's struck it rich who now trusts only her old friends. Lane Bryant was there for me when I was at my fattest, and I feel a perverse loyalty to the store, especially because it carries TALL SIZES! Mind you, I'm bigger than you are, so I can still find stuff that fits there, whereas at Target or Old Navy I'm at the bigger end of the misses' sizes. Hey, if enough American women lose enough weight, maybe LB will make smaller sizes for its once-large customers!

I am one of the few women my age who can state that she is thinner than when she graduated high school -- 'cause I was one pound lighter, but two inches shorter, than I am now! (Yes, I'm a lifer.) Size 2/4? I don't think I could wrap that dress around one leg!

I guess to keep myself honest I should post my starting weight as 264. That's what I weighed on my home scale the day I left for Monterrey. But I miraculously weighed less at Dr. Rumbaut's office, and 261 didn't sound nearly as bad, so I used it as my official weight, rationalizing that the doc's scale must be more accurate than my generic model. Now, though, I might as well face reality! So I'm changing my signature as of today. Wish I could honestly state my current weight was lower.

Bless you for helping nurse those poor pups back to health. Now it sounds as if you're doing the same thing for yourself, and you'll be fitting that prom dress in no time!

Hey Jodie, this place is absolutely crawling with Aussies now! There's even talk of them invading the US! Glad you're back. By the way, your weight loss is great.

Fantastic NSVs, Crystal! Yeah, it's strange to find yourself seeking out ice cream so that your calorie count doesn't get too low -- I went through the same thing. As for the symbiant, Jack has written some great posts about exactly that; I don't have the links, but a quick search should reveal them. Congratulations on your weight loss, NSVs, and attitude: All pretty damn impressive for five weeks post-op.

Well, Kris, it's now Tuesday, and you're probably in the hospital as I write this. How are you? Welcome to Bandland! You'll get past the first few days, and should be feeling better by the weekend.

You have a lot of changes hitting you at once -- no wonder you're a wreck! Maybe you should say something to your roommates before things get out of hand. . . "Guys, I'm on a liquid diet for 10 days, and I realize you can eat what you want, but could you cut me a little slack for now?" Can you cut yourself some slack, too? Liquid diets suck, band or no band, and you need to be gentle with yourself while you're going through this rough time. Enjoy the gorgeous spring weather, take a few minutes to walk along the lake, feel the sun on your face, and remind yourself that you're going to get through this. Time is moving forward, and you're going to get your band. PS: Trust me, no demographic group has a monopoly on superficiality -- or, for that matter, being high-maintenance.

Have a wonderful celebratory day!

Big yes to what Kathy said. Take action and take names. Is there an assistant dean you can talk to? Or a secretary? Get everything in writing. Talk to the head of the admissions department; surely one of those four transcripts is on file. You are going to finish your education, that's for damn sure. . . control your fury and turn it into a focused laser to slice through the thicket of red tape. Just be careful about burning clerks and assistants if you're seriously pissed off -- they can make life difficult for you, as I'm sure you already know. Good luck. Go get 'em!

I was able to sit comfortably in an el cheapo class airplane seat last weekend for the first time since I flew home from getting banded.

Hey! Where is everybody this week? I lost a half a pound, nothing short of miraculous considering how much chocolate and ice cream I put away last week. Slowly crawling to the 200 mark... Jonathan, how are you doing?

OK, take a deep breath and repeat the mantra: This time is for healing. Weight loss comes later. Yeah, it's frustrating, especially if you lost a lot of weight right after banding (as you have) -- but it's just physiology. You're not a failure. You're normal. Of course you're going to be able to eat a lot; your body doesn't even know it has a band right now! Just hang in there till you get your first fill. Even if you don't hit the legendary "sweet spot" the first time around, you'll probably notice a big difference. So don't beat up on yourself, or we'll have to kick your ass.

Hey Brissiebabe, you may be one of the lucky ones who don't need pain meds, but if not, just make sure you avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Tylenol, which can irritate a banded stomach. Your doctor will almost certainly give you some pain meds. If you need more, ask what he recommends. You are probably already out of surgery as I write this! Welcome to Bandland!

Good luck, Vera. I hope you get a satisfying result from the trial.

Well, at least you've had some good news. Now let's hope they go for the thighplasty, otherwise it's ass-kickin' time.

Oh Christina, I hope your insurance says yes. Funny what a difference a few little numbers can make! Let us know as soon as you hear an answer -- we're all rooting for you.