Zoe

Hey Dead(wood) heads, the new season started three weeks ago! But cheer up -- I think HBO is showing all of the first three episodes this Friday: see http://www.hbo.com/apps/schedule/ScheduleServlet?ACTION_PAGE_LIST=PAGE&PAGE=7 I love Monk too. My brothers and I realized that he could be one of our family, from the looks to the neurosis.

I'm an April baby too, but since Estela absolutely insists on wearing those rain boots, I'll take October. Since I'm in the Midwest, I can pose behind a giant pumpkin and all you'll see will be my (thinner) wrists and ankles. And a big pointy black hat.

Add "Six Feet Under" to your list, Alex. It's addictive! I saw only one episode of "Carnivale" and didn't get into it, but I may give it another chance because so many people I know are hooked.

I will pose only if I can wear a 1904 bathing suit (with leggings) or a burka. You'll thank me later.

Lots of people have written here about their favorite reality shows. I'm wondering if anyone else shares my addiction: HBO's "Deadwood." My brother got me hooked last season. The writing, acting, and art direction are incredible, and it's a fantastic story too.

. . . arrived, and it's gorgeous. The fabric is a deep purple panne velvet (you can order lots of other colors), and it's the perfect length for me -- which should be no surprise since Nana and I are the same height. I ordered it through eBay, but you can see her stuff at http://www.geocities.com/trufolkfamily/ We have such talented people on LBT!

Yeah, forget those weights! Just remember to switch hands every so often so you don't get lopsided from the 100 vs. 50 lb. dogs. Now if I could just figure a way to hitch up the pup to work my abs. . . but every time I get on the floor to do sit-ups, she thinks it's a big game and starts licking my face!

I would like to point out that chocolate (both milk and dark) contains no mercury or PCBs. OK, I'm going back to the fishing hole.

So that's why my blood pressure has fallen! Thanks for the article. Good news for all of us who love the dark stuff.

My arms aren't bad for a fat middle-aged broad, and I credit my dog. She's 80 lbs. of wild child, even at five years old; when she sees a squirrel or rabbit, she pulls like crazy, and I pull back, so I get kind of a rowing-machine workout several times a day without a gym membership. My mom, at 74, has decent arms from doing the same routine with her big critters for the last 40 years. (No, I haven't hit the genetic jackpot; I have my dad's arms.) Dog-ercise won't work if you have a Chihuahua, but I highly recommend it if you have a largish pup -- and the walking helps too. So don't buy a Bowflex; just go to your local animal shelter for workout gear!

Hi Jeanette -- You can see from the posts here that everyone's body reacts differently to the band. And while it's great that Christina posted her doctor's recommended food schedule, please note that your surgeon may have a completely different plan for you. I was one of the lucky bandsters who lost quite a lot in the weeks immediately after surgery -- mostly Water weight, although I shed some fat, and was lucky to have no appetite. After the first month I lost weight very slowly, and my first fill gave me almost no restriction. I ate like a fiend over the holidays, and still lost a few pounds thanks to exercise (encouraged by the exercise challenge here at LBT). Other than those early water pounds, I didn't lose too much until my second fill in late January. (That's how I remember the pattern; I'll look at my weight history tonight for a reality check.) Everyone has a different story, so don't be alarmed if you don't lose much weight at first; if the water pounds just pour off you; if you lose a pound every single week; or you lose five, gain one, lose one, stay the same, lose four. Your body will have its own pattern. Meanwhile, congratulations on getting your band! Good luck with that first fill.

What a drag -- it sounds as if you are experiencing only bad stuff with the band right now, without having any restriction to show for it. While my instinctive reaction is to say, "There, there, don't worry," I don't blame you for thinking about getting the band removed. I didn't realize you might not be able to get a port for several years. That sucks. Will your insurance company pay 80% of your next surgery? And would Penni's Calif. doc be an option for you? At least he's not too far from your home. You've lost so much weight already, it would be great if you could get some more help from the very expensive tool you had installed.

I suspect Medicis will be committed to the band as long as the band keeps making money.

Yet another Texan! Kara, I imagine you could walk down the street of any city or town in your state and run into someone from Lap Band Talk! Welcome, and congratulations on your loss.

Congratulations! The liquid phase isn't that bad -- I say that because I wasn't really hungry during the first two weeks. (Not everyone has that reaction.) Let us know how you're doing.

Good luck with the surgery, Penni! You should be able to pilot a fighter jet when you're done.

I'm up a pound to 206.5, which doesn't thrill me but is not as bad as what I was expecting! No need to update my challenge stats since I rounded up last week. My short-term goal of 199 by April 5 seems unrealistic. But I'll get there eventually.

Thanks, Kathy -- and if you could use some 22/24 clothes, please let me know, not that you'll need them for long, with your banding just a couple weeks away.

Proposed patron saint of the S.O.R.D.: St. George.

Spring is in the air. . . and I can't help thinking that Blossom would be thrilled to see so many newcomers ready to sprout new life. Congratulations to the April posse!

Cool story, Tony (and Jack)! Thanks for posting it.

Congratulations! Drop us a line when you feel like it to tell us about your experience and let us know how you're feeling now. Welcome to Bandland!

Ouch. . . I think maybe I'll live with the saggy legs. I'm too old for miniskirts anyway!

No, I'm not talking about exercises. . . and first, let me say that I never imagined I would read, much less post, anything on the plastic surgery forum, but recently my thighs have gotten, well, saggy. Some of it's just plain age, which I can deal with (not planning on launching a career as an underwear model) but some of it is from weight loss. Not to be graphic, but we're talking both inner and outer. Anyone know if there's an easy operation to get rid of saggy leg skin -- kind of like a tummy tuck for thighs?

Trish, if you have alcoholism in your family and you aren't drinking yourself senseless right now, you are almost certainly going to be OK. For one thing, you aren't acting like an alcoholic now. Forget about the food stuff -- I'm talking just alcohol (and other mind-altering substances). Second, you're aware that you might be at risk, so you're monitoring yourself. Third, a lot of us have what might be called compulsive eating disorders, but there's one difference between that and alcoholism: you can cut down on food, but you can't do without it altogether. Fourth, the band will help with the food demons once you get the right fill. In my limited experience, recovering alcoholics are more likely to turn to food than recovering overeaters to alcohol; my heavy recovering friends and relatives will back me up on this. OK, I'm jumping off the soapbox now. Good luck, Trish. I think you'll be fine.