Zoe

Congratulations, Janie! And Sharon, Goober will be tipping the teeter-totter before you know it.

What sad news. Philip, thank you for taking the time to write during this difficult time. As so many have already noted, Blossom was a warm and kind presence here. She brightened our virtual lives, and will be missed.

Way to go, Emmy and D! My black jeans are on the way. I think they're a 20 tall... I wash them in hot water for maximum shrinkage, so they might fit. If you know anyone looking for 22s, let me know.

Different docs seem to have different protocols, and for some it depends on your BMI. I didn't have to change my diet at all before the surgery, and my BMI was 39-ish. But some smaller people have been asked to go on liquids for weeks before banding, and some larger patients with BMIs >50 don't have to make any changes, depending on the doctor. Liver size is an issue; a liver retractor is one of the implements used during the laparascopic procedure. (The resulting scar is tiny.) Yes, 22 lbs. is a lot to lose in such a short time, but if your doc says you have a liver problem and wants you to lose weight before surgery, he's probably doing it to make the surgery easier for both of you. It's a drag, but lots of people here (like Greg and Shaz) have done it and had successful results... maybe they'll share their liquid-diet secrets.

If you're looking for size 22 clothes, check this new thread: http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=60941#post60941 Guys, that goes for you, too -- I gave all my high-heeled size-11 shoes to a drag show years ago!

I'm packing up some clothes this weekend. DeLarla's getting my 18/20 tall stuff (jeans, etc); Kyleigh's getting 18/20 summer stuff. I gave away most of my size 24s. But I still have a few size 22 things I'd be happy to send to a bandster. These are not gorgeous items, just basics, including a couple of pairs of shorts, although I may finally part with the slinky lycra-blend pants and tops that have seen me through the last 50 lbs., and somewhere in the basement I have a decent Elisabeth linen suit, size 22 I think, that never looked good on me at any size but was at an irresistible sale price. Please note that I am taller than the average bear, long-legged and pear-shaped -- not that my tank tops won't fit you, but consider yourselves forewarned. If you want a box o'stuff, let me know. And when you shrink further, you can give it all to someone else!

I bopped around a lot -- Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, wandering aimlessly around S.A. for a while (especially the wineries -- those were the days!), Alice Springs & Ayers Rock, Cairns for a week or two. Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef was one of the best experiences of my life. I went through Brisbane at one point but was headed back to the US so I didn't have time to do more than squint at the sun. Australia is an amazing country and I hereby encourage all my fellow Yanks to go there! Brissie, the other Aussies should be crawling out any day now; there are quite a few on the board and they all seem to be doing well with their bands. Congrats on your decision -- now just see if you can stand waiting another four weeks! That's one of the hardest parts of this.

Good luck, Penni! The monovision option sounds interesting; wish I could handle it. Two of my brothers had regular Lasik surgery a few years ago (before they needed reading glasses) and they've been delighted. But I'm a big wimp about my eyes so I'm sticking to my bifocals... the snazzy kind without a visible division between the distance and the geezer lens.

Hey, Birdee, if by any chance you are anywhere near Chicago, you're welcome to take my Nordic Track for free -- dust included at no additional charge.

I just updated too -- at 206 (real weight 205.5) so when my steroid gain shows up next Monday it won't look quite so bad.

Good luck, Brandi! Sounds as if you have good insurance. Meanwhile, check out the "favorite pet" thread on the Lap Band Talk Lounge forum to see some other bandster pups. I'llsucceed has a beautiful Boxer boy.

Excellent. Someone could actually get an accurate impression of Bandland by reading only the list! Well done, D.

If you mean Lampe Berger, yes. I don't use it often, because the smell can be intense. I like "Calyx" by Prescriptives, but in real life this is what I wear: Undertone: Drips from melted low-fat Fudgsicles Top note: Dog fur

Excellent suggestions, all! Thanks, Donali, for thinking of this. How about a thread on the emotions one might experience just before and after surgery? A lot of newbies (and I oughta know, I was one of them) are scared about being scared and worry a lot about how their relationship with food will change.

Hey, WillPower, congratulations! Just one more day now. I think Jamie is getting her band on the 18th too. Never mind the Harley -- how about a little red convertible? They're not just for mid-life crises anymore!

Isn't it strange how clothing sizes have not only changed over the years but between, and even within, the manufacturers' lines? Today I can wear Avenue 14 shirts, no problem. But the smallest thing (not the smallest size) in my closet is a fire-engine-red silk dress, size 14, that I won't be able to wear until I lose at least 30 lbs. Mind you, the thing is 25 years old. In today's sizes, it's probably about a 10. If you want to drive yourself crazy, try figuring out what pants to buy at Eddie Bauer. They have five different fits, then you choose above, at, or below the waist, then you have to figure out your size. A 16 fits 33" waist, 43" hips. A 16W fits 35" waist, 45" hips. I give up! I'm wearing a burka until I can fit into that red dress again!

Your surgery date is just a month away! Welcome to LBT. Not to be dense, but does your screen name mean you're from Brisbane? I was in Oz for a couple of months years ago.

Hey Jack, don't give up; you might yet get to Carnegie Hall. And Sharon, be grateful for your flatulent fur babies -- you can always blame them!

Yippee! And think of all the calories you're burning!

Congratulations, and welcome! Alexandra's right about Trader Joe's. That place will save you when you get to the mushy stage. I went totally bonkers in the refrigerated section & can highly recommend the seafood dip and four-variety hummus platter. Meanwhile, put your feet up and let your DH wait on you!

I am a math GEEK, so here goes: Subtract your current weight from your pre-surgical weight to get your weight loss. (Yes, it seems obvious, but you never know.) Now get out a calendar that shows 2005 and 2004. Your checkbook register may have one. Find your band date on the calendar and count the weeks. If you were banded before 2004, start from the same month and day in 2004 and add 52 weeks for every extra year. Example: If you were banded on Thursday, August 26, 2004 (ahem), count the Thursdays: Sept. 2 is 1week, etc. That's 29 weeks as of 3/17/05, I think. OK, now all you have to do is divide your weight loss pounds by the number of weeks since your band was installed, and you have your average weekly loss. For me it's 55.5 lbs/29 weeks or about 1.9 lbs/week.

Keep raising hell, Christina! Lots of people here (like Marie) have appealed and succeeded. The insurance company is just trying to save a few bucks. It's cheaper for them to demand that you go to Jenny Craig for a year (on your own dime, of course) than to shell out for surgery. They're probably hoping that if you still want the band in another year, you'll have different insurance so they still won't have to pay. I think the Insurance forum (see "Forum Jump" below) is full of tips from people who have appealed the initial denial, including sample form letters. You might get some good ideas there. Meanwhile, it's great to know you have a psychologist on your side. And, of course, you have everybody here rooting for you. Kick some ass and get that band!

I had to jump on this thread from my office because I just had a PB from hell, and almost slimed the company's HR director while running from a conference room to the bathroom. I was in a working lunch meeting with an expensive outside lawyer and was trying to act oh so dignified. Fat chance. Especially when I had a repeat performance at my desk a few minutes later -- behind closed doors, discreetly into a coffee mug!

Congratulations on making your decision, Christina. One of the hardest things about getting banded (or not) is the moment of choice. I forget -- do you have a surgery date? Sounds like you are going to kick our butts in the weightloss challenge!

Braveheart, Paula's right about UK members -- they will come out of the woodwork and say hello, I'm certain. Audrey in Scotland and her friend Fiona have lost a total of nearly 400 lbs. since they were banded. Ladiebird is near London, I think. And Scotty, where are you? Anyway, with a June surgery date, you have plenty of time to gather information and get sorted. Welcome!