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Nicole, thanks for starting this fun thread. You're probably having surgery as I write this. . . good luck, and let us know how you're feeling. Welcome to Bandland!

Hi Bobby -- Glad to hear you're back on track and feeling better. There's a new May 22/June 1 weight loss challenge; join us! You'll probably kick our butts with your exercising and new fill. Paula's new weight-loss challenge thread is on http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=54729#post54729

That is so cool, Alex! Thanks for sharing this great story.

Greg, Darcy, Betty -- You have all done incredibly well with your bands! Look at your overall stats. Wow! You're all headed in the right direction and are inspirations to new bandsters. Those plateaus will end soon and you'll be back to your losing ways.

Thank you, thank you! Yes, Darcy, I have great big bones (my pelvis is the size of a mastadon's) and I want them to show, just 'cause I haven't ever really seen them and I'm kinda curious about what's under all these layers! My fill doc thinks I might be able to get under 150 but I don't think that's realistic for my frame; besides, I'm in my late 40s and if I get thin (not just thinner) my wrinkles will show more. If you are going to Bandstock by way of Milwaukee/Chicago/Indiana, maybe we can caravan!

Dodge sounds wonderful, the kind of dog my Sophie would like to wrestle! She's a Black Labrador/mystery papa mix; there's a (not very good) picture of her on page 1 of this thread. Her vets and trainers think the other half could be anything from Dalmatian to Border Collie to English Pointer to Pit Bull to all of the above. Nancy, how are you feeling this week?

Mondays sound good to me. I'm up a pound to 212, but I refuse to change my signature. I think it's just monthly Water weight. . . couldn't possibly have anything to do with that handful of M&Ms I had last night! Jonathan, there's no need to "handicap" your participation just 'cause you have a Y chromosome. One-for-one should work. I'll race you: Can you get to 299 before I get to 199? (Undoubtedly you can.) I don't want to offend anyone who might perceive this side bet as pressure to lose weight -- just want to add a little spice to the challenge!

Jamie, there are a lot of mushy food suggestions in the "Food" forum. As for smoothies, lots of times I'd just buy either light drinkable yogurt (Fruition and Stonyfield Farm are good) or get Odwalla juice blends. Here's what I make at home: In blender: mix 1 banana, about 1 cup fruit juice (orange or whatever), and a handful of unsweetened frozen raspberries. Toss in some Protein powder if you want. Crank until blended. This is not a low-calorie food, but it's a good way to get a lot of Vitamins while you're in the liquid and mushy phases.

A bathing suit thread? Are you thinking pictures? You won't catch me photographed in one, unless I could wear one of those Edwardian numbers with sleeves and a pouffy skirt that hits below the knees! Hey, they were considered sexy 100 years ago.

I'm in! A 12-lb. loss will put me at 199 for the first time in years. I'd like to get there before June 1, but I've finally learned not to rush myself. I would, however, like to wear shorts before Labor Day -- without having my flabby knees touch each other, that is. Maybe when June rolls around I'll start a shorts challenge -- Bermudas, that is, not hot pants!

I'm glad I read this thread. Thanks to PMS I've had way too much restriction the last couple of days, and even liquid yogurt was getting stuck in my band. I've been happy with my recent weight loss and feeling of fullness, but this reflux has got to stop. If I still feel like this after my monthly buddy passes through town, I'll get a slight unfill.

Wade, it sounds as if you are starting a journey that goes way beyond being banded. Getting your body in better shape is just part of your recreation of yourself. You've taken big steps already; one of the biggest is finally realizing that you don't like what you have been doing for 10+ hours a day. Lots of people are miserable at work and never really come to terms with it. I hope your counselor can help guide you to exploring occupations that may be more satisfying to you. Need2do, how are you doing now that you've been banded for a couple of weeks?

My PT Cruiser (Chrysler) weighs 3300 lbs., so I would guess a typical American SUV would be about 4000. I think of it as 100 giant dog food bags @ 40 lbs. each!

Penni, Becky, Jamie, thanks for your kind comments. The most recent picture of me was taken by my friend who told me a couple months ago, in stunned disbelief at my 30-lb. loss then, "You look like a normal person." Yesterday she announced, "You have a bone structure." And here I thought I was held together by gigantic fat molecules! One thing about brutally frank people -- when they actually pay you a compliment, you know they're sincere. Jamie, you'll have your own "during" picture in no time. All three of you are already gorgeous. I can't wait to see what all of us look like by the end of the year!

Betty, I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling blue. I hope your wonderful memories of your father will see you through the sadness.

My driver's license and passport photos are two of the best pictures taken of me! (I usually close my eyes and show my ugly teeth in candid photos.) Illinois unfortunately prints weight on the DL. Mine says 172. I weighed that for about three weeks during the first Clinton administration. . . it was a lie when I filled out the application, and at one time it was 101 lbs. off! I have to renew my license in early April, and I think I'll stick with 172, a mere 39 lbs. less than my current weight, but heavier than I hope to be by Dec. 31. At least my height is accurate!

Ryan, I will miss your wonderful posts, but I understand your decision to leave if you don't feel comfortable here. Tempers flared and what probably should have been a private dispute was made public. But the people involved -- who are usually positive and supportive -- have since apologized, and I believe they are sincere, truly wishing to put the fight behind them. Please reconsider; maybe check out LBT in a few weeks after this issue is long dead. Meanwhile, know that you will be missed! I wish you well on your Lap-Band journey and hope Patty has a fast recovery.

Rachel, do you have a picture of your Newfie/Lab? And does he/she love the water? I adore big dogs -- the goofier, the better.

June 25 -- I'm marking my calendar! Can't wait to meet everyone!

Love the picture! Thanks for the laugh. I don't know about the rest of you ladies, but one of the side effects of weight loss means I can barely hold a juice box between 'em these days, and by September I'm afraid I'll be lucky to hang onto a straw.

Congratulations, Cutz! I think the port incision bruising is normal. Mine looked pretty nasty for a couple of weeks, but it will get better.

I love reading the thoughful posts on this thread. (Surprised at what you started, eh, Audrey?) Tomorrow is my six-month bandiversary, and you've given me additional cause for reflection.

Hey, let's chill out ... I don't think anyone meant to do any harm by starting the new thread or pointing out how close we were getting to a 4000-lb. total, or for that matter by criticizing the idea of hitting a certain number. I thought we were just trying to see how much the LBT gang has lost so far. Everyone who's joined the thread has posted helpful and supportive comments elsewhere, and I hope we can stay in that spirit. Congratulations to everyone on their losses!

I love it, Donali! Thanks for your post.

Thanks for posting the pictures, Bright. I like snow too -- good thing, since I live in Chicago -- and will gladly take a cold sunny day with snow on the ground over a gray rainy one. Remind your husband that Minnesota has had a mild winter this year. . . maybe you should greet him with a snowball when he arrives home from the US!