Zoe

Nancy, some of that 23 pounds was probably Water, too. I'd be surprised if you lost that much muscle in such a short time. Both of my Lap-Band docs use the Tanita scale. I'd like to think that my high fat percentage can't accurately reflect my whole body -- that it's just because I have such fat feet! Nice try, huh? Well, we all have our delusions.

Hi Courtney -- I'm right next to you. I had my surgery the day after you, and I've lost a little over 30 pounds -- but I'm not eating as well as you are (my holiday meals were naughty indeed). I know my habits aren't all they should be, but yours sound pretty good. You might ask your doctor (surgeon or GP) for recommendations. Before you get too frustrated with yourself, please read your own post again. "Only" 28 pounds lost? Good grief, that's amazing! Congratulations! How many people on conventional diets are able to say that after 20 weeks? And you're losing extra inches too. Some people lose a lot of weight in the first few months after banding, some of us just plug along, dropping an average of a pound or so every week, and some are a little slower. It's irritating to find yourself in one of the slower groups, but for some of us it's the best we can do. I don't mean to discourage you from scrupulously following the bandster rules (which I rarely do myself), but please don't beat yourself up for minor deviations.

I will be glad to bring two queens with me! I don't think I'll be able to get to both Bandstock and the Vegas Bash, although having an event on a long weekend sure helps. DeLarla, even if I can't make it, I'll send more clothes if you hold an exchange. Hope my current stuff will be much too big for me by then! My one-year bandiversary is just before Labor Day.

Wait a minute there, Marie. As a tall person, I must protest! It's a lot easier to roll up or hem sleeves that are too long than to stretch out sleeves that are too short. Call me a knuckle-dragger, but I'm always happy to find long-sleeved sweaters that are indeed long.

DeLarla, if you really want my used 42Bs, I'll send them! (Guess that shut her up.) And I'm delighted to hear that those pants are too big for you. I have a couple of 20Talls I can send, along with some shirts if you're interested. One of these years a bra manufacturer will figure out that just because a woman has a 40+ chest measurement she isn't necessarily carrying cantaloupes. We oranges, nectarines and apricots need support too! Raisins, you can do without.

I have simply gotta stop slipping into LBT at work -- I'm sitting here laughing in my office again on a day when everyone else is mopey and miserable. People are starting to ask what I'm spiking my water with. DeLarla, we must be exactly the same size, except I'm a little older and thus gravitationally impaired. Greg, when you fill out your JC Penney job application, maybe you can suggest the metronome method to your interviewer! Telling, not demonstrating, that is.

Welcome to the ranks of Chicago-area bandsters! Congratulations on your big loss. How are you feeling, now that it's been a week since your surgery?

DeLarla, Dr. Horgan usually charges $1000, but since he is Rumbaut's protege he offered me a discount after I presented a letter from Dr. R. Newbies, this is yet another reason it pays to ask your Mexican surgeon if he has any recommendations for US aftercare.

Paula, we really got into this topic on an old thread; see http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=3728. I'm still wearing underwires, but I'm ready for a new style: big strips of duct tape under the boobs, with perpendicular strips running up over the gazongas and shoulders. Supportive without wires, plus you get that special silver glitter! Guys, I'm not sure we want this style adapted for your locker-room needs. That tape can be mighty sticky.

I paid Dr. Horgan in Chicago $250 for my fill, which was under a fluoroscope. Dr. Rumbaut charges $100 (fills are free, that's just for the fluoro), but he's in Monterrey.

Winter quarter just started last week, and my class runs through March 16 so I'm not sure I can join you. Don't count me out yet, though -- I may be able to get a last-minute flight with free miles if I get my assignments done early.

Congratulations, Angela! Does your screen name mean that you have three Labrador Retrievers? They are the best dogs!

I'm a sugar lover too, and when PMS strikes I can hardly drag myself from chocolate. I usually deal with my sugar jones by giving into it; I just bought some low-fat fudgsicles that orthodox bandsters would shun, but hey, they get me through the week. The protein snack suggestions are all fine and sensible, Phyllis, so I probably shouldn't play the demon sitting on your shoulder urging Silhouettes bars -- but if all else fails, give them a try. Sugar-free fruit-flavored popsicles are another option, especially if you aren't a chocoholic.

Congratulations, Leatha. I predict you'll hit the 170s no later than Feb. 1!

Jonathan, you and your wife are a good-looking couple at any size. I see that you've already lost four pounds -- congratulations! You're already on your way. January 31 will be here before you know it.

Hey, Jonathan, we've ALL been there, brother. It's that same frustration that drew most of us to the band. Just think, this time around you'll have the band to help you not only lose the weight but keep it off. Be careful about posting those buffed-up photos, though -- some of the ladies here tend to get a little wild!

Your joy shines through your message. Congratulations on your new love! Those scale numbers will gradually go back down, but meanwhile -- who cares?!

Congrats, Rachel! That's a big step. It probably won't be long now before you get that wonderful approval letter.

New abbreviation: BBDJ=Big butt desk job. Yeah, I have one too. Surgery Thursday, flew home Saturday, back to work Monday feeling like a truck ran over me. . . so I had to leave mid-afternoon. I told my boss and the HR director that I would have to deviate from the corporate dress code for a week. I showed up that last week of August wearing a floor-length dashiki and muu-muus. At least I was comfortable! The incision on my left side was painful, and I had to lean back in my chair a lot. I also spent about 15 minutes stretched out on my office floor every day. (Luckily I could close the door.) The next week I was pretty much back to normal. So I wish I hadn't tried to be superwoman and had taken at least a couple of extra days off. I'd suggest taking as much time off as you can, unless you heal remarkably fast. How flexible is your schedule? If you take four days off but feel like you could handle a full day after just two days, could you work after all, saving your days off for later?

A good memory? You must be joking -- my brain is a big hunk of Swiss cheese! All I did was read the posts. . . Violet, glad to hear the problem has resolved itself, and that your hair is staying where it belongs.

Here I thought if I jumped on the Water thread I would find inspiration to drink lots of water outside of meals, and what do I find but my nemesis DARK CHOCOLATE! Away, demon, away! My own personal water challenge is not to drink water with food. I don't have trouble getting at least 64 oz. down each day, but it's almost impossible for me to resist at least a sip while I'm eating. I know my weight loss would be better if I broke this nasty habit, but it's even trickier than giving up pastry. Anyone else have this problem?

Congrats on the big day, Samy. Welcome to the Chicago Bandster Society! You'll be in the 200s -- Twonesia, that is -- before you know it.

Ladies, in her second post in this thread Violet mentioned that she had her gallbladder removed. Must be something else -- hope it's just the giant vitamins or ordinary flu.

Hi Jonathan -- I was banded in Mexico, too, and didn't have any special pre-op diet; in fact, I ate barbecued ribs the night before surgery. About the Molding Clinic: Most of the "doctor rating" comments here are posted according to the surgeon's name. Do you know the name(s) of the doctor(s) on staff at the clinic? If so, you might want to search the Doctors and Hospitals threads under "Main Lap-Band Forums" via the forum jump below. Good luck, and welcome.

That's great, Sue! Thanks for introducing yourself. Here's hoping you have more great losses in 2005.