Zoe

Hi Jack -- I didn't need a psych test for my band, but I do remember taking the MMPI years ago and having to answer "True or false: I think I would like the work of a forest ranger" and "True or false: I am a special agent of God." From the sound of your test, British PM Tony Blair, with all his European jaunts, would be a total wacko. Let us know how you're progressing toward band approval.

What a beautiful thought! Years ago I reassured a relative going through a traumatic divorce that he was in a chrysalis stage, and needed time to get ready for the next phase of his life. To think that all bandsters are growing our own wings, each set beautiful in its own way, to let us alight on flowers or soar. Live2canoe, I promised myself a Grand Canyon rafting trip to Celebrate my banding anniversary next year. I might not look good in shorts by then, but I won't be self-consciously wondering if I'm going to sink everyone in the raft.

Whip, I went back to work four days after surgery, and I was a mess. Coming from a stiff-upper-lip family, I figured I would just tough it out. But between the pain meds, the difficulty moving (even though I have a desk job), and the need to sleep, I definitely should have taken another week off, or at least a few days. The dumbest thing I did was to take a four-hour professional translation exam a week after surgery. One of my wounds started leaking through my shirt (Gross Darcy would have loved it) and it was nearly impossible to lug all my giant dictionaries, even with a wheeled suitcase. So my vote is: Stay home! You've got the time coming, you've got the need, and if you start to go stir crazy sitting around, you can always log on to LapBandTalk and hang out with us slackers who should be working instead. Hope your wife comes around. After her amazing weight loss, I'm surprised she doesn't understand the importance of healing. Do you have to go back the day after Thanksgiving? Could you wait until the following Monday? (That's my inner slacker speaking.) By the way, November 16 is sneaking up on us -- just four weeks away! Go Whip Go!

Come drive in Chicago during rush hour and you too will get an aerobic workout of your ankles, feet, and finger. Doesn't help with high blood pressure, though! Seriously, I've been going on half-hour to hour-long walks just about every morning, making sure to work up a sweat and get my heart rate going . . . and I've been feeling great. I go faster without the crazy dog, who has to sniff every tree and leave a liquid message for her friends, but somehow it's not as much fun. Our fall rainy season is about to begin (just before the snow season) and I'm thinking about splurging on some decent rain gear, even though with luck it'll be too big for me when spring rolls around.

Another Rumbaut patient speaking up here: Dan, check out the "Mexico misconceptions" thread at http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=3111. As several bandsters point out, not all Mexican docs are equal (neither of course are their Yankee counterparts), but some of the most experienced and well-respected surgeons are in Mexico.

Everybody, do check out Jodie's page at http://www.geocities.com/jumpineddy25/. It's a wonderfully candid story told from the heart. She might be miles across the Pacific, but she's on the same journey as the rest of us.

Oh yes, they definitely count! Falling down onto the couch exercises not only the gluteus maximus but your arms (bracing yourself) and legs (steadying yourself). Falling into the computer chair might require just a little less exertion, but think of the calories you're burning by moving those fingers across the keyboard. And don't forget falling into bed (big points for raising those legs onto the mattress), picking up dog poop (knee bends!), and driving (all that ankle flexing, not to mention repeated use of the limber middle finger).

The Stumptuous site is fabulous; thanks, Marie, for letting us know about it. I'm just starting to use weights again (I, too, have back trouble) and love the common-sense advice and smarty-pants attitude of the site. I didn't find anything on Water weights. However, you may be able to modify traditional weight-training exercises -- on land -- to avoid injury. One great thing about weight training: It does increase your metabolism, not just during the exercise itself, but by increasing the proportion of muscle to fat in your body.

And I thought I was the only one! Maybe we can use AA as a model. The first step is admitting that we have a problem. . . Seriously, I'm amazed that I write things to strangers that I have never told the people closest to me. But then you have been going through the same stuff that I have. And I have read extremely personal and moving things on this board that make me feel a true connection to people who are just avatars (if that!) to me. Anyone else getting addicted to LapBandTalk while staring at the computer while at work?

Tanise, that's fantastic! You're an inspiration to those of us who are just getting started. Do you have any before-and-after photos?

LoveMe, I second what Alex and Leatha said. Maybe your surgeon had a good reason for letting you eat pizza so soon after surgery. . . but that's not the standard recommendation. When I was in the mushy phase I had some melted cheese and sauce (no crust, no toppings), and I'm not sure even that was such a great menu addition. Lauri, most of us here can relate to your frustration, and your desire to take control of your body and your life. Waiting for insurance bureaucrats (who haven't even met you) can drive the most patient person totally bonkers, and those of us who aren't patient. . . well, some of us wind up doing self-pay out of sheer exasperation. I second Alexandra's comment on the nutritionist's diet suggestions. If you do get banded, you'll get used to challenging, and educating, medical professionals who aren't familiar with the band! It sounds as if you've already done quite a bit of research. If you're having second thoughts, read some more. Don't get the surgery if you aren't sure it's for you. But if you think -- if you KNOW -- it's the right thing to do, don't let anything stand in your way! You'll have lots of support from everyone here. Good luck, and let us know what happens.

Tomorrow's the big day! I'm so excited for you. You're starting an amazing journey. See you on the banded side!

Kelly Ann, you're in excellent hands. Dr. Rumbaut and his staff are great. Let us know how your tests go -- they're pretty straightforward, as I recall -- and check in with us after your surgery. You may feel sore at first, but remember it does go away. Congratulations on taking the big step! You won't regret it.

If you can give me another 48 hours, Alex, I can come up with something. (I used to run a publication design business in my past life.) Just let me know if you'd like a TIFF, JPEG, or other file format, and the preferred size. I have Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop, plus Macromedia Studio (although I don't know how to use the sophisticated animation software). By the way, I love the new look!

What a wonderful post, Megan! Thank you so much for sharing your story, and your pictures. Those missing 51 pounds make a big difference in the new Megan you're creating! And thanks, Bright, for posting the photos side by side so that we can really see the difference.

Thanks, everyone for your kind words about this post. I figured that since I've received so much help and support from LapBandTalk, the least I could do was write something that might aid someone behind me. Veronica, you're right about Dr. Horgan. When I first called, I was given the same $1000 quote. I think he made an exception for me because my surgery was performed by his mentor, Dr. Rumbaut (in Monterrey, Mexico). Queen, I second what Leatha wrote. I was a self-pay for surgery, so I'm a self-pay for fills. I went out of town almost immediately after I started this thread, and I wasn't sure what to expect. I don't seem too restricted yet, but I'm not inclined to pig out either. And I seem to tolerate bread so far; we'll see what the next days and weeks bring.

I love this growing list. Let's check in with each other in another six months and see how we're all doing. I'm getting a little closer to my first goal, because not only am I dropping a few pounds, the bros are all gaining!

Marie, an idiot savant is a person who is basically an idiot -- to use a no-longer-acceptable term -- but has at least one marked gift, often for something completely useless (for example, Dustin Hoffman's character in "Rain Man," and me) but occasionally dazzling (the kid shown on 60 Minutes not long ago, who was mentally handicapped but an absolutely brilliant musician, able to play anything on the piano after hearing it just once). Hope that helps.

Hi Jode -- I was in Australia for a couple of months back in 1986, including a week or two in the center (the usual tourist stuff: Alice Springs, camel riding, Ayers Rock/Uluru, which people were still allowed to climb then). If you're west of Alice Springs you must indeed be isolated. Where did you have your surgery and follow-up care? Stick around; there are a lot of interesting people on this board, and in the short time I've been visiting I haven't seen any flaming, name-calling, or other wacko behavior here. Just fun, helpful men and women, mostly American, who are incredibly supportive of each other. Welcome! PS: Betty, I'm not smart -- I'm an idiot savant.

Hey, we geezers want to be HOT again, too -- and I'm not just talking about flashes. You're never too old to strut yer stuff!

G'day, Jode! We Yanks only speak the Imperial weight system, never mind that the rest of the planet, including Pommieland, has given it up. FYI, 1 kg = 2.2 lbs.; 1 lb. = 0.45 kg. So your 110 kg weight = 242 lbs., and your 15 kg loss =33 lbs. Good on ya!

I'm not an experienced bandster, Pam, but I can tell by your stats that you're doing fine. Banded on 9/21, and on 10/14 you're 15 lbs. lighter . . . that's about five pounds a week, on average, even though from what you're saying most of that loss came early on. A lot of our initial loss with the band is Water. Those of us who routinely had puffy ankles, feet, and hands really notice this. Remember, no matter how little food you're taking in, your body just can't metabolize 5-10 pounds of FAT in a week. So why, then, isn't the scale moving, when you're not taking in many calories? I would guess that you've put back some water weight after the initial shock of the surgery. Your body, however, is still burning that nasty old fat. The net result -- water up, fat down, no change on the scale -- can be discouraging. But your body is quietly changing for the better. That's my nonscientific description of this phenomenon. I think I read a good medical explanation somewhere on this board, too. Hang in there!

My fluoroscope images. I had no idea what anything was -- with the exception of my giant spine, the shadowy column barely visible beneath the big black barium-filled blob at upper left (the lower part of that is my stomach pouch). Note the barium cascade, looking like a hairy black jellyfish.

The body-composition scale -- calculates not only BMI but the percentage of fat in your body and your basal metabolic rate (how many calories you burn just vegetating), among other things.

The fluoro machine. See that U-shaped device with the black circle attached to one arm of the U? That's where you stand, your back to the black circle. The fluoroscope in effect takes a picture of your body, with the black circle representing the lens area. The image of your body appears on the upright console.