Lucy

Thanks. I was starting to think I was crazy. Or worse, that something had gone wrong (slipped band, etc.) when I've been following all the rules! I'm going to do a day or 2 of liquids and hopefully feel back to my normal self.

I'm more surprised by the aghast posts than the fact that some bank clerk doesn't know her presidents. When the news is dominated by the mediocrity of Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, do you really think the majority of Americans are reading Foucault? Just shoot me if W ever makes it onto our already ugly currency.

I used to have a flexible spending account and it was awesome -- I've had a lot of ankle problems in the last 2 years and I cashed in all my receipts before I took a vacation every year, it was like having extra money. Of course, it was all mine, but it didn't feel that way. Now that I work for myself I don't have that (or a 401K -- I know, I know, Suze Orman is going to appear in my bedroom in the middle of the night and shoot me in the head) but I do have a savings account that I try to contribute to... Also, if any of you are self-pay, don't forget that your medical expenses are tax-deductible. I think you have to spend at least $9000.00 or so (don't quote me on that, I'm not an accountant or even remotely good at math) but if you are a self-payer, your medical bills should qualify, along with all of your other medical expenses over the past year. Have I mentioned how much I love this thread? I'm not even gay (I do think women are hot, but I'm not *that* into any vagina other than my own) but I feel more at home in this thread than I do in most of the others. So thanks kids, for welcoming me into your famlly. (Not to mention that bears drool over my husband, and I do a totally kick ass impression of Freddie Mercury...that has to count for something...)

Forget the planned death. Where do I sign up for the balding pubic area?

Marc, congratulations on your decision to have the surgery. I think it's awesome that you are facing your fears and you are going to be so happy that you did this. Stevee, we all know that you are not sitting around waiting for a handout. I think a big part of why I want to help you is because I know what it's like to work my ass off and still struggle financially. I've been through some really rough financial times in my life when I didn't know if I would be able to pay my rent. The kindness of others, particularly people who were not family or super close friends, has always been something that has amazed me. And being in those situations has made me realize that sometimes we are in position to receive, and sometimes we are in the position to give. Honestly, if someone wrote a "send me money" post on this forum, I don't think any of us would even click on it to see what they needed. But we know that isn't you. Accept it and know that someday you will be able to do the same for someone else :confused:

AWESOME. Stevee, you've already got $100 towards your surgery! And I agree with Juli, if you can set up a Paypal acct. that would be great :girl_hug:

Hey kids, Looks like you girls had a great time, Kity and Juli! Stevee, I am so sorry to read about your situation. I completely relate -- insurance wouldn't approve me at all and I screwed up my credit in college (still paying off that debt). If my husband hadn't been willing to take out a bank loan for me, there is no way in hell that I would have been able to come up with $15k on the spot. Is it possible that you could maybe pick up a few hours at a weekend job? I know you are busy with your current job, but maybe there is a way you could work 8 hours on the weekend at a part-time job and save all the money you earn there? You know what? This is support group and we are here to support each other. I know that means moral support, but who says we can't be supportive in other ways? I don't think any of us here are gazillionaires, but I do know that I would not have been able to have my surgery without the kindness of others. Stevee, if you PM me your address, I will send you $25 for your surgery. I know it's not a lot of money, but maybe a few other people will send you $25 and help you get there. I've wasted $25 on things I didn't need and I would much rather give it to someone who could use it. Who's with me?

Lucky us in Florida, they don't print our weight on DLs.

That's my problem. I started wearing very padded 38B's because no one makes a 38A. I haven't worn a bra that actually fits me since I was in 7th grade.

I absolutely refuse to shop at Wal-Mart. If they were the last store on earth I wouldn't shop there. They are a horrible company with terrible and sexist business practices and they alienate all of the local comapnies that are good for every community. I wish Wal-Mart would renovate all of their stores by dynamite explosion.

If that's what makes them happy, then good for them. I can't imagine being one of 17 kids -- talk about starving for attention. Let's see what happens when their kids end up in rehab.

Good point, Juli. I haven't ruled anything out yet since I'm still a new bandster. I've heard of people having their first PB a year after surgery, so I definitely am aware that things change all the time. Trust me, after spending some time in R&R, your comment wasn't even CLOSE to contrary!! I'm off to New York tomorrow. Hope everyone has a good weekend and I'll see you next week!

I agree, BooBoo -- if I keep telling myself no, then eventually I will give in with a vengeance. I've found that a small serving of frozen yogurt helps to satisfy my sweet tooth. It isn't nearly as calorie-filed as ice cream and it has protein in it, so it's not ALL bad -- I just have to be careful to not over-justify everything that is bad.

What!?!?!?!? I would have told him to take his chauvisnistic business elsewhere. I need my clients but I don't need their harrassment. A comment like that can often be a red flag for future problems if you continue to work with them. Sexual harrassment in the workplace can come from anyone, not just your coworkers. Clients need to respect you as much as you do them. I think you should report this to your employer.

OMG Eddie! Congratulations! That is so exciting! Marc, welcome. I'll take a shot at some of your questions: Has anyone had significant problems post surgery? Not yet. I'm 8 weeks out and feeling great. I will be doing this alone -- was anyone afraid going to have this done at the time of surgery -- (This is playing a mind game on my masculiniity issues to be honest. The whole idea if I was "man" enough then I would not have any fear and the other if I was man enough I would not be in this situation. I realize it is old tapes and not a valid truth) but has anyone else feel or have felt similar ? I was scared to NOT have the surgery. My husband was much more worried than I was. It was a very straightforward procedure and I felt fine in a few days. I had a lot of gas pain for the first few days, but not everyone experiences that. Anyone aware of MDs in the states who do lapbands for a reasonalbe fee? I checked with NYU and they want 26,000. A bit much for me like way too much. I paid $15,000 in Miami. There are a lot of reasonably priced doctors in the States. I wouldn't go for the cheapest doctor you can find, but I think you can find someone good for less than $26k. Has anyone post op become or develop issues of anorexia or eating depravation ? My eating habits have certainly changed, but I don't feel deprived or anorexic. I can only eat so much, so I try to make it count. The hardest thing for me seems to be that when I am not at home and I need to grab something quick to eat on the go, there are not a lot of healthy options. I don't think you will have that problem in NYC, there are so many more food-on-the-go options there. Post op how does this affect a person sexually ? I haven't lost enough weight yet to feel a libido increase, but I definitely feel more confident about my body. Is the port obvious ? Except for the scar, no. Does it become more obvious the more weight you loose? I don't know. Ask me in 6 months. Can it be felt while another person is touching you? I think if that person really tries to feel it, they will. But it's not like I have an obvious alien growth under my skin that would freak someone out. Does the port hurt in general or during exercise of if it is touched ? My port is still a little sensitive. But I think that will ease up over time. Can pressure be put on the port ? Right now, no. It's uncomfortable for me to have pressure on the port. But again, I think this is something that will change over time. Due to the wt loss has anyone noted a increase in sex drive ? (a loss of fat decreases estrogen thus an increase in testosterone) Not yet. But I'm sure it will happen :Banane20: If this is an incease in testosterone has anyone noted any hair loss ? I haven't had any hair loss. Part of that is that I am very careful to eat at least 50-60 grams of protein a day. Despite successful wt loss does anyone still see themselves as fat ? Well, I still am fat! But I hope that when I've lost more weight I will see myself for what I am. How do you cope with others reaction to your wt loss ? I haven't told anyone about my surgery and I don't intend to. I am losing pretty slowly and when people comment on my loss, I tell them that I am exercising more, eating more protein, and less of everything else. All of that is true, it's just not the whole picture. But I don't disclose many parts of my personal life to others, so I just think of this as another thing that nobody needs to know about. Do you share with others you had a band or not ? Nope. None of their beeswax. Does anyone continue or go to OA / Weight Watchers or a band group for ongoing support ? Group support is great for some people, but it's not for me. This is where I get support if I need it. Anyone here in NYC that attends a or knows of a band support group? What OHJuli said. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

I was actually a litte disappointed by the film...but Gretchen Mol was great as Bettie Page.

Although I've been giving away most of my old clothes to chairty, this top was $100 and I never wore it, so I'm selling it on eBay. It's really beautiful and I thought I would post it on here if any of you lovely ladies are interested: LANE BRYANT new sexy evening BLACK SEQUINED TOP sz. 18 - (item 200134848645 end time Aug-04-07 08:21:19 PDT)

One of the benefits of the band is that the weight does come off slowly so others will be less suspicious. Some of my clients have noticed that I am losing weight, but I tell them that I am working out a lot and eating more protein, less of everything else. People believe it and it is true, even though it is not the whole picture. As for eating more than you need/want at a business lunch, that's everyone's own decision to make. Personally, I feel that I have been through too much and spent too much money to overeat for other people. But I do understand the pressure of being an overweight and intelligent female in a high position and know that it's sometimes preferable to go to extremes to appear inconspicuous than to explain something personal that could stigmatize you even more. In the world in which we work, where self-control and strength are prized, the Lapband does not look like a useful tool, but as a last resort. A failure. We know that is not true, but it does not change how others would view us or that it could impede us professionally. In the design field, how you look is just as important as how your portfolio looks. People are hiring you for your style and if you don't look stylish, they won't believe that their project will look stylish. I've always felt that I had to work harder to prove myself than the thin women in this field. Of course, the 300lb male slob doesn't have that issue....

I've never heard that phrase, but it's very interesting. I grew up in New England, but I now live in Miami Beach. Apparently Miami Beach was sundown in the 40's and 50's except for "hotel maids and bus boys and Sarah Vaughan". And I suppose Sammy Davis Jr., too, no?

I own my own design firm and have similar issues with client lunches/dinners. I've only been banded for 6 weeks, but I haven't told anyone and I don't intend to. One of the ways I've been able to deal with the meal thing is to avoid dinners as much as possible -- it seems much less suspicious to others when you eat less at lunch than when you do it at dinner and alcohol is less likely to be present. I also try to have sushi with clients as much as possible. I can eat miso soup and sashimi and no one seems to notice that I'm only eating a small amount of food because it usually looks like more food than it is. I don't really have a suit issue since, being in a creative field, it's expected that I would wear something a little less traditional. But it's still important for me to look professional, so I usually wear a lot of black with high-end accessories and jewlery. I do think suits are really nice, so I might buy one when I'm a little smaller

Sure thing. Let me know how it goes. I'm glad you brought Bettie Page back.

Ha ha, I see those guys on the beach all the time. They are really amazing artists.

This is a directory of alternative medicine practices in Ann Arbor and it seems to be pretty comprehensive: Ann Arbor Alternative Medicine Directory This is the only wellness center I found in East Lansing: Creative Wellness - East Lansing, Michigan - Massage, Chiropractic, Acupuncture and other Natural Health Services Don't let anyone touch your back if they seem sketchy. I've been to 5 chiropractors in 13 years -- some were amazing and some were complete hacks. You can always ask them for references and if they are good they won't have a problem with it. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

Where are you located, if you don't mind me asking? I can see if my chiropractor knows anyone who practices near you. At least insurance would pay for the reduction of your impediments! ha ha

Ha ha ha, I love the image in my head of a Donald Duck tribal tattoo! I have a few tattoos and I want more, but my husband doesn't want me to get any more. Not that he tells me what to do, but I respect him and will wait to see if he changes his mind Thankfully, I work in the design field and no one has ever seemed to have a problem with mine -- one of them is on my wrist and is very visible.