plain

Ah, but the very concept of an "11" is that it is unattainable level (10 being the max of the scale). Sure, there are a few in Hollywood who have the genetics to pull it off (look at a bell curve applied to population....there will always be a select few who are stunning.....and a select few that are hideous), but that level of beauty or male fitness (depending on your gender) is simply unattainable to most of us. Your question then, tends to remind me of one of the tenets of Buddhism: Want is the cause of suffering (or something like that...I'm, uh, not a Buddhist, so I can't give the exact quote). And I'm not so sure I believe the beauty equasion. I've always been a solid 4 (physically) and I've dated my share of 8's before settling down with my wife (easily a 9). I've found that a brilliant personality and some common sense goes a long way towards attracting the opposite sex.

Crikey! One could cook a meal in that!! I'm jealous! I love the beach....

Sorry bookfan, I can't say how long it will last. The saliva in your esophagus will eventually break the bread down (if you don't PB it up first). Although the sandwich might have irritated your esophagus where it doesn't feel like it's going down. Does that make any sense? I think we all have gone through those uh-oh moments while we figure out what types of foods our bands can tolerate. Just learn from the experience.

Hi footballmom. The band doesn't really help with the mental urge to overeat, even when you're not really hungry (we call that "head hunger"). It will help you to feel more satiated with less food, but you still have to do your part. If you're not totally sold on getting the band, I would urge you not to do it......It takes a certain dedication to lose weight, even with this great tool.....I suggest you research all types of weight loss surgery (assuming you still want WLS) to find the right one for you.

Wow....it's not very often that I see a post from somebody hoping to gain weight, lol. I have my fingers crossed for ya. Good luck!

Great job, frontwoman! Welcome to the site!

And lapdances. Lots o' lapdances.

"The unbearable fatness of being".....I really like that twist on the movie title. IMO, the wait doesn't get any easier, Willowcat. In fact, the difficulty of the wait is inversely proportional to the surgery date (as the date draws closer, the wait is harder). However, by facing and subjugating some of your inner demons already, I think you'll have a huge advantage once you do get your band. Good luck!

Wow, that sounds like they REALLY don't know what they're doing!!

I'd certainly hope that nobody from here "pushed" the lapband (even though most of us are very happy with ours). A choice of weightloss surgery is a very individual thing. It's all up to the individual to choose what best fits them. Having said that, there are hundreds on here that that will give their opinion of their lapband if ya ask....

Hi Audry. Glad you found the site. There is a lot of information for you to look over, as well as a lot of cool people here to suppport you and maybe answer some questions. Ok, so I'm the only really cool one here, but eveybody else is ok, lol. Seriously, welcome aboard, and good luck!!

Are we talking about a certain inter-office jerkster?

Beautiful.....the horses and the scenery!

Hi petlover. This is probably not what you want to hear, but the first few months after the band is the time to try and "cement" your habits in. If you're binging now, you risk the possibility of damage. I know it's difficult, but try to practice on your good habits: small portions, small bites, chew throughly, eat slowly, no liquids with meals, and make good food choices (Protein first, then veg, then misc.). You can do it petlover. It gets easier with the fills, but you still have to do your part. Good luck!

Good luck, inlove. The head hunger is the toughest part. Just keep on resisting as hard as you can. 33 lbs is a great start!! You can do this!

Because it the first annual nude raw oyster eating marathon? Sheesh, if you want me to quit sending you pics, change your email, like all the other ladies do....

Love the new Mac avi! caused I used "yanno" No pun intended, right! Hehehe Leslie, I haven't heard from you for weeks! Do I need to cut back on the stalking / heavy breathing phone calls?? Your band has a funny little mustache and one testicle ?!?

The old Beth is dead! Long live the new Beth!

Hey slim....whatchoo doing up this time o' the night??

Well, if the GasX helps you, then great!! But for most of us, the gas that they used to inflate your belly was outside of your stomach, so you can't fart or belch it out (sorry if the language offends ya). That kind of gas has to be re-absorbed in your bloodstream......walking around helps a great deal. Good luck to you and welcome to the site!

Hey Kris, Welcome. Everything you've described sounds pretty normal to me. If you reach the point where it's difficult to swallow liquids, you're too tight. You may be too tight now, if you "get sick on a lot of foods". You are doing an awesome job, and you look great! Good luck on your band journey.

Hey Shy. I've been struggling with a plateau lately myself. Recently, I started adding in walking to my workout routine, and I think the scales are starting to move again. Do you exercise? IMO, exercise is sometimes under-rated by those that have a band.

There are no nurses that can diagnose a stranger over the internet. The best advice remains what you said : If one has any concerns, see a doc. If one even THINKS the concern is serious, go to the ER.

Click on the forum "General Lapband discussion". Then it's like the 2nd thread from the top...."Before and after pics", or something catchy like that. Just explore around and have fun! There's lots of good stuff to look for and people to meet here!

I'm talkin' to YEW!!! How dare you point out and mock my atrocious spelling! How dare you....This slight will not go unavenged!!!