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You're awesome! Hey you forgot one type of band picture,,,theone on your left hand! I'm thinking of getting myself a right hand ring to constantly remind me of my committment to the band, just like marriage...gotta be faithful!!! Hey do you ever go with DH to those Cali trade shows???? PB

Oh, I forgot the signature with our fun logo doesnt go in unless you are in a thread...type in mayo banditos in the search (threads ) box and youll see all our threads and you can snag the logo! Welcome!!! Cali

I am having mine done by Dr. Oliak in Orange...yeah lots of billboards! The doc pointed out that they werent his (I think he thought it was a little tacky but he said it does draw in business!) I saw them as far north as Oxnard on my drive home. I have around a 3 hour drive down there so I will stay in a hotel. Actually my 'office' day is the day before and then the surgery is in Torrance...its all LA to me! I am self pay and I think I found the best doc!!! Cant wait...Cali

Good luck...you are now a Mayo Bandito! My date is May 6th and I cant wait! Cali

Dear 1980, The thing about Star Jones is her only purpose in life is to put her business out for everyone...OK, she WAS a lawyer but now shes just a 'celebrity' so she kind of gave away her right to privacy...when the public buys you your first multi-million dollar home, they can criticize you if you dont tell-all! Until then...just do your own thing!!! Cali

Sorry for PMing the heck out of you....Pickly

Hope EVERYONE reads this story!!Glad to hear things are working out and that your stomach wasnt so damaged you coudnt get a new band. Its a good story for everyone to read. Many of the people I read on this site have the people-pleaser personality and it sometimes can work against them. The threads about whether or not to tell certain people show that a lot of these people have negative/critical people in their lives they cant stand up to...if you cant stand up to a critical coworker how are you supposed to stand up to a doctor? You spoke for yourself and maybe saved your own life. Thanks. Cali

I did a few last suppers and then just felt bad about it. I started my preop diet (I kind of had to just go on a diet because I didnt have any instructions yet) right away. The reason I am getting a band isnt because I cant lose weight, its because I cant keep it off. So I fee like any weight I can lose now will be kept off if I can keep my committment to the band. Also I guess I am thinking to get myself in the band mindset (eat when hungry, and much less quantities and focus on nutrition) and kind of test myself because this is for life. (If I cant do it now with the band around the corner...) Anyway my doc really doesnt give you a preop diet so I am just going hi protein lo everything else. I have lost 6 pounds, and I get my band a week from tomorrow. Good luck with whatever you do...it will all be fine either way! Cali

Dear Thin, I know its personal, but do you have any idea what you may have said or indicated that caused your snag? I think a lot of people would want to know even if your answer is only in general terms. Thanks, Cali

I sometimes think no one but us can understand how hard it is to wait. And how much worse it is when phonecalls don't get returned or (heaven forbid!) surgery dates get postponed! We are an impatient group and I'm sure we all feel bad for your wait! Honestly I dont understand any doc's office not taking phone calls. What about post op patients with problems or questions?!? Good luck, CALI

Men always lose more..that's why we hate them! JUST KIDDING! Remember women's bodies are meant to sit around the cave and cook and store fat for many pregnancies. Men's are meant to go out and chase down and kill a mastodon and drag it home!! Cali

I think at first you could just say, "This is how I eat to keep some weight I lost off!" If you say it in a fairly firm way, there will prob be no more questions or comments.You could also say if there are any more quesions something like, "Its a long story, not that interesting, and I really dont want to go into it right now." Good luck and dont worry about it to much. The vast majority of people are much more interested in talking about themselves!! Cali

I think it sounds like you are doing great and should just stay off the scale for a while! But on suggestion is that the shakes arent really a supplement but a replacement for some part of a meal you leave out. Also eat more 'free' food like veggies so your body doesnt think youre starving...good luck, I really think youre doing fine! Cali

NayNay, I'll be thinking of you on Monday!!! Good Luck! Looks like we are in a similar boat in terms of weight to lose and age range...I really just cant wait. I think I'm doing great on the preop but I am a little dreading the liquds only for two weeks post op...oh well, part of the process! Cali

Great blog...I've had some weird dreams too. I think yours and mine are about the fears of not being in control and not knowing what we can really eat after (Hold the possum!) LOL! The reason I decided to respond, though, wasnt the dream but the statement you made about the band being like your wedding band. That's a great thought. I am now thinking of getting myself a ring (I usually only wear my wedding band) to wear prob on my right hand to remind me of my lap band! Thanks for the great idea! Cali

Ok, I'm not banded yet so here's my question...was it the amount you ate or that you didnt chew enough or both? Thanks, Cali

I think the psych eval is for two things: 1. To make sure you don't think the procedure is an obesity cure 2. To make sure that any mental health problems you have had in the past wont resurface because of the surgery, the struggle, or the weight loss. Good luck, Cali

The whole thing was awesome, yes I read all of it and I have a very short (pickly almost) attention span! This is really all stuff to live by. The thing I really realized when I turned 40 or around then was that I didnt have to care as much what others think. (Impossible for hte 14 yer old DD) but thats fine too. Its something we have to strive for. I sum it up as, "Be who you are." and I really try to live by it and I think all your stuff from your blog weaves into it or should. Like be who you are but that person should be the person you want to be! Surround yourself with people who bring out and see the best in you...you ROCK!!!

I'm going to look for it in the pharmacy. I think its the same stuff you take to soak up an ingested poison and I THINK I've seen it at the drugstore...worth a try! Cali

Its so great to read about couples getting banded around the same time! Talk about a great support system! For the rest of us, the spouse is supportive but really probably doesn't "get it" at least in my case because my husband is a natural skinny! Its also great to hear the band stories from the SO instead of the patient herself...a little different perspective...thanks for your blog! Cali

Lan, Wow! For your sake, I really hope not! Cali

BG, you had the SCDs (sequential compression devices) and Lou, you had the Ted's which I think is a brand for compression stockings. I am getting the SCDs but I kind of wanted the Teds because you keep them and can/should use them when you travel long distances to keep from getting a clot. I got some seriosly puffy ankles and feet last long flight so I know I am at some risk...its worse if you are older, fatter, have had a baby, smoke, or are generally very sedentary!! Sorry for the tutorial! Cali

Alchol is pure sugar so you will add storage to your liver. This seems to mean more digging around by your surgeon to get to the stomach and more postop pain for you...good luck!

Do you have access to a pool...seems like the loe gravity would be good...

So do you think the little bit of weight gain is from some retained fluid associated with swelling/inflammation from the surg? I am going to try to stay off the scale after mine cuz that would kind of ruin me! I am so excited for you!!! Pickly