Lisa,

I've noticed in a couple of posts that you seem down and out about your band. I don't blame you a bit-- you've gone through so much. You've earned every single pound that you've lost and then some.

I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you and I hope that you feel better soon.

Megan

Awe, Megan. Ya just made me cry at work. Screw them, let them see me cry. Yes, I'm Band frustrated in a bad way, and I'm thinking of getting the thing removed. Don't get me wrong, I love my band. But I have no local aftercare, and I really want a new port. The last surgery was over $40 grand. Insurance picked up some, but I have to pay 20% plus my annual deductible in addition to the credit card bills from my initial surgery, port removal number one, port replacement, travel, etc. I've never been one to complain about finances before. When I got the band, I simply got a 2nd job to pay the extra expense. But now it seems there's no hope. My band offers minimal restriction, but only a couple times a week. Without a port, I can't have a fill. And I can't have a port, not for several years. If one single local doc would see me, I would feel much better. But the thought of another $40,000 procedure, flying to another state, another surgery, etc., is leaving me weak and depressed. Not to mention the hideous monster mutilated scar that even has teeth on it. Lopez's stitches were so horribly sewn that my hole looks like a dark purple mouth with teeth surrounding it.

But thank you for being here. And I know this time it's really gotten to me cause I looked at the calendar and PMS isn't even the culprit. Pooh.

Delarla,

I am soooo sorry for all that you have been through! I am scared that I might have slipped my band, and I have been thinking do I want it out or just fixed. And nothing is probably even wrong with it. I could not even imagine going through all that you have been through. I have even noticed that your signature line is gone. Keep your head high and keep smiling......everything happens for a reason..sometimes not knowing the reason really sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a drag -- it sounds as if you are experiencing only bad stuff with the band right now, without having any restriction to show for it. While my instinctive reaction is to say, "There, there, don't worry," I don't blame you for thinking about getting the band removed. I didn't realize you might not be able to get a port for several years. That sucks. Will your insurance company pay 80% of your next surgery? And would Penni's Calif. doc be an option for you? At least he's not too far from your home. You've lost so much weight already, it would be great if you could get some more help from the very expensive tool you had installed.

Delarla,

I am so sorry that you are feeling bummed out, I've been really depressed cause of the problems I had with my fill last week, I can't even begin to imagine How I could cope with what you have been through. You have to give yourself credit, you are a very strong woman and a great example for us all. You have shown so much courage through all of your problems, you are greatly admired by many of us. I pray and hope that what ever shall come, comes with ease and doesn't bring you down. If you decide to have your band removed, use what you have learned to maintain the weight off, the band is only a tool, you are the one doing the work, so keep working at it and everything will work out just fine. I am truly sorry for all your financial hardships, I know how you feel, I paid for my surgery out of pocket and had an even larger bill from the hospital visit I had after surgery from complications (I don't have health insurance), they did three MRI's and some x rays so my hospital bill for a four hour visit totaled $12,000, yep twice as much as my surgery did. I know how frustating and depressing it is.

So, I have been thinking of putting donation jars at the convenience stores to finance all the plastic surgery I will need after my weightloss, so maybe you can do the same. LOL So what do you think I should put on my donation jar, besides my picture??? Lets come up with something really clever to get everyone to drop some change in the jars... So what do you say, will you help me by placing some donation jars where your at? Let me know, I'll get the pictures printed. I'll be waiting for any other clever money making ideas, let me know if you have any, maybe we can have a bake sale? Probably not a good idea, sweets are my weekness.... Cheer up and let put our heads together and come up with some great money making ideas..

I buy powerball tickets every week. Pretty much as a joke....but you never know??? This week I will buy an extra one and write "LISA" on it. If it wins, then your financial surgery problems will be solved!

Hang in there....I'm rootin' for ya.

About the medical expenses...

Seems like there is something that INAMED can do to help you?!?!

You gals are way too cool for me! I already started making my cardboard sign to stand on the corner. I think that every single person that ever made fun of a fat person should be forced to pay towards a weight loss surgery general fund. No, I don't think there's a chance my insurance will pay 80% towards port replacement. How would we ever get away with that?

Anyway, thanks for all the nice stuff. I keep testing my band, and while I said I don't have any restriction, it's apparent I have some. I just ate a whole sandwhich (small skinny thing with rye bread) and 1/2 can Spaghettio. Then I was still hungry so I had an inch of pringles and 1/4 cup of almonds, and the last few almonds are stuck. This time I was physically hungry though, so I kept eating. That might sound like a lot, but that's just the stuff I'd drop on the floor during my old eating frenzies.

Good luck to us all. And I never used to buy Lotto tickets, but I decided to jump on that Dream Train myself, so tomorrow I could be a gabillionaire and buy my own doctor.

Thanks again.

I'm in with Nicole I usually do not but Powerball tickets but I will tommorrow night and one is For Lisa if we should win all LBT Is going her way so she can get a big group Hug from everyone.

Hang In there Lisa you have been Through so much but remember the good Lord only gives us what he knows we can bear.

Estela here is a thought - Make a Calender of yourself (wow that is a good idea if I say so) where did that come from??? They could go beside the jars.

Inamed, helping people financially? Oh, now THAT'S funny! They are all great guys to talk with on the phone, and one of them DID get Lopez to call me, but I barked up every single tree at Inamed and they are tighter than a drum when it comes to helping Bandsters financially. I don't think a few grand would hurt them, but they probably think if they help one person, tons of people would start flooding them with similar requests. Inamed will not take on that kind of accountability.

Hey Nicole are you forgetting about me??? Will you buy another one and put my name on it??? Or I can go halves with Lisa, well good luck to you, if you win, don't forget about us... I will keep my fingers crossed that you win big. Meanwhile, I'll get my donation jars ready just in case you don't win... Wouldn't it be nice, If I won the lottery, first of all I would do trust funds for my kids, so that they could pay for college (a good one, of course) Buy my mom a house, buy myself a house, pay for all my plastic surgery, get a nanny ( a must) and a cook and a housekeeper and hire Oprah's trainer.... I better stop I'm depressing myself.... A girl can dream, can't she...

You all are great, thanks for the laugh...

A calendar, with clothes or without, cause I sure am not swimsuit material, YET Hey maybe if they see how gross I look naked, they will feel sorry and drop more in the jar... Thanks for the great idea. I'll get those photos printed right away.

A crazy lady used to sing to me when I was a kid, "if you don't have a dream, how ya gonna make a dream come true?"

A girl's gotta dream, that's for sure.

Estela I seen a movie this weekend about some older ladies I believe from Wales that did that. Anyway they used things in front of them so you did not see the whole nakedness.

Dreams usually do come true they just take a little longer.

I'd pose naked for a calendar! Tons of guys like big gals!

How about it girls, maybe we are on to something here, LBT Calendar girls, so what do you say, do we have any photograhers on LBT, come forward---- what about a producer, anyone out there?? Oh my, I better start looking for a rep to work out the movie deal issues for us.

Oh my word, this is going somewhere? LBT Calendar Girls!!!! Woohooo! Proceeds go to needy LBT band patients who have had more than their fair share of expenses due to banding. I smell a plan....think before and after for each month...