TerriDoodle

I searched and was surprised that I did not readily find a poll that asks the question: "Would you do it again?" I think that is a burning question that 99% of newcomers would like to see answered! It probably should be a sticky somewhere....dontcha think? If it's here somewhere, I haven't found it yet. So....here goes. I'm going to keep it real simple, too. Yes or No. NOTE: Keep in mind that the results will be skewed towards the "No" because people that are having problems visit this board more than people who are sailing right through their experience with no problems at all.

Oh, another thing, Laura -- aren't you concerned about reflux eating so late at night? I've had a bout or two and I want NO part of that!!!

Yeah, Laura -- go to the hardware store and ask them for the hooks. There are different kinds, but i think the ones we have shove between the shingle and the eve. I'm not sure since I'm not the one who hangs them!

YES, Judy, it most certainly does!! When I was wearing my BodyBugg faithfully (don't have time to keep up with it right now) it was interesting to note that on my work days if I sat behind my desk all day then relaxed when I got home, I'd burn maybe 1850-2100 calories in the day. On the weekend days if I had an active day working around the house, shopping at the mall, cooking, etc. with little rest, I'd burn about 2500-2600 calories a day....and that's withOUT any added exercise like the bicycle or treadmill, etc. Sitting still I burned about 1.5-2 calories per minute. Moving around I burned about 3. So that's why people who wear a bugg say it keeps them motivated to MOVE! Not necessarily "exercise"...but just MOVE! HA! Your house stays cleaner, too! LOL When I was in your position, I went for a 0.1cc unfill and it made a world of difference! 0.1 cc!! Do you know how LITTLE that is?? (Of course you do, you're a math teacher!!) So getting a very slight unfill might be just the ticket for you! I haven't had an adjustment since then either. I like my level of restriction just the way it is. Yeah, I do PB sometimes, maybe 1-2x a week. Kat, How much did you lose in just this last year (2007)?? I'm just afraid I'll never lose another pound :cry

bump bump bump

Hi Y'all! (((Laura))) - I keep having those same thoughts too...sorta. Not to the extent you are because I still love my band, but wonder what the hell is wrong with my head??? I mean, why are we BUYING and eating stuff we know is bad??? I am eating so much damn sugar (for me) that I feel like I'm out of control! So what is that about? I guess it's the stress of dealing with my mother....but it's gotta stop! It's just not like me to eat this way. The only thing I can think of is that I've been 'sticking my toe in the water' and haven't gained weight, so I've convinced myself that it's OK to eat this crap. Also, when I get busy I eat on the run too much! Is that perhaps your problem too....something to do with being really busy at work?? I gained just a little...not enough to worry about really...but I'd much prefer to lose. I haven't gotten any shopping done. Nothing. I don't foresee getting any done in the next 2 weeks, either!! Aaaack!!! See? That stress right there has me wanting a big bowl of chocolate ice cream! I don't want or need a fill. I need my head examined!

Sounds like everyone had a great day!! Thanks for the pics Judy and TRacy.... I love pics!! Michelle - I ditto all you said!! Thanks to all your girls for being my new friends. Ya'll are the best!!!! I had a good food day. Woke up weighing 182 (whew!) and had cottage cheese for breakfast. PB'd half my turkey dinner even though I tried real hard to chew well and eat slowly...but still probably ate too fast. As a result, I sure didn't eat much but it was all good! We were at my in-laws today, then dropped by to see Mom for a couple of hours. She's doing well. I don't plan on doing any shopping tomorrow...I'm cooking for the Thanksgiving dinner I'm having for Mom on Saturday. In my spare time I'll have to clear out my beading from the dining room table What a chore that is! Suzie - I've had just the opposite thing going on with me...I find that food tastes better because I've learned to savor every LITTLE bite! Rest well everyone....and to those of you hitting the mall tomorrow ....good luck and happy Black Friday!

No, I've never sold any of my jewelry. I'm just now getting good enough to the point where I could (in good conscience) sell something. The wire in that piece came in a spool...so it is essentially 'straight' and I bend and mold it into submission! I don't even feel confident enough to make jewelry for friends 'cause they might not like what I like...and if I spend $30-50 making something, they better damn sure like it!! LOL I'll post the things I make from time to time and if you want one like it, I can certainly make another! Or if you want something similar, but in a different wire (like sterling or gold filled) and/or with different color stones I can certainly do that too. Like you could say, "oh, I love that necklace...but I prefer browns and greens".....then that's easy! I'd do the same necklace but with aged brass, aged copper or gold wire and choose some earthy color stones (jade, citrine, carnelian, sponge coral, etc.) Interestingly, there is a trend now to go to completely oxidized silver metal....which means it is totally black or almost total. It's cool, but seems kind of odd to spend all that money for silver then turning it black! LOL Here's an example of what I mean (from my favorite handmade website Etsy :: Your place to buy and sell all things handmade ): Etsy :: The Weight of Water Earrings

I'd call your doctor.

I was self-pay, but I just want to say that after my time on this board and watching others' ups and downs with insurance woes, I'd just like to suggest that you prepare yourself for the possibility of denial...AND be prepared to appeal. It seems to be a game that the insurance companies play so that they can hold on to as much of their money as possible. It's like they HOPE you'll just give up and walk away....BUT DON'T!! I've seen some that had to appeal as many as 4 times before they got approved. So be mentally ready for that....and to fight to the bitter end. There are even agencies that will help you, and get good results, if you need their help. I just Googled "lawyer obesity surgery appeals" and found this one real quick: Obesity Law and Advocacy Center -- there are others. Best of luck to you!!!

We all went thru similar questions, so no, you're not unusual in that regard. My job doesn't know, I plan on just taking a few weeks off for "minor surgery" and not disclose why. You probably will only need a week off, 10 days at the most and then you'll be fine! I am afraid of never pigging out again on pizza, or going out to have dinner with my relatives to an "Olive Garden" or "Texas Roadhouse" or "Red Lobster" again. The band gives you FREEDOM from that behavior! You will be eternally grateful, not regretful! At first it's kinda hard to get used to, but after that it's no big deal at all. You will be happy and amazed at how little is on your plate and you will NOT miss pigging out! How would I explain a Protein shake instead of a steak for dinner? You won't be having a liquid diet except for the first few days! I eat steak (filet mignon) and salad and baked potatoes and veggies....just like everyone at my table...but I have 2 more meals left and take it home! I sleep on my right side, can the port be placed on my left side, same side as the stomach? This is not an issue after the first couple of weeks. You will be able to sleep however you like, no matter where the port is placed. Will being banded effect my singing? Will I be able to still harness my stomach muscles for strength? The band should not effect your stomach muscles in any way. Am I JUST CRAZY for worrying like this? No, but you're concerned about things that will probably not be a problem at all. Does everyone go through such self doubt?Yes. I will be 50 in March 2008. Is this just midlife crisis? No!! You are making an excellent choice for your future health!! Not getting banded will be far more detrimental than doing so. 93% of bandsters say they would have the surgery agaiin in a heartbeat. Doesn't that speak for itself?

I thought I would post a picture of my last project...it was so much fun to make! The beads and pendant are made from raku pottery which is extremely hard to photograph (especially with an iPhone!) because of the reflective nature of the glaze....but it's kind of an irridescent gold/green/blue/purple. The wire components are all handmade (by me) with copper and then oxidized (aged). If you're curious, if I were to sell this necklace it would go for about $50-60. The raku pottery beads are very expensive....they are painstaking work.

Hi Everyone, remember me? Man, I am so sick of making that drive back and forth across town! But I don't have to go today and I plan on spending the whole entire day playing with wire and making jewelry!! Noone will divert me from this mission!!!!!! I'm making Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday so don't have to cook today or tomorrow....and did my time at the grocery store yesterday (what a battlefield!). Anybody want to share their killer turkey stuffing recipe with me?? Kat - Listen to me, young lady, just because you feel like doing all that stuff today you are under strict orders not to do anything!!! You know better than to push it....especially with a big day tomorrow!! Spend the day resting again and maybe that swelling will go down enough so that you can enjoy a great dinner with family and friends tomorrow. And you may even be able to then unbutton your pants, watch football and YAWN!!! Seriously, pleeeeeeeeaaaase take it easy!! And tell Rick that I love him for taking such good care of you!! What a great guy! Jennifur - where are you??? Laura & Pamela - I am so ignorant about music, you wouldn't believe it! And I live with two teenagers!!! I am just getting old, I think (duh!) but most times I consider music to be just irritating noise. I am very sensitive to noise in general and even in the car I drive in silence. If I'm alone at the house, it's silent. If I'm beading I'll put on some smooth jazz and that's about as much as I need to keep me company. Odd, huh? shoes: at 150 I wear an 8.5; at 185 I wear a 9; at 215 I wear a 9.5. Yes, my feet most definitely shrink as I shrink. Judy - Your ring is BEAUTIFUL!!! What a great choice. I think I'll go have a mani/pedi/brow day today too. (Yeah, me and every other woman in this town!) Suzi - congrats on losing that weight, girlfriend!!! I remember what that's like!!! I'm still eating crap like you wouldn't believe. I'll make today my CTC day...'cause I blew yesterday sky high. Love you all! Have a good day!

What's going on Tracyk?? Spill it!

Pamela - We saw Wicked last year...and my daughter actually has a poster signed by the whole cast! (They were selling them for a charitable cause.) I did enjoy the show very much! We got mom checked into her rehab center and she's OK with it so far. Afterwards we went for a bite to eat and I immediately got stuck on mahi-mahi (how do you spell 'stress'?) and PB'd for an hour!!! It was the worst I've had. And here I was thinking this morning that I might go for a fill. HA! I don't think sooooooooo. I talked my boss into letting me have the week off (starting tomorrow) and I am so happy! I am going to cook Thanksgiving dinner and I haven't gotten to do that for a very long time! It'll just be for our little family of 4 + my mom, so it won't be so very difficult, right? Jeez, I can't even remember the last time I cooked a turkey!

((((Kat))))!!!! Well, look at the bright side....after that 12# of fluid is gone you'll probably lose another 5-10!! Hell, I'd go thru tumor removal too if it would give me some compelling reason to stop putting food into my pie hole!!! Lucky you! :scared: Seriously, Kat...I am so, so glad you are home and on the road to recovery. Looks like the aggressive growth of that tumor was a blessing in disguise, eh? Is the incision at the base of your throat?

That is just the sweetest thing I've ever heard!!! Ew!! I don't like hearing that word "ashamed', Gina!! It just is what it is, and there should be no shame involved! When I stepped on the scale this morning I just shrugged and said to myself, "Well, at least it's not 220#!" If i hadn't been banded I am quite sure I would have weight at least 220 by now. Let's just get thru the holidays and if we can do that without gaining more than 2# of what we weigh today, I'd say we're doing damn good. We'll get it figured out one way or the other, but now is probably not the best time to do it! Let's just focus on maintaining, shall we? These just cracked me up in the biggest way!! <snort snort>!!!! Good for you, Pamela!!!!! You deserve it!!!

Cake of any kind is my BIG weakness. Oh wait, so is chocolate. And cheesecake. And cookies. And ice cream. Hmmm.... I have a LOt of weaknesses!! I'll see if I can go ONE freakin' day without giving in today. HA! TracyinKS - You are doing SO awesome!!! What is your secret lately? What are you eating? I'm so jealous!! (but damn proud!) Can't you just smell onederland??!?

Can you believe it? I was right on the nose: 183.4! LOL

Good Morning Girlz- I think it's pretty scary when you can guess your weight within 0.2# without even getting on the scale. I've done that sooooo often that this morning I didn't even weigh in. I'll bet you right now that when I do weigh (a little later) that I'll be 183.4. LOL, let's see if I'm right! Yesterday me and my sister went to check out this rehab center that the doctor recommended. It really is a great place with a great staff and all that....but the 'patients' are sooooooo depressing. I just don't think my mom is gonna react very well. Sometimes she can be very compliant and adapts well....but other times she can be stubborn as a mule and is prone to depression. THIS IS SO DAMN HARD!!!!!!!!!!! OK, now that Kat's out of the woods I need that purple prayer power over here in Texas!! Jane - The article is sooo cool!! Did you wear purple on purpose or did it just work that way? That's so funny. Doing hair and being on your feet all day, that 100+ # gone must make a huge difference in the way you feel at the end of the day, huh?? Where's Pamela? Oh Paaaammmm - a -laaaaaaaa....where arrrrrrre youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu? I'm off to BEAD today....for at least a little while. Ya'll have a good one!

***********IMPORTANT MESSAGE*********** I just got a call from Manda (Kat's daughter) to let me know that she just came out of the surgery and she's fine. Most importantly, the growth was entirely benign!!! My phone was cutting out so I'm not sure what happened with the intubation...Manda said she thought she was asleep, but I think Kat was in the background shaking her head 'no'. So we'll find out more about that tomorrow. I think I also understood that she should be discharged Saturday. I'm sure she'll be glad to get home! GREAT NEWS, KAT!!!

G'morning Vi's -- ((((((((KAT))))))))))) :cool: Yeah, everytime I visit rants-n-raves it only serves to make me mad in some way...which is not how I enjoy spending my time. I think it was TracyK who said when she feels like chewing somebody's head off she goes over there, bitches, then leaves. LOL I tried that the other day and it worked for me! But I just don't feel bitchy nearly as often as those regular users do....LOL!! Takes all kinds.... I have the day "off" today ....HA!! Well, I'm not at work, anyway. I don't think I mentioned that any/everything to do with my mom is a 45 minute drive across town and I am really getting sick of that drive! Oh well. It could be worse. Today we go tour the rehab center where she will be checking into tomorrow. In the hospital they verified that she has not had a major stroke or any serious injury to her head. TracyK - You look awesome!!! ....like a totally different person!! Is your DH lovin' the new you??? Funny how you're wearing shorts and a tank top and Judy's talking about snow on the ground! Gotta love Houston in the fall and spring, eh? The weather here today is picture perfect. All that bitching we do in the summer....it's payoff time!! Congrats on the 188, girlfriend. You absolutely rock. I gotta go hit the shower and get ready for my day. I'll see ya'll tonight. Have a good one!

Refresh my memory.... Does the identity of the giver always stay a secret? Well, I guess that's impossible since the postmarks will give us away anyway! LOL

(((Thanks Michelle))))

ROFL!!! Oh, Michelle ...this reminds me of a FUNNY greeting card I saw once. It had 2 little girls in the bathroom. One is standing on the scale and saying to the other one, "Look!! I'm standing on Mommy's crying machine!" I'm stressed to the max, girlz. Sorry for not posting but I just freaking don't have the time! I spend all my time catching up on posts! LOL So I AM reading! (((KAT)))) You are so very brave. I know you can do this if anyone can. I"ll be thinking about you all day today. XOXOXO Got mom in the hospital (again) yesterday, then brought work home last night. My eating is pretty horrible and soothing myself with ice cream. Ok, here's what I ate on the run yesterday: B: oatmeal L: cheddar cheese & french bread (at my sister's. It was either that or fried chicken -- PB city) S: Ritz cheese bits D: leftover pizza (which I promptly PB'd); 1/2 c. italian lentil soup, 1c ice cream. Doesn't that just make you ill to LOOK at that?? I hope I can get some REAL food in today.