piercedqt78

I have a NESCO and it has an actual temp dial. I love it. It has keep warm, slow cook, cook, roast, bake and steam. It has a removable crock that is really non stick steel and it has a rack that sit in the bottom to keep meats off the bottom of the cooker. I roast chicken in it all the time. Last night I made a cheeseburger con queso and it was a huge hit. I set it on keep warm and it was nice and smooth all night. The Necso is a bit more expensive but worth every penny, it can do so much more that just a regular crock. I also have a regular crock I use it when I need to make multiple dishes and keep them all warm. My crock also has a keep warm setting, a must in my opinion. ~Mandy

What stands out the most to me is the smile. In each picture you are smiling a bit brighter as your weight is comming off. You look great. ~Mandy

Jack the ghost of halloween, past present and future will visit you very soon. You must see the light, or dark as the case may be. Halloween is the most fun time of year. What other time can you dress up and beg for candy and no one look at you funny. ~Mandy

Pb'ing should not cause that extreme of a condition. The reflux will but when I PB it is just the food and saliva that I have swallowed. PB'ing should have no acid in it at all. My doctor says that PB is food comming back up, vomiting is when there is acid involved. ~Mandy

Hi, I'm in Romeoville and will help anyway I can. I have had my band 15 months and have lost 80 pounds. ~Mandy

There are tons of protien drinks that are clear. Check out the vitamin shoppe online there are sooo many protien choices. ~Mandy

Also consider that you are eating really soft to liquid foods so the top of the tongue is not being scraped away by rough food particles. Try brushing your tongue a few times a day that might help. I know that when I got my tongue pierced it was funky breath for a few days until I realized it was my tongue, I started brushing it in between teeth brushings and the breath was instantly better. ~Mandy

some other clear liquids are gatorade, propel, kool aid, apple juice, coffee (no cream) tea, anything you can see light through. I was also allowed popsicles and jello. I made icees, a bit of my drink blended with some ice, it helped with the swelling and made me feel like I was eating something. ~Mandy

Good morning all, I can't believe I am the first one to post today. I am usually still in a haze before coffee this early. My kitty is having a pretty good morning so far, he actually got into bed with my DH when he came home a little while ago. He worked out in the rain and cold all night so he has an electric blanket on, I guess the kitty wanted to get warm and close to dad. Maybe today will be a good one for him. I have the entire day to do whatever I want. I have nothing on the calander except getting the little one on and off the bus for school. I will check in later. ~Mandy

The breath is actually a good thing. It means that you are in ketosis (sp) it is the body using the sugar and fat that is has been storing. At least I think that is what it means. I had it too really bad at first, I learned to carry some altoids in my pocket at all times. I worked in a tattoo studio as a body piercer then so I was in close contact with people alot. It will get better as the body adjusts. As for the kitty, he is still hanging on, but I think he is starting to develop pnemonia (I know I spelled that wrong) so we are calling the vet again tomorrow to see what he says. When I talked to him last he said as long as he is eating, drinking and using the pan he could hold on for several more weeks. He is not in pain and seems content to be where he is, in my bathroom. I will keep everyone updated, but I am off to get the little one to bed and to take the dog out for one last potty before I go to bed. Night all' ~Mandy

I was told that if I did a 600 cal diet and took water pills I would lose weight. Then there is the grapefruit diet, it is eating 1/2 a grapefruit before each meal, the acid helps to speed digestion. The rice diet, you eat 1 cup of rice for each meal for a week, then you eat 1 cup rice and 1/4 cup veggies for a week, then 1 cup rice, 1/4 furit for breakfast 1/4 cup veggies for lunch and 4 oz chicken for dinner. So you are eating 3 cups of rice a day, how many carbs would that be???? For the first 2 weeks you are eating zero protien, and a major medical school wrote this book. It's the Duke Rice Diet. ~Mandy

I take a lean beef roast and add a packet of low sodium soup mix and several cups of water and cook on 200 (low) for 6 or 7 hours. I have a Nesco, not a traditional crockpot. The last 2 hours I add very small potato pieces and a med onion cut into large chunks. When the roast is done, I remove the meat and potatos and pour the left over broth into a sauce pan and add a packet of powdered gravy mix to thicken it slightly. The roast is always tender and juicy and the gravy is to die for. The next day I chop up the left over roast, add that and the gravy to a soup pot along with 2 cups of water. I add a can of corn, green beans and a can of potatos. Heat until, everything is bubbly and hot. This makes 2 great meals, roast and beef stew. There is never anything left for a 3rd night. My family loves when I make this combo of meals. ~Mandy

I couldn't really say anything. I was soooo shocked that she was so blunt and rude about it. I remembered this thread that thought maybe this is more common than I thought. I was under the impression that everyone that had struggled with weight really wanted to keep it off, that is why I got my band. They both seemed to feel the same way. It was just so out there, the way she responded. That was by far the worst reaction I have ever had. ~Mandy

We are brand new in our neighborhood so I don't know what to expect from the trick or treaters. I know that school is doing a parade around the block and I am hosting a halloween party for 22 kids in my dd's class after the parade. We are making a craft and playing games. I am taking dd trick or treating, and dh is handing out candy. DD is going as a punk rock pirate, I will post pics when she finally tries it on. ~Mandy

I recently experienced this exact same situation. I volunteer at my dd school 2 days each week. Last tuesday I was in the library and one of the special ed classes comes in and begins selecting books. Both of the teachers for this calss are black and both very heavy. The librarian and I were discussing my surgery and I had a before picture out showing her what a difference it had made for me. One of the teachers motions for the other to come over and see my picture. Then she asked how I had lost the weight. I told them about my band and she shook her head and actually said to me.."so you really don't deserve to be thin huh?" I was shocked and amazed at her rudeness. I just looked at her and said excuse me??? I worked my butt off to lose this weight, yes the band helped with portion control but I still have to watch my diet and exercise. She said, well I guess black women see it differently. We are proud of our bodies the natural way. I guess there are some major differences in the way different races precieve wls. Come to think about it, I have never seen any other race at any of my appointments, the support group or even at the infomation seminars. I usually don't notice race, but now that I think about it, it is mostly white women. Strange....~Mandy

That is the question I would be posing to the principal and then school board if I didn't get an answer at the school level. There should be a school handbook that addresses the policy. ~Mandy

I was told to have at least 4oz of water an hour. I was given a medicine cup that held 1 oz and told that I had to have at least that much every 15 mins. I managed almost 3/4 of a gallon on the 2nd day. I would call the doctor, no one else. Sounds like you are being given the wrong aftercare. ~Mandy

Or maybe give an idea of colors that you like. I personally stay away from the exchanges because I am sensitive to certain smells. I also have very dark earth tones in my home. It would be great if we could give some hints to the gifter. I am always at a loss as to what to buy for my giftee. Some hints would be great. I think I would jump in on the exchanges if they worked that way. ~Mandy

I know that Magnet schools are more strict with behavior. Is it possible that this kid needs to be in a regular school? If he causes trouble, would a more strict enviroment be what he needs? I know the magnet schools here are more lax because the kids there are usually "better" kids. Maybe this kids doesn't deserve to be in a special school??? ~Mandy

I think it is funny that the pig's fart becomes a Mickey Mouse head as it floats away. ~Mandy

Seems to me that the principal is trying to brush the entire situation under the rug and move on. I would insist that the bully's be called and at least have his behavior explained to them. I am sure he is going to go home and tell them he was just defending himself and they will believe him. My step brother was a bully and he used to convince my parents that he was totally innocent and he was the one being picked on by the other kids and the teachers. Finally one day the principal called my mom and told her why he was suspended and that the next time the damaged another students property or caused an altercation the police would be called. My parents finally toughened up on him and he straightened out. Something to consider. Also what is the school policy on suspensions and being expelled? I know that in the magnet schools here behavior is just as important as test scores. ~Mandy

Is silver cross hospital on the insurance plan? They bill my fills through the hospital and it gets paid 100%. They do take my insurance but it is easier to get paid as a hospital then as a doctors office I guess. All of my fills are done under floroscopy (sp?) so they are done in the hospital. If you go out of network do they pay at a lower benefit level? I know that if I go out of network I have to pay 20% and my co-pay. I don't know how or what the fee schedual is for them, but I know that they are reasonable and see a bunch of Horgan's patients. It might be worth checking into. ~Mandy

I PB a few times a week too. The doctor says it is a habit of eating too fast or the wrong thing. If I take my time and eat slowly I am fine. He says it's a problem if you PB everyday, on every solid meal. I am convinced that it is my bad habits, not a too tight band. I had a slight unfill and I am still PB'ing when I eat too fast so it wasn't my band but my habits. My kitty is still holding on, he sees the vet on Thursday, the vet says if he is eating, drinking and not in pain he sees no reason to put him down. It's just hard to watch him slowly fading. He is such a sweetie, and it's hard to not be able to make it all better. I spent some time with him today and told him how important he is to me and I also told him it was ok to let go, it almost seems like he is holding on for us. It was more for my closure I am sure but I have come to terms with it and I really am ok with him moving on to kitty heaven. I am sure that is where he is going. ~Mandy

Chrispy, That is GREAT news!!!! I am so glad to hear that, I was worried about you. Keep up updated. ~Mandy

Before we can make a friend request we need either an e-mail addy or your last name. ~Mandy