Dragonwillow

My husband knows where you live LOL.

Okay...Paul is going to kill you...I got the ring...love garnets.

That's great Karen....I was thinking about getting another dog since I'm gone alot these days. Poor iggy looks so sad sometimes, he could really use a friend. We went by the pound just to look and they had a female samyoed mix, but it was in the stray just picked up kennel and not eligiable for adoption yet. They told us to call in 3 days to check on it, because if it wasn't claimed they would allow it to be adopted if it was eligiable. We called and they had already put her down. The kids were so sad. The staff person I talked to said she must have had health issues or been aggressive. She defiently was aggressive because when we saw her she looked sad. I need to find a samyoed rescue in the area. We really like the breed and would love to have a friend for iggy. One of the lumps I found turned out to be a zit or something LOL. I haven't been to the doc yet...and I'm glad would have felt stupid. Going to watch the other one for a few days then make an appointment if doesn't go away. Imagine how stupid I'd feel. LOL

Went shopping for Kristen's social dress. Didn't exactly find one. Everything was either too dressy or didn't meet dress code (can't be halter top or spagetti strap kind) She did find an awesome dress though and I went ahead and bought it. Its a navy blue asian dress. Very Kristen. She can wear it to our cousins wedding in June if nothing else. Then I got crazy and bought some bathing suits (two piece things) to wear for tanning...but now wish I hadn't of bought them. Wonder what the policy on returning is if they still have all the labels? I've returned bras to target so would think bathing suits would be the same? Going to find out tomorrow i guess. Need to go get my blood work done...and since I have to go to my primary doc for that I'm going to see if he can order a mamagram too. I found two lumps in my breast earlier....I forget when are you suppouse to check them? Right after a period or right before, and does it really matter or is just to remind you to check them?

I could possibly get together on a wed or friday night if anyone wants to meet up. I also could do a weekday day outing...lunch or mall walking or park walking...on tuesdays and thursdays. As far as nights go....Monday night is girl scout night, tuesday night is dance night, thursday night i work and it's cheer dance. This time of year is busy for anyone with kids. Angie...if you just want to get together to walk or talk during the week sometime, I could meet you somewhere. I'm going to get back on track this week with exercise. As I was telling the ladies at breakfast, I haven't worked out in two weeks. Partially due to my schedule and partially due to other activities...but gotta get back on track. Saturday is fit kids day at our Y (steel creek Y right off of 485.) There are going to be activities there for the kids to do if anyone wants to bring their kids by. It's free.

kids gt out on the 10th of June I think...Karah has dance recitals that weekend. Kristen and I are going on a cruise the last weekend in June.

Don't worry wavey...I told them all about you LOL. How is hubby doing in the tournament. I second the no more breakfast...that was just too darn hard to eat that early. The rest of the day I had a yogurt parfait, some fried tofu and some ice cream....I know shoot me. Never did eat those eggs I carried with me....don't know why I bothered. Angie and everyone else...sorry you guys missed it. Hope you guys will all come to the coffee/smoothie one at the mall in a few weeks.

Don't give up...but I can tell you from my exerpience that I was getting pretty discouraged myself during my "waiting" period. It was just a matter of luck with me...or should say bad luck. First my blood work came back low on viatimans, so I had to get b-12 shots and up my viatimans intake. Then I was found to have the hyplori bacteria...and had to take antibiotics for like 2-3 weeks (like 18 pills a day) Then we had to wait a minumum of 4 weeks to retest after I finished up all anitbiotics. But the first round of anitibiotics caused a major yeast and bladder infection so had to take more for that and had to wait the 4 weeks from that point. Then when I finally thought I was done and had insurance approval I found out my Dr was going through the process of breaking away from the group he was affliated with. I would have to be referred to another doctor as he would be unable to get my surgery in before the break. My luck changed then...because I was able to get a pretty quick appointment with the new doctor. And because I had insurance approval and had already had all the tests done and asked all my questions my first appointment actually turned into my pre surgery appointment and I got a date for a month away that day! For awhile though as I kept having to "hurry up" and then wait over and over I questioned if it was all some kind of sign that I should be having this surgery. I just had to keep reminding myself that although I have lost weight on my own, I have not been able to keep it off on my own. This surgery was the step that I needed to do that. It's hard to be patient when waiting, especially when you feel like your life is on hold in the process. My advice...live life now and continue to live it after the surgery. It really doesn't change all that drastically.

Ah wavey...tell him Melissa said he doesn't need you for no bowling LOL. Sorry you aren't going to make it. Diane...I agree we should try to meet again in April if possible, since this meeting is turning out to be a light one. But please folks, I need it...so don't everyone bail on me. LOL The insulting thing my mother in law said while I visited this time: "Oh really 40lbs, I can't really tell, but you have went up and down in your weight so much" What a *&%#$. This was all because I told my sister in law that I might have to buy a new bathing suit for the cruise in June because I don't know if my suit from last year will fit right because of the weight loss. I think I made a good decision to no tell her about the surgery. I told my brother in law and sister in law because I had to explain why I didn't eat my lunch. Big olde hamburgers, got stuck on the first couple of bites. Okay back to torturing my kids with spring cleaning.

I'll be there, probally with my two girls, so you guys WON"T be alone. I've been out of town so haven't posted, worked yesterday and was completely beat with the travel catching up with me. I won't have my digital camara...does someone else who is coming have one? Hubby has mine on his trip. When I talked to him yesterday they were going to try and make it to El Paso today. They had trailer hitch promblems and spent most of the day getting repairs done and a new one installed. (the trailer was practically ripping the trailer hitch off when they stopped)

So Kim, do you get to wear scrubs...those look so darn comfortable! Been packing and trying to get things in order here...gotta work tomorrow and then we are driving to Columbus GA tomorrow afternoon. I'll drive back sunday with the girls, Paul will continue on to California with his brother. My brother in law is moving across country, hubby is going along for the ride and will fly home in a week and half.

Cool beans Angie! So whats the list so far? Kathy, Kim, Me, Wavey, Diane?, and now maybe from Angie?

I may or may not have the girls this time. Kristen doesn't want to go because she doesn't want to go to the consignment sale afterwards. But paul will still be out of town so I may make her come...they both love ihop...they made me eat there tonight actually...I wanted chinese..sigh.

Welcome Makah...ask away...are you from the NC area? If so we would love to have you join us at one of our group get togethers.

Like option A...I'll be there...and Wavey I think mentioned she would be there. Come on ladies.....

Thats great Wavey...you lucked out in getting a quick appointment! Are we doing ihop??? My church is having a consignment sale that day (children's consignment...if anyone wants to do shopping after we eat.) It's only about 5 minutes from the resturant. Melissa

Sorry to hear that things have been tough...hopefully she is over the worst of it. Will light a candle for her rapid recovery.

I was just playing with numbers..I've lost 40lbs(according to my scale) now...and if my goal is like 150lbs then I've lost 34% of my weight so far. That means I only have to do what I've done twice more. LOL...Okay it looked better on paper. LMAO. What's really sad? I had to call the 14 year old in here to show me how to figure it out. Her algebra put into practice! LOL I had steak tonight since the fill...was really scared...but went slow and ate about 1/3 of a 6 oz steak. I had the salad before hand, but I drink tea with that (bad Melissa). I also had a couple of bites of the potato. I defiently will get at least another meal out of it, if not two. I ate steak and didn't PB....yeah. I've been so chicken. The other night when I got sick it was one of the only times I had eaten something tougher like pork....I originally thought it was like a pb without the slime...but turns out I was just sick. Okay playing with numbers again...lol -26.8 ....10%of body weight lost! done -40 ......lost the weight of my 6 year old (lucky she is so light weight) done -56.5....half way there -69...onderland ...isn't that a cool number to take ya into oneder land! -84.6 .....3/4 the way there -100 ....woot 100lbs..can look into tummy tuck!!! -113 ....normal bmi!

Hey girl! So glad you decided to stop by. With Dr. Bauman, be sure to watch your spam filter for the intial reply fromt he website registration. I missed mine, its actually how I ended up with Dr. V origianally...I thought Dr. B's office never responded. I had to have a psych evaul, a nutrional consult (nutrition is $500 for a year of once a month appointments following surgery) You pay $100 a visit until its payed, just made my last payment last month. Of course you could pay it upfront too if you want. I also had a upper gi to check for h pylori bacteria...which I had...so I had to take antibiotics and then take a breath test to make sure it was gone (it delayed me a bit). I had to have a psych evaul...which I tricked them into thinking I was sane. Had all the blood work. I don't think dr. B does a fitness evaul before surgery...you do one six weeks out. Actually I'll look and see if I still have my checklist of pre op stuff from Dr. B's office...i'm such a pack rat. If I do I'll try to get you a copy...would say I'd have paul inter office mail it...but he won't be there for two and half weeks. You really should come to the April 1st meeting. You can see we still eat normal food and you can get the inside track in person on what its like to have a band....even what its like to wait for the band. Oh look I found the dr. b list.... ....register on exemplo....they will give yout he address at Dr. b's office .....must have attended lap band seminar or watched lap band video .....Comprehensive history and physical for surgical clearance from your primary care physician. ......Blood work (h pylori (which they can do at dr. B's office) CBC, Comprehensive chemistries, fe studies, TSH, PTH, Vit D 25 OH, B-12) ......Upper GI .....Psychological Evaluation ......nutritional counseling ......pap smear and results within the last year ......females over 40 a mamagram They must have all the above consultations and tests in your chart and reviewed by Dr. bauman before they can schedule your surgery as well as get approval from insurance company. (united health care came back in like a week for me.) They have certain docs they like to work with...that knows their proceedures. I'd already had all of this done before I first meet with them so it was no problem. Try not to gain any weight after you start with them...because they dont' make you do a major liquid diet before surgery...unless you are bad like me and gain in the months leading up to surgery.

Checking in....turns out the bad pb ( i thought) i had on Tuesday night was like the first part of the upset stomach that was to last through yesterday. I never ran a fever, but after I threw up on Tuesday night I didn't eat again until Thursday except some broth and a few crackers here and there to settle my stomach. My poor face...everyone kept telling me how great I looked today and last night..and I wanted to laugh. When I got sick on Tuesday I broke a ton of caplilaries in my face, especially around my eyes. So now I'm wearing makeup to try and cover it up.....guess that's why I look good LOL. One thing for sure, with amount of spots on my face I could never hide being bulimic. I had fun today, we had a grand ole Irish time at day care, with crafts glitter and green food. I also finally got to add another charm to my bracelet...another 5lb mark reached. (course it was when I was sick that I lost...go figure.) Hope everyone has a grand st. patty's day. May the luck of the Irish go with ya'

Angie sorry to hear about all of your troubles...if you ever need to yap at someone give me a call (cell phone). Hubby and I went through something similiar...except he was fine when I was losing the weight it's when all our fun and games produced Karah. It was the longest 9 months of my life, and I honestly didn't know if our marriage was going to make it. Now I look back on it as a hiccup...things are good and we are communicating again. Just hang in there..and its good that you guys are going to counsiling..that shows that you guys haven't given up...use it to let him know he is stuck with ya.

Glad to hear it went well and that the port was fine.

I'm here, in a funk. On the discouraged train right now. I think my thyroid medicine needs to be adjusted because I just literally run out of steam after 5 pm. I was feeling terriblly old becuase all the weight I've lost has been from my face apparently and wrinkles were showing up. Started using an anti wrinkle cream and either it looks better or I'm fooling myself...either way its good. I also was noticing alot more grey hair so had my hair done Thursday, it looks good...or at least everyone keeps saying it does. (see what I mean...a funk...lol) I'm having issues with food. At night I can eat pretty much anything...but have had a lot of pb's the last couple of days, I've stuck to mushies today and almost felt like I was going to get stuck on that. I'm retaining Water like crazy so going to take some water pills starting in the morning ...hope that helps. Haven't lost anymore weight....I'm stuck again. Oh and our church is having a childrens consignment sale on the morning of our meeting (are we meeting in the university area?) so if anyone wants to check that out let me know. I'll have Karah's toddler bed there...though not sure how much to price it. I've been reading, just hadn't felt positive enough to respond. Kim, hope your flip goes great, and curtis's visit is positive news. Angie, I know what you mean about having more energy, until very recently I felt like I did too. Kathy sorry to hear about the hives, hope they are better soon. Karen it will be here before you know it....you are on the home stretch now. Diane ...woot able to get rid of last summers clothes!!!!! Congrats. I think most of mine still fit...how sad is that. LOL

The fills you pay for upfront at Dr. Baumans office, and it can be a bit pricey at least initially since he does his mostly under fluro at the hospital. I had a fill on the tenth and I pay dr. B's office 200. and was suppouse to pay the hospital another 198....but no one asked for anything there and I didn't go "hey you forgot to take my money" lol, so I assume they billed insurance. After this I will only have to pay my copay to dr. B's office and hospital fee if they make me. From what I understand the initial consult fee with Dr. B will be covered by MOST insurances you just have to pay up front and file for reinbursement...(they may file for you). I was unique in that I had already been approved by insurance when I went to Dr. B's office so I didn't have to pay this fee.

Welcome to lapbandtalk and to NC group. We have a great support system going here in nc, you should join us for one of our meetings. Nothing formal, we just get together once a month at a local resturant and hang out a bit. I too went through Dr. Bauman and I have been pleased with the staff there, and of course Dr. Bauman is one cute doc. LOL Good luck, and keep posting, especially if you have any questions or concerns.