PrtyAntOvrYt

Sorry for messing up your numbers! I am hoping your new fill does the trick! I know it's hard if you don't have restriction. Stick with it Girlie!

You got it Sister! I weigh after my shower too! AND I always weigh less!

You're so lucky! I'd love to get up on stage in front of 1000+ people and talk about my vagina! You get to have all the fun!!!

I also don't care which way we do it! Seriously! Anyway is good!

Well! To be honest with you!!! AFTER being "on my own for the last 6 years" -- Longer, shorter, or whatever I'm interested! Very Interested! Maybe a bit too interested! Are we still talking about a weight loss challenge? AND the part about being UP for it, I think that's not our job, Mini!

You know I like 'em longer!!! Wait! What were we talking about?

That's not easy to say, "I think 4 weeks at a time is fine!" HA!

Thanks! Is 4 weeks long enough for everyone? Or should we skip St. Patty's and do an eight week Easter? I like the longer ones, but I'll do whatever everyone else wants!

Well I am so sorry for your sickness this week. BUMMER. Must be close to a full moon because this week, for so many, was wrought with strangeness and upending events. That your band is FINE does not surprise me. It should not be surprising to us finding a difference in the awareness and level of knowledge related to our bandings with those who are in the field on a regular basis and those who do not have it as part of their regular practice. I'm very happy your outcome was successful and that you got to see Dr.K quickly. In having all my back and spine problems over the past eight months, the variety of practioners I've seen has led me to believe strongly in seeking out facilities that have bariatric centers, for out patient services at every opportunity. I know I will be doing this. Going to Weston to the Cleveland Clinic for my spinal problem, and soon discovering they do Lap Banding was a relief. There was no EXPLANATION, no awkward fear that they may misread something. Every dept. I went to made note I had the banding..."did you have it done here?"....no, COLORADO!... I plan on doing that each chance I can and reading your post has reminded me of that resolve I made to myself. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: I'm crying..... Must be menopause because I cry all the time now. Sweet victory to you! Congratulations. Okay friends... I HIT IT ! Valentines Challenge of 20 lbs. I hit twenty lbs. today. Put me down for three lbs. down. 285 now. Wow! Girlfriend!!! You rock! Listen Sister, I love your new approach! Posting your weight everyday is so brave and I am so proud of you! I have been crying since getting my band! I think a lot of it has to do with new insights and HORMONES! When you lose weight your hormones get so wacky! Poor Natalie and Dr. K and Tom! I always end up crying in the office! Tom will say something nice to me and I'm crying like a baby!

So the shuttle will be picking you up at Dr. K's office at 4:30? I am almost positive I can make that! I'll call you! What time do you have to cancel the shuttle?

Oh! Good! I knew I had missed one for you, but I couldn't find it! Until today! You're doing great! Keep up the Losing!!!

I love it! Count me in!!!

:cursing::welldone2::clap::clap: Adorkable (8lbs): -2.0:smilielol5: Amethystjade (15lbs): -7.0, -2.0, -4.0-2.0:welldone2: Reached Goal!!! Bahotmomma (10lbs): -1:wub: Bella (12lbs): -2.0, -0.0, +0.0-1.8-3.0:clap: Deboregon (10lbs): -8.4, +5.0, +4.0-8.2+0.0:clap: Jmegirl (10lbs): -1.8, -0.4, -1.2+1.0+0.0:clap: Julieann (15lbs): -3.9, -3.1, -3.1, -4.0-2.0:welldone2:Reached Goal!!! KayleighsMommy (15lbs): -2.0,-2.0, +0.0-1.0:tt1: Lapdancer (20lbs): -1.04, -8.0, -4.02-3.0-3.0:welldone2:Reached Goal!!! Lotzasunshine (13lbs): -4.0, -1.0, +0.0+0.0+1.0:clap: Magaines (15lbs): -4.2, -2.0, +1.9-2.6:tt1: Minidriver (10lbs): -4.9, -1.5, +0.0+.5-2.9:clap: MissMom: -5lbs:wub: PrtyAntOvrYt (11lbs): -2.0, -0.0, -2.0-2.4+2.0:clap: Shelbi (7lbs): Hey Losers! I'm a gainer this time around! I am back on night shift and I always retain more water weight when I work nights! It sucks! I hate it! BUT I am hoping once I get back in the groove, I'll be okay. I also got a second job working twice a week doing Telephone Triage - sooo life goes on! I want to lose next week! Our final weigh in! Anyone thinking of a new challenge for us? Julie wanna be our next moderator? Maybe St. Patrick's Day? Bella, are you numbers right? I am so confused. Did I miss your weigh in last week? You lost 1.8 right?

thanks! Yes, we're still on for the 7th! That's this coming Monday folks! I hope some people came come! Can you? I'm glad you don't have a slip. I've heard from others that doctors who don't place bands always diagnose slips. I think they are just not 100% certain where they place a band.

I am so hoping that we are able to see one another! What time do you have to be back at the airport? AND what time is your appt? I have to mapquest the court house to see how far I'll be from Dr K's office. I'm hoping to get out early! I heard that they usually release everyone by 4 or 5pm, I can drive really fast to see you before you leave! I'm so sad about that stupid jury duty! IF they wouldn't put out a bench warrant for my arrest, I'd just not go! BUT I do love my freedom and I'd hate to have to wear an orange suit and pick up trash along the highway! However, the mug shot would look much better than it would have a year ago! HA! Just kidding everyone! I'd never even consider not going! I'm a law abiding citizen!

I totally agree with you. I love feeling my shoulders. My arms are so bad, but my shoulders are getting so small. And I can have my arms at my side and not elevated due to my fat body. It's strange to see myself in the mirror... when I'm not really looking. You know, if you pass by a window and see your reflection - my mind remembers the way I've looked for 20 years and then I see someone who doesn't look that way anymore. You talked about always being the "YES" person. I've noticed since losing weight, that I stand up for myself more often. I've recently dealt with some things at work and I've had to be confrontational. I'm not good at anger or confrontation. I back down really fast and become self-sacrificing in order to perserve a relationship - personal or professional. I hate that part of me. But as I lose weight, somehow, I feel I deserve to be treated with some respect. I'm not just the fat nurse or the fat woman, but I'm a vital part of the team! For so long, my entire career, I've had to work extra hard to be accepted, because I felt I wasn't as adequate as the others. Why? for no other reason but my size! I remember years ago, being in a yearly evaluation. It was a peer evaluation committee. I worked nights and I was the permanent night shift charge nurse. I was 30 years old and I was working with a lot of older and more experienced nurses. I remember one of the Ward Clerks making this comment, "I am concerned that if we had an emergency, she wouldn't be able to run fast enough to do what she needed to do." Mind you, this clerk had NEVER worked with me. She worked days and I worked nights. I have no idea why she was allowed to be on the committee. One of the night nurses spoke up in a loud tone, "wait a minute! IF at anytime, the crap hits the fan, I cannot think of one other nurse I'd rather have at that baby's bedside AND if there is running around that needs to be done! I'd do it, because she (meaning me) is the best we have." I sat there in the eval and cried. It was and still is so hard to hear anyone say anything nice about me. I still feel unworthy of praise. The same thing happened when I moved here from NM. I was given high recommendations from everyone except one girl who had never worked with me, but knew me from working at the same hospital - different unit. She insisted that they would be making a huge mistake hiring me. She said this in a staff meeting in front of all the staff. My friend said, 3 other nurses spoke up and said, I was more than capable and experienced and the mistake would be NOT hiring me. I got the job. Have we ever heard anyone speak up like that against someone due to another other feature? NO! They wouldn't have the guts to do that, BUT I'm fat and worthless to some, so I don't deserve the respect everyone else, receives and expects! Why do others judge us - for our weight only? So Patty Darling, yesterday was your ID, TODAY was mine! Thank you for making us think about things. Things that are so important to us, like standing up for ourselves and loving ourselves enough to take our independence back! Hugs to YOU!

I totally believe in measurements! I took mine last week on my Bandiversary and I've lost 56inches overall! 12 inches from my waist! I used to tell Mal that all of the time, when the scale doesn't move it's important to continue your measurements! I think pictures tell the full story too!

Deb! You've had one fill since you got your band. It's time for your fill. You've had to work so hard on your own! And you've done so well! I hope this fill makes a good difference!

Patty! What an absolutely lovely picture! I'm sorry you've been sick! I hope you're feeling better today!

Oh My Goodness Mini! You look GREAT! So young and so pretty! Wow! I think you're doing great! Remember slow and steady wins this race! I think you're a winner!

Wow Patty, that's such a sweet picture! I am so glad you shared it with us! Thanks!

Good Job! I updated the Challenge List.

I am fortunate to live about 13miles from Dr K's office so my aftercare is not an issue. Others can address this. I do have a lot of friends from Albuquerque who have to find their own aftercare. They don't allow Bariatric procedures in the state of NM at this time - so my friends have to go elsewhere. I think it's vital to get your aftercare settled before getting banded. Whether you are banded in the states or in Mexico, many doctors won't accept patients who were banded by other docs. Find out the amount of money upfront, get it in writing if possible and know exactly how you're going to handle your fills. It's a huge deal and the Band won't work without regular adjustments. Also, when you come for your surgery make sure you come totally prepared. Bring someone with you who can drive and stay with you after the procedure. The surgicenter won't allow you to leave in a taxi. Pardon me if I'm telling you stuff you already know - I just think it's so important to have all your ducks in a row before your arrival here. I just had my one year Bandiversary and I am thrilled. Dr K is the best, his office staff is wonderful and his OR staff is top notch! You've found one of the best surgeons in this area! Your journey is just starting! My new birthday is 1/29/08 - and like Patty, I would do it all over again! Patty, you're going to be so teeny tiny! You have a very small frame. And your shoes are so cute!!! I wouldn't mind talking to you anytime! I remember talking to a Mom who wanted me to talk to her 5 year old son. He had a bad cough and she wanted me to tell him he couldn't play outside in the snow. She said that he wouldn't obey her - so she told him a nurse would tell him the same! It was a little funny. He asked me why and I told him, it would be better to play in the warm house until his cough was gone. He was pretty cute and told me thank you. I told him next time he came in the office to ask for me because I wanted to shake his hand! He did! It was the highlight of my day!

The NICU is a wonderful place to work. When I was in nursing school, I knew I wanted to be there. I went and talked to the manager personally. I was obese and young and working at a bank - while having several bachelor degrees in other things. She took a chance on me and gave me a Nurse Tech job. I hated being a Nurse Tech! It was "do this, do that" "no don't do that, do that" Nurses can be a pain in the butt! But I stuck it out and when I graduated they offered me an RN position. I've been in love with those preemies ever since! I love cuddling with them, talking to them and watching their little eyes focus on my face. It's just dreamy! Being a Telephone Triage nurse, I'll take all the parent calls coming in to the office. If the child is sick they will call to get advice or an appt. Sometimes they need reassurance that they can handle something at home and don't have to bring their child in. Other times, they might need to get to the ER immediately. It's a medical support line.

Oh Marie! I hate being sick! I'm sure it's the elementary school! When I started working in the Ped's office, I was sick constantly. Then I got my immunity and I wasn't sick anymore. You'll get immune to all those fighter planes carried the germs and then you can fight them off! I just started working a second job in a huge Ped's office. I'm doing Telephone Triage. I did it years ago and loved it. When I returned to my old job in the NICU after hating the Research Center job, my only option was part time nights. I gladly accepted part time nights, however, I was short one shift to making my monthly budget. So I'll be working two jobs now. I'm thankful. TOM always makes me gain! I hate when that happens! Just think tho, after it's gone you'll drop that 1.5 again and probably more!