PrtyAntOvrYt

She's right Mal... the pics of your Mom are the sweetest. She is beautiful. I love that you ran for her. What a tribute for her. Think of it. You worked so hard to get in shape to do this for her... and you reached the finish line. What a sweet way to tell her and the world how much you love her.

Yes! The 12th will work for me! I have a meeting on the 11th, so I know I am off on the 12th. Go ahead and book the flight!

Hey Jaime, I'm off on the 28th of November and the 12th of December. You could ask Dr. K if he would be willing to do a fill on the 28th. I know some get fills at weeks post op, but I'm not sure what his opinion is. Maybe someone else has the 5th off. I am really sorry! But I am all yours on the 28th or the 12th. hugs, dee (I'll have to catch up on everyone later. I'm in a hurry tonight)

My port area was swollen like an egg shape also. He said that was normal. I would call his office and get into see him. I'm not sure about the pain meds. Sorry!!! I just realized you don't live in town. Call his office and talk to him and see what he tells you.

One of Dr K's PA students held my hand for my first fill and then my BFF held my hand for the second fill. She's one of his band patients, so she knew how it felt! It helped a lot having someone there! We can't do our schedules until Wednesday, I'm going to stay up until 1201, so I can get the schedule I want! But I have to do my weekend requirement, that's why I'm not sure which Friday I'll be off. Promise, I'll get back with you!

I love your pictures! AND the pictures of your Mom are just beautiful! I cried a lot during the race. I would read someone's bib and I'd cry! I started crying when they blew the horn to start the race. I thought of my friend Sandra and how badly she wanted to win the battle! I'm so proud of you and your Son, Mal! I am sending you a High 5! Actually, there were quite a few men doing that race. I saw! Who cares! No one minded! I loved seeing all the husbands, fathers and sons there to support and honor the women they love! It was all very heartwarming! We took the Light Rail at Lincoln. It was my first time. When we returned to the Lincoln depot, the lady on the speaker said, "This is the end of the road, you must leave the train now." I thought in my head, "This is just the beginning of the road!" I still can't believe I did it!" Thanks Jaime! All of my daughter's pics on her My Space are done that way! They are so cute! It's true that is a very common My Space pose. I can pick you up at the airport. BUT let me get back with you about the date. I am doing my schedule at work on Wed morning at 1201am. (I'm greedy and want to be the first to put my schedule in) Maybe I could make my fill for the same day and we could hold each other's hands! I'll do my schedule and come on here and write you to let you know which date worked. Okay? AND about the gas! You're taking your life in your hands -- remember what Shelbi said about ME?

Mini! It looks like I'm not going to come close to meeting my goal this time! It was a little bit much! I admit! It was such a blast! You've got to do it next year with us! Thanks for the compliments! I love doing fun - healthy stuff with my daughter now!

It's my understanding the Band comes primed with a little. Mine had 1.7 in it.

Boy do I need some botox on that forehead of mine!!! My eye was really tearing. But my teeth were looking pretty white.

Thanks! It's one of those "hold the camera above our heads and click" type pictures! Maybe I should take all my pics this way - it lessened my double chin!

Well, I've taken up lying! Nice, huh? I'm mean and I lie! I have so much issues with water retention right now, that I am not going to tell anyone my weight (of course except you guys!) because they make ugly faces and say, "that's all? maybe you need a fill!" Shut up! It's not your place to tell me I need a fill!" I know what you're going through, however, the people at my work just want to know how much I've lost and why haven't I lost more! No one is every pleased with us Fluffy Folks!

Hey Guys! I did it!!! I really did it!!! AND sadly, I didn't see Mal or Brandy! There were only about 70,000 people! The first race at 7am, for Women only had 31,000! Can you imagine? Here is a pic of my daughter and me AFTER the race! See, I'm still alive! AND not a sweaty mess! I found this really nice couple, a father - walking for his wife and his daughter. He had a cane! I told my daughter, "he's my pace car - like at the Indie 500." We made sure we were always with him or a little faster than him. His daughter got a kick out of us! I am going to do it again next year! AND I'm going to get my friends to do it too! If they come to your town, join in!

Thanks Hotmomma! I'll let you know what the nurse and mom look like so you can slap them really good!!! I'm so proud of your accomplishments! You'll get back on track when you get your fill back. It's such a tricky thing! Be good and show the world your Bahotmommaness! Love, dee~

Thank you for letting us know that your Son is safe. I can only imagine your night was very stressful. I'm sorry. I hope I get the research job too. When they were telling me about it, I was getting more and more convinced that it was right for me. I hate being the "fat one" I hate being the fattest person in the room! I just hate being fat! Life goes on... and we continue to ride that wave - Sometimes, it's a bit rocking and sometimes it's down right evil. But knowing we can reach our hands out across the waters of life and touch the hand of another - One who knows, understands and listens Makes that wave much calmer and the ride much more tolerable. Life goes on... It's been a hard week for many of us. We've had some hard times in our lives these past months. Some heartaches, struggles and sadness from things in our families and our friends. I think of Mal and her Son's friend. I think of many of us. Life changing events have occured for us. But yet, we still come here... we still join together to vent, to listen, to cry and to laugh. We're so fortunate. We found friendship here. A gathering of like individuals from all corners of this country - and Alaska - who have come here with the need to be healthier and happier. Each one of you brings to this site a specialness. Remember the movie, You Me and Dupree? Dupree always told his friend, Carl, to be proud of his "Carlness" -- I love that! I need to remember it at times like this. We all do... be proud of who we are, what we've become and the love we have in our hearts. Our struggles with weight have changed us. It perhaps has made us more sensitive to others who are not perfect - as the world would define perfection - but I say today, each of you is perfect in my mind.

Well Folks, Yesterday at work, I upset a Mom. She wasn't following instructions and it had gone on all day, all night and then I arrive in the morning to find the same issues are present. A baby at risk of having big problems. In front of the practitioner and another nurse, I spoke pretty firmly with her about her actions. She was tired, I'm sure, stressed and probably sick of nurses telling her what to do. Anyway, she left our unit and went out to the floor to report that I was mean to her. Me? I'm not ever mean to people. I'm mean to myself, but I'm not mean to others. I can be firm, however. Anyway, the charge from the floor came in and said something to one of the other nurses about it. I was charge, not the other nurse. I overheard her talking about me and I went over. She said, "That Mom said that the Big Fat Nurse was mean to her." As soon as I heard those words, I left. I went to the bathroom and cried. Everyone has always described me that way! I hate it! I reported her remark to my manager and my manager talked to her and she came and apologized. It hurts to have others only see me as "that big fat" person. I feel I am so much more than that. But even when people like me and they don't know my name, they say that. "The fat one." I'm so tired of being the fat one!

Deb, I think or rather hope the interview went well. It lasted 1 hour and 45 mins. It was with the Chief Medical Officer and the director of the program. They were both extremely nice! Very personable. They are interviewing 4 other people for the position. It sounds like something I would absolutely love! I'm waiting to hear back from them... and if it's right, it will happen. I have no experience in that area. And I don't know if any of the other applicants do, but I'm sure they are going to hire the person with the most experience. I was so scared the day of the interview. I was on time, left my house an hour early to drive there and find her office. ON the way I hit so much traffic and 4 school zones. I got there 4 mins before 8am! I ran! (something I haven't done in years!) and made it 1 minute late! I don't think they noticed. I hope!

Mini, I am so sorry to hear of your son. Have you heard anything as of this morning? Did you end up calling anyone? I'm glad you have access to his cell phone activity, it can give you a little more information. I am sure you and DH didn't sleep well last night. Please come and update us. Dork, You poor girl! How frustrating with your band. I don't understand how a stop cock can be risky to the port. It's an external tool that makes it possible to not have to poke more than once, (once you find your port) and still be able to add and subtract fluid. I am wondering if you have a slow leak in your tubing. Anita had a leak in her tubing (I think that's where it was) and she had her port replaced. She said it was a pretty simple procedure. You need to find out, because you are working too hard at it and not getting the help you need from the band. I think getting back on your meds is a good idea. It can help you sort things out better in your life. Don't ever feel you have to apologize for coming here and venting! What is happening in your life is just as important as anyone else's. We all struggle with different things in our lives. We come here to share and to accept support because we know the people here care about us. Darn, Dork, you deserve to be supported too! I think your suggestion about having it checked is a good idea, then maybe an ultrasound or flora can tell you if the band is working the way it should. You shouldn't have less fluid in there, than what was put in. Lotza, Happy b-lated anniversary! Let us know how things go with your Father's appt. Happy Saturday Everyone! Hug you!

Mini, You can count me in for losing 1.8lbs this week. I think about 50% of the excess fluid is gone. Finally!!!

Bella, TOM can really do that to me too! Just prior to and during TOM, I can hardly eat anything and I really have to pay attention to my bites. I was reading recently that one concern of having your band too tight is stretching your upper tummy. If your upper tummy stretches, you have to have a total unfill and then let your tummy rest and hopefully return to it's original size. I'd have to talk to Dr. K about this, but I do know that he has admonished my friend about eating too fast - telling her that she could stretch her upper tummy (pouch) - by overfilling it. I broke my pinkie toe when I was in college. I fell down the stairs. Have fun at the beach. I say take the gloves off Sister! I'm so glad you have a therapist! I wish I had a good one! And I agree with Bella, they can't think of anything else to do to you, so they picked on the dogs. I have a feeling, they will just keep finding crap to irriatate you!

Good Night Ladies! I am going to try to sleep now. I have the early interview and I don't want to look too sleepy! Heather! My Dear, Try to get a goodnight's sleep and just love on those babies of yours tonight. I'll be thinking good thoughts and believing that things will work out well for all of you! They deserve to be with their Mom! Marie! Goodnight. I will remember your father in my prayers and you also. It's going to be a long weekend for you guys waiting his biopsy. I'm believing positive things for you. Mini! My Sweet Puff Mama! Sleep Sweet! love you! Denise, Deb? Did you guys already go to bed?

It's a Research Assistant for the Medical Director Oh My Goodness Lotza! I'm so sorry to hear this! I will be praying tonight and until you let us know your father is doing okay. He's so young! I would be very scared too. I'm sending you a big Hug Dear! I wish I could give it to you in person!

Oh NO! He won't be upset with you. He knows it's the time to heal and not worry about dieting. It's the toughest time and we all gained during that time. I know I gained as soon as i started eating solids. I was so angry at myself! I thought, here I am with a band and I still am gaining weight. I have spent so much of my life beating myself up! It's hideous! AND Nurse-Woman, I am jealous! I hope you get the job! AND more than that, I hope it's a good fit for you! I have an interview tomorrow morning at Porter. Wish me luck!

Oh, I hope you can get a license - so that you can keep your babies! Those neighbors just make me sick! How hateful can people be?

Oh my goodness Heather! That is the worst! How can anyone be so hateful? What is wrong with those people? Do they really hate their lives so much that they have to torture others? How cruel!

Well, I just got home from the Plastic Surgeon's Office. He was extremely nice and very encouraging. He said some really nice things to me. I went there to just touch base and see what his recommendations are for my lower stomach and my arms. He said there are two different procedures for the stomach. The Panniculectomy and the Tummy Tuck are not the same. I thought they were. He would be willing to do a panniculectomy on me when I get my BMI close to 40. A BMI less than 40 would make me obese and the risks for surgery are much lower. He also said that insurance companies are more likely to pay for a Panniculectomy, but unlikely to pay for a Tummy Tuck. The Tummy Tuck will pull the muscles and suture them back together. The Panniculectomy will just take the excess skin away. I would have the Panniculectomy done to help with my lower back strain and then when I get to goal, I'd self pay for my Tummy Tuck. He gave me the price of the Panniculectomy and I was shocked. He's portion is less than $4K. If the insurance covers it, it would be great! We went to his office and discussed everything. I talked about my upper arms and he said most insurance companies never pay for Brachioplasty. We then went to the exam room and I put the gown on - when he saw my arms, he was shocked. I mean, you could see on his face, he had never seen anything like that. He said, each arm appears to have a panniculectomy too. His response was that the insurance could very well pay for them too. Lastly, he said he would be willing to do the surgery now, if I really felt it hindered my activity, caused discomfort or was a problem with hygiene. I decided to try to get my BMI down more, so that the outcome would be better. He asked me to call him, if I changed my mind. He showed me pics of women who had, had RNY and LapBand and had panniculectomies done. I could see some of their ports. There were several who weighed close to what I weigh now and having the panniculectomy removed really improved their appearance.