Robin Bird

Kat,I know I'm just echoing everyone else's sentiments, but I really enjoy your posts and the lovely advice you give to people! By the time you read this your surgery will probably be over with, but know that I was pulling for you the whole time! Best of healing to you!Robin

Apples2, just let me know when you need her!! Robin

This has nothing to do with the band or eating, but I thought I'd share! On Mother's Day, we stopped to see my M-I-L. When we were leaving, M-I-L said "thank you for coming", and my (8 year old) daughter said "Well, we didn't really have a choice." (!!) The child has no "filter". On the inside I was laughing hysterically, as I had to agree with her 100%! Robin

Hi- I am a computer idiot. Could someone please add me to the running tally? Lost 76 pounds. Thanks, Robin

Hi, As I'm sure you know this week is teacher appreciation week. I was wondering if you could give me gift ideas for my daughter's teacher (3rd grade). I've done the usuals in the past - flowers, candy, etc. Is there something that teachers actually WANT to receive? I'm not talking a major investment, just something small but meaningful and/or useful. Thanks a bunch in advance, and God bless the teachers!! Robin

Thanks for the ideas, folks. I was leaning toward a gift card anyway! That's what I get the teachers for Christmas too. Robin

I have 4 words for you: 50 pounds is FANTASTIC. 4 more words: other people are STUPID. You have lots to be proud of - don't let some people's ignorance take anything away from that. Robin

kathystrick - I loved Greg Evigan too!! Do you remember him on "My Two Dads"? Robin

I just remembered! Moppets Secret Dollhouse!!!

As a teen I was at a Whitesnake concert and had my hair in a banana clip. Some guy sitting behind me thought it would be cool to light my hair on fire! No major damage, luckily! I had a girl and a boy monchichi. They could suck their thumbs I think... I also had a small doll that I can't remember what it was called. She had this big "skirt" that, when on, would cover this round 3-room house she had. So cool. Anyone remember this? Is the Hoff wearing a sweater under that jacket????? This is truly a blast from the past. I forgot (repressed??) so many of these things... Robin

Hi all - I have a joke for you. Having lost some weight, a middle-aged woman was admiring her "new" body in her full-length mirror. Seeing this, her husband said "What on earth are you doing?!". She told him "my doctor says I have the breasts of an 18 year old". Annoyed by this, the man then said "Well, what did he say about your 55 year-old ASS??!" To this the woman cooly replied "Your name never came up!" Have a great day! Robin

ssh, I totally agree with you. My mom asks me this question every time I see her, which could be multiple times per week! For some reason it just burns my bacon! I know she means well, but it seems like she feels obligated to ask me. She is MO and would never have the drive to change her lifestyle and have WLS, so I'm no longer her Burger King partner. Perhaps she feels left behind and that's why it doesn't come off as sincere. I don't know. You know?? Robin

Hi everyone! I'm glad to finally see such a response here in the 30's!! To the pre-banded: good luck and stick to your pre-op diet - it sucks but will not last forever. You can do it! To the newly banded: hang in there - the diet progression sucks too, but you will be eating "real" food soon! To the rest of us: keep on keepin' on!!!! And you all thought I was going to impart some deep wisdom to you! Nope!!!! Take care, all! Robin

Barbie, I am not in your area, but remember that all of us here are just a mouse click away when you need someone to talk to! Robin

80s, Welcome & congrats on your surgery! I am about 5 1/2 months out from mine. There doesn't seem to be a lot of traffic here in the thirties. Maybe we can change that! Robin

Ruby, I'm not offering any advice - just wanted to tell you that you gave me a giggle at work with the nibbling on the jockey thing! What a mental image!! Robin

Gloucester, Bless you for taking in this dog and her babies. I'm sitting here with tears rolling down my face. I, like you, just cannot fathom how some people can be so cruel and apathetic when it comes to animals. I guess I'm too soft, but this kind of thing just gets to me like few other things do. I would take a puppy in a minute if I wasn't so far away (Wisconsin). But THANK YOU on behalf of animal lovers everywhere for having such a kind heart. Robin

Kelli, Thanks for the good thoughts! I go to get "re-filled" this Wednesday. Did you have surgery in Nov. 2007 and lose 125 pounds since then???? Robin

Hey Lizzie- This week I just went through basically the same thing you did. A little history: I was banded 11/2/07 and had fills in Jan. & Feb. which put me at 5cc in a 10cc band. I had gone in on March 5th to get a 3rd fill. My surgeon didn't give me one because, in his words, my weight loss thus far was "off the charts". Fine. I had an appt. with him on Monday (4/7) and told him I still didn't think I had very good restriction. He gave me a 1cc fill and had me drink Water, etc. before I left his office. No problem. I ate a little supper. No problem. Tuesday morning I was uncomfortable when I'd sip water, and couldn't even imagine trying to eat anything. By evening I couldn't get down my own spit. I spent a rotten night, and called my surgeon's office right away when they opened. He couldn't fit me in until 1:50! Geez! When I finally saw him, he said he wanted to take out 4cc for a few days to let things settle down a bit. So, I'm left with 2 cc and will go back next week for the other 3cc to bring me back up to where I was before the fill! He said that at 5cc I was tighter than I thought I was, because 1cc would not take me from too loose to completely closed off. I think he thinks I'm an idiot now and that I expect more out of the band than I should or something. That's not the case - I just didn't know if the restriction I had was enough or the right amount, you know? Anyhoo...lesson learned! Take care everyone! Robin

Tammygirl, I don't believe I've read of anyone that said they were able to ditch their anti-dep. meds. I have been on meds for persistent depression and anxiety for probably 8 years. I have lost almost 70 pounds and have not been able to drop the meds. In fact, I recently stopped taking one of them because of complete lack of sex drive (whole different thread). My sex drive returned, but so has the irritability due to the lack of the med.! It's a no-win situation for me, I'm afraid. Anyhoo...just wanted to let you know what my experience has been. Perhaps things will be different for you. I will keep my fingers crossed for you! Robin

Tyrind, I only needed a 3 month physician-supervised "diet" because that's what the BCBS in the state where I LIVE requires. I'm not sure why they operate like that, but maybe BCBS in your state is similar. Some of the things I did: *see my Primary Care Physician for an initial visit and she noted in my records that I was beginning a low-calorie diet along with walking program) *had required labs done *see PCP once a month for 3 full months to record weight, etc. *kept a "food journal" for all 3 months (notebook w/ all food & bev. recorded) *kept an exercise log for all 3 months (blank calendar pages with all activity recorded) *had PCP initial each page of exercise log & food journal at each month's visit *got letters in favor of surgery and medical records from PCP, OB-GYN and psychiatrist *typed a document that listed my weights through the years (as far back as I could) based on medical records *submitted a copy of Weight Watchers record book I was never pre-approved. As I noted in an ealier post to this thread, you fulfill the requirements set forth by BCBS and proceed in "good faith" that they will cover it. Scary, I know! This is where the bariatric coordinator at your surgeon's office comes in. It's their job to make sure you have everything necessary to submit. Sorry I got so wordy. Other questions, just ask. Robin

tgranquist, Hi! I live in Marinette, Wisconsin. I was banded in Green Bay by Dr. James Kemmerling. Who is doing yours? Robin

Hi Bluz, Where in WI are you? I live in Marinette and was banded 11/2/07 in Green Bay. I truly hope you can find a way to make the surgery happen. With regard to the cravings, it's true that they don't go away. However, I can say that since I've been banded food just doesn't seem quite as important as it used to. The band has given more willpower, if that makes sense. Good luck to you, Robin

The only thing I know for sure is that I could never look into the eyes of my child, who depends on me and trusts me INFINITELY to always take care of her, and not do everything in my power to save her from suffering & needless death. IMHO

Thanks again everyone! I thought I read on here a while back that there's a nerve (Vagus nerve???) that runs down the left side of the body, so if it gets irritated anywhere pain can mainifest itself in the left side?? Another possibility, I guess. Glad to know I'm not the only one though!! Have a great day! Robin