Anwyn

I was reading a different thread where a new bandster was going to be discharged the same day as surgery. I'm curious... how many of you stayed overnight? Did your surgeon do a barium swallow after surgery to check for leaks? There was a very high profile case here in Michigan involving a Detroit city councilwoman. She died after her band surgery because the surgeon nicked her stomach with the instruments. A barium swallow after surgery will catch any nicks/leaks, so it became standard procedure at my hospital. What was your experience?

Hi everyone, I just returned home after a 4 day stay in the hospital. I was having bad reflux and stomach pain last week, so I went in to get it checked out. As I suspected/dreaded, my band had slipped. I had band revision surgery on Tuesday and was released this morning. So far, so good... the pain isn't quite as bad as it was with my first banding. They put in a new band but kept the old port, so that could have something to do with the decrease in pain. The doctors don't know why my band slipped. I've PB'd 3 times in the 8 months since my original surgery, but those were months ago. I don't drink pop or take NSAID's (in case you were wondering! ) If there's one thing I'm guilty of it's eating too quickly on occasion. I think I'm just one of the unlucky "1-3%" we're always hearing about. Time for sleep. :notagree

Hi everyone, Mandi, I'm sorry to hear that you're sick again! I hope the new meds kick into gear for you. Renee, welcome to Bandland! How's the shoulder pain? I had that for the first few weeks, but it gradually went away. When do you get to move to mushies? Kat, what an ordeal! Thank God they all turned up safe. I read about the missing hikers on yahoo - it sure is a small world! I wish I had time for more personals but DD is about to be dropped off. She spent the day with her Grandma. Hugs everyone!

Hi everyone, Thanks for the thoughts and prayers - it's amazing how comforting it is to know that they're coming in from all over the country, and I truly, truly appreciate it! Mandy, congrats on the new bike! Nothing like the perfect gift to save a rotton day. Diane, how is the band today? Were you able to try some mushies? We had to dig ourselves out of 12 inches of snow yesterday. The kids had a snow day today. Since DH is out of town until Sunday, I had to call into work. We had a nice day - we hit the McDonalds Playland (along with 50 other screaming kids) and got haircuts for the kids. Here's hoping were back to school tomorrow! Sorry that I don't have time for personals for everyone - hope everyone is ready for Christmas! Anne

Hey everyone, just popping in to say hello! Sherry, congrats on making it to Onederland!!! How is everyone doing with their holiday prep? I have to do my cards and make one more Amazon purchase, then I'm mostly done. My DH has to go to California for the next week, so I'm pretty bummed about that. All this prep and he won't even be around to enjoy it. I got some bad news today - my dad has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. They'll be removing his prostate sometime in January. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I've gotta go to bed - I've been up since 4:30 and I can't keep my eyes open. Hope you're all doing well and enjoying the holiday.

Just stopping in to say hello! Thanksgiving was a bit of a bust this year... we had to admit my MIL to the hospital Wednesday night. She was showing signs of a stroke (droopy left side, slurred speech). The good news is - no stroke. The bad news is, she has diabetes. She hasn't seen a doctor in 5 years and was self medicating. Her sugar was 360. She also needs a knee replacement from an accident she had 25 years ago. She's only 65, but for as long as I've known her she's acted like she's 85. Does that make sense? Anyways, she's in a rotton mood stuck in the hospital bed, and is making our lives miserable. Kat, I'm so happy to hear that your tumor is benign!! Are you feeling fully recovered yet? Next Thanksgiving I say you show up with a big bag full of canned corn and nothing else. It would be fun to see the looks on everyone's faces! Then you can order in Kentucky Fried Chicken... Cindy, a belated Happy Birthday and congrats on the new job! It sounds like a perfect fit. Pat, you must be so nervous and excited about your surgery!! I'm so happy for you! So, can you send those guys over to my house in Michigan and have them get my Christmas lights down from the attic? Betty, Happy anniversary!! Jessica, good luck with your mushies! Personally, I'd stay away from tuna. I have a hard time chewing it well enough, and it can be pretty painful going down. Do you like refried Beans? Mandy, you're a braver woman than I am. I stay away from Black Friday - I just can't handle the crowds. Congrats on all the great deals! Diane, how was your Thanksgiving? I remember feeling like everyone was looking at what I ate when I first got my band too, but they'll get used to it (and so will you!) :eek: Patty, how are you doing? I'm thinking positive thoughts that things are going to pick up for you. Do you have any leads on a new job? Eilene, is DD enjoying karate? I'm ready to take a break - I can't handle all these after school activities anymore. DD and DS start gymnastics this Saturday (goodbye sleeping in!), so I'm making them drop karate for a while. It would be a harder decision if their karate instructor was drool-worthy like yours. Okay, I'm sure I've missed some of you and I apologize. I'm off to bed so I can have the energy to plaster a smile on my face when I visit the MIL in the hospital tomorrow. (((((HUGS))))) everyone! Psssst!! Don't tell, but I got on the scale this morning and my ticker's a big fat liar!! Stupid Thanksgiving... Anne

Hi everyone, Can someone tell me what kind of surgery Kat is having? I must have missed it when I was reading up on the posts. Kat, I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers! Sherry, how's your stomach feeling today? Did the unfill help the reflux last night? Mandi, thanks for the advice on the Gas-X - I took some last night and it really helped. How's Abi doing with school - any improvement? My son is having problems keeping up this year, and I'm thinking we'll have to pull him from the Montessori school. He's in second grade (and the teachers tell me that he's keeping up with the second grade curriculum), but he's still working on the first grade math and phonics workbooks. WTF? Pat, Happy Anniversary!! :rose: Enjoy your romantic evening. :eyebrows: Eilene, how's your back? Did I ever tell you about my inversion table? It helps my back a lot and it was only about $150. They stretch out the spine and relieve pressure, and they help build core muscles. Go to inversiontables.com to see a picture of one - it's really not as scary as it sounds. Jetti, how goes the recovery? Congratulations on the weightloss! I ate tons of refried Beans during my mushy stage - yum! Betty, what are you up to this weekend? Cindy, how was the deposition? It doesn't seem fair that you're getting sued when you were pushed into the car from someone else! Good thing the insurance co is footing the bill. When's the last time anyone heard from Beanie? Darcy and Patty, where are you? I'd love a copy of the new Christmas address list too! My address hasn't changed. It was a lot of fun getting cards from everyone last year! Well, it looks like Mother Nature let us off the hook on the leaf clean up today - it's raining outside. Grandma has the kids today, so DH and I are going to head out and see Beowulf in IMAX 3-D. Hope you're all enjoying your weekend!

Hello All, :rain:It's a rainy November day here in Michigan - blech. I just spent the weekend in Grand Rapids with Mom and my sisters. We spent too much, ate too much, and drank WAY too much wine, but it was a ton of fun and the Christmas shopping is almost done! Today was back to the real world, so now I'm back to work and trying to figure out how to play catch up with all the junk that didn't get done this past weekend. It was worth it though! Bear with me while I catch up on everyone's new jobs, challenges, lovelifes, etc. So much has changed! It looks like Eileen, Mandy, and Betty all have new jobs that they love (or at least like). That's great news - congrats everyone! I'm working 35 hours a week for the hospital, and I love it here. Great boss, fun coworkers. The toughest part has been not having enough time with the kids, but they've adjusted really well. DD and DS both began karate a few months ago and they love it. Band life is going okay (she says cautiously). I've had a few fills and the weight is creeping off slooooowly. I'm on liquids today because my tummy feels weird and I was burping all last night. I'm sure it'll be fine if I take it easy for a few days. Okay, time to stop slacking and get back to work! I have to clean up the drool on my keyboard from reading about the krispy creme cake. Mmmmmm... It feels great to be back on here - I missed you guys!!

Hey ladies!! I've been busy catching up on the October and November threads. I've missed everyone, and I don't have any good reason for staying away so long. I suppose when I went back to work my whole life became a juggling act and I let a few things drop. I'm trying to get better at prioritizing things, and dang it, I miss my friends!! Besides, I've decided to say to heck with corporate policy and start posting from work - we're not supposed to use the internet for personal use, tee hee! Oh well, I work for a hospital and this is a "medical" website, right? I will catch up more soon - it's 3:30 in the morning and I have to get back to bed. I woke up 2 am nautious and burping. And so continues my love/hate relationship with the band... (((((HUGS))))) Anne

Just popping in to say hello! The new job is going great but it keeps me hopping. I miss you guys! Will read up and post more soon. (((HUGS)))

Hi All! Mary, hope your little guy is doing better! My nephew has pneumonia right now too. There sure is a lot of nasty stuff going around right now! Eilene, I make those egg things for my easter egg hunt every year. They're always a huge hit. The only difference is I put a small pillsbury biscuit (the ones that come in the tubes) in the bottom of the muffin pan first and then top with the other stuff. I have to use the jumbo muffin pans or they overflow. Hmm... I'm going to try them without the bread. Much more band friendly! Mandy, glad your foot is healing up! That queso dip sounds awesome. We aren't having a superbowl party but I'm going to have to try that sometime. What size block of velveeta do you use? And what are rotels? I've never heard of them. :guess Kat, I hope your trip is going well! Cindy, that Valentine's gift doesn't sound weird to me at all. My DH would be in heaven if I got him a huge box of sausage. Betty, enjoy the Superbowl! Irene, I'll be training for 2 weeks total. Yup - it's the same job I had when I stopped working 6 years ago, so this is pretty much a refresher course. They're making me sit through hospital orientation again, which is a two day course this Monday and Tuesday. I get to learn all about the history of the nuns who started the hospital. Oh joy! Dianne, Pogo is my addiction. If I start playing at 11pm I know I'll be up till 3 in the morning. I love playing Texas Hold Em. What's your favorite game? Sherry, are you staying warm? Darcy, you're so crafty! I'd love to learn how to sew. I know I've missed some of you but I have to get moving. Stay warm everyone!

Kat, honey I'm so sorry about your friend. You'll all be in my thoughts. You be careful on the road and don't be afraid to cancel if it gets bad out. Hi Darcy! I see we're both on at the same time. Came to taunt us with your evil cake? Well, DH brought home a humongous box of brownie mix from Costco - and I already had one in the pantry. I could make brownies for 100. Crispy - you poor thing!! I hope you feel better soon. (((LOOSE HUGS))) so I don't hurt your ribs. :rose: Promise to catch up on personals with everyone later. Still haven't figured out if I can LBT at work since the lady who is training me sits with me all day. Since nobody there knows I have a band it would be a tad awkward, lol. Hope you're all doing well and adding lots of miles to the exercise log! Hugs all around.

Hi everyone! Work is going great, but I'm pooped. My brain muscle is worn out, but I wanted to let you know I'm thinking of y'all. These recipes all sound great - I'm going to try them both! Time to get the kids in the tub and then collapse. Have a great evening! Oh yeah... my scale is moving a little too!

Today's my first day as a working mom! Here it is Monday morning at 1am and I'm too freaking wound up to sleep. :confused: I'm sipping a small glass of red wine to try to conk myself out. Have to be up and out with the kiddoes at 7am - yikes! I have my clothes layed out and the kids's lunches packed. Did I mention the alarm is set early so that I can hop on the elliptical for 30 mins before work? Hmm... perhaps today is NOT the best day to hop on the exercise bandwagon. :confused: Dianne, good for you! I'm so glad you're taking some time for yourself to exercise. Keep us posted on the surgery date - I'm sure they can get you set up somewhere else fairly easily. It can't be as hard as getting lapband approval at any rate. :rofl: Eilene, oh no - we're not staying at the $800/night hotel. We usually do dinner and a movie for our anniversary but we always said we'd splurge for the 10th. But there's splurging and then there's stupid, lol. Glad to hear you and DH had a nice anniversary! You have my sympathy for the polly pockets. DD got a small set for Christmas and they've moved into every nook and cranny of the house. Kat, (whispers) pssst... congrats on the weight loss! Darcy, did you find the chocolate? Can I have some? :hungry: Sherry, I made pork chops in the crock pot yesterday and DH loved them. I used the really thick boneless ones, threw them in raw (though I could have browned them with some onion - I didn't bother and they turned out fine), then added a bottle of teriyaki sauce and a cup of water. Cooked them all day and served them with rice pilaf and steamed broccoli. Yummy, though I've tried it several times now and the brand of teriyaki sauce really makes a difference. Some brands are WAY too salty. I'd love a good chicken crock pot recipe if you find one! Crispy, you poor thing! I hope the doctor can give you something on Monday to finally get rid of your bronchitis. (((HUGS))) Mandy, how is your foot healing up? Okay, time to try to fall asleep again. Here's hoping I don't fall asleep on my first day, lol. Hope everyone had a great weekend! :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree

Hi Mandy, thanks - that would be great! I think we want to stay on the island this time but I'm open to suggestions. I've found a bunch of places that are MUCH cheaper than the Grand Hotel - we just need to sit down together and settle on a place. Another factor that nixed the Grand Hotel - guests are required to dress in suits and formal gowns after 6pm. I think that would be fun for one night, but not three. Besides, all my ball gowns are in storage.

:happybday: :happybday: :happybday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEANIE! :happybday: :happybday: :happybday: Did you go out yesterday to celebrate? Hope your day was tons of fun!! Sherry, hope you're feeling better today! In addition to helping Patty with her insurance issues Sherry also sent me a huge box of her size 22 work clothes to help me get started with my new job. What a sweetheart!! :angel: Eilene, Happy Anniversary!! What are you and DH doing to celebrate? I'm trying to plan a weekend for my 10th anniversary in June. We were going to stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island, but the rooms are $800 per night. Yes - you read that correctly!! I want a hot cabana boy following me around with palm leaves and peeling grapes for that much dough. Enjoy your night with DH!! Darcy, you are kicking booty with the exercise! That band concert sounds like torture, lol. Hope your ears have recovered. Kat, I hope you and DH are feeling better after a good night's sleep. Congrats on the snoring! I'm not exactly sure, but I think mine went away when I got down to about 240 lbs. It's so nice not waking myself up in the middle of the night with my sawing. Cindy, did you get that closet conquered? I had lots of grand plans for closet cleaning before I go back to work, but suddenly I'm down to 2 days left and I don't care anymore, lol. I did get the linen closet done, but what really needs doin' is my refrigerator. *shudder* Mary, hope you get that sinus infection cleared up! Feel better soon - (((HUGS))) Hi Mandy, I see you're on here too! How is the recovery going? I hope you're doing well. (((HUGS))) Dianne, are you still down south with your inlaws? I've been keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Betty, mmmmmm pot roast - my all time favorite meal. I make mine in the crock pot with cream of mushroom soup and Mrs. Grass onion soup mix. Best gravy ever, but I don't make it often because it's hard to control myself. I'm sorry - I know I haven't caught everybody. It doesn't mean I'm not thinking of you! Have a great weekend everyone. Two days of freedom left... :omg:

Hi Luv! We must have been posting at the same time. Welcome to our chat! What is your surgery date? I started at a similar weight and I will turn 34 this May. Personally, I haven't been nearly as hungry since my operation. I think you'll find that you will still battle cravings and WANT to eat mentally, but actual hunger is satisfied with just a few bites. Good luck to you! :huggie:

My goodness Kat! Your brother has been through so much. My oldest brother is turning 40 this year. He was paralized 13 years ago in a diving accident (by diving I mean jumping headfirst from a bridge into a cement retaining pond because he was too drunk to notice it was only 16 inches deep). My mom has a hard time with feeling sorry for him, and of course we all do when we get together with our spouses and children and he's still alone. But, he's got his mind and he's only paralyzed from the waist down so it could have been so much worse. Life sure can throw us curveballs, eh? Your brother is very lucky to have you. Hope he has a great birthday! :huggie:

Hi everyone! Spent the whole weekend down with bronchitis and now DS has it as well. He was home from school today with me. We're all on antibiotics now so I'm hopeful this will be over soon. DH is back in SoCal this week so it's just me again. Will catch up with personals soon, but wanted to let you all know I've been thinking about you!

Hello everyone! Darcy, yup - I'm going back to work. I left my job 6 years ago to be home with my kids and the lady who took over for me is now retiring. I work in physician credentialing for a group of hospitals in and around Ann Arbor. I'm really excited and nervous, but what I really want to know is - will I be able to access LBT at work?! If not, I just may have to quit. :rose: Beanie, I know what you mean about training. Hopefully that woman will work out and you won't get slammed every time you travel. I'm dreading the two weeks that I will overlap with the woman who is leaving. That's not to say that I won't need her to train me - I definitely will! But it's hard to settle in when there are two people working at the same desk. Mary, you poor thing! I had mild roids when I was preggers with my kids. No fun at all, and I can certainly see where you'd avoid the bike. (Darcy - pucker up and take it?! LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!) Sherryboberry, I love your new avatar! WTG on the exercise. I'll have to keep an eye out for that exercise ball - I've never seen one that sits on a base before. Even when I was thinner I carried a lot of weight in my batwings, so now they seem hopeless. Mandi, you are hopefully recovering comfortably right now! I'm thinking of you and sending healing thoughts your way! Dianne, I'm not surprised that you're pb'ing with all that stress. How are things going? Have you settled on a place for your MIL? Betty, I've always wondered why we don't get a bunch of nasty porn ads on this site... Thanks for keeping the boards clean for us! Cindy, I cannot believe they wanted you to go in for one more day of work. Morons - don't they realize that we did an official countdown?! Sorry that they dragged you in for a meeting. At least your principal saw reason (or was too afraid of you to let you back inside). Jules, what are you up to today? Patty, what's new on the insurance front? Pat, why hast thou forsaken us? We miss you! Eilene, can't wait to hear from you! I always think of the movie 9 to 5 when I think of your boss. Let's tie him in a closet so you can come out to play! Is anyone else watching American Idol? I love that show, but I wish they'd stop focusing so much on the "losers" trying out and show us some good auditions. After a while it's just cruel, ya know? DD and I are still sick. Remember that picture I posted a loong time ago of my messy dining room? The mess has spread to the whole house. DH is picking up some antibiotics right now so hopefully they'll do the trick. Love you guys,

Hi Dianne! I KNEW I missed someone. Are you still with the in-laws? Have you been able to get your MIL's medication straightened out? (((HUGS)))

Hi everyone! Wow, you slack off for a few days and there's so much to catch up on. School was called off today from all of the ice, so the kids and I are hunkering down here for the day. Good thing, since I woke up with DD's chest cold. :sick Fortunately, I don't start work until January 29th. That's my biggest concern... I don't earn any time off until I've been there 90 days so it will be a problem if DH is out of town and one of the kids gets sick. Trying not to borrow trouble though - it'll all work out. They have kept me busy getting my work physicial and filling out paperwork. Darcy, first of all I have to say how awesome it is to see you feeling so positive and motivated!! I guess exercise really is the best medicine. That's what I've heard anyways... I wouldn 't know first hand. Once I get over this chest cold I'm on board too! I do the elliptical, so I don't know if you'll want my total miles, but I'm going to set a challenge for myself and get to it. Still laughing about the poopcicles... Patty, I'm so sorry to hear that you've reached another obstacle. The good news is that United Healthcare seems to be by far the best insurance plan for approving bands. I have them myself and approval was a breeze, and I've seen many people on this board say the same thing. Hopefully you'll be able to find an in-network doc. (((HUGS))) Kat, your DH is so sweet getting up to start your car for you. We just moved our pop-up camper up to my sister's place so that we could have two cars in the garage. I'm going to be driving our 10 year old Explorer to work for as long as it lasts. It's no longer pretty, but it's paid for! Hope that tylenol kicked your headache in the butt. Mary, I hope your car hangs in there! Your ex sounds like a piece of work. Didn't he just total another car not too long ago or am I thinking of someone else? Jules, keep up the good work on the bike! I used to ride a stationary in college. I have plenty of padding in the booty department but I'm afraid it would hurt my lower back. I like the recumbent bikes at the gym. Betty & Irene, great job on the exercise! I'm so proud of everybody. Mandy, I'll be thinking of you during your foot op. Will they be working on both feet on the same day? How long is the recovery? Thanks for sharing the pics - I love your disney jeans! Cindy, did you ever get the tree down? Sherry, your office sounds heavenly. I'm going to have to get some pictures for my new job - there's nothing on the walls at all. It definitely needs some cozying up. DH and I share a pretty sarcastic sense of humor... I bought him a big poster for his home office. It's a take off on the inspirational type. It says "Procrastination: Hard work often pays off after time, but laziness always pays off now." :biggrin1: Crispy, whatcha up to? Pat, we miss you!! Eilene, why must that stupid boss keep you away? WHY?! Okay, I have to schlep my way upstairs and find something for dinner. Does a mother ever truly get a sick day? I think not... ((((HUGS)))) everyone.

Good morning everyone! Just popping in for a quick hello... DD and I are having a quiet morning at home but I have a lot of busywork to get done. She's still feeling a bit under the weather but I don't think it's anything serious. Just wanted you all to know I was thinking of you... (((HUGS)))!

Skinnymom, you couldn't be more normal! I remember a few people talking about how wonderful they felt 3 days after surgery, but I still wanted to curl up into a ball and nap every day when I was two weeks out. You'll feel a little better every day (and a LOT better when you can eat some mushies). Remember, you're going through major physical and emotional changes right now and it's going to take a while to adjust. Incidentally, I did gain about 5 lbs of my Water weight back as soon as I started eating solid foods. It came back off very quickly, so don't let it get you down if it happens to you. Try to focus on where you'll be in six months - that helped me get through. (((hugs)))

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!! I was almost done typing out a long post with personals and i hit the back button by mistake and lost it all! DD is sick today with an earache and she won't get off my lap so I typed the whole thing with two fingers, LOL. Oh well, you all know I love ya... Have a great weekend everyone!