ReneBean

Ah yes. The incredible relief after waiting and fighting with the insurance company. I remember it well. Congrats!! Soon, you will be a true Band Buddy!!

I feel that Abortion should be an absolute last resort. I know the science - and I know that their little brains don't mature until the end - but they are still alive if not immediately, then very shortly thereafter. Not cognizant of much - but a living being. While I think it is ugly and awful, I would NEVER tell another woman that she had to have a baby she didn't want or couldn't care for. I think abortion needs to remain available forever. I think LATE abortions should be regulated - but in extreme cases, even they can be justified. I just wish people would stop trying to save us. If I am damned, I will claim every sin at the gates of hell and take my punishment like a woman. Everyone else will have to do the same.

Sounds like you might be one of the lucky ones who get restriction right away! Be glad... But don't get dehydrated. You can go for weeks without much food - but you have to drink your Water. Try warm Clear Liquids for a bit. Hopefully, you will not have any trouble with that. Remember - if your doc isn't worried, you probably don't need to be worried, either. Good Luck!

I think the FDA approval document said something about long-term obesity - like you have to have been fat for a while. If you didn't gain all your weight within the last year - it should be ok. I know the insurance companies also want to see if you have made any efforts to lose weight and what success you have had. I think everybody is pretty much on board with the fact that LOSING the weight isn't the problem - it's KEEPING it off. That is why I got the band. Keeping it off will take help. Good luck!

I am beginning to see some logic to the "30 minutes before" rule, too. Here is my PERSONAL experience. When I haven't eaten for 3-4 hours - all the parts below my pouch and pretty much empty. If I put anything in there - it sends up a gas reaction = the gas pushes back - which forces me to slow down my eating. If I have had a bunch of water prior to eating, I don't get this same reaction - the water cleared it out - and I can eat more. I have experienced this on several occassions. I drink a liter of water in the car on my way home from work. If my husband has dinner on the table when I walk in - I can almost always eat more than if I have to wait for a bit for him to cook. Just a thought.

What works for me? I drink and drive..... Water that is. Since I can't guzzle the water like I used to, I try to drink a litre during my drive in to work and a litre on the drive home. Everything at work and at home is a bonus, so long as I get at least 2 litres in the car. :]

Jules and Cindy It's a Date - New Years Day - afternoon - The Cracker Barrel on 380 in Denton. What time? 2? 3? Earlier? (not too much...) What do you think? Jules - in the afternoon, I will probably drink iced tea also. I was really just remembering years ago when I used to gather with my mortgage cronies after many hours of work and drink gallons of coffee and smoke numerous cigarettes. I gave up the smokes - and I never drink coffee after noon anymore. Gosh, I must be getting old. Betty - You in on this? Or have you got a hot date already? Oh this is fun! :] PS - Kat & Betty - I got your lovely cards. Thanks! It's nice to get mail that isn't a BILL. :] Love you guys!

If you use Dr. Jay or Dr. Fox - I recommend the Surgery Center of Richardson. The staff was wonderful... :]

My scale and I have come to an agreement. I won't freak out when it tells me that I haven't lost any weight - and it will give me a good answer once in a while. Seriously - use the tape measure. I mean - who the heck cares how much you actually weigh? (Unless you happen to be a flying Wolenda or something) It's all about how you feel, how you look and how many of your clothes you can fit into again. If you can't handle the lies your scale will continue to tell you, then YES - put it away. Your Doc will jump right in if you aren't doing as well as he would like - and his scale once a month or two will be fine in connection with regular measurements to chart your size progress. Hugs!!

Hi All. I am still very much alive and well. The doc said it was a UT infection with the beginnings of a yeast infection thrown in. I guess I should have gone sooner to visit him. So I took a little Ciprol cocktail last night and some weekly anti yeasty thing and this morning, aside from being a little nauseaus - I am ok. Fever is low or normal (I didn't check) and I am fully functioning. I am sure that by Christmas Eve I will be back to my old normal self. Of course, after having been sick for the entire month to-date, I have accepted the fact that my poor little Christmas tree will not be decorated this year. I am so not there to see it during the day - and at night it lights up pretty, so I am ok with that. No news on Dad since yesterday. Thanks for your love and prayers. Betty - I do hope that your hand is better soon. If you don't see dramatic improvement soon, you should definitely go see a doc. (yeah, I know - it took ME long enough...but you could learn from my bad example. :guess ) Cindy - 2000 cups of coffee at Starbucks? Geez, who are we, the Trumps? Naw, I was thinking someplace where we could schlep around in a booth or at a table and some disgruntled waitress could bring us coffee for a bit and then start giving us dirty looks til we ordered something else. I guess if nobody else can come, you and I can have coffee. I have already told my DH that I have a hot date on New Years Day - so we are all set. Just give me the time and the name of the place and I will find it. I will come across on 380 - so maybe that place would be good. :girl_hug: Mandy - Oh Honey.... I recall the story of the in-laws from hell from last year. I was so glad I married MY man and not yours! And then the washer fiasco - grrr. I had trouble with Sears when we ordered our Mattress from them. NEVER again. Of course, that's why Sears is on the Decline. I would be surprised to see it survive thru 2007. I hope you enjoyed every calorie of that Rum and Coke. :cocktail: Sounds like you needed it. PJ's are the optimal attire for Christmas, in my opinion. Hugs! Sherry - Your pictures are great! I still don't know how you manage to find time for all that baking - I think you must be Superwoman. :wow2: Kat - pictures. Yeah. Trying to get DH to let anybody take his picture these days is a little difficult. My sis keeps trying to snap him all the time - but he hides. He said he would only let her take his picture if she would sing him a song. Suddenly, the camera went away.... I even have a hard time getting a shot of him. He is at maximum density and he hasn't really been out of the house much in the last 6 mos or so - he looks a little like a wino on his bad days... He's just not excited about having pictures at this point. You know that feeling, when none of your clothes fit cause you're too fat and you just don't care anymore? *sigh*. I keep hoping that he will see the advantage of the Band and join me. So far, no dice. Eileenie - much better, thank you. Hope the whole cleaning thing went well. I am so glad I rarely have to do that... :] Hopefully I will be up north in January. Dianne - Don't stress about getting caught up, here. That will only add to the anxiety. Just jump in one day when you feel up to it. So glad to hear there is light in the future. Hugs! Mary - HUGS!!! Try to breathe, Sweetie. The scope will probably tell you SOMETHING - and even if it isn't what you want to hear, at least you will KNOW. Even if the news is bad, knowing is better than wondering. We are all thinking good, strong thoughts for you. Patty - Thank Goodness you aren't feeling that Sadistic Streak this year! I think we would all expire waiting if you didn't rip that envelope open right away. If you don't hear soon, give them a call, ok? xo. Well - It's back to the salt mines for me, too. Lunch hours are just too darned short... I think they should last for 2... or maybe 3.... :] Love you guys!

Wowza! Sherry - What a fine looking young couple you make with your DH! Look at how skinny you have become! You look AWESOME!! And yes - "Lucy & Ethel Bake" should be the text for that shot. You guys look like you are having a great time. Anne - Your tree is SOOOO pretty, and I love your fireplace screen. How cute is that?!? Merry Christmas~!!

Joe, the more she knows, the less she will worry. Take her to every consult and for sure send her here. Hugs and good luck!

Oh sure. I am practicaly dying all weekend - so I am all excited about the doctors visit - but this morning as I stood in line at the UPS Store to ship my packages, I started sweating like the Wicked Witch of the West in a Rain Storm. Those poor people in line must have thought I was an addict in withdrawal or something. Anyway, now my fever seems to be gone. Never fails. I guess I should schedule the doc's appointment on day 2 of any illness to scare the sick away. Don't fret, y'all. I am still going - at four. Just to be SURE that the witch is really dead. Besides - I want to see what the scale says. :] Eileenie - Hugs!! I miss you! We are going to have to get together again, soon. I will see what I can do for January. xo Cindy - I love a parade, too. Besides, I am SO not a morning person. Afternoon on New Years Day works for me. Jules? Betty? I can drive to Denton if you can.... Where is a good place? Is there someplace where we can drink like 2000 cups of coffee and spend 4 hours sitting around? Betty - I surely hope your hand feels better! I suppose you have some big block party on New Years Day? Could you make it up to Denton to visit? Or do we need to change locations? Could you come, if we did? I am getting all excited.... Chris - YAHOOOOOOO!!! Congrats on passing your test. Now all you have to do is get away from Psycho Boy downstairs and all will be well. You hang up those clogging shoes, now. :] Sherry - Geez - I guess we will have to call you Sherry aka Betty Crocker... Sounds like you could open a sweet shop at your place this week. Mmmmm. You seriously plan OFFICE activities for the week of Christmas? What are we going to do with you? Kat - my fever has ranged from normal to 102 and hit ever mark in between. I really thought I was over it last week. Shows how much I know. I hope your husband responds well to the renewal of treating him like the tough guy he still wants to be. Hugs! Darcy - was your girl ill in front of her friends? That might be mortifying for a teenager. Hope she is feeling better. **And yes - I am so long winded that you posted before me. :] Mandy - so cute! Love the Hens. Well - there is no more news yet on my Dad. They still didn't even have the "Official" word on the tumor yet - the Tech who took the picture told them that info. They have yet to meet with the Cardiologist and whoever else has to review that stuff. I appreciate all your well wishes and prayers. I will keep you posted. I will also let you know if the doc has anything interesting to say when I see him later on. Hugs and Love. Irene

Hey All Since I had to unbury my computer to order a gift on-line, I thought I would stop in and see how my beloved band buddies are doing. I am still godawful sick. By the time I got home on Friday, my fever was at 102 and I felt kinda nauseaus. The nausea is kind of sticking with me - but the fever has dropped down to under 100 by today. The good news? I haven't eaten much lately - and my scale had some crazy number on it this morning like 291 point something. I just figured I was too feverish to be reading that right - so I will wait and see what the doc's scale says. I will be going in on Monday, since having a fever for two weeks is considered somewhat bad. Jules - Congrats on Graduating! I figure it's time we all finally get together again. Miss Cindy couldn't make it the last time, and you weren't even here, yet - so it is well past time we got together again. I suppose you all have big plans for New Year's Day? That would be the very best day for me - but I know I am probably the only person that is true for. Dianne - I am so glad to hear you are feeling well enough to venture out into society again. That can only be a good thing. Hugs!! Kat - I whine in the key of C - perhaps we can create a harmoney of whines. *WHHHIIIIIIIINNNNNNEEEEEEE* Sorry about the bickering with the spousal unit. That just sucks the life right out of me. The money thing is always tough. Hugs!! Cindy - Sounds like your girl is getting a grand Christmas this year. Nothing like being an only child.... :] Cool that you got better seats at the concert. So, what are you doing on New Year's Day? Big plans? big family fun? Mandy - Sounds like Abi has it pretty good this year, too. Although I must confess that being over 40 and not having any kids of my own, I have NO idea what a Mix Stick is....Bummer about having to keep your blinds drawn. Anne - Don't feel too bad about your dusty shoes. Mine have cobwebs on them, too. *sigh*. I guess one I am over this crud, I will have to drag myself back there. Not even your cookie food porn sounds good. Gads, I must be dying! Chris - congrats on being done with the test. I hate those things... Good luck on getting the new place. I am thinking good thoughts. Darcy - I am getting the vision of you in the flashing red nose.... hahahaha. Thanks for the laugh. I would have been mortified as a girl to be picked up by a mother in a flashing red nose. How fun was that! I picked up the 2nd pirates movie recently, too. Can't wait to see it. Eileenie - Smart move to make them take the cookies away. I don't want to eat much - but somehow I think a cookie or two might get consumed if they were here. For those of you that are keeping track - here is the latest on my dad. The thing floating in his heart is a tumor - which is actually the better option between tumor and clot. For one thing - tumor is probably localized and is definitely anchored down - so it won't float out and clog and artery and kill him. Of couse the stubborn old goat is doing all that he can to be SURE he drops dead - since when I called this morning, he was painting his garage. Mom says he won't take it easy - it goes against his nature to allow himself to be sick. His mom was a Christian Scientist - mind over everything - and so that has coloured all of our attitudes about doctors and medicine - but probably his most of all. I am just glad that he is at least going to the doc to find out what is wrong and try and fix the problem. In the mean time, I appreciate all of your prayers and good wishes for him - since he certainly isn't doing too much to take it easy! Well - I have been upright for longer than I have since Friday, and I am starting to feel the effects. For all of y'all who haven't checked in - Love and hugs!! Hope to hear from you soon. xo

Go Becky, Go! You ROCK!

Visualizing yourself thinner - I have never been able to do that either in any realistic sort of way.... but I had a dream the other night in which I was maybe a size 16/18 - a REALISTIC look at what might be. It was very strange - but very hopeful. At least somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind, I am beginning to believe.... Hugs all round!

Hi Cyndie! Congrats on your upcoming surgery date! You must be so excited!! I have found that Atkins Advantage pre-mixed shakes are palatable and very convenient. I keep them in a drawer at my office so that I never am without a good healthy snack. I also find that Six Star Protein powder is pretty good - mix it with non-fat milk or Water or juice and it is almost tasty. Just a couple of suggestions for you. Hugs and good luck on your upcoming surgery! Come back here and tell us when you are all done. We love to hear about how it went for each new bandster. :]

Hi All. I can't say enough good things about the Surgery Center of Richardson. No self consciousness - no embarassment - they took the best possible care of me - and I was in and out so fast that my husband didn't even get to take advantage of the free lunch they offer to the person waiting. You are all fortunate to be having your surgeries there. Elaine - I don't know about the hospital - but I have heard nothing but good things about your doc - so I am sure that you will have a great experience too. Stay tough. The pre-op diet is the hardest part. Hugs!

Hey Y'All I took the last two days off trying to kick this everlasting crud that I have. I had HOPED that sleeping for a couple of days would knock out the fever, at least. Of course, when I went to bed last night, my temp was still over 100 - but it was down to 99 this morning. Maybe it will finally go away. I had to come to work today - not only to check in with y'all - but because if I had to get up, get dressed and go get a doctor's note, I might as well drag my ass in to work. *sigh* Jules - Five weeks?? Color me green! (Christmas Green of course!) You will have five weeks off, Cindy will soon be RETIRED - geez. Maybe we can all do lunch. :] Sherry - 75 lbs ROCKS. Geez. You were banded a week AFTER me and you have lost twice as much weight! You have obviously been working harder than I have! Great job! Betty - the joys of being a Moderator. Now that you are working, I don't know how you have the time! Thanks for thinking of my Dad. No new info, right now. They never tell you anything for days after those stupid tests - and Mom tends to hold back until she has it all. I will have to call her tomorrow to see if they know anything more. Eileenie - Glad you get to take a few minutes off - even if I means you can't play with us, now. Hugs! Mandy - yes - I need the reminder to vote, too. And I LOVE the goofy pics. What a great idea! Your tree is pretty. I really did spend the last two days sleeping. I still haven't decorated! *sigh* Cass - Your Holiday Wedding sounds like it will be a blast! What a great present for both of you! And you can decorate with pine boughs and holly! The church will smell divine! Oh - and if the dresses aren't TOO fluffy - your brides maids might actually be able to wear them again, in real life. They will love you for it! Kat - Well - being sick didn't help me much - but going home and sleeping for two days seemed to do the trick. I happened to step on the scale yesterday and saw 293 - way down from the 297/298 where I had been hovering for weeks. I guess if you are sleeping, you can't be eating. :] Cindy - you short timer, you. TranSiberian Orchestra is in town? Dang, and I have probably missed the opportunity! Bummer. Hope you have a great time! Crazy about that party communication. But whatcha gonna do? People are all a little bit nuts - present company included! :] Dianne - Hugs Hugs!! I hope the new meds help. Congrats on the weightloss!! You will make that 5 ft club in no time. That breathing thing helps, huh? Sometimes I could use that... Glad to hear you got through a day without tears. You vent any old time you like. That's why we are all here... really. It's all about support. HUGS! Mary - sorry to hear about those families being separated. I hope you get over your illness soon. It sucks to be sick! Anne - Not very nice of TOM to stop by when you are working on a party! How did that go? Chris - OMG! What a nut case that guy is... Sounds like he has a bit of a problem. Maybe he wants your apartment or something? You haven't been taking a clogging class up there, have you?? I know how you are Sherry are about dancing! :] Good luck finding a better place. Hugs! Patty - Have I mentioned you have a marked propensity for evil? Well do I remember the Mystery Box - you held out on us for like months!! GRRRRR. You wouldn't really do that to us again, would you? Not sweet little Patty?? Everybody's favorite Mom? C'mon, PLEEEEAAAAASE say you won't. :] Well - I have to run. Nobody did ANYTHING while I was gone - so there are three days worth of work waiting for me today. The price of resting is more stress?!?!? WTF!! Love you guys!

Hey - I had skin issues from way before I got the band. I think you just have to roll the dice and take your chances. Good Luck! and welcome to LBT~!

Hi All. Mary - you feeling any better yet? I have the raging fever BACK today. :sick Oh joy... Hope you and the boys are well. My Dad was feeling poorly enough that he went to the doctor to get checked up (My Mom probably forced him to go...) - and they put him through a flurry of tests. As my elder sister pointed out - he had his first heart attack 30 yrs ago and his danged heart has been trying to kill him with some frequency ever since... but he had been seemingly well for quite a while. Kat - I hope you are feeling better. DH has my cold now, too... and while I thought I was pretty much done, I am sitting here at my desk shivering in a sweater. I hope your creeping crud is over soon. As tempting as it is to ignore it and go on about your life, LIE DOWN. I never did - and the darned stuff won't go away! :cry Hugs! Mandy - if you tried to "Do In" the 6 foot mouse - the police would chase you out of the park.... :] Oh geez. You are motivated... I need to lose 19 lbs by Feb. 6. I should be getting on top of that - but I have been wallowing in my illness. Yesterday, we had tomato Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner - and I ate 2 stinkin' sandwiches. I have a very hard time being motivated when I feel like crud. :phanvan *whine, bitch, moan* Oh - I voted for your friend last night - but I think I am still inside my 24 hours cause it won't let me vote again. I will try to hit it again tonight before I leave. Sherry - Now I am going to have to put the decorations up on MY tree, huh? :rolleyes *sigh* Cindy - Thanks for the prayers. I am sure we can all use all the help we can get. :nervous Wow - you are only minutes away from 6 geese a laying (it is geese, right?) Anyway, the day after tomorrow I will be able to join in the countdown with the proper level of confidence: FIVE GOLDEN RIIIIIINNGGGS!!!! :] Oh - and there is not much going on in the glorious world of mortgage lending. Truly, it is quiet and slow. BORING. Jules - we are going to have to have a get together for those of us folks up North. I am in Allen, by the way. Maybe we can all meet in Lewisville or The Colony or something. Cass - Congrats on the Engagement!! :kiss2: Long Live True Love. You will have to fill us in on all the fab plans. Getting married right away? Or will you have a long engagement? Gosh, that is SO exciting!! Patty - How you doing, honey? Any final word on the approval, yet? A surgery date? I am pretty excited for you. Pat - how are you doing? I haven't seen any fab pictures of your decorated house, yet? You putting up all your pretties? Hugs! Betty - Compliments from the Boss?!? Wow! That's great. It's always nice to hear that you are doing the job right. Gold stars for getting the decorating done! :clap2: Dianne - hope the blues are keeping you down too much. Hugs! Eileenie - Hope you are feeling a little bit better, hon. Hugs!! Chris - you studying? Good! Hugs! Darcy - how's it going? Hugs! Anne - Did you get all that holiday stuff done? Hugs! Ira - how go the holiday preparations? How is your lovely DW. Hope you and yours are well. Hugs!! Well - I have to get back to the old grind. With any luck, I will be able to take off a little early so I can go home and snuggle down. TTL

chicken of the Sea Salmon Cups.... say it with me now.... Salmon is better than a burger..... ((Hugs)) I know that Quarter Pounder with cheese is pure ambrosia - but I just don't go there anymore. Reduced fat wheat thins and Salmon cups. lunch on the go. Or an Atkins Protein shake.... Seriously - step away from the fast food line. :]

Plus - for me, a fluctuation of 2 lbs is normal. I fluctuate on the scales depending on how much salt, how much Water and how much exercise... it seems like the exercise makes me retain water to start - and then lets it go later. If I drink enough water, I don't retain. IF I eat too much salty stuff, I do. If you know you are doing the right thing - and the scale is not moving continuously in the wrong direction - then take a deep breath and keep on doing that thing. This too, shall pass.

I worry that I will NEVER get past that point. I don't know what to tell you. Not only why did you eat it? But why did you even purchase said evil delight? I find myself lately buying things that have no business being in my house. Since when is trail mix (with yogurt balls and chocolate chips) part of a healthy diet? GRRRRR. I went to the store hungry. Like an idiot. pizza is particularly evil. It costs the same for a SMALL pizza as it does for a super mondo huge size?!?! Well DUH! Any good American knows it is better to get more for the same amount of money, right?? I mean it would be pretty stupid not to get the Most for your Money... UNLESS, of course, you are a Bandster.... But, gosh! It just seems wrong to pay the same amount for that tiny little pizza that you would for a big one... and you can always convince yourself that today is the day you will have the will power to put it away for lunch tomorrow.... I don't know what to tell you. I am SOOOO there with you. Hugs!!!

Howdy All! Another glorious day.... The weekend was productive. DH and I braved the crowds both Saturday and Sunday in order to (mostly) complete our shopping for the big day. Now it's just a run to the grocery store for a few little things to throw into our holiday baskets. The grown-ups are getting goodie baskets with just a few personalized little things in them. The children are getting proper gifts. That was pretty much all we did this weekend. So far, nothing is new with my Dad. He has a test today and another one on Thursday. They are trying to figure out what the thing floating in his heart is. It might be a clot, it might be a tumor. Right now, they have him on blood thinners and some other meds. They don't have him in the hospital or anything - they are just monitoring him. The whole family is a little freaked out - I mean, my MOM is the one we were always keeping an eye on. Her docs told her years ago that she could drop over any minute - so everyone sort of assumed she would probably go first. We have all felt blessed that we have had her for as many years as we have. Now, I guess we will have to add my Dad to that, "Every day is a miracle" list. Talk about learning not to take anyone for granted.... This is just a little heads up from God, I guess. Dianne - You have every right to be emotional or depressed, or whatever. Not only do you have the emotionally charged holidays to deal with - but you have lost a bunch of weight - your hormones are probably all over the board. Remember that hormones tend to hang out in fat cells. Once you start clearing out the fat, you are also moving those hormones around. Plus - a large physical change could be expected to cause an emotional change, as well. HUGS!!! Everybody else - I have to run. I love all of you. I will try to catch up more, tomorrow. xo.