ReneBean

Hi All... I want you to know that I am keeping up with my reading and thinking of all of you with warm & loving thoughts. Too busy to spend much time here (AGAIN!) so I thought I would at least update before the weekend. The scale is hovering at 312/313 for the last several days - so I am excited about that. It moves so microscopically slow, that it seems to be standing still most of the time - but then I look at my last "official" weigh in at the doc's office, and even adjusting for the 4 lbs the doc's scale adds, I have still lost about 5 lbs. I guess I have to just relax and keep on keepin' on. My job is stressful to begin with, and now we are having some staff upheaval - which is no fun at all... I haven't been this excited about a Friday in a while. I am going home to hibernate in the loving arms of my DH - and I am not coming out again until Monday. The tree guys came!! The Hedge from Hell & the Ivy That Swallowed Cleveland have been erradicated from my life. While my front yard still needs some spiffing up - it looks so much better with the dead tree removed and a naked chimney... so much better. The back yard seems so HUGE without those nasty old pine trees...Huge and very bright. DH is busily researching Pool guys so we can get some bids on that. The infamous Dying Deck is still there, and still dying - but I don't care at this moment. (see hibernation note, above). If I go outside to Water plants this weekend - it will be a miracle. I don't see myself tearing out the deck... *sigh* I will get around to it someday - if I can't make the DH do it while I am at work! *wink* And now, I have to get back to the old grind... Love you guys~

I love not having to engage in strange yoga positions to get my seatbelt fastened in the car... I love that my chest now eclipses my belly when I look down. I love that all the clothes I hadn't been able to wear are now getting loose. I love that people who don't know I have the band are asking me if I have lost weight. I can't wait for more!

Hey Guys Having a little work-stress right now, so I am not able to hang out much. I just wanted to stop in and let you know I was thinking of you and that I am alive. I will fill y'all in on the backyard project when I get a minute to breathe. Eileenie - Hugs! Keep the Faith - your Niece will be ok. Hugs all around! Love you guys!

Hey Y'All I only have a few minutes so I am not going to be able to do personals for everybody - but know that I love all of you and I am thinking only good thoughts for you. Patty - My Momma used to say "God helps those who help themselves." Don't lie down on this one. If you don't fight, you can't win. God's plan may include several appeals.... It took four months for me - but I got the band. So, I figure you have another couple of mos of fighting to do, yet. E-mail me if you want copies of my appeal letters. I would be more than happy to help with editing, on yours, too. Hugs!! You will get what you need. I know it. Betty - please make time to see the doc about your foot. In the grand scheme of things, how much time you took off work isn't nearly as important as your continued ability to walk! Besides, those sports medicine guys can work miracles. Hugs. Dianne - hugs for you & your DH. I am hoping it is just they migraine messing him up. Although they are not fun, at least they go away! Kat - the only way I know of to get rid of brownies is to eat them... and that's what I did with mine. Sorry, I just can't help you with yours!! Feed them to the dog? Hey, you have children there... Perfect. Hugs for your DH & you. Sherry - Chris is probably out on a hot date. We will wait to hear about the latest one... again, living vicariously thru Chrispy. Anne? Pat? We miss you guys. I know I have missed importand people and important issues - but I have to run. Ah the life of a mortgage underwriter. No changes in the scale - but at least I am trying to make some better choices. I picked up a Hot Fudge Sundae for my DH yesterday at Sonic - and all I got was a Limeade. I get a gold star for that - for sure. Hugs All Round.

It took four months and a trip before the insurance board - but BC/BS of CA did approve me... and so far they have paid for almost everything. My total out of pocket so far is well below $1000. Keep fighting. ***IF they will cover Gastric Bypass for you, you CAN make them cover the band. E-mail me if you want copies of my appeal letters. Good Luck!!

I'm only at 5 mos out - but I haven't had a single problem. No reflux, no heartburn - not so much as a PB. It's not QUICK - but for me it has been entirely painless, and effortless (which is why it hasn't been quick) It's all good.

Hey Jenna - DH and I were talking about a cruise next year - and I would really like to do it with some LBT pals... I will have to discuss and clear it with him, though... What is our timeline? When do you need to know FOR SURE? Please advise. thx.

Terri Lasso's the Moon! You Rock, Girl! I have a long way to go - but seeing you get there helps to convince me that someday I will! Hugs!

Howdy! Hope everybody is recovered from celebrating their Independence! My day was very relaxed... I spent most of it sleeping! We had planned to work outside - but the weather and my desire for napping kept us indoors. So, my little deck garden is still on the deck - and the deck is still there. *sigh* I guess this weekend we will make another run at it. Thank God for the rain! I hope we get lots more. I am tired of this drought business. So, our day was low-key & quiet. The very best kind... Dianne - HUGS! I hope your emotional crap passes quickly. Patty - I don't know that Cobra will keep you from getting approved - but I know how hard it was for me to get approved with permanent insurance in place. What problems are you having with the Cobra. I was really reacting to you saying you had a little problem... Keep your chin up. Sherry - sounds like your day was a lot like mine - only you had a lovely pool to be in. *sigh* Of course, I couldn't have been in the pool during a thunder storm anyway... Glad you enjoyed it. Kat - if you only ate ONE brownie - you did great. I can hardly kick you for one... ALAS - I had *eh-hem* more than one. Dave - tell us... Children? Spousal Unit? (aka DW?) Fill us in on all the particulars. Groovy that you have a surgeon so close to home. Cindy - Kudos for communication! I can't imagine what it would have been like to be able to tell my Mom "anything". We *SO* never talked about anything pertaining to sex that my poor mother thought I was a lesbian into my college years. After I got done rolling on the floor laughing, I felt badly for her...it would have been easier on her if we had that sort of communication level. *(disclaimer - not that being a lesbian is bad - just that it can be difficult in our less-than-enlightened society. Mom was only worried for me - not horrified at the idea)* Betty - Relax - set for a while and put that foot up! Glad you had a good time out at the lake. We'll keep thinking good thoughts for the Aunts and your DB. HUGS! Eileenie - Exercise IS good - and the scale will start to reflect that soon. It's probably just Water retention... I mean, you WERE in the pool all day, right? LOL! So they shut down the beaches and such... is it because of flooding? Or just because? Oh - and I will be making a short run to NY this month - Sunday the 23rd thru Wed. Morning. Maybe we can meet up on Sunday. Hugs! Donna - sorry about DH's Aunt. It's nice that DH could go home to take care of business. Great work on the exercise... Sorry about the hot dog - and thanks for the warning! Haven't tried one of those since I got my last fill... it might not be a good idea, huh? Hugs! Mary - I guess it's horrid to laugh at someone else's pain... but geez! The visual of you dragging the trash can around back... Sorry! I hope you feel better. AND you have a suicidal fish? Yikes~! Sorry you missed the RenFair - especially since you have that bitchin' dress... Damn DexH... HUGS!! Hope you have a better weekend this week... Well - lunch is over and I have to get back to work. Love you guys! TTL. Irene

Hey Y'All - I survived another fabulous month-end in mortgage lending. Now, I had to come in to work today - but, like everyone else in the office on this day that should have been a holiday, I didn't do too much in the way of working... :rolleyes Since my day was over earlier than normal - I thought I would stop in here for a bit, since I have been AWOL for several days. I must say that I have been VERY bad - although my fill makes it more difficult to eat bread, I am still able to eat anything - and alas - I have been. The scale is still sticking at 314 - nobody's fault but my own. I guess I am going to have to try one more fill - and a swift kick in the petute. :mmph: Hi Dave!! Welcome to our little thread. Glad to have you. Maybe you will coax Ira out of hiding. (Hugs, Ira!) I think he get's cooties or something if he hangs out with us too much. You will just keep us from going over the edge on the Girl Stuff. :] Cindy - HUGS! You just eat what you need to eat for a few days. Sorry, I can't help you with any DD advice. I was Sister number 3 of 4 - I think I just got the whole thing by osmosis. Good Luck! I don't envy you the NEXT 9 yrs... teen-aged girl drama - WAY too much for me! I leave the Momming to the experts. I would say something like, we get to do all the good stuff, wear all the fun clothes and have men fall at our feet in abject adoration - this is just the balance for that. Nobody get's a PERFECT life. We goddesses have take the bad with the good, too. :] Kat - great idea about the ear-piercing. Oh - and can I get a good swift kick, please? I had a little brownie attack this weekend... ok, maybe not such a LITTLE one. *arghhhh*. Eileenie - tomorrow is the Holiday - you had better save some of that crumb cake for tomorrow... Too Funny about the fireworks! I bet the cops didn't come because they were worried it was the COP shooting the fireworks... LOL! Hugs!! Hi Jen! Glad you are feeling well. Hope you have a great Holiday. Sherry - love the basket! What a great idea? I wouldn't have thought to put the propel in... We do baskets at Christmas sometimes - but we always put in wine or sparkling cider. Oh - and you will have to take a picture for us of your patriotic set. I wanna see! :clap2: Hope your overload problem is resolved, soon. Stress sucks! Hugs!! Patty - Cobra? You are trying to get approved for Lap Band on Cobra? EEK! What's up with that? I hope you get it all worked out. Glad you had a good vacation. Sounds like you were a little busy. Cool that the boys are being responsible - and yet still being boys. No need to rush them into "being a man". That will come plenty soon enough. Betty - glad to hear that whatever they are giving you for your foot is working. Also glad you are taking some time away to re-charge. HUGS! Hey Gretta - Another Texan on the Jersey thread! We are like locusts around here... I used Surgery Center of Richardson - Dr. Fox - and he was/is fabulous. Not sure about United Healthcare - but they seem to take everything... it's worth checking out. http://www.surgerycenterofrichardson.com/Content/Home/home.html If SCOR is too far off the flight path - I know Dr. Fox also has an office at Medical City. You can call his office and ask a gazillion questions... (972) 566-4560. Good Luck!! Donna - Wow! South Beach... Fabled in song and story...We are waiting for all the news that's fit to print. Tell All! Or better yet, show pictures! :] Darcy - a Dog Trainer? How totally cool is that? How's it going? I bet you'll be right up there with the Dog Whisperer in no time! Mary? How you doing? Hope all is well with you and yours. Can't wait for the RenFaire pics... I expect to see one of you in that fab dress! :] Pat? Whatcha doing? Crispy - Oh yeah... now I remember why I married the first interesting man to come along... LOL! Oh well - hyper is irritating, anyway. *sigh*. Hopefully you will find an interesting one, yourself. Hugs! Well, I have gotten as caught up as I am going to get. I hope I haven't missed anybody - but I am off for home, now. I decided to surf from my desk to take advantage of the high-speed internet. I am just going to have to get DH to get us hooked up for that. We did the potato salad and BBQ chicken thing yesterday - so tomorrow we will probably have TACO's!! MMMMM. No big plans - just chillin' at the house & celebrating my independence from my desk for a day. Definitely some "Quality Time" with DH (nudge, nudge, wink wink) and maybe some fun with flowers - my little deck garden needs to be moved so that we can rip out the deck! It is old and soft. Wood isn't supposed to be soft... When we get our pool re-done, we will have them pour patio where the deck is now. Woo Hoo!! The tree guys come on the 11th to take down the pine trees and give the whole yard a once-over. Now, time to motivate DH to get some pool guys in for bids... Love you guys!! See you on Wednesday, if not sooner. HUGS!!

Sherry - Our Patriotic Princess!! Hugs, and Happy Independence Day!

Yep - BC BS sucks. No doubt about it. I had to fight for four months before I got approval. Sounds like they want diet medical management - It may be as simple as documenting your diet history and the fact that you have been obese for a while and tried to combat the problem through "traditional" means. If you want, I will forward my appeal letters to you. Just PM your e-mail address. Good luck and try to be patient. Hugs!

HUGS Betty. I am thinking every good thought for your DB. Pat - you are so funny! You don't have to tell your age... It's in the top right of every post. Darcy - Good Luck at the dentist! Donna - Hugs! Cindy - Safe trip. Hugs! Mary - Hugs! Eileenie - Hope you get out from under soon. Hugs! I, too, am busy today. Must be something in the air... oh, it's month-end. Love you guys. TTL

I think they only worry about caffeine right after the surgery while you are healing. Not sure if it's a blood thinner or what - but they never said I couldn't have ANY. Moderation until you get all healed up. I couldn't live without the stuff. Good luck!

Randy! Only the fact that I was on a plane all day gives me any excuse for missing your big day! Happy Belated! Glad you had a great day - and take care of that lovely wife of yours! Hugs!

I gained a half a pound... Geesh! Better now after the third fill.

I got these sports bra's at Walmart that slip on over your head... They worked just fine and they were as comfy as wearing a t-shirt. Plus - they were ultra cheap. Good luck!

Hey All Back to the old grind here in Dallas... Cindy - That's so funny about DD and the kissing! You can only hope it lasts until she turns 25.... lol! Mary - Too Funny! Nope, nobody was going to get the Candy... Eileenie - I'm glad I missed the storms. So, I thought I was the only one who had flying monkeys! I'll get you, my Pretty... Don't forget - restriction is our friend... :] Donna - I hate it that the Parents take no responsibility or control of their children... I don't know - how would they like it if someone came along and started digging through their roof into the nursery? Geesh! Oooo - pretty sparkly things! AND a surprise weekend? Wow! That man sounds like a keeper. Patty - how was Johnny Depp? Was he everything you dreamed he would be? Darcy - Do they use Goiter Sucking Needles up your way? Sounds FAB. (ick ick ick ick ick ick ick) Oh - and you throw out Hubby's stuff when he isn't there? My DH would take some vicious revenge... I have a vision of hundreds of dollars worth of beading stuff out in the garbage. Sherry - good luck with the puppy!! You KNOW that you need to have them in pairs so they can entertain each other while you are out, right? Enjoy them. Chris - Hi! Welcome. Good Luck with getting the whole process in motion. You don't have to tell us what a swell gal Miss Sherry is... We already know. If you can force her to get an after shot - more power to you. We are waiting with bated breath. You'll have to fill us in on all the gory details of the on-line dating thing. We who have been married forever will get some vicarious thrills through you... Betty - HUGS! I hope you get to get away this weekend. I am thinking good thoughts for your DB. Pat - good to hear from you! Oh - and you can't give up your bike? How will Cindy & I amuse ourselves if we can't imagine you in all sorts of unlikely Biker Chick outfits? :] PattiU - Congrats on your date! Your recovery time is really an individual thing. I was well enough to return to my desk job by Day 4. You might be fine the 2nd day - or it might be a full week. It's different for everybody. Well, my lunch hour is long past - but hey, I will make it up at the end of the day. Not much going on - just work, eat and sleep - in no particular order. Hugs to all! Irene

That be Pirate Bootie you shakin?

Oooo - I am trying for Twoterville, too!! We'll urge each other on. That third fill may just be the charm... I also have 6.5 cc now, but in a VG band. I think they hold up to 11cc's - but I don't know for sure. Anyway - Good luck to all of us on the way to Twoterville!! :]

OK BIG GROUP HUG!!! I think a whole lot of our little group need that. Cindy - How ya doing? I hope you are well and headache free! Are you enjoying a relaxing Summer Break? Eileenie - as always, lunch was FAB! Can't wait for next time. Oh - and I looked at those photos you mentioned. The reason they look so strange is that somebody took a photo editor program and blacked out the naughty bits - which of courst just made them more eye-catching.... and not a little strange looking. That's not her... it's black-out that has been spray-painted over the photo. God never made anything that looked THAT strange. :] Darcy - Hope you had a great day, too!! Dianne - You HOT chick, you!! We are watching your siggy line... Waiting to blow the horn & ring the bell for your entry into Onderland. How you doing? Hope you are having a wonderful day! Donna - Hugs! Hope you are having an easier time keeping the Ice Cream Demons at bay. Mary - Let's just say that I had an EXTREME sensitivity to light... and a bit of a headache. I am NOT much of a drinker at all. My boss is corrupting me... but it has been a fun trip this time. Kat - sorry about the delightful Golf Ball episode. Sounds like no fun! Don't forget to take it easy and maybe have liquids for a day or so after a rough go. If you swell up, it can cause a vicious cycle. But, restriction is good, keep that in mind... restriction is our friend. :] Trish - you are like the "Complication Posterchild" or something. I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time with all this. I hope your wound heals up well and we get you back in to have that leaky band replaced asap! You deserve better than this constant "Crap" going on in your life. HUGS!! Well, due to some scheduling changes, I actually got to schedule a nine am flight tomorrow morning. My company is going to pay me to go home early and take a half a day off. Bitchin! Lunch today was wonderful.... and yes, it is true THIS TIME, that the waiter was checking me out. The total up and down with a pause at the interesting points... Can you say Flattered? I am thinking that might be an NSV. I can't think of the last time somebody besides my husband looked me up and down without a look of disgust on his face... So it's all good. After work we headed out for dinner at the Bicycle Club in Fort Lee (I think we were still in Fort Lee...). It was a nice little neighborhood place with actual New Yorkers. Not touristy at all. They have Karaoke there - and I actually got up and sang. I must say, alcohol helps the getting to the stage part - but I am not sure about the actual singing... LOL! Oh Well! Now, I have been winding down for about long enough... time to catch a cat-nap before the car comes for us at *wince* six-thirty *wince*... I ask again that y'all keep it nice and quiet in the morning... Love you guys!

Donna; It's not so much about the EATING of the ice cream, as it is about the HIDING of the ice cream. Most people are not going to go the rest of their lives without eating ice cream, no matter what... but the true sign of addiction is hiding that eating behavior. I am not sure that your own self discipline will be enough on this issue... Maybe a counselor? If Ice Cream is your own personal Crack or Heroine, then you will need some help. Good Luck and Stay Strong. Love ya!

Poodles - I love you! But I love Jack, too. DON'T BOGART THE PIRATE! :]

Hi Guys! I managed to survive the day. I hit the wall at about 4:30 - but I struggled through until the end of the day. I am going to retire just a smidge earlier tonight, so I can survive the day tomorrow. Pat - what an adorable grandbaby! No shopping for me... even after having been to the NY office SEVERAL times, yesterday was the first time I ever made it downtown. It was great fun - but maybe too much for a school night... Eileenie - Lunch tomorrow! I can't wait. Ira? You in? Cindy - Let's just state facts... Dwayne Wade was touched by the gods... and his buddies were all hot right there with him. Did the man miss ANY shots in the 2nd half? It was unreal. He deserved to win and he deserved the MVP. I am saddened that the Mavs didn't step up - but there are times when it just isnt meant to be... Congrats on the weightloss and the blood pressure! That is the whole purpose behind the band, for me. Darcy - I can't get over how cute that new haircut is! Hope your puppy is feeling better. Donna - look at how handsome he looks in his fatigues! You must be so proud! Dianne - I would have been SO excited if we could have been here the same week! Someday will be able to make it to town at the same time! Betty - Don't you worry about us! You have so much on your mind.... We will be here thinking good thoughts for you and yours. HUGS!! Well my darlings - it is off to bed with this little traveller. Hugs all round!

Karen - You ROCK! Thanks for the post. We can always use a reminder... Congrats on the 90 lbs~! Hugs!