ReneBean

Hey Kayla, You speak for all of us with the brain disconnect! I topped out at 367 - and I am now in the general viscinty of 340. I get my band on Monday. We can all do this - we just need to lean on each other. **And removing the potato chips from the house is adviseable, too. I mean, does a crack addict keep a couple of extra rocks in the cupboard? I think not... :] Good Luck!!

Hi, I'm Irene from Allen - and I am getting my Band on Monday at the Surgery Center of Richardson with Dr. Louis Fox. Yee Haw!!

Ok - it's late Friday. I have cleared my desk and put up the obligatory "out of office" messages. Now the surgery looms large... I was thinking the other day - my biggest anxiety ISN'T that my doctor is going to poke holes in me and put a foreign object into my abdomen. My BIGGEST anxiety is that strangers are going to see my naked, flabby, icky, horrid belly!! How twisted is that. :nanahump: I am paranoid that my fat belly is in some way remarkable or unique and that the surgeon and staff will recoil in horror upon the unveiling of the beast... Yep, I am insane. :madgrin: Worried about dying under anesthesia? Hell no. Worried about embarrassment!! :nanahump: Nobody but DH has seen my belly in 16-17 yrs. I guess I will just have to suck it up - and suck it in... at least until the knock-out drops take effect! I had a mad Twinkie craving today. I had brought some "delicious" soy cheese substitute in and the package was sitting on my desk - and somewhere out of the corner of my psyche, I thought I saw Twinkies on my desk - and I WANTED them... for about an hour afterward. I haven't had a Twinkie in at least a YEAR. I smacked myself around on that one. Must be more stress involved in this whole surgery thing than I thought - if is causing insane carb thoughts to pass through my mind. The other indicator that I am subliminating stress is that I have a visit from every woman's favorite aunt... Oh Joy. No period for months - sometimes even years - but the B*#%! shows up now. GREAT. Wasn't I already freaked out about embarrassment?!? Personally, I feel that baring my naked belly is more than sufficient to insure my enduring mortification - but apparently, the gods want some further amusement at my expense. I wonder if I will be able to laugh at all this later. I am thinking NOT! My conscious mind is relatively placid. No tears, no shakey hands - but apparently I am REALLY stressed out. Great. Now I am a bonafide drama queen. :drama:

Ok - it's late Friday. I have cleared my desk and put up the obligatory "out of office" messages. Now the surgery looms large... I was thinking the other day - my biggest anxiety ISN'T that my doctor is going to poke holes in me and put a foreign object into my abdomen. My BIGGEST anxiety is that strangers are going to see my naked, flabby, icky, horrid belly!! How twisted is that. I am paranoid that my fat belly is in some way remarkable or unique and that the surgeon and staff will recoil in horror upon the unveiling of the beast... Yep, I am insane. :madgrin: Worried about dying under anesthesia? Hell no. Worried about embarrassment!! :mad: Nobody but DH has seen my belly in 16-17 yrs. I guess I will just have to suck it up - and suck it in... at least until the knock-out drops take effect! I had a mad Twinkie craving today. I had brought some "delicious" soy cheese substitute in and the package was sitting on my desk - and somewhere out of the corner of my psyche, I thought I saw Twinkies on my desk - and I WANTED them... for about an hour afterward. I haven't had a Twinkie in at least a YEAR. I smacked myself around on that one. Must be more stress involved in this whole surgery thing than I thought - if is causing insane carb thoughts to pass through my mind. The other indicator that I am subliminating stress is that I have a visit from every woman's favorite aunt... Oh Joy. No period for months - sometimes even years - but the B*#%! shows up now. GREAT. Wasn't I already freaked out about embarrassment?!? Personally, I feel that baring my naked belly is more than sufficient to insure my enduring mortification - but apparently, the gods want some further amusement at my expense. I wonder if I will be able to laugh at all this later. I am thinking NOT! My conscious mind is relatively placid. No tears, no shakey hands - but apparently I am REALLY stressed out. Great. Now I am a bonafide drama queen. :drama:

Oooo - a late one here for me. Craziness at work today. It's like every broker in the country looked up today and said "Gosh, I have to get that file submitted before the weekend!" It was insane. Cindy - isn't wifi FUN?!? I loved having it at the Hilton. I hope you have a great time. "shop" til you drop. :] Eileenie - I am so sorry that you 1) had a hellish time trying to get your fill and 2) didn't get it! Was this your surgeon? Or just some office boob? I hope they get their *&(^ together on Wednesday!! Betty - I'm glad you liked the pictures. *I sort of was bad - because I didn't clear it with Mom before I sent pictures of the Divine Miss G across the airwaves. Please don't send those off to anybody (not that I think you would...) - I could vouch for you - but Eileen is protective of her girl - and you can understand why! Isn't she just the cutest?!? Zan - hope you have a great time down the shore... (see, I am learning Jersey-speak). And I am pretty excited - and sooooo glad to be getting this whole thing done. Anne - good to see you! Hey, you want to come over to MY house and do the picture thing? I have soooo many of them in sacks - and film that I still need to get processed! I am so thankful for digital cameras... I love having the pictures right there, in my computer - ready to print or view at any time. *I am doing my surgery at an ambulatory surgery center - Lap Band is pretty much all they do. I arrive at 7, get the surgery at 8 and should be out of there by about 10-11am. My recovery will be in the comfort of my own humble home. I have the whole of next week off. Yippee!!! I really need that right now. Well my dears - I have to run! I am off to my SIL's new place up the road. They have been in the state for 3 days, and I haven't had a chance to get over there, yet. I am bad... Hugs All Round!!

Hey Folks, Another glorious day.... tomorrow is Friday - and then I will have the weekend to be anxious about my surgery. I am so horrible at waiting... and the closer I get to the day, the harder it is. I just want it to be RIGHT NOW so I can move on.... (besides, I am ready for a week off!) Patty - did ya do anything new or different with the hair? Honestly, I would say you should call your insurance company. Even if their days aren't up yet - they will at least know that you care enough to harass them... Besides - MY insurance company claimed they didn't get the request, the first time... the doc had to resend it. Be sure they actually HAVE your request - and hear what they have to say about when the answer is due. It will make you feel better, I swear. Have a good time with your friend. :] Eileenie - not much happening here - although I did send pictures of the NJ visit - FINALLY. I am such a spazz... I kept forgetting. How is Boss Man since the review? Has he been treating you any better since you wept all over his desk? Or is he the same ol' creep he was before? Dianne - A Puppy! Such fun! I am going to have to check out the picture and offer name suggestions. I have always been fond of Chloe, myself. Betty - Kudos on the walking. If you are going to start hanging around outside, we will need to get you some qualify sunscreen! Have to watch that solar radiation! And aren't the grandbabies fun? It's about time for mine to come down for a visit - that's for sure. Well, in lieu of sitting around having anxiety attacks, or craving bread, I think I will get home and go to the gym with DH. I may as well get maximum burn out of my current low carb existence. Love you guys!! Irene

OK - it's REAL now. Only 5 days to go... I guess it's good that work has been crazed, my SIL and her DH have arrived and I have DH's Cousin staying at my house. I just don't have time to freak out. :omg: I have eaten more raw veggies in the last 5 days than I have in the previous 5 months... mmmmm. veggies.... :nervous Sadly, I can't eat them bathed in dip the way I always have - but I did make some "diet" dip with Lipton Garlic & Herb packet + FF sour cream + low fat feta cheese. I threw in a big globby spoonful of light mayo for that tangy/creamy thing. The cheese needs to be blended in - but Feta makes a really strong flavor - which means you feel just as happy with half the dip. It has relatively lots of carbs - like 50 carbs to a batch - but I spread the batch out over 3 days, so I think it's all right. I must be doing something right. There are these strange divets on my face - nay, hollows - and my spare chin is almost gone. Besides, the fat cells are visibly escaping through the pores on my chin. great...:cry This not having a scale thing is starting to be irritating. I want to KNOW that I am losing... is that wrong? :nanahump: But Walmart has failed me... I went to the new Walmart near my job - and they did not have any bathroom scales. Not just that they didn't have one that would take my maximum density - they didn't have ANY. I guess that I am still undecided on the scale business, since part of me thinks that they may have saved me from myself... scale obsession can be tragic. I actually took my measurements yesterday. It was horrifying. It's bad enough to weigh 346 lbs - but dang! to know that my ass is as big around as I am tall is just disgusting. I so want to get on with the surgery so I can start to be rid of this huge bulk. I guess I had better start working on the financing for the PS now... There is just only so much shrinking of skin that any rational person can expect. *sigh* I am thinking full body make-over... Gosh - are they still doing that Swan show? Maybe that... It is getting difficult to wait for Monday. I am horrid at waiting, and the closer I get to the actual day of surgery, the more I want it to be RIGHT NOW. Is it Monday, yet?!?!?

OK - it's REAL now. Only 5 days to go... I guess it's good that work has been crazed, my SIL and her DH have arrived and I have DH's Cousin staying at my house. I just don't have time to freak out. :omg: I have eaten more raw veggies in the last 5 days than I have in the previous 5 months... mmmmm. veggies.... :nervous Sadly, I can't eat them bathed in dip the way I always have - but I did make some "diet" dip with Lipton Garlic & Herb packet + FF sour cream + low fat feta cheese. I threw in a big globby spoonful of light mayo for that tangy/creamy thing. The cheese needs to be blended in - but Feta makes a really strong flavor - which means you feel just as happy with half the dip. It has relatively lots of carbs - like 50 carbs to a batch - but I spread the batch out over 3 days, so I think it's all right. I must be doing something right. There are these strange divets on my face - nay, hollows - and my spare chin is almost gone. Besides, the fat cells are visibly escaping through the pores on my chin. great...:cry This not having a scale thing is starting to be irritating. I want to KNOW that I am losing... is that wrong? :mad: But Walmart has failed me... I went to the new Walmart near my job - and they did not have any bathroom scales. Not just that they didn't have one that would take my maximum density - they didn't have ANY. I guess that I am still undecided on the scale business, since part of me thinks that they may have saved me from myself... scale obsession can be tragic. I actually took my measurements yesterday. It was horrifying. It's bad enough to weigh 346 lbs - but dang! to know that my ass is as big around as I am tall is just disgusting. I so want to get on with the surgery so I can start to be rid of this huge bulk. I guess I had better start working on the financing for the PS now... There is just only so much shrinking of skin that any rational person can expect. *sigh* I am thinking full body make-over... Gosh - are they still doing that Swan show? Maybe that... It is getting difficult to wait for Monday. I am horrid at waiting, and the closer I get to the actual day of surgery, the more I want it to be RIGHT NOW. Is it Monday, yet?!?!?

Yep. You get a card. My doc gave me the post-op packet with the card at my pre-op consult... :]

Hey VA Bandster - Don't forget to eat... You need to eat solid food - even if you don't feel hunger. You body is a finely honed machine - it requires fuel to function efficiently - even to burn fat... So don't forget to eat your lean Protein and veggies. :]

Is that a rain-barrel on the roof? You know, there is nothing better than rainwater for washing your hair... You Lucky Dog! :]

OK 1) minus 40 lbs of nasty ol' fat 2) band still in place, functioning 3) slip self repaired - no need for further surgery 4) head screwed on straight. Realistic Attitude for success. Yep - I would say you have accomplished a few things this year. Overall quite successful, I would say. Go, Jon, Go!! Kick Butt in 2006!! Happy Bandiversary!! (Hugs)

Hugs. Hope you find out more, soon. :]

Very Cool, Sarah - and great planning for the removable length. You going barefoot? Be sure you get your toes done! :]

Hugs, Doc. We have to find you a local Bandster meeting. The ByPass folks have entirely different issues... Try to keep your chin up!

Hey GadgetLady - I have surgery on Monday, too. I don't have kids, either - but I think I will jot down a little last will and testament - just so the state doesn't mess with my DH too much should the worst befall me... But I really don't expect it. I am just so excited about the whole thing. Good Luck to both of us!! I will see you on the other side (of the SURGERY, Silly!). :]

I'm sporadic - but I get to the gym as often as I can - usually 3 x per week. My battle against the Evil Eliptical will continue... :]

OK - a little more sane around here today... Zan - great job on the exercise... I am just being good because I don't want ANY chance of my doc having trouble shoving my liver out of the way. And it must be working - because my face seems to think I am 14 right now, instead of 41!! All the fat cells in my body are trying to escape through the pores on my chin... ICK!! Jan - hope your day is less hectic, today. Hows your son? Feeling any better? Hope Mom is ok. I know what you mean about seeing your future in your Mom. I had the same problem. I had a vision of knee replacement surgery at 45... not so good. If you search for Ticker or Tracker, you should find instructions to help you with that. You need to go into User CP and edit your signature. Once you paste the ticker in there, it will show up on every post. Betty - I envy you the head start on the flower beds... I need to get started on mine. It's almost that time - but I learned my lesson after last year - I prep the beds FIRST and then buy the plants. I have several dessicated plant skeletons on my deck... Surprisingly enough, a few of them survived. Maybe I will say that if it can't survive a whole winter on the deck, it can't go into my landscape! lol... :woot:And LOOK at YOU!!! Only 8 lbs from goal. Kick A$$!!! :bananapartyhat: Eileen - Mornin'. How's by you? Hope you are having a great day. Hey, for you it's almost over! How cool is that? IRA - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! :youcandothis: :happybday: :happybday: :bananajump: :bananapowerslide: Hope you are having a great day!! Dianne - you just do whatever is right for you on that surgery. Who knows when the insurance company will get round to approving you, anyway... Besides, Grandma food is not to be missed! lol. Patty - I'm glad that things are bearable - I don't remember ever getting the belt when I was 6... and acting out is certainly a sign that something is wrong at home. :[ I hope it all turns out ok. Maybe the state will require some counselling. That couldn't hurt. Cindy - Yep - for a short trip, it's great to get away - but for too long, it's a drag. Hope you feel better and have a great time in San Antonio. You'll get the hang of the wireless thing - it's pretty easy - just be sure you connect to the correct network... We will be waiting to hear all about it. Well, I have to get back to work, too. Hope everyone is having the best possible day. ttl

Howdy - just a quick note before I run home to DH and dinner. They slammed us this afternoon - so no time to say much. Pat - so far potato product is not my issue. Thank goodness!! I will survive the hamburger steak so long as I can have cheese... :] Dianne - big hugs. I feel ya on the insurance. ICK. Sherry - pretty funny that you would consider a major surgery an opportunity to rest!! Try not to stress too hard - it's bad on your body and you need to be healthy for the surgery. I hope that jerkwad gets his bad karma back in spades. And remember - you don't have to LIKE him to do your job. I have worked for many that I considered to be on a par with earthworms or slugs - but I did my best job for them. Jan - nice to "hear" from you. :] Great job on the weight loss!! I am impressed. *I probably need some Mary Kay body scrub - the kind in the blue tube - but I am such a lousy MK customer that I can't recall the name of the stuff - and I will order like 2-3 tubes now and it will be years before I need it again... lol. If you can deal with that, I may want to pick up my 2-3 tubes from you in March. :] Eileen - Not exercising as much as I should! But I have gone a few times. I am not really freaking out, either. That hangover thing was just a random thought that passed through my mind...more amusing than scary. just wondering if the scariness will increase between now and then... It won't stop me - so no worries. I know this is the best possible thing. Patty - sorry about the child abuse thing. That has got to be horrible. I have to ask, though? Am I the only kid here who got whooped with the belt when I was really bad (that one time?) I mean, it wasn't a daily event, but it did happen once or twice. I guess these days, Dad would have been hauled off by protective services... I never felt like he was abusive - but I guess there are better ways. You will note, though - that I don't have any kids - by choice - because the genetic and emotional structure of both my and DH's families are so skewed - so I guess I am an arguement for No Belt. :] Well Folks, another day has passed and I am off toward the hacienda. Hugs all round! and a shout-out to all the peeps who haven't posted lately. We miss you. Check in!! :]

Congrats, Diane! I will be banded on 2/06/06 - I am getting very excited!! (except my doc will probably have a hangover from the big game... what was I thinking? lol) Good Luck to all of us! :]

Either click on the "Post Reply" button, or below the Quick Reply section, click on "Go Advanced". Scroll way down to the bottom of the page, past the "Submit Reply" button in the Additional Options section. Click on the "Manage Attachments" button. A window will pop up. Click on the "Browse" button - find the picture you want in your computer - click on it and click on the "open" button. Now, there should be a string of words in the box next to the "Browse" button. Click the "upload" button and let the system finish the upload. Now, below the "browse" button, there should be a little blue title showing your picture - with a button to the right that says "Remove". Just close that window. Now, in the manage attachments section, your picture's title should show in blue (just like it did in the other window). It's attached. When you submit your post, that picture will appear in it. If you attach more than one picture to a post, then you get a link to the picture, instead. Good Luck!!

Hey - Put me down for Feb 6th with Dr. Louis Fox Surgery Center of Richardson (TX) Yee Haw!!

I do the eliptical machine SLOWLY until my heart rate gets over the max cardio level. (usually about 15 minutes) Then I move to the treadmill - again SLOWLY and walk for another 15-20 minutes in the Fat Burning zone... my gym machines all have the heart rate charts showing the targets. Just remember - the old adage about "no pain, no gain" is a big lie. Pain is bad. A little stiffness is to be expected - but actual pain is NOT. If you can't get to a gym - dance in front of the TV or to your favorite music - vaccuum, sweep, anything. Just move. Good Luck!!

Hey Peggy, Welcome to LBT! My insurance covered bypass, too - and would not approve AGB. I fought and won. I would be happy to send you my appeal letters, if you think they might be of help. Just PM me your e-mail address. Good Luck!!

T - I sent my letters. Let me know if you didn't get them, or have trouble opening them. :]