ReneBean

Congrats, Keri! I can't imagine a better Christmas Surprise!

Hey Y'All; I am back at home and thrilled to be here. I did spend all day yesterday with my beloved - MOSTLY shopping... :] Eileen & I had some lovely Japanese food at a place on the flight path to my hotel and I went home and packed up. It was wonderful to see her again and I must thank you, Eileen for the lovely gifts. Kids, she is a great hostess!! (And - next time, Eileen, Dinner IS on me... The Salvation Army thanks you.) Ira - don't fret. As I mentioned before, Due Diligence review is a horrible job and nobody wants to do it. I wouldn't be surprised to find myself up there again next month. We shall see. I expect that I will get another chance to meet up with the fab folks of New Jersey. And I feel for you... I think if my husband were a Chocolatier, I might weigh 500 lbs... It's bad enough he is a great cook! Lisa - hold on, Sweetie. I seem to recall a certain NJ Chick whining because the pain was worse than she had expected - but she seems to be doing well, now. It was a surgery, after all. Hope you feel better real soon. AND - getting a puppy!! I love puppies... The only reason I don't have a dog is that I don't have a proper yard for a dog. How wonderful for you! Betty - The Mice are adorable! I want some. Cindy & I will be right over. You truly are talented! I like the ducks, too. Cindy - You ready? Meet me at 75 & Bethany... I really try to stay away from politics as a topic - because the subject is just to volatile... Guess that's not news to you, huh? Hugs! AND - I also bought myself a laptop yesterday. I had been thinking about getting one for a long time - but after my recent visit to NJ with Free Internet in my hotel and NO COMPUTER, I was more determined to get one. Besides, they are practically giving the things away, these days. So, next time I visit the Great White North, I will be armed and ready. Pat - I think you are lucky he had that sprayer aimed at the sink... What a cutie your grandbaby is! Oh, and while I was out shopping yesterday, I saw a line of tents outside my local Best Buy... They were camping out for the newest shipment of XBoxes... I thought of you. Did you ever find one? Hey Miss Dianne! How are you? I am posting you a PM on how do post pictures. We love pictures around here, so don't be shy! Patty - I feel for you on the Hairdresser thing. I still haven't found a proper hairdresser for myself since I left Oregon 3 yrs ago... My best friend from high school became a hairdresser - and he did my hair for 20 yrs... It's really hard to switch to someone new after that... The gal who did my perm was ok - so I will probably try her again - but Trust is hard. I am so glad that all is well.... I wish you lived closer so I could go to your gal! Hey Sherry! Welcome! It's always nice to have new friends. And I'll be expecting to see some pictures from you, too! :] Today is all about relaxing. I have laundry to do - but just a couple of loads, so I will do that and then enjoy a Roast Chicken and Stuffing dinner prepared by my DH. Have I mentioned how much I adore him, lately? Well, I have a new toy to play with, so I am off to lounge on the couch and play PC games... I hope all of you sniffly cold folks feel better, soon. Love you guys!

Happy, Happy! Joy, Joy!! Hope you have the greatest Birthday, Ever!!

Wow! If I had known that you could get married on the bridge of the Enterprise, things might have been different on MY wedding day, too! Congrats Jonathan! Peace and long life. :]

No sugar sounds a little extreme... What it really sounds like is your surgeon may be more used to RNY patients. Does he do both surgeries? I know that some RNY patients have problems with sugar. That would be the only explanation that I can think of for the "No Sugar" restriction. All the Post Surgery diets I have read include apple and cranberry juice. Definitely ask your doc about that. Hugs!! Congrats on your surgery. I know you are going to be successful!!!

What ChichiGirl & LaMadam said. Hugs.

There are tons of studies - and you can access most medical journals on-line, now. Someone started a "Links" thread. I posted a few of the search engines for Medical Journals on that. People are always biased toward what is most familiar to them - and for now, for most people in the US, that means bypass... Take Care!

Oh, Crystal! All I can do is offer you the big hugs. Don't delete your posts and don't leave us. We love you and we need you. (screw what you want, WE want you! lol) I am thinking THIN thoughts for you. MMMMM Vines in her Belly Dancing get-up with a flat tummy... Yeah, Baby!! ;]

Oh, honey. I feel for you. You had better take some deep cleansing breaths... I have had a lovely time fighting with BC/BS of California. I have read posts both positive and negative about BC/BS of Texas. I will think good thoughts for your. (((hugs)))

Send it to the State Insurance Board, anyway. The worst they can do is say "No". Good Luck!!

I think Paul is our favorite Hot Dish, around here... Oh, wait, this is the wrong thread... :]

Oh my gosh!! Where to start. First, I would like to thank all the members for the honor of nomination. Truly, my pre-bandster knowledge comes from y'all...I have learned from the best! Oh My. I think this is a definite MUST. I think the "Chunk -n- Dale" show would cover both Swim Suit and Talent! I will be there, but we have to get a few more of the fellows in on that... Be sure you invite ALL the boys, Jon. There are plenty of greedy girls who would LOVE that show! We will vote for Most Hot by applause, or panting, or the depth of the puddle of drool... or something. As far as nominations go, I have to second everybody! There are too many to name - but every one I have seen is good! I was going to say DeLarla would be Best LBT Sex Goddess - but "Diva" works. WhippleDaddy gets "Most Poetic Storyteller" while I think Jack has to be nomintated as "Most Imaginative Storyteller". Both are pure joy, delightful to the senses - but each has his own particular style. Don't forget Doc Hekier & Doc Pleatman. They have to be running neck and neck for Most Giving Doctor. How can we possibly choose? I could go on and on... and I probably will, later on. Love you guys!!

hahahahaahahahahahahah!!! too funny.

Hi All! Gosh, Patty - you're EASY. If a picture can make your whole day, then I figure I can make you lots happy once I get my digital camera! :] Betty, I agree. I am working way too hard. I swear, I haven't had to work this hard for practically a year.... I had forgotten what Drudgery was, until this week. I will be happy to get home to my nice, boring desk. I had a GREAT time meeting our Eileen - but I miss my DH and my cats. (But I will probably end up here doing drudgery again...It's a dirty job, and NOBODY wants to do it.) Cindy - I want a "Lose Ten Pounds Free" card, too. Can I, huh? Can I? Pleeeeeease... Of course, that won't work at all, if we hi-jack Betty's baking! Pat - Good to see your face. Don't be a stranger. Eileen and I have another hot date for tomorrow - I am going to have to "knock off early" (aka leave at 5) to meet her - but it will only work if we don't have a raging blizzard or something tomorrow. We ARE supposed to have another storm. Hopefully, it won't be a big deal. Friday I get to drive back into NYC, find the rental car place and get back to the airport in time for my flight... I expect finding the rental car place will be the hardest part... It will be good to be home. I hope everybody is having a great day!!

Hi Guys! My work can be pretty well described by the word CHAOS! I am taking 5 minutes to just stop in and say "Hey" to all my pals. Betty - MMMMMMMMM. If you send that Candy to Eileen by overnight D, I can have some, too! You guys are great. I will get more time to check in once I get out of here... I had NO idea it would be so insane. WHEEEEEEEE!!!!! Have a good one!

Wow, I go away for a couple of days and y'all have a grand old time... Maybe I should do it more often? Jan - big hugs. GB is a much more difficult and dangerous surgery - and if he did it two years ago, he has that much more experience. I am glad you got another opinion from the nurse. Think positive. I know we are all thinking good thoughts for you. Betty! It could have been worse, the guy you interrupted in the men's room could have been one of the four interviewers! lol. Keep us posted. I have my fingers crosed for YOU! (and save me some peanut brittle) Pat, we are just going to have to get you up here for a visit... I expect that I will probably be back. This whole due diligence thing happens on a monthly basis, and they are always looking for warm bodies to review. If I do well, I will certainly be invited again. Maybe this Spring? Patty - shipping the luggage? What a great idea. Wow, Cindy! Sounds like you had lots of fun. I am jealous. I had a great time with Eileen - but now I have to slave for the rest of the week! No hot tub for me... And what about you, Skinny Chick!! Size 20... I remember that, distantly... in the misty past.... Hot Damn! Go, Girl, Go!! Eileenie - you are so funny. I am so weird that I might have gone to a strip club, just to check out the experience... but then, we already know I am insane... I would much rather have gone shopping today, too - work, work, work... There is no down time in Due Diligence Review - just an endless stack of files. There is only one other person reviewing, and he is young and much less experienced. I am sort of walking him through the thought processes as we go. If we REALLY need some other help, I can call my BOSS to come... yeah. Like right before Christmas I want to have to call the Head Honcho to the rescure because we are too lame to get the job done? THAT looks really great.... So if it is humanly possible, we won't call him in. Ira, hon... I think you and me and Eileen have to get together. The two of us together might frighten anyone less super studly than you - but I think you can take it. We can have coffee or something - like Wednesday or Thursday? I would love to meet you, and Eileen is such a kick! Come on kids, let's go out and play! Anyway, it's early to bed and early to work for this girl. I was so busy today that I never even got to sign in and say howdy, so I am renting a computer at the hotel for a few minutes... Love you guys!! I will talk at ya again, soon. :]

Well, as tempting as it is to wait for IRA, I think Sunday is really the best bet. I have no idea what hours I will be working while there - It may be normal to stay until 6 - I usually work 9-6 or later in Dallas. Until I have gone in, worked a day, and figured out the drill, I can't say for sure. In the mean-time, I want to be sure and meet up with Eileen!! Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!! This week only at the Westcliff Lake Hilton..... MAYBE we will like each other enough to want to do it again later in the week... And Ira can join up with us then. :] Sorry, guys, to be hogging the thread for my travle plans... Betty - How did that interview go? Did it feel "right"? Are you employed? Cindy - I am waiting to hear about the "foo-foo" girls weekend. One way or another, I will check in while I am in NY. Patty - it might be worth the effort to make the drive. I hear Billy is a hunk, as well as a top-notch surgeon. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you to go before the February date. None of us can start this journey soon enough! Hugs! And LISA!! Wow, you must be so excited! I know I would be. I am so happy for you. It's totally great that you don't have to wait forever and ever after your approval... I think this whirlwind thing is much better than the endless anticipation. Again, none of us can start, soon enough... Hi Respiratory Girl!! How cool is it that you were able to go on vacation without that nagging worry in the back of your mind that you "shouldn't be eating that" or that you were going to gain weight. That would be awesome... Oh, and you are more than welcome to join Eileen & I tomorrow, if you want. The more, the merrier! Zan - since we haven't heard from you, I am going to assume you are in Cali. If not, we can hook up mid-week - and maybe even get Ira to stop by. I can't decide whether I should be hoping you get to go to Cali, or hoping you won't have to go since that means I will get to meet you. (would that be selfish? maybe not if it means no "emergency" at work, right? yeah, I'm going with hoping you don't have to go. :] ) Pat? Where are you? Whatcha doing? Did those Red Hat Ladies spirit you away? I hope everyone has a great day tomorrow. I will check in as soon as I can - and I will send my love with Eileen if I don't have access to a computer. Hugs all around!

Yeah. ESPECIALLY if they have indicated that they WOULD cover the RNY surgery. If they will do that, then they SHOULD do the Band. I swear I think the insurance companies deny EVERYONE the first time, just to weed out the people who aren't really committed to the idea. I would get a doc that you feel positive about and start over. The tests can probably be copied to him/her and then you can have the new doc submit again. BE SURE they use the new Lap Band CPT Code. It is posted in the Insurance forum. Good Luck!!

There's a link to another thread farther up - Jonathan slipped back into place when he went onto his liquid diet. YaHoo!!

Congrats on a tough, but successful year! Felicitations!!

Geez, did you ask him how many of his other Speeders wanted a picture with him?? I bet you are the first!! You Crazy Girl!! What are we going to do with you?!?

Love the pictures! Crystal Kicks BonBon!! :] AND, the restaurant has recognized her Greatness, too! TOO COOL!! AND, how AWESOME-RIFIC is it that Big Brother has stopped by to say "Hi!!"?!?!? Stop by any time, Brother... We think you're awesome by association! :]

(((((Penni))))) Sorry this had to happen to you. Glad you are doing ok. Try to keep your chin up. We love you!

I'm no expert - but I would think that perhaps you should UNFILL a little. maybe back it down to 2.0 and see if that helps. ESPECIALLY if you were doing good and losing weight before you got your fill. Pain is bad. Reflux is bad. Just my two cents. Remember, slow and steady is the PLAN with the band. Take Care.

Congrats & Welcome Home!! Hope you feel Fabulous, soon. :]