ReneBean

I have a bad knee, too. If it's REALLY bad, the only thing for it is to do Water exercise. If it is only moderately bad (like mine) then work on whatever machine feels best for the bulk of your time - but start working your way up on the other machines. I find the treadmill to be the best combination of Lowest pain and lowest heartrate. I have to fight to keep my heart rate in the correct zone since I am so out of shape. The eliptical machine is best for low pain - your feet never leave the pedals so there is no impact - and the mild pedaling motion works the muscles to either side of the knee cap - however - it is such an incredible workout that I can only stay on it for 10-20 minutes at the slowest posible speed before my little heart starts beating pretty fast. The recumbant bike is best for low heart rate because you don't have to move your entire bulk - but the more vigorous pedaling motion is harder on the knees. I use all three machines at my gym. I stay on the eliptical until my heartrate shoots up. After that I switch to the recumant bike to get my heartrate down until the pain in my knees is too much and then I hop on the treadmill to plod out the remainder of my 45 minutes. Slow is a requirement on all three machines.... If you are gasping like a fish out of water then you are probably in danger of your heart exploding. Take Care & Good Luck!

I haven't spoken to or communicated with my younger Sister since I moved to Texas over three years ago... It always breaks my heart to be around her as she is a delusional one.... She seems normal until she starts talking about things that are owed to her and how everything was handed to me on a silver platter. She never takes responsibility for her own actions and she expects things to just land in her lap. She is honestly confused when they don't. She has never held a job for longer than 6 mos at a time because five minutes after she gets there, she is either stealing stamps (they really owe her those for the five minutes she worked off the clock) or telling the boss how they can improve a business that has been successfully operating for years before she arrived. I don't know how two women two years apart in age, raised in the same town by the same parents can be soooooo different. When I was preparing to leave the State of Oregon, I called to say goodbye - and she couldn't even spend five minutes on the phone without putting me on hold and yelling at her kids... it was sad. I sent her a couple of e-mails when I got to TX - but her addresses were messed up because she never pays her accounts - even the free account address didn't work because her box was full. I guess I just didn't try too hard after that - and she moved (gosh, she had trouble making the mortgage payments and had to sell. shocking.) Sisters really are overrated sometimes.

A sudden lack of restriction can be lots of things - from what I have read here. It could just be that your stress level has changed or you are on your period. Do get it checked - but don't panic. Hopefully, some of the experienced bandsters will chime in. :]

I may never get to experience the Band at the rate I am going - but if I had to do something else, I would look into Inamed's newest - a gastric balloon. They put a little balloon inside your stomach and blow it up. Basically, you are full all the time. Sort of the opposite of the band. Rather than make your stomach smaller, they just fill it up - permanently. Check it out on their website. It would have to be life threatening for me to get a by-pass or a switch. I just can't allow cut and paste for anything less. Right now, nothing I have is life threatening - just life-hindering. I can work out another way for life-hindering.

Hey there Miss Hottie!! It must be great to know that now you look HOT instead of just hot and sweaty. Great Work!

I think this qualifies as our first Christmas Miracle... God Bless Us, Every One! Congrats Jonathan!

PB is a Productive Burp. Something comes back up on you - usually happens when you have eaten too much, or not chewed enough.

Wow. That's pretty good. Of course, BCBS is NOT my favorite insurance company right now - I think they are REALLY trying to approve NO ONE for this procedure. Why did they deny you? I have a BMI over their stated max of 50 - so I used medical references that mostly address that - but you can find them in the "Just exploring options" sticky thread, if you want to review. Just based on your co-morbidity, you should be approved. I really don't know what they are thinking at Blue Cross - except that Lap Band must be cutting into the profit margin! Good Luck!!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you Miss Lisa! Good Luck!

Thanks Dave. We are keeping Francesca in our thoughts right now. Hugs!

juice - and another Protein shake. You'll be there in no time. But before you do, check the calories on your dinner for a couple of nights. You might be surprised... It adds up fast. Good luck!

She's Ba-ack...... Hello Friends! I am home at last and loving sleeping in my own bed. We had some computer issues at Mom & Dad's so I had no way to check in. Cindy - I am sorry about Granny. She looks like a great lady and I am glad that you have good memories to comfort you now that she is gone. Sorry that DD is suffering. She's probably panicking if her Nana & her G. Gma are her first experiences with Loss. One death was scary enough - but with the second one she is probably wondering who is next. Spend lots of time with her and give her lots of hugs. Reassure her that you & DH are in good health and all that sort of thing. Try NOT to comfort with food. I know it's hard - since we are all programmed to do that - but try. I had similar traumatic experience when I was about her age and I am convinced that the insecurity drove me to fixate on the one constant in my life - food. Find something else to do with her - a special game or sport that you can play with her. I have fond memories of dancing with my brother to old showtunes - maybe something like that. Just my two cents. HUGE hugs for both of you. Patty - it sounds like you had lots of fun on your non-traditional Thanksgiving. I am glad that you and Mom had so much fun. Regarding the ex - I agree with Eileen. You have to just tell him you can't handle that yet - and specify that when you asked your Lewis, he said he didn't really want them there. I am sure that it is probably the ex trying to make his son more a part of his new life - or the new wife trying for that, or something - but there is no reason why you & Lewis have to suffer because they want another photo op. Talk to the ex about it. If he holds the money over your head, just point out to him that it is stuff like that that made the marriage fall apart and find a way to cover the cost yourself. Women have been squeezing money out of nothing for generations... Maybe your mom can help? Good luck! Ira, Ira, Ira! You crack me up. So, DID you tell him you have lost weight? And yes, Samosa is the word I was looking for. I swear it's early onset alzheimers. Hopefully the progression will be slow. How tall are you, Ira? 125 is my Supermodel Dream Goal Weight - and I am 5' 5". I can't imagine anybody taller at that weight... Who is your doc anyway? Ickabod Crane? Sorry about the Life Insurance. I guess if the MEDICAL insurance people can't sort it out, then we really can't expect the Life guys to get it either... bummer. Hope you survive the year. :] Pat - your cookie pictures are pretty funny. Nice kitchen BTW. I made some cookies last night, too. It's pretty funny - I had to find a recipe with no milk in it - because we just got off the road and there isn't any dairy in the house. I ended up finding one with only two tablespoons of milk. I used some plain yogurt. :] The cookies actually turned out pretty well, all things considered. But, my counters looked somewhat like yours, Pat! It's a baking thing. If you will clean - Cindy & Betty & I will come over and bake. It's a deal. Betty - HAPPY belated ANNIVERSARY!! I hope you guys had a great day. Was it actually Thanksgiving in the year that you got married? I am glad to hear that your Niece is doing ok. Also, I love the pie story. I have done that sort of thing too - but to my nephew. I have to tell you that we ate turkey sandwiches and stuffing every day after Thanksgiving and there was still a HUGE amount of both left when we hit the road. Mom said she was going to parcel it out in to small portions and put it all in the freezer. I expect she will be eating about 50 meals with some part of out feast leftovers in the next several months! Eileen - you and I have to go back to work on the same day. I will hardly remember how to work by then. I will be doing Christmas shopping over the next few days in order to get it all done. Once I go back to work, DH is on his own... OMG!! Your DH could make a small fortune hiring himself out as a designer for little girls fantasy rooms!! Set him up with a website and charge obscene amounts of money and see if it doesn't get some work for him. That room is incredible. Who ever would have thought to put music boxes in the bedposts? Wow!! Your girl is lucky!! I think we should do a little reality TV... HUSBAND SWAP! I get yours for 30 days, and you get mine. Your's can do household things here, and mine can cook for you!! It's a shame you can't post pictures of flavor... My DH is a whiz in the kitchen! Zan - I am glad you had a great time - but am I jealous of you! I ate everything in sight (again) this year. Although, I did stop before the Pain Point. I have had years when I ate so much it hurt. I guess that is a small victory. It is nice not to have a bunch of stuff here, though. I am sipping a protein shake as I sit here, and we will be going back to the gym, today. I have to say that my Spa portion of the trip just did not come to pass this year. We slugged out the whole time. Both DH & I had allergy attacks - just enough to keep our heads feeling huge and us feeling slow & stupid. Add to that the fact that Mom is still recovering from Knee Surgery and it was a very laid-back and uneventful trip. We just hung out and ATE!! Oh well..... Lisa - your daughter sounds like a sweetie. She was obviously trying not to hurt your feelings, bless her littel heart. Clearly, you made the correct choice in telling her. She probably would have been upset if she had found out any other way. I know that when I was little I found out my parents were divorced by reading a note to my teacher... It was not pretty. Not exactly trust-inspiring, if you know what I mean. If you want her to be able to tell you everything, you have to do the same... And yes, the truth generally sucks. The good news is that you are going to take control and alter that truth for yourself. Good luck with the surgery!! :] Sara - hope you have a great time on your vacation!! I plan to spend the rest of mine on some shopping and some relaxing! I have to get my present sent off to my LBT person! I hope she likes it. (and no, it isn't anyone here.) As for decorating, we will see. If I find the perfect faux-tree, I may do a tree this year. I love trees - but they are messy and expensive. I can get the same tree smell with a wreath - and I will - but no tree unless I can find a good fake within my ultra cheap budget. I am just decorating for myself, anyway. I already have my santa out and some candles... I am not looking forward to the mall.... I guess it is good that I can go during the week. I certainly don't need anything badly enough to wrestle for it. Well, I figure everybody is tired of reading by now. I will check in again later. Hugs to all. Love you guys! Irene

Wowie! You guys have all been so busy. We went out for the last couple of things on the grocery list today and that is about it. The necks and gizzards are on the boil and we will be dicing and prepping for the stuffing after it is all done. For us, part of the process is getting up early to put the bird in the oven. It's kind of funny - we had Mom pick up the Turkey before we got here. I thought it was the only way we could get a reasonably small bird. There are only four of us eating this year, and those small turkeys disappear fast. So, we sent Mom to get it. She bought a twenty pound turkey!! We'll have to get up at the crack of dawn! Anyway, we'll get up early and stuff the bird. Once we get it tucked into the oven, then we work on the potatoes and stuff. The smell of the bird cooking and the anticipation of the meal are incredible. Plus, we have that working togetherness thing going on. It's all good. Well, I have to run and start dicing gizzards... Happy Thanksgiving and my love to all of you!

Happy Turkey Day!! I am thankful for all my LBT friends!! :]

Congrats Moonie! Good Luck with your surgery! :]

Good Luck with your insurance. Welcome to LBT!

Oh Jonathan... I am so sorry! I feel your pain on the Blue Cross thing, too. I haven't got much good to say about them... They SHOULD have covered your band in the first place, and they still should cover it now - but who knows if they will. I wish you the best of luck!! Hugs!!

Happy Day, Alex!!

Howdy! Just checking in from Tucson. Everybody else is napping after our lunch at La Bonita Cafe - so I thought I would take advantage of the lull to check in. Lisa!! How exciting for you! It's good to hear from you and great to know that you are getting your band. Lucy - your enthusiasm for your surgeon is great - but tell us about yourself. We are most interested in hearing about you. Patty - Sounds like you are on your way, too! Groovy! How are all the kiddies? February, huh? I suppose I can wait that long without exploding in a flash of impatience! I am NOT good at waiting though. OK - I have that fixed in my mind and I am saying the Mantra - "I will be banded in February with my Band-buddy Patty..." I will repeat as necessary.... instead of eating! 49 lbs by Feb? I guess stranger things have happened... Zan - how is that fill? Have you got the "restriction" that we hear so much about? Ira - My DH makes a wicked Indian Curry dish. What's your favorite? We have a local Halal store that makes these awesome pastry thingies with meat & veggies in them. (early onset alzheimers that I can't remember what they are called!) MMMMM. I love the Indian food, too. Betty - you aren't done with the Christmas shopping, surely... just the groceries for Turkey Day, right? I would feel REALLY behind if I thought you had already finished up for Christmas.... DH & I go to the grocery store tonight to grab the last minute stuff for our feast. I expect it will be something like going to HELL - but slightly better than it will be any time tomorrow! Cindy - it sounds like it is warmer at home than it is here in Tucson! We have the low seventies here. The pool is just THAT much too chilly to swim in. Bummer. If it gets any warmer, we may swim yet... Eileenie... You organized chick, you. You cook the day before? Do you do Turkey? It seems like a second baking on the bird would make it dry out... What is your secret? We just do the traditional get-up-at-the-crack-of-dawn-to-shove-the-bird-in-the-oven thing around here. We have been known to do all the prep stuff before hand, though. Like we cook at the parts for the stuffing & gravy the night before and just blend it together on the day. We are doing a really scaled down version of a feast, here. Some bird, some potatoes, some stuffing, some gravy and some pie. It all has to be stuff simple enough for ME to help cook... No sweet potato souffle around these parts! Mom & Dad are well. Mom just had her post-op visit this morning with her knee surgeon, and they are letting her give up the wheelchair in favor of a brace and a walker. Aside from the fact that walking again is hard exercise, she is doing great. Well, Friends & Loved Ones... I must depart. My DH will be stirring soon, and he is a tad bit jealous of y'all as it is. I will check in again during the next Siesta. Hugs all round.

Look at the front shots side by side... you are definitly narrower than you used to be. Way to Go!! Congrats~

Yay!!!! Great!!!! FABUOUS!!!!! I am so happy that things are starting to go your way. (((HUGS!!)))

HUGS! Talk about a body stubbornly holding on to the past.... I think yours threw a massive temper tantrum! Do follow up on the nutrition thing... I don't know what causes seizures - but chemical imbalances have been known to do lots of horrid things. Take care! ((hugs, again))

Gee. It has been so many years since anybody but my DH saw those that it hasn't been a huge concern... Maybe somebody else out there can help.

Aw, Moonie - I am sorry for you. I have that same problem - but MY BMI is currently at 58. All I can say is do whatever you have to do to lose a few pounds and re-submit. It will be faster and easier than fighting.... take if from me. I have been denied twice and I am submitting to the State Insurance Board to see if they will overturn the Blue Cross decision. Of course, since you are SOOO close to 50, it might be easier to get them to overturn the decision, too. I would try both ways. That way, if they don't approve your appeal, you can re-submit at a lower BMI. The end goal is to lose weight. You might as well start now... Good Luck!!

Way to have a positive attitude Jonathan! You will probably be down to a size large by Spring with that kind of thinking. Congrats!! Your positive attitude is half the battle. Go! Go! Go!