Apples2

Whoohoo, Becky...45#, congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the input, Denise. I am a big fan of Greek yogurt. I put soynuts and SF syrup in it. I can tolerate fruit and will see if I can get at least 2 servings of that a day.

Had a urine test b/4 a hernia surgery a few weeks ago. Got a call from my doc today stating that the test was abnormal with ketones and some bilirubin in the urine. Is there anyone out there that can explain to me how this happens? I plan on going in the next couple of days for a retest. Could it be the fact that I am eating mostly protein (and fruit and veggies) and that's why? I am worried and would appreciate some insight on this. Thanks

Thanks for your input, Restless. I, of course, had a fatty liver b/4 surgery and thought the numbers would go back to normal now that I am at goal. No such luck. I'll try not to worry about it until I get rechecked.

Well, Orea...I would have to aid my regularity by sprinkling my Murilax on the popcorn!!!!!!!!!!!!:w00t:

Got retested today and got a call from the clinic with results. The nurse said my numbers were in the "somewhat normal" range. A +1 instead of a +4. Good to go. Get liver rechecked in Dec. Does anyone know if a ALT of 89 and AST of 78 is extreme? Would appreciate an answer on this. Thanks

I have gotten to the point that I love my Orville R. 100 cal. popcorn just as much as I did the other. I look forward to it when I am doing my night crosswords. It's the only snack that I allow myself. If it were up to my doc, he would eliminate that because he says no snacks. I do have SF popsicles and SF jello once in awhile also. Don't worry about not telling some people you are banded. You tell who you are comfortable with telling and after the attitude you tell us some are portraying, I don't think they have earned the right to know.

I also (even though I was a late comer to this thread) feel very fortunate to have found everyone here. I feel like I am at home. I kind of bounced around for awhile till I found my spot. You will get there with the head thing, Long. The big rug was yanked out from under all. No food to rely on when times get tough. I could forget about anything as long as I had a big (huge) bowl of popcorn in front of me. It does get better and you know it will. I have gone through things with friends. Some of them are sitting by the wayside till they come around. Most had to do with them not understanding why I did the band. Why I could not just do it on my own. The way I see it is that they have been my friends long enough and saw me struggle year after year, diet after diet. I just don't want to take the time or waste my precious time trying to make THEM feel better about MY decision...the best decision I have ever made. When I am stressed and upset and miss my food there is something I say to myself and it seems to work..."There's no turning back. Life changes that came with this band are way too good".

Long...sounds like you have it all figured out with your ladies that are coming over tonight. Try not to completely ignore "the one" but do not go out of your way to cater to you. Let them think what they want, say what they want, act the way they want. The way I figure it is: if a friend is a true friend, they are there with you all the way through your struggle. They should not even make you doubt that they are supporting you. Envy? I'd bet on that. We all change as we go along this journey. Hopefully for the better (better health, better feelings about ourselves, etc.). Hold your head up high tonight. Be a gracious host...but most of all. Do not let her see that she is in any way getting to you. You have worked hard. You deserve the respect that is coming to you. Good luck tonight.

Thanks for your response, Aubrie. I have not had a gallbladder for 15 yrs. My urine is clear and I get a lot of liquids. I don't feel any symptoms at all. I went in today for another test and should get the results in a couple of days. Hoping it is all clear. Keeping my fingers crossed that the first test was off because of my diet.

Congrats on your banding, Ktravel. Hang in there and take care of yourself. Everything will fall into place. Just be very aware of getting your protein in. It will make you feel so much better and will help with the healing process. JoannMarie...you guys are welcome to come and stay on the farm anytime. Everyone else...Happy Hump Day!!!!!!!!!!!

My shopping cart does not automatically steer itself straight for the Plus size section of a department store anymore. I still get the feeling that I should not be in the "normal" size section. Weird, huh?

I am 5'7" and weighed 242#. Wore a 3X top and 18-20 slacks. I am now 135# and wear a medium top and size 6 jeans. Took me awhile to move down a size when I first started losing. I think it was around 30# when I finally moved to a 2X top.

Beckyo...I'll be heading up to Brainard in a short while for some training for the volunteer work I do. I think we will be staying at Cragan's Resort. I love that area. We took our kids to Gull Lake camping quite a bit. Had out state bowling tournament there a couple of years ago. My boys spent a lot of time up that way when they had to go to Camp Ripley. Are you originally from MN?

Long...try not to worry about the email or the scale. We all go up and down just within a few days. It will come back. That is the reason I only weigh when I have my doc appts once a month. I would obsess otherwise. Sorry that person took your email wrong (or was she just waiting to pounce?). WELCOME BACK, CATHYCHATTS!!!!!!! With all that painting you are doing, the next time you recarpet your rooms you will find the carpet area smaller! Happy to hear you are doing well and feeling good. Gotta love that remodeling? We do a little every year and think we are about done. It's to the point where we just love our house. When we moved in 21 yrs ago...it was UGLY!!!!!!!!!! Only 5 yrs old and the persons that lived here beat the heck out of it. We finally have gotten it to where we want it. Now we can sit back and enjoy. Hope everyone had a good day. Did anyone else go through withdrawl not having LBT? Did have much time to sit at the computer anyway but every time I checked it was down. Well, time to do the LA and New York Times crosswords. It's an every night thing with me. Cannot live without it.

I will have to say that I have a lot of great memories of winters her in MN. It's just that the older I get, the longer the winters seem. You know what I am talking about. Gets cold mid Oct and does not warm up till at least April (sometimes May). I lived on my skates when I was younger. Lived across from a lake. Also had a sled hill in our yard. Spent hours outside building forts, etc. The cold never got to me then! Maybe there will be a time when you can come visit and spend some time on the farm. You would be more than welcome!

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to answer. It will put my mind at ease until I retake the test. I figured the ketosis was due to the high protein/little carbs diet. I am not diabetic and don't worry about that. As far as the bilirubin, I was surprised. My liver tests were also slightly elevated at the time with an ALT of 89 and AST of 78. Could that have something to do with it?

There you are, JoannMarie! Can't quite see you being a LURKER. I bet you cannot wait for your surgery date. Will be nice to get it all behind you, a couple months out and on your way! Pretty flat where we live in MN. The winds whip across the plains pretty much every day. We can see for miles where we live. Looking forward to our time in FL this winter and out of the cold. The older I get the worse winters seem. I do like our the change of seasons we have though. It's going to be a very long fall for us since we have yet to start corn harvest. We will be combining in the snow.

We had snow here in MN yesterday. 2.5 inches. Met another couple for dinner and on our way there we could see where a couple of cars slid into the ditch. Too early for that stuff. I, too, have lost my insulation but just dress warmer. Bought some Woolrich vests that I wear around home to keep me warm. But then the hotflashes hit and I throw it off. I'd rather be too cool than too warm. You are right, Long. This thread has been very slow and we are missing some of our key people. Hope everyone is back and talking soon. I surely miss Janet. We have heard nothing from CathyChatts for quite some time. I miss her. Also, missing JoAnnMarie. Where the heck are you, lady?????????????????? Had a good day. Volunteered at the hospital. Helped DH fuel up machinery in field, gave rides to different fields, etc. Sitting here waiting for the other half of the guys to come and eat. Could be a few hours. That's life on the farm! I have been in a bit of a panic the last week. Upping my calories and hoping to find the right amount I need for maintenance. My doc says 1/2 cup 3xdaily without snacks. Well, that's just not going to work for me. Cannot get enough calories in with those small meals. Trying to incorporate 2 high protein snacks a day that stay within the 1/2 cup portion. I guess this is my body and cannot see what it can hurt to throw a healthy snack or two in to get the caloric intake I need. Now, if I start to really gain, I will back off on the snacks. Never worried too much while I was losing but I really worry now about maintaining. Weird, huh? I will figure it out but know it will take some time. Hope everyone had a good day and wishing you a great evening!

I'm close to 53yrs old so I went with a charcoal liner and a thin line. Most give you a free touch up if you are not satisfied with the outcome. I did my touch up but did not go darker, just a touch thicker on the top. After I posted I was hoping you didn't think that I felt you NEEDED it. Just suggested as a convenience.

I lost 54# b/4 surgery. Had BCBS. They took my weight of initial visit with surgeon.

JJ. Just saw your b/4 and after. Amazing. You are so pretty. I LOVE your cheeks. Just a thought for you...permanent makeup is an option if you would just as soon not put it on every day. I had my upper and lower eyeliner done and also had eyelash extensions for under $500. I do wear foundation once in awhile. I have a job where I sometimes need to jump out of bed and be a certain place in a very short period of time. Love just throwing on some clothes, running a brush through my hair and heading out!

Becky...what a nice momma to plan such a great meal for your daughter. Have fun celebrating and enjoy those smashed taters!!!!!!!

Hope you thoroughly enjoy it! Keep us posted on what you will be doing. I love my volunteer jobs...3 days a week at a hospital and the other days filled with my Family Readiness Group leadership position. They both keep me going.

Long...what will you doing as a volunteer??????????? Interested to know.