Dutchgrl59

Thanks Tricia, It just might be the same lady..... I am speechless on the 4 pages of dialog that went on. Raw emotion. She got mad when you wanted more information..... red flag, something not right there. Upon further investigation..... the Shakeerah from LBT is age 23 and the Ebay seller is age 40. Are they the same person?

You mean that she was on LBT asking for donations? Which thread was that on?

I just had something rather interesting happen to me in the last 5 minutes.... a dietician just tried to talk me out of having Lapband and taking the prescription medication Xenical(orlistat). Who here has tried it? What are the pro's and con's to this product? This gal kept pushing the "natural" route for weight loss vs having surgery. Exercise and lifestyle change entered into the conversation. If I could have lost weight with NATURAL EXERCISE AND LIFESYLE change I don't think I would be having this discussion right now! I am truly amazed at the things I hear on this journey. Input needed,

:hail: Oh Hail great one. You are gaining muscle..... and you rock! Any trainer worth their salt will tell you that You need to up your calories to keep that "Lean mean fighting machine" running at top speed. It's called metabolism! I am just amazed that you are circuit training already. I was told not to do crunches for 6 weeks post surgery. You are doing one heck of a job and you need to release your guilt. It doesn't help you or your family on this journey. We love ya here and want to encourage as much as possible. I don't have a surgery date yet, but want to do as well as you have. Hugs,

Overall, everything you guys have mentioned is AWFUL. Why is this product still on the market? Thanks to the LBT family and I am truly sorry that those of you who took this product had such unfortunate experiences. Just the thought of doing poopie pants..... thats for babies not adults LOL. Here's a bright note: I just came back from my old dietician and I'm back on the lapband journey. I have one(1) more followup and then need to finish up with the psych. Thanks everyone

Hey thanks everyone, I just wanted to say that I never had the intension of taking Xenical, just completely stunned that a dietician would recommend it! I acted all nice and thanked her graciously for all her priceless information, then promised that I would call back and let her know what I decided. YEAH, RIGHT! The call was to set up an appointment for my follow-up bariactric, not to be talked out of SURGERY. I could tell she was VERY proud of the people that she has talked out of WLS. I'm betting money that insurance companies love this stuff. My original consult was with Jenny and I thought I was done..... then insurance added 2 more followups. Jenny moved or so I thought. By some miracle yesterday I got an appointment with Jenny and I will never need to talk to the Xenical lady again :clap2: . Thanks everyone for sharing. Your stories are invaluable. Lapband all the way.

I am the :sick Health Aid :sick (school nurse) for an Elementary School(K-5th). We have 800 children enrolled and my office is extremely busy..... and I love my job. Kids say the funniest things!

Morning all, Eileenie, hang in there baby! :bandit I have been wanting to ask this question for a week or so...... Whats a WLS card? It was either Pat or Betty that produced one at a resturant :hungry: Does it allow you to purchase smaller portions? Hey, man, I want one of those! Oh, also need to know more about that bracelet thing. Is it a good thing to let emergency techs know we had WLS? Today I got the cleaning bug and can finally see my counters -- woot! :scared: When I get a break I'll paint my nails and get pretty :drama: for the work week. The boys get home at about 5:30 tonite,then its back to reality. See ya!

:pray: Eileen, I'm sending up a prayer for Edna and your DH and that he have travelling mercies to and from the hospital this evening. I'm also hoping for peace and comfort, please give us an update as soon as you are able.

Hello Friends, I finally have a moment to chat with y'all. The children are on visitation and I am ALONE..... it's wonderful. Friday night I decided to have a homemade milkshake for dinner, watch a chick-flick and then eat a TV dinner when I really got hungry.... just doin my own thing and unwinding from my week -- ohhhh, yeah! This morning I garage saled and found a pair of tiny jeans (size 14) for one dollar. Bought them for the hope that one day I will fit them :noidea: and also got a glass refrigerator jar for the mixed milk that I make for the boys -- a 50cent bargain! I hit up 2 thrift stores and found a really cute flannel pajama top with gnomes all over it -- brand new! I gonna wear it later as I munch on my hawaiian pizza and watch a rented video -- oh, the timer went off and my pizza's done. Hope everybody is having a great weekend :scared: time to watch my movie! Bye!

:sick :sick :sick Lewis has a temperature today :sick :sick :sick I have to leave for work and have Taylor babysitting. I'm glad that I only work 3 hrs, but still hate to leave my sick one. I got very little sleep but am feeling good. Our thread has returning friends and there's seems to be alot going on. Eileen; prayers for your uncles service today. Donna; welcome back Rene and sherry; I really want a report on how the band feels. Gotta run...... Oh the fun never ends!

Hey everybody, Been chatting with folks here on LBT since I made my decision in November. It was supposed to be easy with my PacifiCare insurance which covers both procedures..... my choice. When in on Janurary 26(magical day) they decide to change ALL the requirements for bariatric surgery. Those of us who had already started the process had to add 5-6 extra appointments..... like Psych eval and 4 follow-ups and Dietcian and 3 follow-ups..... whats up with that? Anyway, instead of getting stressed with it I'm just knocking them down one at a time. Now, if the job and kids and ex-husband would just keep quiet for a while I could concentrate on this task (ha-ha)..... (I just crack myself up sometimes)! Thanks for the great thread, hope to make lots of new friends,

Hey All, Sorry to be MIA but, the Holiday, the Kids and the job..... I see there are some new faces to this board, but not new to me. Hello, Kelly! I'm Soooooo, glad that you decided to join our sinister group :bandit How's Walmart? Lets continue the saga of the mysterious BLOOD PRESSURE TEST. We last left Patty crying her eyes out at work in the Principals office(for those who don't know I work at a school). Sometime in Janurary the fabulous Sweet P. was honored with the dream job of a lifetime -- School Nurse at a national blue ribbon school-- whoo hoo! Unfortunately for her, getting the interview was nothing compared to passing the medical exam required for employment. While at the clinic they attempted to take a blood pressure over a shirt, on the incorrect arm with a regulation sized cuff. To our amazement the reading was sky high and employment was denied! Flashback to yesterday; I was told to go to another contracted medical clinic and walk in to have another reading done. When I got there they #1 didn't know what my purpose was #2 want me to fill out a pile of papers #3 take my insurance card and license so that I can pay for this blood pressure fiasco. When I got to work my manager asked if I had gone to the clinic and she got mad and on the phone at once! Still wondering if I will ever be hired. Of course since this is clouding my life and I still have to play mommy to my four boys I haven't had a moment to futher my Lapband journey by making psych appt's(I get no answer when I call). Hey, here's something funny.... Dr. Phil says anger is really hurt, fear or frustration. I'm neither hurt nor fearful..... yep, I'm FRUSTRATED. At the end of the day I am just drained. Being single doesn't help. Otherwise, my job is just dreamy and some of the kids I meet -- just a hoot.... they have some of the best one-liners I have ever heard, need to write those down! Hey loving ya all to bits..... I will try to greet individuals this afternoon-- Heart Hugs,

Well, here go's Dutch girl is what I am. I was born in Holland and the number is my birth year. I'm not typically Dutch because my parents are indonesian which is why I have dark hair. My little notation about Snow White is not only because I Love Disney but because Snow White was a character that I could relate to when I was a girl. She was a princess but she wasn't blond like cinderella or sleeping beauty. And she was Walt Disney's First Princess. It took a few decades to bring back another dark-haired princess and that would be Jasmine followed by Pocohantas. Trivia.... but food for thought :welldone2:

I am So So sorry this unfortunate accident happened. I've used stand-up tanning booths over the years and never any longer than 10min. Please take care and I will pray that you heal quickly and don't peel. Aloe will help sometime next week, so until then use what the Docs have given you. Heart Hugs,

:nervous Here's everything you didn't want to know about the Holiday Twelfth Night 12th Night occurrs on January 6th(or Jan 5th depending on the source) and is the 12th night following Dec. 25th. This midwinter feast is also called "3 Kings Day" when the 3 Kings visit the Christ child. It also commemorates the day Jesus was baptized. Clearly this is a Christian Holiday. Shakespeare wrote the play to be preformed during this particular holiday. Holiday Plays and masquerades became very popular with King Henry the 8th. George & Martha Washington were married on Jan 6, 1759 Williamsburg. There are traditional foods and drinks associated with this holiday; Twelfth Night cake is a buttery/fruit laden bread with a coin/bean/figurine baked within. The winner of said treasure becomes crowned "King or Queen" of the holiday. Wassail is also a traditional beverage for this celebration. Twelfth Night signals the beginning of Carnival which leads into Madi Gras and lent. Feasts, Festivals & Celebrations are common activities during wintertime to overcome the boredom and drugery of cold weather. Twelfth Night is celebrated by the English(who brought it to the colonies), French and Spanish. This holiday was more popular than Christmas. We have not determined when this holiday became less popular through the centuries. TBA :confused:

Greetings All, I caught up on reading threads but with all 4 kiddos home & a holiday weekend. Can't chat much. I took the kids to a Christian Coffee house Friday night -- had a blast. Yesteday we had a Double-Feature in the comfort of our livingroom and today we are writing a term paper on "Twelfth Night" some long lost holiday that we no longer celebrate today, well, I have never celebrated it.... maybe some of you have? It's rainy here in So Cal but cozy. I'll try to come back later :kiss2:

:bandit Hello Everybody, Hey, when I got to work yesteday I found a note and a grocery giftcard on my desk... I think from my principal. It was very unexpected. The note said "today will be a better day". Angels in disguise. Sunny California is very cold today, looking for my parka. The boys are with me this weekend and we have 3 days to goof off. Any special plans for the group? Eileen: Tell Grizgirl to come speak with us.... did you say she was a Cali girl? Need to meet her! Anne; Your girlie surgery sounds uncomfortable. And no hospital stay? Let hubby baby you lots.... worth a try! Beanie; Tell me you get to eat more than applesauce..... mushie stage is suppose to be wonderful! Sherry; Are we better today? I'd tell ya a joke but that will only make you laugh and then you'll pop a stitch and then you'll be mad :biggrin1: Hugs and happiness. Dianne; Have you been getting the royal treatment yet? By next week dance lessons begin. Betty; That Walmart story just killed me. If I ever become that heavy and am riding around in a cart, you have my permission to shoot me. Eating donuts..... crazy! Well, gotta do a bank run and "heigh, ho.... heigh ho, its off to work I go!" ;)

:cell: Hey Anne.... here's a phone call telling you CONGRATS on the ultrasound & doctor visit. I'm super happy for you. :roll: Dianne, did you hear about the fall I took last December? OHHHH, man..... that hurt! There was nothing to break my fall except my open palm. Took out both knees and a toenail. Please baby yourself for a couple of days.... we need you around here :kiss2: Thanks for all the warm wishes, my troubles have been never ending. When I got to work Wednesday morning I went straight to the principals office and told her the whole sordid tale. She immediately jumped into action and said that I wasn't allowed to quit, and she was keeping me around for the next 10 years or so. Someone was going to answer for such unprofessional behavior, etc. I was being sent back to my office and the problem was no longer mine -- whew! To have my boss go to bat for me was wonderful. I really do love my job and hopefully today my hire date will be in effect. On, a brighter note..... we had a runner in my office yesterday. A kindergartener smashed his finger in a gate and he didn't speak any english. When I introduced an Ice pack he thought I was gonna give him a SHOT :faint: . He bolted from the office and took off running down the street. 3 moms and our janitor in his truck had to chase him down the street. I heard it all on walkie talkie conversations. The boy almost made it to our busiest intersection(which is why we were so scared), but they got him just in time. Hayden school, never a dull moment! Have a great day,

:hungry: Dear Sherry :hungry: I was just reading through and discovered that you got your surgery -- I'm sorry that I forgot. Congratulations I am truly amazed that you are posting already and that tells me that you are feeling well -- are you hungry, or just a bit sore? Everytime I see a new bandster home and posting I just marvel that this surgery could be so quick. Rest up and be well, Your LBT Sister,

Morning all, I'm sorry to report that things still aren't going my way. The excuse note from my Dr wasn't what the medical agency wanted. She wants the dr to tell her how he is treating and controling my high blood pressure. And then to prove her point she attempts to take my pressure over my tuxedo shirt on my right arm 160/100....."if you were my patient you would be in the hospital emergency right now!" How can I ever win? I called my PCP and explained to the clerk what I needed, ie I told her what to write and to fax it over. I have no idea if it worked. I absolutely hate this redtape. Asking a medical dr to lie about treating me for something I don't have. This alone makes my blood pressure rise. Sorry everybody, this is just killing me..... gotta get the kids up.

Happy Valentine's Day Thank you my friends for all the kind words, yes I am feeling much better. I had my appt with my PCP for a blood pressure check and guess what.... I'm normal! Yesterday's reading was 120/78. I have a note that I paid $15 dollars for to give to the medical agency so that they release my documents to my employer. Maybe today will be my hire date.... that would be kinda nice. Today is National National CHD AWARNESS DAY -- A day for hearts. I will be passing out stickers at work and Lewis my darling heart child will be giving them to his class. I'm sure later tonight his surgeon will be on the nightly news being interviewed as he is every year about babies and heart surgery. Did I ever mention that Dr. Starnes is Gov. Arnold Schwartzeneggers Dr too? Arnold has a CHD and had a heart repair a few years before Lewis did. I let Lewie watch a Teminator film and told him that they both share a Dr.... he was quite impressed with that fact. Anyway, I gotta get the kids up and my hair curled. Bye,

Eileen, You're SO the Mom, lol. Thanks sweetie for the kind words. I wasn't hiding from you guys.... just needed to pull the covers over my head. The boys are having breakfast now and I'm feeling content again. I just love listening to Lewis sing.... it's whatever is in his heart and I think he's pretty happy this morning (woke up dry for once!) We have a fish tank to clean and loads of dishes. We will be plenty busy today, and I have that 3pm dr visit. Heart Hugs,

Hey everybody, Sorry I haven't been around. I hit a small depression and needed some time to sort it all out. Last Wednesday I called Human Resorces from work to discover that until I fix the blood pressure problem on my own that I haven't been hired at all! I have been working 3 weeks and I don't exsist -- amazing isn't it? I called my PCP and because Mary thinks my calls are about surgery, she doesn't even call back, so I lost another day. I call again, get a different girl and make an appt, which is today. I really really need to have the job thing made permanent. Not only do I need to know that my children are eating but being an employee with the school district gives me a discount on the daycare that I pay for all 4 boys. My depression came from trying to jump through the hoops for work as well as the hoops I jump for my surgery and it just became TOO much. Everybody wants a piece of me and I get tired..... tried of living and tired of not being perfect, which is what the world wants. You have to have a great body, well paying job, right type of car, live in the best neighborhood, kids that make straight A's and all while walking in 5 inch heels. Oh, being a 46 year old divorced woman, who is overweight and is raising 4 children is the exact reason that we need to dump more on her plate.... she deserves it! I needed some time and prayer. The changes that are happening to me and the kids will take the remainder of the year to sort out. I just need to know that I won't get lost and I have the assurance of that now. This afternoon I will get my BP checked and a note from the Doc to clear my work physical. With that finished I will be hired. Then I will work on dietician stuff again.... she has been dodging me for 2 weeks! And lastly, the brand new tutor I hired for the twins was a no-show on Friday and I need to clean up that mess as well. Thank you all for listening -- advice right now would completely crumble me. Yesterday afternoon I headed to Disneyland and asked my ex to drop the boys off instead of at my home. One of our favorite activities is watching a show called Fantasmic. We set out blankets on the ground and I bring all their favorite treats. At 9pm the show starts and I love having my boys close and I have the peace that the rough edges of my life will smooth out. After the show we waited for fireworks but because of strong winds they were cancelled. I let the 3 big kids ride Pirates of the Carribean and Lewis and I walked over to "Winnie the Pooh" only to discover that they had closed it..... he didn't cry and said that he was having a happy day. We returned to our tarp, then got comfy in the blankets and watched the show a second time! We got home at midnight and Taylor just now got up. Well, I gonna make a batch of pancakes and make the best of my day..... I have the day off and you people with the snow should too. :kiss2: Kisses, everyone

Well Folks.... don't think it won't happen! I am some 8 weeks into the process and my Insurance provider (PacifiCare/Prospect Medical) has changed it's requirements. The standard 6month supervised weightloss, dietician visit, psch evaluation etc, etc has now been upgraded for me. In order to have my consult with the Bariatric Surgeon I need to : Visit the Dietician and have 2 follow-ups (note thats 3 appts) and have a Psch Evaluation and 3 follow-up visits (note thats 4 appts). And each visit needs an offical referral letter. Who thought up this hair-brain idea. The medical group lady said that this was the answer to Cigna and some other company who has decided to ban WLS altogether. So my company decided to add 5 visits.... just for fun. While I had the girl on the phone I asked, "can I make these appts consectutive ie; one on Mon another on wednesday and so on" She said yes.... if I could book them. So, next week I will be calling in a referral for 1 follow up dietician and 1 psch eval and then book them in the same week. During the visit I will book 2 more visits until I have checked them all off. I really wish gasoline isn't nearly $3 a gallon cause thats what I'm wasting. Thanks for listening gang I have some phone calls to make.