Sidann

Hi Bandsters - I'm sorry I've been gone so long. I've missed everyone. There have been so many things going on with my family and work that I have not been able to sign on and even read how everyone is doing. I know we have newbies (Welcome) and experienced ones that have made real progress. I have one more 4-day obligation at the end of this week and I'll try to catch up! Mini - I have not logged on to report my weight loss but I am down 2 more lbs since I reported after week 1. I am really struggling right now but I don't have time to go for a fill - ugh! I'm glad for the small loss though.

Dee - the Huskers have struggled with football since Tom Osborn left. He was a great man and coach. I was at OU in the 70's when they were national champions twice (yes I'm really that old). I was treating patients on the geriatric psyc ward this morning and one guy said he hadn't seen me since Woodstock. Well, I wasn't at Woodstock and was not old enough to go but it was funny. For some reason having a patient who is old enough to be my dad and has psyc issues flirting with me isn't what I had hoped for when I began losing weight.

Thanks Brandy - I'm feeling better about Huskers all the time. But that's OK if you're not real fond of Sooners. I'm used to it. Congratulations on all your weight loss success. You have done fantastic. I think it would be really hard to keep working when everyone thinks you look good but you would like to lose more.

Oh yes - one more thing before you toss me off this thread. I graduated from THE University of Oklahoma. The University of Nebraska isn't exactly on the top of my favorites. However, I'm feeling a little more friendly about it since I know 2 such great fans. Sorry for all of you who aren't college sports fans. Boomer Sooner!

I feel like I've been "lurking" like Mal said the other day. I get caught up with the reading then have to go do something else! Let me tell you though I lost 2 lbs this week! I am so happy to see the scale moving. Adork - you will get back with it soon - thanks for being so honest and up front with it. I sure find myself in the same place. I just have one thing to add to the brief discussion about follow up with Dr. K. I love, love, love Dr K and his staff but the after care isn't there for any of us whether we live in Denver or not. He or Natalie get back with me right away when I have a question so there isn't a problem there. But what about the questions we don't even know to ask? I think a packet of information would be an excellent idea. It wouldn't have to be fancy but just a booklet of things to know what to expect and look for over the 1st year. Fill Centers have a follow up packet (the one in Missouri does at least) and I was able to look through it. Since I didn't go with them I couldn't get the book but it was very helpful. Please don't think I am upset with Dr. K or regret my choice of surgeon. I LOVE my band and the treatment I have received. If it weren't for all of you on this site and your generous help to me I don't think I would have been very successful this far. Lap - you have made the right choice. Your back situation is very difficult to manage. It takes all your attention and focus. I'm praying for you. Welcome all you newbies and soon to be banded. You have made a great choice in Dr K and this website. I think the first item on a follow up packet would be this thread's web address ;-}.

Adork - thank you for taking us through the last challenge. Mini - Count me in for the Halloween challenge. I am 19 lbs from onederland so I am going to put myself down for that. I haven't lost that much per week ever not even since my band but I am committed to sticking with a plan. Count me in also for B4L. I can only echo Lifesaver on the benefits of interval workouts. It is absolutely the way to go for your metabolism. Physical fitness and rehab people are doing all the follow up research on it and all have found it the way to go. I have practiced interval workouts for about 6 months while at the same time a friend has done the traditional workout for an hour on the stationary bike. She lost weight at first but now cannot get the weight to move. I believe it's because her body has acclimated to the speed and "sameness" of her workout and won't turn lose of any more weight. She doesn't believe I know what I'm talking about so I don't mention it any more. But I will definitely be emailing you, Lifesaver, with questions. The exercise system I've used is Breakthrough Momentum Fitness but the exercise principles are the same. It is the regular practice of it where I am falling off - I have to do it for it to work, right? It will be great to have an expert in it to lead the way - Thanks, Lifesaver. Wow is this a boring long post! Love the Byron special effects Lap!

Hi all - I'm sorry to be posting so infrequently. Trauma at home and at school have kept me preoccupied. But I did lose a pound this week - I'm at 218. That is 5 lbs for the challenge and I wanted 8 but like everyone else, I'll take it. Lap - I'm praying for all of you suffering with Gustav and after effects.

Adork - I am only down 1 lb this week to 219. I'm like Mini - what is up with this slow plodding. But I have to remember before my band I would go up and down within 5 - 6 lbs for literally years! So I will gladly take my 1 lb loss and keep putting them together until I am at goal. My fill is still giving me good restriction but I have been super busy with school starting so exercise has gone out the window. It is really critical for me to exercise as well as watch my eating in order to lose much.

Lap - Reducing the stress on your back with your weight loss has gone a long way in helping you feel better. I'm just sorry that physical torture umm I mean therapy is also involved. I have found that those CORE exercises are doing a great thing for me in improving my posture as I am losing weight. I believe the advice all of you have given Bella about reentering the dating world has been right on target. I have been divorced FOREVER. I would like to someday marry again but I'm not putting my life on hold for that. Quite honestly as some of my weight has come off there are some out there who have taken a second look. But come on - I am the same woman who didn't get the time of day 4 months ago. It scares me at times to think that's all some men want but I know there are those out there who have their head on straight. I'll just wait until one comes along. If he never does then I have pursued my goals and live a very full life. I would like someone to share my life but don't need someone to complete me. My fill still seems to be in a good place. I have to be much more careful than before with chewing well and not drinking with the meal but that's what I needed. I hope I'm like Dee and this is my sweet spot. Guess I better go grade some papers - it's that time of year. School started on Aug 18th. I have been dropping in here to read then rushing off to catch up on something else. You all are a great addition to my life. My weight has taken many things away from me but in trying to get healthy I have found all of you along the way! What a great benefit.

My weigh in this morning I was down a pound to 220. I thought it would be more but I'll take it. My goal was 10 lbs but I don't think I'll get that far. I'll be happy with anything less than I started!

Munch - Don't feel bad about your question about what a walker would do or how it looks. It is what you see the elderly using when they walk after surgery. They have 4 legs that are on the ground all the time so it gives you much more stability than crutches. They are light weight so you would pick it up and set it down with every step. It's slow going but it would also keep your dogs from knocking you down. But I still think you would need to have some help for a while. Maybe some friends could take turns coming by to feed the dogs and checking on you as they come and go from work or other errands. I teach in a PT assistant program in Oklahoma and LOVE LOVE LOVE my work both in the profession and teaching it. Let your foot pain direct your decision about surgery and advice from your doctor - don't base any decision on my input! Mini= you asked about my fill. I still have restriction but I had him fill more than he felt was good. My first fill didn't last long and I can't run back to Denver to get a little at a time. I went 3 weeks and didn't lose anything and fought hunger all the time. So far I have lost weight since the fill (4 lbs) and haven't felt hunger until time to eat. I can't go back to Denver until November regardless of the effectiveness of this fill so I hope this is at the right level for the long haul. DynamoMini - welcome back. It sounds like you have come up with a great plan to get your weight loss back on track. It really made me think about how careful we need to be with fill levels both too much and too little.

Munch - I still would not use crutches. We put non-weight bearing patients on standard walkers every day (no wheels). I let patients test both items if they are under 50 years old to see if they like one better than another (over 50 it's walker only). Only about 1/3 of them end up choosing crutches and they are men who wouldn't be caught dead with a walker. I had one guy leave on crutches and that afternoon I had him again after he fell racing his son to the car and broke his other ankle. I sent someone else to treat him because I was sure he would be embarrassed. But I saw him when he was leaving the 2nd time and he had a walker. I had not told him originally to use a walker - I just gave him the option so it wasn't a matter of "I told you so." Lots of people use crutches and do just fine. But with your 5 dogs you will need some help for a few days anyway. It's a hard decision whether to have the surgery or not and how to handle things when you get home. I'm sorry you have to face this with everything else going on in your life now too!

But, on the other hand, I am really, really tired of having this chronic pain in my foot all the time. I think I would be alot more active if I didn't have it. And, it would be really nice to have some time off work, although I am still taking my vacation days even if I don't have the surgery. **But** it has felt better as I lose more weight, so I am hoping if I lose 20 pounds more it will completely heal. Any thoughts on the matter peeps? Munchkin - Based on those comments above I would go ahead with the surgery. Weight does play a huge part of what you are feeling but unlike other lower extremity weight problems your foot is probably damaged and weight loss won't fix it. This will totally freak you out but instead of using crutches I would use a rolling walker. You will be so much safer since you are on your own and you don't have to worry about dropping a crutch then falling while trying to pick it up. Crutches are nothing but a way to have another injury while healing from something else. I am NOT an expert and have not seen what your doctor sees but that's just my 2 cents worth - it's worth what you paid for it! Lap Dancer - I'll be praying for you while you go through the MRI tomorrow and while you start PT Friday. You'll do great.

Dear Munchkin - You have been in my thoughts and prayers today. I cannot believe that nurse can keep her job after this. It was wrong on so many levels. I'm so sorry.

Lap Dancer - I'm so glad they have identified the problem in your back. Yeah PT-Rehab. I hate to tell you that they call us physical torturers instead of therapists at times. But with your attitude & determination to work you will absolutely be feeling better soon!

Hi AdorKable - My weigh in to start didn't get posted - It was 223 and my weigh in today was 221! Yeah fill. Now for the PB subject. Until this last fill I didn't have any episodes but I did this weekend. I think Lap Dancer has the answer. I just have to watch the size bite, speed of eating, and DON"T DRINK WITH MY MEAL! For some reason I thought that drinking something would help the situation - but it DID NOT HELP! I also cannot ignore my soft signal to stop no matter how little or much I have eaten. Writing my foods will really help me too.

Wow - I have been on vacation for 6 days and it took me hours to catch up. Lots of great news - loss of weight, great guys, great baby pics, great bar bq. Adork - I know I'm 3 days late starting but I want to be part of the challenge. I weighed 223 at my fill appt Tuesday. I want to lose 10 lbs and will work out 30 min/day/6 days/wk. Mini- I missed you at Dr. K's. I got .4 cc's but didn't really think it was enough. Dr. K. said to try it overnight and call him before 8:30 am if I thought I needed more. I ate dinner and had no restriction - just like the night before my fill. I called and he met me at the office before he went to surgery at 9. I ended up getting a 1 cc fill on top of my 2.5 from my first fill. He was REALLY reluctant to give me that much but it has worked out very well. I think I will start losing weight again. I have such a long way to go that I CAN'T STOP NOW!!! Thanks for all the postings - you are all so positive and helpful. What would I do without you?

Mal - That is very encouraging that he has feeling in his feet. I have some experience with SC injuries with physical therapy. Feeling that far from the injury is wonderful news. It doesn't mean that rehab will be easy - it won't. But there will be progress. Craig does have a great reputation and at his age they will push him hard to get back everything they can. He and all of you are in my prayers.

Wow - I've been gone 2 days and there is so much to catch up to be done! Dee- Happy Birthday! Let me tell you I am way ahead of you in age and I have enjoyed life all the ups and even downs. It's just a number. You are doing everything you can to live a long and healthy life. I'm always encouraged by you and your words. Keep up the good work. Sunshine - I went in for my first fill in the morning with Dr. K. and flew out that afternoon. They asked me to go eat lunch to try out the fill and come in immediately if it was a problem. It wasn't so I was out that same day. I flew in the evening before so was only in Denver about 24 hours. I'm getting a fill on Aug 5th in the afternoon and leave early the next morning. They have never told me to plan to stay longer. The weigh in yesterday was disappointing - I lost NOTHING! But I am going to renew my efforts to be careful to watch my soft signs. Shelbi - I was in trouble as a kid for thinking of ways to get in trouble, telling my brother, then he did the deed. So I have a long history of craziness with the rules. I'll be nice today though. Gotta go now. The powers that be at work decided I needed to change offices. The place I'm moving to has not been an office for 5 years so it is FILTHY and in bad need of paint. I've been cleaning so painting is next.

Yes Mini when I went to soft foods I did the same thing. I came online and asked about it and Dee came to my rescue. I have slowed down again but it's because I'm eating too much. I don't feel any restriction or very little and I don't pay close enough attention to what I'm doing. Therefore - no wonder I've slowed down with my weight loss. I've been more careful this week and I see the scale moving a little bit. We will see on Saturday. I can't remember which new bander mentioned they were taking children's liquid Tylenol but they make the adult version in liquid. Take that if you can because it will stay with you longer to take care of the pain. My soft signal is kind of different. I feel like I have a gas bubble in my throat and when that is gone (pretty quickly) I feel like a door has closed to my stomach. It isn't painful but it is a definite stop signal. The problem is that if I eat too quickly or drink with my meal the signal is not there and the door does not close. When I was waiting for my pre-op visit with Dr. K. a woman in the waiting room was saying that she felt like she had a trap door that closed when she had eaten enough for that meal. I thought that was weird but that is what happens to me too but I have to be paying close attention and eating correctly! 20 lbs and I think I'm an expert! The key is doing what I know is best - hmmm. I wonder why I haven't been caught pinching and acting up on the loser's bench with Shelbi.

The grading in the summer is the hardest but almost everything is computer driven. Even though I am teaching in a health care program we do all our testing and non-skill related material by computer. That was a HUGE time investment when we converted over to it but it has paid off over the years. My summer class is very heavy in skills - they have to learn the basics before they can keep going on. So they do all the skills assignments by video and I grade them. Now aren't all of you SO Glad I told you all of that. I'm sorry. Here's a link my daughter has been using that I am going to try this week. I have trouble with the Couch to 5K program because I have to keep looking at my watch. This is a podcast with beats per minute for 3 different training - 1 for an out-of-shape to 5k(they don't call it that but you know that's what it is), one for an 8K and one for more. Podrunner: Intervals - Free Workout Music from dj steve boyett Amieru, Mal and others that are doing some great exercise programs/classes are motivating me to try some things I've never done before. Hope to see you soon Mini!

Hi Bandito Friends - Well my loss this week was small - 1 lb - but I'll take it! Mini- I am getting a fill on Aug 5th but I'm an hour later at 3:15. I SO BADLY need a fill and this will be my 2nd one. I was going to try to go to the bar bq and get a fill on the 1st but my Denver family was going to be gone. Maybe we will see each other that day. Hopefully he's not running that far behind schedule though! It is so exciting to hear how everyone is doing. Hang in there Dee. It seems you have this swing with TOM and then it comes back down. You are an inspiration. ShelbiCallie - You really have been on your best behavior on the Loser's Bench lately. You have never been trouble since I've been on the bench but I'm sometimes not losing so that may be when you can't behave (When my daughter was little she would look at me and say "But mom, I'm being have!" with a long a sound) So I'll try to behave even though it's not much fun and get some work done. Just 1 more week of summer school teaching for me and I've got 60 skills videos to grade before Monday!

Hi Mini - Thanks for the "Ticker" lesson. I actually did not import my first ticker correctly and had to start over. I think it's OK now. Great pics of the treehouse - the view is breathtaking!

Dear Lap - I am so sorry about your back pain. Weight loss helps but not much. It's strange but our abdominal muscles play a huge role in how well supported our back is. If we have weak abs then our stomach will fall forward (penni - oh don't we love it?!?) and literally pull our spine out of alignment. If it stays that way long enough there can be some damage. What I'm hoping for you is when you have your plastic surgery in December that it will decrease your low back pain. You actually have an added strain on your back with your breast size and the reduction there will help as well. I think as you continue to lose wt and with your ps in Dec you will get some relief. A neurologist will probably want to put off doing anything until after your ps unless you have a pinched nerve. This is only my opinion based on what you have said in the past so please don't make any decisions from this. But there is hope for relief with the steps you are taking right now. Your artwork for your granddaughters room is beautiful!

Now that I have a Weight Ticker I can't open the place to update it. How do I do that? I think I saved it incorrectly when I made it. I love technology but sometimes I get really frustrated with it.