SherryW

funny you used to work near 138 in Canton...I work not far from there in Dedham Next to the Hilton.

wear it on your leg...hmmm never thought of that. And you find its accurate? I seem to be doing ok with it this time around without breaking out but, I'm keeping the metal contacts further out on my arm instead of in the back. Seems to be tougher skin on the outer part versus the back of my arm. :sad: Thanks for the advice. I'll have to try the leg thing lol

Dawn...go back and register without saying anything about the lapband and it will let you register. That's what I did and a bunch of others have done.

Pat - When are you guys going to stay on Cape Cod hee hee

Michaele, I don't think you're rambling you're just naturally nervous. Heck...I wrote letters to my husband, son and mother JUST IN CASE :thumbup: So you're not the only one that gets nervous. Heck there'd be something wrong if you didn't! Hugs girl......pretty soon you'll be on the banded side :cry_smile:

That's the biggest problem for me as well. The Bugg works great but, my skin breaks out underneath the metal. Anyone have any suggestions on how to avoid that? I've done the switch it around, switch arms thing but wearing on my left arm isn't as natural or comfortable and moving it around on my right arm makes more breakout spots. I love the functions and the benefits of the bugg but, my skin gets really sore :thumbup: Anyone else figure out a way to avoid that?

Here you go Betty Slow Cooker Taco Soup 1 Packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix 1 Packet Taco Seasoning Mix (I use the reduced sodium one) 1 Medium Onion, Chopped 1 Pound Ground Beef (or Turkey) 1 Can Corn 1 Can Black Beans 1 Can Pinto Beans 1 Can Italian Stewed Tomatoes 1 Can Rotel Tomatoes (stewed tomatoes with chilies) 1 Can Beef broth (I use the low sodium/low fat one) Brown together the ground beef and chopped onion. Drain and add to slow cooker. Add Rotel and Italian tomatoes. (You can crush these with your hand to make the bits smaller if you're family doesn't like big chunks.) Add the Ranch Dressing Mix and Taco Mix and stir well. Drain the liquid from the Corn, Black and Pinto beans and rinse with cold Water. (This helps reduce the sodium.) Add the can of beef broth and stir well. Cook in the slow cooker for 8-9 hours on low or 5 hours on high. You can serve this with a scoop of sour cream and shredded jack cheese and crumble nachos on top. Note: You can also cook on stove top for about an hour or so, but the flavor really tastes better in a slow cooker.

Back...I know I know you missed me. heh heh a girl can dream right :scared2: So my nutritionist wants me to speak at the next WLS reunion at the hospital. Ummmm ya sure on that? Miss....crying in your office because I feel like a failure speak to other WLS patients and potential patients? Zoiks! She said I'm not a failure, this is a long journey and she's right of course. She was working with me on a "positives list" and I had sent it to her thats when she asked me to speak. People need to know it is a struggle sometimes but, if you keep trudging along....stay positive then it happens slowly but surely. I'm still thinking about it. Maybe I'll bounce it off you folks first before I say something out there lol. Pat - Sounds like you really did have to batten down the hatches and I too would of done that work as well. Especially if you've gone through it before. It is pretty scarey. I'm glad you didn't get hit hard and like you said...you now have a head start on winterization I haven't closed my pool yet. I still have to buy a new cover for it but, DH seems to not be in a hurry to do that work. I've hinted a few times that we need to do this but, no go. Maybe when it freezes over for the first time? heh heh Betty - I hope you're feeling better. Are the drains still in? Are you getting used to the amount of weight that was taken off with the surgery. Must really make a difference. That's another reason for me to get moving with losing more weight. I have a nice apron going on and still have more to loose. I really wanna get this thing taken care of before next summer if possible. I hate having to buy bigger jeans because I have to tuck it in EWWWW just a lovely thought huh? hahaha. Anyway...I'm glad you were able to get it done and I'm hoping you're feeling lots better :biggrin: Diane, NJsoldierswife, Trish - I think it's natural to go AWOL for a bit from time to time here. I do it often then post like crazy hogging up a page sometimes I do read the thread every time a post comes along but, I can't always post something. Most of the time I'm too fried after working on a computer all day....since it's at work I can't really reply to the posts at that time either. I'm glad you're all doing well and glad you were able to post :w00t: Hope you're all doing well. NJ....you're surgery is here and I wish you the best with it and a speedy recovery. Keep us posted! Eileen - Lazy Saturday for you aye? Can't blame ya. I like it when I can do that although...for me it's relaxing to cook a bunch of stuff I love to bake too but, I have to stay away from that right now so it's not in the house with the start of this dieting. I hear ya on the fill thing. Just had a slight unfill and man oh man Eileen....I can really eat. Good news is no reflux at night but, this hunger in between is tough. :tt2: I'm missing some of you but I have to get going. DH says lets ride haha. I wish you all the best for a successful week and I'll catch up with ya soon! Hugs to you all!

Hello everyone How the heck are ya'll hee hee Today is a beautiful day in New England. Can't believe how nice it is out there considering the rain and winds we had yesterday and then they said it would stay here until 2pm. Ummm it wasn't here when I woke up this morning at 5am. Yippee! Yesterday was break out the crock-pot day for me. Made some taco Soup. Yummmm lots of Protein in that and it's really hearty. Fills ya up for sure. Today was "the last supper" so to speak haha. DH and I have decided to get back to dieting starting Monday. (It's always Mondays huh?) Soooo I've been craving Emeril Lagases' Mac 'n cheese so I made it today. Had some for lunch and now the craving is gone. My BFF's DH asked her to make him some mac 'n cheese a few weeks ago so I called her today and she said she still hasn't made it. Sooo out of my house and into hers :w00t: Lucky her and lucky me I can get it out of here so I won't be tempted to eat anymore. There is no "diet" ingredients in comfort food that's for sure! She's on her way to pick it up as I type haha. Later on after the football game, DH and I will go for our last ice cream splurge for this week anyway haha. I just love the Almond Joy ice cream from a little place about 15 miles from here. It's worth the trip and the ride is really beautiful along the lakes and tree covered roads. Great motorcycle ride but, not sure we'll take the bikes today. We'll see :tt2: I've already boiled up 14 eggs, bought lots of lettuce, turkey, diet wheat bread and skim milk. I have sugar free fudgsicles, pudding and Jello if I get that sweet tooth bug. Going later to stock up on some boneless chicken breast, turkey bacon and other protein stuff too. Now...if I can get the exercise bug into my brain I'll do ok haha. This slight unfill is unfortunately allowing me to eat more than I should and because I can......grrrrr I do....grrrr so I've bought some 1 cup size covered bowls to put my food in. When it's full no more food for that sitting per the doc. I also bought some more measuring cups and broke out the food scale. Need to do something man....the scale is not going in the right direction right now and it's depressing...so so depressing :scared2: and ITS ALL MY FAULT! :biggrin: It's the hand to mouth disease and this band did not cure it. It slowed it down a bit, but the only cure is going to be total will power. AT 44 I'm just so successful at that (said with lots of sarcasim) So I need to prepare myself, Psych myself up so to speak! That and pray alot! To think on New Years I was 199 and now I'm back to 216-218 depending on the freaking day. WTF do I do to myself? oops she's here brb.

lol there are alot of new folks and same here.....not much time to float around and remember everyone so posting is going to have to be more general. Pat....clean crabs? How do you clean them before you cook em? Can you put something in the Water to make them spit the dirt out hahaha. I'm clueless on crabs. I haven't eaten those in YEARS! I live in New England known for the seafood and yet.....I don't like lobster at all and crabs I haven't had in years. Don't like the texture of clams or quahogs (sp?) unless the clams are clam strips or fried. Can't always eat the clams even fried because they are too chewy lol. I do enjoy haddock, flounder, fluke and other white meat fish but, I'm getting tired of those and that too sometimes sits funny in my tummy. Hmmm ya know what...lately lots of things sit funny in my tummy you'd think I'd be skinny! NOT! I can't lose an ounce lately so frustrating and I'm scared of whats going on in there :smile: One day at a time though. Oooo a warm pool sounds so nice right now. I can't heat mine as it's an above ground and we don't have a heating system on it. DH wanted to get a solar one but, man that's alot on the pocketbook. Things are tough right now around here....TIGHT! We'll get through it though :frown: So what's going on with everyone this holiday weekend? I'm actually getting ready to start some work. We're closing the books tomorrow and i got hit with a HUGE project that needs to be completed before then UGH. Did a MDA charity run on the motorcycle yesterday. I rode on DH's bike.....I enjoy it more so I can wave at the kiddies when we go by haha. There were over 1000 bikes and it was an awesome day to ride. Man I got some sun on my arms. DH said I should of worn a haulter top hahah Oh yea that's me for sure PAAAALEASE! This cleavage stays hidden...I see too much of that from the women and to me they aren't ladies they way some of them dress! Gross! I don't mind showing a bit but, man oh man. (Pat and Betty you know what I mean!!!) Well I need to start the laundry and get to started on this project. Taco salad for dinner tonight...quick and easy and hopefully a walk on the beach tonight to end the weekend. Love yas!

I started the September thread for us all. Happy Labor Day!

Hi Michaele, That's great that you got to spend the time with your DH and he'll be in my thoughts and prayers for safety and health while he's deployed for sure. As far as a fattyliver......best bet....ask your doctor what the presurgery diet should be. EVERY provider offers a different diet so for any of us to say what you should do would be wrong. What we can do is tell you what we had to do and that's about it really. So definately always check with your own provider throughout your own process because in the end he/she is the one that's going to have to help you with your band throughout the time you have it With that said......my bariatric surgeon at BIDMC requires his patience to lose 10 pounds before surgery..says that helps with a fatty liver if the patient has one. I lost 7 or 8 and he was able to do the surgery no problems. The only pre-surgery type eating I had to do was 2 days prior. At 2 days out I had to eat really small amounts and nothing considered solid after the lunch meal. So for dinner, the next breakfast it was something mushy, I believe I had cream of wheat the day before surgery for breakfast and then lunch and dinner were liquids so I had slimfast then nothing after supper so nothing after 5pm because my surgery was at 7am. That might give you a small idea of what your doc requires but, best bet is to call, email or go see him/her and ask away! Good luck and congrats on your surgery date. I have to make it quick because DH and I are headed for a charity run for MDA today with about 20 other bikes in our group. Then we'll meet up with the bigger run group. The slight unfill has helped with the nighttime reflux issue...I'm actually sleeping now but, I've got this weird feeling something just isn't right. I know my body really well...really sensitive to what's going on and something seems off...can't tell if this thing is flipping up and down in there or if the tubing is pressing against my intestines. I find it funny that there was almost 2ccs in my band yet when I went there was only 1cc in there so....where did it go? My port was also a bit slanted too the last few times. Anywho...haven't nailed this yet but, I'm paying attention to it to see if I need to get that Swallow test to be sure it's ok. Man I don't want to lose my band But I really dont' want to screw anything else up either which is more important. So I'll keep ya posted. Gotta go ladies.....hope all is going well and Betty I sure hope you're feeling better and Kat...girl...take it easy....really make sure to sip to keep hydrated and I you're feeling better! Keep us posted you two! Hugs!

Betty - I'm glad you let us know what happened and it's so good to know you're home. I wish you a speedy recovery :thumbup:

Oh Betty, I'm so sorry....I'm sending you healing thoughts and prayers. Hugs! Keep us posted.

Welcome Andrea! Glad you popped in. The pre-surgery jitters are something we've ALL gone through. For me it was the day before...cried my eyes out wondering what the hell I was about to do to myself. You get over it though when you think of everything else you've tried to lose the weight. This definately helps.....just remember it's a tool, you're still doing the work :smile2: that made me feel better too because I was judging myself as a failure because i needed this piece of equipment sewn into my stomach to get me to lose weight. You quickly learn, that it's a tool...it does help but, you really do need to do the work. Congrats on your upcoming surgery and I wish you a speedy recovery Sherry

Betty - Thank goodness everything is ok. That's great news that they didn't need to move your nipples. I bet that helps with a quicker recovery time for you :wink2: Hugs girlfriend...take it easy and heal up quick.

Pat...how do they fix it?

Hi Kat...nope no mention of revision. He said we're trying this slight unfill, measuring and chewing better...then if this doesn't work it's the swallow test to see whats going on. Depending on the results of that it might have to come out. TO ME freaking give me the swallow test now I've gone through this for so long already I'm scared something is wrong with it but.......I'm practicing my Reiki right now and trying to just stay positive and work with what he told me. I'm going to believe it's not something wrong with my band but, just the way I was eating and see how it all goes. Thanks for the well wishes by the way. I too thought maybe if it came down to it I'd have him do the sleeve while in there taking it out but, not sure. I'll definately be asking if it comes down to taking the band out. No harm in me asking. He did ask if I've ever had a hiatal hernia and I told him not that I know of...so you'd think he'd check for that right? Nope.....gotta do this thing first. I guess the good old insurance companies really put a screwin to the docs on the tests ordered so it's always the last resort? That's my guess anyway. UGH. Betty....hope you get to come home today and that you're doing well. Michaele....when is your testing being done? I think I missed that. Thinking of you and we're here for you.

Micheaele, Sorry you're going through this. Hope all goes well with your test. Betty - by now you're boobies are already smaller girlfriend. Wahoo...I wish you a quick recovery and I do hope you're feeling better already. So gals...I went for my checkup at my bariatrics center. Saw the Nutritionist and my surgeon and endedup with a slight unfill. Well I say slight but, I'd like to know something. In April I had a fill and the doc said I was close to 2cc's well today he could only draw out 1cc total being in my band and put back .75ccs of it. So in his eyes I had .25 taken out but, where the hell did the other 1cc go? So damn confusing! Hubby was watching and he said the same thing....he knows almost 2ccs was in there the last time yet he saw only 1cc come out. :thumbup: Anyway......I ended up in tears with the nutritionist. I'm so freaking hard on myself and she said it too. She said I'm doing great, and I've been through so much stress and turmoil over the past 1.5 years with the reflux, work stress and other issues that it's understandable why my weightloss is at a standstill. I told her I really felt as if I've failed again...I went and had this plastic thing put in so I could end my cycle of dieting and failing and here I go again even with this. She reminded me this is a tool it doesn't take away the stress, emotional or other eating issues we had BEFORE we got the band. Yea I know all that and told her I know what I'm suppose to do but why is it I can't get ME to take care of ME the way I'm suppose to? I can do it for so many but myself. Again she told me I haven't failed and after seeing my food diary, talking with me etc she recommended I get a slight unfill so I could make better food choices and have them go down without me having issues or this reflux at night. That me not sleeping through the night is definately a big aspect of me not losing weight etc. So after I cleaned up my face I saw my doc and had that unfill. Doc says.......I have to go back to literrally measuring 1 cup of food...get a measuring cup, put my food in it and that's it. Take a bit, chew it for 30 seconds and then don't take another bite for 2 minutes. Time it all and measure it all. If I'm hungry in between the 1 cup eatings...with no reflux I need a fill and nothing is probably wrong. However, if this eating the baby banster way doesn't help then it's a swallow test next. If it looks on in there....then another unfill until we get it right. If something is wrong like my stomach is prolasps ( I think he said), stretched or something else wrong....the band will have to come ou Sooo I have to give this one hell of a college try so I know what needs to be done. UGH. It's not going to be easy but, i have to do this. Tonight I'mjust praying to get a good nights sleep. So I'm off to bed my friends...just wanted to fill you in on my stressful visit. I love ya and wish you all the best all the time Hope you're all doing well and shrinking :tongue: night night

Donna...Pork chops are one of those NO GOES for me unless I cook them in a crockpot all day long. Pork tends to be too tough and dry unless cooked that way for me. That was my very first PB...pork chops so you're not alone :thumbup:

Betty good luck Wed and I'll definately have you in my prayers for a safe surgery and speedy recovery! Trish...I'll find that recipe for ya and post it later this week. The recipe I used you can either refrigerate them or can them. Canning these was too much for me. I don't like that type of canning They were good but, no garlic in mine. Some people add it though from what I read. Hello everyone :biggrin: Hope you had a great day and peaceful evening. I'm just catching up on some house stuff...dishes, trash, laundry and now the Olympics lol

Hey Everyone. BEAUTIFUL weekend we've had this weekend. Today I road my motorcycle with the BIG BOYS hee hee. There were 6 of us all together and I rode over 120 miles all by myself :thumbup: I'm excited to say the least. My butt has been broken in from riding on the back of DH's bike but, today I rode my own and broke my own seat in hahaha. Beautiful ride and the others let me know I rode really well. Whew. I was so afraid I'd mess them up or screw up their usual formations etc. I still won't ride the highways but, someday I'll feel better about that too I'm sure. Right now my bike is just too small for that in my opinion although others ride 250s on the highway no problem. I'm just too nervous and I do still enjoy riding on the back of my DH's bike anyway :Banane34: So what did everyone else do today? Anything fun...interesting...or just relaxing after these killer late nights watching the Olympics. Whew they make me tired but, man I get all caught up in Michael Phelps' swimming and the girls gymnastics. Think we have another week of this right? lol

Hey there folks How goes it? Eileenie is gonna be a puppy grandma? Ohhh God bless ya. Dogs are enough work and puppies are so dang cute but, taking care of em....ooo I don't envy ya babes. So did you know she was pregnant when you adopted her? Will you be keepin the pups? You're contemplating a fill or not a fill and I'm contemplating taking some out or not. I don't know if once again, this is part of my reflux issue or not. I asked my doc for a flouro and he said no. Wants me to measure my food intake, keep a journal and I probably need a slight unfill. Man oh man...I can eat quite a bit but I do have to admit...while keeping my journal again I'm behaving more. It hasn't really stopped the reflux though nor have i lost weight. Too boot TOM is here and I've been sick the past two days. Don't know if I caught something or TOM and the change is causing issues. These womenly things lol Hey Pat...So whats the adventure this weekend. Anymore pool parties? The weather has been crazy around here again. Cold, warm, rainy, Water funnels in RI, flood warnings...crazy! Today is beautiful though. Is it warm there? Hmm Cold cucumber Soup. No can't say I've had any kind of cold soup. Do you make it yourself? Might need that recipe if you will share it I hope we can meet too. DH is going on his long motorcycle trip so if finances are better next year...maybe I'll be taking a girls trip again Might have to go somewhere other than Disney Betty - Geesh sounds like you've had tough weather too. Do you have an official date now for your surgery? Diane - Have you been using your Wii fit? Mine has as much dust as my dreadmill now :thumbup: Will I ever learn? I just borrowed the 10 minute workout DVDs from my friend who does BeachBody. Man she looks great. I had tried Hip Hop Abs...OMG it was hysterical me trying to keep up with that and I felt like I was humping instead of working out lmao...it didn't look pretty let me tell ya. Then I tried Turbo Jam...yeap that was cool cept I kept feeling like I was gonna get punched by my DH who did the workout with me or I would punch myself. I'm so not coordinated enough for this Tae Bo type stuff lol. So lets see if 10 minutes is do-able I told her hahaha. Figured I'll try to commit to 10 min a day to see if I can get myself rolling. Of course she brought it over and the next day I got sick so haven't even started that yet haha. Jetti - Hope you're yard sale is a hit today. I really should have one myself but, man they are so much work. I keep saying just do it but, then something else becomes more attractive to me like snoozing on the couch watching the Olympics lol. I hope you do well! Bozz and Jaculin - Welcome to the group You'll really like it here and I wish you the best on your journeys! DJ - the pickles came our great actually. Naturally I made more than we'd ever eat so I've given quite a few away. I think next time I may try to make them using Splenda instead so then the cals will really be low I'll let ya know how those taste if I make them. They are pretty easy to make if you want the recipe I'm willing to share it. Kat - I think you're busier than me girlfriend! All sounds like so much fun though. We have a big fair here in Massachusetts in Springfield in September. Kind of a country fair but, has a bunch of other stuff too. The fairgrounds has a different building for each of the New England States and each state is celebrated on a different day. It goes on for 2 weeks has lots of musical shows, concerts, all kinds of vendors, food, rides, animals, growning contests, 4H stuff. It's fun. We usually go for an entire day leaving our house at 6am and getting back around 9. I try to take a day off during the week to go when its not so crowded Are you all healed up now from your TT? I bet you look awesome! I have a splitting headache right now so I have to get going. TOM really wipes me out now a days I already made Pasta salad for a cookout we're suppose to go to. One of DH's motorcycle friends is having it. Not sure I'm going to make it a long time there though Hmmm might be better off sending him there himself but, we'll see. I need to take some Tylenol to see if I can get rid of this thing. Have a wonderful weekend my friends. Anyone else make anything new this summer with veggies? Any new dinners or crockpot recipes? i'd love to hear about them. I LOVE my crockpot/slowcooker...that pulled pork is great in it and so tender even I can eat it lol.

Just peeking in to see how everyone is doing. Feel ya later hahaha

sounds to me like time will do the healing. The breathing is different after any operation. Didn't they give you one of those breathing tools in the hospital? It's an exerciser type thing for your lungs.