3loves

Excellent advice!! My DH had been established as an engineer at the same company for 15 yrs. He was also financially taking care of his mom prior to us getting married. Like you said, it's the not the dollar amount. Stability is a HUGE factor!!

I have been a SAHM for over 6 yrs now. We will be married 7 yrs this July. When we started talking about marriage, I made it very clear that eventually, I wanted to be a SAHM regardless of what sacrifices needed to be made. I buy & sell clothing on E-Bay. I love garage sales. My kids wear mostly Gymboree clothes and have nice things at cheap prices. My kids want for nothing and even Papaw says we spoil them. I use coupons when grocery shopping. I never go without looking at the weekly flier and coordinating my coupons. We have a 60" HDTV and new cherry dining room set ONLY because they were given to us my by FIL. We don't look like we struggle, but truth is, we are so poor we can't pay attention. :phanvan Most of all, we share a love that is unmatched!! My DH and I fall deeper in love everyday and we treasure the time with our kids. My DH is working on his double masters and we hope to increase our income, the Lord willing. Until then, we are happy poor people doing the best we can. We are so blessed in more ways than money can buy. Now, with all the that we have been trough 2 job changes b/c of reductions and are now making it on an income less than our last job even though everything else has gone up. We have talked about me taking a job to fill in some, but when you add up day care and clothing it takes for a new job, it would be months b4 we would see an increase in our income. We just pray about things and trust the Lord to provide. He has never let us down yet and I know He won't in the future.

Welcome to LBT!! It's great to have you here!! I hope you find this a place full of info, fun, & encouragement. LBT has been a lifesaver for me. I didn't even finish your post b4 I thought of Dody. She was approved for the lapband via Medicare. She can give you some pointers. Just look under members for her name....Dody. In the meantime, I will let her know your looking for info. Hang in there and keep your chin up. There is ALWAYS hope and light at the end of the tunnel. God bless you and your journey!! :welcome:

My boys decided they could go down the slip-n-slide faster today if they took their trunks off. I have a pic, but not sure if I should post it. You can only see part of their butts. I sent it to family, but I guess with all the weirdo's on the net, I'm a little more conservative. :phanvan They had grass in strange places let me tell you. :biggrin1: Who needs to pay for entertainment when you have kids? myband ~ That one with the magnifying glass could win some picture prize I bet....so funny!! Here's a potty pic for you. I have been known to grab a camera before offering assistance. These are precious times, you know? Maybe this is why it took us so long to potty train.

I think I'll call about the green pee b/c it shouldn't be this far out from surgery. It's as green as ever, kelly green as a matter of fact. I feel so special now that I'm the only one with green pee. :heh: Another question...... I seem to have been a bit hungry today, but not sure if that's just my belly rumbling or if it's actual "hunger" growls. I know I'm only a few days out. Will this difference become more clear as time goes on?

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on the 85 lb loss!! Sounds like an odd reaction to me as well. How good of a friend is this lady? If she's just a casual acquaintance via Curves, it would be my guess that she has some deeper issues within herself and may be looking to you for some answers. It may or may not have been a personal remark toward you. Either way, it is a bit odd. I attended Curves (pre-band) for 1.5 yrs and didn't lose much weight, but did lose a few inches. Wasn't worth it in the long run without making ALL the lifestyle changes. I did feel better about myself though. Good for you on sticking with an exercise program along with the other things!! Kudos to you!! :banana

I got my present early....the MAGIC BULLET!! I can't wait to get it out of the box. So, those of you that use it, any favorite blades for shakes, tuna, & such? I am so excited. Also, I was able to get the box my lapband came in and it shows a lot of info including the serial number. Did anyone else request the box? I think someone on here suggested it. I'm going to keep my preband thoughts inside along with some helpful threads here. I just look at it and realize it's really inside me. :clap2: Hey Kim ~ Where are you? How are you doing? I hope all is well. MarianneTN ~ Thanks for your words of wisdom....I just love the mileage thing. Oh, and the hand-made card idea is wonderful!! My kids would love to help with that. :clap2: Best wishes and fast recovery to: outdoorgirl escudero012004 kato MarionJean minimandy ashagirl You all are going to be so happy to be on the other side!!

I'm with you on the foot fungus stuff. :omg: If you take off your shoes, socks are preferred. Actually, I've never asked anyone to do so myself. When we took the kids to Gymboree Play & Music, no shoes were allowed and socks were required for obvious reasons. My boys are 5 yrs and 3 yrs (turning 4 in July) and I completely understand where you're coming from. We recently had to cut a couple of holes in the carpet from where they poured OJ. We took the bissel carpet cleaner to it, but I guess the smell lingered in the pad. I kid you not, I thought we had a skunk in the house a few days later. The only remedy was to cut out that section of carpet. We are now pricing laminate flooring b/c carpet is not going back into this house. In another home, we had the floating laminate flooring...no glue required...and we LOVED it. This is one of my all time favorite pics taken back in '03. The Kix Cereal was easily swept up. I want this flooring again!!

Thanks so much for the replies. :biggrin1: Doty ~ I'm drinking as much Water as I can get in. I'm not up to speed yet b/c I'm still cautious since getting sick Sat. I'd have to check my chart to see exactly how much b/c I'm tracking everything that passes my lips. Maybe it's time I up my water some to change that green pee....I'm getting tired of seeing it. Only a weird person would look at their pee everytime. :omg: I bet it is the Vicodin causing the dreams. It takes the pain away and I was getting off of it until that stupid dream that made me jump for those keys. I'll call Walgreens to see what is available. I don't think Tylenol is going to be strong enough for me. Oh, Doty.....I'm wondering if Topomax would help your knees? I have no idea if it's appropriate or not. I know my mom is on it for her neuropathy. Some even take it for migraines. Ask you doc about it. She has also had double knee replacement so I'll ask her what she took and send you a PM. I hate to hear that your still in pain....bless your heart. We need to get rid of that pain ASAP!!

I never thought about this topic much b4 I had children and wanted to offer them a clean environment. Now, keep in mind, I don't protect my kids from dirt. We live in the country and you can't keep little boys out of the dirt. BUT, I did watch a program sometime ago about the dirt and germs you can bring into a home from the bottom of your shoes. This is in no way reflective of the cleanliness of the person, but it's just reality. Like many others, I hate shoes period. I never ask a guest to take their shoes off, but it's nice when they do. Out of respect, I always offer to do so when I visit someone that is not a close friend or relative. I have a SIL that doesn't take her shoes off for anything. I usually don't take my shoes off at her home unless I'm staying for awhile....it's a comfort thing for me. I say to each their own and show respect when visiting someone else's home. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.....so to speak.

Food is a good friend that has now been replaced by my new best friend, the lapband. I never overate. I couldn't eat large amounts of food. However, I would be on the run most of the day and remember that I forgot to eat.....then I would eat the wrong things. Lack of planning also contributed to me becoming MO. I loved to eat after everyone else went to bed. It was comforting. Now, LBT is my comfort and keeps me from eating at night.

I had ice chips, water, & jell-o (maybe 2 oz). I started to feel nausea after my effexor, so I was wondering if it got stuck. I didn't have other symptoms on a PB. I bet it was post-op sickness b/c I was 100% compliant. It did scare me, but thanks to LBT, I knew I probably didn't slip my band and I had my wonderful Aloe Vera juice afterward. :biggrin1: Thank God for LBT!!

I'm curious. Did I actually have a PB as described above? I didn't have any slime that everyone seems to have. I just got sick and it was all water. TMI? Sorry....I was just wondering.

Go Kasey!!! So glad to see him take the checkered flag. He is so cute. Poor Tony broke the tip of his shoulder...or something like that. I just cracked up at the little shrub when he threw something at Mears. I guess he just wanted attention b/c Mears didn't do anything to intentionally wreck him. Grow up Kyle!!

This thread is too funny. I loooovve Krispy Kremes when they're hot. They are pretty much like other donuts if they're not. The day before my surgery, I took my boys to OH to stay with my parents. I couldn't believe my eyes when I got stuck behind a KK truck for several miles on back country road b/c of a detour. The words, FRESH & HOT kept flashing across my brain. Out with old, in with the new. :biggrin1:

Hi DeAnn ~ Your dad & mom are lifted in prayer. It is my/our (my DH prays along with the kids, at least the ones they understand) that the Lord will heal him and give your mom strength. I'm sure your mom is just about wore out. And you too, dear. You haven't had an easy time. Please try to get as much rest as you can so you can be there for your parents. Your entire family is always in my prayers. Mandy ~ I have also lifted John Filipiak in prayer. Bless his tiny little heart. I just can't imagine the burden the parents must feel. Thank you for sharing this so all of us can pray for this little boy.

Me too. I have the same problem CLOE. Warm apple juice sounds really good. I wonder if the Aloe Vera juice will help also? It's not exactly a fruit though. I do have some dulcolax stool softener but I'm afraid to swallow any pills right now. I have been decreasing my liquid pain meds, but this can also contribute to the problem. I learned this the hard way after giving birth to my son. I had a 3rd degree tear and I can't imagine anything worse than constipation and a large tear.

Hello my banded friends!!! Thank you all for the kinds words and for thinking of me. :biggrin1: I now have scars on my belly and I never thought I would be so happy about scars in my life!! The surgery went very well and I've been following the band rules. My DH has been wonderful and stayed with me all night in the hospital....they brought him a cot. Don't know how I could have done it without him. I do remember telling him that I was so happy to get my band and just couldn't express it b/c it hurt too much. Bless his heart though, he got lost going home. I think we lost about 30 min or so in a 3 hr drive. I cried and then got over it. :think I just wanted to be home. I did have a PB though at 3:15 AM last night. Honestly, I followed all the rules to a tee, but started to feel a little nausea after taking 1/2 of my Effexor pill (they switched me from the capsules). I took the other one 1/2 hr later. I went to sleep and woke up around 2AM and realized I needed a suppository. It worked a little, but that dag-gone PB was coming no matter what!! I remember someone saying the only way to get rid of that feeling is to PB, so I finally let it go. I was scared and went right for the Aloe Vera juice. THANK YOU Kathy - the best me. I think you saved my life. I called my surgeon today and they said to stay off the all meds in pill form for a day b/c of the swelling. I feel so much better today and only have a little pain and burning in my port area. Is it normal to have occasional burps and hiccups? I've had both off and on now since Fri. I think it's probably just my body adjusting. So far so good. I still think childbirth was easier, but I would do this 100 times over. I am so thrilled about my new future. :biggrin1: Special thanks and hugs to all!!

I really have the band!! YEAH!! All went well for my surgery on Fri. There was a delay with the OR room and didn't go in for surgery until 2PM. We got home from Indy around 3:30 Sat. I even slept on my side a bit in my own bed. I ended up the recliner later on, but it was nice to be in my own bed for awhile. Unfortunately, I had my first PB at 3:15AM last night. I followed all the rules to a tee, but started to feel a little nausea after taking 1/2 of my Effexor pill (they switched me from the capsules). I went to sleep and woke up around 2AM and realized I needed a suppository. It worked a little, but that dag-gone PB was coming no matter what!! I called my surgeon today and they said to stay off the all meds in pill form for a day b/c of the swelling. I feel so much better today and only have a little pain and burning in my port area. Glad to hear back from Diane, junglejim, & CLOE!! I hope everyone else will post soon and let us know how their doing. Kim ~ How are you doing? Post when you can.

How sad....here's a link. She was so beautiful. http://www.kfdm.com/engine.pl?station=kfdm&id=14877&template=breakoutlocal.html

Linda ~ Thanks for the update. You have been and are a great inspiration. Lost 15 lbs!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! :clap2: I can't believe we have grown so much as a group. It's wonderful to see so many people get banded in May. Myra ~ You are like our rock......always rocking us on :rockon: and keeping us organized. I'm so thankful your part of your May group.:bounce: Here's a toast:tea: to..... Kim2bhealthy CLOE GreatDame sisterfunkhaus lady29bug CATCHUP Kelly Girl .....may we all have quick uneventful surgeries!!! God bless you all!!

Oh Paula, this breaks my heart. Prayers have already gone up. You are a good friend.

Jacqui & Heather ~ Beautiful kids!! I just love messy faces. I will have to go look for my spaghetti pics.

Have you ever run naked through a chicken house? My brothers did just to see if they would get their pecker pecked. Boys, what they don't think of. :heh:

Wonderful news!! Congratulations!! I just love babies, especially lap band babies.:baby: