Kat817

Hi gilrs~ Just checking in, will try to get back later---has been a busy 2 days---not great ones, but I survived. Come out of it a few hundred bucks richer and have less junk. My nerves are shot----Becky's DIL showed up to sell stuff too---and brought a friend of hers with 4 boys, so 5 with Beck's grandson from 1-9 years old, wanting in my house, and skateboarding all over----it sucked!! I was one grouchy old lady!!!! Anyway we are off to dinner, will check in later. Manda is not doing well---but seems a tad better this evening. BBL Kat

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!!! Including when you went to the GM about her before--- and when things happen now. Date it, detail what, when, where, what was said----you know the drill---EVERYTHING! Then once a month or so, copy that documentation, and mail it to yourself. Put it away unopened, and if it ever comes to it, you have proof of a general date with the postmark. It can be proven this has been an ongoing problem, that you did not stay up late the night before, writing up bad things about her. If YOU decide to leave, they will help in your pursuit of unemployment if needed. Suggest to those she is pushing around literally, to do the same! The more of you that do this together---the better off you will be. Then if necessary you can take the documentation in bulk to the GM, and let him know if he cannot deal with it, you are quite sure HIS boss can. I would not threaten it unless you are willing to follow through with it---but spend some time building your case. And if a slow in income is shown to the powers that be, over the same period all of you are complaining of....it will cement your case!! Good Luck! Kat

Sherry I hate hearing you are still having problems!! I have not noticed a huge change in things with the change of meds, but it is a medication that is supposed to deal with the problem in a different way---by slowing the production of the acid itself. He said there are people it is not for, large eaters for instance, require more acid to digest that amount of food, but for us it is ideal he said. It is called Aciphex---he gave me 4 sample bottles with several in each bottle, and I go back when it is done to let him know if it helped. I am dealing with HUGE stress right now, and so far so good----but tonight is going to be an issue, because we went to dinner with friends and ate late, it took them friggin forever to bring our food! So I am up, drinking water---trying to flush my pouch----but I feel it ALL---Water included, just sitting there, dammit! If I get any flashes of insight---will let you know.....Hugs! Kat

Becky---it took my insurance company almost 5 weeks to get me approved. They claimed for over 3 weeks that they had not received it yet----then when they acknowledged getting it, they told me to call back every other day and tell the person, that I had a case in review and I needed a status update--2nd call they told me it had been approved!!! My pics.....I was allowed to keep my bra on. And I wore my own panties, pulled down past the roll of skin. He took every angle known to mankind!!! I actually had a bleeding tear of the skin during the appointment, so he took close ups of it. He documented muscle tone in the rest of my body---actually measured and had me flex my calf muscle to show I was "in shape" except for my belly. He actually took pictures from the back to show my hips, butt, and thighs were totally in contrast with the problem of the stomach. He sent 17 photos and 10 pages of documentation to my insurance. So once they began working on it--it approved quickly!!! BUT it was over a month. I imagine it was awhile leaving the Dr.'s office to put together a packet like that. I am scheduled for May 20th-----later than I hoped, but worth it anyway!!! Insurance approved for a Full Tummy Tuck, with Mons Lift, and Lipo. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will keep my fingers crossed for you guys---I know where you are!! Kat

Manda met with her Dr, the PCP she used to work for, and together they did some research, and he is inclined to believe she may well have Rhuemetoid Arthritis. He put her through the diagnostics besides the obvious blood work, which has been sent in----and she has them all. And in something like 20% (not exactly positive of the amount--but the neighborhood of) of RA patients present with a dilation of the ascending aorta....but in a study of 188 autopsies, only 10 of them showed signs of needed surgical intervention....so that is better odds than I thought---if it is RA. It could take up to 2 weeks to get the results, and then her Dr. wants her to see a specialist in Durango, not the one local, he said she is impossible to get along with!! She said some of the indicators shocked her, things she had not realized could be related. She has a tendency to swell---face, hands etc....for no reason---but it is one of the most common indicators for RA. Will know more as she gets further into the various Dr.'s and test results begin coming back. She said Kinsey is fine----so who knows?! Tracy---I expected to get a ticket going after Kinsey this morning, I was hauling butt, and scared. Sorry you got it instead. I would have been crying, and not joking. My DH and my kids all tease me because I have a perfect driving record. I have been in several accidents, never one my fault....yet. I have been stopped 3 times, but never cited....yet. I know it is bound to happen----but right now I love it, because my MIL loves Lording it over everyone that SHE has a perfect record, and right now I can say me too!!! Of course my MIL does not drive even the speed limit, she NEVER goes over 55---anywhere, and is usually at least 5-10 mph below the speed limit. Scary as hell to be with her, people flying past with the one finger wave!!! She is oblivious!! We never let her drive if we all go together. Our trip to TX takes Rick and I 12 hours, it takes her 17 minimally! No kidding, and they do not stop like we do. We stop and go in and eat, and shop some, piddle around...we always hit Lubbock and Abilene---we have our places....and I have to stop at a little veggie stand in Mule Shoe to get green chile powder! They pack food, and drive.....or used to, we drive them now! Well I am rambling....nerves....so I am going to try to go to bed. Becky will be here at 7------yuck! I don' wanna do this! Night girls--thanks for always being there for me---you ARE the BEST!!! Kat

I checked my ticket, it does not say anything about what terminal-----so will call to find out, so we can plan on hanging out til we both land Michelle, then we will hunt down Laura----and see if we can actually find her!!! LOL Hope your sense of direction in those places is better than mine! Kat

When I first get the urge to snack---I try drinking a glass of ice Water, for some reason thirst makes me think I am hungry. If that does not get rid of the urge, I try to take a walk, or hit the elliptical. Sometimes just knowing if I keep thinking about it, I have to go get on the devil machine, I avoid it getting worse!!! One big thing to me, that has helped with my eating differences, is learning to chew my food well. Highly processed foods, do not chew well! They begin to taste terrible to me!!! I have also learned to have "good" things around and ready to eat. When I fix my chicken strips up---I bake a few extra. I can heat them easily. When I roast a chicken, I try to roast 2....then I have the chicken ready for chicken salad, or chicken enchiladas---a variety of things, without all the extra work when I want it! Nutrition has been a MUCH bigger part of my thought process since being banded than it ever was before, knowing I have to get proper nutrition from such a small amount of food, makes it challenging---and I do like a challenge!! Yeah, I know I am weird!!! Kat

Mine just ask me if I had ever had anesthesia before, what kind of surgeries, if I had any trouble with it. He had me open my mouth wide, tip my head back, and take a few deep breaths for him. They check on any dental work---removable plates, partials, spacers etc. Question if you have any latex allergies. Nothing major. I was not weighed when I had to go meet with an anesthesiologist. It was not however for my band---the Anesth. come to my room and did the same exact thing!!! And it was included in the cost. With my thyroid surgery, I had to go to their office, and pay a co pay......took all of maybe 10 minutes, and I have had several surgeries, and health issues to list!! Don't worry---it is an easy one! Kat

It boggles my mind the damage I could do to some really important part of my anatomy with BBQ tongs!!!!! You know when I reverse in the car, I never remember whether to turn the opposite way or what----thank goodness for instinct, if I have to think about it, I am sunk---I am afraid the logistics of using the tongs----would be the same. ummmmmmm no thanks, they were totally not needed!!! One thing I will suggest, it is not something to go buy----but a suggestion that worked wonderfully for me. Move a dining chair into the bedroom right next to the bed. It needs to be sort of sturdy---so you can use it for leverage in and out of bed. You can use the seat for an extra bedside table to hold all the things you bought on the list, so you don't have to reach too far!! A former LBT'er suggested the chair, and I forgot. The first night home, laying back in the bed pulled my port incision, and it reminded me, so I had DH bring in a chair from the dining table--WOW---just something to hold onto as you raise up or lay down makes a huge difference!! Tums--------only if you chew them to liquid consistency I was told---you do not want your stomach sensing anything solid and trying to digest it. Keep a cordless phone handy, or a cell phone. Sit back for a couple days, relax for a few minutes, and take frequent walks, even if they are short ones. Soon you will be up and at it, and wondering what are you going to do with those BBQ tongs-----cuz just knowing what you bought them for, you are not gonna want to cook with them!!! Not laughing at you or your list----just with you!!! Kat

I think originally something was said about our drivers waiting in an area we can call their cell phones when all of the group arrives....and then they swing by the pick up line and we go......I don't know about that though. I think in our group, Laura lands first, and then Michelle and I within mere minutes of one another on different planes, but same airline, so they should be fairly close. I know at most airports all of one airline is in one section....and we are both flying continental. And we are all 3 flying into Houston..... When I went to get banded, was the first time ever I stepped off a plane and was met by a man holding a sign with mine and my SIL's names on it!!! I felt like royalty!! Violets sign seems more fun!! GOOD question---Pamela-----REALLY good question!!! I get lost easily! Kat

Laura, there is no blood connection between Manda and the "Aunt" that died. She was her Step Moms sister. While the step Mom always treated Manda like crap, her sister was always good to her. When Step Mom took the kids shopping and bought for everyone but Manda, her sister would buy her something----she was a nice woman---I felt very bad when she passed. As if Manda did not feel bad enough, I ended up taking a sick kiddo home to her. Not sure what, but she is definitely running a fever. Give her some Tylenol, and left them lying on the sofa together---with Jason looking somewhat shellshocked! Mom and I bought a rotisserie chicken, and some potato salad, baked beans, (and mac & cheese for the kiddo) at the deli, and took in so they could eat without hassle---I think they both looked relieved! She said they took over an hour on her ultrasound, she said the masses were obvious, some small, and some big as oranges, looking like they all wove together--she could see how the ovary looked on the left side, and said there was nothing like it visible on the right. She said the mass is dark black--whatever that means. They measured and notated forever she said----but of course said nothing to her, and could not tell her anything. Jason was sitting at his laptop when we went in tonight---and he wanted me to read a letter he is writing to the hospital. His Mom is an OR nurse there, and told him to write a letter about how with the issues Amanda has been diagnosed with, they ignored them all and sent her on without even checking any of the possiblities----and told him who to send copies to, and she wants him to write a letter to the editor of the local paper.....so he was getting one ready to go to the hospital. All this going on----and I come home and there is a stove and a refrigerator, and a desk all sitting at the top of my driveway----and a huge stack of boxes. I spaced out Becky and I having the yard sale tomorrow! I called this morning, but she was in reviews all day, so I did not get to tell her anything, and so she had Gary bring all the stuff from the storage unit......guess I am yard saling, and if I have to leave, she can handle it! Wish me luck! I am off to find something to eat, I just realized, I have not eaten today, and I have a headache---nothing like Jenns---but a headache none the less---lack of nourishment I believe!!! Take care, I'll try to get back later! Kat

I looked at the site, it says the Mercado is still there, and there is apparently a trolley between in and the Riverwalk---supposed to be lots of small vendor type things, selling pottery, leather goods---and as one reveiwer put it-----all the things no one needs!!! But I can just as easily cruise the shops I cannot afford!!! I can wish with the best of 'em!!!! Or I can find me a table with an umbrella, a margarita, and watch people----I find that highly entertaining!!! Tracy---if you want to do a water tour or water taxi---I'll go with you---you don't have to worry about being alone, and fighting off all those men!! Kat

They gave her Toradol in her IV, so that helped some, and sent her home with a Rx for Lortab. Part of me is relieved to think a Dr. is not concerned, but at the same time, I feel like with the diagnosis she has received of late, at least an EKG, which takes minutes to do, was called for. Her blood pressure was really low like I said, but her pulse was running 123. He kept saying she must be dehydrated, but the nurse said no, she was an easy stick, and bled without problem. So they just quit worrying about it. She is supposed to call me when the Heart Hospital calls her. My Mom has fibromyalgia. It hit her hard and fast, during a time of high stress, when my Dad was having heart surgery. I mentioned it to Manda, with the amount of stress she has been under with all of this. Called my Son--told him he better back off of riding her about her personal life----it was none of his business, and I was sick of it. He called her, and told her he was sorry he got involved and he loved her. I was ready to stomp him! He works with Ryan---and he thinks she screwed up. I cannot imagine her trying to cope with all she is right now, and worrying what the heck Lindzie was up to, with Kinsey.....I told him that too!! I was a MOM!!! He may be 27---but he knew I was not happy with him! I pointed out a few of his bigger mess ups and how she stood by him, and pointed out WHO he should be siding with---his sister, neither one of the other guys! aarrgghh---did feel good to have someone to get mad at though!!! It might be a virus beginning, she had no fever but a raised white count. Kinsey on the other hand is running a slight fever. She come to give me a hug and felt warm---so....who knows. I pray it is nothing! I just wish he would have ruled things out, even if he could not pin point the problem, ruling some out would have appeased me. If something happens to my DD ---- you will all have to come see me on visiting day. Kat

I personally am not as interested in the historical tours--did one years ago. What I would be really interested in, but as you say---not sure about it being open on Sunday is the old Mercado---I have heard lots of people say I should have went there!!! I understand it is affordable where many of the River Walk stores are not. I will go look at the Trip Advisor and see if it still exists, and if it says it is open on Sunday. I too will do whatever, but would probably choose, the chill and shop route to an organized historical tour. I do that EVERYWHERE I go with my history buff DH!! Wonder if he really likes it that much, or likes keeping me out of the shops that much.....hmmmmmmm Kat

Wellllll I am sure we will all have some photos to share, and some of us might have some for "sale"!!! To say we are excited is a bit of an understatement!! Kat

OMG, they are sending Manda home--they did NOTHING!!! I ask her if they did an EKG, she said he did not even listen to her heart with a stethascope! Nothing! Her blood work come back raised some, he said he would send off some blood to check for rhuemtoid arthritis----but other than a low blood pressure and slighly elevated white count, he found nothing wrong. Well he sure as hell did not look too hard. She said he did not palpitate her belly in the area of the ovary problem---nothing! NOTHING! I am so frustrated---and scared for her--I don't know what to do. She is going to have Jason bring her here, and we are going to call the Heart Hospital, explain what is going on, and ask them if this is something she should be concerned enough about to head to Albuquerque, or whether her appointment in 5 days is soon enough....see what they say. She could probably get in to see her PCP----see if he has any ideas. She goes for the ultrasound this afternoon--but does not SEE the gyno until 05/01. Poor Kinsey, my nerves are on edge, and she is in an "I want" mood......not mixing well. Will check in later as I know anything. Thanks Jane----I wish you were closer too..... Kat

I hear ya on the tube----I did not wake up with mine in---never have. But last November I had to have a tumor removed from my thyroid---and it had gotten so big, I could not lay on my back without it blocking my airway----so in order to do the surgery, I had to be intubated while awake....so the tumor did not relax on the airway----very unpleasant!!! I honestly don't remember much of it, just a quick gag, and him pulling my lower jaw, and it must have slid in, he told me he would drop me as soon as he go past it, I would hardly remember it---he was right! Good Luck----I am sure we will see you this week in here---LBT stress relief! Kat

Until the thread is locked, it will likely never "die"---but as long as the tone has taken a turn for the better, it doesn't bother me one bit where it is. The bypass vs. banding is out there, on past threads, and of course everyone thinks their choice is best for the most part!!! Personally, I had health reasons that virtually dictated what surgery I had, and feel like whatever works for someone is obviously the right one for them!!! They ALL have downsides I am sure....just as they ALL have highlights that we enjoy. The one point of this thread, even from the beginning, was through the Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, it got people talking about the band, and to those looking into it---we all need to make wise choices, and I am sure many have learned from your post Brandy, to insist on full discussion with the Dr. before surgery, concerning the follow up issues. Just as I am sure many people now know at the first sign of irritation at the port site to see the Dr. due to the OP's issues. If you seriously want the thread gone, the best way is to discuss it with a moderator and ask for it to be locked. But with the civility returned, I don't know if they will. Kat

I agree, having some knowledge of WHAT to eat, makes banding that much better! You have a small space to fill with food, and it needs to be quality food to get proper nutrition. To continue with the shovel/tool analogy though, and answer the question----WW would be like someone telling you how to hold your hand to make scooping the dirt out of the hole easier--giving you GOOD direction---but still not the PHYSICAL help that the band/shovel is. When you combine the smart way of eating with the restriction and hunger reduction of the band---it is a double edged sword---and it works!!! Kat

Hi- My DD is in the ER. She come in from work yesterday and could hardly move, all her joints and muscles ached. She is not running fever or anything, and was drinking her usual bottle of water--I think one is permanently attached to her hand. She went home, went to bed early, said she slept in spurts, woke everytime she tried to move, and had to holler for Jason to help her get out of the bed---she was too stiff to move. She called her Dr. he said he thought she needed to go to the ER. I went in and picked up Kinsey, Jason took her to the ER. That was at 5 this morning. I just talked to her, she said they took blood, started an IV, she saw a Dr. for about 3 minutes, and he knew nothing yet. Her blood pressure is extremely low. 96/40. I don't know if it might be stress related with all the other things she is dealing with, in addition to her personal life decisions she is trying to make. Or if it related to one of the problems--the heart or the ovary. She is supposed to have an ultrasound later today. I am hoping to confirm nothing is wrong heart wise they will go ahead and do an echocardiogram while she is there. I know they will eventually do an EKG, but I am hoping for more.... I ask her if she wanted me to find someone to take care of Kinsey and come over, she said no she was ok with Jason there, she wanted to be sure someone was with Kinsey if they put her in the hospital or something....so here I sit. When my Mom gets home--she and my Dad are at one of their old friends, funerals---so when they get home, I will take her to them and go on over to the hospital. Manda is very scared. Her half sister is hysterical, and has called me several times. Her Aunt--her Moms sister, so Manda's step Aunt (no blood relation) died unexpectedly 2 years ago when she was 36. She was not feeling well, had been achy for days. It got worse, she got up in the night and moved in to sleep on the couch. When her DH noticed her gone, he went in and ask if she was ok. He said she told him, it hurt her everytime he moved the bed. He told her to go get in bed, and he would sleep out on the couch, she told him, no she didn't want to get up. When he got up the next morning, she was dead. Autopsy found she died of a dissected aorta. Manda's sister said they told them her artery just disconnected from the heart itself, but it looked as though it had been a problem for awhile. So Manda being achy has her Sister on the edge. She has been having a bad time herself---just lost (?) a pregnancy. She had been to the Dr. She began spotting, they did the ultrasound, and all looked good. Then a couple weeks later she began bleeding again, and when they did the ultrasound, they found no baby in the amniotic sac, they said it had reabsorbed into her system. I guess it is pretty common--oftentimes what happens, and is either never a confirmed pregnancy, or wrote off as a standard miscarriage. I am worried enough without the drama queen of her sisters dire stories. And I don't mean that to sound so uncaring, I like her sister a lot----there are just some fears one should keep to themselves. Well I am rambling out of nerves. I will let you know what I hear. Kat

Sherry---what all types of medication have you tried for the reflux? I mean some of them attempt to stop it, and others block the body from forming so much acid. My Dr. told me that with us eating so much less, that it might be the way to go---because my hiatal hernia is back. So I am now doing Aciphex samples he gave me, not seeing any difference, but I do ok, IF I follow my own little rituals!!! No food after dinner, I take a walk and carry a bottle of Water, try to flush it through----then nothing at all else. I sleep on a wedge pillow, on my side, and I am fine. If I change any of those, seriously---like eating late or something, I still sometimes wake up with heartburn like crazy---but seldom actually reflux anymore. I take my meds mid day---Vitamins and now the aciphex.....I was doing the Prilosec---he said they work on different levels, and for us to try this...so WTH---we are trying it! I am scared to death to go be unfilled!!! I am not tightly restricted now, but I do not feel hunger where I am! I am afraid what will happen when I do! I am also curious to see if there is a difference with my reflux---doubting it though, this is how I was before being banded....exactly! I always attributed it to eating too much fatty food---that is not an issue anymore! I go for the unfill on the 13th. My weekend with the Shrinking Violets in Texas, I will be wide open---thank goodness I will have all those bandsters to try to keep my in line! Then I have surgery the day after I get home....and can go back to begin my fills again anytime after the swelling reduces. Hope it is quick---I don't trust myself yet---hoping to surprise myself....but not holding my breath!!! LOL How's work? Well I am proud of you over the bike! I am such a slug---I cannot tell you how often I sleep on the back of Ricks----I can't sleep if I am driving!! LOL Let me know how you like it! Better get my butt in bed, 5 comes early!!! Hugs---and thanks for keeping Manda in your prayers---she sees the cardiac thoracic lady next Tuesday, and sees the gyno tomorrow for an ultrasound....and should hear the results of her CA 125--which is a tumor marker blood test. Please let it all be good...... Talk Soon! Kat

Growing up, when we were sick, it meant soup. On a tray, with saltine crackers. It was almost always just Campbells soup---nothing fancy---we were pretty picky kids!!! I got the tray from my Mom, it is actually kinda ugly!!! Has ducks like they are in flight trying to avoid being shot!!! But she always used the tray, with a paper towel over it, our bowl, or mug of soup, and some crackers. I feel lucky now that THAT is what translates comfort/sick food to me, as I can still do it. Might look into a prettier tray to "train" the grandkids with!! Hope you feel better soon.....you know they have proven that chicken Soup really does help! Kat

Think it is early to bed for me tonight. I did fair with my eating today....it is sooooo much easier for me to stay on plan in the summer months when we can throw something on the grill with a salad or a veggie, and it be good. Winter I tend to WANT to cook, and nest, and it is always a foodfest!! Old habits! I spent the morning cleaning closets, and digging through things. Sure feels good to purge a bunch of junk!!! I found it hard to get rid of some of my good old standby clothes. 3X things I still insist on putting on, until one of the honest ones---DH, DD, Becky---tells me it looks ridiculous!!! I got rid of it all! Took a walk again after dinner. Had an elderly man ask me if I was the one who walked by his house each evening last year, I thought maybe he was losing his sight or something, so I told him yes, that usually my DH walks with me, but he had a hard day at work so I was alone. He told me, he had to ask, because I had lost so much weight he was not sure. I walked home a happy girl!!! Hope the site is ok tomorrow, I missed you girls-----but I stayed in the house and got a lot done!!! LOL Nighty Night Kat

Yep, I too have taken measurements along the way, and they have done the same for me at Curves. I have it posted in my signature---that is the Curves total---I measure wierd areas, like Jack does, and those are not included in the loss---the 61" is from Curves totals!! I am on the 5 foot wall!! I plan on taking my measurements probably the week before my TT. I would do it the night before, but my flight does not land the night before until 7 something, and I have a 3.5 hour drive home----then have to get everything ready to head to surgery the next morning----so not thinking I will have it in my head to do it. But within the week prior without a doubt!!! I also plan on asking my Dr. if he would mind someone taking a couple of pictures of what is removed!!! Gross? Yeah maybe----but it will be headed for the landfill---I wanna see it!! Kat

We start entire threads about whether to tell or how to handle the questions, in our piddly little private lives. To make this step in front of the world as a celebrity has to be extremely difficult. For many of us, deciding to part with the say 10-20K was a big deal, to most of those mentioned it would be a drop in the bucket. So it seems many of them at least must be happy with themselves. MANY overweight people are. There is nothing wrong with that. True they may not, be as healthy as they could be at an ideal weight---but life is full of checks and balances. There was a time in my Grandma's life that her Dr. told her to quit worrying about giving up her cigarettes---there was not going to be any quantity of life improvements---and her enjoyment of them added to the quality of life. I realize this is a drastic comparison, but if someone who can easily afford the surgery, is well informed, reasonably intelligent, chooses NOT to do it----why should we care??? I do find it heartbreaking at times to see people when I am out and about who are moving with extreme difficulty due to their super morbid obesity....but I would no more go up to them and tell them about the band without them asking than I would list celebrities.....seems cold, and rude. But that would not be a first post, or thread of that type from our OP now would it be LJM???? Kat