Kat817

THAT explains it Terry!!!! I grew up with NO video games....so was forced to play with a boyfriend, got married at 17, and had a baby at 21. Atari would have been MUCH cheaper. My........that 'splains a lot!!!! Kat

I wanna go!!! I am your roomie after all!!!! LMAO----have fun!!!! Kat

Just stopping in to say good night. Was sitting here tonight, waiting for Rick to get home, he went by a friends house to help him park a big trailer in a barely big enough spot---so he was a little bit later than usual...I was watching Ghost Whisperer---and BOOM out went our power! A few minutes later my Mom called, theirs was out, then my brother, his was out---the entire town. I had made plans to meet the son and family at an ice cream shop owned by some friends of ours----but they were without power too----so maybe tomorrow! My computer was on! It was out for over an hour.... Showers by candlelight are kinda fun though!!!! See y'all tomorrow! Kat

Congrats on your wedding Anniversary Michelle, sorry you ended up sick. I would guess maybe that is why you had problems eating this morning maybe.....hope you feel better soon......((hugs)) Kat

Would he do all the procedures at one time Terry? You would be sore from top to bottom! But getting it all behind you at once has major advantages too!!! The end of next month, our little town has a celebration, called Fiesta Days. They do parades, carnivals, street vendors---over the weekend. One of the events is a Pet Parade, for years the kids entered, with our dog, or a guinea pig, or a goat, one year a calf----you name it. Through the years it has morphed a bit, and now the kids and animals dress up in costume. Manda wants Kinsey to walk her dogs...one is a teeny tiny chihuahua---and the other a young pug. Anyone got any good ideas on costuming the trio????? I went out and laid on the lawn swing for awhile....imagined how perfect my life will be without this belly. You know, the house will be bigger and always clean, bills all paid, and tons of $$$ in the bank, and how I will have endless wardrobe choices, and they will all look great--because somehow with the TT, I also ended up looking 21 again!!! No, No No-----make that 20 (I was pregnant at 21 God forbid! I look worse than that NOW!), I'll have all new vehicles.....gee who would have thought a simple TT would change my life so drastically huh????!!!!! LOL I have no idea what I really thought about out there, just vegged for awhile. I need to go cover the swing up---or the neighbors friggin' cats think it is theirs to lie on. Thinking about some well placed mouse traps to teach them otherwise!!! I used duct tape---upside down and had cats walking all over with duct tape stuck to them, but it didn't teach them anything!!! My neighbors have 8 cats, 2 dogs, fish, frogs, an African Grey parrot, and a Cockatoo. Sometimes the cats are more than I can take! I had my own cat for 16 years----but since he was not under total control and indoors, he was 1 cat----not an entire herd? flock? den? What ever!!!! Trying not to be the grouchy neighbor. I already complained until the got rid of the chickens and rooster that crowed us awake everyday at 4 AM!!! Kat

Living in the desert.....the rural desert....seafood is not plentiful, nor fresh. Red Lobster is as close as you get! Being raised here, and that her only comparison, my DD thought she had died and gone to heaven when they were stationed in Hawaii. Imagine going from that, to coming back and actually waiting tables at Red Lobster. And we wonder why she will never go anymore!!!! I like lots of it.....miss being able to chow on the bread like I used to! Kat

Way back, many, many moons ago, in Junior High, the tested us the first week to decide what level we needed to go to for Literature. I tested into A Lit in 7th grade. Our teacher, was a really, really big woman. She would play us a record of a classic...such as The Raven or The Pit and the Pendulem, and then we had worksheets to answer about them the next day. Then if the record was only a 1 day record we had a study day on Thursday and on Friday we had to write a paper about the story. She too sat up in the dark (she turned the lights out so we could concentrate on listening to the story) and ate. Hershey's Kisses most of the time....doing nothing else, just listening, and eating one after the other after the other. The lit classes were levelled at A-D. The theory being, you began in the lower levels and worked up. Well 8th grade, I went back to A Lit again. NOTHING changed! Same routine! I happened in my desk at home upon a paper from one of the lessons we listened to on poetry....and just rewrote it, on new paper----she never even blinked. I saved EVERYTHING my 8th grade year!!! Because yep--9th was yet again a total rerun!!! Kat

Nah we don't care if you complain!!! Sorry you are having such a time of it! I have had those days....more of them than I care to remember. These days the dropsy thing is getting to be more and more common. Sometimes I figure I pick something up, I might as well throw it down, and pick it up, I am eventually going to drop it anyway! Hang in there-------sounds like things have to go up from here!!!! Kat

Kinsey is gone for the day....house is cleaned....I am considering a nap!!!! Nah---I should do as I said and head to the bookstore! But that entails putting on shoes, and real pants, and not jammies!!! And driving....don wanna!!!! I began my sublingual B complex Vitamins again, see if I can get some energy back!! Thanks Tracy! But promise me no enemas!!!! Pamela---have a drink for me! As irritated as I had my stomach last week, I have not even thought of putting anything acidic or harsh in it, like alcohol---been babying the heck out of it. Be nice if it would return the favor!!! Rick is getting ready to build a new shop. I am sooooooo dreading it! It will take up about a quarter of my yard....which is not a big deal. But construction or remodel and the argueing is on!!! Not real arguments, but tempers flare. And he gets started and then decides he is made of money, and budgets go to heck. Making me the bad guy! BUT on the other hand----sure will be nice to have my garage back to me and not home to all the damn motorcycles!!! Looks like they come to start framing the foundation this weekend....gives me heartburn to think of it! Kat

I know in a group policy the company can add riders or exclusions to policies, but you should have an website you could go to that will list what the policy covers with all the legalese... I know I have had to refer to mine and fight it on a maximum out of pocket costs....they did not want to discuss why they were not covering 100%--but a copy of the policy with a slew of unpaid bills....they got paid! Kat

What do you mean no one will tell you? I just called the insurance company and ask what the perimeters on MY policy were concerning weight loss surgery. I then ask that they be mailed to me, and I began crossing things off as I met them. You pay for the insurance, if whoever you are talking to on the phone will not answer your questions-------ask for their supervisor---ask nicely, but just state very plainly that you are asking specific questions, and not getting specific answers that you need. Keep saying it until you get someone who will give you a definitive answer and be willing to put that answer in writing. IF you still get nowhere, I suggest finding a way to contact your states insurance commission. If they are going to take your premiums, they have to be willing in advance to tell you what they will and will not pay for. They cannot bite you over the phone--even though sometimes it seems like they might! Keep pushing til you get your answers. To be totally honest I would not hold my breath on an individual policy. My DD had an individual insurance policy for awhile, and it covered very little actually. No birth control, yet pregnancy was not covered either! Insurance----boy now there is something that needs re-worked!!! Good Luck, I hope you get good news!!! Kat

By the powers vested in me....I hereby pronounce you a permanent newbie! LOL Kat

There are lots of threads concerning hair loss cisco--it is quite common. It ranges from mild, to fairly severe---losing over half your hair. There are many guesses as to why it happens. One Dr. will say it is not enough protein--others say that has nothing to do with it, it is just from the shock to the body, in regards to the sudden change of diet. Yet others relate it to the anesthesia. If you are taking a good multivitamin, and keeping your protein up, do not eliminate all the fat from your diet, treat your hair gently, and eventually it will stop, and grow back in. I suffered from severe loss. My protein intake stayed high, I know for a solid fact that had nothing to do with mine. It lasted until about 11 months out, and quit as suddenly as it seemed to start. I had some health problems a few months ago, and due to a tumor on my thyroid, my diet once again changed, concerning what I could or could not swallow---I had surgery, and am now dealing with some hair loss again--although not nearly as severe. If I had an answer for you I would be the hit of LBT----unfortunately, I don't---I just know it will eventually quit and regrow----stressing over it will not help. Sorry you too had to experience this problem.... Kat

I have an Aunt who is thin, always has been, and she was always telling us when we were kids that you should chew every bite you take 20-30 times. I remember when they would come to visit, trying to do that......but it obviously was not a habit that stuck. It did seem strange to me to see her take a bite, and sit her fork down! Even as a kid. And I come from normal sized parents, we were not this huge family gorging ourselves as fast as possible. My Aunt was a real southern belle, and she just did everything slow, talking and eating alike. Should have learned a lesson from her years ago...... Kat

Personal experience takes you out of the newbie category I think!!! I no longer considered myself a newbie in LBT when I could actually answer some questions, and manuever through the threads without accidentally shutting myself out of LBT in general!!! I am not the most computer savvy person out there!!! I no longer considered myself a banded newbie when I had managed to survive the post op diet, and my first fill. Experienced my first sliming episode----and knew enough to expect, and still dread my first PB!! I know there are threads out there tearing down the newbies, and the asking of the same question 10,000 times--but most of it is done with humor in mind, and if it isn't --------to hell with them, we were all newbies to the band and the board at one time or another. Throughout our lives we will be conitue to be newbies at one thing or another. How we treat the newbies coming in, shows what kind of person we are, not what kind of person they are for simply being new to the situation. At least from my perspective, being a newbie is not a negative thing! And at my age.....sometimes "newbie" is GOOD!!! Kat

Much of my taste for fast food has changed, or completely gone away. Which, in its own way is a shame, if I could have ever controlled myself and eaten it in small quantities before it would never have become an issue!!! Now the problem is, having to chew so thoroughly, you end up really tasting what you are eating, and much of it is not good!!! I end up with a feeling in my mouth like I did just that, and chewed a spoon full of lard--------yuck!!! Back in my days of inhaling fast food though---I don't think I chewed much at all!!! Kat

I think the fact that you are concerned with how she might take it to be a positive thing--shows your compassion. Too many people treat overweight people like lesser beings simply because of the weight. It simply is not true! Possibly to make it easier to broach the subject stick to it in a health point of view. Mention any health issues you have been having, and how this could eliminate that. Emphasize that you want your body now to match how you feel, and let the therapist know she is in part to thank for that, if in fact she is. And don't be too shocked in months to come when she sees someone one on one go through it, to see her follow in your footsteps!!! Kat

It is getting closer Julie!!!! When I got my approval the other day---I was buzzing all day long! I forgot to do a dozen different things, then I had trouble winding down to go to sleep. Can you imagine what it will be like when the day gets closer???? So excited for you!!!!! Kat

Morning ladies~ Pamela did you see my post where I was ready to sell, throttle or both ---my Dad, brother and granddaughter? Yep, I have my grouch in place and working fine! Rick irritated me already this morning. He calls me, then gets busy, and has to ask me what 3 times to everything I said. Either talk to ME or don't call ME! Kinsey is here, napping----looking angelic! Before the nap, she was just as grouchy as me! She wanted her cozies (fuzzy jammies) off then on then of, then just unzipped.....finally she fell asleep!!! As for my Dad and brother, if I speak to them today it will be when they call, because I am not calling them! So yeah-----I suffer from bitchitis too!!!! They told me that the unfill for the TT is a good idea because as they tighten the stomach muscles the swelling is usually quite severe....and it can cause problems. But I did not have to unfill for my thyroid surgery----just like yours said, no NG tube, and nothing to indicate it being necessary. But both my band Dr. and the PS said total unfill for the TT. Bring it on! Just get rid of this belly! Terry--I think you have done wonderful this year! You began at a weight many are striving to get to---so you have done great!!!! Congrats on a awesome year!!! Michelle I can sympathize. I walked through the kitchen and grabbed 3---yes 3---Baby goldfish crackers Kinsey had in a bowl---now they are swimming around in my stomach wanting a drink, and I know if I drink on top of them, they will swell-----but they were so salty!!!! You can do the thread Haydee! Sounds like you have all kinds of get togethers coming up!!! I am so glad it is Friday! I get to sleep in the next 2 days. Although I do tend to be like Terry said, never sleep well on the days I can!!! Rick is working this weekend! Becky & Gary are in Timberone, looking at some property. Kids have not expressed a desire to do anything special.....maybe I can do NOTHING!!!!!! If I go anywhere today I might go by the bookstore.....get myself set up!!! Lounge chair, sunny backyard, new book.......ahhhhhh maybe that would bannish the grouchies! Good Luck today Jenn. Feel better Judy! Jane I see you here, we must be posting about the same time!! Catch you girls in awhile. Kat

I don't think my band has been a waste of time, nor money....and I paid a whole helluva lot more for mine!!! It took very little time to get banded and healed. The money I spent, was as I say much more than yours----but I no longer spend money on prescription co-pays. I was spending quite a bit on 5 different meds per month, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, joint pain......I not only don't have the expense of those, I am not seeing a different Dr. everytime I turn around for another issue. My food bill has dropped. As for scarring up my body....I had one incision about 2 inches long, and 1 about 1.5 inches, and then 3 poke hole marks. Now if you look you can see my port incision, I cannot even find the poke marks----and I often keloid scar! It really is not butchering yourself. They are small outside incisions, and nothing is cut inside you at all, it can in fact be returned to just the way it is now if it ever need be--this is not bypass. People who have never had to worry with their weight will not ever get it I don't think! When your fitness intructor relative sees you down far enough weight wise, to want to go work out with her, and be able to, maybe she will see the light----if not---it isn't her life. I have heard the easy way out comment, and it isn't true. I have had to work---mostly mentally on the weight loss. It would be easy some nights to sit down with a carton of ice cream, that would be the easy way......knowing better, and having the band there to help, is easier than without, but it still takes dedication, and willpower. That said, yes the band has made it soooooooo much easier I can hardly believe it! But it is a tool---use it wisely and it makes the job easier. If told you had to dig a hole----you could scoop dirt with your hands, and eventually get the hole dug. But grab a shovel---which is nothing on it's own---it is a tool YOU must work----and the hole is dug that much faster, and easier! If the option is there, the end result is improved health for you, and there is an easier way to go about it.....why not? When you get to goal weight, you are going to feel just as good!!! Have your family look into the harm of obesity.....it really is a killer! Glad you decided this is your choice. I was extremely lucky in my support system, and those who talked behind my back about it-----have a lot less back to talk behind now!!!! Welcome to LBT Mike! Kat

It goes beyond college even. Last night, my DH took several of his employees to a class being offered to get them certified for working on A/C units in semi's. This class covered proper use of the cooling chemicals, how to dispose of things....all to remain within the law, and to provide a safer environment. They knew going in, there was going to be a test for getting their certification---which is a lifetime certification. They would be able to list that they are competent in this on a resume. So he said the guy stood up, told them the test was going to be much harder next year, and the number of qualified people was going to be falling drastically, so his job was to certify as many of them as possible. So he had them pick up their test books, and he read the header out loud to them. It stated that they should have NO OUTSIDE HELP. He told them, he had just one question for them---was he outside? Everyone kind of laughed he said, and he proceeded to go through, and discuss nothing but the test questions, and give them the answers. Now he has 11 certified A/C techs he said, and not a damn one learned a single thing. This might not matter---until the A/C in your car goes out, and you take it to a certified repair person.....good luck!!! Cheating and cutting corners is rampant.....they learn it from the top-----it trickles down! Kat

Maybe from the building pressure...... Not saying it is the same, but jaw pain is also a sign of heart attack, so I was thinking, the building pressure, may trigger it.....but it is nothing more than an uneducated guess---my best kind!!! But in answer to the question----yep me too! Kat

I love you guys-----I am going! Besides, Jane needs her roomate---maybe it was divine intervention--that we are roomies--since she says she is experienced with the post op!!!! Laura, anytime they wrote in your chart, and indicated any lesions in the area, it is considered documentation....it does not have to be a visit strictly for that. So it might be worth getting copies of your records so you can go through them, see what was wrote when, and make copies of it, so when you do get ready, a few years from now, after the kids are born----you have a backlog of documentation, and definitely from here on out, make sure they notate anytime there is a sore, boil, heck a cat scratch in the area!!! Any other tips I catch from them as I go through this, you know y'all will hear! Oh and Laura, I didn't save my signature---but it isn't like a biggie---delete it if you need to. I don't have a photobucket account or anything..... Terry--how is your Mom? Is there an address I can send her a card to?? I have decided to wait until just before my appointment to schedule surgery----which is supposed to be on the 18th---so I called and scheduled my total unfill for the 17th. Then I will just have the time between the 2 to work without a net----er band! My restriction is back, since being so sick. I am actually looking at the unfill for surgery as a possible good thing. I cannot quit worrying that maybe as sick at my stomach as I got, that I might have slipped my band. So....I figure, awhile unfilled, is the first step in righting something like that too. I just feel like I did in the beginning, much tighter than I was used to. I told you last week that the mini chicken sandwiches at Applebees were perfect for me. Today I could only eat 1/2 to 3/4 of the mini sandwich---but I had been drinking water prior to the meal coming----and I was stressed. As I say we had my DIL and 2 grandkids with us!!! I am not in pain, and food is definitely passing, so I am not super concerned.....just feels different. My Dr. said that was not unusual. It would you think jump my weight loss---it has not! I have lost 1.5 pounds through all of this. I would have expected 5-7 pounds! Oh well----as has been pointed out today--I am NOT gaining! Y'all have a great night--see ya in the morning! Kat

Well I am not trying to make mine worse than anyone elses....promise!!! But.....years ago, the abusive ex I refer to, h kicked me and tore an abdominal muscle. Well when it happen I was at a good weight for me--but had no insurance, and then I began putting on pounds, purposely at first, and before you knew it or I knew what hit me I was 240---and kept going from there. By then, you could see the collapse, my stomach is much bigger on the left side than the right. My weight then hindered any surgery after I did get insurance. Until now. In addition to that, for the last year, everytime I had a breakdown of the skin, or a rash, I would show my PCP if I was in---I actually have 4 records of open skin lesions, then I also had a skin tear when I met with the PS. He put together 10 pages. He had size ratios, comparing the size of me elsewhere to the size of my pannus....took pictures - tons of pictures, he started me with my bra on and panties lowered beneath the pannus, facing him, and then had me turn like 1/8th of a turn, another 1/8th, all the way around. He noted muscle tone in the other parts of my body-took pictures of my calf muscle tone, as well as my biceps!! I think to show I have worked on it, this is just not something resolvable without surgical intervention. He told me with the documentation, he was pretty sure he could get this approved. So if you haven't already, and you get a rash, or a skin tear in the fold of the pannus, or anywhere it might affect--including the lymph glands of the genital area he said---see your Dr. and have it documented. I forgot about that, but he said an enlarged pannus sometimes does not allow the lymphatic fluids to drain in the genital area glands--and you can feel them swell like where your leg connects in, right at the panty line--he said that is problematic of pannus issues too. Never had that problem, but info to pass on! I am so proud of all of you--this has been an amazing year for each of you! I know it is your bandiversary, but I feel like I got the gift---all of you! Gotta finish cooking...... Kat

((((((hugs)))))))TracyK---I understand! Blocked at work????? :Banane16:heads........... Kat