Kat817

Lonestar--I too smiled when I read the word demons, in Jaime's post---many times I see the little angel vs. the little devil--like they used to have on the Flintstones, when comparing what I should eat, to what I ought to eat!!! Oddly enough over time, many of my tastes have changed to where I prefer the healthy items now--who woulda ever thought that would happen??? Some of the stuff I used to eat all the time, is literally gag inducing now. Not too long ago I had my granddaughter here, and she come in with one of the little Debbies oatmeal cream snack Cookies, she held it up for me to take a bite. So I did. I chew as a habit now, no matter what it is, it gets chewed well. By the time I chewed that--probably no more than 10 times, it began feeling like I just had a mouth full of grease, it felt like it was coating my teeth, and my tongue, it was nasty!!!! I imagine the numbers of those things I ate----instant cholesterol!!! Now the smell of them turns my stomach. And I no longer buy them! We make cookies together, that I can control. Now if I could keep her Mom from buying them!!! Kat

Thanks Grace, I am feeling a lot better. Survived having the tooth chiselled out---not fun! All is not well yet, but I feel almost human again!!! Yay! Finally got a shot yesterday, not sure if the antibiotics reacted differently in liquid form, or what, but they made me soooo sick, I tossed everything, within 30 minutes of taking them. Finally the dentist called me back, and he was worried I would dislodge the clot, so had me get in touch with my PCP, about an injection, and just not being nauseated 24/7 has me feelin' happy again!!! And I also got to a point I could remove the temporary torture device....aka a temporary partial! Yeah Grace, I lived to tell about it!! Feeling MUCH better now! We went to dinner with the District Manager of DH's place of work last night, and they had steak about 2 inches thick....but it was very tender, so I managed to eat a few bites of it, and did fine! So I guess it is back to life as it was! How are you doing? Kat

ssdown...when you get to the area with the codes. Highlight the first one--the top one. Highlight everything within that box, then click to copy---usually a right click or ctrl c. Then come back here to LBT, and go to Edit Signature. You can find it in the column of options under Members area on the upper right hand part of this page. Click edit signature. It will show you 2 boxes, the one on top shows what the signature is like now. The one on the bottom is the one that will allow you to "edit". Go into that box, pick the area you want your ticker to be, and click---then right click and click on paste--or ctrl v. The code should show up. Go to the bottom under the window, and click on preview signature. They should change to show the actual ticker. If you want to add anything go into the lower window and type it in---for instance your banding date....then click save signature. It should be there. I'm hoping it is there!!!! I created mine back before many of the changes, and now just update the weight....hope these work for you!!! Kat

Gonna put the torture device in my mouth and head to dinner---wish me luck!!! Check in with y'all laterz! Kat

Trying to help others is what keeps me on track with my own band!!!!:tea:--but thank so much~~~ Kat

It really IS a hard time, and while we know that it is just as difficult for us to walk away from the food as it is for an alcoholic to avoid drinking. If it were easy it would not be an addiction. This forum is wonderful for that reason---lots of support anytime you need it!!! Tickers......soon as I figure it out, something changes!!! LOL Kat

Wow! Poor you caught in the middle. It sounds sad to say it this way---I hope you understand---maybe you can use the situation with your Mom to bring the relationship with the GF and you closer. Maybe confiding that you too find her behaviour odd, and a bit scary---she will relate to you, and find relief that not the whole family is feeling that way towards her. I don't say ditch how your mom is feeling....she need not even know about the conversation with the GF. But maybe if his fiance knew she would have an ally in you, she would be more comfortable going over to your Moms more frequently. It seems to me that is going to be the only way to appease Mom. For them to set aside one night every other week, or every other Saturday, and spend time with her. My MIL is similar in some of the passive/aggressive, martyr actions....what a pain it is! We finally made arrangements as a group---an extended family, we all meet every other Saturday morning at a local buffet restaurant, and have Breakfast together. It gets us all together, no one has to cook, or clean, and then it leaves the rest of the day and weekend free to do our own family things, but yet we get to see our other, extended family. The advantage to the buffet style is everyone can choose what they want, and if someone says something to irritate you, you can always walk away to the buffet! Believe me I have done this!!! Plus at a buffet, each family group pays their own way as they come in, so it is not always the same one getting stuck with a big check! It does keep our parents happier though, knowing we set aside time and enjoy being with them. Our issues are different---his parents will have him out there, and have a list of chores they want done 3 miles long! They spend no time hearing about his day or his job, or his plans--they want him to be working, then they tell him how successful his brother in Denver is--who is never here to do a damn thing! So yes, we tend to stay away from my inlaws too----and the breakfast meet up works wonderful!!! As for her being involved, maybe you and your Mom could throw her a family bridal shower or something, that she could plan....and keep her busy? Good Luck---I can see how you are stuckin the middle!!!! Kat

Thanks Jessica---I needed permission--I am so glad you and Pat granted it to me---I am gonna tell DH tonight, I plan on whining, and I can Jessica and Pat said so.....so there~!! Dentures.....taking them out and handing them over for work are sounding better and better...... I got rid of the uterus and all that junk when I was finished with it----and hey now I have a band, I am not gonna be eating that much, maybe it is time to get rid of the dayum teeth!!! LOL Thanks----off to milk it some....DD is here!! Kat

When, where, and how successful has the procedure been for you? I was banded in April of '06, in Mexicali, MX. I began this process at 289 pounds. I am now 185 pounds. I have lost a total of 61". I was taking several prescription medications at the time of surgery, for high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and cholesterol. I no longer take ANY prescription meds, and my numbers are all within a normal range. I am able to exercise now without joint pain. My blood work all comes back in a normal range---something it had not done in many, many years. What do you wish you had known BEFORE the procedure? I wish I had known that most of the time I was eating before the band, was not actual hunger---it my own head hunger. I learned a lot from differentiating the 2. Any regrets, anything you would change? No regrets! I do wish there were a Dr. closer to me for adjustments, and simple appointments to check in and monitor me on a monthly basis perhaps. But the closest one to me, at the time was 6 hours away....and now I hesitate to change as we have a good working relationship with one another in agreement to how I want to work my own band. I do not want to be seriously restricted---I prefer a slighly looser band, where I can easily take in hard Proteins and raw vegetables without issue. I like the hunger control, rather than the total restriction. The biggest thing I would have "changed" or wished for is to have had it done years ago-------I spent a lot of years unsure of myself in my obesity. I am a much happier person now. It has been worth every cent spent on it! It may not be the magic answer----but it put the magic within reach. Good Luck on your project, and welcome to LBT--do lots of research, and ask lots of questions, this is a great site for answers and insight! Kat

I love it Michelle!! I have had several double takes, and even some who have not seen me in my fat years, tell me I have not changed (loved that) but so far they all recognize me.......how proud you must feel!!! I still have my tooth thing out, and am loving life....!!!! Kat

I self paid, and while I went out of the country and spent less than that, it was still one heck of a chunk of change! I worried, and fretted, that I had just thrown thousands of dollars away---and it would only be another diet attempt that I would fail at. Luckily, that has not happen! My first year with my band I lost over 80 pounds. I did not diet heavily, I have seriously tried to learn to eat healthy with the band. Use it eat today the way I want to eat from now on. This last year I have met with some other health issues--I had to have thyroid surgery, they thought it was cancerous--was a bit upsetting, and time consuming with all the testing. So I have pretty much just coasted the last few months, I have not seriously tried to lose more weight---I eat whatever everyone else does, in smaller amounts, and often in different ways. If I cook a roast, with potatoes and carrots for dinner, with say dinner rolls....I eat it. But my plate, a small plate will have a serving of roast, a few carrots, and maybe a bite or 2 of potato and that is it. I only have a small space to fill, so I now try to fill it with the best of the meal, Healthwise. I now buy groceries with quality in mind as opposed to quantity. And I spend less, the Snacks are expensive!! I still snack, but so much less!!! Not being hungry, makes such a huge difference! I hate that I had to spend the money for this, #1 that I let myself get to the point of needing surgery. #2 I hate that my insurance yanked me around to where I had to self pay. BUT----it has been worth every last penny! I can run and play with my grandkids. I can paint my own toe nails. I can cross my legs. I don't take a single prescription medication anymore-I used to take several! I have excess energy instead of always feeling tired. I am not to goal, but I look normal--I blend in---I am never the biggest in the room anymore. My joints stand up to the long motorcycle trips now, they moaned and groaned before! I can wear my leathers again! I am able to ride my horse without fearing for his safety! The list could go on, and on......worth every cent. I feel my husband run his hand down my back when we hug----and I know he is not rubbing over rolls of fat anymore----and his arms wrap totally around me---and I am not embarassed for him to introduce me anymore. I feel like he can have the pride in me, that I have in him. Your husband may voice these last feelings, but I'd bet they are there. He will be gaining as much in freedom as he is going to lose in pounds. And men seem to lose much FASTER! Unfair, but true!! Welcome to LBT. Surgery such as this always brings lots of emotions and needs to vent--------come here anytime!! Kat

But Pat, I AM whining!!!! I always prided myself on being a tough old broad---but this knocked me for a loop! I think it got my system run down waiting so long to do anything for it. But I called and went to my PCP and got a shot today so I can ditch the antibiotics that were upsetting my stomach so much. And today, I tried to eat a potato wedge, and about cried. So I come home (we got them with Kinsey's corn dog at the grocery store deli) and took the tooth partial thing out to rinse, and it felt soooo good, I come in and tried one with it out, and voila--I could eat! So I made me a couple of ham/cheese rolls---and chowed down! Heaven!!! I know it needs to be in, but right now it feels so good, I just don't want to put that torture device back in my mouth.... We are going to dinner with the boss tonight, so I have to wear it, the missing tooth is rather prominent---the one right behind the corner tooth--the canine, or stomach tooth---my first molar anyway, so when I smile, you can see it is GONE. Dammit! Anyway right now it feels wonderful!!!! Nothing compared to your surgery though---goodness!! I am waiting everyday to see if the mail brings me an ok or a denial on my PS---SOOOOOOO excited and hoping they ok it! Thanks for letting me whine when I wanna.....and yep I think we should whine about our girls leavin'.......waaaaah Kat

BJean--that is one of the reasons I chose band over bypass---I am the same way---but mine is more with the chips and that kind of thing. Being told I could NOT have any sweets with the bypass, made it a no deal, I do not deal well with deprivation!!! The band allows me to eat a few, but makes me a sick puppy if I eat a few too many! Aversion therapy----I keep hoping someday I will learn. I will say, after sliming potato chips, they are NOWHERE near as appealling as before!! I agree with what you are saying. My brother had/has an alcohol issue. He has been sober for over 7 years---but before that he tried and tried....and failed and failed....same as me and dieting! It is still something to this day he avoids situations that put him in close proximity to lots of drinking. Kat

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you----although that does make typing more difficult than usual even!!!! Good Luck!! Kat

Terry---I thought it might be the demerol too---so I have not taken any in the last say 36-48 hours. I took a total of 2 of them since I got the Rx. But the antibiotic I take 4 X a day and that is about how often I hurl it back up! So I called, and he was at a loss....blah, blah, blah. So I called my PCP. Explained the situation, and I now have a sore spot on my fanny------but the antibiotic is IN me! I got a shot---and will likely get one more in 5 days, and be done. So much easier! I am drinking---faithfully! And today, I had to get some groceries, so Kinsey wanted a corn dog from the deli. So I got it for her, it comes with potato wedges and a drink--I tried eating one of her potatoes and about cried it hurt so bad. So I come home, took out the partial thing, and rinsed----and decided to try one with it out. I ate it---then made me a couple of ham/cheese rolls, and ate them both! I have yet to put the evil torture device back in! If it was not so prominently missing, I would "lose" it! Thinking maybe an hour in---then an hour out. I know if I do that I will probably never get used to it, but man it hurts soooo bad! I have to wear it tonight to Ed's--Rick's boss. Should be fun....NOT! Terry, I agree with Laura----who says aging gracefully cannot include a touch up?? Since when do wrinkles and grace interchange??? Rick's family gets horrible bags under their eyes. They literally look fluid filled on several of his Aunts, and now his sister is looking that way since her weight loss, the eyes show up, where when her face was full they didn't so much. Rick has them, not as severe, but he wears glasses, and with them on, you never notice it, he ages a lot with his glasses off! I notice LOTS more wrinkles when applying my make up than 2 years ago. Now whether it is natural aging of 2 years----or the weight loss, or the combination I dunno--but wow! Not gonna be pretty!!! Well I suppose since I feel so much better without the tooth in, and without the antibiotics rumbling in my belly, I should get some work done.....man, there is ALWAYS a down side!! Tomorrow--I am taking Lindzie riding. Kinsey is going to see her Dad, and Manda has an appointment to get her nails done--so I am taking Lindzie with me. She is pretty good for me, if she doesn't have Kinsey there to boss around, and she is a little intimidated by the size of the horses, so she is pretty mild!!! OK--I am going......bbl Kat

I did not post it to flame the poster----they deleted it apparently---probably feeling it might come across wrong. I included it mainly FOR the poster. They have some very lofty goals! I hope sincerely that they can achieve them-------but if they find it harder, and find themselves faced with the same dilemmas many of us have---that it will be ok. I have been coasting with my band for the last several months, with other health issues, and maintenance is a non issue. I eat small normal meals, and do not regain my weight. I wanted to offer the opinion that "cheating" can be interpreted in many ways. During the liquids only stage I ALWAYS discourage it. When you are on a regular diet, one persons view of cheating is going to be different from the next. And if janeth57 finds her/himself needing support we will be here---without recriminations for finding ourselves wanting to cheat! We all have weak times----wish mine just would be weekly weak times!! Not daily----some days hourly!!! Kat

Pat, I hate being whiny----but it is not much better, my antibiotics are making me sick, I am getting them changed today. Yesterday I called, they tell me to try taking them with maalox--I have still thrown up more in the last few days than I have in the last few years. It scares me with my band! And the damned dentist is gonna have to understand that! The partial hurts---everywhere it touches not just the socket....my mouth is so swollen, everything is tender I think. Kat is not a happy camper---gonna go try to sleep off some grouch. Now.....aren't ya sorry you ask!!!??? JK--thanks for the concern!!! Hugs~ Kat

I babysit for my granddaughter and have since she was about a year old. She was 16 months when I had surgery, and she too is small, but we managed. I went back to taking care of her on my own on day 5. I would hold her hand and she could climb into her high chair, or up on to the couch next to me. She could use the step stool for the potty and to get into bed. It is doable, you need to prepare though for the things you know you usually lift for. Make a place to change diapers down low, plan a way to get them into the crib---or have them nap with you on the bed.....have snack items handy, and as much prepared in advance as you can. Soon you will be running and roughhouseing again---and feeling more like it each day!!!! Kat

Morning Violets! Well Terry, I am sure some of it is the Grandma in me thinking she is a sweetie--but she is an easy child. She minds well, is easily entertained, and overall mild tempered. She is 3. She knows how to beg, how to argue, and how to pout! But luckily she has also hearned how to listen, how to reason, and most of the time, even how to pick up after herself!! She behaves well in Sunday School, and for the few others who take care of her on occasion--most of the time she is with her parents, Rick & I, or my folks. Lindzie is doing better as far as behaviour most of the time. She is struggling a bit in school still, but it is better than last year. She had been doing much better, but she is spending too much time with her Grandparents again, and is showing signs of acting out again. The lady who provides care for her after school, and on days off, has been put out of her house. The house across the street, blew up--due to a natural gas leak, and her house is still considered unsafe. So Ryan's Mom and former step Dad are getting her after school. She is spoiled beyond belief by both of them in a competition type thing with one another. They both have issues with their houses---his new girlfriend has cats, and grandma bought a bed that has cat hair all over the box springs cover, and Lindzie is horribly allergic--causes her asthma to kick into high gear. When her asthma gets up--she gets out of control---she is cranky, mean, and difficult in all ways. I understand the meds make her hyper, and she feels bad and scared so she acts out, but it is scary too, as she takes a lot of the anger out towards Kinsey and their dogs. That makes me wonder how she will be as she ages. Mostly now it is little things--but very manipulative in nature. She was caught in Kinsey's closet---when Ryan ask her what she was doing she said nothing, and come out, but when he went in, he found she had opened all of Kinsey's play doh tubs---so it would dry out, because she had left her play doh shape maker thing at her Pappies, so she wanted Kinsey's....her way to get it was to ruin all of Kinsey's play doh then she wouldn't need it. She admits to it! Strangest thing! She will let one of the dogs out the front door, and then run after it----because she likes being in the front yard--not the back. She does not care that the dog might get hit by a car she says. Plus they have the neighbor no one trusts.... All in all, she is improving, and they are still seeing the counselor---they are going to try to get more of her family involved as the therapist see's some troubling issues he says. Going to try to get her Mom, as well as grandparents in. That guyhas no idea the can of worms he might open up!!!! Waiting til 8 to callmy oral surgeon, we have to change my meds, I throw up every single time I take this.....and it scares me to throw up! My face is going down a bit, not quite so swollen today, and the bruising has a greenish tinge to it now. And the socket itself feels better. So it is improving! Like you Terry, my headache remains! Gotta go put Ricks check in the bank today---so guess I will get dressed--more than I have a few days this week!!!! Then we are supposed to go to the big bosses for dinner.... ay yi yi!!!! They are really nice people though so it won't be abig deal, if I don't eat some of it---plus I can blame anything on my tooth---never even have to worry about my band----! Well, I am off to the shower. I ate a waffle with Kinsey this morning, and it is not gonna stay down. I imagine my stomach is swollen from all the anitibiotic tossing I have been doing....liquids it will be today! TTY in awhile! Kat

I'll be easy to watch--------I'm pretty boring!!! Kat

I received this in an email notification on this threadm yet it does not show up, it must have been removed by the poster. ***************janeth57 I appreciate the fact that you are all understanding and supportive and I haven't been banded yet BUT.....cheating after a couple of weeks...come on! The lap band is a tool but we have to do the work. It still takes self control and motivation. I'm paying $15,000 for this surgery and I am fighting for my life. I am healthy other than being overweight and I want to live a healthy full life. I know I'm going to get hungry before my first fill. It's those times I'm going to take a walk, get on the treadmill or get down on my knees and pray. I'm not going to do thru the drive thru at Taco Bell because I think I somehow deserve it. You who are reading this probably think I don't know what I'm talking about because I haven't been there yet. I am so sick of eating. I am so sick of being fat. There is no excuse for it ever.....especially if you have gone so far as to have weight loss surgery. I plan on going to the support groups and surrounding myself with people who love and support me. I refuse to feel sorry for myself because I can't eat the same way other people do. I will learn new ways to cope with life rather than gorging myself with food. I hope all of you who feel like you have to cheat will realize that once you start it's hard to stop. I've been there before. I lost 160 pounds on my own about 10 years ago. I did it with diet and exercise and it only took me 14 months. I was in fantastic shape. Once I started slacking off....the pounds started adding up. Now....I have 180 pounds to lose and I'm older and can't get the motivation back that I had ten years ago. I have no energy because of my size. I am taking this opportunity with the lap band to get a jump start and that's it. I will follow the plan and get my fills but most of the work will be done by me. I will walk 2 miles a day and eventually work up to an hour a day like I used to. After I lose the first 40 pounds (which I plan to do within a month) I will incorporate weights into my exercise routine. I will lose 100 pounds in less than 6 months and then the rest within a year after that. I wish you all the best of luck. Please try not to cheat. You are only cheating yourself. For many of us this is our last chance at a healthy life at a normal or close to normal weight. I'm just telling it like it is because I care. I am not responding because I feel you are bashing those who have "cheated". You state yourself you have not been banded yet. It must have been a lot of hard work to lose all that weight before, and it will be again even with the band. Your excited state of mind, and emotional high going into this sometimes take a beating figuratively as well as literally when the weight loss starts. The emotional highs and lows are normal, and related to hormone fluctuations. It is in times like these that some people find themselves in the drive thru---or others find themselves crying over every little thing in their life. All of us being different causes all of us to react differently. The scary time of cheating is when you are in a healing phase. If you have passed the healing phase and are on to regular foods, the drive in is still not the optimal place for you, but that is where the band will show you what it is made of! You can eat a small amount, and get right back up and start over tomorrow, without missing a beat. I dare to say most all of us, went into this with positive thoughts and plans for how we would handle ourselves during the hard times---and most of the time we succeed---but not always. It is a mental challenge to be restricted to liquids for long periods. And I too preach to the choir about sticking to the post op diet--it IS important. But most important of all is that we do our best to be supportive. Many of us do not have access to a face to face support group. I live in a rural area, and have to travel for my fill Dr., as well as having had my surgery out of the country. Support meetings are not available. This site is my band support. I have wonderful family and friends supporting me, but as for people who know and understand the band----this is it! I hope you are able to realize your goals. I hope you are able to avoid the desire to cheat. And I hope you also know if any of those seem to be more difficult to reach than you had hoped for---that there will be many, many people here that understand. For the same reason--when you reach those goals, there will be people here to Celebrate the success with you. I really don't think anyone sets out with the goal to cheat. And it isn't all cheating---that is a frame of mind. I am on a regular diet, have been for a long time. This morning I ate a waffle with my granddaughter. A lot of people would consider that cheating--because yep I had it with butter and syrup. I don't consider it cheating. It was my Breakfast. Simple as that. Yes I could have had something more healthy and I usually do, but she wanted waffles, and so we had them. I do not want a diet, I want to live today the way I hope to live the remainder of my life. Food in moderation.....not to have food be the centerpiece of my life----it is not the focal point any longer. Eating does not always equal cheating. Do you have a date for your surgery yet janeth57? Kat

Well girls, I am off to bed. Hoping that if I lie still the nausea will pass. Tomorrow I am calling to see about a different antibiotic----this is not good for my band! Michelle---you did good! I have resisted food all day--well not resisted, just unable to stomach it. And believe it or not my scale showed it! But I am not claiming it yet.....soon though! Pamela I know exactly what you mean. I love going to the movies with Rick. 2 of our favorite theaters have the seats you can move the arms out of the way---so we can sit close and snuggle----and of course reach the popcorn!!! Whatcha gonna go see? Rick wants to buy me tickets to go to a Cirque De Soleil (SP??????) show going on at an Albq casino----he is going to see about the work schedule tomorrow....sounds fun! Tomorrow night the big boss, over this entire camp has invited us to his house along with a couple of other foremen, for dinner. He is grilling steak--I cannot eat! Will have a drink or 2 and enjoy the company I suppose. OK Rick is done in the shower and we are off to bed. Hugs~~ Kat

It is my understanding that a lot of docs, do not want you to treat something until they determine for sure what the problem is, so as not to mask symptoms they need to know about. Maybe that is the case with this Dr. Just a guess here.... Kat

Me too Lyn....me too!!! I am thrilled with my weight loss with my band. The biggest majority of it was in the first year, this last year, I have had other issues health wise to deal with, and have simply maintained. But that eased my mind a lot too----to know I can maintain and not stress over regaining the weight. This last year, I have eaten normally, eaten all the same foods as those around me, in smaller amounts. I have travelled, and camped, and hit motorcycle rallies, and had no issues eating at any of them, and yet I have not regained a single pound! I am now looking at PS on my stomach---it is tummy tuck time. Then whatever happens with my weight happens. If I lose more, good enough, if I maintain where I am, that is good too! I began in a size 22/24, and can now wear a 14, and without the belly it will be an easy 12----and I'll take that and be happy! Life is good! I thank my band for that!!! I do realize bypass is often quicker, but to lose more than a hundred pounds in a year seems drastic!!! Kat

Look at it like this......if it was a sentence to eternal damnation we are all gonna be is some GOOOOD company! Kat