Kat817

Pamela---when my Dad had his toenails removed from his big toe due to repeated ingrown issues---they throbbed and he was miserable. Laying on the couch with his feet up on the arm helped, got them up higher than his heart...and the throbbing stopped, so the pain meds could kick in----seriously no pun intended---too painful to laugh about. Then when he come off the pain meds, someone in the podiatrist office told him instead of Tylenon or Ibuprofin to take Midol---that it helps with the rythmic type of pain---like earaches, or toothaches, or something like this that throbs best. He said it worked----and he also said he did not have any cramps at all. Hope Susanne improves quickly---think that will be one of those surgeries once she recovers she will be forever glad she had it done! The pineapple juice was recommended by my fill Dr. as one of the first steps when you believe something is stuck. VERY small sips of room temperature unsweetened pineapple juice. It has an acidic base that helps to break food down. Especially foods like bread. He also said to get Papaya Enzyme tablets and if you can to chew one up---but sometimes that makes you too full, and hello PB! And the last suggestion was for meat that is stuck or something the pineapple juice does not help---and is a last resort before an unfill---and that is to drink a Tablespoon of meat tenderizer. To break the food down and allow everything to pass. I use the pineapple juice without issue, and it has helped a lot of times. But sometimes if I drink something carbonated, and can burp---it is actually like my band is vaporlocked or something, once I get the air moved---then I am fine. Not tonight....Diet DP did not help, so sipping some pineapple juice. I have not eaten in hours-----so.....hoping I can drink some of this and let everything work then it will get better. I tend to do the opposite with Ricks plate and over fill it! He is always telling me to fix his plate like mine and if he wants more he can get it. So I did, I put my amounts on his plate---he laughed and ask me what the hell? I always use small salad plates---he uses dinner plates, so here is this spoon of this and spoon of that on his plate----he figured it out, he makes his own now and I don't worry about it!!! If I fix it and give him too much, he just doesn't eat it all! Wow! News just come on and a restaurant we go to in Durango (just across the Colorado border) caught fire---right on historic main street---and took out the stores on either side of it, and during the battling the blaze--something exploded and took down 7 firefighters, but just injured them---none were killed. WOW! Well---I gave myself hiccups with the juice!!! Think I will walk around a bit, maybe hit the elliptical a minute see if it jars anything!!! Oh yeah---Manda got her contract looked over and approved by her attorney---she got a check, and got to see the book mocked up on the computer!!! My DD is going to be a published author----of a book she originally wrote in 5th grade!!! Night girlies! Kat

Right back atcha Mandy---I honestly cannot tell you how much I relied on you girls here to allow me to let out all my feelings when Rick was so bad....and not long ago when I thought I was possibly looking at more chemo----you have all become more than an anonymous person typing somewhere.....so strange, but so true!!!!!! So glad I have all of you! When you get past all of this, I am going to have my DD talk to you one day---they are planning a Disney Do! Hugs~~ Kat

Awww Mandy--I was hoping both you and Abi were doing better. I think in the long run, you are making the right choice---it obviously is not healing without the intervention. I will get a card in the mail to Abi tomorrow----well, actually give me a day or 2, and it might be a large envelope!! And you my dear will be in my prayers----big old giant hugs to you! Know that my love is with you and your DH as you go through this hard time. I know you would trade places with her in a heartbeat....I've been there---sending my child off to surgery. There is a young man of about 12 who writes an article for our little local freebie newspaper----he calls the article The Big C....he is in remission for the 2nd or 3rd time right now---and he is detailing his experiences in the hospital as he has dealt with his cancer. Some times it is heart wrenching---his biggest concern is always how upset his Mom is. I know it is scary letting this go on with Abi---but Mandy it could be so many worse things. Let the Dr. fix this, then Abi can go on, without fear everytime the poor little Darlin' needs to sniff! My cell phone is ALWAYS on----you can call me day or night. If you wake up at 3 AM in a panic---you can call! I am sorry you have to face this....for what it is worth I think you made a wise choice. You are a smart woman, a wonderful Mom, and everything is going to be ok......Hugs!!!! Kat

I like this idea--the old pin up stars did not have particularly off the wall cutesy names.........sticking with that----and the name you chose yourself here I vote for Kitty Butler-----oh I really liked it til I said it, now it sounds like a fancy cat box!!! LMAO Ok how about Kitty Dalton........ My stripper name btw is Raquel Glitter Kiss......hmmmmmmm This is fun! Hope doing the pics is as much fun as naming you!!! Kat

Made it home. Did my FIL's hair.....listened to all my downfalls, life is normal!!! Pamela---on several of the sites I have been to, they have a "favorites". Like on your home page toolbar....or on your TV remote. When you like something you can right click and add it to your favorites, then when you want to go there, it is listed under that tab. I have never seen one here, but would like to. Think I might bring it up and see if it might happen. I am simply lazy!!! DD took me to lunch----nothing set very well. Ate some shrimp, and some salad....not much of either, but it is still sitting there uncomfortably. Going to pour just a few sips of soda and see how that does, then try some pineapple.... Rick wants to go to dinner tonight....yuck! Well I am going to go unload my dishwasher. Will check in later....see that Terry has not been here.....poor girl. See ya in awhile~~ Kat

I think that is the point made in the movie mentioned----to show us what can and does happen in food preparation. The thing with saying nothing is safe but organic---unless you grow it yourself---it is still something you never know about. There was an item in the news last summer, about a farmers market in Pueblo Colorado that there was a woman there selling fresh vegetables, and her neighbor outed her---she also ran a dog kennel, and fertilized the things she grew with fresh dog poo....... Unless you grow it yourself you take a chance......how big a chance does differ I agree--------but you still never know. There are inspection laws in place though that should have caught this serious animal cruelty long before they did. There should have been someone there who had enough moral fortitude to have exposed it long ago. Kat

Terry----thinking about you this morning, and hoping you have a calm and peaceful day. Know our thoughts and prayers are there with you as you spend time with your Mom. Lots and lots of love and purple power there with you, hope it helps lighten your heart a bit. ((((hugs Hon)))) TracyK---thanks for being understanding over my DIL thing!!LOL My DIL was telling me she forgot to mail a bill, leaving it in her car for too long. Well not long ago she offered to drop mine at the PO---my bills as well as my cards to Tracy!!! I must have been sick when she mentioned them, so ask her if she got them before questioning the DIL---figured it was the better thing to do. She did, so my bills got paid too!!! LOL Hey Pamela--I know Terry is occupied--do you know if I am missing a favorites section of the site. Someplace besides My Account, that I can leave direct link to like this and a few other threads I use regularly? For some reason this one never shows up in my account, so I have to go through several steps to get here, or access it through my email directly. If not....I may ask Alex-----I would LOVE a favorites button to click and have all MY things at hand!!! It snows a bit, then the sun shines....crazy weather. I need to go put Rick's check in the bank, go cut his Dad's hair--through all that mud! I suggested he come here, but was not taken up on that offer---she doesn't want him out getting chilled.... Then I have to pick up our tickets for tomorrow night. Rick ordered them, I just have to pick them up. We are going to see a friend of our sons ride in Arenacross. It is like motocross motorcycle racing, only done indoors....loud, lots of exhaust...the guys love it!!! It freaks me out---waiting for someone to get hurt! Well I am going to go read for 30 minutes, then get my lazy butt in gear.....will check in when I get back. Hugs girls!! Kat

Jack, I really don't think it is a widespread illness that put the cows down....and might result in a following illness by ingestion. I think the cows were simply downed by the way they were being herded and packed into small areas. Cows will step on one another and cause themselves to fall if they crowd, in a stampede fashion. They are big and clumsy and have relatively small "feet" for balancing a big body--when something frightens them, whether it by a coyote in the wild, or a crazed man with a shovel, they look at him, keeping him in view and try to run away. When they hit one another or a wall or something and go down--the other cows just increase the problem especially if it is overcrowded. They used to lose cows to the same type of thing in rail cars, a few in each car would always go down and be trampled by the other cattle. But since there is no way to know whether a cow went down due to illness or injury per se, there is the downed cow elimination factor. I live in rural New Mexico, and every one of our schools in the district had received this meat that is recalled---and most of it had not been used, some had though---and no resulting illnesses reported. Does make me wonder about the packing companies adherance to other laws though.....sanitation, cleanliness in preparation...disposal...makes my stomach turn to think of the possiblities. Kat

Just stopping in to say good night.... Terry will be remembering you in my prayers. Gina---I too love the glasses, I still need to go get some, your DH wanna go help me? Mine nods at all of them----big help! Hope you all sleep well---see ya tomorrow! Hugs~~ Kat

You're very welcome----anytime at all, just shoot me a PM. I am sorry it doesn't sound like you have a lot of support at home---especially while you are sick! Let me know if I can ever be of help! Kat

Be very cautious as to not injure the stitching holding your port in place, they flip if the stitches come loose--it is not an uncommon thing and would require another minor surgery to fix. I would check with my surgeon as for when you can hit the gym--they told me not to take care of my grandkids for 2 weeks.....which I felt fine and thought that was a little extreme.....but better safe than sorry. Maybe mild work out---treadmill etc. Sorry not meaning to interupt the mens room----but since no one responded---thought I would drop in my .02 cents worth---you know how us women are!!! LOL Kat

Hi---sorry you got the flu---that really sucks! I have had it since the band, but I was a lot further out. I would say don't worry too much about the weight right now, feed your body for nutrition and what your stomach can take. chicken Soup, lots of fluids. Do your best to stay hydrated. Since you haven't had a fill yet you might be able to do other things that restriction sometimes limits. I know when the kids got stomach upsets of any kind they put them on a BRAT diet...Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. You might slowly try to add some in---very pureed. The low calories should not matter much, your body is going to be burning overtime anyway trying to recover, just eat what you can---as far as the stage your surgeon has you in, and whatever will settle on your stomach---avoid anything that might make you throw up. You might get to feeling very run down with this on top of the recent surgery, it might be a good thing to get some Gatorade and keep your electrolites balanced, and maybe some Zero Carb Isopure, to drink to give you some Protein. You have an entire life ahead of you with your band, just get well, then you can get on with it. Feel better soon!!! Kat

My DD quit her job as a medical assistant (she was in nursing school) when she had her DD....and ended up making more $$$ knitting wool diaper covers and selling them than she was making in her old job!!! She kept her DD in diapers, and covers, and never spent a dime on them, only on the upkeep----AND supplemented her income. She said the other day, she was wanting to drop a few pounds, so she thought she would start knitting to ward off the munching in the evening, plus she could use some extra money!!! Personally I am glad all diapers, and menstrual needs have been left behind!!! I'll recycle my newspapers!!! Kat

Yeah Jane---I did say I was gonna call them, but here's the thing.... Ya know yesterday when I come up with that plan I didn't call because as I said they are closed on Thursday afternoons.....yesterday? Yep---I call today---and imagine that, they are closed.......Today--TODAY is Thursday, not yesterday when they would have been opened. I am so hopeless!!!! Oh well........ Judy pics look wonderful----and really you were not huge in the first picture! LOL But you look wonderful, and I much prefer the new outfits, and the pose for the picture, it is great!!! Rick and I own dirt. We figured it was as good of an investment as we could make. We own our house here, plus the additional city lot behind it. Making 3 full city lots with water rights--a big irrigation canal runs through the back of the property---we abut BLM land, so we have water rights---we pull water out of the canal for irrigation. We have 3.5 acres out of town----which is attached to the farm his parents own, so we will inherit another 4 to go with it. It also has water, rights, it has a large ditch on one side and also has river frontage. Technically it is already ours----in our name, and we pay taxes----but....you know how that is!!! Same with my parents home, it is already in my brothers and my names....anyway on the land out of town we have 3 rentals---mobile homes. We have the farm in TX it is 80 acres. His brother owns an adjoining 80-----he is talking about selling, and we may buy his---dunno yet. We own half of a town house in Denver. We see nothing out of it, it is still paying for itself. And 14 acres outside of Meeker, Colorado--that is leased to a sheep farmer. We don't see any $$$ on it either, it just pays for itself too! It sure sounds like a lot on paper----but no $$$ in my pocket to speak of!!! And then we have a lien on property in Pueblo, CO. in exchange for money owed, the property is on the line, when we want our money, we will petition, and if she does not pay----then we will have a house in Pueblo!!! No not really, she will pay it---but it is our leverage! It is his ex wifes house!!!! LOL Rick is always on the lookout for land. Well over a decade ago, he wanted to buy this crappy piece of land out by my Aunt & Uncle, I threw a drag, it was way to close to the landfill! Price was dirt cheap (yeah I meant it) so being the obedient wife I am, I said whatever....3 years later we sold it back to the county when they enlarged the landfill area, and quadrupled our money!!! Which is why our house and other land are paid off!!! LOL So....I am a believer! Buy Dirt Pamela!! Well I am off to bring in some firewood----since that seems to be the only exercise I am doing lately!!! Kat

Marimaru---my DH has snored forever----and he can rattle the rafters!!! I used to shake him, or nudge him, and huff and puff and get all pissy---because he was keeping me awake!!! Then about a year and a half ago---he had some serious medical problems, and we were told he would not make it. When I would come home alone at night with him in the hospital, I cried missing that sound!!! I still find it comforting, it assures me he is right there!!! I agree weight loss would be good for him--as it is for all of us---but try to make his snoring a sign that he is in the right place at the right time. sleeping in bed with you--------not off carousing in a bar or something even worse!!!! My DH's snoring actually scares our granddaughter!! Kat

She accepted same time Pamela did!!! Kat

Kel----maybe start throwing him a line now!!!! Let him know you loved that attention so he knows to give it to you! My man will do anything for me, but sometimes he does need directed---as do I!!! Let him know he is YOUR choice, but to be on his arm and being ogled by other men is not a bad thing in your eyes! Let him know as the new you emerges, he can be free-er (even a word??) to treat you like a new you! This can make your marriage incredible (I know!) or it could as you fear cause problems. I always tell my kids this----so even though you are older than they are--I'll do my MAMA routine!!! BE PROACTIVE----------NOT REACTIVE!!!!! Work on it now, prepare it rather than working later to repair it!! Good men (or women) are really hard to find, and I would hate to see yours hurt by you getting healthy and just wanting to be appreciated for something new! Good Luck! Kat

Now Laura------------that sounds even more Pornographic!!!!!! LMAO!! Kat

Can't say the band itself stopped my snoring, but the weight loss did....DH says it is quiet again........as if he could tell through the chain saw noise coming from him!!! And he is normal weight. Hope mine stays gone!!! Kat

Some of it is coincidental, and some of it has actual physical causes. Your body is going through so many changes, even if you are not losing tons of weight, chances are you have changed your eating habits, which changes how your body is working. When we eliminate a lot of our carbs we lower the seratonin in our body which is a natural mood elevator. When we lose fat, each fat cell has been holding on to estrogen, which is then dumped into our systems. It often leaves you feeling as though you are PMS'ing every day! And you cannot physically eat the way you would have before banding to cover the feelings, or hide from them....and if you even try to eat them away, then comes the guilt----we are here to lose weight!!! Sometimes it seems to feel as if it is a no win situation. Yes you were young----and may have very well married in a worry that no one else may come along. Or to show the world that yes you are big, but someone wants you! And when you are very young it is hard to tell those feelings apart from what true love is. Especially if you have yet to experience true love! We all love our family---but until you have a relationship that shows you what it means to love and be loved in return--as an adult---we don't know what it is!!! And many of us mistake lust, for love! We fall in love with the idea, of being in love. And it isn't just us--males do it too. Your husband was probably scared that you would leave when you lost weight, so he covered that fear by pushing you on your way! That is not exclusive to Weight Loss either!!! Immaturity+Insecurity=Disaster! It would take both of you working hard, and seriously knowing you love one another and want to be married to make it work. Sskirting one another and wondering if you settled----if you wonder it, likely he did too.... Any changes in life bring on other changes and WLS is a change. One full of both emotional and physical changes. But it takes both of you to work a marriage through the rough spots. Kat

I know it is very difficult to lose weight---it can be done though without the band---and now may be the time to seriously lose enough to drop you below that 50 mark--should be what 25 pounds? Work towards that--and ask to be remeasured by your Dr. stretch it out, try to pull off a 5'9" height! It lowers the BMI on the chart--besides who cares how tall it says you are??? Hitting the Atkins induction phase always dropped weight on me quickly----now....it did not stay off. BUT I could lose it. Which is what you might want to consider at this point. If you can show being 5'9" and drop 20 pounds it should put you on the cusp....I would have to enter numbers tobe sure....but it seems about right. I think at 5'8" you would drop under the 50 mark at about 325.....many Dr.'s require a proof of weight loss prior to surgery anyway---set your mind to it. I know the kicker for me with diets was I eventually knew even if I lost it, I would regain it. But that isn't your worry with this---the goal is just to get it off to appease BCBS....and show your Dr. you do NOT want bypass, you want banded! I am going to have to get advice from Angelica because my insurance, also BCBS (of TX), did not listen to me one single iota! They split hairs with me til I give up which was their goal! Good Luck to you----keep us posted how it works out for you! Welcome to LBT!! Kat

They used a little remover tool with mine, it slides in --- under the center of the staple, and when squeezed it bends it in the middle pulling the ends loose from the skin without issue! I had way toooo many to count with my hysterectomy. I had some complications, and was cut both across and up and down. He come in, looked at them, rubbed some petroleum jelly on all of them, said he'd be back in a few minutes, and when he come back they come out with little to no pain. Like has been said, the worst part is wanting to rub it or scratch lightly, and they are still removing others!!! Not a big deal at all!!! Kat

My suggestion would be---since you are feeling well, and out and about---head to the grocery store with your list in hand....on that list, put anything you can eat without issue. Stock up on soups, protein shake ingredients, fish, veggies that will cook up soft, cottage cheese, yogurt, SF pudding, anything on your Dr.'s list that you will eat. Come home and prepare any of it that needs it, so it will be ready when the hunger monster drops in. Have healthy, safe options at hand at ALL times! Take a yogurt with you if you have to leave---don't be caught having to make the choices you did the other day. Increase your protein intake, it will help some with the hunger--and decrease the carb intake--it will not only help with the weight loss, but will ease the cravings for more of the same. The more carbs and sweets you eat the more you want. I suggest the foods you prepare, you break down into 1/4 -1/2 cup size servings-and when you get hungry have one. Then get up and go for a walk, or paint your nails, or ANYTHING that gets you away from the food for a minute--the walk is good because it is exercise as well! Then when you come back start working on a bottle of water----are you sure you are drinking enough? Often times we mistake thirst for hunger. When you finish your water, if you are still hungry, tell yourself ok, then in 30 minutes I can have something else--and do it. Then get away from the food! Straighten the linen closet, or clean out from under a bed--still hungry? Drink another bottle of water.....and repeat as often and as long as you have to! Limiting the size of each serving will keep you from overloading the pouch at any given time. You risk upsetting how the band is setting itself and also dilation of the pouch if you over stuff it. Most slips are not pain related in any way--the only noticable difference is in restriction....do not wait for pain to be a signal! You might also register with one of the sites like Fitday or Myplate---not only does it help you keep track------it gives you something to do besides want to eat!!! And they do have good tips for avoiding days like you went through!!! Bandster Hell is common-----but the goal is a loooooong healthy life with your band-----a chopped steak is so not worth losing your band over!!! Hang in there!! Welcome to LBT-----loved the title to your thread BTW!!! Kat

Awww Haydee, sorry you feel crummy--but you do look cute!!! I had pink eye once when it went through my day care----yuck---don't want it again either!! Feel better!! Laura, you are young to deal with the parents--but if his are older, it is something you WILL have to deal with. Sounds like his Grandma has common sense, so he should have the money to have them in a nice retirement center----if they will live that way. Think his Mom is supporting gold diggers somewhere? Gambling? Putting it in an account somewhere and forgetting it? It definitely sounds like time to get some things in order. How do they sell race horses, of the quality it sounded like you were talking without reporting the proceeds? I know we don't sell show stock---we sell breeding and eating cattle---but even then, we have profit and loss tracks on every sale. My honest opinion is that they are doing the passive aggressive thing so they see your DH on their turf. I would seriously watch the finances though, and battle it out with DH if you have to but would not allow anything at ALL be put into your names or have your names attached to it. If the IRS wants to come after their share---they can be sitting on the ground where their high dollar barns full of high dollar horses used to sit! Protect yourself. TracyKS---sorry your sister scared you. It is such a hard place to be in....in her shoes. While you and your Mom would have comforted her to the best of your ability. If she had told you---she would have had to fully face the fear she was feeling. I told all of you here what my Thyroid stuff was, but only shared part of it with my family. It is not because I love you guys more! sorry...(!) The part of you that ended up in tears is too scary to see....that flash of fear in your eyes is too much! We can hold onto our last hope, and avoid the thoughts---lie to ourselves if we have to---but when others know, it is in your face ALL the time. They call, they come by, they look sad, they try too hard.....bottom line is, they care. But it is too real. When I would go in for my blood work----no one knew until the night before, and when I broke down, Rick knew....then when I got the results, I told everyone---good or bad--and there were both. Don't hold it against your sister, she loves you, she is walking a tightrope, and you are her balance.....she needs you to be NORMAL---sometimes that's all ya got to hang on to. Believe me, if her health concerns you----it does her as well. Crap Trac----every time I rub the mederma on my throat I want to tear up at the sheer relief! But there is this tickle in the back of my mind that still says----"just you wait...." like the beast is lurking....so I turn to light hearted things, and do my best to hide that whisper! Just love her--don't waste time being mad! Sorry--now stepping off my soap box....... I have been told the oral surgeon is an ass too!!! Fun! Most Dr.'s I would take it up with---this one I am looking into other options with. We'll see. Be back in a bit---- Kat