Kat817

I am really glad you no longer have that boss to deal with. Someone advised when in this postion to keep a log of what happen when. Good plan. My niece dealt with this...from her bosses WIFE! Her attorney had her log what was happening, but also had her write it down----and mail it to herself---within 24 hours of the contact. Then when the envelope come, to just put it in her court file, un opened. Then when they were in court, and the defending attorney claimed she was making things up as they went, her attorney, showed the judge an envelope with a postmark of the offending day---------and told the judge she could open it and find a detailed report written the night of the offense! Worked like a charm!!! Cheap proof of timing for the cost of a stamp! Kat

Oh I really hope that this thread gets lots of yummy slow cooker recipes----I'll dig one up and post tomorrow!!! Thanks for this one! Kat

They would come in my Grandma's hospital room, and lightly pinch the skin on the back of her hand. Ideally it should drop back down onto the hand--if she was dehydrated it stayed in the pinched formation! Do you think you might have a blockage in the stoma? Or are you sure it is just irritation? I am like the others, do not wait too long before calling the Dr. Better safe than sorry! Hope you feel better soon. Kat

I just got an email from my friend Kelly that stopped in here, she is a regular on one of the Kirshenbaum threads---I posted pics with her back in the early fall. She, and her kids are going to be on Fox's Morning Show. Her son was hit with early onset, severe bi - polarism. They are doing a segment about it on the show, and are featuring them....her son Brit, her, and also her daughter Gentry, on how it was growing up with a sibling with this disorder. I bet she does a wonderful job!! She is in NYC being put up in a motel on Times Square!!! I am still on cloud 9 for Jenn!!! Cannot wait for her to get here to post, I bet we will feel the happy through the computer!!! Kat

She just called, and they called her-and she got the job! I am SOOO happy for her--she wanted me to let y'all know. Purple Power!!! She knew from the beginning this was the job for her-----she sounded so happy!! She is currently driving home in a snow storm! I passed on Laura's message so she is going to call her when she gets in. I am so happy---you'd think I got the job!!!!!!! Kat

Jenn Got Her Job!!!!!!!!!!

OMG Haydee----- I LOVE that NSV!!!!!!! Kat

Glad you found where to find us Jeanie. These are all wonderful people--that is all you need to know for the quiz that Pamela (Kity) wants you to take!!! Welcome!! Well, I got my son from the airport---it was sooooo good to see him! Except he grew a beard! My little boy should not have a beard! LOL. He had me stop and he bought some Valentines flowers for Ali. I drove up to their place, and he got out and went to the door---and it was locked...So he knocked, and stepped out of the way of the window on the door...Pretty soon Ali come and looked out, and opened the door, expecting me, she saw my car---when he stepped up, she just burst into tears! He hugged her and kissed her then reached down and picked up my grandson who was beaming from ear to ear! He was so happy to see his Daddy! When he come out to get his bags from the car, Connor threw a fit, thought he was leaving! I left them, to let them have some time together. He thinks he gets to stay for 5-7 days! So we will get some time with him, Rick is off as of tomorrow for 4 days....yea!!! He is off for Valentines Day--not sure what our plans are---we usually just do dinner....maybe a movie....in the olden days we would have gone dancing! Last year....we went and bought me a new wedding band. Not an expensive one---but one that fit me since mine is too big, and I can only get it sized once....I am waiting til I am at goal. OK---I am in agreement--where is Michelle? I thought it was an extended weekend---thinking she is due back today maybe tomorrow. I hope they had a blast! Waiting for your good news Jenn! Talk to y'all in awhile! Kat

Where I am from....they talk!! Here in my area, I am very near the Navajo Indian Reservation, and as part of their culture and respect for their own people....many of them, when they walk in a room like that, will begin on one side, and make an entire circle, shaking hands with every other Navajo in the place, regardless of age....from infancy through 100+. If you are pleasant and make eye contact as they pass you, you often get the respectful hand shake as well. Now in Dr.'s offices....especially....this seems kinda icky--thinking you just shook hands with everyone in there!!! But I also opened the same door as the last sick guy!!! Anyway---it leads to many conversations. At my fill Dr. the conversation is almost ALWAYS lap band! You can tell the newbies, coming for consult---they usually sit in groups of 2, and whisper----you just know they are wondering if you or the others has been banded. I always end up talking to them---but mostly because the 2 women at the desk always ask me how my trip was (6 hour drive) and ask after my SIL if she is not with me--they get the conversations started. I have been in the quiet somber offices---when I lived in Salt Lake City----NO ONE spoke-even the nurse in the office was questions only, no visiting at ALL! And once in a Dr.'s office in Wyoming, where I had taken my DH I was the only woman in the place----and even fat as I was then, I felt like a pork chop in the dog pound!!! I prefer casual conversation I think!! Kat

Morning girls~ Long night, spent part of it with my DIL in ER with my grandson, he is so congested. I seriously thought they would admit him, but they said it is everywhere, and didn't admit him. His Mama is sick too. I tried to get them to come here to stay, but she said that she had forgotten to call the propane place, so she is dependent on the woodstove for heat right now, and if she isn't there to build a fire, pipes will freeze. Ok.... I am jealous of Pamela's weather, not so much of Judy's!!! We have had some nice weather the last several days---supposed to change Thursday! Finally melting some of this snow! I still have 3 foot drifts in the front yard! And some areas where the gutter drains off of the roof---we have ice 8 inches thick! Yep jealous of Pamela! So Rick and our friend Errol (Dad to the girl who was missing in the mountains) are trying to convince me to do a river run this year. It is supposed to be spectacular, with the increased run off. I am leery of water as it is.....so that is really pushing it. I know EVERYONE wears life vests----but still! Errol runs a rafting business, besides being in the business of building the rafts themselves. He offered us a run from Mexican Hat down through a canyon called the Goosenecks--he said it is the most awesome trip, not lots of whitewater, although enough to keep it interesting (his words), but impressive in scenery. The goosenecks are deep squiggly canyons similar to the Grand Canyon---but with smooth walls in lots of it...we have been there from the top---never down in. I am afraid Rick won't go if I don't, and he really wants to....so I am working up the nerve! Today I am off to see if I can find a cheerleading dress. My granddaughter is driving us all nuts wanting to be a cheerleader, so that will be her Valentine if I can find one. I have my appointment to get my referral to the PS on Friday!! Jenn--today you will find out--how exciting! Jane feel better! Terry---any improvement in Mom? TracyK--Macy glad to go back to daycare? TracyKS--your boys any better? Haydee--did you make enough$$$ at the yardsale to give me a loan? Suzanne---GO TO TX!!!! Not done bugging you about it yet!!!! Gina--feeling any different today? What did you decide about the Tamiflu? Denise--how's the Grammy to be doing? What did you buy this week? I have been there----I know! Judy--enjoy your Chili! Pamela---enjoy your sun!!:scared2: Michelle--hope you are having fun! Laura---hope you are staying warm! I just got WONDERFUL news!!!!! I am so happy!!! My son just called and he managed to catch a few days off, and got on a standby flight into Denver, and is going to be home in 2 hours--sitting here crying!! I am sooooo glad to have him home again! His wife and baby have been so sick,they have my grandson on a nebulizer since last night. I have been so worried about them all. Not to mention him being gone for a month, it is time to see him. I don't do well when they are gone. When Manda married Kinseys Dad years ago, they shipped out to Hawaii immediately. We still had Abbey at home---but it was over a year before I got to see Manda again. Everyone was all excited about going to Hawaii, I could have cared less if she was smack dab in the middle of a desert--I just wanted to see my DD!! Well, I need to go back up finish my personals then I am going to go get dressed to go to the airport---he is going to surprise his wife and son! Just in time for Valentines Day!! Yea!! Hugs~~ Kat

But chips and salsa go with margaritas so much better!!! Kat

I was a grazer--but also had serious issues with portion size. The band has changed both! I still have times I feel like I am grazing....but when I stop and look at things, it is usually less so than I think! I will snack on one of the 100 calorie packs of chips Ahoy, or Ritz or something while I am reading----and suddenly I am full and I think OMG---then I realize it is a 100 calorie pack, and it is not empty----I used to eat half a bag of regular chips or something! Now if I am empty---that one bag of 100 cal Snacks would not "fill" me up. But when I am craving something sweet after dinner, or when I want something salty...they work, and it feels normal to me! I know they recommend no snacking at all---I am getting better, I have gone days with none, eating my meals and that being it---but other days it is back to me, being me, and I eat them! I also keep almonds, and oranges, and cheese sticks or wedges, on hand---and I snack on them. The difference for me is in the fact that I am no longer hungry--starving--all the time. So when the craving hits---I can walk to the kitchen, and make a wise choice in what I want to eat, not rush in there ravenous, and grab the first thing I can lay my hands on! And those things are still in my house, I have a husband, and grandkids, there are ALWAYS sweets, and chips and junk in my house---BUT I am able to walk past them to the other things....the band gives me that control! Slowly but surely the food in our house is changing--DH and my granddaughter now eat lots of MY food----so I buy more of it, less of the other. Now if I could get my grandson in line with us!!! But he subsists on junk at home, and if I don't have it here for him, my DIL brings it for him!!! We'll get there! Welcome to LBT!! Kat

I have both--both good quality while obviously still short of the gym quality. Mine get no where near the work out or abuse those machines get! I vary what I use--by orthopedic Dr. prefers I stay on the elliptical. I have an unresolved tumor in my fibula---a lower shin bone) and they constantly warn against any impact exercises. I have a tendency to pick up my feet and turn it into jog on the treadmill if I crank up the speed. Where as I can push the elliptical, and get no more pressure on the bone, than when I am warming up. I do work out on my treadmill--but mostly in the winter months. My Dr. would have a fit if he knew I jumped on a trampoline with my granddaughter!! BUT----I did NOT jump like I seriously wanted too---just bounced her! All the fun stuff is a no right now.... Kat

The 2 men I know who are banded have done phenomenally!!! One of them is part of a couple---we have been friends for years. Like one of the earlier posters mentioned, he was a BIG guy he is like 6'7" (seriously) and was close to 380 pounds----and still had women falling all over him!! His wife is 5'8" and also over 300 pounds---and everyone ask him why he was marrying her! So a couple of years ago they went to Monterrey and were banded together. They run a self owned business---are together almost 24 hours a day. They have went back for 1 fill, then she went for another on her own. He has lost well over 150 pounds, and she has lost 14. He even says she eats way less than he does. It is so different among all bandsters, but it does seem the men do great!! Kat

Oh good point! Let HR at your employer or place of insurance get in on it! They very well might just turn it over to an attorney for representation. Kat

I think your theory holds true. You put 40 extra pounds on a man, and he just looks like a bigger man--put it on a woman, and she is overweight! And by the way Robert---you are less of a man for having surgery! 12 pounds less didn't you say so far??!! Just like me---you are going to leave the Obese category behind and be an Overweight Loser soon!!! Welcome to LBT---we women will try not to gang up on you! Kat

If they caught it early, the earlier you take the tamiflu the better it works. I don't know what the incidence of false positives on the flu swab are.....you might could find out on line! I know it is amazing to me, but there are things on this computer besides LBT and ebay! Shocking! Hope you feel better! I think mine is in the sinus' only----head is throbbing, nose alternates from being stuffy to being so clear it burns to breath in...sucks being sick! Kat

Make sure you send the insurance company a copy of the letter going to the insurance commision---also individually send them to whoever signed off on the approval, and the woman the Dr.'s office spoke to. It is my bet that it will soon be paid after that. Providing your codes match....they approved it. IF your Dr, somehow changed procedures, or billed for the wrong one, then in the end I would let them eat the cost----you did your part. As a last resort, consult an attorney----you went into it in good faith on their ok. Sorry you are having to deal with someone elses screw up!!! Kat

My Mom has that issue with her Dr. She can call for something and be told his next appointment is 6-8 weeks out. I told her I would be a smart a$$ and make an appointment for every week, then I would call and cancel if they were not needed, the sign says you are charged if you do not give 24 hour notice of a cancel---so call 26 hours before---but have a standing appointment each week! But I despise my Mom's Dr. And she knows it. He is actually both Mom and Dad's---but I cannot stand that man, I think he is a quack, out to only make money off of seniors. He tells them whatever they want to hear, and then changes the story when I go with them (or my inlaws---they go to Quackman too) and then winks at me like they misunderstood. Aaarrgghh! My Dr. is excellent about working me in usually that day, but no later than the next usually. For years I didn't have to worry about it because my DD was the nurse, she always got me in....now I actually have to speak with a receptionist!! But so far so good. I hope you don't get to feeling any worse. Did they do the nasal swab or what? Yuck I hate those things! Good Luck finding a good one you can work well with. Ask around for recommendations----word of mouth is usually a great tool. If you know any of the nurses in the area they are a great wealth of info that way too! Time to work on dinner.... Kat

Just the opposite for me, I no longer do any sort of shakes, did them for a short period of time while healing is all. The goal for me is just what you speak of. I find myself choosing quality now as opposed to my old mind set of quantity. I prefer to pay for a nice tender, juicy filet, and know it will be more than enough food. I prefer to go to the farmers market and buy a few select fresh veggies in season, than buy canned or frozen. With the amount of money I save in quantities of food, not to mention the chips and Cookies, etc....and then add in the savings in prescription meds---it is not an issue to buy higher quality, better tasting, more nutritious foods. When you know you only have a small space to fill---you want to choose the best nutritionally packed food you can for that space. And when you only eat small amounts, you find you want as much flavor as possible packed in that. I love spicy mexican food! You get to really taste your food when you chew it to the consistency we do. You choose ones that taste good! Every now and then you grab something from your past--my latest was a bite of my granddaughters Little Debbie cookie----it ended up feeling like I had smeared grease on the roof of my mouth and my teeth, it grossed me totally out!! Yes you can eat real food---that is the goal. It is working for me! Welcome to LBT! Kat

My first fill was with 1.25 cc. I felt little to nothing. I could eat anything if I chewed well, I could have eaten all day long--not the restriction I expected. So a month later I went back for fill #2. He gave me a whopping .50. Less than half of the first---I was so bummed out. My fills cost me, and to get there is not convenient....so I was feeling much like you are now. Well I did my day of liquids, and when I went to eat--Holy Crap I had major restriction! On that little bitty fill difference! That was almost 2 years ago! I have never needed another fill. I might could use one now, but am waiting to see. I chat with a girl who is at 4.0 in a band the same size as ours, and in fact they CAN hold a bit more than that, and do in many cases. Go get another fill---even if your Dr. will only take you to an even 4---there is a lot of room in that next 1.5cc. You might find just the restriction and the help you were looking for. I do understand your frustration---I also know a minute amount makes a HUGE difference sometimes---try it----you have come this far, try another fill or 2---what have you go to lose, but the weight? Welcome to LBT----maybe you can teach me not to sabotage myself!!! Kat

I think each fill you will be closer....it is a guessing game as to what will be right for you. I had my first fill of 1.25cc. in June---and like I say I had minor change, I felt it, IF I ate too fast, if I ate slow, I could have eaten all day long! So a month later I went in, and he only gave me .50cc. So less than half what he gave me the first time. I was SOOOO disappointed, thinking this was going to take forever. To get to my fills is inconvenient, and I was seriously bummed out! I did my day of liquids, and when I went to food---OMG I had restriction! 3-4 bites of food and I was major FULL!!! I was afraid of that much restriction! The thought of only eating 3 bites at a time was terrifying! But I decided to take it a day at a time, as long as I could eat healthy food, I hung with it, and the fill did relax. Now I can eat a small but healthy portion. My point is, sometimes all it takes is the smallest of tweaks to hit a sweet spot....so don't get discouraged---it DOES happen! Kat

Isn't it sad that they try to thwart us at every turn when all we want to do is get healthy? It isn't like we are hounding them for a face lift! My SIL used to work for Cigna, and she said many things were an auto denial, and then only if they appealed it, would it ever even be looked at. That is a load!! Hang in there guys, play by their rules, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! Kat

When is her NY trip? I was wondering about her earlier. Suzanne---thank you so much for my Valentine--it is my first one this year!!! You are too sweet!! It was so unique! Just having a hard time figuring how to stand it up for display!!! LOL Tomorrow if I have Kinsey, we are going to make some Valentines...I bought fun stuff for her to create with!!! If I were just a smart Granny, I would send it home for her to do---but I'd rather get elbow deep in with her and make a mess!! TTYL~~ Kat

I said perhaps y'all loved my beauty....if not then maybe my sense of humor....never not one time did I say anything about being mature about it!!:cursing: Kat