Kat817

deyonbush>>quote "a physician opening you up for surgery and then saying.....NAH....UR LIVER IS TOO FAT WE WONT DO IT... isnt as common as you think....i doubt anyones insurance will pay for that... i dont know why ppl keep saying that.. do you have any idea how much money that would cost? .. anyway....the diet you are on is apparently important since so many ppl have to do it......its for the best surgery.... do it for you and ur recovery... i just dont like when ppl say..the dr will say no surgery.... please.... thats lawsuit city... :hungry:" *************** I recieved this in my email notifications then could not find it here, surmising from Faiths post, they deleted it. I would think that for a Dr. to continue with an operation when it is decidedly more dangerous, as opposed to closing the patient up, would be much more likely to be setting themselves up for a malpractice lawsuit. I was told what perimeters the surgery would be completed in, and what would cause it to be cancelled---to me that makes it well within the surgeons rights to believe the surgery to be too risky to continue. I would rather follow the guidelines, I mean afterall, if you can't 'follow the rules', so to say before surgery, what makes you believe you will follow them after? It is VERY important to healthy healing to follow the directions given you by your Dr. regardless how hard they seem. It truly is worth putting out the effort. Kat

I really think this comment holds true even with us bandsters. As you become slimmer, the actual act of exercising becomes easier, and we learn healthier eating habits as we go. I used to cringe when I would read or be told yet again about the need to exercise. After about the first 50 pounds things really began getting jiggly, so I began exercising---it was not easy! I did not enjoy all of it. I DID however find things I DID like doing, and the feeling it left me with was so empowering! I finally felt like I was doing this weight loss--not just my band...I was doing it! Now when I cannot exercise in one way or another I feel like I am missing something. I DO suggest exercise, but at least as much for the mental boost as the physical. Actually exercising is not an issue for thin people, their joints don't always ache,etc. It took a lot for me to finally give it a shot--thank goodness I didn't stick my head in the sand any longer!!! I do not do the aggressive exercise that many do, I have several health issues, that prevent running, and high impact exercise, but I am still able to get my heart rate up, and my blood pumping, and it feels great!! Most of my responses have been positive--now I am finally down enough weight that even the one "friend" who refuses to discuss it cannot miss it--makes me smile!!! Kat

Might be a plan for your self chosen additional 2 weeks. But during the 2 weeks the Dr. requires, I would stick to his plan. Maybe your additional 2 weeks will show you that you CAN do it!!! Kat

Sorry for your upsetting news. Have you looked into a medical loan? 401K withdrawal? House Re-fi? Low interest credit card? If you post pone until income tax refund time you would be able to show a down payment on hand. Personally I paid cash in MX, due to issues with my insurance. Part of me wishes I had fought it, the most of me is glad I pushed ahead, and am as far down this road as I am. Good Luck Kat

The only thing that is a big NO for me is glazed donuts. I eat maybe 2 bites and they feel like they grow to the size of a dozen.....eeeeccchhh.....never again!!! Everything else with caution and in moderation has been fine. Only PB's I have had other than the damnable donuts have been from slipping into old eating habits-forgetting to chew small bites!!! Kat

Sorry to butt in on a monthly thread, but the liver thing caught my eye. Have you by any chance been put on cholesterol drugs recently? That is what happen to me. My pre op blood work showed sky high liver enzymes. Turned out to be the Lovastatin they had put me on for high cholesterol. A week and a half off of the meds, and my surgery was A-OK. Check with your pharmacist to see if ANY thing you might be taking could be the culprit. Will be thinking good thoughts for you, I remember exactly where you are-good Luck!!! Kat

Hi girls---I am gonna LIVE!!!!!!!!!! I fell so much better today! Yesterday was rough, I was so upset...today is much, much better already! The swelling is still bad, the bruising looks wonderful! But I can swallow some today---now if I could just yawn!! Thanksgiving-----kinda went off the track this year! Normally we all (meaning my family, Ricks family, assorted friends) get together, at one of the houses, and do it like a semi organized pot luck. This year it is to be at my MIL's. I am supposed to bring mashed potatoes (20 lbs worth) and some pies....and under normal years, I'd add a veggie of some kind-just improvise. This year, Rick is doing the potatoes! Pies are frozen! BUT my oldest DD decided she isn't doing it again this year. With both her and Ryan being from divorced families, that gives them minimally 4 houses they need to drop by. Everyone wants them to eat, and by the time you put the girls in the car yet again they go to sleep and wake up grumpy. So she is cooking at home....and my parents and brother decided to join her. And our youngest DD is going to her inlaws (no surprise there). Son is in Houston, supposed to be flown home on Wed. the busiest flying day of the year---hope he makes it! Our friends that usually join us, have family coming in from TX, so they won't be there either. So as it stands now we plan to eat with the family---and then leave!! Go by the DD's then over to our friends for hopefully the 2nd half of the game. I plan on using my recent surgery to its utmost there!! I am usually one laying dinner out, and washing up after--and I am refusing! Tonight I am walking Rick through making dressing---he has to have some for his work pot luck tomorrow--he keeps saying he can do it, and I know he can, he is a good cook--but I actually feel up to doing something today, so will probably help him! We plan on making enough so we have some here, so we do not have to wait for left overs to be divvied up! We have a small turkey he is thawing....going to get ourselves set up he thinks! He cracks me up, he acts like I am going to be unable to do anything for a month! He gets up before the alarm, and leaves me sleeping, he has cleaned, and unloaded and reloaded the dishawasher--trying to keep everything done since he is not here to stop me from doing things in the day time! Yesterday was not a biggie, I did nothing, I felt like doing nothing. Today I could do it, but will continue to take it easy so I keep improving. Until Thursday, then I may be really 'bad' again!!! Just kidding! Pamela, it is so wierd listening to you talk about your days at school, when I talk to my cousin Teri, it is almost like you guys are living parallel lives!! She come to the hospital to see me, and her kids did not set a fire....literally. Someone brought some sort of hot sauce, like Tobasco, and was putting it in everyones tray of Thanksgiving dinner at school. A couple of fights broke out over it, and parents screaming at teachers about good money being spent on food trays (when in reality most of them were free lunches!), and they need to watch closer. Then she said 2 boys went up to a lunch table and did a 1-2-3 kick to the support of the bench seat, and collapsed it while it was full of kids sitting eating. She said it was a horrid day, and that this year can not pass quick enough. She said the one hope she has is that is has always seemed that after one of these horrid years, of kids, she ends up the next year with an awesome group who want to learn, and make life fun again. She says she is working for the hope of next year! Well I am off to find something to eat, Rick left me several options---but nothing sounds good at all. I did promise to eat tho, so will try. BBL~ Kat

Well Thanksgiving is kinda crazy this year. We always ALL get together, both Rick's and my families. This year it was to be done at his Moms, and we all bring something. I am supposed to take mashed potatoes (20 lbs worth!!), and some pies. I made the pies in advance and froze them, and no one will have any idea, and Rick is handling the potatoes! BUT....my oldest DD has chosen not to go, and instead have her own dinner. With her and Ryan both being kids from divorced families, they have 4 places they feel like they are expected to go...everyone wants them to eat, and by the 2nd trip in the car the girls go to sleep and wake up grouchy....so she is staying home, and if anyone wants to see them, they can come there. So, my folks decided to hang with my DD, as did my brother. Our friends Becky & Gary who usually join us, had family decide to come in from TX, so they won't be there either. So as of now my plan is to go to the inlaws, and when everyone gets ready to watch the game I am heading to my DD's. There are other reasons---personality clashes with my DD, but I recently found out, I have a family member who just follows me around LBT reading what I say and if and when I mention family it all gets thrown in my face when we are together---immaturity at its finest!! But no--I am NOT fixing dinner, nor hosting dinner...I refused back in the summer when I got stuck with EVERYTHING! I have hit the black Friday shopping every year for well over a decade--we always have fun. Not sure about it this year. The bottom is supposed to drop out of our temperature and it is supposed to not go above freezing for our high--not sure I can hang with that, feeling like I do. Plus turning my head is an issue....will probably forego it this year....waaah! Well I promised Rick I would eat something, so I guess I better go find something. Will check back with all of you after while. ((hugs)) Kat

Well I came in and posted, and let my left hand hit the alt key or something, and it is all gone-----dammit! I will try to get back and do it---soon. Feeling better, slept the entire day away. Hurting is easing up some, thank goodness. Now I have to try to eat, not looking forward to that, but Rick is pushing. Will be sending emails with Suziecats info soon. TTY in a little while~ Kat

Hi girls I am home---has been a rough one. I thought I would bounce right back, and it is slower going than I had hoped. Yep, the tumor was considered benign. It would have eventually turned to cancer but was growing too fast to have ever been a worry that way. It was between a golf ball and a tennis ball in size. I cannot tell you how happy it being benign made me! I kept coming inand out of the sleep from anesthesia and asking about it! Had some blood pressure issues, went too low, so they pumped me full of fluid---12 pound weight gain--full of fluid! Spending all my time in the bathroom losing weight today! For now I am going back to my ice pack and recliner. I will check in with you all in awhile. Gina, thanks for sharing my DD & DH's posts, they lost the post it I had given them with the threads to post to, so they found the Violets thread in my email. I do appreciate it, I fel great comfort knowing I had all of you out there in different corners--I felt extremely lucky to have you all! (((hugs)))) Kat

Well girls, I skimmed through the posts---was humbling to me, knowing you were all out there, pulling for me and thinking of me--makes me wonder what I did to deserve such great friends. My tumor was some wierd loooooong named thing--it is considered benign, although, in a pre cancerous way...but it was growing so fast, it would never have been an issue with the cancer cells. As it was the tumor was between the size of a golf ball and a tennis ball, he said the size of a big plum. My incision is only about 3.5-4" long. Extremely swollen, and sore in ways I never dreamed. Sniffing my nose hurts! And what do I whine about most? I cannot yawn! LOL I truly expected to be up and around today, and had planned on keeping Kinsey, but that isn't happening. They tried getting me to eat Sat. in the hospital, and I ended up throwing it up. Which I HATE--not good for my band, and it hurt like hell! So I am sticking to liquids, soups, etc, until I feel hungry. They pumped me so full of fluids due to low blood pressure, I come home weighing 12 pounds more than when I registered! I know it is fluid, but it still jars my heart and everything when you see such a big gain! Glad to hear your DSS is settling in some Tracy, it makes me smile to think you may have just saved that boy literally! Suziecat wants added to our list for christmas card exchange---so later today I am going to try to get that sent out to everyone, so she can be added, and Suzie, I will send them all to you at that time. For now I am back to my ice and my recliner. Will check in in a little while. Missed you girls! Kat

I'm home! Feeling like I have been run over by a freight train! I never expected to feel this rough! Going to go catch up with what is going on with you all....thanks for hanging with me through all my fears! Love yas~ Kat

I hope this is the right place to put this, I am doing this for my wife Kathy. She is probably getting out of thw hospital today. Her blood pressure is too low it was 52 over 36, she is getting extra fluid in an IV. She is awake, alert, but is hurting. I imagine she will be home later today. Our computer is not making connection in her room. She said to be sure to tell you all thanks for the prayers and she will talk to you all when she gets home. Rick

Hi-forgot to let you know--------I have to be at the hospital at 9:45 this morning, and surgery is supposed to be sometime around 11. Should take in the neighborhood of 3 hours. Had a heck of a time getting to sleep, then slept well, until Rick's guys started calling his cell phone, then going back to sleep was out of the question!! I appreciate all the good vibes I am taking with me. I didn't have any more wierd dreams about it! But I woke up pretty calm, have good feelings about it...it is going to be ok! But I think Rick is more stressed than I am, so I am going to get off of here, and hang with the hubby! Hugs to all of you, see you when my reverse Hunchback wannabe is gone! Love~Kat

Well I cannot relax and go to sleep---figured to heck with trying, I will sleep plenty tomorrow! Got all my stuff done here I wanted to---so guess I am as ready as I get. Showered, and no lotion, and my hair will be dry by morning. Nail polish is off, toe nails are done! LOL! Went to dinner with our friends tonight...was nice to get away and laugh and not think about it for awhile! My DD would probably kill me---oh yeah she may read this tomorrow, but I have to tell you! Remember me telling you how the little girl we kept embarrassed Manda in the bathroom at Walmart? Well tonight they were getting ready to go to a Going Away party, and Manda was getting out of the shower, and Kinsey was in the bathroom with her. She starts sing songing to Manda "I see your butt...I see your buuuu--uuut"....Manda just laughed at her, so she continued singing....."I see your buuuu-uuuut, it has a beard"!!!! She called me laughing so hard I could barely understand her!! Man I love that kid!!! Pamela---sorry about the egg----I am not a hard boiled egg fan, so never had the experience!!! Yeah I was getting in all kinds of trouble with a couple of people in R& R and I never said anything they implied I did---I just ignore them now! TracyK---you and Macy both look great!! Awww Jane, hate to hear about insurance issues, ours went up this year, I think everyones did, but not as much as I was afraid it might...bad thing is, rates go up, and coverage goes down. Judy---wow! A 4.5!!! I think thats about my pinky size!!! I think mine are 7.5...and getting loose, but I WAS wearing a 10---so I'll take the 7.5!!! I hear ya on the grumpy little shopper, I had one today too!! But could not put it off, so we toughed it out together---she was not her usual happy self---naturally, I think she felt the stress! Laura, thanks for the support, I took care of it, and sent emails. Well going to go find something boring to do, see if I can't get sleepy! I think my DD will send an email or 2 tomorrow, so if you get one, pass on the info please. Hugs all around!! Kat

Yep, I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to get everything put away, after coming home from TX. And then getting everything squared away for surgery tomorrow. I think I am as done as possible. I am sending my laptop with my DD-Manda. She will either log on to LBT, or she will use my email list and send notice when I am done....or I will when I can. See y'all when it is over!!! Kat

Thanks Suzie--I am having a very difficult time over knowing about that--yet feel I needed the time to prepare myself. The anesthesiologist said usually they seriously drug you, but the issue of mine is that I must be alert and able to help them...and they have warned me none of it will be pleasant, from the taste of the numbing spray, to the tube itself. He said the less I fight it, and the second it is in place, they will knock me out. But yeah--I am scared spitless of it. As of now, my plan is to have my DD-Manda-drop in tomorrow and let you all know how it went. I know I will not be out of the hospital until Saturday evening at the earliest he said, and likely Sunday morning. The hospital has WiFi, but not sure what I will feel like, but will do my best to either have her post, or give her one of you girls phone #'s and let her call. Then maybe you could pass on the info. Will know later today what time surgery will be. Told Rick I look like I have a bigger Adams Apple than he does....people are going to be getting the wrong idea! It is actually bigger, it encompasses the entire throat, not just a bump, like an adams apple. Well I am going to be bad----I am not participating in todays CTCD....sorry! I will make up for it during my liquid mushie food week. Not sure how I intend on not behaving--------but.....it WILL involve chewing! LOL TracyK---I have a heck of a time, not working knowing what day it is! And I use my debit card all the time, so when it comes to writing a check I always have to ask the day. And besides you can think of me and pray for me everyday---heaven knows I need it!!! I know all you girls will be there with me, and that helps! Judy, got your Ethan yet? Kinsey is here, snoozing on the sofa. She gets here so early so her Mama can get to work, that she most days takes a little cat nap, then wakes up HUNGRY! She is such a Mama's girl...she hugged her today, and says "Mommy you so pretty" then when Manda left, Kinsey thought she needed one more hug, you should have seen the panic, but Mama heard us holler, and come back for an extra squeeze! Tracy--that is great Cody is going to get going right away in the scout group. Maybe he can find friends this time around, and it will make some familiar faces at school. Was he happy with his remodeled room? Jenn-hang in there, funerals are never easy. Sorry you have to do this. Speaking of funerals, Terry, how are things at work? Are they keeping you chained to your desk? Or are you off playing with all the beads you found? Pamela---I bet your kids cannot concentrate today with the smell of the sloppy joes cooking--that is torture! My DD come home during I think it was like 4th grade, and during the last recess of the day, one of the teachers always popped a bag of popcorn, so when they come in, they could smell it. She come home ravenous everyday, and often wanted popcorn. She said she never remembered what the book she was reading was about, she could not concentrate!!! I can see me doing that, I am a popcorn person--but she isn't anymore! Laura, I emailed you a question about the Secret Santa---did you get it? I ask because msn, has some sort of glitch between my DIL and I, I cannot receive anything from her! She gets mine, tries replying, and nothing. She is not blocked, I just don't get them! Was just wondering. Well I want to hit the shower while the girlie is asleep--I'll be back later! Kat

Jachut is right on--stick to liquids, and let your belly settle down. If you can sip liquids, you might try a little pineapple juice, my fill Dr. recommends it to help aid in digesting things, due to the acidity, yet it is mild on the stomach. It helped me a time or 2. If you are unable to keep liquid down, or if you are still unable to take in any food after 24 hours---call! Sorry, you are having such issues! Kat

Well I made it through all my pre op tests----I guessI passed, surgery is still on! The only really disconcerting thing, is that the mass on my thyroid is so big I cannot breath when lying on my back anymore, so I have to be awake when they intubate me! If I am unconcious, from anesthetic, it will sag back, and close off, keeping them from inserting the tube. So while they will do it in the OR and immediately put me out after it goes in, I must be awake to assist in that fun part. I was so stressed I am surprised I didn't bawl my eyes out over that bit of news...oh well, I understand the problem, it is one of the biggies! I would prefer to be prepared. I call tomorrow between 11 and 2 to get the time of surgery. Come home, got my laundry done from our TX trip, have things set aside to take to the hospital---need to vaccuum tomorrow, and the house will be as clean as it is getting!! Tomorrow I am going shopping with my Mom, also going for a pedicure! I need a couple of V neck t-shirts. Something cheap, loose & comfy! Lookout Walmart here I come! I can drink carbonation in small sips---my Dr.'s handout showed them off limits for 3 months, then in limited amounts, and preferably flat. I personally opt not to drink it on a regular basis. I have not tried anything like champagne, or beer---just a drink or 2 of Diet DP. It is not something that tastes like I remember it---so just usually don't bother. Prefer iced tea! Pamela, I kind of expected the answer I got about the parents of your students! Be back in a little while, going to go cut Ricks hair. Kat

Off to pre op----fun, fun, fun. Jenn---Is the goal to seduce him, or show him a good time? If so what does HE like? Yeah, don't tell us what is in the basket....either we would relate too well, and decide we were all wickedly kinky....or we might just get jealous and cry!!! But we love ya anyway!! Check in when I get back. Katc

Off to pre op----fun, fun, fun. Jenn---Is the goal to seduce him, or show him a good time? If so what does HE like? Yeah, don't tell us what is in the basket....either we would relate too well, and decide we were all wickedly kinky....or we might just get jealous and cry!!! But we love ya anyway!! Check in when I get back. Kat

I too think the popcorn is half the movie experience!! I have cut down on the amount of popcorn I eat, as well as the amount of everything I eat---but I do still eat it. If a person ate nothing but microwave popcorn with all the additives, and perservatives, I can see where it would not be a healthy lifestyle. But in small amounts scattered around in a normal diet, I can't imagine it causing me to die of cancer. As has been pointed out, everything we do is leading to us dying! Every breath we take! Now I do not especially want to rush that along! So attempt to make more healthy choices than not. But still have some popcorn now and then!! I do go with the o trans fats, small bags, the popcorn itself is a whole grain---does that gain it any points?! My band Dr. never warned against it, and it is not on my list of foods to exercise extreme caution with. I just know I could never work in a movie theater with the smell of that buttery popcorn all the time------mmmmm Kat

I agree that Wheetsin is on the money with it being 2 different issues. The other thing that comes to mind is how you treat the days that you feel too tight. Do you stop the food, and go to liquids? Do they seem to center around your menstrual cycle, or days of high stress? I know when I was tighter restricted, if I ate something that required more work for me to pass through---say raw carrots---I would swell, and although they did not make me PB---it made my stomach react, and I would find it hard to eat much of anything then for awhile. I think I would try going back to liquids for a few days, then if you have anything similar to a PB do not eat following it for at least a few hours, give your stomach a chance to really settle. Some have said they found drinking Aloe Vera juice really helped their sensitive stomachs---I have never tried it. Does your Dr. have any questions for you, or suggestions when he is doing these fills/unfills? Does he mention possible things you could try? I think a slow approach to fills is a safe way to get to proper restriction too. Yes you could have accomplished this maybe with WW, but you ARE learning new eating habits, while slowly but surely sneaking up on good restriction. I have only had 2 fills at this point. I am having surgery Friday, and if I don't get results from it, I plan on scheduling another fill finally, but it will be a teensy tiny one! I do not want to have to be unfilled! Good Luck to you!! Kat

Lots of people have the "OMG what have I done??!!" panic hit them! You are not alone! You have the surgery behind you, and success in front of you, you just have to work the middle now! As long as you stay aware that you can and will fall into old habits unless you pay attention, you can stay on top of it. Many of us have had times where we fell off the wagon over something, the key is to get up and go again. It is so much easier to do with the band! Right now you are healing and it is of utmost importance to heed your Dr.'s advice and allow you body to heal. Follow the eating plan (more of a drinking plan at this stage), and take care that you heal well. When you feel the urges, either log on here, take a walk, pick up your knitting, something---anything---to just get past the craving. When you are healed and ready to begin the fill process, you will find avoiding the food demons easier. Each stage has its highs and lows---but Putty, they are sooooo worth it! YOU are worth it! Your future is worth the work! When you need motivation, go over and look through the Before and After Picture Thread. Find someone who has stats similar to yours and see what you can accomplish. This is possible, others have done it before us, and we can do it too!! Hang in there, your emotions are very normal, following most surgeries! Welcome to bandland, and welcome to LBT- hang out, you are not alone! Kat

Oh yes, Denise, I forgot to say---HOW EXCITING!!! I remember Manda's first real good ultrasound pics of Kinsey, I was over the moon!!! They were not as good as your daughters, that is classic, you will all treasure it forever! Thanks for the recipes girls---I hope I will be able to eat that day!!! Kat