Kat817

I have a box in the garage I put popsicle sticks in, as well as yarn, and anything else I come across that I can drop at a local day care for arts & crafts projects. I used to run a day care, and we always loved to get goodies to let the kids create with!!! Kat

HI Candy, I had 5 incisions...if you want to call them all that!!! One which is where my port was placed, it was the biggest...mine is just a tad left of center, about 7 inches below my breasts. It is about an inch and a half long. The next biggest in size was further left, and just a big higher, it is where they put the band itself into the body the Dr. said, and it is about an inch long. Then I had 1 more on the left side, and 1 on the right down a bit, and one right between my breasts basically...they were all VERY small, just pokes more than cuts. Mine were actually stitched. Then bandaged. All the stitches except the port stitches come out on day 10, the port stitches come out on day 14. They healed really well considering I have keloid factor, and scar badly. My biggest issue with healing was the fact that my breasts laid on my incisions...not pleasant, and I worried the sweaty, heat would cause infection, but I used some handkerchiefs that were my Dads and covered them at first, and then they did fine. Pain in the incisions was nothing, as the time come to remove the stitches, they felt tight, and itchy, achy, I was glad to see them go! Welcome to LBT! Kat

We do a yearly check on our credit report, it is part of one of our credit cards actually. And it is clear. She never contacted, or used our similarity in any way. The problem arose, when she died. SHE had had many problems prior to dying, causing all the warrants! But since we shared a name, down to the middle initial---and an exact birthdate it triggered because Tennessee puts a hold on ALL deceased persons idenitifying documents for 1 year. So when I tried getting the license, it kicked it out. Now the only place that has ever tied the 2 of us together is MVD.... Back a season or 2 Boston Legal did a show on a similar thing, the one lead guy (Captain Kirk) tried to fly out of the country and was removed from the plane as a threat risk. In the court room, I remember he had an entire audience made up of people who shared his name, and would have had the same thing happen. My Dad said his cousin has this issue, and my nieces husband does---they both have very common last names. I didn't realize ours was as common as it is. I got an email not long ago that told you how many people shared your name---and according to it, there are over 1400 people in the USA with the same name as me! There is a woman in our town here, who has the same name, and the exact month and day of birthdate, but 10 years earlier!!! She is 10 years to the day older than I am. I got her prescription in Walmart one day!!! So anyway....since I got kicked out of the system on that identity thing 4 years ago, I stayed flagged, and apparently always will! It is not going to just go away....which sucks big time. What if I have to go back to Mexico??? Tracy---hope all goes as planned with the attorney---good idea to keep it under wraps! Jenn--hope your dbf is ok---I am horrible I always imagine horrid things! Gonna go show Rick some email---catch y'all later! Kat

Call and make a prenatal appointment NOW!!! Make sure your new meds are ok. Plus pregnancy can wreak havoc on emotions in a life without the added complications yours has right now. Be open and honest with your Dr. so they can help you through this. I would also encourage BF to finish up his rehab---let him prove he is going to be a responsible father. Maybe you should each take what you would spend on a drink each night and begin a small savings account for the child---I bet by the time he/she gets here, you will be shocked how much you have!!! Good Luck, and congratulations-- Kat

I was busy forming my reply in my head when I read Mandi's post---and she said it for me!!! Yes the results of this study, several years old, are still studying the first lap bands installed (???right word????). The fact with ANY surgical procedure is that the first ones teach them things...how we respond today will help them with how they band people next year or the year after. We had the benefit of their failures, to help our surgeons develop new techniques to reduce the complications cited. I have no doubt they still exist. But we have no idea what post op plan these patients were given in 2003. We have no idea if they were warned of the vomiting issues. Years ago they developed a band, and it was not adjustable. People lost weight well, but when they lost to a point of no restriction, they began regaining weight. That band, led them to develop the adjustable band. The failure rate of it was high---but look where it led us! One of the MAJOR advantages of the band, is our ability to move on to other different surgeries, if there is a safer, better surgery found. This is in no way meant to flame, not at all, I just wanted to try to keep in mind when the study was done, and how we are benefitting from the study as we speak! Kat

Several points led me to choose lapband over bypass...some have been mentioned above. I am also a cancer survivor, if ever need be in case of recurrance, I can have my fill removed, to take in increased nutrition. Same can be said if someone wants to have a child. Another point that was made to me, was that scientists study obesity every single day. They make discoveries every single day. With the rate of obesity rising, the rate of diabetes rising, the studies will move forward steadily. If they come out with a newer, better form of WLS, or find a way to say isolate a gene that causes obesity, I am just as able to pursue that as someone who has never had WLS of any kind. Once they cut the stomach down, and bypass the intestines, your options are drastically reduced. Recently they have come out with a new band that is adjusted by increments using a remote control as opposed to saline injected into a port. If this is the wave of the future---I can have one!!! Weight loss is slower for most, but others work hard, and drop it FAST!!! One woman who was banded the same month I was---almost 17 months ago has lost over 200 pounds!!! I personally feel the speed with which I have lost is perfect, it is going pretty quickly, yet I do not have excessively saggy skin, and I feel good, I do not feel deprived of food, nor do I feel run down. I would repeat my decision over again in a heartbeat!!! I know a woman locally who had bypass, and she has done remarkably well---but she hasn't lost anymore weight than I have. We joke that we are each others biggest fan!! Kat

Hi everyone---scan is done, and I did not throw up on anyone!!! Laura, I tried to figure out what was wrong with your DH---but I believe what he has is likely a combination of his current problem, and the fact that he has testicles---and he is therefore---full of shit! Sorry---it was too easy to pass up!!!! Hope they figure out what is wrong with him soon, it sounds painful! Keep an eye on him! Not all appendix present normally! Michelle, 25 minutes on the elliptical is great! My program I am doing on it is 20, so I do it and am done, unless I am involved!!! I listen to books while I walk---and only then. I am not allowed to listen at all unless I am exercising. So sometimes, I even make myself go further to hear something that is going on!!! I have a CD player hooked up to mine, and I check books out of the library for it, I have "I've got a Secret" by Sophie Kinsella now, I bought it at a yard sale!!! OK, now sit back and laugh at me for a few minutes!! 4 years ago when I went to renew my license it was flagged, the computer said I have a hold on it in Tennessee. Interesting, considering I have never been to TN. Seems all the computer goes by in this case is name and birthdate--and it flagged. So I called the 800# to TN Dept. of transportation & safety. Talk to a dozen people, finally get this guy who is like normal to talk to, and he is kind of laughing, he ask for my description---saying everytime he asks that he feels like he is on a chat line! Anyway, he took the last 4 of my SS# and said they did not match, and that anyone in his Dept. should have realized the problem, because the other woman had a D in front of her SS# on their MVD records. Apparently in TN they flag all deceased persons licenses etc, for a year to help with identity fraud. So he faxed the paperwork to my local MVD office explaining that I was NOT the 5'3'' 123 pound DEAD, BLACK woman they were flagged on there!!!! No indeed I am not. So I finally got my license. So, today, following my scan I go in to renew my license again....only to be told I have to go through a security clearance, as she is explaining this to me, my head is swimming! With the new homeland security fiasco, anyone who has ever had a flagged license or is obtaining a CDL etc. has to have clearance. I had to go to the Police Dept. and have an NCIC check run on myself. Then the officer had to hand deliver the paperwork showing I am not a wanted woman in the USofA. BUT.....the paper shows I can get my license...but I am still in the system as a PTTS. So he says I might want to look into clearing it up, because I cannot obtain a CDL, or a passport...I am not allowed on international flights now... and could be held at any border at any time. I am flabbergasted and asking why? He says it does not say---only that I am a PTTS. What the hell is that I ask....are ya ready my friends? I am a Possible Threat To Society!!!!! He said it is likely tied to the other "me" in TN, when she died she had both local and federal warrants. I ask this man, our esteemed Chief of Police, who do I see? How do I go about clearing this? There is a high liklihood of me traveling out of the country! He has no idea........aaarrgghhh I love incompetancy!!! By the time I left there, (yes I did get my license renewed, did it for 8 years this time) I was very likely a threat to several people. I need to be making calls, but wonder where the hell to call??? Guess I will start with our state office of the MVD...have to begin the run around somewhere!!! So, I am off to mow the lawn. Will check in with all of you later!! Kat

I second everything Mandy said! I would look into it, and also whether or not with the circumstances what your odds of unemployment are...of course I am sure they covered their butts. My one suggestion, and I do hope no one on here, us all being female, takes this the wrong way.... My DD and my best friend both have changed to different jobs recently, and they went from one field to another. My DD was a nurse, she is now an admin asst. in an oilfield company. Then my friend went from grocery management to the same oilfield company in another area. They have both commented on how much easier it is in their new jobs without the female cattiness going on all the time. There is no back biting, no fashion show, size police thing going on they said. It might be worth looking at another field. My DD began this new job, making $5.00 more per hour than she was in the field she trained for! My other DD works for a company that makes valves, for huge waterlines, and she and another older woman are the only women there--she has been there several years now, she worked as a vetrinarians assistant prior. Point is, look around, there are lots of options, maybe one where you don't know anyone right now would be best...then if you want to share your band story, it is YOU doing so, not a so called friend. And do not mourn her. She does not deserve your friendship. If she for one fraction of one second thought you might be serious when you made that statement, to further your depression with her lame ass Dear John thing is unexcusable in my book! I have shown more compassion to strangers who looked sad--good grief. She was not your friend. I understand mourning the friend you thought she was, but in reality she is not worth it! Sending ((((((GIANT HUGS))))) your way----and remember when one door closes, another one opens---hang in there! My bones have been scanned, I did NOT throw up on anyone! Will hear results from the Dr. but unless there is a new issue, probably not until next month. OK, now sit back and laugh at me for a few minutes!! 4 years ago when I went to renew my license it was flagged, the computer said I have a hold on it in Tennessee. Interesting, considering I have never been to TN. Seems all the computer goes by in this case is name and birthdate--and it flagged. So I called the 800# to TN Dept. of transportation & safety. Talk to a dozen people, finally get this guy who is like normal to talk to, and he is kind of laughing, he ask for my description---saying everytime he asks that he feels like he is on a chat line! Anyway, he took the last 4 of my SS# and said they did not match, and that anyone in his Dept. should have realized the problem, because the other woman had a D in front of her SS# on their MVD records. Apparently in TN they flag all deceased persons licenses etc, for a year to help with identity fraud. So he faxed the paperwork to my local MVD office explaining that I was NOT the 5'3'' 123 pound DEAD, BLACK woman they were flagged on there!!!! No indeed I am not. So I finally got my license. So following my scan I go in to renew my license again....only to be told I have to go through a security clearance, as she is explaining this to me, my head is swimming! With the new homeland security fiasco, anyone who has ever had a flagged license or is obtaining a CDL etc. has to have clearance. I had to go to the Police Dept. and have an NCIC check run on myself. Then the officer had to hand deliver the paperwork showing I am not a wanted woman in the USofA. BUT.....the paper shows I can get my license...but I am still in the system as a PTTS. So he says I might want to look into clearing it up, because I cannot obtain a CDL, or a passport...I am not allowed on international flights now... and could be held at any border at any time. I am flabbergasted and asking why? He says it does not say---only that I am a PTTS. What the hell is that I ask....are ya ready my friends? I am a Possible Threat To Society!!!!! He said it is likely tied to the other "me" in TN, when she died she had both local and federal warrants. I ask this man, our esteemed Chief of Police, who do I see? How do I go about clearing this? There is a high liklihood of me traveling out of the country! He has no idea........aaarrgghhh I love incompetancy!!! By the time I left there, (yes I did get my license renewed, did it for 8 years this time) I was very likely a threat to several people. I need to be making calls, but wonder where the hell to call??? Guess I will start with our state office of the MVD...have to begin the run around somewhere!!! Wish me luck!!! Kat

Well crew I am headed to bed, where it hopefully will remain dark and quiet! Terry---I can only imagine the pain you have buried. I also believe your DH's reaction to be quite normal, although understandably unacceptable among men---especially in our age group. I don't know why---but most of my friends, we all have similar situations. My DH is willing to talk to me about most anything, he includes me in all plans, and would be over the moon if I had quit smoking---he rides our son all the time!!! BUT let us have an arguement, notice I do not say fight, because he clams up, and prefers to pretend all is well---or wait out my mood. Makes me nuts. For awhile I attributed it to his being cautious around me, and considerate....through the years, I have realized it is his way of dealing with it...by NOT dealing with it. My best friend Becky who I have mentioned many times, is about 4 weeks into quitting. She has smoked for years, quit with me when I quit, and she only made it 2 days!!! Now her moron DH even tells her if she gets grumpy that he'll go buy her cigarettes...NO support. Rick believes it is because he thinks now that she gave up her cigarettes, she is going to rag on him about his beer!!!! He may be right!!! Ok I am exhausted...I picked lots today, I have lots to put away. I shelled about a bushel of peas today---enough my wrists ache, I am off to bed. Giant hugs to you Terry. Pamela--my cousin who I am very close with, teaches here at a middle school level, and coaches volleyball after school---she called me today and ask me if she dug the hole and if she jumped in of her own accord would I please come cover her over!!! Her year is off to a rocky start as well. Difficult age span I think. OK girls---talk to ya in the morning! Kat

Hi everyone- Would love to say my mood has totally turned around, but I hate to lie to friends! I am better, just kinda enjoying my grouch I think!!! I have done the old turn it on, and turn it off thing today, so I guess it isn't too bad. Went to Red Lobster for lunch with my folks, and Kinsey, and oh yeah that one guy, the one who kept me awake all night with the friggin TV!!!! Then went to the farm, and picked all afternoon....now have an evening of shelling peas ahead of me, then I am freezing them, so it isn't too bad. Have lots of new potatoes, so going to make some creamed peas and new potatoes tomorrow. Tonight, I am doing easy burritos, nothing much to do, once it is in the pot! Terry---now this may be TMI---but here goes. Back when Ricks heart valve failed, he was having issues with his hands, and feet, and other extremeties (!) not getting proper blood flow...because the heart was not pumping enough oxygenated blood to support his body. Nothing ever quit working, it just did not work at optimum levels!!! Well the heart got fixed, and he is like a 13 year old boy---he thinks he has a new toy!!! The sex is always good, there has never been an issue with that, if the sex had been bad along with the TV---I would not have been grumpy, I'd have been downright bitchy!!!!! LMAO!!! Between his new and improved heart, and my weight loss---we feel like newlyweds again! I was banded in April, they discovered his failed valve less than 3 weeks later. So we "healed" together!! Tracy, the jeans are an awesome accomplishment my friend!!! Remember back just a few short months ago, when I sent you the clothes you though you would never be able to get into? They have all been passed on, all too big! You have done so well!!! You know I don't wanna do this...but I just gotta!!!! TOLD YOU SO!!!!! Gina might have a point if the stomach ache does not go away, or if he gets nauseated, or feverish. Have him lie on the bed, and put his feet on the floor, if he can put them back up on the bed without assistance, it is likely not acute apendicitis---if he can't---have him checked! Back about 6 years ago, on the 3rd of July, Rick got sick, his belly hurt, he tried everything, refused to go to the hospital...until about 1 AM. When we got there, they did all the testing they could, they were running a skeleton crew for the 4th (idiots). They thought it was appendix, but he hurt all across his belly, so they were worried he had a twisted intestine. They finally determined it was appendix between the feet on the floor, and a CT scan. They ask if he wanted it done laproscopically, he said whatever was fastest just get it done! When they got in there his appendix was HUGE. A normal appendix is smaller than your pinkie, and inflamed on about the size of your thumb....Ricks was 9 1/2 inches long!!! They looked it up to see if it was a record, the record was 13 inches. It was a record for our Dr., and this hospital though! He had this hilarious and sexy as hell nurse, named Patrick, and he was so much fun, he made a sign for Rick's hospital room door that said Man with the HUGE appendage...then scratched out appendage and wrote appendix in little letters!!! Rick hated him, because he was always making us laugh---and post op laughing is not fun!!! They said with the size of it, the amount of poison it held could have killed him almost instantly if it had burst! So I am a firm believer in getting it checked out! Better safe than sorry!!! Laura, I am sorry you are still having OOMTOM's---that really sucks!!! Good luck finding someone to talk to. DD is not thrilled with their family therapist. She is unhappy.....hope they get it figured out, same as you! Rick called, and wants me to make reservations to go to Vegas the end of the month for bike fest. We thought he would be working so didn't think we could go, but his coworker needed to trade out a different weekend....so maybe we will!!! WoooHooo!!! Well I need to go stir my thawing green chile, I tell ya I am working hard on this dinner thing!!!! TTYL Kat

LOL @ Cerrin---nicely! My surgeon was 5 hours by car, and another 5 by air to get to. My fill Dr., is 6 hours one way.....and it is still without a doubt 100% worth it!!!! Kat

I was banded the end of April of '06, and by August I had lost the first 50 pounds. I lost 8 of them pre op. The weight loss slowed down then, and I also began replacing some of the fat with muscle, as I finally felt like I wanted to work out a bit!!! It felt good! I had NEVER thought that before!!! I wish I was as strong as losingjusme...I don't give my cravings a day!!!! If I want the chocolate, I have a hersheys kiss, and am able now to leave it at that. Dr.s have to be very conservative in their assessments. If he told you you would lose 100 pounds in a year, and you only lost 30 you would be dissappointed and angry. If he tells you you will likely only lose 30 pounds in a year, and you lose 100---you are happy and thrilled with him and the band both!!! He has to give you numbers with the possibility that YOU may not do anything to help the band along---healthy diet, and exercise wise. The last 50+ pounds coming off have taken another year---but I have lost lots of inches, I am toning up, even if not losing massive pounds suddenly. I was on 2 high blood pressure meds, Lotensin, and HCTZ, a blood sugar med, Metformin, and a high cholesterol med, Lovastatin. Within 6 weeks, I was taking lowered doses of HCTZ ONLY...all others had been discontinued, and now I no longer take any HCTZ. While some medications might have to be continued, the weight loss will make some others unnecessary. My savings in RX co pays alone is over $100.00 a month! I probably spend about the same on food...I buy better food now though! I no longer buy by quantity...but by quality. A nice filet, as opposed to bigger amounts of a lesser cut. Fresh veggies, as opposed to canned. I buy butter as opposed to margarine now---I use so little of it, now that I don't inhale 4 pieces of toast a morning--I can afford to use butter! A pound of Almonds costs more than a bag of potato chips---but it last me much longer, and is a great snack for me...a healthy snack! I eat chips on occasion, but they leave a greasy feel in my mouth, and I gross out on that!!! There are lots of differences, your mileage with the band might be different from mine or different from someone done the same day---but if you work with your band, I have full faith that you can lose far more than 50 pounds---especially over 2 years. Of course I can say that, I am not your Dr. You are not going to file a silly law suit on me if it doesn't happen!!!!! Are you???!!! I LOVE my band!!! Kat

Morning everyone.... I am so tired I am a total grump!!! Jane, maybe I need to call the hospital for you since I am in such a wonderful, get along with everyone, mood!!!! That does not sound at all right, have you discussed the overpay with your insurance. Hell if it was me, and even if they reimbursed the insurance it would set better than them keeping it all! I never received CS from Manda's Dad. I filed with Child Support Enforcement Division, I needed medical help, my DD was hurting, and was seeing a Dr. for some growth plate issues on her hip. He had insurance available, was making good money---the whole 9 yards, and nothing for support. I gave CSED his home and work addresses, and phone numbers, and his SS#. They grabbed him almost immediately, and he began paying weekly, since he was paid weekly. Well at that time, the money was paid to CSED, and then they paid me....minues $50.00 a month. Yeah right! When it began I did not have a case worker assigned to me, so when he mailed his check in, they just amassed in my file for 8 weeks, until he called to question it. OOoops! So they entered all 8 weeks worth of payments under one payment, then sent him a letter that he was over paid to hold further payments until notification. Then my file was promptly pushed to the back, as the department went through several more directors etc. Eventually I give it up. Everytime I tried to pursue it, the courts had to, by law, recognize he had received the document stating not to pay until notified, from a government agency...and would dismiss it, telling me to contact the dept. I had no case worker, no one was willing to deal with it. It become too much. I had no right to the records with CSED, I had no rights to EX's records, all I had the right to do was raise a child on my own...so I did! Now fast forward 10 years, I am married to my DH, and I get a letter addressed to me under my former name. It is a check for a whopping $38.65!!! They had held a refund from him, but charged me the $50.00 a month, from the time I had applied with CSED---regardless of the fact, I never received anything! I called, and they told me it was to repay for federal aid given, when I questioned that they told me it was to repay welfare---uh uh I was never on welfare! Oh, so then they open my file, and explain, I signed an agreement, for them to hold the $50.00 a month---so they did. They really work and are concerned for the child!!! Seems they had pulled the EX's license finally, he made a deal, and settled with them was what happen, not a refund---and his child saw none of it. So he was caught, and had to pay---for 1 yep you read it right 1 more month until she was of age!!! I actually had a judge tell me I was looking for justice in an unjust world!!! I remember the hassles, and the disbelief that someone would not want to be involved with such a wonderful kid! He too is one who now wants a relationship with her, and she does see him, but mostly only to see the kids---he has several more. She will no longer go to "his" house---he now lives with a former good friend of mine, that Manda grew up seeing as a supportive Aunt. The idiot actually accompanied me to court to try to make him pay---same as I went with her. Now she CHOOSES to live with what she knows is a loser???? Takes one to know one I am guessing!!! I wish I had big words of encouragement---CS is such a sore subject, DH & I paid, every month it was in her mailbox by the 1st of each month.....the kicker? The kids lived with us 90% of the time, but she told him, she would enforce the custody if we quit paying....so we paid, until the kids could say where they wanted to be. Oh well, we have good kids from it anyway!!! So last night, DH could not go to sleep. I had no problem. As soon as my head hit the pillow I think I was out. Rick claims he had no idea I went to sleep so fast, and he had other ideas---to make himself sleepy I imagine!!! So I ended up woke up! When I realized I really had only been in bed for like 7 minutes, I wasn't too mad...so ok we were awake for awhile (!), then I was ready to go back to sleep, but he turned on the TV---I absolutely HATE that!!!! I am moving the TV out of the bedroom today. We occasionally will go to bed early just to watch a movie, or catch Jay Leno, whatever, if I am not trying to sleep! But hell no, he left the TV on for an hour and a half. I know how long, because he kept setting the timer for 30 minutes thinking he'd go to sleep. And then he wouldn't so I would get the shut off, and the turn back on---finally the 3rd time I was pissed, I stormed out and off to the guest room, he was apologizing, and saying he would turn it off. To hell with that, if he is willing to turn it off now that I am mad, why bother! By then it is 1:30 in the morning, I woke up again at 3 for who knows why!! Then the alarm went off at 5. GRUMPY!!!! From now on, he wants to watch TV in bed, he can....from the extra bedroom!!!! I want it dark and quiet---so I guess he can watch it in the extra bedroom, with the door closed!!! He keeps calling...he hates me being mad. All I know is he better just settle in on his side of that king size bed tonight, and SLEEP!! And let me do the same! Guess I'll take my yawning, whining butt off & get dressed!!!! Thanks for listening girls!!! Kat

Welcome everyone!!! You will receive many different responses to the idea of being banded....some are formed simply because the person is not informed about the band, and its very low rate of complications, so they are filled with worry for you, and yet others have jealousy issues over it. The only person who can ultimately make the decision for you is YOU! Attend seminars, talk to bandsters, and read up on this and other forums, research until your heart is convinced it is for you. As for preparing...I would say to begin doing your best to eat like a bandster. Yes your portion size will be bigger, since you will be doing so without benefit of the actual band. Try taking small bites, chewing well, eliminating carbonation. Learning to avoid drinking with your meals. Eat healthy foods. Yes, if we could maintain this plan, none of us would likely have needed the band!!! But all you will be doing is jump starting the weight loss with the band. Eating like this is MUCH easier with a properly filled band in place, as hunger is gone. Good choices are much easier to make when you are not ravenous all the time! If you work now at reducing and eventually eliminating all sugar and flour from your diet, you will make the post op recovery much simpler. This is not to say that you will never eat these things again---you can! But when you eat sugar, and carbs, it raises your blood sugar, and causes you to crave more of the same. When you eliminate them, it eases the cravings. Just learning all you can about how the surgery is done, and why the diet has to be followed is helpful as well. Knowledge is power---it helps you over the hurdle when you know why they want you to jump it in the first place!!! Hang out, read around this site, and others....absorb lots of info. And feel free to ask any questions you have---I'll bet not only will you not be the first person to ask it, but I also bet there will be others out there, who will appreciate knowing the answer as well!!! Good Luck! Kat

Sniffly nose here. AND it happened before being banded too!!! I have begun watching and talking to others who are not banded and find that they get it too. Was just telling my Mom today at lunch when she dug out a kleenex, that it was her body telling her to stop eating. She looked at me like I grew an extra head, looked down at her barely half eaten salad, and finished her meal!!! When there is no pain to follow the soft stop signal....I guess there is no incentive to stop. Still kinda irritated me the way she blew off the idea!!!! Kat

Welcome Denise, glad to have you here at LBT---look forward to watching your progress! Kat

when you apply to get the lap band how long does it take for them to let you get it? do you have to lose weight first? It all depends on your individual insurance. Some have had approval within days, others it takes months, and is often denied, and requires an appeal. I would call the insurance company, or have your Mom, and find out what they require, most have different requirements before they will pay for it. does it really hurt that bad? i can deal with quite a bit of pain but i dont want to be in agony.... In my own experience, this qualified as discomfort, not pain, I have had surgery before, and this was much less painful. But again it varies from person to person. Your young age, and overall health will be in your favor. is it really hard to have only liquids? im scared i wont be able to hold my urges back did anyone else have this problem? It takes discipline yes, we all had struggles from time to time with the liquids only phase. I found coming here, and venting, and hearing I was not alone helped me lots! Also that is when I began walking, because it got me away from anything I could eat, until the worst of the urge passed. As you learn more about the actual surgery itself, you will understand the importance of following especially the post op diet, and knowledge is power, it helps you overcome the cravings. Does anyone have a certain thing they had to give up for this surgery? how hard was it? I am a bigg soda drinker does anyone have any suggestions on how to cut it back before the surgery? I quit all soda--diet included--about 2 months prior to my surgery, began weaning myself off of lots of different sugar loaded things. It helps after the surgery with the cravings. Same with carbs...carbs make you crave carbs. This is not to say you will never be able to eat them again, just that during the hardest part, the liquid phase, being off of them before, helps keep you from craving them so badly following. What are some problems people have been having due to this surgery? has anything been stressfull? The big issues are slippage, where the band slides up or down, and you lose restriction. The other is erosion, where the band works its way into the stomach itself. Both as a whole are very rare. More common issues, include being over filled, and needing a quick unfill, acid reflux, and esophagus dilation, which can be helped by a few days of liquids again. Other issues include, hair loss in some people (I was one) but it does grow back, and you do not lose it all! And an inability to eat some foods, at different levels of restriction. Does this really work? if i do get it can i count on loosing some weight? I mean i know it comes in due time but how long does it take? weeks months years? I actually lost weight prior to surgery, and my Dr. was not one who required that. But losing the sugar and flour, trying to help the cravings, caused me to lose pounds too! I am almost a year and a half out and have lost over 100 pounds. There is a woman who was banded the same time I was who has lost well over 200 pounds!!! Others have lost less, but, a lot of it depends on you---you can and you will lose with the band, if you work the band, and pay attention to eating healthy. The band makes doing that much, much easier, without the constant hunger. lol i know alot of questions but i really need to get some of them answered to help me decide...still going... anyone my age got it done and succeeded? I really can't help you there---I have no idea. There was a 12 year old girl made the news not long ago for having it done---so yes it is being done. I personally do not know any to offer any info from. are the cravings really hard to overcome? Some are, others just go away, your tastes begin to change. I find foods high in fat not too tasty anymore, chewing them well, leaves a yucky coating in my mouth---I find I just don't care to have them anymore. do you have to have a certain BMI to get it done? This is a question the first call to the insurance should answer. Most surgeons I think require a BMI of 35. Less sometimes with serious co morbidities---high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea etc. if some people my age read this can you give me tips on how you got through it? Hope they do!!!! does anyone puke after a few days getting used to not eating so much? We do our version of puking occasionally, here it is referred to as a PB---the biggest difference, is there is nothing but thick saliva (known here as slime) and the chewed food, no stomach acids, they are in the lower stomach, and do not get passed the band. It hurts to eat too much and PB---so it is a form of aversion therapy---it is unpleasant so we try not to do it. It is also bad for the band sometimes, it increases your risk for a slippage, and most of us have come to love and rely on our bands, have been highly successful with them, so we really do not want to lose them!!! How is sleeping, sitting, going to the bathroom and so forth? is it hard? The first days out of surgery, you move carefully, you have incisions etc. After that I don't have any issue with the band and sleeping, or sitting. I eat cereal, or I have constipation issues, because I eat less, bulky food. and lastly for now.... is it all worth it? have most of you had success or not? I would do it again in a heartbeat! I would take my Mother or my Daughter for it if they needed it---I am so pleased with my results, and the health I have regained---it was 100% without a doubt worth it!!! I was taking a handful of prescription meds before surgery, now take none!!!! Don't worry about asking too many questions, it is how you learn!!! Welcome ! Kat

Man Laura I have no idea where to begin with recipes for you!!! I would resort to the old meat & taters I am afraid!!! I do a crescent roll chicken thing as well, but mine has different ingredients, and I of course tend to change it up depending on what I have on hand!!! It begins with a sauce (I know, I know!!!) of butter, chicken stock, thickener--flour or cornstarch--some half & half---but now I use skim milk!!! Then add a brick of cream cheese. To it add chicken---any kind any way---cubed, shredded, light, dark, it makes no difference! I add some celery, onion, sometimes some carrots for color, or diced roasted red peppers. Divide and spoon onto the 4 squares of dough. Just before baking them, crumble a slice of bacon over the mixture on each square. My kids loved them---but lucky for me---my kids were, and continue to be more adventurous eaters than I am!!! They eat a much more varied diet than I do!!! My son went to the garden the other day at Grandma's picked some mustard greens, and took them home and cooked them for himself!!! I do not care for greens, and only very occasionally would even remember to cook them for the kids, and they all like them!!! Same with okra---yech! They all love it! Even pickled! I will think about it, and look through my recipes---and if something seems even slightly likely, I will pass it on. My DIL is trying to learn new recipes as well, she is pouring over magazines all the time! Tracy---are the other mothers involved with this man at all? Any chance of using them and facing off with him as a unit? With one or all? I know that is horrid to go through---big giant hugs go out to both you and Terry!!! Terry---I was sitting in Applebees with one of the couples we went riding with for the rally, and I had on my bracelet. This woman across from us, who happened to be quite heavy, although not my original size---told me she just loved my bracelet! She went on to say (get this Judy) that she was a ministers wife, and usually always had one of many she owned on...just not that day! I told her a friend had made this one for me, and while we all appreciate the What Would Jesus Do? This one actually was a play and stood for What Would Judy Do---trying to keep me in line with my diet, and I mentioned to her that our Judy was also a ministers wife. She got quite a laugh out of it, and told me that was really funny, but that if she only had as much to lose as I did she wouldn't worry too much about dieting! I was so happy I wanted to kiss this strange woman!!! I told her I had lost over a hundred pounds, and some of it without a doubt to our own WWJD. She was shocked, and ask how I did it, so I told her I had a lap band, and both the friend who made it, and the Judy it referred to were women I had never face to face met, but were my on line band buddies. She got huge tears in her eyes, and said she kept seeing the lion and kitty commercial on TV, but had not known anyone to have had it done! She ask if she could call me, I gave her my #'s, my email, you name it!!! It was so great!!! My friend Joyce, who I have known since 5th grade, told me after that talk she wanted the band---she weighs maybe 135 pounds!!! Your bracelet may have inspired someone---if it did nothing else, it gave her hope...way to go my friend!!! I am off to finish dinner. I fried chicken strips---I know they are not the best, but they are soooo good!!! I have a artery nightmare for dinner!!! Will do better tomorrow! Kat

Maizenut, welcome to LBT. Sorry things seem so bleak at this time. Have you decided where you want the surgery done? Just getting an idea of that will give you an idea of cost. There are several credit companies who give medical loans...Citibank does I believe. Not sure on rates, it will depend on your credit history. But keep in mind, if you do get it, and maintain good standing with your payments to them and other creditors over the next year or so, you could switch the balance at that time to a lower APR. Do you have a medical FSA at your job you could use? My suggestion would be to see your Dr, tomorrown, and treat the depression, then as you begin to feel a bit more hopeful, work on getting financed. It is often a struggle for us to finance this surgery, and doing so, while knowing you are currently depressed, is going to be even harder. Take it one step at a time, and feel free to hang out, chat with us about our bands, and the trials and tribulations, as compared to our lives with obesity. Learn all you can. Research it thoroughly, then when you have a more positive outlook, take the next step. Parents really do want what is best, and of course safest for us. Unfortunately, unless someone is wanting the band, they seldom know much about it, and judge it harshly, and unfairly. Maybe suggest Mom check out LBT....? Welcome to our little group, and please look around, get some ideas of life with the band, and make an informed decision, when you feel better about making it. Good Luck with the depression. (((hugs)))) Kat

Welcome Bloo, Welcome Toots---congrats on your great decision to be banded---I believe you will LOVE it!!! Hang out, read around on the thread, and if you have questions---ask away, we are usually a helpful, and supportive group!!! Kat

Hmmmmmmm makes me think about asking DH is he wants to play DR tonight!!!!! On a more serious note....(!) I believe if my fill Dr ever gave me an orgasm of any kind, in any way, I would heebie jeebie myself right off the table!!! Kat

Share those recipes Laura!!!! Will rack my brain for some for you---remind me again what it is you DO like!!! j/k-----we can work with picky---my DH was called Picky Ricky by his siblings growing up---though now you'd never know it! Kat

Awww Tracy, you and Terry are dealing with some seriously upsetting things when it comes to your kids...I can relate. I will be sending good vibes your directions!!! And will remember you in my prayers too. Terry---I got the most wonderful compliment on my bracelet---will relate it when I have more time! But thank you again! Jenn--at least you have no hangover keeping you from the gym----I would have, I am such a wimp!!! Pamela---hope you get a wonderful group of kids this year!!! TracyK---at least it is a short week!!! Well I am off to try and hunt down some red & white gingham check table cloths, and napkins, and western party decorations. My SIL's decided to give my FIL an 80th birthday party. They did a 4 way call last night amongst the siblings, while my DH was under the influence of his pain meds for his neck....so now we have a list of things we have to do because doofus that he can be agreed to it---and he is working. So I am picking my Mom up and we are taking Kinsey and going shopping...fun!!! Everyone have a good day---will check in with you all when I get back! Wish me luck, when I have something specific to find, I hardly EVER find it!!! Kat

Sorry about that, I hated to just close it and forget what I was thinking---but my parents showed up, and she needed me to look up and book some motel rooms for them---so I just sent it as it was! Yes BJean, I am in the Northwest corner of New Mexico. All in all, a wonderful place to be. want2beme, says she is sorry for those of us living in backwards towns---there are always trade offs, in everything you do! While I am in a small town with a very low Black, and Asian population for instance, we have very high numbers of both Hispanic, and Native American (both Navajo and Ute reservations within miles.) Our acceptance varies based on what is common to our area, but the small town we live in, is safe for children to ride their bikes to the park, and the town shows up in force for Little League baseball, we have parades for everything imaginable. Our schools are ranked highly, we are considered an urban area, when you combine the 3 close by towns, so our shopping, and prices are comparable. Time, as well as generations will pass, and I fervently hope that as they do, the racial issues will be lessened, and our town as well as many others will become more accepting of racial differences. But all in all, I am completely happy with where I live despite the tensions that arise from time to time. The issue is not limited to "backwards towns"....bad attitudes exist in big cities, and small towns as well. Kat

I walk, I go to the gym, I shop---in normal sizes now, I ride horses, I get on the floor and play with my grandkids. I also spend time shopping for food, I now go to the Farmers Markets..find fresh wholesome foods...and search out new tasty ways to prepare it. The changes in what I do, and how I do them are numerous!!! Kat