Kat817

Kelly said it all---take care of you and the kids, and let the situation kind of take care of itself at this point. Make no concrete decisions, just concentrate on keeping life safe and healthy for you and the kids. The weight loss is great!!! Gotta take your good news where you can get it right now!!! Keep us posted, I'll be thinking of you! Kat

BJean, I paid as much attention to that in the middle as if it had been the advertisement itself!!! As for the rest of your post...I read the article, and was left to do what I usually do when reading about our illustrious leader...shook my head in wonder and shame... Kat

TracyK, it is a little hard to see the haircut itself in the picture, but it looks good!!! I like it a lot!! The swoop across the forehead is really flattering. My bangs got so thin, it was hard to even see them! They are coming back, but my hair looks soooo bad! I am not willing yet to give up my length, this time of year it is too easy to just whip up into a ponytail and go! Last time I cut it, not being able to put it up was really hard for me, especially if we go riding. I love that you made you a new avatar!!! Looks soooo good! Did your hairdresser say you had any new growth? I do, I can see it, 2 inches tall sticking out all over my head! Seriously! I really like your color! Good job----now order me to do mine!!! Kat

Wow Mandy---they all look great!!!!! I like the last one, in the way that it looks younger---more fun than serious. But heck the other 2 are VERY flattering as well. So I based my vote on your young age, and hip attitude, and went for the least conservative!!! Happy Birthday Eileenies DD!!! Hope y'all have a great party! We are hanging out, at home, Kinsey is napping right now. Rick worked late, so we did not get to take her for her Pot Stickers she requested for dinner (so much for 2 year olds wanting McDonalds!!), so will try to get there today. We took her to our friends ice cream shop last night, and I had one of those moments we all look forward to!!! We were standing listening to Kinsey rattle on with Pam, the owner, and this couple walked up. The gal and I used to be very good friends, until she decided to sleep with my boyfriend of the time. She is now married to another friends former (her being the cause) fiance. When we were friends, I was very thin, but through the years she has seen me many times, and always has a smirk---and tries to act like we are still best buds. So last night they walked up, right past us, never aknowledging us at all. I let them order, then I said "Hi Debbie, how's it goin'?" She turned with this questioning look, then her jaw literally dropped--you could see the shock! She semi recovered and spoke, and the attention was turned to Kinsey--she never said a word about my weight, but with her reaction, no words were necessary! I LOVED it! We both are about equal in our "overweight" now!!! And I have 7 inches on her in height, so I can carry my extra 20-25 much easier! That is tacky---but she deserves it!!! She worked as a receptionist where we had gone for years to have our taxes done. I cringed when I saw her there, but figured oh well. She called me over and told me with as much money as Rick makes, we are withholding way too much, then she wanted to know how many hours he had to work to make that much money. Girls I lied! He works a wierd schedule, where he has over 40 one week, and under the next. I just told her 40 a week....she was just wondering, her DH was thinking of a change!!! She was thinking $$$$!! I took our dishes out to the park, for the church picnic, but by the time I got there Kinsey was asleep in her car seat. It is already over 90----so I dropped the food, and come home, carried her in, and she has yet to wake up. We might go out for a few minutes when she wakes up. I was not willing to face the heat, with a 2 year old grumpy from an interupted nap!!! Call me chicken!!! So Darcy---what's crawled up the ex's hiney? Is the cabin too far for him to see Emily as often? Is she bothered by that? Cindy---you going to be volunteering all year at school again? Did they ever decide for sure one way or another on the paid position you hoped for? Sorry if you already answered that---this last year has been so crazy---I forget everything! Betty---looks like we will be planning to go down the first week or so in November. Rick has quite a bit of time off coming---so we have to work out the exact days. I am excited to go, I miss the place, plus going makes life feel normal again. Sherry, Chris, Beannie, miss you girls! Jessica, this group, is especially wonderful for support. I also recommend you look up and find a thread, for the month you are banded--you know--say an October group, if you end up banded in October. Not that all of us would not do our best to help and remember how we did for you (like we try for Patty), but it is so nice to have others going through similar things at the time! My DH has finally quit looking at me strangely when I speak of my friends here at LBT. I cannot say that he "gets it", but he accepts it! Men have different friendships anyway, and for me to feel this close to women I have never met, confuses him I suppose!!! You will find wonderful support here! We are glad you joined us! Patty---I don't have a strict diet plan---I eat whatever--I just eat less of it, and eat what we have in different ways. Yesterday as an example. For breakfast, I had a scrambled egg with cheese and green chile. I ate most of it....if I slow down towards the end, and it gets cold, it is unappealling, so I don't eat it, cold eggs, yuck! I had 5 Bugle snack things with Kinsey later, I know it was 5 because she put them on the tips of all of my fingers! For lunch I ate some chicken salad, on Town House crackers....probably 1/2 cup salad, and 5-6 crackers. I ate a nectarine, and some almonds yesterday afternoon. The nectarine was iffy, it sat high in my belly for awhile, when I finally began drinking lots, it passed on through. For supper, we had grilled chicken, macaroni and cheese, and fried zucchini, and fresh tomatoes. Normally I would have eaten my fill of the mac & cheese, and the fried squash, and settled with a standard serving of chicken. Now I make the chicken the biggest part of my meal. I have learned I need to have teeny tiny bites, and not being a real picky person, if I load my fork with a combo, it is much easier for me to chew, and I haven't had nearly the problems with things sticking. We had the shells and cheese last night, and I would take like a small bite of chicken, and a single shell, and not have any problem, if I try to eat a full bite of just pasta, it is too hard to chew thoroughly. All total I ate less than 1/4 cup of pasta, had mostly chicken, and a spear of squash. I was full! When they had ice cream last night, I was still too full to entertain the idea of dessert! I feel like I probably ate too much chicken, I would have been better off weight wise, to cut down the amount, but...it kept me good and full for a long time. This morning we had cereal for breakfast, and had a banana for snack. We were going to eat at the picnic, and instead she is sleeping---so I have not eaten lunch, I may skip it, since we are doing Chinese tonight!!! I could probably get the rest of the weight off if I would diet seriously, or consider another fill. But I am doing so well health wise, no PB problems, or anything, and the weight is slowly dropping still. I have decided to just let it be. With my luck I would get over full, and begin a chain of problems due to my own impatience!!! Well I am off to pick up a little, my MIL just called, and my FIL is coming over for a hair cut, so best check and clean up. Talk to y'all later!!! Kat

Pamela, I am so sorry you had issues getting your fill. My first fill was a bit traumatic, and almost didn't happen either. I cannot tell you how many times I was poked. He filled out the paperwork to send me to the hospital for it to be done under fluoro. At the time he was having a new office built, and it was the week before the move, so some things had transferred over, but it was not ready--so I was going to be sent to the hospital. So I went sadly out to the waiting room, and my SIL went in for her fill, and he hit her 1st shot out of the box. She has always been able to feel her port. He said surgeons tend to place them in patients the same way, but I have VERY dense muscles he said, and also carry all of my weight in my belly. So he wanted to try one more time since he had figured out where it should be by where my SIL's was. Sure enough, he went right into it that time, and it was maybe an inch from where he thought it was. Add to that I have the low profile, smaller port, and the area to hit on it, is about the size of a pencil eraser. So I come home, and made a map!!!! Took a piece of paper, and drew where my port scar is, and then an exact location of where he hit my port at. I took it with me to the next fill. By then we could actually feel my port...and it still took 4 pokes to hit it! Mine is tipped a little sideways, and deep as I said before. So it has never been easy. In hind sight, that may have been good for me. When my SIL went for her 3rd fill, I declined, not wanting to deal with it, while DH was going through his heart surgery and all---and that is when she ended up overfilled. To this day I have fair restriction, but am able to eat most all things, in moderation and often in modified ways---but I can eat, and am still losing very slowly. So it has been over a year since my last fill. I'd bet they get it pictured, and fill you without issue. Hang in there Hon, it will be alright. He told me even if mine had flipped all the way over, it is an office procedure to put it back in place. I don't know what else has you so upset, but consider yourself (((((cyber hugged))))) Don't forget we are here for you! Jenn, I agree Terry has true talent! When I first joined LBT, there was a woman on here, by the name of Penni--and she was SOOO welcoming, and helpful to me. She was a jewelry designer, and sold her creations, for a living. She lives in CA, and she had a thread on here awhile back, they filmed Ghost Whisperer in her house! She sent me a huge box of books when we found out we read the same author. There was a terrible mess on LBT quite awhile back, and while we lost the one causing most of the problems, we lost good members too! Most (including Penni) can be found on another board---2 of them actually started the other board---but I sure miss some of them here! This other board does gift exchanges on holidays--I actually got Penni's name once, I always hoped she'd get mine so I could get some cool jewelry! Now I got some!!! Thanks again Terry!!!!! Sounds like you had a wild night girl!!! 3 hours sleep! I am too old! Lucky for me, Kinsey is quite comfortable being here, she went to bed, and slept til Papa woke her this morning while he was getting ready, and I brought her into bed with me and she slept then til 7:30. We are supposed to go to a church picnic today---but they changed the time, and now it is in the heat of the day, so thinking we might skip it. There will not be enough playground equipment for all the kids, and I don't care to stand in the sun pushing the swing!!! Originally they were going to start at 4, and have dinner, then the youth were going to do a little service. But I got a flyer in the mail, that they changed it, and now it is begining at 11 and running until 4. And we are supposed to break high temperature records today. Kinsey is such a little blondie she flushes beet red in the heat too! On the other thread I visit regularly, we have exchanged home addresses, and emails---we did it when out of the blue one of our regulars disappeared---she posted daily for a year, then nothing. She had a son in Iraq, and we have all worried over it. So at Christmas, we all shared our addresses, so we could exchange cards. I will be glad to make the list, and when it is complete send it off to each of you by email---if you want. If you want to be included, PM me your info, I will compile it into a simple list for all of us. Nothing will be given out to anyone else, and I won't bombard anyones email with Viagra ads!!! You know Denise, What Would Joe DO? Might not be the best answer for weight loss, but it sounds like a perfect reminder to love yourself all the time! My DH is the same way, he never made any negative remarks about my weight, never made me feel less loved, or less desirable---but I can guarantee you he loves the change!!! But WWRD---just doesn't have the right sound!!! Well my FIL is coming over for a haircut, and my house looks like a wreck---like I have a 2 year old!!! So guess I'll get busy! Gotta decide if I am going pic-nic-ing or not too!!! Will catch the rest of you later today! Kat

Well we had a good evening, Kinsey finally went down. Papa had her pretty wound up...rough housing and ice cream---he takes his Grandpa-ing very seriously!!! She is a character--I am enjoying her so much, this is one of my very favorite ages for kids. She is learning so much so fast, and is so willing to share it. No embarassment at singing for a stranger, or dancing herself silly while we all clap! Her new word she has heard, and does not understand in the least is "bored". She hears Lindzie say she is bored, so she tries to use the word, but has no clue how--cracks me up! She didn't want more chicken because it was bored. I'll tell you what, it is so much easier to bathe her and shampoo her hair, than it was before losing weight! My older granddaughter (I miss her sooooo much) Allyson, it was a struggle for me to get up and down to help her in the tub. Now I have no problem!! We have a church picnic tomorrow, so will be in and out. Originally it was supposed to begin at 4, we were going to have the bbq/potluck, and have an evening service in the park, done by the youth group. But I got a flyer in the mail yesterday and it is now begining at 11 and ending at 4. I hate the change, it is right in the hottest part of the day. So since I have Kinsey, we may go for a little bit, take our dishes, and leave early. She flushes so easy, she is such a blondie! Been hum- hawing about what to take, no salads with mayo---nothing like that in the heat of the day. We have so many fresh tomatoes, I think I will do a tomato, cucmber, & onion salad thing that Rick likes, and then make some kind of cake or I have a reallllly good cookie bar made with a cake mix...it would hol dup well in the heat. PLUS---then I get to eat a piece, and not have the whole thing here tempting me!! Well it is so quiet here---I think I too will head to bed. Y'all take care, will check in with you tomorrow! Kat

Today I took my granddaughter (2yrs old) to the park, and I climbed up to the spiral slide, and slid down with her, then we sat together on a swing--we used to call is spider swinging--her straddling me while we swang, and we both fit,without the swing being so tight as to cut off circulation to her legs!!! Then when we almost missed the snow cone truck cuz Granny's purse was in the car, we actually run to catch up to it!!! What a day! Lots of Moms just sitting around, some bigger, some smaller, but few seeming to enjoy themselves. They don't realize how nice it is to be "born again"!!! Kat

Maria, have you spoke to your Dr.? It sounds as though your first fill may have been too aggressive. I small amount removed should ease up the eating. What is the problem with trying a small amount of warm liquid (tea for instance) prior to eating a meal? No one ever guaranteed this to be all fun and games, but you are definitely not getting what you should out of your band. It sounds like you have too much restriction. IF you are taking small bites, and chewing well, you should not be in horrid pain that way. I have NEVER had pain from eating when I eat the way I should. When I get in a hurry and do not chew well, or gobble too big of a bite, it can feel painful, but not on tiny well chewed bites. Instead of being ashamed of US---since this is YOUR issue---call your Dr. and take care of it! A too tight band can cause serious problems, both with your band, and with your general health. I don't know anything about pain in the neck following surgery, I never experienced anything like that. I took some pain meds the day of surgery in the hospital, but come home taking nothing more than liquid Tylenol. I cannot advise you on taking pills---other than to discuss that with your Dr. when you call him about being unable to eat properly. Are you taking in any Protein, in shake form or anything? It will help with energy, and overall healing. I wish you luck in resolving your problems. They do not however represent everyone with a band---you may be ashamed of me, but I'm not!!! Kat

HI everyone! Terry---girl what can I say? The bracelet is beautiful---I LOVE IT!!!! Mine has kind of a gold overtone with turquoise beaded highlights....I wear tons of turquoise right hand rings---I mean I live in the southwest---border a reservation!!! I LOVE IT!!! THANK YOU!!!! Seriously, thank you from the tip of my head to the soles of my feet! You are too sweet for words! Laura---A HUGE difference girl! Wow! No wonder the shirts fit so much better! You are right, the curve of a waist is there for sure---hourglass here she comes!!! Tracy---I have always been a girlie girl---but I find myself, wearing sundresses to go shop, or to hang around the house in! Not dressy---but dresses! My FIL laughs at me, says I am the only person he knows who wears make up, and jewelry, with painted finger nails to brand cows!!! I too need my eyebrows done---mine are very pale, but I know they are getting shaggy---I am afraid of getting old people wild hair eyebrows! The biggest difference I find in how I dress, is that I am enjoying more fitted clothes. Before I would wear stretch jeans, or capri's in the summer, and a full cut loose, long, t-shirt cut type of shirt. Now I like the embellishments on my shirts, a bit lower cut (shows my new collar bones!!!) And I enjoy them actually fitting my body. Now when the belly is gone all the way I will really enjoy it more, but, I like not feeling weighed down by my bulky hanging clothes. And I am wearing my hair up again. I had quit putting it up in pony tails, or french twists, anything, because it showed how wide and fat my face was. Now I have some bone structure again, I put it up and wear pretty earrings! My weight has finally dropped back to where it was, I need to update my ticker---take that pound and a half!!! I worked it off, I'll tell you!!! Denise, love the new avatar! As well as Haydee's signature picture, I love seeing you guys too!!! TracyK you are MIA and the kiddo is gone for the weekend---do I dare ask what you are up to??? You are alone for the weekend, and I have the granddaughter all weekend. We cleaned up her room, and got her settled in, she even took her nap on her bed in there! I am terrible, I had it piled with stacks of clothes, to get rid of. Wish there was someone who could use them! Jenn, Jennifer, Michelle, Gina, Pamela---and all you I know I missed, don't forget I have an OOOLLLDDD brain!!!! Where ya at? We are off to Chinese for dinner, Papa ask Kinsey what we were having for dinner, and she answered in all seriousness "pot stickers". So now he wants to take her!!! Will check in with y'all later!!! Kat

Hi all---I have Kinsey for the weekend---so will be hit or miss with me & my computer. Will get in when I can. Welcome Jessica!!! Kat

It does feel like a wonderful gift you are giving to yourself, and this is just the begining! NM Sunshine, I drove down once with my friend to take her kids. She used to be married to one of the sons of the original owners of Buffalo Bar. They remained very civil through the divorce, and we went in and had a few drinks with her ex!! That was the only time I was there. I am about 50 miles out of Chama, a beautiful place! We try to spend the night in Chama once a year. We ride to Red River to a motorcycle rally every year over Memorial Day, and we try to schedule it to where to stay either coming or going in Chama. I have a good friend who works in the medical center there. This year we strayed from the pattern and stayed a night in Taos, which was nice too! We are talking about a trip south later next month. We avoid it on the bike in the heat of summer! We also have a place in central TX, but when we travel there (several times a year) we cross over at Clovis, into Lubbock. I am so excited for all of you begining this band journey---it is a wild ride, one I cannot tell you how glad I am that I took!!! Hope you don't mind if I keep looking in to see how y'all are doing! Kat

Good Morning Violets! Well the headache is lurking, it is there if I move suddenly, otherwise it is ok. I am drinking flat Dr. Pepper for the caffeine. I am thinking it might be some sinus problems...I have sneezed a dozen times this morning. I usually have allergy issues this time of year, I get them twice, once when the lilacs bloom, and now when the corn stalks tassle out. The only thing that has ever helped sinus headaches is the Advil cold & sinus----but not sure if I can manage it.....oh the dilemma!!!! It is something that NEEDS to go away. I am on Granny duty now til Sunday morning sometime. My DD and her bf are off to ABQ to the Summer Values Concert. Several bands...he bought the tickets a month or so ago. About every 5 weeks the girls end up going to their respective other parents on the same weekend. So he bought the tickets, then this happen with Lindzie, and suddenly Kinsey's father is MIA---along with the child support!!! His new 18 yr. old gf is taking up both all his time and his $$$$ apparently. So the girls are staying with the Grandparents instead. Lindzie with his Mom, and Kinsey here. I enjoy her to no end, she amazes me daily. With her innocent beauty, and her learning new words---and attempting to use them. She is loving and well behaved. BUT she is 2. She needs help in most things she does, and hates having to be helped because she is a big girl! Luckily there are no diapers or bottles, and she sleeps in her own bed, and through the night. It could be much more work!!! Today we will go to the library, and refill the swimming pool, and that should keep her pretty well satisfied! Plus Papa will be home part of the time, and he is her hero! Laura, I have seen the Head On commercials---annoying enough to give you a headache!!! But never tried the product...if it works it would be great for bandsters. I second everything Pamela said Terry---you are an amazingly generous friend to have, and my mail lady better get on the ball!!!! Tracy---let me ask you---when you talk about sneaking off and keeping it a secret---are you referring to just you and DF, say hitting the JP's office during the lunch hour and NO ONE else knowing? Do you think it will affect his desire to have the big wedding? I so understand where you are coming from. Insurance is such a scary thing to be without, and expensive for most of us. You know we will support you no matter what.... good luck in making such a monumental decision! And I worry about what to cook for supper!!! Company---bbl Kat

Technically I am from Aztec. I used to know a guy who owned the Buffalo Bar in Silver City!!! Well at least his family at the time. I had 10 days of high Protein, low fat, low sugar...but that was it for my pre-op. I basically did an Atkins thing, and did it for longer than the required 10 days---he said I did fine, my liver was quite maleable (sp?). When I made the decision to go to MX it moved quickly for me too! Congrats on your date!!! I remember the excitement--mixed with all the other emotions---but it is a GOOD thing, I love my band! Kat

Me too, I am taking my headache to bed. It has eased some without a doubt---hoping the dark will help. I would prefer it to be quiet as well...but DH has the TV on in there. Boston Legal has a rerun on, and with his schedule he missed it the first time! Oh well, I will sleep anyway!!! He seldom turns that TV on....I won't complain...maybe just a deep sigh or two! Night girlies! Kat

Excellent call Jack, I had the dragon breath from hell, but never the coated tongue, so it did not click with ketosis---glad it did with you!!! Well....you know whatI mean!!! Kat

I am almost 16 months out, and still get the hiccups on occasion. If I get them once, I get them several times throughout the day---it is like they set the precedence and it is a free for all! I will go days without them, even weeks, then suddenly I will get them one morning, and have to deal with them several times through the day! It makes zero difference whether I have eaten or not, or used a straw or not...nothing seems to trigger it! As for the straw issue, I had them on my tray immediately after surgery, and have used them steadily. I have dental issues with my front teeth, and have always used them, pre op and daily since. Isn't it wild how different Dr.'s handle things???! I will also get them if I over eat! It is a signal that if I eat more, I will PB----so I try to quit before the hiccups happen. I used to be able to stop my hiccups by swallowing a spoon ful of sugar....I hadn't thought about it in awhile, I might try it again. Welcome to bandland Melissa, and welcome to LBT all of you!!! Cerrin, my oldest DD had hiccups in utero ALL the time it seemed like. Once I was taking a nap at my inlaws following a big family dinner, and woke to the entire clan staring at my big pregnant belly as she hiccuped away! They were thinking of calling 911 thinking something was wrong! She gets them frequently to this day---25 years later, quelling the old wives tale that if they have them in utero they won't after birth!!! Good luck to you all---glad to have you here! Kat

It doesn't sound like anything I had personally with my banding, but it sounds like it may be a thrush infection to me. It is a form of a yeast infection that occurs in the mouth. I seem to remember it being pretty easily cleared up. I'd call my Dr. and let them take a look, even your PCP should be able to deal with it, it may or may not be band related. My former MIL used to get them every single time she took an antibiotic! I know for basic yeast infection I have read to eat yogurt, so you might be able to try that when you get progressed to mushies, but for now, I would call the Dr., and see if there is something more going on. Hope you feel better soon. Welcome to bandland, it really is a nice place to be, hope you begin to enjoy it soon!! And welcome to LBT!!! Kat

I feel like my band gave me my life back. I am considerably older than you are, and was more concerned with living to see my grandbabies grow up---but it has been better than I dared to imagine! I have control over my appetite, and my hunger. I am back to a much more acceptable weight. I have gone from morbidly obese, to simply overweight, and am on my way to normal weight! I can buy clothes in the Misses section again, and I can chase and run after grandkids. 2 years ago, I could do none of that! It has taken less than a year and a half to lose over 100 pounds, and I have not seriously dieted...just ate sensibly with the band---and the band made it possible to do! There was a learning time, where I hurt if I over ate, or ate too fast. I now feel like I live a perfectly normal life...I would not trade it for anything. Others have had a rougher time of adjusting to the band, and yet others made me look slow! One of the girls banded the same month I was (April of 06) has lost over 200 pounds!!! It is possible, and your attitude goes a long way to making it successful. Research thoroughly to make sure you are willing to commit to the change of lifestyle. In my own opinion it was totally and completely worth it, I would do it again in a heart beat!!! I would and do suggest it to anyone! Good Luck, and welcome to LBT!! Kat

Well Tracy, I tend to agree with Michelle. I say go for getting married now, I fully understand the insurance thing, years ago, that is what moved Rick and I on to the married side rather than the living in sin side!!! But I wouldn't hide it from anyone, and plan one heckuva blow out party reception celebration. Because just has been pointed out, if parents don't get told, they might be hurt, or siblings....secrets seldom turn out well!!! It does sound kind of romantic, but you also would have to watch your tongue and not refer to him as your husband, if no one knew, and just ask Laura, that is such a thrill the first time...calling him your husband, or referring to yourself as Mrs. You are such a caring, giving person, I hate seeing you short change yourself in any way. Think it through, find what makes you comfortable and DO IT! Headache is still pounding away. Kinsey has chose today to play with her noisy, annoying, fishing game. My neighbor is replacing single pane windows and is banging and banging....Kinsey wants to talk back today....something totally new! And a lesson well learned from the 6 year old, every sentence begins with Yeah, but.....so she has been in the corner twice today! Tracy I think I need me one of them crotchety old nuns to deal with her!!! Pamela--those terrible things happen in all kinds of surgeries, and here in the US too. My neighbor daughter (same ones replacing windows) had a hysterectomy done in Seattle in 2001, and they knicked the bowel, by the time they figured out what the problem was and found the place to fix it, she was in terrible shape. She lived, she is alive today, but she is in a home, has been ever since, she has never regained the ability to speak or move voluntarily--she is curled into a fetal position almost. Her husband has moved on, he had to divorce her...but he has remarried, and the woman he married, continues to bring the grandkids out to see my neighbors, and they go to visit the invalid former wife when they are here...she knows no one, or if she does, she shows no change at all. It is the saddest thing. She was always tall, thin, very vivacious, she was LOUD!!! I think that is always what I will think of when I think of Jessi, she was always loud! They moved to Seattle with her DH's work about 7 months before her surgery. Last time I saw her she was literally hanging out the window of her Explorer, waving wildly as they drove off when they moved away. She had 3 kids 2,4,& 7 when she had the surgery. And a friend from childhood left here and went to San Antonio to college, and she got sick so she went to the Dr. on campus, he told her she had the flu, so she went home and went to bed. Her suite mates, were leaving for the weekend, and Roxanne was supposed to as well, but they come home Sunday night and found her in bed swollen up like she was 9 months pregnant---her appendix had burst! She was in the hospital for almost a year, getting the gangrene that had set in from the infection caused by the burst appendix cleared up. It had literally melted all of her female organs to her spine. They removed them all, and left her lying there wide open for months! Then during the original surgery to close her up, the bowel was either punctured, or had been weakened in a spot, and began leaking, leavng her in the hospital for yet another 2 months! She is lucky, she has fully recovered--she has went on to have 2 babies IVF. They told her that her uterus would not support a stretching pregnancy, but she tried, and it has worked twice! Having any surgery is a scary ordeal. If one is comfortable going out of the country to do it, that is fine, heck I did it myself, but if they fear it, I doubt there is much one can say to convince them otherwise. At the time I had mine done, I saved considerably more than 4K, but given what I was ok spending, and the experience of the Dr.'s in question....as well as the willingness to work with me, and talk with me, before scheduling surgery, is what made my decision. I knew a couple who had used this Dr, before me, and was very relaxed in my decision after finding out that the Dr, I considered here when I was hoping insurance would cover me, was trained by the group who did my surgery. It relaxed me enough to feel good about my decision. I would do it again in a heartbeat! Happy Meals have grown I think---Kinsey and I share one. We also share meals at Taco Bell. A 2 year old eating 2 tacos???? It is much easier to go out to eat with her, they let me order off of any childrens menu, then she and I just share!!! Ok Jenn, I see how the door happen now, I was just seeing someone run into a normal door and it slamming to the floor off of the hinges!!! Sara, good luck to you on the quitting the smokes too, I am sooo proud of you and Terry!!! I know it isn't easy, I did it many years ago, and one of the biggest reasons I never started again, was so that I would never have to quit again! Keep up the good work! Well I am off to go "fish" with Kinsey! Kat

For rings in the interim, I have shopped like crazy at this website that sells sterling silver jewelry---rings, mens & womens, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, ankle bracelets, toe rings---you name it! They showcase 4 items at a time for 15 minutes each or until sold out. They say the jewelry is free, and that all you pay is $5.99 s/h. I am sure the s/h is less than that, but the $5.99 is all you pay for any of it. Piercedqt led me to the site---shame on her!!! Check it out if you want inexpensive replacements as you shirnk!!! Free sterling silver jewelry. Free offers from SilverJewelryClub.com Kat

Hi NM Sunshine---I don't exactly fit into your age request, although some days when I get up, I feel 20 something again, and other days it is 80 something!!! But I just wanted to say HI from the NW corner of NM!!! Congrats on your upcoming surgery, I look forward to watching your progress, and feel it is a GREAT decision---I am thrilled with my results! Deb (macacoza) I go to Canon City to get my fills done!!! If I choose to have another, I will shoot you a message, maybe we can sip some Water together!!!! Just kidding!! Kat

OOOhhh today is your pre op----good Luck FSC!!! We'll be thinking of you! Kat

Without this belly, I too could wear those sizes! BUT this was done, knowing what sizes had been changed---with both SIL and I being done together, it is something we discuss often enough. I always wore long loose tops. I am enjoying them a bit more fitted now. She had just commented on me finally wearing clothes that fit me! My best friend has very broad shoulders, and has hell finding shirts to fit her---we hit all the racks---I have the double D's---so we NEVER know what sizes we want or need!!! For the first time ever we can actually often wear the same size! But she wears a lot of tank tops and sleeveless, due to the lack of shoulder seams, and I don't wear them....so there ya go!!! Kat

Of course the caffeine---I forgot that trick! Off to try it---thanks Laura (((hugs))) Kat

I hereby state that I will NEVER buy clothing for my DIL. I will give her a gift card for clothing if it comes to it!!! I began this wild ride at 289 pounds, wearing a 22/24 pants and a 3X top. I am now 188 and wearing a 12/14 pants and an XL top--all of it comfortably--it helps being tall!!! Last week for my birthday my MIL bought me clothes. The tops were still 3X and the capri's a size 8. Now I know I am top heavy but good Lord woman! I would fall over on my face to require those sizes together!!!! My SIL was banded the same time I was, and is now at goal, and their (MIL & SIL) favorite thing to say to me is "How much of your weight have you regained?" I haven't regained any!!! Gotta love 'em though---choking them is illegal!!! Kat