Kat817

Pickles are hard to chew to mush. 2 1/2 years out---pickles are still a slow go for me......I think I would avoid them. I too was allowed crackers earlier than I expected. And I too use popsicles---although I prefer the mandarin orange----------Jules too bad we can't swap out our favorites!!! LOL Kat

Oh yeah TracyK----how is Frank liking his new job? I keep meaning to ask you!! Kat

Well, I feel like I am damned if I do, and damned if I don't!!! I was so miserable full, so I went outside and watered, and come in and worked around here, I was sooooooo exhausted, I thought I would fall over! It hurts everywhere. So my DD called to find out where to get Kinsey, and I was whining about how I felt. So she got Kinsey and stopped back by here with my Dads BS meter. Again I was sitting in the high 60's!! The other night when I fainted, I was 68. So she got all pissy, and made me eat a brownie----and I do feel like a whole new person. What can I eat to be enough but not too much? I have an appointment with my PCP on Friday. Which sucks, I wanted to go out of town....couldn't do it, and now I have to see my Dr. too????? unfair.....yep totally unfair. Guess I will go read up on natural sugars.....and quit going without food. No winning is there???!!! Cute skirt Haydee---but with my long legs, they always look like I am trying to be a ballerina or something, they appear too short-----and foofy! LOL Rick's sister is coming in on Saturday since we are going to be in town for Rick's birthday. She wants her, her sister and I to clean my MIL's house top to bottom. Hell I seldom do my own, I have zero desire to do anyone elses. And in my personal opinion if my MIL can hoe in the garden, and all, she could run a dust rag around, she just chooses not to, and I think I will choose not to help. I do my share hauling wood and all. Then his brother will be here the following Friday. Just what I want to do -- entertain!! Actually I love them all and enjoy their visits, I just feel really crummy! And depressed. I do not want blood sugar issues! BBL~~ Kat

Well I never made breakfast.....got lots accomplished around home though!!! Finally decided lunch was in order, so I had a taquito (flauta, rolled taco....whatever you want to call it) with salsa, 4 cheese curd bites, and a few slices of cucumber. Now I am burping the cucumber--the only thing good for me, and I burp it!!! LOL I have had reflux issues for years. I had a haital hernia. I believe it to be a genetic deformity! Both my parents have the same issue, as does my brother, my Grandma did as well.....I had to have a swallow study done prior to banding, and my esophgus looked fine, I work with the reflux, sleep inclined, avoid late meals, do not sleep on my back--so there appeared to be no damage, and I was ok'd for surgery. Things changed, and I went to MX for surgery, and the Dr. fixed the herniation during surgery, but told me I have a very thin walled diaphragm. It lasted for about 5 months, and herniated again. They did all the swallow tests, my band was well seated, and there was not an abnormal amount of stomach above the band.....it just seemed the hiatal hernia had happen again. So I take my Prilosec, and am usually fine.....but not last night!!! My fill Dr. who is a surgeon as well, always does my fills and exams himself, and he said it is not at all uncommon for them to reherniate, which is why it is a seldom done, stand alone surgery. There are times girls----that getting old really sucks!!! LOL Working on my 3rd bottle of water---Propel water this time---mandarin orange, not too bad. When I finish it I will have 72 ounces in!!! Gotta fix the things I am eating though!!! My portions are filling me too full. I feel like such an idiot when I realize I am miserably full!!! If I had avoided 2 cheese curds I would have been fine! I couldn't see the skirt either..... Well off to water tomatoes. Kat

HI fellow Violets! My Dad stopped by to visit, and ended up taking Kinsey home with him, so I am now really at loose ends!! She was whiny and cranky. She was up a good part of the night, her Daddy got hurt at work, so they spent hours in immediate care. He is an electronics technician--and in charge of the black boxes in all the trucks. A guy come in saying his truck was overheating and his box was shutting off---which send signal to Denver that he just stopped driving suddenly! So Jason test drove it, and sure enough it was not working, so he come back and was going to disconnect it, and unplugged it on the inside, then had to open the hood to get the the last of the plugs for it. When he opened the hood, the radiator blew. He had full PPE on, and happened to have his head turned away talking to someone, but it burned his hand---just the bottom half, and about 3 inches of his wrist, that was bare. He had long sleeves, but when you stretch, they pull up.....so he is a mass of blisters. And get this-------his boss is threatening to fire him over it! It broke their unrecordable accident record---booohooo-------he got hurt at work! Rick thinks they guy is trying to make him mad enough he will quit....I dunno! I need to eat---it is after 11, and I have yet to do anything besides drink water. I am just not hungry-------nothing sounds good.....and I need to grocery shop. I refluxed terribly last night! Breathed it into my lungs---so now they are sore to breath deep. I did this several years ago, and ended up in the hospital with pneumonia----so I am doing the necessary deep breathing today!! I migrated from my wedge pillow onto Ricks shoulder, and that leaves me too low---which I HATE because that is my favorite place to sleep! Someday I may attempt another surgical repair, but I doubt it. Denise, my Grandma, had her gall bladder out, and then had a horrible attack and she had a stone lodged in the duct, and when they got in there, they found the entire duct diseased.....how they missed it 8 days before---I dunno. But they removed it, and she never had any more trouble----lived another 30+ years, and she was much older when it happen. And it was back in the day of the BIG open incision for gall bladder---hers ran diagonally and was probably 13" long! Surgical techniques HAVE improved a lot! Terry---if you receive an email from something like jakc followed by a series of #'s-------it is my DD. I showed her the bracelet, and hinted about my birthday!!! LOL---I am horrid---I really want her to show it to Rick!! We brought home the extra hay last night, never even got it off the trailer, and sold it! YAY!!! Overall the rodeo was a success. We had some motels in town giving a horrible reputation---but they are rude ass people anyway and have the attitude if they don't like it they can stay elsewhere. I understand there is already a discrimination complaint filed with the BBB, and threatened legal action. These people called months ago and made reservations when they found out their kids qualified, or they got accepted as vendors. They were given a price, and paid in many cases, only to show up and be told the price had gone up by up to $100.00 a night!!! But a couple of the vendors were also of Eastern descent, and their prices remained guaranteed. And in fact the room one man was complaining about was just given away and he was told they would credit his card----leaving him and 2 kids with no place to stay and no open motel rooms for 60 miles around! The woman at the BBB found him a host family---or he would have been in his truck! This is sooooooo sad, everyone worked so hard to present our area in a good light, and things like this money hunger ruin some peoples view. Hope it goes around, and they totally boycott the motel next year. I have begun composing a letter to the editor concerning it! It doesn't look like we will be making Sturgis. Anthony has his little boy in Albq today at the pediatric cardiologists---and they reserved Ronald McDonald rooms, and verified his employment through Rick this morning. So it looks like they will be staying for Aidens surgery. He knows Anthony is waiting to call til they have definite plans in place. If he is off, Rick cannot leave. And I have to come up with other plans for his birthday Sunday!!! LOL But like he keeps saying, Aiden's health is much more important. He is 4, and a small hole in the wall between chambers has suddenly enlarged. Pamela------office looks great!! I wish I Had room for an office------but I would give it up for your closet!!! LOL Got a call yesterday from one of my band friends on the NJ thread---we laughed til my sides hurt!! She goes by HarleyNana on here. Judy--I do know all about throwing balls that way!!! But the look of thrill and wonder on their faces is so worth it!! Well I am off to find food------feeling kinda yucky maybe it will help. BBL~~ Kat

Whatever your final choice, as has been pointed out, make it something you can live with, and look back on in years to come with no regrets. If you want to go for your Grandmother, knowing she is old---and you might not have many other chances, then go, and to hell with those who are not speaking to you. Put on your biggest smile, hold hands with DH, spend a short while and leave. If you can look back in a few years and it not bother you if this was in fact the last time you would have gotten to spend time with your Grandmother , that you did not go----then skip it all together. Personally, I would go. That is just who I am. I would go, for my Grandmother, my parents, and myself. Not knowing what the future holds, I would go. I would expect DH to be with me! I would go and do the same for/with him----and chances are eventually you too will do something along these lines for him as well----it is the nature of life! But when I went, I would have plans for something to do afterwards---I would go in, looking good, and feeling and acting cheerful, I would not be snobby---I would speak to them all---and not allow myself to be drug to their depths. I would not stand around and try to talk to them, letting them think I was kissing their butts----but instead just leave them wondering what in the heck was up with me! I would spend my time with my immediate family----then keeping it short and sweet, let it be known I have a reservation to make or whatever, and leave with a bounce in my step. Always leave 'em wondering!!!! Just how I would handle it--I have issues, that I know would make me feel guilty, and it would be better for me---not to have to deal with that too!!! Hopefully you are better adjusted than I!!! Kat

Oh man I agree I too LOVE the square link bracelet--it was not there the first time I looked!!! Gonna make more of that design Ms. Terry??? And BTW-----I DO have PayPal!!! LOL----j/k Pamela!!! Although if you need a go between for the business end of it--it could be arranged! Kat

I am not officially counting anywhere----so I have no idea on calories, or any other count. Not really doing low carb---personally just attempting to get my portions allotted right for the new sized me. I know I must either drop caloric intake or increase the exercise--so I am going to try to do a bit of both. I am close to the size I want to be....so am trying to find a lifestyle I can live with realistically. I do not want to count calories everday --- nor do I want to spend hours exercising! I want to sit on my butt and eat at will, and be thin!!! BUT, I am trying to find a normal portion and realistic exercise to maintain. Laura, congrats on the outfit. We have a Deb's in our mall here, but the plus size things are too big, and their regular sizes here range to a size 9......it is almost impossible to find an 11 or a 13. So.....I don't shop much there but I love Maurices!! I found some pants I loved the fit of in Buckle, but refused to pay almost $80 for basic jeans!!! Especially when my size is still fluctuating. So for dinner---I had a small serving of meatloaf, about 1/3 of a cup of mashed potatoes, and an ear of corn. I had about 4 bottles of water, and had 3 cups of water at McD's today----I am having some issues with "regularity" shall we say----so am really trying to push the water----have yet another bottle in front of me now----24 0z. at a time! Well, I am off to check my email, and then to bed. What a day, nowhere I HAD to be----was nice! Night all! Kat

hi! Well for lunch....I had half a big mac with the middle bread removed!! LOL. Took my DIL and the grandkids to Mickey D's so the kids could play in the air conditioned play area. I wanted the big mac--knew there was no way in heck I could eat much of it, but did away with the center slice right off the bat, and made it through half the burger. Had that with iced tea----avoided french fries all together! Kinsey had chicken nuggets, and choc. milk, and no fries either----she watches me way to close!! Normally we get her apples, but they were out. And Tracy and I must have been on the same wavelength---we too are having meatloaf for dinner----with mashed potatoes and steamed fresh corn. Speaking of dinner---Rick is home and it is ready!! BBL Kat

Tracy---don't forget to take some packets of the WC oatmeal, it would take up little space and travel well. And when you get into town, you could buy a dozen eggs, and they would boil easily in a pan when you were cooking dinner. I actually read an article saying that eating hard boiled eggs boosted the metabolism a lot! I just cannot eat them-----ick! How are you taking your stuff to Sturgis, do you have a travel companion car? If so, you could do a lot of prep work. And like the tuna things in your desk---they can go. That way if you behave most of the time, and want something for a treat, it won't be like you ate crazy the entire time. And on top of that the cost is prohibitive!!! Food from the vendors is always high dollar----so you can save some cash, anbd buy you a cute little shirt instead!!! Kat

Morning girls~~ You know how you feel when you walk out of the house without your watch or your rings, kind of nekkid, and it just feels wrong? I feel that way this morning-----no where to go!!! For weeks I had a plan when I got up each morning.....and today Kinsey and I just don't HAVE to do anything!!! I have lots of housework to catch up on, and I need to pick some tomatoes, I think they are rotting on the vine, but all this is at home!!! We actually slept in, and hung around in our jammies for awhile---feels like something is not quite right! I think I can get used to it again though!! Actually Manda is putting her into pre school the end of August. She can and does carry on adult conversation---with adults...but around kids she is very uncertain of herself. She can count, and knows her colors, and shapes, and is recognizing letters. She can tell you how to spell Kinsey----and attempts to copy it if you write it on a paper. She says her ABC's and knows lots of songs. She is as ready for school as any of the kids I ever kept were----she just has not had the interaction with other kids, she is always with her Mama and Daddy or me! So as much as I love her being here, I love her well being more, and want her to start school next year well adjusted, and not be the one crying to go home.....kids are so mean, they find any weakness to pick on, and I don't want to knowingly give her a weakness!! So when she goes to school, I am thinking about going to work! I don't want to sit at home all day every day. I am considering taking the substitute teaching refresher course (I did it before), and doing that. That way when Rick is off on his Thurs, Fri. I can refuse any work calls. And I will be off for the summer to do our motorcycle weekends. I won't get rich that is for sure.....BUT I have not made any decisions yet!! Diane, as for being a moderator, I was never actually ask again, I just started receiving notices of reported posts, and noticed my name was in italics!!! So I ask why, and was told I had been made a moderator!!! I am not extremely computer literate! So I pretty much just try to answer unanswered posts, and occasionally try to diffuse a heated thread.....I have been so busy I have not done much of anything!!! Donna, everytime I think I tan, I peel!! LOL. Actually my arms, and chest and all are pretty tan---lots of hours on the bike and horse!! But my legs-----way white! I wear lots of capris around home, but to ride, I am always in long pants! Oh well----maybe next year I can get pretty and tan. This year, I had to protect my fresh scars----can you imagine burning them? OUCH! Well, the dishwasher needs unloaded, and the washing machine needs loaded......the work begins!!! Talk soon! Kat

Good morning Gal Pals! Kinsey and I have been so lazy, we went back to bed, and slept til after 9---we had some cereal....and just now barely got dressed!!! So as for food I have had a small bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats cinnamon cluster cereal. With regular, whole fat milk. Kinsey needs the fat, so we just buy it, I don't drink enough of it to make a big difference. I have dairy issues----it causes reflux soooo bad!!! I usually reserve it for morning, like yogurt--but if I do ice cream or something dairly late, I will reflux all night long! TracyKS----actually low carbing at the rally can be done pretty easily. The small one we just went to, one of the girls we were with was low carbing----she found lots of chicken on a stick, turkey legs, etc. She found a breakfast burrito they made her with no potatoes, and she just opened it up and used the tortilla like a plate! She managed all weekend. I didn't do so well!!! There is a place that does the local rounds called Big Daddy's BBQ. I love their pulled pork! I ate it with a fork....which would have been so so----but Jason ( a friend) insisted on bringing those HUGE bricks of curly fries to the table!!! Of course I had to try a couple of bits, and french fries are hard for me to digest.....so aversion therapy helped! The killer for me....the chocolate dipped cheesecake....as usual! A little prep, and you should be ok. Are you going to cook at camp at all? Any way to keep things good and cold? Terry---how did your Mom settle into the new wing? Judy---so what routine do you do on the Wiifit? TracyK---My butt HATES my bike!! I am sore for a week for a 1 hour ride, seriously. Maybe conditioning would help, but I get tired of walking around hurting! You would think as much time as I spend in the saddle it would help--but it does not! Laura---your Mom is realizing how extremely lucky she is to have you, without drug issues, and willing to help her as she deals with all of it with your sister. Let her treat you---she would not have offered if she didn't want to. I love doing things with my kids! Haydee--so did you get any good ideas at the wedding show? I went to one once with a friend, everything was ungodly expensive!!! Pamela---so is the office ready for its picture debut???? Michelle---I think you should just adopt a pouty attitude for the day, and relax, people will avoid you, thinking you are out of sorts----you could read, or knit, anything you want!!! LOL Jenn---you made it through the weekend, now figure out one thing you want to do for YOU this week, and do whatever is necessary to do it! Jane---I scrolled back looking for the ringtone thing too--I am imagining a ring tone of Judy singing, or playing the flute, and was thinking WOW how cool is she, could not find it!!! You seeing that ad was like Tracy saying that about the Kimkins ad, she lost me too!!! LOL--it does not take a lot to confuse me! Suzanne---Hang in there for your busy week, and do a lap for me in the pool!!! Denise---how's the house coming?? Well, I feel at loose ends this morning, like relaxing is foreign!! I have lots of cleaning to do-------just don't wanna do it!!! Guess I should tho----bbl~ Kat

Hi all- Long day-----glad it is over! We brought our stuff home, bucked 287 bales of hay, I went to the mountains and broke camp for my folks and brought them home, I fainted dead away----and have had someone over my shoulder every second since then! Yeah a fun day! Dad thought to check my blood sugar when I went down, and sure enough it was waaaaay low----which explained why I fainted, and also why I was one grouchy witch all morning! I ate a couple of little mandarin oranges, and a mini snickers bar, and it come up (of course!) and I felt better. I had eaten, but I ate basically pure protein, and worked my butt off--in the heat. Now tho, no one will leave me the hell alone! Rick is insisting I see my Dr. tomorrow----I will, just to keep him happy, but only because I am due to see him anyway! LOL Well------I want to take a shower, and Rick wants to go to bed, but he thinks I should shower while he is still up.....this is getting real old, real fast, I am fine! Good Grief. I'll see you all in the morning.... Kat

OK, wow, where to begin??? Our tri-city area hosted the huge rodeo I was helping to prep for on the June thread, and it has been going on for the last 10 days or so. Great fun! HUGE amounts of work!!! I go back and forth, and continue to try to keep Kinsey with me when I can, she loves it so much! I would come home, and reply to what I get on email, and do my best to hit a couple of unanswered posts as a moderator, and hit the sack! We managed a couple of camping trips before the rodeo hit---had so much fun, did a motorcycle rally in Grants NM--on the famous Route 66. In fact, there was a string of busses traveling Route 66 to connect with I 40 and they had no idea there was a motorcycle rally going on. They had 66 down to 2 narrow lanes between row upon row of bikes. When these busses hit town, they were mobbed!!! It was the Dallas Cowboys heading to CA for training camp!!! They actually got out, signed some autographs, and finally got escorted through town without taking out any bikes!! I didn't go close, I am not big on large rowdy crowds like that, so I took pics from afar, and it is pretty funny, all the athletes stand heads taller than the crowd!!! Betty---reduction surgery!!! I want to, but I don't......I am recovered from my TT. I go to the PS on the 4th for my final check up and release, and he will do my after shots, then I will email them to share with those that want, not sure I want them up on the WWW. Ya know what I mean??? My DD--Manda is seeing her cardiologist the end of next week and they will decide if surgery is delayable or not. I am pretty worried. She is starting the swell cycle again. That is due to the RA. My DD--Abbey, is on complete bedrest. She is 14 weeks pregnant, and her placenta is torn. She has been bleeding for over a month now. They doppler her daily, from home and heartbeat is strong, and when the OB did the ultrasound the baby did not appear to be in any stress. The tear is not near the attachment sight nor near the umbilical attachment. But it is not healing like they had hoped. Currently the baby is small and not super active, the concern is as space decreases when the baby grows and begins really kicking, it could increase the tear, and cause her to bleed out, before the baby is viable. If that happens it would be a mid term miscarriage. We are keeping our fingers crossed. They do not want to do another US until mid August, they say bouncing the sound waves off the placenta might make it worse! Our DS---they are good! Thank goodness 2 out of 3 is bad enough!! Rick and I are fine. As I say, I have healed great, scar is still ugly purple, but.....my belly is so much flatter I am thrilled!! I swell terribly bad on the left side where the muscle repair took place, he said I could expect that to last for months---wonderful!!! I took my folks up to the mountains on Friday, and set up a camp for them--their church was having a retreat----and they are not set up with camping things. We donated use of our camp trailer for the rodeo, so Mom and Dad were relegated to a tent!!! I took them up and set them up on Friday, and just got home from bringing them back. I missed Rick terribly on the set up and tear down!!! They seemed to have a good time. And they of course loved bragging what a good daughter I was to do that for them----even if I didn't stay for church!!! LOL Weight is sitting tight at 175. I know I need to reduce caloric intake or increase exercise----neither sounds very appealling right now!! My eating has been horrible through the rodeo. All those damn food vendors! OMG! I dreamed of the chocolate dipped cheesecake---seriously!! In my dream I was trying to figure out a way to serve it even though it was too hot out! I need mental help!! I need to get busy, I have to go pick up the unused hay---and we need to tow the trailer home. Sherry----reading your newest post.....have you tried lactaid to see if that helps the acid issues? I read about your chocolate milk----and it led me to wonder if perhaps you make an extra amount of acid due to some sort of lactose intolerance. My Mom has killer heartburn if she does any sort of dairy without lactaid. And Protein drinks, and yogurt, cheese a lot of the bandster things we do-----------are dairy laden. It won't hurt you if that isn't the problem, and they dissolve quickly so should be band friendly. Oh heck it is starting to rain-------I gotta go girls-------I will be back, I missed you. When I don't get email reminders at night, I seldom make it anywhere. Hugs to all of you!!!! Kat

Hey Girlies! Remember me? Rodeo is almost over, and I'll be back. Thanks for the message Betty-----I have not caught up on posts, going to go read them, and will be back! Missed you all! Kat

Ours says it will allow for a psychologist but not a psychiatrist---or the other way maybe. If they can prescribe, they were covered!!! Raining---and I got things on theline bbl Kat

I bet Haydee mistook Ms. PaMEla's pork rinds and wrapped them as a wedding gift!!! Kat

Get used to it-------I have only been banded for 2 1/2 years :tt2: and am still finding my way and learning----but what an awesome lessons they have been!!!!! Kat

My Dr. always asks lots of questions before doing a fill. If I was losing 1-2 pounds a week, was not hungry for several hours after eating a meal, then I was not in need of a fill. He also asks about eating hard Proteins to make sure that there is not too much in my band, and that I am able to make wise food choices (whether I always did or not!!) I had my first fill at about 7 weeks out----1.25cc's in a 9.75 ml band designed to hold a max fill of 4cc.'s. Then a month later he added .50 cc's and that little half a cc took me to my sweet spot, and I went all the way with that. Never adjusting again, until we unfilled for my TT. Sometimes it is the smallest of tweaks that makes the difference. I totally support and agree with not filling if you are not needing it, I also fully believe we got this band to help us, and when used in a proper manner it can do just that in amazing ways!!! So if you find yourself facing hunger, or overeating--------then use the band for the purpose it was designed! It affects us all differently----but if you work with your Dr. and listen to your own body---it can be done in a healthy way. I have chose to give my stomach a break from the restriction, simply because I do not feel a need for a fill at this time---when the hunger hits, or I am eating too much, I will be there in a flash!!! Kat

Use that anger to your advantage------when you are running, and hit that point, that you need to quit---imagine the shock on his face, as well as the pride (cuz you know he really does love you and support you) as you cross the finish line of that 5K!!! Many (18) years ago, the ONLY thing that got me through quitting smoking was my ex husband telling my DD that I would never be able to quit, I was addicted!!! To this day, only one of us pays $4.00 a pack----and it is NOT me!!!! USE IT to your advantage!!! AND let him do his best to make it up to you for laughing!! Good Luck and congrats on running!!!! Kat

The surgeon I use for my fills, explained during our seminar, that there are a few patients, who find the band restrictive enough to lose weight without filling. Keep in mind, my surgery was long enough ago, the larger bands were not being used readily. When I chatted with him during my recent total unfill, he was talking to me about the fact that I lost my weight with 2 fills. He said much, much more emphasis is now being placed upon the importance of the actual placement of the band. He said if the band is placed where it applies pressure to the nerves that signal the release of the grehlin hormone, then hunger is not an issue. But unfortunately they cannot see where those nerves are, and they differ from patient to patient dependent upon stomach size and the fact that we all are built inside and out a bit different from one another. Personally, from the time my band was placed, I have felt very little if any actual stomach induced hunger. IF I were strong enough in the beginning to differentiate actual hunger from head hunger, I might have been one of the rare few who lost all my weight without fills. But it took me most of my 2 years since surgery to learn the difficult lessons of eating competency. Learning portion control was seriously helped with fills. Hunger recognition, just took patience and listening to the signals my body sends. I still do not listen to them well enough a good part of the time! I had a total unfill over 2 months ago for my TT. I have not had a return of hunger....and have for the most part been able to continue with the lessons I have learned, as far as how to eat, what foods trigger cravings for me, and how to recognize actual hunger signals from my body. I have not regained any weight since the unfill and my surgery. I am also not losing quickly!!! I know in my brain, that my smaller body, needs either less food, or more exercise in order to eliminate the calories to lose the weight. I just have not completed the process, by doing anything with that knowledge!!! I am at a maintenance level, that I am thoroughly enjoying! I feel successful! I do believe it can be done if your band places enough restriction to eliminate actual hunger-----IF YOU can do the same on your brain, and band it against head hunger. You know where you see the Carl Jr. ad, and are instantly hungry, even though you KNOW you really aren't. Or you pass the candy bars at the check out in the store, and suddenly must have something to eat----banding yourself against those things is necessary in order to be successful----especially if you do not have tight enough restriction to rely on it for help. Good Luck to you all!!! Kat

Welcome Anne--many of your questions will likely be answered by just cruising through several threads, and there is a FAQ section----that is full of band info. I was thrilled with the seminar I went to pre surgery---it was loaded with good information! Can't help with your particular insurance, just wanted to say welcome, and good luck as you proceed towards banding-----it is not always easy jumping through the hoops, and doing all the appointments----but in the end it IS all worth it!!! Kat

Sounds like you may be dealing with what is referred to as first bite syndrome. The first food that hits into the stomach pouch causes a spasm, and will either cause it to come back up, or close things off to where you cannot take in any more, even though you are far from really being finished eating. The fix I have heard of for this, and a step you might consider trying before adjusting your fill level again is warm/hot fluids. Take a couple of sips of hot tea or coffee, even hot Water, to relax the muscle that spasms then try to eat. Hope you find some help!! And welcome to LBT!! Kat

Good morning everyone. I am off to the fairgrounds for the end of the 2nd go rounds.....it is all winding down. I was up til after 2 this morning, my stomach is trashed. We had really spicy food for dinner, and I think that began my trouble. Then we got word that one of my favorite kids from the bull riders group had been critically injured during his ride, he had spinal surgery last night, but there is still no word on its results because swelling is still an issue. He got stomped by a bull weighing over a ton. When I got that news, it felt like everything in my stomach curdled, and it has been burning like FIRE ever since. I am going onto liquids for the day--possibly some real mushy soup---but super BLAND, absorptive type of things, try to calm it down----no more spice for a few days. Going to try to avoid calming it with ice cream as well! If you would please, remember Corbin Carpenter in your prayers---he is 17 and from Louisiana. Jenn----I know you are stressed, but girl the vodka is not gonna help. It can cause so many more problems than you are facing right now----and can make the ones you are facing so much worse. Furthermore, your DD especially is at a really bad age for her to see you use alcohol as a coping method, because you sure do not want her to do that. I am not trying to be cruel or preach at you, but vodka was my brothers coping mechanism for years, as well as our friend Pauls.......I attended Pauls memorial service a couple of weeks ago, he died from liver cancer. We love you and want you happy, masking the emotions with vodka is not going to change either the emotions or their intended outcome. I think you need to read Haydee's posts over the last couple of months---she too is going through something similar. But she actually lived with Juan for a fairly long while, but when she went home from San Antonio, she began looking out for Haydee first and decided what SHE wanted. SHE made the decision, not Juan (or Kev in your case) YOU need to decide what will make you happy, and if he can do that, then he needs to do it, if not---borrow a page from Haydee, and move on--looking for things to make YOU happy. As she is discovering, it might just bring what you wanted all along. I'll quit now.....but the vodka thing scares me, and I had to say it----any time you want to call me....I am here! ((((hugs))))) Yesterday when we went to set up camp for my folks----the camp area has this circle drive----and I needed to turn around, so I sat Kinsey on my lap, and let her help me steer around the loop like my Dad used to do with me. She was flying HIGH---she has already called me this morning to tell me, she is a good driver!!! TracyK---as for the bike, that is a grandparents perogitive.....it is what we do. Granny is my name, spoiling is my game!!! Just ask Judy---we have it down to an art!! Terry---good luck today! Sorry your sister left you in the lurch again. Pamela.....I am so excited to see you moving on with your interviews--------yay you!!! Jane--sorry work is not appealling today. Not much making me real excited today either!! I need to get going, just can't find any motivation! Everyone take care----I'll be back in awhile!! Kat

Many hospitals ARE located in rough parts of cities-----everywhere. When you think about it, most of them were built at least the original parts of them, many years ago----and at the time they were built in the busy part of town. But as most cities have done with the advent of suburbs, and shopping malls----the downtown areas die off, and the area becomes seedy as buildings empty out, and the money moves to the fringes of the city. It is the same way in our small rural area. For years you had to drive by the roughest clubs, and get past the hookers to get to the hospital. The city has really worked hard to revamp the area, and put in a large medical plaza----so the Dr.'s are close to the hospital, and things are looking up---but it took decades for them to make a move to better things. I agree, that surgeon choice, as well as cleanliness etc, of the facility is of the most importance. But also that if you are going to be afraid to go, then it is not the place for you. Kat