Kat817

Not keep stuff under my bed???? Then I'd kill myself tripping over it leaving the room!!! My bed is wall to wall underneath, but apparently it doesn't bother me!!! It is mostly out of season clothing, in plastic bins. But I am sure there are lotsa dust bunnies under there too!! I like my room quiet, and DARK! Even the alarm clock light, or the light on the DVD player----makes me crazy! I turn them away from me, or cover them all. DH likes to go to sleep with the TV on, so our marriage was saved by the sleep timer on our remote! The only noise I like to hear at night, is I love sleeping while it storms outside. IF---really big IF --all those I love are home and not out in it!! Thunder and lightening, and wind blowing, while I am snuggled down in warm covers---I love it!!! Not only do I have things under my bed, but a large ceiling fan over the bed!! It is very quiet---worth every cent we spent on it! You never hear a thing, but you get a nice cool breeze from it....I love it! I swore I would hate it! There was an old one in there, and it was not well balanced, and made noise, and you could hear the motor....and to make matters worse---it was ugly! This one, is fitting to our bedroom suite, has the same wrought Iron look, and is silent....and I admitted I was wrong!! I do love it! Maybe I need to buy a round mirror for over the bed to offset all I am doing wrong.......nah, it would be cheaper to just stick my foot out of the covers, and flip my pillow a couple more times!! :party: Kat

Well I checked in on Jane, and she is talking and laughing---and still has no real idea of what happen! I think she needs to leave her CPAP at home and snore so I know she is ok!!!! Laundry is finishing----dinner will be ordered soon--------DW is ready to unload-------slowly getting things together.....slowly being the key word!!! Tomorrow night at this time I will be on my way to Albq. so I can get some sleep!!! I keep throwing things in the suitcase---it is getting full!! BUT part of it is a surprise! And then I have a couple pairs of capri's and a pair of shorts....that will be passed on or left behind!!! So....that leaves room for shopping!! Yea!!! How is your back Pamela??? BBL~~ Kat

Thanks so much, I am hoping it is a smooth and event free recovery story!!!! Went in today and paid my $500.00 co pay, so that is done. I also gave him my band Dr.'s card and message to call him if he has any questions about where to place my port---and he said he thought he would go in and sit down and do just that. My port now is high, just a few inches below my left breast, but my band Dr. said with as much as my skin gives now it might end up at my waist if he does not reposition. Plus it was a little harder to tap for the unfill, the loose flab hanging over it is causing it to be slightly tipped down. So....he said to show him where it is now and have him attempt to put it back in the general area. But by now I imagine they have spoke, and he knows! I will try to check in tomorrow before I leave for the airport. I feel like the excitement, could just vibrate me across the floor like one of those kids toys!! Kat

Sorry you had to make that decision Laura, but I totally understand.....it is not healthy for you guys with that I am sure, so I too believe you are making the kindest decision for all of you. If your Mom or DH is willing to do it, then that is right. I had to have Chelsea my dog put down, as well as my cat Bailey, and I held them both. I was not as concerned at what my last memory of them would be, as what theirs of me would be. But your cats last of you will be good too---so it works. I had no one else close enough to my pets. Chelsea put herself between me and my ex many times, and got kicked bacly. I could not believe she put her life on the line for me, and I was taking hers from her----but Rick convinced me I was looking at it wrong, that she would do it for me if the case were reversed, that it is what real love of an animal does. There was an old farmer down the road from our farm--well known family in the area, he was in his late 70's and had cancer and was in pretty constant pain. He rode his 4 wheeler down to the mailbox on the road, and shot himself! So someone driving by would find him, not his wife. He left her a note and ask her not to think of it as suicide, just that he was putting himself down same as he would any dog or horse that he loved through the years....it was his time. I looked at his case totally different then! We will give you lots of hugs if you need them......and I am so sorry, it didn't work like you wanted it to. Time to get busy.....again! Kat

Hey girls--I am soooooo happy!!! I went to lunch with DH, we just went to Taco Bell because it is so close to his work. He ordered our food, and they have these new box meals, and since it had everything in it, that he and Kinsey and I wanted....plus more, he got it. So rather than my usual taco, I opted to try this double beef cheesy burrito. I was so afraid I could eat it all plus the taco, and you know....be the old me. NOPE~~ not even half the burrito went down. It was different, I felt full---but not like it was backing up.....but there was no way I coud eat much more than when I was filled. I was so happy!!!!!! I have not been super hungry either like I was afraid of! Laura.....dunno about your 2 squares....maybe someone left rep power on your blog as well as on the site? I have no idea!!! I have called and reminded DIL about pics----so hoping I can gather them up tonight. I need to do a couple loads of laundry, and clean out the fridge.....then tomorrow it is simple vaccuum, and straighten and I am outta here!!! Paid my co pay to the surgeon today, gave him the # to call my band Dr. he was happy to have that, and said he would put a call in to him right away and he looked forward to talking to him. So simple.......so far!!! I think we will be yacking non stop too!!! I was married to a man.....and he was the drama problem, but it was not drama for drama's sake. He was just mean, and acted out A LOT!!!! He blamed it on his hot Italian blood. I laughed, got smacked for it, but I laughed anyway!!!!! LOL OK. Off to do the laundry. Son, and family coming over tonight, so I told Rick, I am not going to cook, I have too much to do, so pizza Hut is gonna cook!!! Especially now that I know I am not going to turn into a raging maniac around food!!!! Terry--Mom doing ok out of the hospital? How you feeling Judy? Talk Soon! Kat

I was like the mail----through rain, sleet, hail, snow, and even a few minutes of sunshine, 13 hours of crappy weather---but I am home, and totally unfilled in preparation for Tuesday!!! I am not hungry yet----that was my fear! So far I feel no differently, but it did feel different eating dinner last night. I was not "full". But I ate what I knew I would have with restriction, and stopped, and have been fine with it. I am usually really tight in the morning, so I eat a late Breakfast if at all. Today I do not have the tight feeling, but have not been feeling hungry, so just going to go along like it is filled in there. The thought of going out, and pigging out is there.....don't get me wrong. But the scale is still moving down---slowly, but down none the less....so using that for motivation. Plus I will be doing things this weekend, that are not normal---snacking etc. So trying to behave while I can!!!!!!!! Anyway---one step closer. YAY!!! Kat

I am not much of a drinker, so I always use mixes---as I don't know what to add otherwise!!!! I usually drink Amaretto at home, or when we go out. But it is not something that matters to me. I can drink a bottle of water and be happy being with all of you--or I can get really trashed and drink one of everything you are all having!!!! LOL You girls be sure to keep track of what all you spend....so we can cover our share. I know alcohol, and soda, and snacks are not cheap! Especially for us! I have a zip lock bag in my checked suitcase with tea bags in it already----yay me!!! LOL I did it when I thought of it, or I would have forgot!!! Well Ms. Kinsey is awake, so I think we will hit town early, get our shopping done, finish off with lunch with Rick, and get back home early!!! My DIL nor my youngest DD have brought me any pics....dangit! I know Abbey is off in another world right now! They are so thrilled over this baby. I might end up there with tons of pictures of Kinsey and none of anyone else.......oh well....maybe today! Kat

Hi everyone! Went yesterday for my total unfill, feels pretty scary without that safety net!!! In actuality at this point I FEEL no different!!! It is a 13 hour round trip and the weather was horrid!!! Both mountain passes (both over 10,000 feet) snowed like crazy---blizzard conditions coming home on one. I drove for hours through snow, sleet, hail, rain, and about 30 minutes of bright shining sun......I was exhausted when I got home!! I will be gone now for awhile. I am leaving tomorrow for Albuquerque, so I can fly out early Friday morning. Then will be in Texas with the Shrinking Violets for the long weekend, come home late Monday night---and have surgery early Tuesday! Then give me a day or 2 to recover, and I will try to get in and let ya know I survived!!! My band Dr. was thrilled with my weight, and said he thinks I will be a great candidate for the TT---he said he looks forward to seeing the results....me too!!! I have a to do list a mile long, I better get started. Hugs to you all, and I'll see you in about a week!!! Imagine in a week it will all be over! Kat

Good morning! Well I made it home in one piece with no deer or elk for a hood ornament! Saw plenty of them, but none closer than the side of the road thankfully!!! I drove through hours of rain, snow, hail, sleet -- and about 30 minutes of sunshine!!!! Was not a pleasant trip! He had trouble hitting my port...he thinks it is just that as I have dropped weight, the port is sitting at an angle now....so he is speaking with my surgeon today about port placement, and they may move it. He poked me 7 times--my belly is sore. Then I have to laugh at myself, complaining of a few needle pokes with what I am in for!!! Dummy me! I can definitely tell a difference in no restriction. I cannot say I am hungry yet. But usually when I get up, I just "know" I need to wait awhile to eat. The feeling is different. I ate last night without issue, but I just ate what I would have otherwise---and tried to eat in the same way as I am now used to. Going to continue in that way, and hope it is not a mad rush to regain weight!!! He was thrilled with my progress, and results. I spoke to a couple of women in the waiting room who were there for their first consult following the seminar. They were so excited. Then there was a young woman sitting in the office, I think he had done some implant surgery for her---she is thin...very thin, and she says "I think I would have skipped the surgery if I would have thought I would have all that excess skin"---I wanted to be so rude!!!! I told her, I had decided I would rather have deflated skin, than fat filled skin! The overweight women agreed, she just ignored me!!! LOL I decided in her case----you can give a woman big new fake boobs---ya just can't give her personality! Well today I have a dozen things on my to do list. Then tomorrow, I have the morning to do all my last minute cleaning---then it is off to Albq. so I can be ready to hit the airport at 4:30 AM!! I am soooooo excited! I'm with you Jane---this unfilled business is a bit spooky!!! I feel like someone just took the training wheels off my bike!! You Violets are gonna have to run beside us--make sure we don't fall!!! LOL Supposed to rain here today, in fact the weather report showed rain at the Albq. as well as Houston airports----I hope it all clears up, I liked the weather report Terry posted!!! Well I am going to go through the email I missed yesterday and get busy, I have too much to do, to go back to sleep with Kinsey which is what I reallllllllllly want to do!! Hope everyone is feeling better! Kat

Up, and ready to go.....it is cold and windy, looks ready to rain here---wonder what the mountain passes have in store??? Michelle they have eye drops made for allergies available over the counter this year, called Zaditor. They were Rx only til this year. They are not cheap---I think I paid $12 a bottle in Walmart for them. They do not work as well for me as the Pantenol Rx----which I am out of! But they work, and they worked fantastic for my DD. They are a 12 hour formula----and they work for a long time I will say! I think if I would remember to just use them in the morning....rather than waiting until the itching gets so bad already, it would help!!!! You might try them. I NEVER got relief from Visine, or Bausch & Laumb----any of that type of OTC. This is an antihistimine eye drop---it makes a huge difference!!! Well----hope everyone is feeling better, and that your Mom is improving Terry. Sounds like maybe your sister is a bit jealous of you having fun plans. Maybe you should have told her you needed time to go have a colonoscopy---or something not fun!! Well I gotta get going....I am procrastinating, because I don't wanna do this!! LOL See you girls tomorrow! Kat

Terry--it is not SOP for the surgery. I have such an issue with the weight of this hanging pannus, that it is interupting the lymphatic Fluid drainage, and actually making it appear worse than before, due to fluid retention. He said it is not uncommon, that the next step would be for the lymph nodes in the groin to swell, and people see the gyno, who then sends them to him. So he is hoping to use them to reduce the swelling in the tissue. He is consulting with my PCP to see if we can put me onto some diuretics instead----if my blood pressure will take it, it is pretty low these days....who would thunk it???! Anyway....my Dad is riding with me tomorrow. Becky was going to but her flight in from TX----was delayed----not something I want to hear with the tight schedule I am sticking to next weekend!!! LOL But it will be good to have some time with my Dad. If he will help me stay awake that will be good! Watching for deer is the biggie tomorrow night....and a storm is due to hit the mountains. It never fails! It is supposed to be storming in Albq, the morning I leave for IAH! GAAHH!!! Anyway....... Judy feel better----I am so sorry you are sick! Michelle....hope it is not pink eye. Everyone hang in there, we are almost there!!!! I did not sleep last night hardly at all, so I am off to bed....I'll try to look in in the morning before I leave, if not see ya Wed. Hugs! Kat

Thanks!!! Today was my final appointment before surgery. It did not go well from the start! The office girl was basically just supposed to get me to sign my releases, explain the do's and don'ts, and he would poke his head in the door, and give me my Rx, and we would be done. She brings in my paperwork, and says she really wanted to talk with me, that although my chart says there was insurance approval, when she called to get a pre authorization, BCBS would not give her one, said it had to be submitted AFTER the procedure. I ask her several questions, she said they may go right ahead and pay, but since they declined a pre auth, they may deny me. Well I read the requirements, and know I qualify with my history etc, so I told her fine schedule me anyway. So she brings me my release forms and it all says panniculectomy not referring to anything else. So I ask her about the muscle repair, and she told me no----that insurance does not cover cosmetic, and muscle repair is cosmetic. I was so upset, I know what he told me, and I ask her to look back through my chart...she said no it is on the schedule for a panniculectomy, not a Full Tummy Tuck. Then she could not find record of my EKG and blood work from last November, so she sent me over to get them redone. I will be surprised if my EKG is normal, I was so upset! While I lay there doing those things, I pondered what to do. I mean even a panniculectomy would remove the worst of this, and make me appear normal, even if I did not have superior muscle tone. So I called my DH on the way back to the office, and he said to ask to talk to the Dr., and he was on his way. So I went back, and Belinda, his nurse showed me to a room---and I began asking her what was going on---she had no idea! So a few minutes later, DH walks in, and right on his heels is the Dr, he said no, no, no.....there was no pre auth needed, there is a $500.00 co pay---and that is it. And he IS doing a Full Tummy Tuck, with muscle repair. He is not going to contour muscle. He explained it saying contouring is going in to healthy muscle and tightening it to make a more hourglass shape, etc. But with my build there is not much reason for it....I have no hips to finish out the hourglass!!! So....we are all set to go Tuesday Morning!!! I get an exact surgery time on Friday. I have to call from my mini vacation in TX to find out a surgery time. Tomorrow I go for a full unfill. I am not looking forward to it at all. I am so happy with where I am, and praying I can get back to this point without issue. Plus it is a 13 hour round trip drive, and DH is not going to be able to go with me.....damn job! So......I will check in with everyone on Thursday, for the last time. I am going to be gone for the unfill tomorrow, then home Thursday morning. Then Thursday afternoon I am driving to Albuquerque to fly out to meet the Violets, for a few days. I fly home Monday night, and have surgery Tueday morning.....wooohooo!!!! PS---Gotta share my happy news. Our youngest DD is pregnant!!! She and her DH have been married for 4 years, and just found out, she is not due til January!! But a new baby!!! I have a feeling over the next year or so, all 3 of our kids will present a new one! Babies---gotta love 'em! Thanks for all the support, I am so excited again I could bust! Kat

ssssshhhhhhhh Diet Dr. Pepper........ I will be unfilled afterall!!! Kat

Well, I am home-------what a day! First things first--I got flowers delivered this morning--which kind of puzzled me, I saw all the kids yesterday....but was happy anyway--opened the card and it said "Happy Grandma's Day!!! Love Abbey and Rhett" I thought to myself, well I just saw them, and they gave me a card, and a rose bush for the yard....and as I walked to the table it hit me---it said GRANDMA!!! They have no kids....yet....she is due in January!!! She went to the Dr. tried to get a confirmation to pass the word on Mothers Day, but they didn't get the blood test results til this morning. She has issues with urine tests, they ALL say positive! But she is pregnant----so she called her best friend and she happens to run a florists shop, so she spread the word that way so....I am gonna be a Granny again! I called her excited of course, and told her she had to tell her Dad, so she called and met him for lunch, and told him, he is so thrilled! I told him it would surprise me if over the next year or 2 we don't end up with 3 more--all 3 kids! Well 3 counting this one!! I am so happy!!! A new baby!! Had a scare this morning at the PS. She brought my paperwork in to sign for release, and was telling me that BC/BS had not totally approved me, she still needed a pre auth, and they refused it, saying it would have to be submitted after the procedure. So I might end up paying for it. That sounded wrong, but I have everything required for them to pay so was not totally worried. Then she brings the papers, and they are all for a panniculectomy, not a full tummy tuck. I figure it may all be medical terminology so I ask about the muscle repair, and she said, no he wasn't doing the muscles, that insurance doesn't cover that as it is cosmetic. I double questioned her, and ask her to look back at my chart....nope. Then she said the hospital did not have record of my blood work or my EKG from my thyroid surgery. So she made me do both of them again----which I expected anyway. I was bumming over it all, when Belinda, the Dr.'s nurse called to tell me, that I was given erroneous information that insurance had approved the pre auth, with a $500.00 co pay. For both procedures combined. I ask "Both?" she said skin excision with lipo, and muscle repair with lift, are considered 2 procedures, even though to get to one you have to do the other. I told her the girl said there was to be no muscle repair--she said Oh no, that is what this is all about! I was so relieved I about cried!!! So I ask her about his insistence with the steroids----she had him get on the line, he is supposed to think it over and call me back. Either way, I should be fine driving tomorrow, as I have not got on them yet! 13 hours round trip tomorrow, and I am dreading it more than I can tell you. I am scared to be unfilled, and not thrilled about my nighttime drive home through the mountains. Anyway, went and had Lucy do my pedi----and picked up prescriptions for Rick, and dropped some things off to my sick brother (while trying not to breath!) and finally made it home. Terry---I did want to say something, but hated to because technically they were people Rick knew. In many ways, it is a cultural thing....the Navajos do not view family as we do....my nephews call all males on their Dads side Grandpa. There were a couple who did the same thing to us 3 years ago on Christmas Eve!!! Dropped by with family pictures, and just sat for hours---we were trying to get them to leave....no way!!! Rick and I wanted to "relax" under the tree!!! LOL Then last month on Easter the one guy who is always borrowing money, wanted Rick to drive to Farmington to loan him $20. There is no space respect.....they think they ARE family I guess. I am trying to let it go. Like Haydee, I have to accept that Rick is too kind hearted to tell anyone they are not welcome to stay unless they DO something to make him. I hate it when these things happen, but at the same time his kind heart is one of the things I love most about him. So taking a lesson from Haydee---thanks Pamela too---I am letting it go, and thinking Rick is just nicer than me!!! Gotta get dinner! Kat

Haydee-can you bring me some really cute outfits that make me look like a size 8 or so....that are really comfy----yet classy???? If not.....guess I will make do with whats I gots!! LOL You guys are so sweet bringing the towels and all the stuff--- Terry--I can bring my stuff with me, it will fit in the corners of my suitcase just fine!!! No need to send you out buying decaf tea bags!!!! LOL Kat

You might get doubles Pamela!!! Judy -----------TY TY TY!!! Seriously----THANKS!!! They are all programmed in now. I should not have put it off that way. Everytime I tried to open the travel docs file, I just get a blank page, that says it is done......it might be me, of that there is no doubt!!!! Well I am going to approach my PS about doing the surgery without an unfill tomorrow. Especially if he opts to put me on steroids. Scares me to approach it, that he will want to postpone the surgery, until I can work it out. My DD has an appt. with her gyno that day concerning the follow up on all of her stuff. Everyone else works or has small kids.....and if I cannot drive, that is 12-13 hours with good vision!!!! Lots of mountain roads....this sucks! I cannot believe the one class he has to have----and it is the same day---but everything seems to be happening that way lately. My friends wedding is the same day as our class reunion---I had to choose. My Aunt and cousin who I am very close to will be here the 17th & 18th of July----I seldom get to see them, and they sent this email all excited to see me after surgery....but we have already set up reservations and we will be out of town the same weekend! Oh well......will let you know what the Dr. says----I see him at 11:15 in the morning. Then off for a pedi----hope it is a relaxing time. We had a weird day, and I was not a real happy camper. We were getting things ready for cooking, and Rick's cell phone rang, it was a guy who used to work for him, he told Rick he was down the road, and he had just bought a new Harley and wanted Rick to see it, so he was going to drive by. I told Rick, "Don't hang out, out front talking to Johnny if our kids and everyone show up" He told me ok. So they pull up, get off the bike, we go out do the oohs and ahs. He said they were going to Rubios (Mexican restaurant in town) but they were closed....which was not a biggie, it is 4 blocks away. About that time Manda and Jason and Kinsey showed up, and they said Hi and walked into the back yard, because they bring their dogs----well Johnny's wife, just follows Manda back there, sits down, and ASK Rick for a beer! They did not leave! They insinuated themselves in with our kids, and my parents, and she ticked off my DIL who said his wife was flirting outrageously with Rick! So.....instead of "helping" Rick ended up trying to maintain peace, and entertaining people. I was furious!!!!! The girls kept trying to get me to go sit down outside, and let them get dinner ready, for me not to do anything. I told them nope, I'd just be rude, I would rather spend the time in the kitchen with at least a few of the people I choose to spend time with. These people for one reason or another, will act like we are long lost best friends one time, and then the next time we see them, they may act like we have never met! Not my favorite people anyway, and to make themselves at home during a family outin---and her kids called her on her cell 3 times!!! They kept asking for beer. I LOOKED at Rick and he told them no more beer, not on a bike....I thought they would leave! NOPE! Finally my parents left, and kids were wanting to take us to ice cream, and we had to tell them we were leaving. AAaarrgghh!!! We went to our friends ice cream shop, and they showed up there too. But they didn't buy any ice cream, and I didn't offer---I couldn't I didn't take my purse even. Kids bought!!! They told Rick they would stop by next weekend, and maybe go for a ride....I betcha I end up being a witch!!! If they had been decent, I would have invited them, I have others----but this ticked me off in a major way! Oh well.....we survived, and I enjoyed my kids...and grandkids, and not so much the dogs. DS's dog is toooooooo wild! Manda brought me tons of pictures to bring, just like I ask, DIL did not. Abbey left the ones she has for me at my MIL's---but I will get them. Hopefully DIL comes through! Well I am off to bed-----I'm exhausted!!! Tension takes it out of you!!! LOL, my poor DH was so unsure how to handle things, I almost felt sorry for him.....LOL Kat

Just left a message on the Greune thread, but I cannot open the travel docs---the Google one---and I need to program all the #'s in my phone........HELP!! Kat

Hey I just sat down to program all the numbers into my phone, and I cannot get the travel doc to open---any idea why? I have our list from Christmas-----but not sure yet who all is or is not listed with a cell #. HELP!!!! Kat

Happy Mother's Day my friends!! Well I began packing in earnest this morning. I have clothes figured out, and jammies that will hopefully work--I guessed and stitched up the arm holes on the new ones I was given that are too big!!! LOL--nver even tried on the pants----I hope I don't embarass us all!!! I will not be around a lot in the next few days---it is going to be crazy. My kids are due here within the hour---so the rest of the day will be busy. Tomorrow I have my final appointment with the plastic surgeon before surgery. Then my Mom is taking me for a pedicure, she knows how it is when you are heading to the hospital!! I love my Mommy!! If my PS puts me on steroids, soon after I begin them I lose my ability to drive, my sight is affected! Hoping, and kind of doubting I will be on them, maybe a heavy diuretic---meaning we will have to stop at every potty for me!! sorry...... Wed. we have to leave early, I have a 2 PM appointment with my band Dr. for the unfill, and he is 6 hours away! So it will be a full day for that. Just found out Rick cannot take me either. He has a class to teach, and I doubt we would be back.....dammit! Thurs. I have lots of cleaning to do, and I am then going to drive to Albq. I will spend the night there, as I have to be at the airport by 4-4:30 the next morning. If I wait at home I will be leaving about 1 AM to drive to Albq.---so I would arrive in TX the next morning with no sleep the night before. I would be excited enough to make it, but I am trying to keep myself healthy as well as happy at this point!!!! So......doesn't leave me a lot of extra time. I am seriously bumming about Rick not being able to go to CO with me for my unfill.....I was looking forward to the one on one time before all this starts, he is my calming force!! Oh well...... OK kids should be here soon, gonna go brew some tea! See y'all later tonight maybe!!! Kat

Pamela--you are brilliant---shope for a wallet in TX!! Of course! Terry, I so hope Mom is improving, prayer always helps, of that I have no doubt.....you have been in mine, for continued strength....it has to be very hard on you. (((hugs))) Jane in the summer, about once every 2 weeks, I put some heavy duty foot cream on my feet at bedtime, and put on socks----it is misery until I can finally fall asleep!!! They drive me out of my ever lovin' mind!!! I am bringing jammies with me to TX, but at home prefer nothing between me and my sheets---including socks!!! But it makes my feet so soft---I make myself do it. Today while chatting with my DIL, I referred to a ring DH gave me back when we were very young.....that of course was waaaaaay too small for years, when I thought about it, I went to the jewelry box, and dug it out---and it fits like a dream!!! I am wearing it with my new little gold band. Rick wants me to find a 3 stone ring to wear with the band, he saw several when he bought it, but.....not happening right now! The point of this is---when he gave me the ring back in the day, I was probably no more than 135-140 pounds. So that tells me a size 7 is about what my size is going to be from here on out. So.....I am thinking it might be the time to have my wedding rings sized---after surgery I mean, but still----actually do it and wear my beloved rings again, I would be sooooooo happy!!!! Well, I am going to go play some games, until Rick finishes watching this movie, and then go on to bed! See you girls tomorrow!! Kat

Brandy---from the sounds of several things you are saying, it seems as though your Dr. left out a lot of valuable information, as far as "slider" foods, and what makes one a good candidate for banding over other WLS's available. You also stated at one point, that he does mostly bypass. So my question to you is....have you ever had a scope, or a fluor study looked at by another surgeon to determine if perhaps your band IS improperly placed?? I have read of them being placed too high for instance, and any restriction is too much restriction. And another thing!!! (LOL) MANY people react very negatively when they end up with an unfill. I have a friend, the very one who interested me in being banded. She was banded several months ahead of me---and was losing steadily---which is what I found appealing of course! She ended up too tight....unfill, and she did ok for a few days, then she felt tighter again, and began eating the easy foods, and weight began creeping back on. Soon---in a matter of 2-3 months she had regained all she had lost, and had been filled a couple of times, then unfilled, because she was so tight. So she went for over a year with nothing. No fills, no weight loss---nothing. Then another friend who has been banded began going to a different place for fills, and interested her in going along....and they are putting the tiniest amount of fill in her you can imagine---now remember this is in a 10 ml. band designed to hold 4cc.'s when full----they are adding less than a quarter of a cc at a time....sometimes as small as .10cc. She paid a yearly fee, and can be filled as often as needed during that time---and she has begun to feel not so much restriction, as hunger control---which is the ultimate goal. But she had to go to nothing for awhile, and let her stomach settle seriously---he told her, she was so sensitive, that even a case of hiccups, might cause her to swell, and have trouble with food! And she noticed when she was having more problems digesting food is when she wanted ice cream, and cookie dough, and mashed potatoes and gravy, etc. So her body knew....and she craved accordingly. She said now any little blip, and she skips her next meal in favor of an Ensure or other Protein drink, and her tummy settles. It took her some serious study of her own body AS WELL AS a Dr. who took more than a minute to unfill or fill her to figure it out. Perhaps, before a change of surgery---maybe a change of Dr. would be worth a try? I too am a massive Apple shape, and used to laugh at the horrid plus size clothes being offered, saying I looked like an Easter Egg on toothpicks!! I did a lot of video workouts---I found several on DVD at our library, and tried them til I found what I liked. I have a tumor in my leg, and cannot do anything high impact---such as running or step classed etc. So I improvised....and eventually, weight began coming off of someplace besides my butt and legs---but it took forever!!! I wish you luck in discovering the answer...... Kat

I have heard a heating pad, frequent changing of positions--lie down for awhile, then sit up....and lots of walking help the most with shoulder pain. It hits some people really hard, and others like myself had none.... Hang in there, and hope your friends make this an easy thing for you to do---that you find them to be extremely supportive. It is much easier to do when those around you are as excited, and happy about your decision as you are. I cannot remember how much I lost in the beginning, it is not really a time to worry so much about weight loss, as it is about healing with proper nutrition, and sticking strictly to the post op diet given to you by your surgeon. It is VERY important! Your band was lightly stitched into position, but only in order to allow scar tissue to form and hold it in proper placement. Anytime you eat food, the stomach has to work and churn, and knead to digest food, and that interupts the formation of the scar tissue. It does not always show up right away, many times it is months or a year down the road, and your band slips---because it had extra room in the scar tissue formation. Although, slips CAN be caused by other things, and often the cause is totally unknown. It is still not worth the risk of doing something they know can cause slips. The best advice is to walk as much as you can! It is a great way to help your residual gas pains, and also a wonderful start to an exercise program---which speeds weight loss! Congrats on your banding, I love seeing young people take control early----great choice! It will make your life so much easier, and healthy!!! Welcome to LBT! Kat

I wear socks in the winter, or when I am cold....and they HAVE to match whatever I am wearing....I will change if they don't!!! I am almost as bad with my flip flops--I own probably more than 40 pair!!! I match them when I can too. I am trying to decide whether to bring a generic pair, or pack multiples!!!! I have capri's, tops, and flip flops, and that will be my outfit...day in and day out!!! And back to the sock thing---I hate going to TX in the fall, I am never sure what to pack weather wise, some years we get there, and first thing we do is get the AC going. Other years, we are digging out the space heaters!!! BUT one year when the weather kept changing on us, I wore tenny shoes and socks down to the pecan bottom....and got chigger bites all over my ankles, where the socks were....nowhere else, just where my socks were!!!! Little horrors itched Omg they itched like crazy!!! Well we had a nice lunch with the parents and the kids. We did call ahead seating, it still took them 40 minutes to get us a table...they were idiots!! We told them, there would be 15 of us. So at one point they cleared a table for 8, and were waiting for the next table to clear so they could pull it in to finish us off, and another hostess sat a group of 7 down, so we had to wait longer! I was getting highly irritated!!! But in the end it was all fun. Tomorrow the kids are all going to be here, I guess we are going to grill---I don't know nuthin' about it, the girls are handling it!!! I love my DD, today they were discussing it, and my DIL ask me "well can you eat ribeye and baked potatoes and things like that?" My DD told her, "She can eat anything! We'll plan it, and she eats around it, taking what she wants---she really hates always being ask can she eat something." Yes!! Sometime, somehow, somewhere she listened!!! I simply said....Ribeye is my favorite---hoping they stick to that plan!!! LOL So get this, I was all happy because my wallet I loved matched my new purse....today we stopped at Lowes to get some lawn fertilizer, and when I opened the snap to get my debit card----the snap broke! AAarrggghh!! I paid close to $30.00 for it no less than 10 years ago at Dillards, and I loved it....apparently too well!!! Oh well, time to buy a new one, and try to learn where things are! Question is----do I go back to Dillards and spend the $$$ on one to last another 10+ years, or do I hit Wallyworld???? I think Target has some nice ones, Penneys too---will look Monday! Grandson has arrived in a flourish of noise and activity!!! Better Run!!! Hugs! Kat

If you really liked your Birks, Laura, a new pair would notb e bad for your back, but you do need to have bad wear patterns fixed--they can add just to sections of the sole to correct things like rolling them to the outside. But they give great support especially if you have self corrected the problem with age, and weight loss. Gotta run to town we need a motorcycle battery for something!! Kat

Another flip flopper here!!! Before I lost weight, I lived in my birkenstocks through the summer, then I had knee surgery, and lost weight, and wow---it helped my feet!!!! Imagine! It is windy here, pretty, blue sky but wind is blowing. I feel bad, Rick is mowing---normally something I enjoy doing, but not right now with allergies as bad as they are, and the wind blowing those lilac germs at me!!! LOL Laura, did the tornados in Alabama come close to you? Keds and capri's are fine---and if you prefer the feel of shoes with socks, use the shorty low ones, and it will be fine. What about the new crossover kind of shoes---they are close toed, and are considered tennis shoes, but they are kind of strappy across the top??? I was the same way Pamela, when I wore my Birks all summer, I lived the rest of the year in my Avia tenny shoes----I tried Nike, New Balance, several kinds. Then I went with my brother to have his boot built up at this place that makes orthotics, but also makes prosthetics. With my brothers injury he has to have the sole built up and a brace installed inside one of his boots. Well the guy who does it was the one to suggest birkenstocks to me, so I ask his opinion on tennis shoes. He looked at my foot---checked out how my arch withstood my walking--whether it collapsed at all----and measured my foot and told me for my foot I would be best off in Avia or something else---so I went with the Avia (we are talking over 10 years ago) and to this day I can almost walk in, and buy a pair off the shelf without even trying them on. He said if you have a tendency to roll your foot in, try Reebok, but avoid Adidas---told me all these things in how each one is made just a bit different. Some shoes your foot sits on, others it sits in.....and I need one to sit IN. Pretty wierd, he was on the money though!! Well my Dad is here, better run!!! BBL~~ Kat