Mrs Husker

Just wanted to stop in and check up on everyone. You guys are doing great. Between work, kids, Women in the Outdoors and my Relay for Lift team, there isn't much time to log-in and check up. But things are the same, still sitting at 174, but haven't done anything about exercise lately and running so much, eating hasn't been that great. Well, back to work, then teaching a bow hunting class tonight. Hope to be home by 10 so I can shower and get to bed before 11:00 so I can get up and start all over again tomorrow. Take care Marchies.

Texas-When I get the "How much weight have you lost?" question, I answer with an equaly personal question like "Fine, hows your sex life?" I don't get how people (other than very close friends) can ask people questions about their weight.

Gwen-So far the only "problem" food I have is chicken and pork chops (except during TOM, then all bets are off). I made pork chops with rice and gravey last night and about the 3rd or 4th bite I was up and running for the bathroom. When I do pb, I noticed that all that seems to come up is the slim that went down on top of the last bite. Lara-Welcome back. 75lbs gone!! You are doing great and will get to onederland soon. And I am right with ya on the chips. I have to make an effort not to buy them while I am at the store. I know that I don't need them, but boy do I crave their salty, crispy goodness. Well, same stuff, different day around here. Granted, my summer fishing/outdoor programs at work are starting to pick up. With that, my relay for life team and my Women In the Outdoors, along with everything that I need to do (but seem not to) at home, I don't have much extra time. The one thing that suffers is computer time. And I really need to make sure to check in more often with everyone here. It does help to keep me on track with what I need to be doing. You women are the greatest. This would have been a lot harder without all of your support. For that I want to say a big THANK YOU. And now I have to get back to work.

I am sick as a flipping dog today. It started Saturday with a weird sore throat that has moved into my head. I start sneezing and can’t stop. It brings tears to my eyes. My head feels like it wants to explode. It didn’t help that I moved my ds into the dorm yesterday in the rain. He is only an hour away and plans on coming home most weekends, but it is so weird not being able to see him everyday. He called me today between classes to let me know that he was up all night throwing up. It really sucked that there was nothing I could do for him but offer advice. I know that his is 19 and really doesn’t need mom around all the time, but I sure miss my “little” boy. I still have my dh at home for another 6 years so that helps with the "empty nest" feelings. I always thought that when the kids where grown and gone I would celebrate being able to do whatever I want without having to worry about them. But I don't think that is going to happen anytime soon.

Sorry to hear that you are having a rough time. Wheneven I feel too tight (every morning) and after a pb, I drink hot decaf green mint tea. For me its a blessing. Not only does it sooth it helps to lossen me up. And since it's decaf, it counts towards my water for the day.

Anyone hear anything from Texas? I have been praying that her mammo came out fine. Janine, if you read this, just wanted to let you know that I think about you almost daily. I hope everything is going good with you also. Remember, we are here whenever you need us.

Heck Jeni, you are only a 10.8 lbs from losing 100 lbs!! Now that is kicking some butt. I also hope to start walking again this summer. I love walking. And I work in a state park so I get to see some beautiful scenery plus wild turkey and deer. I need to get back into the pratice of getting to work early enough so I can walk in the mornings, thats the best time to walk around here. I do walk around my neighborhood with my gf at night, but she never shuts up and there are times when all I want to do is walk and be in my own head.

You might not have anyone around you, but we will be there to support you.

Nikki, I got lucky and got mine at a Goodwill. I just need to use if more ofter. Check out craigslist.org and see what you can find. I have come to the conclusion that I am a slow loser. I was hoping to be at goal in a year, but if I get close to it by summers end, I will be one happy lady. And I also need to kick up the exercise, or to be totally truthfull, I need to get back to it like I was before.

Congrats Jessi and welcome to the band. I was banded 1 year ago and am feeling great. I am on the "slow" loss plan, but I couldn't be happier. I only have about 39 lbs to reach goal and if I get there by summers end, I will be pleased.

Another dog lover here. When I was younger, I took a abused dog from a neighbors back yard in the middle of the night and took it to my girlfriends house that live out in the country. The neighbor didn't even relize that the dog was gone for about two or three days. Before I did this, I had called our humane society about this dog and was told that there was nothing that they could do because the dog had food, water and shelter. This dog was on a chain 24/7 in the back yard. Even in the winter. His “shelter”, which was falling apart with nails sticking out of it, was sitting in full sun all summer and the door was too large so in the winter it was never warm. The owners never took it for a walk, never came out to play with it, nothing. The only interaction that dog had with his “owners” was when someone went out to feed or water him and he would start barking and they would yell “Shut the hell up!!” Anytime I went into my backyard, he would get so excited. But he was chained too far away for me to reach over the fence to pet him. So, under the cover of darkness (it was also on a night that I knew they wouldn’t be home) I stole their dog and I have never regretted it. I just got my baby (10 year old schnauzer) back Friday from being at the vet for over a week. Last Wednesday he was at the park with my dd and fell off the park bench and dislocated his hip. The week before, he had surgery for a growth on his ear and a tooth abscess. When we got him (from a no kill animal shelter) we knew that we are going to be responsible for his food and shelter, but also any medical problems and we planned for that. Granted, this was a bit much for one month, but there is no way I would ever think of griping about the bill. Riley isn’t my pet, he’s my buddy and part of our family. I would be lost without him and want him around as long as possible.

I know that I'm early, but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter. Hope you have a great weekend. I will be thinking of all of you as I sit here at work all weekend.

Hey Fed Cop, The meetings are the first Monday of the month, 6:00-7:30 in the same place as the seminar. Have you had a chance to check out our on-line group at yahoogroups.com? They send out a notice before each meeting letting you know what that meeting is going to be about. So, you got to meet Emily. She is so sweet. She is also the person who does the fills for Dr McBride. Dr McBride has all her fills done under flouro which I think is great. I like seeing how everything is working and know that it is working fine. They can also tell right away if you are too tight and save ya a trip back for an unfill. It's great that your insurance will cover it. I ended up switching insurances because I got tired of BCBS giving me the run around. Mutual approved me even before I switched. They also cover all but about $30 dollars (with the $20.00 co-pay for the appt it make it around $50.00) for my fills. Take care and I hope that you can make it to the next meeting.

Well, I did my one year photos last night, but have to wait to post them until my dh hooks up my old computer so I can find my "before" photos. I think I still look like crap. My thighs, well lets just say cottage cheese. Like I said before, when I look in the mirror, I don’t think I look bad. But photos tell a different story. I though that with only 39 lbs to goal I would look a lot more different. Maybe I will think differently after I find the before photos so I can compare.

Hey Texas, Just checking to see how you appt went today. Still praying that all is well.

This has nothing to do with tires, but the people I have to deal with with my job can be a real pain in the ass. I work for our states outdoor education program. Part of that job is hunter education. I get calls for people who are going to another state on a once in a lifetime elk hunt that just found out that they need to take a hunter ed course. The best part is that they are leaving that weekend. Well, first, it ain’t going to happen and second, if this was me and I was going on a "once in a life time" hunting trip that I paid out the nose for, I think I would have check the rule and regs to see what was required long before now. I really feel bad for these people until they start bitching and cussing at me like its my fault that they are a dumb ass. And the ruder and nastier they get, the happier I get that they can’t go.

Congrats Jeni and Juli!!!

Fed Cop, Dr McBride doesn't set up an appt until after the insurance is approved. So, how did you like her talk on Monday? The first time I went I didn't know anything about the band, I was wanting RNY. After hearing her talk about it, I went home, read everything I could about the band, and went back to listen to her talk again. I am so glad that she requires everyone to attend on of those sessions. I also starting attend the suport group meetings and talking to people face to face that have gone through what I was getting ready to go through really helped. I hope that you can get another night off and attend one of those. As for not wanting anyone at work knowing....I told everyone I work with. Granted there are only 5 full time people here, but I did ask each and everyone of them not to tell anyone outside of the aquarium. Someone let the cat out of the bag and now I think that over half of the people in the agency know about my band. Wish I would have kept my mouth shut and just told my boss. I know I can trust him to keep his mouth shut.

Texas-Just wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you and will keep you in my prayers. TammyJ and Nikki-You both look just “fabulous darling”. I mean that. I plan on posting my pre and post photos this week. I hope to look as good. I still see myself as the same as before. I know that I am in smaller clothes and the scale isn’t reading so high, but I still see myself in the mirror as the same person as I was a year ago. But back then, when I looked in the mirror I didn’t see a fat person either (photos were another story). So maybe my perception of myself has finally caught up with what I really look like, if that makes any sense.

I have way too much to do today here at work, but I had to stop and share this NSV with you guys. I was outside just a minute ago and my back was to the sun. I looked at my shadow and there is light between my legs. I went inside and got the ruler from my desk and check that my feet were only 3 ½ inches apart. My legs used to touch from the knees up!! All I can say is holy crap!! Now back to work with another smile plastered on my face all day long.

Congrats hrhusker!! If you have any question or need any support, you know where to come!! Keep us posted.

Fedcop-I love Dr McBride. She has the band. I also just found out that she is due in July. As for approval, I am 5 foot even and was 235 at my highest. I believe that I was down to 223 when I was approved. I also have (had) diabetes, sleep apnea, pain in my knees, feet, and lower back. Still have the apnea, but I am thinking of going in for another sleep study to see if I still need it. All my other problems that were weight related have cleared up. It is so nice not to hear my knees snap, crackle and pop anytime I walk up the stairs. Also, no more finger pricks is three to four times per day is heaven. You should try and come to one of our support group meetings. They are the first Monday at of the month at 6:00, in the same place as the seminar. We also have a yahoo group, not very active, but a lot of information on it. Just go under yahoogroup.com and search for UNMC Bariatric and request to join. Hope to see you at the next meeting.

Last night I went out with my girlfriend. We went to the hardware store and then she needed to stop at Wal-Mart for a few things. I decided to look at their jeans. I bought 2 pair of 14 thinking that I will be needing them soon. Well, soon was TODAY!! I am now in a size 14. I shouldn't have tried them on when I got home about 10:00. When you get that excited and that happy, trust me, it’s not conducive to sleeping. Now I can't wait for March 20 when I will be doing my 1 year photo. Granted, I still hate the way I look in a bathing suit but fully dressed and even my 19 yo ds thinks that I am looking slimmer. One last note. My dh has said no to any plastic surgery now or in the future. When I tried to argue with him about it, he said “Every time that you have been put under, I am scared to death that you won’t wake up. I can’t lose you”. When you can see the tears in your husbands eyes you know that he means it. Damn I love that man. Granted, I am still hoping that in a year or two when I am where I want to be weight wise, I might revisit this topic and see if I can change his mind.

Hi Fed Cop! Welcome aboard!! After my surgery, I had 8 to 10 days of clear liquids. I can't remember how long it was, but I know about that time I called my nurse and asked to be moved up to full liquids. It is going to depend on who does your surgery as to how long you are going to be in whatever phase of the diet. Just make sure you follow it and give yourself time to heal. So, who is doing your surgery?

WOW my5!! Your look great! Your loss really shows in your face. That is what I am hoping for, no more double/triple chin. Keep up the good work. And Dems-I'm with Juli, your nurse stinks. 51 lbs is awsome!!