I'm here to help...

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

fly by this morning... woke up late and now running around like a chicken! hope everyone has a good day and weekend! safe travels for those of you traveling! Only good thing is I was down 2 lbs this morning! yipeeee! peasout.. will CBL this afternoon... Laura

[Charlene K 1]

fly by this morning... woke up late and now running around like a chicken! hope everyone has a good day and weekend! safe travels for those of you traveling! Only good thing is I was down 2 lbs this morning! yipeeee! peasout.. will CBL this afternoon... Laura

CONGRATS! Peas........I am going to Dr Davis this morning and will weigh in. I think I lost 2lbs. I will call back later. Have a great day!!!

[ladykcusa 1]

Laura & Arlene - congrats on WL

PT again today - so better get ready.

[ljv52 2]

Congrats to Joyce, Laura and Arlene on the weight losses -- wtg and keep up the good work girls!!!

Lori must be on her way -- so jealous -- sounds like a great vacation. Hoping she can relax and enjoy and not worry about the move until she gets back.

We're going overnight tonight -- just a quick overnight stay at a local casino - they gave us a free night and free buffets for our b-days this month and need to use before the month ends (tonight). So off we go! It's just an hour and a half away, but will be nice to just get away from it all (kids). They have a good seafood buffet on Friday nights so I'll enjoy the crab legs.

We are in the middle of severe storm warnings - it looks weird out -- hope it happens soon and gets over with.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend - enjoy it and stay positive!!!!

Linda

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

Checking in... At the mechanic getting my car checked out for the drive to NC. We don't drive long distances much. My car is 6 yes old and just turned 50k. I usually leave this stuff for dh but schedule is iffy before this next week. They always cram MDs schedule with call the week before and after vacation. (U still have to have 11 or 12 call days for the month even with 7 days off!)

Thanks for the kind words Linda. Have fun on ur overnight! Love crab legs.

Typing on my phone, so can't review posts nor spellcheck. Prob can but don't know how..lol.

Hope everyone has a gr8 weekend. Julie, waiting to hear what doc says. Hope he can find out solution (non surgical if possible). Janet, ur work sounds so stressful. I am sure ur weekend getaway should be fun.

Ok guys, take care. TTYL-peas

[Charlene K 1]

Yep, down 2 more lbs. I saw Dr. Davis......he is pleased with my weight loss. He gave me homework for the next two weeks. I have to write a possitive affirmation like....."I am reaching my goal" or something like that. I have to recite it over and over before I go to sleep and when I wake up. Then I have put a picture of myself I hate next to a picture of my favorite food. That is on top of a page.....on the bottom I need to paste a picture of what I want to look like and a picture of a healthy meal. I have to look at it before I go to bed and when I wake up. I am sure this in the Beck book , but I didn't get that far. I am gonna do it. My nutritionist said when I am feeling like munching find something to do that gives me comfort and replace it with snacking. I decided I will crochet. I love to crochet, but I just haven't done much in years. Okay, now y'all know the next step of my plan. Just wanted to share in case it might help any of you.

HUGS!

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

Yep, down 2 more lbs. I saw Dr. Davis......he is pleased with my weight loss. He gave me homework for the next two weeks. I have to write a possitive affirmation like....."I am reaching my goal" or something like that. I have to recite it over and over before I go to sleep and when I wake up. Then I have put a picture of myself I hate next to a picture of my favorite food. That is on top of a page.....on the bottom I need to paste a picture of what I want to look like and a picture of a healthy meal. I have to look at it before I go to bed and when I wake up. I am sure this in the Beck book , but I didn't get that far. I am gonna do it. My nutritionist said when I am feeling like munching find something to do that gives me comfort and replace it with snacking. I decided I will crochet. I love to crochet, but I just haven't done much in years. Okay, now y'all know the next step of my plan. Just wanted to share in case it might help any of you.

HUGS!

WTG Arlene! That is such a great idea. I might just have to join you and do it too!!! Sounds so simple- but imagine it would have such an impact. Is he as nice in person as he is on tv? I remember watching the show way before I decided to have surgery. One episode they spent talking a lady out of lapband surgery- he told her she just wouldn't be successful (in his opinion). It really hit home and for a year or so I actually stopped thinking about surgery. I was and am too chicken to have RNY. I have seen too many of them go terribly wrong. I feared the band wouldn't work. Some days I regret not having bypass and others I am so glad I had the band. My sis is now down to 190 and in size 14 (and she is doing very little effort). It's just frustrating b/c I had surgery 3 months before her. Of course I KNOW intellectually NOT to compare the two. And I KNOW that I look and feel healthier than she does. I am sure you get what I am saying b/c of your DH. Do people compare the two of you? Do you ever regret not having bypass? Just curious.

Laura

[Mrs. Bubba 0]

Sorry, but I didn't take the time to read the posts... I knew you all would be wondering what happened with my appointment today....... Not much..... I'm still crying.... Neurosurgeon looked at my MRI and said, "I'm a surgeon and I like to operate... I'm good at what I do....but I don't do surgery unless it's necessary and in your case I don't find it to be necessary.... " I was stunned.................... I asked, "so what do I do now?" He sent me back to my doctor for more tests and if he can prove to him that there are pinched nerves then he will consider surgery.... I actually was able to see my pain doctor today, and he said he will do some sort of nerve tests, order another epidural shot and maybe a CT of my chest...... All needs approval from insurance...... Then he asked if I had enough pain meds...... There doesn't seem to be enough.... I am getting worse and it's spreading to my right side now... I've had to take pills twice already today and night isn't here yet.... I'm so upset...........I've cried most of the afternoon and got testy with my poor DH... I needed to do shopping for the benefit I'm in charge of on Sunday.... We tried to find paint for our project, but came home without any...... Just a bad day all around.... I just want to crawl in bed and pull the covers over my head and never come out again..... I'm so sad and so tired and so at the end of what I know to do... Please pray for me some more..... I'm out of ideas... Sorry to be such a downer, but I'm sure down... Going to go ice my neck....... Mimi is spending the night..... DH takes care of her and I just watch...... she does usually fall asleep on my lap....... but that's about all I can do...... Thanks friends... Sure glad you're all rooting for me.... Maybe one day we'll get this figured out... As of now I'm just waiting to hear when I can have the tests, if ever...... Hope you all have a good weekend..... Love and hugs to all... Julie

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

Sorry, but I didn't take the time to read the posts... I knew you all would be wondering what happened with my appointment today....... Not much..... I'm still crying.... Neurosurgeon looked at my MRI and said, "I'm a surgeon and I like to operate... I'm good at what I do....but I don't do surgery unless it's necessary and in your case I don't find it to be necessary.... " I was stunned.................... I asked, "so what do I do now?" He sent me back to my doctor for more tests and if he can prove to him that there are pinched nerves then he will consider surgery.... I actually was able to see my pain doctor today, and he said he will do some sort of nerve tests, order another epidural shot and maybe a CT of my chest...... All needs approval from insurance...... Then he asked if I had enough pain meds...... There doesn't seem to be enough.... I am getting worse and it's spreading to my right side now... I've had to take pills twice already today and night isn't here yet.... I'm so upset...........I've cried most of the afternoon and got testy with my poor DH... I needed to do shopping for the benefit I'm in charge of on Sunday.... We tried to find paint for our project, but came home without any...... Just a bad day all around.... I just want to crawl in bed and pull the covers over my head and never come out again..... I'm so sad and so tired and so at the end of what I know to do... Please pray for me some more..... I'm out of ideas... Sorry to be such a downer, but I'm sure down... Going to go ice my neck....... Mimi is spending the night..... DH takes care of her and I just watch...... she does usually fall asleep on my lap....... but that's about all I can do...... Thanks friends... Sure glad you're all rooting for me.... Maybe one day we'll get this figured out... As of now I'm just waiting to hear when I can have the tests, if ever...... Hope you all have a good weekend..... Love and hugs to all... Julie

Julie, Julie, Julie~

First of all, HUGS. It is very frustrating to hear news that someone can't help you. But it is also GREAT to hear when a neurosurgeon can't help you! I was worried he was going to say surgery only. If there was something obvious- trust me, he would do surgery. The great part (I know it's hard to see the great part when you are in pain) is that this can be overcome. First things first- you need to get that second steroid epidural. The nerve conduction tests won't change things all that much really. Even if it were a "slightly" pinched nerve- it can still be treated with the steroids. Sometimes getting all that swelling down is all you need. So, let your dr's do the initial paperwork for insurance. You will need #1 a letter from neurosurgeon saying he doesn't think surgery is needed right now. #2 letter from pain dr saying that steroid epidural is the ONLY option right now (that everything else- PT, etc aggravates it). Then, when those are in you need to bug the shit out of your case manager. This includes emails, phone calls, and regular mail letters. Let them know that you are in pain and you aren't going away. The squeaky wheel WILL get the oil (or epidural). They bank on patients "giving up" and saying oh well. I really think a series of 3 shots might do it. In the meantime, take your meds and rest. Did you say if you have tried acupuncture? I really really believe in it. Have they tried you on neurontin? (for neuropathy or nerve pain) Ask your pain dr, if you haven't been on it, what they think about it.

This will get better. Keep the faith. Remember there is a reason for everything and that this is ultimately in someone else's hands.

Thinking of you. Laura

[Charlene K 1]

WTG Arlene! That is such a great idea. I might just have to join you and do it too!!! Sounds so simple- but imagine it would have such an impact. Is he as nice in person as he is on tv? I remember watching the show way before I decided to have surgery. One episode they spent talking a lady out of LAP-BAND®® surgery- he told her she just wouldn't be successful (in his opinion). It really hit home and for a year or so I actually stopped thinking about surgery. I was and am too chicken to have RNY. I have seen too many of them go terribly wrong. I feared the band wouldn't work. Some days I regret not having bypass and others I am so glad I had the band. My sis is now down to 190 and in size 14 (and she is doing very little effort). It's just frustrating b/c I had surgery 3 months before her. Of course I KNOW intellectually NOT to compare the two. And I KNOW that I look and feel healthier than she does. I am sure you get what I am saying b/c of your DH. Do people compare the two of you? Do you ever regret not having bypass? Just curious.

Laura

Yes, Laura, Dr. Davis is as nice as he is on TV. And so is his dad. Actually, he thinks people with a BMI over 50 should have bypass. He wanted to do bypass on me, but then said because of my previous surgeries the band would be better. He almost didn't do the band when he got in there. I am covered in adhesions. He likes the sleeve, but many insurance companies won't pay for it. He thinks if I do this for a few months and re-train my brain I will have success. He said if everyone would eat healthy he wouldn't have to do weigh loss surgery. Right now me and a young girl in her thirties are going through the program together. She is losing 4lbs a week. Age makes a big difference. She has crohn's disease and he won't do surgery on her. I think the little mind things we do can do a lot to change our thinking about food.< /p>

Oh, and I have had the same feeling about the bypass too. My friend has lost 120lbs without effort and eats the same junk food she ate before surgery. My DH has lost 90lbs and eats the same , but smaller portions. He doesn't journal his food or count calories. That's okay, You and I are becoming healthier!

Julie, I am so sorry for your pain troubles. I know this may not be your problem, but I had a bad shoulder and arm for about six months. Turned out I had an abcessed tooth. It was draining so it never really hurt. I did take several rounds of antibiotics before it was pulled. After I had it out my arm and shoulder quit hurting. I hope another shot will do the job for you. My third shot fixed my back for a whole year. Yesterday I took my mother's wheelchair out of the trunk and jacked up my back. I am hoping the pain is temporary. I am gonna take a muscle relaxer tonight.

My mother is doing great. Getting her out of the hospital made her feel so much better. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes.

[phyllser 3]

TGIF!! Happy Friday, everyone! Hope you're all having a GREAT day and off to a good weekend.

Julie.... so sorry for your dr. appt and the disappointing news. Laura had some good advice. And I'd definitely give the epidural another try. I've had a couple that did nothing and I've had them give me months of relief, so it's worth a try. I am so sorry you're having to deal with all the pain.

I had an appt for a dental cleaning yesterday and forgot to take my mandatory prophylactic antibiotcis beforehand! DUH!! How many times do I have to reschedule before I remember???

So... had to go back this morning. Thankful they had another appt available so soon! I have to take 1500 mg of Keflex one hour before and three hours after dental work, including cleaning, because of the hardware in both knees.

Had a good appt.. complimented for my good oral hygiene! Had a hygienist that talked non-stop. Then I continued to cruise the neighborhood on my scooter... which is sort of like my golf cart now! I can walk so much better, but... long trips around the neighborhood... I take the scooter.

One of my stops was at the gym where my DD#1 & GD work out. DD gave me a coupon for 1 free week, so I thought I'd go check it out. I had a personal tour by a nice looking young man who showed me every nook and cranny except for the ladies' locker room which I explored by myself. So, at the end of that I made an appt with a personal trainer for Monday morning. I will see what kind of program they recommend for me and probably join. A 1 yr Sr. membership is only $24 a month, and they will freeze my account when we leave for the winter and restart it when we get home. I think that is quite reasonable. I miss my winter time Water aerobics, so this wil be very good. They have all kinds of equipment! And places to plug in your iPod, so I will have to put together a "work out" playlist.

Cool, cloudy, rainy weather persists here in the NW and I am so missing the sunshine and warm temps in southern CA. I've heard they've had horrible wind this week, though, and that is never fun! Another good reason to start going to the gym.... when weather is yucky I sit in my recliner in the condo and veg on the laptop!! I did do a load of laundry today and made some progress in the book bags, etc I have to sort through.. stuff that came out of the RV that is still sitting around the LR!!!

Tomorrow is DD#1's 44th BD!! SIL made reservations for 4 of us to go to dinner at Tokyo Steak House... never been there but sounds good. Someone at work told her about it so we'll give it a try.

[ocotillo 0]

Hey Phyl, Is the steak house the teppan yaki kind? Cook at your table with the fancy knife work? $24/month for a gym is very reasonable especially if there's no initial start up charge.

Arlene, good going on the weight loss. You knew banding wasn't fast and 2 lbs a week is great.

Laura, good for you too. Your sister rewired her insides, you didn't. So you lose slower and have to work harder, but I think in the long run, you are much better off. Her system may learn to reabsorb all those calories in another year or so.....yours won't. Your car is nice and in great shape, you shouldn't have any trouble driving to NC. I'm thinking of driving to Ohio in November with my 2001 vehicle...I might get new tires by then.

Linda, win lots of money at the casino!!

We are going to Benson to visit friends tomorrow (it's an hour away) and then pick up a load of horse poop for my tree hole. It's supposed to help break down the oils and poisons from the eucalyptus tree. Beside laundry, that's all I have planned this weekend.

I did go shopping today and bought some new capris and a pair of shorts. It still amazes me that I can wear the size I do. I just think the pants are getting bigger. I also got another set of new undies.... I'm throwing the old ones out and need new smaller ones. Yeah!

So the thread may be quiet with people all traveling everywhere....hum.....hope they have fun.

Later,

Eva

[Froggie D 1]

No I did not work at the Tasty Freeze and it is a good thing because I was already fat enough! Instead my first job was as front desk person at a dry cleaners on Saturday. I was trained by 4 older women that my mother called "The Jewels" because they were named Ruby, Opal, Pearl, and Amber. LOL They taught me all about being a hard worker and a good employee. My next job was Christmas season in the Toy Department at Macy*s - what a fun job!!!

I took myself out to dinner tonight to my favorite Mexican restaurant. I had my favorite dinner of Carnitas - roasted pork, refried Beans, mexican rice, lettuce, tomatoes and avocado, flour tortillas, chips and salsa.

I ate less than a third of the pork and about a third of a cup of refried beans, a bit of lettuce and chopped tomatoes and was so satisfied. No craving the tortillas, chips or rice. I brought home enough food for at least two more meals. I used to eat all of it, plus the whole basket of chips and an order of guacamole.

I am losing slowly, a little over a pound this week. I go in to talk about a fill on Tuesday. I feel some restriction but I think I could be eating a bit less. I have lost 7.8 pounds since surgery - 23 days. I think that is a fair weight loss, although part of me just wants to see it fall off quicker.

So far, the band is working well for me. I am trying to do my part - eat lots of Protein, steamed veggies, no white carbs, no sugar. I have had two pears and a few strawberries in the last week. I am not hungry and it is like a miracle!:thumbup:

[ladykcusa 1]

Julie - I'm so sorry your appointment was discouraging. I'm praying for you.

Eva - wonderful on those smaller size capris and shorts. It's new underwear time for me too. 23 lbs. less makes them very baggy. But I don't think Victoria Secret will be asking me to model.

Have a great weekend, ladies.

Joyce

[Froggie D 1]

Julie - I'm so sorry your appointment was discouraging. I'm praying for you.

Eva - wonderful on those smaller size capris and shorts. It's new underwear time for me too. 23 lbs. less makes them very baggy. But I don't think Victoria Secret will be asking me to model.

Have a great weekend, ladies.

Joyce

"But I don't think Victoria Secret will be asking me to model."

YET! :thumbup: