Dragonwillow

Kim called earlier to say that Curtis was in recovery and doing fine. I'm sure he is back in his room by now since this was not too long after lunch when she called. I just got home and this was the first chance I got to log on and tell you all. Melissa

Thanks guys...being a virgo i'll be researching and planning out things like mad the next couple of weeks. My dad is actually coming to stay with our kids for our christmas present, how cool is that. It's funny I have a gay friend who when I told him I was going to SF with hubby all he talked about was the castro. LOL I think he wants to move there! I'm only going to be there a few days...probally sunday to Wed. We are taking a early flight Sunday so that we can possibly do something fun together since I will be doing the solo thing during the day. We are staying near mescony(sp) between 2nd and 3rd street while there. And have already planned to get a citi pass that lets us ride the trolly and gets us some free admission places apparently for the week. And Vera, it would be cool to get to meet some fellow bandsters while I'm there, we will have to talk and see if that will be possible. I defiently want to get to china town, I love the one in New York when I went. Unfortuantly the people I was with then were scared of their own shadow, so we didn't get to stay very long. Parvathi, we are all looking foward to meeting you in a couple of weeks when you are here. And you can let me know how different the band feels after a longer flight. I think if I can get a fill before I go, I will probally go ahead and do it. I mean though I'm sure there is lots to eat there, there is tons to do without tons of food. Though I really want some "good" sushi....I've been told that what we eat here is crap compared to there. Well guess back to the "now" reality right now and getting the kids up and ready for school . Melissa

Hubby is taking me on his next business trip. I'm pretty excited. One I've never flown and two I've never been anywhere near the west coast. We are going to be in San Fransico and I'll pretty much have all day to myself as he will be in meetings and confrences. Whats the must see things? What should I not miss. I'll be going jan 9th. I'm most nervous about leaving the kids for that long....pathetic I know. Also wondering about band tightening when flying...seems I've read some folks have trouble with this. I'm planning to ask for a fill at my next nutritional appointment in a couple weeks, wondering if I should get it done before or after the trip. (I have 0 fill right now and am pretty much wide freaking open, except in the mornings early.) Melissa

The endo is a piece of cake, and its your last step before sending insurance...so you are almost there. Does the doc have more patients waiting too? I remembered you saying he needed to schedule several surgeries together for inmand to come out? Melissa

Will be thinking of you guys. I'm hoping this is the last surgery for him too. Melissa

As long as it not an ornamant that only a mother can love. You know the ones that your children bring home from school. They beam with happiness when they present it, usually made out recycled toliet paper rolls or something like that. I remember before kids I had a perfectly coordinated tree...lol. Now I have a tree with hand made toliet paper roll ornimants and Cereal box ornimats...I even have some ornaments made from legos. Plan B is great, I was thinking about trying to make some, but my week is looking crazy so not sure if I will be able to. (heheh and I promise not to make them out of toliet paper rolls) Melissa

Ah so you bought the $10. snowcone too...and the cotten candy I said no to...it was another 10. We did spend enough on food though that I could have had a gourmet meal somewhere. Hotdogs were 5.50 a piece...but I have to say really good...not sure if it was 5.50 good though. LOL I always hate going to things like that, I feel like I'm the big bad mommy saying NO NO NO constantly. The little ones just dont' understand that toy they want cost 3 times as much as a much better toy they could get at the toystore. It was a cute show, though I think Prince charming was a bit old for the part.... Melissa

I have it for ps1...so it gotta be out there somwhere, maybe look on ebay, or one of the stores that sells used games? I don't know if they plug and play is a copy cat or DDR. I haven't actually seen it except on the website link above. Melissa

Diane I think I'm like that too. Because I do really well, but the few days before my period and during my period I'm constantly wanting to nibble. I don't have any restriction either, I mean I can eat bread for Breakfast during that time. Now that auntie flow is gone I can't eat bread anymore until after a couple of hours and a cup of coffee. (like why am I eating breads anyway? lol) But basically on most days I can't eat anything too sticky or solid in the mornings. Melissa

I have to fight the kids and hubby for a turn. But you are right, we all tend to go until we just can't anymore. And Water, can suck down some water while playing. Melissa

The holiday season is extra stressful I think. We have some place, party or event we are suppouse to be at every weekend in December. Add to that christmas play rehearsals, girl scout service projects, and work related nonsense and its a wonder any of us are eatting right. But I'm going to try harder. Delarla, a glass of wine sounds like the perfect form of relaxation. Melissa

Well all the pads are pretty much the same size. It's pretty much like doing forward stomps or just side stomps. Strides wouldn't really matter as you generally just move back and forth with in a 1 step radias around the pad. My husband is 6' 3" and does fine. Melissa (my legs are sore this morning from all the ddr I played yesterday with the kids)

play and plug one is here. (follow the menu option to tv dance pads) I don't know much about that version though, haven't used it. We have an xbox and a playstation (old one). And a metal pad (which we bought for the teenager last year for christmas. You can get the old playstation pretty cheap...like 25.00 or less on ebay, and the playstation 2 (which has more game options for ddr) is like right at 150.00 I think now used at one of the game stores. I also saw that xbox has a personal trainer program for it...anyone tried this? It's kinda pricey and not sure how effective it will be. Also forgot to mention, on both the xbox and the playstation version you can go into workout mode...it keeps track of your calories, and no matter how much you actually suck at the game as long as you keep moving and trying it lets you play in that mode.

I actually had a consult here in NC last year about this time for a tummy tuck. I thought it would be motivational to know how much and have a plan to get it done so it would aid in me loosing weight. The tummy tuck with liposuction...would have been from hip to hip and would have cost around $5900. I actually have a "apron" or pannis (i think its callled) and I'm hoping that I can convience the insurance company I need it for comfort and hygiene reasons when i'm closer to goal. Melissa

If any of you guys have a xbox or a playstation...or you have one you can steal from your kids, you should check out dance dance revolution. We have been playing it for a few years. Its great exercise. I have played it for over an hour tonight. I normally have trouble getting my exercise in on the weekend. For those that don't know what it is. It's a video game that you dance to the music and arrows on the screen. They have pads that you dance on and you have to step on the right arrow with the beat of the song. It's very addicting. My husband that doesn't like to exercise will play this. Some high schools in california from what I understand are actually using this in gym classes because the kids all love it. They have in arcades, but I look like I'm stomping bugs when I play so don't like playing in public. I've even seen versions out this year that are just plug and play into the tv (doesnt' require an xbox or playstation). Melissa

On the 17th do we want to all bring an ornament to exchange. We could wrap them and play some time of number game or some thing like that. They wouldn't be expensive or big so would be douable in the resturant. Just a thought. Melissa

How did I miss your post this morning kim. I'll be thinking about you on Wed. I'm sure Curtis will do great. You know how kids are, they take things much more in stride than us whiney adults. I'm glad they are able to get it done this early in December, he should be all recovered for a great Christmas. Melissa

We went to disney on ice last night. The bob cats arena is nice. I'm having real issues I think. The nutritionist didn't think I needed a fill, but I'm starting to think I do. Up until now...I've done pretty good at stopping after eating the prescribed amount. Lately I've noticed that I can eat much more than that. It's not the band that has been stopping me from overeating really, just me. In the mornings I have restriction sometimes and can't eat things that are like bread and such...so have mostly been having coffee with extra milk in it. Weightloss is pretty much at a stand still, I've gained weight this week actually. I admit that I did loose control on some stupid chocolate candy that was at work, and it amounted to about 300 calories worth of crap for the day. Last night at disney on ice I had a hotdog. It went down NO promblemo. Didn't feel full or anything. I'm tired right now..and probally not in the best attitude, but I really want that feeling that I'm full or satisfied. My husband asked me...but are you still hungry. Well no, I can't honestly say I'm ever that hungry physically. I'm going to go back to writing every bite down again, and I'm mad that I have to. LOL Like I said I've been in a rather sad place right now, probally why i've not been posting too much. I need this meeting on the 17th. Melissa

Good luck, I just know you are going to do great. Check in when you can to let us all know how youa re feeling. Melissa

I think the balls actually make it easier for us heavier folks to do crunches and such. And the biggest thing is, alot of the exercises can be adjusting and made easier or harder for someone just by where the ball is positioned. I don't have a workout dvd for it, but have taken classes where its used and most of them come with charts or booklets of exercises when you purchase it. As far as pilates goes, one of my instructors once said, it takes 10 sessions before you stop feeling every session, it takes 10 more before you start seeing results, and 10 more before others see results. Melissa

I highly recomend the balance balls. Great for core work (abs and such) and just plain fun to sit and bounce on. LOL You can find them pretty inexpensive now too. Like walmart had one for like 10 bucks. If you have kids you won't be able to keep them off it though. Melissa

I'm almost 7 weeks post op now. I love my band, and though I would really like to lose a little faster, 23 hours and 59 minutes of the day I'm thankful (the other minute is when I step on the scale and either jump for joy or swear...my husband finds the whole morning ritual hilarious now ) But before my band I had stopped weighing, because I felt there was no hope of having the "jump for joy" moments. Just like life, everything isn't smooth sailing. I've had a pretty smooth ride so far and I'm thankful. But I really like knowing that when the going gets rough, I have this group of friends to come to. I feel like I can tell them anything and I'll get things spelled out for me or the support i need. For instance, I've already had a week and half where I lost nothing. I came here and started moaning and groaning....did these ladies let me get by with that...heck no. They told me to get real....look at how far I've come and be realistic. They also told me to stay off the scale (still working on that one) But the point is...they cared enough to tell me lighten up and not stresss about it, and they were right, I started loosing again. I find it very telling to read a lap band board and then go read a Rny board. You will find problems both places....but the difference is the problems here for the most part can be treated. And even those that are going through tough times right now, and are having their bands removed are going to be returning to full health and can either reband later or try other options if they wish...because they still have all the options open to them. So add me to the happy bandster list. Melissa

My dad has grand mal seizures, and my oldest daughter has had 2. My dad is on medication because thats the only way to control them. From what I've found out through going through this with my daughter (who had her first seizure while on an exchange trip to Germany when she was 12) is that anyone can have a seizure if they reach their "trigger" point. We went through tons of tests, and with both of her seizures she had been awake for extended amounts of time and eating crap. So our neurologist has just let her know that she has to get sleep. She isn't someone that can go to a sleepover eat candy and drink cokes all evening and not sleep. (we try to make sure she is always in bed by 12. Did the doctors say how long you would have to be on the medication? Did you have any other things surrounding your seizure that was out of the norm? Did they have you wear the electrodes for an extended amount of time, like over 24 hours to register your normal brainwave actions? We had all of these things done because we were so afraid of our daughter being labeled eppilleptic. The medications can have side effects of their own. Since this was your one and only siezure I'm suprised they have started you on medication. Most people who have a siezure...never have another. Its only a worry when a person has multiple seizures from what our neuroligist told us. My dad hates changing doctors now because they always think they know a better combination of meds to control his seizures.....they change medications...which usually triggers a seizure and then he has to give up his driving liscense for a year. Did your doc say weather or not if you are seizure free for a specific amount of time if you can drive again? Sorry you are going through all of this, it can be very scarey I know. Melissa

A lot of things can cause your hair to fall out. And not just loosing weight from wls. If you loose large amounts of weight, it can happen, hence why its common in wls patients. I was shedding tons of hair, and was really freaking out about 8 months ago. I wasn't loosing weight, but I did discover I had a thyroid promblem. Get your blood work done and make sure everything is on par. If it is, your hair probally just has it "cycles" messed up. You see normally we shed hair, but not alot at one time, because our hair folicules are on cycles. When the cycles get messed up you might have 2 or 3 groups on the same cycle...hence lots of hair loss at one time. The good news is...shedding hair this way is not a permanant side effect, and it will grow back. I know how scarey thinking you are going bald is...try not to worry to much. Make sure you are getting enough protien (min 45 grams a day) and are taking your viatamins. My hair thickened back up...I'm sure yours will too. Melissa

I found out I had feet promblems when my knee started acting up while training for a marathon a few years ago. I was up to 18 miles in training (which is pretty much half way) but walking 18 miles on the weekends and then the short 3-5 mile walks during the week were taking a toll on my knee. I had to admit defeat and went to see a sports chriopractor for evaluation and he sent me to the foot doc. I have to say...I haven't had any promblems with it since, but I also haven't tried walking 18 miles at once either again. LOL I think once I'm at a reasonable weight I'd like to revisit the marathon goal again. I had suprisingly alot of fun training for it, and would love to say I completed a marathon some day. Sounds like you have a good plan for yourself now...sometimes we are the best judge of what works for us. Melissa