3loves

Well, for me it was Jan of a new year again and I was talking to my DH about what I would do this year to try to lose weight. He looks at me and says, "Why don't we get the band? Our insurance will pay for it." I told him only if I get to go first. He liked that idea since he wanted to see how I did with Optifast b4 he tried it. :biggrin1: Of course, the Optifast didn't stick, so here we are. :nervous We have 2 beautiful boys and want....the Lord willing....to have more children. :preggers: I don't see that happening in a healthy way at my current weight. I also want to be a good example for my children since everyone in my family has weight issues. Perhaps my DH and I can change that pattern with our children.

Hi Doty ~ No, I don't have that shirt yet....I will check out QVC. I have 4 TS shirts and one jacket that I bought at Daytona, still NWT b/c it's too small. I bought the largest size they had, 2xl, and it fit more like a 1x. I've kept it with the hopes of wearing it one day....which I will this fall if I get the band soon. I was wondering about those Bristol tickets. I've heard they are hard to get so I thought that was a normal price. The phone number listed is local, but it does seem high to me as well. I would pay $25 (if I could attend) for a nose bleed seat b/c that is such a small place. I would love to feel that rumble in my chest. Do you belong to the TS fan club? I've gotten a few shirts from them, but this year didn't have the $$ to renew. I will have to sell some stuff on E-Bay soon to build my racing funds. Did you see the shirt Smoke wore this weekend while playing poker? It says, "I failed driver's ed". I love his sense of humor!! :heh:

I love Wy too!! I will have to watch for a repeat. Did you see her on Oprah? She's been on a couple times talking about her weight. Did Ann Wilson get the band? I thought she had gastric. That's good to know. She looks great.

Six yrs sounds like a good age to me as well. I know we will take the boys someday. We are 3 hrs from Indy and I think about 3 hrs from MI Int'l Speedway. My husband is going to see about tickets for the Brickyard. We could take the boys to OH and spend the night in Indy. We'll see how that works out. I actually cried when Tony kissed the bricks last year. I know, a bit much. I couldn't help myself knowing how much that meant to him. We did go to Daytona a couple of years ago. My heart has never raced so fast in my life. Mikey wrecked right in front of our stand....we were on the super stretch. It's kind of neat the races you will be attending will be Chase races. The stakes are always higher and action-packed. :confused: Speaking of Caterpillar, isn't that who Ward Burton used to drive for? I miss him. He was so fun to watch and listen to.

Oh my....that is so pretty!! We live in IN and I've waited all winter for snow like that. We've had rain most of the season. We would share if we could. :phanvan

Congratulations!! :wow2: It's great to hear that kind of accomplishment within that time frame. As they say, Happy Bandiversary!!! :confused:

I have the Busch race on too. I'm keeping one eye on the tube and one on the computer. Thanks for the compliment on my boys. They are really a handful as you can tell from their smiles. They do get a little confused during the Busch race b/c they look for the orange car. :nervous I try to tell them that Smoke is red for today and will be orange tomorrow. karenj ~ Wow, you sure go to a lot of races. That is great!! We live 3 hrs from any family, so it's hard to get someone to keep the kids. I think you have a good man in Edwards to replace Martin. I like both of them. I'm surprised Martin isn't running the race tonight. Last year he ran several of them. What is your favorite track or location?

This ad was in our newspaper for Bristol tickets. I am sad that I can't take them, but it's just not a good time. Since it was in the paper, I didn't mind posting the info here incase someone may be interested. I have no idea who this is and cannot vouch for these in anyway, so use your own judgement. Bristol March 26th.....Face Value....$122 each.....Call 260-897-2127 or 260-705-5371. I've always wanted to go to Bristol. I would prefer the fall race though. Anyone out there been to Bristol? Would LOVE to hear about it.

Kasey Kahne is a cutey for sure!! I think he's dating Terry Labonte's daughter. Do I remember that correctly from last year? My husband is also a Stewart fan, my dad Jarrett, mom Gordo, brother Jimmie Johnson, brother anything Dodge, the "smart" brother Stewart. :heh: We pretty much cover the track on race day. I have my boys convinced that Smoke is the best thing behind a wheel. ~tacwoman~ What races are you going to this year? The only one we've been to was Daytona a couple of years ago when Jr came in first and Smoke was second. It was a great experience. I think Jr will be fine Sun and according to DW, he should come to the front pretty fast. ~Doty~ You sound like me on race day...I don't answer the phone and the Tivo is on just incase my boys interrupt as preschoolers do at times. My husband is wonderful b/c he'll take them downstairs or outside so I can watch the race. Click this link and you'll see that they are Smoke fans also: http://www.sellersourcebook.net/users/2818/bnd_ts.jpg I am so jealous that you talked to Smoke!!! :confused: I bet that was just the greatest. I would probaby melt too if I ever met him face to face. How neat that your nephew is on his pit crew. What does he do and would I see him on TV? Be sure and post a pic if you get to meet Smoke! You know, I think he's gaining weight b/c I've heard him say in interviews that he eats Big Macs everyday.....that would do it for sure. Doesn't matter to me either, I love him regardless. Thanks for sharing him with me!! Life without Smoke would be sad. :think Thanks for the best laugh of the day.....those people from Idaho are too funny. They think Stewart is "Rod" huh? Sad but funny. :heh:

Hi Cashley ~ Nice rant! :clap2: I have been wanting to view some of those, but never find the time. I bet they are full of info, epecially since I'm preband. Will have to MAKE time. :confused:

Well, I'm a little disappointed that you didn't get more definite answers...perhaps those will come in time...but at least he did order some tests. I have a hard time with docs like that b/c I wonder if they are really listening or already making a decision in their little heads. :confused: I know you are a strong woman and won't settle until you do get some answers regardless of which doc they come from. Wish I had more to offer you. :ohwell: Will continue to pray for you and your family. ~TAKE CARE~

That is just unbelievable if that's true. :faint: I've never seen such large discount, but you never can tell about insurance companies. BTW, who is your ins co? Read your signature and wondering if you've lost 32 lbs since the first of March? Regardless, that is awesome....good job!!! :confused:

Hi bandtastic ~ I am preband, but I can tell you that last year I went on the Optifast program and lost 32 lbs. I only went down one pants size. :phanvan I've always been pretty solid even though I'm very overweight. Does that make sense? Sorry I'm not offering advice, but I do understand where your coming from. Perhaps someone here can offer a solution. In the meantime hang in there and be PROUD of your weight loss....that is quite an accomplishment!!! :clap2: Hats off to you!!! :yo:

Welcome mizmiss and congratulations on your new band!! SUPER DUPER job on your 28 lb loss....that is AWESOME!!! :confused: This is a great community that you will come to love. I've become addicted to this site. :eek: We moved from Lebanon, OH about 1.5 yrs ago to IN, so I'm a former Buckeye. I know the Cincy area a little and at times, I miss all it has to offer. :phanvan It's nice to meet you and I hope you post often. :welcome2:

Hi kim2bhealthy ~ Terrible news on your insurance! :confused: I am not able to offer advice in that area....I am still waiting on insurance myself and don't have much insurance experience....sorry. :phanvan They sound harsh to me, but I do know they can be the most difficult hurdle to overcome. :faint: Hang in there and do some research here with the word "insurance" and you will find advice in more areas than just the "Insurance" forum. I've read some interesting info from "Alexandra" (user ID) and she does seem to have quite a bit of knowledge around the insurance world. There are many others as well. :eek: I wish you the best. On another note, glad to hear your a Nascar/Jr fan! :clap2: While watching Trackside tonight, I thought I should start a Nascar thread. :biggrin1:

Hi Vines ~ I will lift you and your family up in prayer!! I hope your able to get answers soon. You are such a sweetie...:love:...take care of yourself!

This news breaks my heart for you. :cry So sorry you have to be faced with this decision. I am preband and I don't know the protocol, but would it be worth it to get a second opinion? Just a thought. I will pray for you regardless....take care!!! :hug:

I am the mother of 2 ornery preschoolers.:fencing: A.K.A. The Great Negotiator. I also come from a sales and an admin background. Jill_S ~ You got me on your post b/c as I was reading, I thought your links weren't working. Silly me!!

It's always good to consider all your options, but that's what I did b4 I decided to get the band. I too have to see a cardiologist for an arrhythmia they recently discoverd....there is no way a cardiologist would keep me from this surgery, UNLESS there was a physical reason due to my heart. Regardless of my personal position, you need to look inside yourself and do what is best for you. Everyone is different and if your on the fence, perhaps this is what you need in your life right now. I wish you the very best and a healthy future!!

:wow2: How exciting!! :gluck:

Penni60 ~ I think you are right....my body was not happy that I didn't take the Ambien. Wow, you were only on 5 mg and I'm taking 12.5mg! That is such a big difference. Maybe I could get by with a lesser dose. It does take me at least 1 hr to get sleepy even with the 12.5. Is that a normal time frame? I can say this much, now that I know what it's like to sleep, I don't want to go back to the old way!! bubbame20022003 ~ I know your a mommy so perhaps you should give some of these suggested meds a try including the Melatonin. I was up till 3AM last night and still didn't sleep. I know I could still wear myself out b4 bed and still have a busy night ( :mad: and not like that either). Good luck to you whatever you decide. I have so much respect & admiration for ALL moms...we ALL deserve a good nights rest! :notagree leatha_g ~ I'm glad you brought up your depression. I also take Effexor XR for depression along with the recent addition of Ambien. I take them both at night b4 bed. Building the serotonin while sleeping makes perfect sense b/c it's amazing how much better I have felt with the Ambien after getting a restful sleep. Also, today I was a big grump with my kids and could have been more patient with them since I didn't take the Ambien last night. :phanvan I will do some research on the Pamelor and Trazadone. A special thanks to everyone on this thread. :high5: Who would have thought I could have learned so much about this topic at LBT? This is a GREEEAAT place!! :hug:

Oh my....I tried a night without the Ambien and I didn't get a bit of REM sleep. :cry I also had weird dreams. I don't think it's really related to the Ambien, but more related to me not being able to sleep. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this assumption. I don't think I could be addicted that quickly. I am definitely taking it tonight, especially since I haven't been to Walgreen's to pick up the Melatonin. I was able to recognize the reason for most of my body aches which has been the lack of sleep. I haven't taken ANY Motrin since I started the Ambien and now I can really tell the difference between a good nights sleep and a restless night. Before it was just the norm.

I know how excited you are b/c that's how I felt after every appt! :biggrin1: It is a lot of info to process, so you may think of questions later on. The only appt I have left is my final pre-op class after I get approval from insurance. I did Optifast last year for 3 mos....only 12 weeks of shakes and bars and then slowly brought food back in. It's not easy, but take it one shake & day at a time and you'll be fine. The first day is the hardest and I guarantee you that it does get easier as the days pass. The biggest thing I learned was how much I was actually addicted to food. You may have to mourn the loss (at least while on Optifast). :phanvan Gosh, I'm just going to die if I don't get approval soon and get a date. Maybe we'll be May bandsters together. :clap2: I'm very happy for you and wish you all the best. Let us know how it goes with the Optifast and feel free to PM me if you need an ear to listen. :mad:

I was just wondering how ralheit/Robin was doing. She had her surgery yesterday around the same time as Archermom. Has anyone heard from her?

Good for you Magsi!! I just smiled when I read this. You did a wonderful thing for YOURSELF....so proud of you!!