Kat817

Does she know what she is having yet? Is she set up for the baby? Any way to incorporate getting the nursery ready into the shower?? Kat

What does your pre op diet consist of? Every Dr. has a different diet----so something in yours might be the culprit.... Kat

Y'know Diane the only issue I had with that post.....is Pecan Praline ice cream is what is trying to lead me down the forbidden path....I love chocolate, but in my ice cream.....this store brand Praline Crunch----I hear it begging me to eat it!!! LOL----how pathetic huh??? Kat

A game they played at my DD's baby shower, I forgot, and we laughed ourselves silly....was similar to Scattergories. The hostess would give the categorie, and then around the room, each person had to name something in the category that began with the same letter as their name----so it worked well at learning peoples names as well. Since she is new..... But let me tell you there are few baby toys, or baby foods, or baby furniture items that begin with K-----------especially since there was a woman 2 seats ahead of me named Karyn!!! Some of them were far fetched, but it was fun watching people scramble for something to name!! Good luck! Kat

I went to a shower not long ago held in a local tea room--a small restaurant, they served the cake that was brought in, and tea.the Mom to be, opened her gifts....they passed out pastel note cards and had each guest write a helpful hint on the card. Then they had given each of us a diaper pin when we went in, and you could not say "Baby" if you did, and someone caught you they could take the diaper pin, the one with the most pins won the game. I have been to them where they have the puzzles with scrambled letters--making baby related items---like... etlotb = bottle. Or word circle puzzles...all baby related themes. Most Halmark shops have books of them for baby shower games. I would sit with her and see where she was most comfortable having it. The advantage to her house, is people can see the nursery, and she does not have to lug lots of things home. I would ask her for a list of who she wants to invite, and then since she is new, if you have friends you want to introduce her to, include them. Find out from her if she is registered anywhere----and include it on the invitation, also whether they know if it is a boy or a girl. As someone has pointed out, now is an awesome time to begin gathering things for the shower, everything for Easter is out, and pastel----lots of baby animal decorations....Easy!!! Pastel balloons----friendly chatting, and it will be over before you know it! Keep in mind I have given 2 showers where Mom was in labor the entire time!!! Both give birth later that evening!!! LOL Kat

I'm so glad you got your box!!! How fun!!! Now Mandy----you start watching for a box----well.... I need to find one first!! LOL Kinsey and I shopped today--we hit the Dollar store!!! Wooo Hooo she found all kinds of things to make Poor Abi (said with big sad eyes! Like she had known her for years!!!) feel better. Not sure about the age appropriateness on all of it, I had a 3 year old helping! But it was picked out just for her! Will get it in the mail tomorrow. She should have it soon after her surgery. Maybe it will make her afternoon a bit brighter when she gets it. Explain to her the art included is from a barely there 3 year old!!! Kat

My DH almost died from Gold Schlagger! He has a metal allergy, and had had enough to drink he was just hitting the shots put in front of him. He usually drinks beer, and had been that night as well....so you know the routine, drink a beer, go to the bathroom, drink a beer, go to the bathroom. Well mixed in with the beer, every now and then someone would buy a round of shots, we had been drinking Kamikaze shots--------well this new one showed up and he drank it. Now it sounds like he was drinking tons, but all in all we are talking maybe 3-4 beers, and 3 shots, over a period of easily 4-5 hours. We were shooting pool, and talking, not just sitting, and he was not slurring, or missing shots, he was buzzed, but not staggering! So all of a sudden, his stomach started hurting---and he quit drinking all together, thinking it was enough. Pretty soon, he needed to go to the bathroom, and couldn't pee!!! His belly is bloating--we had no idea what was wrong with him. Then I looked at him, and his face was swelling! His mouth swelled up, so we went to the ER. Becky was our DD---by the time we get there, he is having trouble breathing. They hit him with some epinephrine, and he felt better, when it finally come down to it, they decided there was enough "gold" as well as other trace metals in the Gold Schlagger to make him sick!!! We don't drink it no more, no more!! Tracy---yea!!! Maybe we should save all our yucky belly skin and make a Tee Pee for some poor homeless tribesman somewhere!!!!! LMAO----------just kiddding, I could do it without your skin----mine alone! Kat

I even work the elections, of course in my neck of the woods, I am in high demand----Democrats are few and far between it seems!!! And there has to be both parties working----so I work a lot!!! LOL Kat

I agree with that!! I am vote crazy! I have voted in every single election since I was eligible....from the biggies as in Presidential elections, down to local school board elections!! I figure, if I want to complain I have to have at least made an attempt to make a change! Kat

My DH saw some lilies in the store (yep the grocery store!!)the other day, so picked up a bouquet for me....he had 3 people on the way out of the store ask him what he had done wrong! And we wonder why men don't do romantic, spontaneous things--they look circumspect when they do!!! I never questioned it, why should others??? Joking or not, men often do not respond well to ridicule like humor...maybe things like this led to the lack of romantic bones....a horrid evolution! Kat

I personally have never seen Bjean attack anyone---I have seen her attack an idea or a topic. To debate or argue a point in type this way is a delicate thing, because one cannot see expressions or nods, that type of thing. We are reduced to mere words, a few silly smiley faces and Exclamation points to make our point. Sarcasm is a double edged sword--------while it can cut to the quick it is also used to lighten things up, to add a humerous take to the comments. How the individual reading it takes the sarcasm is strictly up to them. Insulting the comment, is not necessarily insulting the one making the comment, especially in this case when you are not stating YOUR opinion but submitting a quote from someone else. I don't think anything that has been said has changed anyones view. You obviously do not like anything Al Gore has to say or stands for--and that is your right. Getting irritated because someone does not agree with you is also your right. You even have the right to say so. By the same token so do others.... Kat

Comparing your life and situation to the OP, Kel is like comparing apples and oranges----2 different situations. What you are dealing with entails infidelities, and emotional trauma. Advising you to do the same things would be worthless. I would make sure to get some serious counselling on his dime, while I was working on my band. Good Luck! Kat

There is a saying I use to help me when it comes time to throw something out--because I am a tightwad, I hate doing that!!!! Now I tell myself it can go to waste....or it can go to my waist.... And it hits the trash ---most of the time!! I would not make myself sick with worry over damaging the band or the placement, and the best thing you can do if you started overfilling your pouch is to back off....it takes repetitive overfilling for a dilation I understand. It is just something you need to keep in mind, to heal well, so that you have a long healthy relationship with your band so it works to the best possible level! Pizza-----toppings are usually ok, IF you are on a normal diet at this point. And I can do pizza in general, and without a fill you probably can too without harm---IF you are allowed a full diet. There are so many different diets prescribed by different Dr.'s it is impossible to know what stage your Dr, expects you to be at!!! In the future you might try thin and crispy pizza if bread begins being a hard item for you, it usually digests easier. Good Luck!!! Kat

I can manage some soda now without issue---do it on occasion. But just a drink or 2 of beer, has me burping ALL night. I cannot do it! I have drank other things, it is not the alcohol, it is the serious carbonation in the beer. I mean if you fill a cup with soda pop, it is usually over ice, which helps eliminate some carbonation, but the head on it disappears quickly, you can pour a beer, and it will sit with the head on it for a loooong time, and you see the bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass forever! I do mixed drinks---have to skip the beer....which just does not seem right at the lake without beer! But even the bottled things like hard lemonade----way to carbonated. Like has been said though, I much prefer the 100+ pounds gone than the taste of that beer anyway! Kat

I'm not 78 years old, I hope to be around in 10-15 years.....unfortunately I personally doubt we will have found it to be foolish....but as I say, that is my own opinion. The population and the things we have done to the earth we live on are a lot different than they were in 1900 to 1949. Kat

Caryn---you are entering bandster hell. Where your body has healed enough from surgery to be hungry, but not have any fill in the band to help control that hunger. It is not uncommon to cheat. The issue is how you cheat and when. Post op is VERY, VERY important....and can lead to future problems if you do not follow the Dr.'s eating plan. When they place your band, they bring the lower stomach up and stitch it in place over the band, then they want you on liquids only for a period of time. The reason for this is that scar tissue is forming to hold your band in proper position. When you eat any food, no matter how much---your stomach has to help it pass through, by digesting it. To digest your food your stomach moves, it kneads, and when it moves, the scar tissue cannot form. Or it allows for wiggle room with the band--which can cause you problems later on. While our stitches outside heal quickly the inside stitches are in a moist, dark environment, and take longer to heal. If you are hungry and still supposed to be on liquids, just drink them more frequently---if you are onto mushies now, then, stick to that texture. If you have been progressed by your Dr. to a full diet, then you have passed the time line of causing damage to the seat of your band, it is strictly for weight control. Keeping that in mind during bandster hell, the best thing I have found to do, is clear the house of "off limits" foods----and stock up on healthy, safe Snacks.....cheese, nuts, SF items such as pudding and jello--even SF ice cream, cottage cheese, yogurt, lean meats, pickles---things you can snack on regularly without sabotaging the weight loss. When you get them home, break them up, prepare them, have them ready to eat in small convenient packages, and you will be less likely to overindulge yourself. We all have food issues, or we would not be here!! You do not have to have diet food forever, once you begin your fills, and have the bands help in controlling portion size etc, it will be a whole new ball game! Meanwhile, if you can be satisfied with just eating less of normal food, yes you can do that. I eat the same things my family eats.....I do concentrate my meal on Protein, and veggies as my primary filler, and only add starches in small amounts--only because I cannot eat a whole lot, so I try to get as much nutrition out of the smaller amounts as I can. Do you have an appointment set to begin your fills? Welcome to LBT! Sorry to be such a spoilsport on your first post!!! Kat

Pat I was just wondering the other day what ever become of the psycho DIL---or whatever. She is still up to her crap? My DIL is ditzy---no other way to put it. She is not real good at disciplining my grandson, so he is a wild child---but she has a good heart. She is saintly at times for putting up with my "I'm the boss" son---I do NOT know where he got the attitude, Rick is so not that way! And at times I think he is a saint for putting up with her---she loses EVERYTHING! I think she has had to have no less than 5 licenses since I have known her---she blows money like crazy on the stupidest things! BUT she is always home, and she loves my son. So.....maybe they are well matched! What happened that you no longer get to see the kiddo again? Tattoos....I have none! My son has a HUGE one on his back. Dark! It began as a small sun, then someone added something to it, and it was horrid, so they covered it up--now it is huge! He also has one on his upper arm....not sure what it is, I don't remember. Oldest DD has 2----as small butterfly (so original!) on her shoulder blade, she got to show me! She was a senior in high school (well a junior, she graduated her junior year)---rebelling like mad! I saw the ink on her shirt---so looked at her sleeping and yep there it was! Took every ounce of control I had--I never mentioned it! So she hid it from me every day! The day she was trying on wedding gowns she needed to tell me something! You should have seen her face when I told her I knew about it, and described it to her!!! Like I told her, if she thought I knew, I would have had to look at it---as it was she hid it!!! LOL Then more recently she had a faint plumeria flower done on the nape of her neck. It is beautiful! Very pale and quite real looking---only seen if she wears her hair up. The youngest DD cannot hide hers so easily! She has BRIGHT, BIG tattoos! A starfish and shells in what they refer to as the tramp stamp--across the lower back. And then a huge octopus on top of her shoulder with the tentacles coming down over her shoulder onto her arm, back, and chest. It is gross. Well done, but in my taste way overdone!!! And bright pink! She has been coloring her hair the last couple of years to this coppery color, and the pink clashes, it is horrid! I can handle the other kids, but hers are not tasteful! The dessert raised girl full of sea symbols!!! Rick hit the roof when he saw her shoulder--he was yelling! WTF do you want a giant pink puss on your shoulder for??? Bad? yes....worse? He was yelling it in Walgreens Drug where he happened to run into her, and she had it showing! NOT a pretty scene! Rick has none. He keeps saying he is going to go have his open heart surgery incision tattooes----but the skin is still pretty tender, so I don't see it happening!!! We neither one have any, yet all the kids do. Ok....well I am not going to Albq. the Dr. cancelled, wanted him to come today for the Doplar test, and Friday for an appointment. It is 186 miles each way! And my PS consult is on Friday! But they managed to reschedule them both at a later date in March....whew! Ok enough rambling!! TTYL~~ Kat

Well we are not going to Albq. They called as I was sitting here putting on my shoes to leave! The Dr. had an emergency, so they wanted him to come in for his Doplar test, then come back on Friday to see the Dr. Well Friday is my PS consult! But my Dad told her no......we are driving over 350 miles round trip, I want both on the same day---so they are working on the schedule and will call back. Hope it does not collide with my appointment. So here I am all dressed----with no place to go. Actually my DIL called me and wants me to go shopping with her for Birthday decorations for Connors birthday. Might do that. Snow is melting off outside sooooo fast it looks like a waterfall off my back porch! It is really pretty with the sun shining so bright and the water pouring off. Unfortunately it is just making yet more mud! Many of our oilfield companies are shut down due to the mud----looks like it is going to be a year of extremes!! They were saying 3 years ago when we flooded---(and we do have river frontage property --that flooded) and when runoff started the snowpack in the mountains was at 130% of normal. Spring runoff has not started, snow has not stopped, and we are already at 170% of normal!! So....looks like it is going to be an issue. They have people flying over looking at homes that people have placed in the river valley, that they say will likely float off this year. The problem is when they jam up! Our river frontage is unimproved.....but it takes land each time this happens...we lose several more feet to the river. We have irrigation pipe over there, we grow alflafa back there, but I guess we will go this coming weekend, and remove all our irrigation pipe, and anything else that wehave back there.....in preparation...for floods! What a year this might be! Michelle---I think you need to tell Piglet about the band!!! While you have the HUGE change, poor piglet, had none....That little piggy would go Wah,Wah, Wah all the way home if he could see how you lost!!!!!! Tracy----This date for a wedding seemed so far away before, and here it is!!! Tell us all about what you have done! Jane---I cannot believe you hurt your arm so bad! Rick's bruise is healing nicely, he said inside it has not healed as fully, those metal bleachers hurt him! TracyK---are you already out driving around????? Denise---when do they break ground on the house? Then what is the time line? Hows the mommies & babies to be?? Suzanne---I am drinking! Got my bottle of Vodka right here! NOT!! Ok, it is orange juice with no vodka!!! LOL Pamela--does Susanne have a stomach bug on top of her surgery? Or is she sick from the meds? Poor thing, I feel so bad for her! And you too---I hate when someone you love is sick. Such a helpless feeling.... Speaking of....Terry how is your Mom? Did you get to pounds some metal the other day and relieve some stress? I think you should imagine the little disc of metal being someones head, and just hammer away!!! Haydee---that sounds like if it worked in reverse it would be the perfect diet!!!! BUT-----being able to eat too much.....would still not stop me!!! Girl you better quit running into doors! Hope Jenn is off to a good day! Laura--------do tell of your weekend!!! Curiosity killed the Kat ya know!! Gina---put on your new glasses and catch up-----and get to posting!!! Girls she posted a pic of her dog Heidi on another thread, she is beautiful!!!! Judy---hope the sun is warm, and you are having fun!!! I know I Missed someone.....sorry----old age and brain farts!! TTYL~~ Kat

Hey Kel---was not meaning to insinuate you were going to run out on DH!!!! Maybe you need to do something to shake things up a bit---like this weight loss is not enough!!! But something to give cause for the butterflies to come back! Secretly take a stripping class, or a belly dancing class, and let DH be your private audience! Make a weekend of it, go to a nearby city, rent a motel room for the weekend, and show him the time of his life--------make him want to do it again enough to make the plans himself next time. 20+ years later it is a different feeling, and those around us, especially our children think that we feel differently because we are getting older. I really don't. I have the same thoughts, and feelings I did when I was their age. I also have some wisdom to go with those thoughts and feelings now thankfully though!!! Are your kids out of the house? Or still living at home? It makes a difference--a HUGE difference in our case! Got all 3 kids on their own, and we were like newlyweds again! We could make love in the kitchen or the living room, anywhere anytime we wanted----and just knowing that was impetus enought to do it! It was a special time for us, being able to devote our time to one another again! If you still have teenagers at home----it is going to be more difficult----but you can let him know when they graduate and go on to college, or work---he better watch out....just the knowledge is going to kick him up a notch!! This is one of those issues--the homework is FUN!! And yes, you will continue to be amazed at how weight loss changes things. Not only in how you move, but in how you feel things! Have fun! Kat

I wish mine had been in the garage! We usually put Ricks in--because he leaves at 5:30--------I seldom if ever leave that early---so the sun has a chance to get to mine. But it snowed, thensleeted, then froze, so mine is ice encased---------gotta go clear it and get going-----I am supposed to be hee checking road conditions!! Talk to y'all when I get back. Get Well Susanne! (Pamela's Susanne!----I don't think our Suzanne is sick.....hope not!) Have lotsa fun at work (!) Jenn!! See ya tonight! Kat

You would not be the first person on this board to have family members do everything in their power to discourage you, then do an about face and want the surgery themselves when they see it is successful. Read....research.....plan on working hard......and do it! Prove it to yourself---------prove it to them! The band IS a tool. So is a shovel---I can dig a hole without a shovel, but having it sure makes that job easier. Having my band made my job of losing weight much easier. Now with that shovel you can lightly scoop away at the dirt, and scratch the ground----letting the shovel do all the work---OR you can get behind it, apply your foot in the proper manner and work together to make the job easier. Same with the band. If you plan a healthy diet, and plan some activity into your life--it will be a much easier go with the band! Plus if you plan say an exercise class, it will put you in contact with others concerned for their health and put you in a positive frame of mind. Something it sounds like you are going to need to keep up with. Too much negativity is not good for anyone!!! The band has not always been easy-----but it HAS always been easier for me than going it alone, and it HAS always been worth it! You have been given great advice, it is good you re-examined what you want from the band, and can go to it with positive thoughts. Sad to say----but I think my "I'll show them!" attitude would carry me to goal!!!! Kat

Yep, was thinking of you earlier----good Luck tomorrow Jenn!!! Hope your cold does not get any worse---you will be so psyched, you will handle it!!! We will be thinking of you!! Been a lazy day here----sipped my tea and Water all day, this evening Rick went to grab a burger, and brought me back Wendy's chili, which I ate about half of, and felt fine---so whatever it was must have passed----thank heavens!!!! Tomorrow I am headed to Albq. Have to take my Dad down for a follow up appointment from his last carotid artery surgery. Then Wed. I FINALLY get my tooth taken care of, and Friday is my PS consult. Did I tell you they changed it? It was the 3rd, now it is this Friday!!! Yea!!! Rick is taking Wed. off, he is off Thurs- Sun. so he will be there for the other appointment, but he is taking Wed. so he can drive me for the tooth since I will be sedated. Costing me $200.00 not covered by insurance to be sedated----but worth it to me! Judy I see you on---hope the cruise is going wonderfully!!! Miss ya! Pamela---how's Susannes foot? Girls, I would love to stay and do personals, I wanted to find out about Tracy's car and the other Tracy's wedding plans, and see how Janes arm is....but Rick built a fire, and if I do not leave this room, they are going to come in tomorrow and find nothing but a big greasy spot on the carpet where I had been sitting!!!! Will come back tomorrow when it is cooler!!! Will check in in the morning before I leave! Hugs~~ Kat

<------- Does not miss the drama!!!! Supporting one another, and true discussions, even in R& R does not require lowering oneself to a level of being banned. We all wanted Banded.....none of us want Banned!!!! Kat

Are you anywhere near a teaching hospital? Oftentimes you get multiple consults on one dime so to speak. It puts you in touch with multiple Dr.'s with multiple specialties, and of different ages---face it our minds work different angles depending on our age---and young Dr.'s might be more versed on the band issues----where as older Dr.'s might think of other things. I have an Uncle who is a Dr. And when my cousin was having many health issues (ended up being Celiac Disease)---he recommended she go to a Dr. affiliated with the University which is a teaching hospital. She got great, detailed care, and they quickly located the problem, even though this was years ago, before Celiac was much heard of. Good Luck! Kat

Not long before my surgery, about 3 months---my PCP put me onto meds for my high cholesterol, and when we did my pre op blood work about 2 weeks before, my liver enzymes were off the chart high! It was caused by the cholesterol meds. The Dr. spoke with my surgeon, and of course we stopped the drugs immediately but.....still was not sure until the day of surgery if it would be ok! Everyone kept assuring me it would be---but it is my nature to worry anyway!!! In the end, they had come down enough for the surgery. My pre op diet was not super strict. I was to have low to no fat, and high protein---lean Protein. When he did my surgery he said my liver looked great--that he could tell I followed the pre op, and I had! I understand your fears. If your #'s all look good, I would imagine you will be good to go. I know saying that will probably not help a bit---but just know you are not the only one who worried about it!!! Hang in there Billie----you'll be in band land soon!!! Welcome to LBT! Kat