Kat817

Oh hell yeah in my opinion!!! When I was at my heaviest, I looked like hell in clothes or out of them. Now in a size 12-14 I look ok in clothes.....out of them is still pretty yucky---so TT here I come, get the rest of this weight off, and it is a goner!! This is not even considering all the health benefits of having the weight off. Definitely worth it----100% sure of that! Welcome to LBT, good luck on your upcoming surgery! Kat

Love, Love, Love Crazy Nadine!!!! Kat

Welcome Michelle~ What a wonderful bunch of reasons to be banded! I will tell you---it will change your life! I run and play with my grandbabies, and love every second of it----well ok maybe not every second, when they are into things....love may be pushing it!! You will have so much more energy and feel a renewed sense of accomplishment....even if you have not made it to goal by the big 4-0....it will come, and you will be so proud of taking charge of your life again! Hang out with us, let us get to know you--ask any questions you have, bring up any concerns....feel free to just jump in with questions! If any of them fail to be answered ask again, sometimes this board moves pretty fast and it may have gotten buried quickly! There are some amazingly smart and successful bandsters here, they can help you more than you know!!! Welcome to LBT! And here is to an awesome 2008!! Kat

There ya go Judy!! Poor Michelle's huby may miss the new year coming in, he'd be so flustered!!! But seriously Michelle, the dress choice was perfect---the picture you originally showed us did it nowhere near the justice you do it---and I say that with all sincerity, the dress looks made for your curves. Wear it with pride....and panties if you must! Kat

Michelle--you look stunning!!! I have a suggestion! Do NOT let DH see you until the night! Make his eyes bug!! Get your make up on, your heels, and make a Cinderella appearance. Watch him sit up and take notice. Or you could lean over and whisper to him just before midnight that you have on no panties---and really make him sweat!! Sorry, I always hear of people doing that! Someday....gonna shock the hubby!!! Girl strut your stuff, you look wonderful!!!!!! Kat

Put away the scale for a few days and get out a tape measure! I found when I quit losing actual pounds, the inches dropped off!!! Don't ask me how or why---I just know they did!!! I too lose in spurts. I sit with no loss, then wham 4-5 pounds go suddenly, then I sit for a week or 2 again. All in all it still come off, over 60 inches and a hundred pounds later, I still don't fully understand my body, but figure it must not be broke so I am not going to attempt to fix it!!! Hang in there you are doing great!!! Kat

It is taking just as long for my mind to wrap around the loss as it did for it to wrap around the original fat. I just told this story in another thread---but it is so true, and was so traumatizing at the time! I was walking through the mall, feeling as normal as always when I caught sight of a woman coming at me, wearing the same shirt I was, I was appalled that I wore the same thing as that fat woman---hoping I looked better in mine, I found it embarrassing to be wearing her same shirt! Imagine my embarassment now when I realized it was a mirror, and the fat woman was me! From that day forward, I knew without question I was fat! I changed overnight! My wardrobe changed, how I carried myself changed---I woke up to the fact I was fat. I had been there buying the next size up clothes all along, I had layed in bed with the belly hanging all over--------but in my mind, I was still ok, still normal. Til the day in the mall! Now....I have people tell me I look great....and people in shock at how much I have lost. I see pictures, and can see the change in ways. Yet when I hit the stores, I still reach for the 2X to try on. I used to wear a 3-4X so in my mind the 2X is successful---but in reality an XL is fine now. I just have not had that defining moment yet....that turned me around before, I am looking forward to the change going this way---I would love to have my prior confidence back. Kat

Well I'm up. Can't say much more than that, but I'm up!! My neighbors are the nicest people, a little, no a LOT eccentric, they are high functioning alcoholics. They drink a huge amount, and do it every single day. They drink Coors Light like I drink tea. Then they go on to Scotch & water. I mean like my iced tea glasses filled with ice, then scotch, and the last inch or so is water! This is both sets of neighbors to my north. One set owns an Optical shop, and the other are retired. They invite us over all the time, and we go on occasion, we enjoy them, we just don't drink with them! They have invited us in to the game tonight. They have the most amazing "Fun House" they call it. They have the hot tub on the porch of the fun house, and a Sauna built inside. All redwood, and secured from the rest of the house. Room for easily 6 people. Then in the main part of the place is a pool table, with all the pub tables and chairs, complete with the notched holders for your cues. The pool table is done in a burgundy felt, and the house is all done in butter yellow, with browns and the burgundy highlights, it is gorgeous!! Then the kitchen is fully functional, has a full bar (surprise!!!) stocked like it is a business I swear! And off of the kitchen area are these totally cool set of burgundy love seats...and it is floor to ceiling oak shelves full of books! She has it artfully arranged....and these are most of them hard back first edition books, and she has no issue with me reading them all! There is an area for darts (they both have trophies for darts!), there is a shelf like table along a back wall with what looks like shuffle board markings, it is some sort of game, not sure what. They have an oak game table that matches the pool table in the corner, with all the poker chips, and a shelf full of games. I would never leave, I could live in the place, but the amount of alcohol causes me to have panic attacks. The smell of the hard liquor is one of my remaining triggers. Add to that, that they all smoke---and we have both been quit for a long time---it gets to be overwhelming. They work really hard to keep things comfortable for me. So the reason for all this....I really love my neighbors. But the ones 2 doors down just brought me a late Christmas present...a 6 pack box of scrumptious smelling Cinnabons. Think it is in poor taste to throw them in the hot tub???!!! I told Rick if he has anyone running for parts this direction to come and get the damn things!! The neighbor right next door, she and I have a thing going, with Christmas. Several years ago we were talking, and discovered we both loved to grow the Christmas Amaryliss flowers. So since then, each year, as soon as they hit the stores, I buy her one, she buys me one, and we grow them, gift done!!! So as I sit here typing I smell the cinnamon rolls......and they smell so good, but the PB they would surely cause is not worth it!!! I have not tried them, but they would have to be worse than the glazed donut I ate that one time that caused such a horrible PB!!! Yech! I put them in the microwave, it keeps the smell in there, and I am not so tempted! TracyK---melting girl!!! I was really joking, no belly dancing in my future either!!! Maybe after they remove all the skin, I can dance around it like the Mexican Hat dance!! Judy it has not snowed anymore here, but the cold is still pervasive, and not allowing any of ours to melt. Pipes have froze all over town. We are breaking records with our cold temps. It has not made it to the double digits yet! My stove needs the ash cleaned out, but I have not let the fire go down enough to do it, it is too cold!! Pamela---how is the back? I found I just do better with less fill. I am afraid of the PB'ing. I have restriction, just nothing like you have had, and like TracyKS does. I can only eat a portion of what I did before--but I can still eat pretty much anything (NO CINNABONS!)--and unfortunately I am doing just that lately!!! I am ready for a new beginning too!!! Terry---Big hugs! I remember teenage daughters well. Manda was a pleasure overall until she turned 17---I could not believe the change in her!!! I told everyone, that many years before when she began Kindergarden I cried the first day because she was going to school, and cried the 2nd day because they only kept her half a day! Then when she turned 17 I cried one day because she was almost grown and gone, and cried the next day because she was not gone yet!!! Shopping with her, was a nightmare! She had champagne taste with my beer pocketbook. She did not wear Walmart! She pouted, and then was angelic, in nothing more than a lame ass attempt to appease Mom into doing things her way and her getting what she wanted! Manipulation at her best!!! Good news....she did grow up into a beautiful, caring, giving, Walmart wearing woman!!! Abey, on the other hand would not be caught dead wearing what Manda wore. She preferred to drag me to the thrift shops in the worst parts of town, where she would make me crazy! She would pick up a hat, not knowing where it had been, and slap it on her head, and then if I said anything she was offended, and I was a snob! She walked around looking like something the cat dragged in! The son was easier....somewhat. Not any cheaper, but easier. If it was black and had skulls he didn't much care where it come from. The issue with him, was $70.00 pants, that I would find on his best friend within days of shelling out the cash! So Terry----to you and all the other Violet Mommies, and teacher of teens--------BLESS YOU!!! Kat

Have you contacted Legal Aid? You can file a civil suit against him, in which he has to appear in court to answer why he will not provide the requested and previously court ordered information. In some states Legal Aid actually assigns you a pro bono attorney for the case, in others one assists you in filing the necessary paperwork to do it yourself. Once you get that done, and actually appear in court, if they award payment of some of those bills to him, and if you have a joint custody settlement, they should, you will have similar papers to a discharged bankruptcy---and they will hold up with bill collectors. My oldest DD went through this not long ago. Here, they just advised her, and she took him to court on her own in a civil suit. He went in with an attorney, and my DD still won. She was not asking for anything as a settlement, she just wanted paperwork to present to show responsibility concerning hospital bills, and she wanted an itemization redone of the bills. The judge told him this was a waste of his time, that he was already supposed to be doing this, and he should charge him with contempt! She has had much steadier payment of CS, and he has picked up on his part of the hospital bills too. Mostly he now knows she is not scared to do what it takes!!! Good Luck! Kat

No, he really does not need to lose weight, but neither does he need to gain, and we found that he was finishing up what I didn't eat, and he was putting it on. Now we just box it up, or leave it if we go out!! He is more concious of his weight now, he is awed by the fact that he is now bigger than I am, and that not only can he wrap his arms all the way around me, but he can grab his opposite elbow! I think it spurs him on to stay in shape himself, plus now we DO things together, because my weight no longer holds me back from joining in. Kat

I'm home! Roads varied from dry to ice packed and slick. They scheduled Dads surgery for 2 weeks from today on the 11th. We are praying he does as well with this one as he did the first side, and then maybe we will have some time with no surgeries planned!! Went by Burlington, bought Mom a new coat, and bought myself a new top to wear for New Years Eve, and also to Ricks Winter Party at work on the 5th. Found one I loved!!! It looked good on--but it had these glittery swirls---and it shed glitter like crazy! I had it in my hair, on my eyelashes, and my jeans were covered. I knew I would trash the house, and the car, and anywhere I went, so I hung it back up!!! The one I chose shows some serious cleavage, DH will love it! TracyK---I love the pictures!! Rick ask me the other day what I did with the pants I saved---one of my old jeans, I told him they were in the shed, with all the other cast offs!! When I dig them out, I think I will do a picture in them, I am betting I can almost fit in one leg! You have done such a good job!!! I think all of us are ready for the fresh start of a New Year. Jenn has the right idea, she is setting everything in motion for it to begin on an upswing! I think I will follow suit. Get everything in order, pay all the bills---clean the house extra good, wish I could go see Jane for a trim---I need a new haircut!....But just get all my ducks in a row, ready to step into 2008 with all in order! I too drink tea....decaf with sweetner all day every day!!! I drink water but not nearly so much as tea! My DH calls it colored water! If there is no caffeine, or sugar, it is just colored water he says!!! Of course the same could be said for his decaf coffee!!! We also buy decaf Diet Coke and decaf Diet Dr. Pepper!!! So when we go out, and order tea, or him a Diet Coke, we come home wired, we are not used to the caffeine!! New Years Resolutions....... First the obvious!!! GET TO GOAL WEIGHT!!! Exercise more More water Save some $$$$ Other than those obvious ones! Go visit my brother at his house more often. Quit letting Kinsey use my car as a second toybox---if we take it out---we bring it back in!!! To learn something new....not sure what yet---a new hobby, a new language, belly dancing---just SOMETHING! Well, I am off to read some email, and then head to bed...thanks for all the Purple thoughts and prayers as I hit the ice today! It is already cold out---actually it stayed that way, it only got up to 22 today, and is already down to 9. Supposed to make it to the upper 30's tomorrow~~~~it's a heat wave!!! Talk to ya tomorrow girlies!! Kat

***thread hijack*** Listenhard, I had a hysterectomy 5 years ago due to endometrial cancer. I had a complete hysterectomy followed by cinfused chemotherapy X 9 weeks and oral chemotherapy X 6 months. I had my band placed almost 2 years ago. If there is anything in particular you want to ask---shoot me a PM. Just a note--------both the hysterectomy and the band----2 of the VERY BEST things I have ever done!! Kat

Off to Albq.~ not much typing, come in while my car thaws some---still have my gloves on it is -3 right now....I may have to argue with my friend Suzanne, about who the resident idiot is!!! See ya tonight! Kat

Glad to hear your cardiology appointment went well. We have had lots of experience with them here lately, my DH had to have heart surgery to repair a valve. And I am taking my Dad to see his cardiologist tomorrow to schedule carotid artery surgery again. Hopefully then it will be over for awhile!!! It is more difficult than I expected to see yourself differently as the weight comes off. I remember when I realized how huge I had gotten! I caught sight of myself in a mirror in the mall! I was horrified--I did not realize it was me, I honestly thought the fat lady had a shirt like me and that alone embarassed me, imagine when I realized it WAS me! I had bought the bigger clothes, and lived with the fat on my body day in and day out, but still "saw" myself as normal. Til that fateful day in the mall. Now I find myself doing similar things in reverse. I see something clothing wise I like, and I still insist on trying on the 2X minimally. I still feel like people see me as fat. I do things that shock myself! Today I was spraying down the stove top, and was afraid I would ruin my shirt, so I grabbed an old apron of my Moms----and for years the only way I could ever tie it was behind me. Today for some reason I flashed back to my highschool retail days, and wrapped the ties around and tied them in the front. When I realized I could do that it almost reduced me to tears!!! When I took it off, I retied it, and looked at it---it was a wonderful NSV..... Next time you are in the store, walk over to the potatoes, or the dog food and pick up a 20 pound bag....and just think you have already lost that---and look at the 50 pound bag, and tell it you will be back!!! Well, I am off to bed, the trip to take Dad to the Dr. will be an all day adventure in snow packed roads! Kat

I'm off to bed too, then to Albq. tomorrow, provided the road is open. Through the mountains it is pretty rough the news said. Will check in the morning, then leave about 7:30. I ask my friend to keep Kinsey, I cannot take her on the dangerous roads----as adults we will make the choice---she cannot, and I could never forgive myself if something happen to her! My DH named my band Billy back when I first got it. When our son would get full of himself Rick referred to him as Billy Badass! So he calls my band Billy Bandass. He calls Kinsey Paula----Paula Punk. And if she is whiny he calls her a Sally...and tells her Crybaby Sally sittin in the Alley, and she giggles, and the mood passes!!! But if we are in the store, and she hears a kid whine or cry, she tells me, I hear a Sally! My SIL (the one without kids yet!) is concerned she won't know her real name! With all the things he calls people, it is amazing any of us know our name!!! Good job with the candy Laura---enjoy your new clothes, I am going to Old Navy for some new pants while I am in Albq. I really want to buy another pair of comfy 14's in the style I have now, but will buy them in a 12 as incentive for the resolution to get it in gear again!!! My brother bought us a topper for our bed, it is not down, but a down alternative. It adds like 6 inches to the height of the bed, which was not short to begin with--and it feels like a marshmallow now. I think I like it---except it just looks messy when I make the bed....withholding judgement for now. Judy I have not taken my frame out of the box even! Rick opened the GPS tonight, I have not touched any of it! Well I am off to bed--everyone sleep well! Will try to look in in the morning before I leave, if not see ya tomorrow night!! (((hugs))) Kat

I haven't looked in a couple of years to be honest, but at that time, there were none known to any of us who checked in with one another. I drive 6 hours to my fill Dr. in Canon City, Colorado. Let me know what you find out! Kat

HI Nancy---it's Kat from the Jersey board. My niece is here where I am in NW New Mexico, and she goes to Albq. for her fills. I go into Colorado. Those are the only 2 options I have heard of here in the state, there is not even a Dr. who does the surgery here!!! Where we are we have had high speed even out here in the boondocks as well as cable connections for the last few years---where did she move??? Kat

Leilaann--------welcome to LBT,and welcome to Bandster Hell! What you are going through is very common, you have a band in place but with no fill. Not eating is VERY VERY important to let your body heal correctly, setting the band into proper position. Where they pulled the lower part of the stomach up and stitched it in place, is now forming scar tissue to secure your band in place, to guard against slippage. Adhering to the post op diet, while hard, is just a stage we all go through----so common as to have its own name--Bandster Hell! It is like having a new car, and no gas to put in it! When you get past the healing stages, and can begin to fill your band, and eat solid foods again, it will show you how much the band will aid in your weight loss, for now it is sheer willpower ( or won't power.) Try finding some high Protein clear liquid. GNC has several options, from test tube protein shots, to Zero Carb Isopure. The high protein helps some with the hunger, and the protein also helps in healing. When you get hungry, find something to just keep sipping. And when it is overwhelming, my best solution was to just DO something, I began walking when I thought I was going to begin chewing the paint off the walls. This passes quickly--and soon you too will be seeing how great of a help the band is!!! Hang in there, we all made it, and you will too!!! Kat

I have actually gone up in cup size, while going down several band sizes. I began in a tight 46--loose 48 DD. Now I am in a 38 DDD if I can find it. Some DD's still fit, but the difference in band size and the fullest part of the bust has changed a lot! They are not nearly as perky as they used to be--------but at 47 I never expected they would be. Not something I plan to "fix" at this stage though. But did they go away? Nope! I think shortgal is right, it is dependent on what your breast tissue is made up of, if you were flat chested prior to gaining weight....that kind of thing. LOL Shortgirl, I joke that I went from a 46DD to a 38 Long! Kat

Sometimes the meds are just too strong on the stomach for that, have you checked with your Dr, to see if there is a liquid option? Or a childs dosage you could multiply times you take it during the day? Both are easier on the stomach. Liquids can be sipped along with something even like Maalox to ease the discomfort due to irritation. I do hope it continues to improve--if not call the Dr. back as many times as it takes, that is what we pay them for--to help us! Many times even their staff can give you good advice for dealing with common issues! My Dr.'s staff is awesome! Continued improvement thoughts being sent your way! Kat

I'm going to Jenns house and holding open the garage door, I just shoveled our walk--we need her snow blower!!! The most giving gift, and the one I secretly wonder about--is a secret, it was done anonymously, hoping to help out a family we know to be in need. I imagine what they thought, and what they did. Hope it was good! The one I know about that gave me the most joy was my grandson! We use 4 wheelers on the farm to go move cattle etc. The house sits in the middle of a loop, where we can drive around, then there are 4 rentals situated around the loop. Then another rental down our road, and my son in the rear of the land. All privately owned by family---so we will put him on the 4 wheeler with us, and go around the loop. It is the highlight of his day! He sees us go out to it, and he screeches to go. So for Christmas we got him a battery powered ride on toddler size 4 wheeler! He could not contain himself, he was so excited! He was trying to get on it, while they were putting the finishing touches on it, and installing the battery. He has officially made his parents crazy running into things, but he is on it from the second he gets up til the second the pry him off!!! If nothing else we bought anyone else hit home....this one did!!! Back to shovel some more!!! Kat Kat

OOPPS!!! I can eat cake and ice cream on my grandbabies birthdays withOUT dumping---or wanting to eat the entire cake! Amazing difference of one little 3 letter word!!!! Kat

Well....I cannot honestly say I have worked extra hard to get my 100+ pounds off over the last year and a half. I have exercised, in moderation----some times more than others, like now, winter is hard, I prefer being outdoors. I did join Curves, but it is not expensive, I have never belonged to an expensive gym. I too am married, and I have grown children, I provide day care for my 3 year old granddaughter, I went back to taking care of her within a week of being banded. I have a large extended family, I stay busy with. We work cattle, I buck hay bales....very busy! The band has allowed me to continue my normal life, and as the weight dropped off, life has become much simpler, and easier too!!! I had several reasons I chose banding over RNY. I am a cancer survivor---so with that history, I am at a higher risk for recurrance. With the band, I can keep my nutrition up. I honestly was afraid of the malnourishment part of RNY. That and the permanence of it. If for some reason I ever needed the band out I could do it! If they discover some magic pill to burn fat--I can take it and be fine, my insides are not cut and re routed. I do not diet. I eat as I always ate, with a stronger tendency towards health. I try to live today in a manner of how I want to live the rest of my life. The band keeps me from overeating, without consequence. I would have lost weight without exercise, but as it come off, I had a want to DO things! I want to buy clothes, I want to go play with the kids---it is an amazing change! It might take a year and a half to have gotten this weight off----but I am in Misses size clothes, I can run, I can sit cross legged on the floor! I can eat cake and ice cream with my grandbabies on their birthdays with dumping, and without wanting to eat the entire cake! Banding was a good choice for me. It felt the safest route. Safer in my personal situation that RNY, and without a doubt safer than remaining morbidly obese---which is where I started---and I am now only overweight, headed for NORMAL!!!!!!!! Good Luck in your decision, research is key!!! Kat

Hi Nancy, sorry I didn't get the welcoming done sooner!!! My Dr. gave me a card, and some honor it some don't, and some places it depends on the cashier, or waitress. I don't stress too much over it. There is a man I totally dislike that is an assistant manager at Golden Corral, and he was a jerk when we tried to reserve the room with the big sign saying "Reserve Me for your Party", for my inlaws 60th wedding anniversary. He refused, saying it was their busy day! It is more of a racial thing with him, I have since been told. Now if he is at the counter when I go in, he refuses to let me have my meal for a childs price, instead he will do it at the senior discount. I have paid the full amount before, it is not that big of a deal but I really don't like him. So when he said that to us, I told my DH with the jerk standing there, "that's ok pay it, I can waste an easy $20 or more of food in here today!" He gets all flustered and says to me something like -Ma'am we ask that you not take food you cannot eat-. I told him "yeah, I know, I ask you to make an exception because I cannot eat much food, but we can't always do those things can we?" He sees me walk in now, and he leaves!! Most of the cashiers read it and charge me childs meal prices---he was just a jerk! He told my friend when she showed hers, that the surgery must not have worked! We go to Golden Corral for breakfast, about once a month as a family---meet the parents, both sets, sisters, brothers, kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, assorted adopted family friends....the whole crew! Every one pays their own way as we go in, we get to eat and visit, and no one has to cook, or clean, and when we leave we have the entire weekend free....we have seen everyone!! Well it is shining BRIGHT outside, and still snowing like crazy!!! It is blinding! Laura, Avon used to make this lotion called Silicone Glove. My Mom worked for a printer for years, they used this lotion, it makes a thin coat over your skin, and it drastically cut down on the paper cuts, it is not oily, does not bleed off on paper products. Not sure they still make it, but it might be worth checking on. I have an Aunt & Uncle in Washington State who own and operate a fish cannery, and they used it, it kept the fish smell from penetrating into the skin. Cindy----recovered from that hard (!) vacation yet??? Got my soup in the crock pot! DD made it to work, but Great Grandma got to keep Kinsey today----so I am doing laundry and other fun stuff!!! BBL to check on everyone-----it is boring in my house!! Kat

I try really hard to make most of my carbs from whole grains. Instead of white bread, I do whole wheat...same with rice, brown rice as opposed to white. I can, as in, I am able to eat bread and rice....but with this, I was like you I did not want to do Atkins or any other diet for the rest of my life!! So I do my best to approach it with an attitude of what I can do to promote health. I eat oatmeal---I even occasionally do the packets of the pre sweetened flavored. When I do that, I try to buy the Weight Control, just to keep the sugars down. The more sugar I eat, the more I want, so I try to offset that!!! There are some things that as far as I am concerned simply are not the same with the whole grain substitutes--so I eat them the way I like them....not every day, and in a much smaller quantity---but I eat them just the same. Grilled cheese for example, I only like it on soft white bread, toasted crisp....where I used to inhale an entire sandwich, and seriously want, and sometimes eat another, now I can only eat 1/4 to 1/2 of a sandwich---and I enjoy the heck out of it!!! I know myself well enough to know that by depriving myself, I am simply setting myself up for a binge! I wish I was stronger, but have found this happy medium is best for me. My weight is going---probably slower than if I were to totally eliminate the carbs, and sweets....but this is the life I choose to live from now on, and it is working! Try the new things, slowly.....small bite, and chew well, then wait a few minutes...not seconds, to see how it feels when it gets down. If all is well try another. Take your time! Then after a few bites, just quit! If you find yourself starving later, you can go back for something, but if you stay full-----then you have avoided the pain of overeating! The goal is to eat until you are no longer hungry, not until you are full. Much easier said than done--------I hope one day to master the idea!!! Still working on it! Good Luck as you progress on to the new foods!! Kat