Band_Groupie

I love traditions. They tie us to our families our faiths our origins and our holidays. Our parents passed some on to us and we’ve started some of our own…some are just little things, others are lengthy productions, some are from our heritage, some I’m sure most households do, and some I know are just our families. As I’m bringing up all the Christmas bins I’m reminded of all the little things we do each and every year to make this season special. Always getting our live tree the Sunday after Thanksgiving; Advent calendars; St. Nicholas Day-kids setting their shoes outside their door Dec. 5 for little gifts from St. Nick the next morning (TODAY!..A northern Europe tradition); finding different ways to give to others in need-working at a soup kitchen, Toys-For-Tots, adopting a family; making our favorite Christmas cookies and a gingerbread house while wearing our elf hats with ears; Ornament exchanges with each family and with each other on Christmas Eve; singing “Silent Night” holding candles on Christmas Eve as one child gets the honor of placing Baby Jesus in the manger that sits on the mantle; leaving cookies and milk for Santa and a vegetable-usuallly a carrot for the reindeer; tying a ribbon at the top of the stairs and one of the children gets to cut the ribbon when it’s time to come down-a fire going and music playing; the kids rushing to the tree to see who can find the pickle ornament (from Germany) first that Santa has hidden on the tree because that child gets to open the first present; always opening the stockings first; Santa’s gifts always appear in plain green and red paper with large elvish writing of names on the fronts and there’s always one gift for each child that sits out unwrapped; cooking everyone’s favorites for Christmas dinner and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus before our dessert; and finally come the Christmas crackers that contain tissue party hats and little trinkets and dumb jokes that always get us laughing; taking each child’s photo on the couch with their new toys; the day after Christmas is always “jammie day” where we stay in our jammies and play games all day, Oh and we all have fun giving hilarious “Thanks for the Memories” gifts, but I’ll save that for tomorrow’s blog…my favorite/funniest kid story this year!…stay tuned...hee-hee What are your holiday traditions??:thumbup:

New here, and brand new to blogging, but I've already noticed that lots of short specific questions, that should be in the Forums section get posted in new blogs (mainly by brand new members). Some get answered, but I think they'd get more answers if they were in Forums...so I'm feeling bad they don't get a response, and for some it's their very first post. I've noticed that the more experience bloggers also put questions as part of their journal, but they're more like "needing support" questions or affirmation, which works well there. I know I had no idea what a "Blog" was when I started...it might help to add something at the main Blog page that lets newbies like me know what a Blog is...like "Blog- Journal your weight loss journey" or some other description...if there's room "Specific Questions- Post under the Forum tab" which brings me to my second suggestion...Why don't new Blogs show up under "New Posts"...that's another way to remedy the exposure issue. BTW, I've been meaning to send you a note Alex...GREAT new LBT logo!!! Very nice!!:thumbup:

Hey Roberta...pre-bandino here, so I can't offer help, except to suggest you might also post this under "Forums" (tag at top here) then either "Post-Op" or "Diet" sections. You can also go to each of those and do a search for just that forum for "liquid diet" and you'll get lots of threads to look at. You'll get more responses on the forum since the Blogs are for personal journals and don't get nearly as much exposure...they don't come up under "New Posts" which I know is what I use to look for new questions/ideas. Happy researching and Happy New Band!! -BG

Thanks so much for posting this...great descriptions! Now I'll know what to expect! Good job on the jeans!!!

Yep- big difference in BCBS policies from area to area. I've got Highmark PPO Blue-Western PA. For low BMI 35-30 you need at least one of the "biggie" comorbidities (heart disease, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, sleep apnea) and no matter how many of the other ones you have, they don't count (I have asthma, osteoarthritis, stress incontinence, and borderline cholesterol & pre-diabetic, but all these aren't good enough on their own). I just got diagnosed with hypertension-meds. and so I'll be covered totally, even fills. I'm 37.7 BMI and 2nd mo. of 6 mo. diet now.

Hey Sunshine2...just wanted to say my (vaginally done) hysterectomy (& sling) wasn't that bad or painful after (after childbirth nothing is painful)...took my pills like clockwork and was tired but fine. So I hope yours goes as well. Sounds like the LB is going to be harder with all the incisions!

...and I WILL be watching you (hee-hee)...accountability to yourself...good job! If we knew the why of binge's it would be so much easier...I think the important part is that you're aware now. Keep up the good work...you're an inspiration!

I'm makin' a list...checking it twice... Protein shakes...good? Really? OK, I'll trust you...it's on my shopping list.

Sounds like a new exercise program…or maybe a high-tech company name?…Oh NO….look closer…Uro…nope, not the currency in Europe…uro as in Urologist!:party: Taking my cue from a fellow blogger (‘cause I can’t just write this out, it will sound too horrific)…Sing it with me, to the tune of “Jingle Bells”… Went to the Urologist Wires out the gazoo:ohmy: Catheter up the front And up the rear-end too!:eek: They fill up your big bladder You feel like you’re gonna blow:crying: They ask you to cough, and then they say “Tell me when you’ve got to go.” :wub: Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right NOW! Im’ gonna pee on your floor and then you’ll need a towel! Oww! :glare: Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right NOW! Im’ gonna pee on your floor and then you’ll need a towel!:car: Yeah… “Oh what fun” (not) I had this morning…Three years ago, after putting up with stress incontinence for years (three kids did me in) I had surgery (only one I’ve ever had) with both a bladder sling and a hysterectomy in hopes of correcting this issue. Although initial results were good, it slowly failed and over the next year I was back to where I started.:confused: Well, it’s taken me awhile to go back to my Dr., but in this year of “getting me healthier” I decided to see what they could do. I met with my Urologist last month…if you remember my “I peed my pants” blog…he said “You’re the first patient I’ve had where this failed…you’ll have to leave by the back door so you don’t scare my other patient!” Ha-ha:laugh:…I would have laughed, but then I might PEE MYSELF!:huh2: Now don’t I feel special! So today I started the testing process again…not much embarrasses me (I know, obviously) but “Urodynamics” testing is a treat…I think you’ve got the picture from my song, but picture standing on a towel and holding a million tubes and wires (coming from all points nether-regions) throughout the testing…cough…bear down:blush:…’nuff said. Next week I get to go through the “scoping” process again…yay me…photos! I’ve had some other issues over the past few years with other failed treatments and I know that’s got me more nervous about the LB process…I’m feeling a little jinxed…like if something can go wrong or fail, it’s going to happen to me!:wub: But I’m an eternal optimist (as Mr.SA says) and my cup is always half-full (or in the case of this morning 1.7 liters…yes, they measure...eeeww)…so here’s to the LB! Bring it on the testing!:thumbup:

Sounds like a new exercise program…or maybe a high-tech company name?…Oh NO….look closer…Uro…nope, not the currency in Europe…uro as in Urologist!:party: Taking my cue from a fellow blogger (‘cause I can’t just write this out, it will sound too horrific)…Sing it with me, to the tune of “Jingle Bells”… Went to the Urologist Wires out the gazoo:ohmy: Catheter up the front And up the rear-end too!:eek: They fill up your big bladder You feel like you’re gonna blow:crying: They ask you to cough, and then they say “Tell me when you’ve got to go.” :wub: Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right NOW! Im’ gonna pee on your floor and then you’ll need a towel! Oww! :biggrin: Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right NOW! Im’ gonna pee on your floor and then you’ll need a towel!:car: Yeah… “Oh what fun” (not) I had this morning…Three years ago, after putting up with stress incontinence for years (three kids did me in) I had surgery (only one I’ve ever had) with both a bladder sling and a hysterectomy in hopes of correcting this issue. Although initial results were good, it slowly failed and over the next year I was back to where I started.:biggrin3: Well, it’s taken me awhile to go back to my Dr., but in this year of “getting me healthier” I decided to see what they could do. I met with my Urologist last month…if you remember my “I peed my pants” blog…he said “You’re the first patient I’ve had where this failed…you’ll have to leave by the back door so you don’t scare my other patient!” Ha-ha:laugh:…I would have laughed, but then I might PEE MYSELF!:scared2: Now don’t I feel special! So today I started the testing process again…not much embarrasses me (I know, obviously) but “Urodynamics” testing is a treat…I think you’ve got the picture from my song, but picture standing on a towel and holding a million tubes and wires (coming from all points nether-regions) throughout the testing…cough…bear down:blush:…’nuff said. Next week I get to go through the “scoping” process again…yay me…photos! I’ve had some other issues over the past few years with other failed treatments and I know that’s got me more nervous about the LB process…I’m feeling a little jinxed…like if something can go wrong or fail, it’s going to happen to me!:wub: But I’m an eternal optimist (as Mr.SA says) and my cup is always half-full (or in the case of this morning 1.7 liters…yes, they measure...eeeww)…so here’s to the LB! Bring it on the testing!:thumbup:

I'm interested in this as well...do you recommend an Atkins like high protein diet (less fruit/veg and of course carbs), or a more reg. balanced diet?

I did a thread in the General Forum "Where would you move your port?" for similar reasons. I've come to the conclusion from reading that ontop of your ribs or breastbone is bad (apparently some docs like to anchor to cartilage instead of muscle...I'm sure it would flip less there as they say, but as one gal said she had a "third boob") but an inch or two below is OK. Also it's bad to be right in line where most of your pant waistlines hit or even just right above. I'm planning to ask for mine to be centered (or a little off) and an inch or two below my ribs/breastbone. I'm also going to ask about the 'low profile port' if not immediately, then later on maybe.

We tried to get tickets for Wicked in NY-sold out (Christina Chenowith-love her). Disney in January...perfect! No lines! We were there this past Feb. (Mr.SA had a conference and we, just we 2, flew in early for 2 days at the parks, then I flew home) and it was great (first time I'd been there in the winter-nice)! Took the kids this May to DLP for a day and it was beautiful...long story, daughter studying abroad in France...a 10 day trip we couldn't afford (peak of the Euro 1E/$1.57 ouch), but we're glad we did it (trip of a lifetime and all that). Have fun tonight at Chili's...I'll be meeting you for "Grey's". Rest up!

Disney trip? Whoo Hoo! OK, that has to be written into the employment contract! Seriously, you can't miss out on Mickey! OK, now to read the rest...Oh man, big decisions...sounds perfect...I'm sure they'll be calling soon...good luck (to Mr.W too). L'Chayim! To life?...sorry if I got it wrong...I was taught by the nuns

You sound like you're on the road to recovery. I'll be getting 5 incisions as well, my surgeon's norm. Thanks for the tip-I'm going to take my regular meds. to my surgeon's consult and ask him if they'll go whole or crushed, so I can plan liquid ones as needed. Thanks!

Protein powder? Is that the same stuff my 18yo DS brought home in a giant container in hopes of bulking up his skin and bones 6'1" frame...nope, I checked...it's a protein shake, but it's got 600 cals. a serving (and I'm guessing he gave up on it...dust on the lid). Guess I'll have to start taste testing protein drinks soon for that fun "liquid phase"...let me know what you find SS!

Yep...more like Festivus (Seinfeld- too funny)! When I get the old camera fixed I'll take a pic Back to the bins...

MORE LAUNDRY??! Hee, hee! Oooo "Frost/Nixon" sounds great...I just saw Ron Howard on the Today Show this morning talking about the film. Have fun! I wanted to see Spamalot when we (SIL) took our girls to NY last spring, but I was out-voted...Hairspray! Back to the laundry...

Thanks IG55! Good explanation. I'm getting myself prepared for the whole lifestyle change, lots of work, and as much as I can ahead with the head hunger. I've lost mega (50+#) on diets lots of times, so I'm ready for the work this will take. I just wanted to hear I'll be able to eat many of the same healthy foods (yep, I hear the ones I'll have to give up forever) the rest of my family is eating, but in way smaller amounts. I couldn't stay on other diets for a lifetime...because I always felt like I could gnaw my arm off with hunger and because I was always making seperate meals-what a pain, from the rest of the family (which I get may still happen some days). I can make a lifestyle change to exercise and small amounts of healthy food...and lots of work...thanks!

The tree is up…it smells like Christmas in the house! We have a tradition of buying our tree every Sunday after Thanksgiving. We got a fresh 11’ one from a Zeilenople tree farm lot this year. No, it's not bent over..it sits in our 2 story foyer at the corner of the staircase and we have a glass paned front door (unusual I know-that’s me, but it fits our farmhouse style/porch house). My neighbors always comment they love watching our tree get decorated a little more each day as they drive by (maybe I'll make them come help next year). It’s my favorite holiday. I’m kind of a Christmas nut:blink:…holiday nut actually…rusty antiques nut…Disney nut…OK, I’ll save my many obsessions for another blog. Let me just say I’ve got 5 large shelving units and about 40 something:blush: (don't tell DH-Mr.SA) BIG bins (was boxes, now plastic… remember the floods I mentioned with the washing machine yesterday…let’s just say the laundry room is above the Christmas shelves...yes, I cried...Oh, BTW, Art came yesterday and with a laugh, 5 min. and a $25 check I'm back in the laundry business)…I just can't throw anything away-did you know you can keep popcorn strings for at least 10 years...yep, I'm on my second set now-strung with wooden cranberry beads every now and then. I store them in old coffee cans...they smell a tiny bit funny when you first get them out every year, but no mold...they just yellow a little, but they're a perfect buttered popcorn color:crazy:...I know, only I would think to even try saving popcorn (hey, they're a lot of work and my kids bloody finger tips)!! So many bins of Christmas stuff now waiting to go up (an infliction that was passed down from my Mother). I swear I didn't buy much of it...more than half of it is all the kids things (they have as much Christmas stuff as all their other stuff), so it’s not as bad as it sounds…it will be going with them one day…but for now we display it all! Our families (they’re the spoilers) have been building up their displays since they were born so it’s all their fault…the boys huge double-layer train board…one has a Disney train, rides and monorail, the other Ertl farm sets and models he built and painted w/western train…my DD’s Christmas dollhouse that one of my sisters and my brother (still can’t believe my brother did this) sanded and glued together for 4 solid weekends before one Christmas…I so enjoy watching my kids put their own displays up each year as they remember who gave them what:regular_smile:…they always turn out a little different and they still get new little things each year. I have a whole bins of Christmas plush animals, toys, and books they got from Grandparents and of course every handmade ornament they’ve ever made…and not just the ones from school…being an ex Art teacher, I’ve made a LOT with them over the years…we still exchange ornaments with both sides of the family every year, so the kids already have ornaments aplenty for their future tree. We've got the outside lighted garlands and wreaths on every window up already. Today I’m putting away the fall decorations…tonight we put the lights on the tree…tomorrow I pile the ornaments by person on the dining room table and then each person starts putting their own on the tree…I can hardly wait for the memories… “remember this one…who/when…”:thumbup: Fa la-la-la-la

The tree is up…it smells like Christmas in the house! We have a tradition of buying our tree every Sunday after Thanksgiving. We got a fresh 11’ one from a Zeilenople tree farm lot this year. No, it's not bent over..it sits in our 2 story foyer at the corner of the staircase and we have a glass paned front door (unusual I know-that’s me, but it fits our farmhouse style/porch house). My neighbors always comment they love watching our tree get decorated a little more each day as they drive by (maybe I'll make them come help next year). It’s my favorite holiday. I’m kind of a Christmas nut:blink:…holiday nut actually…rusty antiques nut…Disney nut…OK, I’ll save my many obsessions for another blog. Let me just say I’ve got 5 large shelving units and about 40 something:blush: (don't tell DH-Mr.SA) BIG bins (was boxes, now plastic… remember the floods I mentioned with the washing machine yesterday…let’s just say the laundry room is above the Christmas shelves...yes, I cried...Oh, BTW, Art came yesterday and with a laugh, 5 min. and a $25 check I'm back in the laundry business)…I just can't throw anything away-did you know you can keep popcorn strings for at least 10 years...yep, I'm on my second set now-strung with wooden cranberry beads every now and then. I store them in old coffee cans...they smell a tiny bit funny when you first get them out every year, but no mold...they just yellow a little, but they're a perfect buttered popcorn color:crazy:...I know, only I would think to even try saving popcorn (hey, they're a lot of work and my kids bloody finger tips)!! So many bins of Christmas stuff now waiting to go up (an infliction that was passed down from my Mother). I swear I didn't buy much of it...more than half of it is all the kids things (they have as much Christmas stuff as all their other stuff), so it’s not as bad as it sounds…it will be going with them one day…but for now we display it all! Our families (they’re the spoilers) have been building up their displays since they were born so it’s all their fault…the boys huge double-layer train board…one has a Disney train, rides and monorail, the other Ertl farm sets and models he built and painted w/western train…my DD’s Christmas dollhouse that one of my sisters and my brother (still can’t believe my brother did this) sanded and glued together for 4 solid weekends before one Christmas…I so enjoy watching my kids put their own displays up each year as they remember who gave them what:regular_smile:…they always turn out a little different and they still get new little things each year. I have a whole bins of Christmas plush animals, toys, and books they got from Grandparents and of course every handmade ornament they’ve ever made…and not just the ones from school…being an ex Art teacher, I’ve made a LOT with them over the years…we still exchange ornaments with both sides of the family every year, so the kids already have ornaments aplenty for their future tree. We've got the outside lighted garlands and wreaths on every window up already. Today I’m putting away the fall decorations…tonight we put the lights on the tree…tomorrow I pile the ornaments by person on the dining room table and then each person starts putting their own on the tree…I can hardly wait for the memories… “remember this one…who/when…”:thumbup: Fa la-la-la-la

Just starting to exercise again and I have a good treadmill. I'd like to start tracking my steps as walking will be my main exercise so I want to track both the treadmill and all other steps just walking around. I don't need many bells or whistles as I am not one to spend the time plugging in data, calories, etc. I only want to spend about $50 or less (not ready for that bodybugg yet). I've never used a pedometer before..Any suggestions? I saw someone here mentioned the Omron pedometer and specifically the Omron HJ-720ITC. I see it has a PC interface, which might be cool to track progress over time, but it depends how easy this is to use. Anyone have details/use this one?...read a few bad reviews on Amazon "Inacurate- I also found in the manual that the pedometer won't count steps accurately if you wear sandals, if you shuffle your feet, if you don't walk at a constant pace or if you use stairs." I just want an accurate count and some simple software. Thanks all!:cursing:

Thanks for posting this. It's so helpful to see success stories when your the one who's nervous and just starting out. You look great!

Hey Margie...and hello Chicago! I have a sister in Glen Ellyn. I'll be banded in May or June if everything goes smoothly...I was hoping for April originally (my 50th birthday) but had to "restart" as I needed to weigh a pound more. I hate waiting. Good luck on your wait/diet! I don't think it takes more than a few weeks after approval for the surgery from what I've read. -BG

Ditto...I'd also suggest you call and ask your insurance for a copy of the actual policy requirements. They can fax them to you or most have them online and they can tell you how to access them. Every insurance company has their requirements spelled out...mine was a little vague on the "comorbidities" as a lot of them are (not an issue for you as you have several of the 'biggies'), but your policy will clearly state how many years or not of history and the same with the diet. I don't have tricare, but mine (BCBS Highmark Western PA) lists the 6 mo. diet but no years of history is listed. Give your Drs. insurance person a copy of your actual policy, then everyone is clear. I've found that even in the same state my BCBS has very different requirements from area to area, and probably even co. to co. depending on what they purchased.