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Riley - nothing wrong with a BoyToy!!! Yes, of course, we'll help you with Pics. - we'll do a mini make over - someone here has to be good with make up and accessories for doing a good glam shot!

Riley - first of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Don't feel bad - look at what mine says - the BIG 50plus!!! - 48 sounds great from where I sit!!! The 14th is the Sonoma County Weight Loss Surgery support group in the morning 10 -12, so if we can meet everyone in Vallejo for lunch and a walk or a walk and a lunch it would work fine. I invited my sister and husband to the group that day since they are doing the panel on support people. It would be great if we could do both!

Ladies and John - I forget to send you this. My sister emailed me this in one of those email chain letter. Hugs to all of you. Quotation: May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others... May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are.. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us..'

Hi All - Sounds like Saturday was a fun get together. Maybe I can get there next month or if we plan something a little farther south or whatever direction it is closer to Richmond. Riley - you crack me up. Don't you know all guys get whiny once in a while!! Hey, I figured out I gave away the size 10s since I thought I would never ever be back to them. I do have some 12s if that would help. PM me if you want to come look. Heather - I'm routing for you. Sounds like a good idea to talk to your Dr. - you've come so far. Annalyn - where are you? We need to hear from you. We are both getting close to "the number"! Got to keep cheering each other on. You've been doing so well with your exercise - you need to push me to do more!!! I am down 3 more lbs on my scale, but I'm not updating my ticker until I get a Kaiser weigh. (If we went by my scale I'd only be 3 lbs from Surgery goal weight!) I am going to see if I can get a weigh appt here so I can go in in the morning. Weighing at night at support group is always more and it gets discouraging. Well good night all. Hope everyone has a good healthy week. Stay well - the flu is really traveling around. My son has had it twice and all today I felt like I was getting a sore throat.

John - Great news on the Apnea. I have a friend who lost a lot of weight (non surgically) and it cleared up her Apnea and she got rid of her CPAP and was so glad. Tina - Congrats - Onederlander! So cool. Glad you are feeling OK - make sure you are gettin your vitamins and protein. My advise for getting your house cleaned / organized is to get a "wife" LOL! Heather - yeah I think its the stress / head stuff. Riley mentioned an emotional eating class at Kaiser and I had seen their stress management and meditation classes listed that look good. I just haven't figured out how to find out where they are offered. I have been really hungry all day and I know I'm not really (have eaten on time and what I'm suppose to.) But also know I am mega stressed with all kinds of work problems. So it must be my stress eating triggering the hunger feelings. Analynne - glad you are back. I know you want it off fast, but I think you are doing great. Just stick to 1 scale and once a week and save yourself the OCD! Donna - Hi - I am new since you've been away but have heard you are the cheerleader/mother hen of the group. Hope to meet in person someday. Can't go to meeting tomorrow - we have to go dryer shopping as ours is dieing fast.

Tamra I found this on the government website regarding government payment of 65% of the Cobra Payments if you are laid off this year - thru 12/31. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides for premium reductions and additional election opportunities for health benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, commonly called COBRA. Eligible individuals pay only 35 percent of their COBRA premiums and the remaining 65 percent is reimbursed to the coverage provider through a tax credit. The premium reduction applies to periods of health coverage beginning on or after February 17, 2009 and lasts for up to nine months for those eligible for COBRA during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009 due to an involuntary termination of employment that occurred during that period. The TAA Health Coverage Improvement Act of 2009, enacted as part of ARRA, also made changes with regard to COBRA continuation coverage. link is COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009 You should be eligible. check it out. Don't give up yet.

I was at a Kaiser Richmond support group meeting 2 weeks ago and the surgery appointments are running 6 to 8 weeks from when you reach your pre-surgery goal weight and have your case manager appointment. I had to wait about a month to be scheduled for my orientation from when my Primary Care doc (PCP) sent my referral. Your first step is to be referred to an overview class from your PCP - it about 1.5 - 2 hrs and they are given at alot of the Kaisers. I took mine in San Rafael. After that, if you still want to pursue Bariatrics you need to contact your PCP for the referral. I asked to be referred to Kaiser Richmond but because I'm in Petaluma they wanted to refer me to South San Francisco. I asked my PCP to do Richmond and she did. So that was some of my delay. I attended the overview class on 7/17/09 and attended orientation on 9/8/09. If you end up at Kaiser Richmond, there is a Pre-Op Kaiser Richmond Lap Band thread on here that has people who are both pre-op and post op - some of the post ops are long time It is a great group. Some are from Sacramento area and others in the East Bay and a few in the North Bay.

Hi Ladies - Haven't been on in the last couple day, but have caught up on all the posts. I missed Riley's support group on Tuesday and rushed out of work yesterday at 5:45 thinking I would just make it to Richmond by 6:30 and realized the support group starts at 6. Just a crazy week. So having you all is terrific. Tough days at work and today is a migraine day - a bad one too since I've taken all 3 Maxalts I can for 1 day so I hope it stays in check. Almost was sick to my stomach. I hate to complain since I do have a job and am able to support my family and I know some of you are really having a tough time. Today, I have just fired my 5th person in a little over a year - I've been managing for almost 20 years and have only done 2 others in all that time. Have also been involved with layoffs and potential layoff discussion almost every year for the last 8 years. This has just been crazy and it just tears me up - so not who I am at my core. Sort of try to live my life by "not doing any harm to others" if I can help it. Really eats at me - talk about emotional eating! So I have to say I don't know if private is any better than public - its rough everywhere. Riley - so sorry you are now dealing with this. We're here for you. So bummed I didn't get to see you Tuesday and give you a B'day hug. I hope you have a great time Sat. Also need a update on the new man! Candra - sounds like a good visit with Dr. Fisher and some good insights. It helps to hear about what the healing process your body is going through - gives a better appreciation for why things feel and happen they way they do. Interesting what he said about hunger - this time around I am really trying to let myself be OK with hunger. In other words, I'm not going to die because I'm hungry - especially not with 100+ pounds to lose!!! I find sometimes - not always - it is OK, like just another physical feeling, like a muscles ache or a something. Not being very clear, but just something I thought I needed to deal with and not always feel like because I'm hungry I have to eat or something bad is going to happen to me. The head hunger and emotional eating are the really hard ones for me. Heather - I know the 1200 is hard, but I think it works. I'm not doing any sugar or carbs. The only carb I do is a bread that is only made with grain and water - no sugar - no oil (Trader Joe's Daily Bread). I am a sugar/carb addict so I'm trying to see if I can do without. I don't trust myself to just do a little - it gets so out of control with me. Very very hard. May not be able to do but have been able to for almost 6 weeks now. I so relate to what you said about coming home and that is it on the exercise. If I don't do in the morning it doesn't get done. I Really really need to work on this. I like the home scale vs Kaiser, but am not doing it on my ticker until I get my surgery date! (But home says I'm 3+ lbs less!) Tina - hope you feel better soon. We do have similiar #s and yes, I'm 5'6", so I hoping I'll have your luck with the band woking/tightness! Jess - take it easy. I thought it might be tough going back to work - something I worry about since my job is demanding and has lots of long hours. Great on the 2 lbs! Monique - routing for you! You are doing great - hope each day feels a little better. Reggie - I had a really really bad experience on Phen/fen so I'm not a big advocate of pills for this. But I get why you want to. Maria - hi - this is a great group. Canolie, Analynn, Beatriz - how are you? Where are you?

Monique - Congratulations! I am impressed that you logged on after coming home. Interesting how the band fill amounts vary by person. Dr. Park told me they only come in 2 sizes, so I guess they must fill based on getting it to fit properly. Anyway, hang in - Candra and Jess have been great to follow since they just did it a month ago. Canolie - you will soon join Analynn and me on the 1200 Cal ride - it works but I'm not finding it easy. I get hungry and do get cravings, which so far I'm just trying to ignore. The exercise seems to help. Analynn and I are trying to get to our surgery weight goal and the last half is harder than the first half! Beatriz - good luck. It will be good to be on here going through this with Monique. Thinkin' positive thoughts for you. Candra - how are you doing with your 4 meals? Did you like my comment about the Best Psych Question not being about the presidents but How Many People Are in This Room? Some days I'm just not sure!! Chris - how are you feeling with the little one inside? All - have a good night. I'll be at the Kaiser Richmond Support group tomorrow night - hope see Jess.

Jess - good luck going back to work - I hope it goes well with the food and you don't get too tired this week. Riley - WOO HOO! on the man! Way to go girl - you look terrific. Let me know if I can come to the Tuesday night group you do with your Kaiser buddies - send me a message about details if it is OK. Monique - I am may be going to the Wed. night support group, but I think you better take it easy - especially having anesthesia (sp?). Will be thinking real positive thoughts for you and anxious to follow your journey. Candra - I am doing the 3 meals a day and I agree with you that when you keep to a schedule it works so much better. Some nights I work late and don't get dinner until 8:30 or 9 and that is just too long to go from lunch at noon. The 4 meals seem to work for you which is great - keep it up. I'm not sure about Saturday - need to see if Miss Riley is going - its a long drive. Analynn - how are you doing? I think that 2nd half of the weight loss before surgery is going to be harder than the first. I'm really going to try to focus on my exercise this week. I'm hoping for the case manager appt in mid November. Pam - you're a good Mom - doing Fright Night and all. Nate has the flu (was out of school 3 days), but took the PSAT anyway - so I'm not sure how it will turn out. He also didn't read the booklet, so he didn't bring a calculator with him:thumbdown:. Any news on your teacher guy? Have a good week all.

Hi Ladies - I've been away for a few days - busy at work and not feeling great - my son has the flu. Good news - down some more. Scales are weird: I weighed myself Thurday in birthday suit = 242; then weighed after breakfast and with my clothes so I could compare when I went to Kaiser = 246.5 WTF that much in an hour! So I drove to Kaiser kind of bummed that I didn't think they would show any loss or maybe even a gain cause I think their scale is always about 3 - 5 lbs more. I was 10 min late so thought they might not take me, but Dr. Schnurr did. And I weighed 244.8! So I'm taking it! Candra - OK forget the presidents! The best question has to How Many People are In this Room? (I almost flunked the presidents - practiced with my husband in am and reversed Reagon and Carter, so when she started asking me I was nervous - I got Obama ok, then couldn't remember Bush's first name LOL - so I said "President Bush" - nice recovery, then because I messed up on Carter in the morning instead of saying Clinton, I started to say Carter!) Anyway I did pass finally. 1200 Cal is hard - had dental work yesterday and had to eat soft stuff - had a really bad craving for ice cream. Had cottage cheese and applesauce instead - but it wasn' the same. Nicole - great to hear from you. So glad you are making progress - we are routing for you. Tina - layoffs and stuff are the pits - it just messes with you. I'm in the private sector, but we've been doing cuts almost every year - it really keeps people on the edge - always uneasy. Your outlook sounds good. You do awesome work for the kids. Monique - congratulations -we are routing for you. Keep in touch. Pam - Nate is off taking the PSATs - wouldn't let me make him a good breakfast. I agree with Heather that celebrating the 13th may be your last teen celebration - mine drives me nuts - so stubborn! They do come out of it eventually - my 22 year old is sane again! Jess - how are you? Did you go back to work this week or is it next week? It sounds like it is getting harder. Riley - if you are skiing hope it is great - miss you! Beatriz - stay connected to this site - it is a wealth of real info and great support. Have a great day everyone - will check back later.

Analynn - You are doin' fine. Your exercise is awesome - you, Jess and Riley are so great at keeping at it. (I've done better this week, but nothing like you champions.) Listen, we are going to make it. I'm trying to take things 1 day at a time and just stick to the program - it will come off. (I hoping for a good number tomorrow at my psych appt.) Hang in. Chris - Congratulations. He or she is so cute. You seem to be doing great with the band and unfill. You are another reason why the band make so much sense. Pam - this is from a day or so ago, but WOW - your 7th grader is taking the PSATs. What a great smart kid! My son is a Junior and taking for the first time. You seem to be doing well with your eating - I am amazed by how little you eat! Conolie - congrats on your orientation date. I was really excited and nervous, and then as it got closer I just wanted to get started (but didn't because I was close to the cut off BMI). Beatriz - congrats on your surgery date. I relate on being nervous - I already am and don't have a date yet! Welcome - this is a good group. Candra - hang in, sound like it is tough. I am really trying to stay away from the carbs - its hard but it helps. Riley - where are you? How's it going?

Jes, I agree - I think Riley deserves a birthday party!

Riley - I'm game, whenever we can find a date. I just can't walk too long because of my foot. I can't go to Thursday Kaiser group mtg in SR because I forgot I have a hair appt. Let me know about your Thrive group and if it would be OK to go to the next one of that. My husband will go hunt in the loft on Friday for the clothes box. Great way to handle your walking by going in early and working a bit and then going out. Hey - I exercised again today so I am on a roll - want to see if I can do 5 days this week. Candra - I'm practicing the Presidents for my appt Thurs.

Pam - what a coincidence, our son's must be the same age because mine is also taking the PSAT on Sat - it is also their Homecoming; he thinks they shouldn't schedule the test because of that

Pam - looks like good choices - hope it works. I'm still sticking to the 1200 cal - I really hope to be down more for my psych appt this week. Right now I'm eating my salad with grilled chicked (same lunch I've had for a month - boring but it is working!) I'm up in Novato in Marin Co. and it isn't raining - just gray. Tina - me too - I lose slow, but am not complaining as long as it keeps going down. Not changing my ticker until I get an official Kaiser weight, even though my scale looks like I am down about 4 more than Kaiser's last read. You are doing great with all the stress of a new job - I hope the hours don't get you. What you do is amazing; my hats off to you - those babies and kids so need you. Nicole - so glad to hear from you. Wow you are a Rock Star with losing and exercising with all the you have going on. And 2 jobs - awesome! How is Aud doing? Analynn - how are you doing? with all your exercise, I think you are going to get your surgery date first! Can someone explain again when/how this online groups meets in person - I think I'm confused. (I've met Riley and am plugged into the group meetings in Santa Rosa, and I've met Jess at the Kaiser Richmond meetings - just not sure how this online group meets). Have a good afternoon all.

Riley - talked to my husband at dinner and he thinks he knows where there might be a box of clothes in our garage loft - he is going to look and get it down for me. If he's right, I know it has size 10 in it. I'll let you know as soon as we find it.

Heather - I support you re: your school break so you can focus on your weight. I wish I had found the answer to my weigh years ago, so you are doing the right thing. And I finally finished my degree when I was 43! So you will definately get there. Great job gettin back to the gym. Riley got me pumped up yesterday so I did my stretching (really afraid I'm going to hurt myself) and 18 mins on my exercise bike with about 13 min trying to work at 70 -80% of my max heart rate. Candra - hang in - glad to hear the band stopped you before the cake. The time before the first fill sounds really tough. Keep at it. All - I talked to my sister who lives in New Mexico and lives a very simple, low tech life. She is a former nurse and is a massage therapist (boy do I wish she lived closer!) I had mailed her a copy of the email I sent to all my other sisters explaining about this weight loss journey. She is great and said to tell you all she is on our band wagon - get it "band" wagon - cute:wink2:!

Riley - one more thing - how do you get to your thread about 'what else you have lost." I know I'm a tech manager, but this site baffles me! Also, is there any quick way to get to this Kaiser Richmond thread when you first log on - I kept going to my profile list and selecting my subscription thread, but there must be a faster way.

Riley - I'm so proud of you - it takes guts - obvioulsy lots of people are supportive and in awe, but as you know there are those who think its the easy way, etc. You guys should be in one of their Thrive adds! You've all done so great. I would really like to come to your Tuesday group - I need the personal contact (although I love this forum and these gals and use it every day.) Send me a personal message with info. I'm planning on going to the Thurs. group to try that one out. I, too, am a professional woman and really wanted to believe that it was what you did, your results, and what was in your head that mattered. About a year ago we went through yet another reorganization and downsizing - all the management positions were up in the air. It took months and months for things to settle - they posted one layer at a time (so we didn't know if we would have a job for about 6 months - I am sole support of my family - husband doesn't work - another long story:mad:. So it was very very stressful). I was an IT director when I worked at GE and was a director where I work now but in a different area, but then changed jobs and went back into my main career in computer technology about 4 years ago with lots of encouragement about moving up if I took a job at the manager level. Well long story, during this reorg I applied for about 12 different sr. director jobs and didn't get 1 of them. I won't go into all the details, this is already too long a thread, but the bottom line is that it really did a number on me. At the time I was also really struggling with menopause and my husband not working and some trouble my older son had gotten into. Anyway, my confidence just went to hell. And of course I just gained more and more weight. Whenever I have lost weight in the past, my confidence / how I feel about myself is so much better. And I know that must make a difference in how I come across. Riley - I don't know where my size 10s are anymore -if I kept them - I'll have to ask my husband if I have any clothes boxes in garage loft; I do have size 12's and I know where they are! I can't remember if I have any suits but I think I may have 1 or 2, but probably have some jacket and slacks. It we can figure out logictics (have to be on a weekend) you are welcome to borrow until I can fit back into them.

Riley - The Pannus/Mannus story is a hoot - you, Jess and Candra always make me smile. I hope we can figure out a date and place to meet up - liked the idea of someplace between north and east - I'm game for being the driver. Wow what a great story from Susan - was she one of the gal's sitting next to you yesterday? It is a process; I am dealing with telling some family members and friends and their reactions; for the most part positive, but some not so much. It is a challenge but the support groups are helping me keep the focus on the long term and reinforcing why I think this is a good choice for me. I think last week you wrote something about all the problems in your life that didn't go away /get fixed by your weight loss. One questions I keep thinking about is - did it help how you feel about you? your confidence your self esteem? I don't think it is going to fix my problems with my relationships or work, etc., but I keep thinking I am going to feel better about me and possibly project that different feeling and so things may indirectly get better because of it (for instance I've really lost alot of confidence at work and believe that I'm treated differently because of my weight and because I've lost my confidence.) I also really related to what you said yesterday and in your posts below about balance. I don't do balance very well in my life; I'm a work-aholic. And then everything after that goes to my family. I'm always a distant last, until now that I am trying to do this. Like you I believe balance is the key, just really hard to figure out how to do it.

Riley - It was wonderful to meet you finally - you look fantastic - really really great. (I loved learning about the binder clip and can't wait until I can use one!) Your energy and sense of humor is awesome. So I got up and did my exercise first thing this morning - you and Jess are my heroes! (Also bought a new scale yesterday after the meeting - all you < 40's won't relate, but I couldn't read the teeny tiny lines! It looks like I am down more, but will not change my ticker until I weigh at Kaiser on Thursday when I go for my Psych appt.) The group yesterday was great - such incredible stories of perserverance and hope. I didn't speak because I was mostly welling up listening and relating to the feelings. This weight affects so much more than just what size you are/how you look. Dave really got to me - he has so much courage. Thanks for hooking me up with the group and I will also try the Kaiser one on Thursday. Support, support, support! Riley, thanks again, you really are my inspiration. Can't wait to meet the rest of the gals here.

Riley - that is so great - congratulations. (That's my long term goal - to be a size 10 - haven't been there in so so long.) Really really happy for you!

Riley - I'll be there. The Wed night grp at Kaiser really helped with so many positive stories. I need that now since I'm getting lots of questions from friends and a few of the negative stories. You are so awesome with your exercise; i hope you and Jess can keep me motivated to really get my exercise going - I've been doing some but not consistant. Yeah, Riley - I had the same thought - the Big M. I'm almost 3 year through, but it ain't for wimps! I thought my migraines would go away with it and they haven't - they are better (really kicked my butt when I was at the height of M.) I guess its like everything - one day at a time. It was so good to meet Jess in person on Wed - can't wait to meet you too. All have a good day.

Jes - It was great to meet you tonight; you look terrific - so much different than your avitar pic. And your exercise is great - you need to kick me in the butt to do it- please??!!. I skipped today but I gotta get up and do it tomorrow. I liked the group; even with so many RNY's it was still really helpful and inspirational. So many success stories! Really encouraging. Even with weighing in at night, I'm down a pound from last week's surgeon appt. - its moving in the right direction so I'm not going to complain. So officially 10 down and 10 to go for surgery goal wt after 3 weeks. The 1200 cal is a little boring but its working. Riley - sounds like a tough day - tomorrow will be better. Candra - protein is good! Pam - congratulations - a smaller size always feels good! (I've got boxes of every size almost - this time I'm giving them aways as I go back down - not gaining this back ever again!) Nicole - think'n positive thoughts for you Conolie, Marquint, everyone else - welcome it is a really good group. Good night all.