******

May I respectfully suggest you take your own advice?

For what it's worth, it sounds to me like he's got an issue with jealousy, and jealousy isn't a sign of love, it's a sign of insecurity. There are lots of guys out there who zone in on voluptuous, full-figured (fat) chicks because they think we're more appreciative of the attention and will overlook all their asshat behaviors because we're so desperate for attention. Ultimately you have to live by yourself in your own skin, and for a fairly long time. So why not be comfortable living in a healthy body no matter what anyone else says, does or thinks?

Far bee it form me too pass judgEment on your pet peaves LOL

Meggie: So glad to see you're up to posting. Just MY opinion, dear, but you may want to tread lightly on pointing out that people make spelling (or grammar) errors that need correcting in their posts. I made the mistake of mentioning my pet peeves on grammar and brought down a tirade on my "rudeness". An apparent assumption that I consider myself to be the internet grammar police......... Empress DISCLAIMER: THE FOREGOING OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS REPLY ARE MINE AND NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE MANAGEMENT!

I add Splenda and Torani Sugar Free Syrups. The Torani flavors I've tried so far are Chocolate, Almond Roca, Caramel, French Vanilla and Hazelnut. And, I liked them all! I bought small bottles to keep in my office and larger ones at home.

Some grocery stores carry them. I got mine at World Market. Check out their link: http://www.worldmarket.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=torani&origkw=torani&sr=1 You might also want to check out Torani's link: http://www.torani.com/home

My vote is in. Hoping you win by a landslide!

Wendy: Bariatric Advantage was required by my surgeon for the pre-op liquid stage -- it was not negotiable. I got the vanilla and chocolate and they're both pretty good. I picked up some Torani sugar free Syrups and Splenda which make the shakes scrumptious! My favorite is chocolate with the Torani Chocolate and Almond Roca syrups added. I also made vanilla shakes with Torani SF French Vanilla and added frozen cherries. That was yummy too! I bought a couple of shaker bottles from GNC and so the shakes mixed up really well (no clumps) and I took them to work with me. I bought small bottles of the syrups to keep in the office. In the morning I would just throw 2 scoops of powder in the mixer bottle along with a packet of Splenda. At lunch time I would buy a carton of skim milk and then mix the shake when I was ready to "eat". I'm 16 days post-op and I've been adding a scoop of the chocolate to my cream of wheat Cereal in the morning. Tastes like coco wheats (one of my favorite cereals growing up). Best of luck to you on your journey. Empress

Michelle: Glad to hear you're doing well. Keep walking and sipping. Welcome to the Loser's Bench. Empress

Meggie: Hang in there gorgeous one, you're going to get better every day. Walk as much as you can. Best wishes for a fast, productive "tailwind"! E

And all God's people said AMEN. Keep believing because "faith is the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things unseen." We know in whom we believe; that He is able to do beyond what we can think or imagine. (and I'm imagining a successful surgery, miraculous recovery and complete restoration to perfect health!) And, don't forget, the prayers of the righteous availeth much. So, pray without ceasing!

I'm sending up those prayers for you to God's ear right now! Congratulations on the weight loss so far. I'm with you on the lose/regain issue. I think during my "dieting career" I gained and then regained a football team a couple of times! This time I'm determined to not "find" any of the weight I lose. So far, 17# down (I can tell because my fingernails and eyelashes are soooooo svelte) and less than a metric ton to go! Keep telling yourself that you're going to do well and keep that phrase in your mind and on your lips -- positive thinking really works wonders. (Courtesy of "Adventures in Attitude" -- "I AM, I CAN, I WILL!!")

Valentina: You can't help anyone else until you help yourself first. Once you get better, you can turn around and address the needs of others who want to be helped. I was denied Lap Band surgery in 2006 and after finding this site and reading all of the problems and complications related to it I believe that denial was a blessing in disguise. I chose the sleeve because I'm filled with titanium -- fused spine, sacroilliac joints, and left pelvis. I also had my right hip replaced. I'm definitely on my way to becoming the bionic woman! Because of my orthopaedic history, I did not want to add malabsorption issues to the mix. And, the thought of rerouting perfectly working parts gave me the heebie jeebies. After spending weeks researching the sleeve, I knew it would be the best thing for my situation. I'm 2 weeks post-op and doing fantastic. The swelling went down quickly so I'm not having issues with getting the Water or Proteins in. I've been on the treadmill and yesterday did 1 hour at 2 m.p.h. Yay me! The weight loss isn't as drastic as I had imagined, but I'm doing this to alleviate the pressure on my back and joints. So, however long it takes is how long it takes. I'm moving in the right direction and it's all good. You know the reasons behind your decision to go this route. Stick with it. It's your life and you're doing something proactive to extend (or even save) it. Empress

First off, I have thicker skin than you might think. I deleted the posts because I did NOT intend to hurt anyone's feelings. Second, I thought the title "pet peeves and other useless rants" would have been a tip-off as to the content. And, finally, I ended it with a statement that I must be getting better if my focus was on something OTHER than surgery recovery. So I believed it to be tongue in cheek. Obviously it came across as sticking out my tongue at others. That was not my intent at all. I meant no offense, but I do admit that I was quite surprised at the rancor that was inflicted over something that I have a problem with. I have never (and will never) respond to a post with a comment that the poster's use of grammar is incorrect. In my opinion that would be rude and offensive. I deleted the post because I don't want any more people weighing in on how "bad" I am for mentioning something I find slightly irritating. Words are the only tool we have to communicate with on this site. Please excuse my apparent insensitivity for knowing the difference between well written and not so well written. In my defense, though, my career involves professional, business writing. One quote that has stuck with me for years is "It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open your mouth and confirm it." Having said that, stick a fork in me, I'm done.

DELETED.