Alexandra

Well, Funny, you're absolutely right about one thing: the decision on how this site presents to the public is Alex's. And I know he reads and considers these sorts of threads when making such decisions, so please don't think this discussion has been ignored.

Funny, the Top 5 listing is just a reflection of the activity on the site, nothing more, nothing less. The mods have not taken a position on anything. My personal comments are my personal opinion, not those of the site management. For what it's worth, I personally wish there was no Top 5 listing at all. I don't see what the point is on a site with so much activity. It changes every 30 seconds. "New Posts" serves the same purpose without making it look like there's only 5 active threads.

Yep, that's what I meant about the state laws coming into play as well. Many states have a maximum-out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit that plans have to adhere to. So look at your policy to see what the MOOP is on your plan. Your 10% might hit that number and that would be your ceiling.

:nod: :nod: :nod: :nod: :nod: :nod: :nod: :nod:

This is really shaping up to be a popular idea, that's so cool! I'm sorry to say that the sentiment running toward Vegas discomfits me a little--it is the ONE place in the U.S. that holds no appeal for me as a destination. (Gambling? yuck. Desert? yuck. Hotels? big whoop. Unlimited food? not anymore. Shows? I live near Broadway! Crowds of tourists? See previous and yuck.) But I'd put my principles aside for this event because I would never miss an official LBT-fest!

Hi Jodi, The answer to this depends on the specifics of your plan and the laws in your state. Are you paying 10% of the in-network negotiated rates? That would mean you would pay AFTER the insurance carrier has received and processed the claim; only then can the providers know what portion is appropriately yours. Or are you paying 10% because all the providers are out of network and that's your coinsurance? In that case, there are no negotiated rates to think about (more's the pity) and you will be paying 10% of the retail price. The providers would have every right to ask for that money up front. Call your insurer and ask. The good news is that no matter what the answer, the vast majority of legitimate medical providers will be happy to work out a payment plan if you are unable to come up with all the money you owe at one time.

You know it, lady!! :nod: I'm so happy this will be behind me when the summer gets going in earnest. Maybe my bathing suits will fit! :biggrin1:

Marlynncreel, your story is moving and I'm very happy that it turned out well for you. Needless to say, however, the same things that movitate you do not necessarily hold any water for millions of other women. Atheists, for example.

Of course. How would they know I don't suffer if we hadn't discussed our experiences? It's a common-enough experience that sometimes it comes up in conversation. At work a few weeks ago, when this SC decision came out, my new assistant volunteered her opinion on the decision and mentioned her own experience. We are both mothers of daughters so the issue hit home. She didn't know my history and I didn't know hers, but it turns out we feel the same way on the subject. This is just one of many women I've met over the years who, when the political subject of choice comes up in conversation, freely offer their own history as one reason for their staunch defense of Roe v. Wade. Yet there is clearly something different in the water. (I don't think SoCal is as liberal as people think it is, actually.)

I've sent him a note.

Good luck, Heather! If the "worst" happens and your band has to be removed, don't sweat it too much. The most important thing is your health, and I'm here to tell you life without the band is not the end of the world. You don't wake up the day after it's gone 100 lbs larger, though I know that's what it feels like will happen. Take it all one day at a time. If your band has to be removed because of a medical situation (like mine was), your insurance carrier might very well cover a replacement even though your BMI is normal. Ask your doctor about that. Your band constitutes ongoing medical treatment that should be continued, so replacement of a slipped band should be seen as a medical necessity. Keep us posted, and don't worry!!!

I have to stop now...every time I post I get an error message and it takes me several clicks to get back to the thread. It's frustrating. So I'm saying goodnight now. Sleep tight, everyone!

My daughter can feel guilty for spilling soda on the table, but there's nothing morally wrong with that action. Guilt is not felt in a vacuum; it's relative to the psychosocial surroundings of the people who have it. That's why we can be exonerated by our friends when we think we've trespassed. It has nothing to do with an absolute morality.

I'm glad to hear that. As for whether it's a "real" syndrome or not, well, there are lots of things that are now described in medical literature that only a very few people actually suffer. And as with all psychological maladies, pinpointing a single cause is highly suspect. Really? Then you clearly don't hang out in the same places I do. I have several friends and acquaintances who have had abortions in all sorts of life circumstances, and not one of them has ever said she suffered because of it. Ever. Perhaps that's because the culture in my part of the country doesn't vilify abortions or the women who have them.

But what, exactly, is your point? These things might all be attributed to the social pressure these women experienced before and after their abortions, guilt feelings from hearing that they are sinners, many other external factors.

Gadgetlady, are you trying to make a case that post-abortion syndrome is a reason to outlaw abortion? Because it could just as easily be a case for working to remove the stigma attached to abortion, making access to early professional care easier, and providing all the resources necessary to prevent unwanted pregnancies at all levels of society. And yes, you have met (at least in spirit) a woman who did not suffer as a result of her abortion. Hi there.

Please keep the personal comments out of the discussion, Marjon. We don't want to have to lock this thread. I understand feelings run high on this issue but there is no need to get personal. Thanks.

Yep, I've been having trouble all morning. Patience, patience (I keep telling myself).

Kurn, there is a learning curve when it comes to learning to eat when we have restriction. Perhaps you're eating too fast or not chewing enough, or perhaps you're taking one or two bites too many. Try slowing down, allowing 30 seconds to a minute between bites (believe me, I KNOW that's hard to do); try chewing twice as long as you think you should, and then try stopping before you think you've had enough. If you really want more the food will still be there. Good luck!!

You can also change your subscription options to "no email notification." That way you still have a list of subscribed threads but don't get any e-mails about them.

This thread is going to be locked if the personal attacks don't stop. On all sides. Thanks.

Poll closed. Thanks, everyone!!

Neal, I thought you communicated your thoughts very clearly, but you're right: there wasn't a lot of sentiment for editing the site for newbies' eyes. But I do think letting members mask forums they're not interested in is a great feature. So for being the impetus behind that improvement, we thank you sincerely!! Any objection to closing the poll now?

The lightbulb moment for me was having my husband run twice as far as I would have had to go to grab our toddler from the traffic towards which she was blithely galloping. That is, he covered twice the distance in less than the time it would have taken me to get halfway towards her, and it would have been too late if he hadn't been there and thinking fast. My little one was an infant at the time, and I could see many future episodes when one or both would be headed for trouble and my husband wouldn't be there to save them. I was, to put it bluntly, an unfit parent. I couldn't save my children if they needed me to. Against that reality, taking the really minor risk of outpatient surgery was a no-brainer. Talk with your doctor (once you find one) and with other people who have had same-day surgery. The risk of dying on the table is really minuscule, and once you are off the table you are back in control. It's not that there's a minimal mortality rate--there's really NO mortality rate. This is not an operation that kills people. We all have heard the same three or four scare stories, sure, but those are the exceptions that prove the rule and usually involve someone not getting the care they should have gotten. Find your surgeon and talk with him. And keep asking questions. You'll know it's right when you know it. :hug:

Laurend, congratulations on this next step. My every good wish goes with you. :eek: