Alexandra

Ooh, ooh, me too me too! To answer your question about thread deleting, T_O_M, a while back the forum options were changed to prevent anyone from being able to delete their thread-starting post. It proved too disruptive when someone went on a deleting spree and took a lot of helpful and important information with her. Members can edit their own posts, but can't delete them for this reason.

Laurend, I learned long ago to get copies of everything and deliver it where it needs to be MYSELF. That's the only way you can be sure it gets where it's going. Stick to your guns, girlfriend. You'll get it done. :biggrin1:

I kind of assumed that you'd let Cheyenne make her own decision about whether to participate, since she's 14. Please don't misunderstand: I wholeheartedly agree that Auntie's actions are potentially hurtful and even unkind, and if I were in your shoes I'd probably encourage Cheyenne to turn down the invitation. But I still wouldn't think Auntie has done anything "wrong" -- she makes her decisions, and we can choose to go along or not. I just think it's inappropriate to ask her to change her decisions based on what anyone else thinks is "right."

I have to agree with Ms. Vicki. In my opinion, the bride and groom's decision shouldn't be questioned by anyone. It's their event and they get to plan it the way they want. I have two daughters, and am excruciatingly aware of the consequences when one is invited to do something and the other is not. But were I in this situation I'd have to explain to my daughters that Auntie gets to make the decisions. I tell them that there will be many situations in the future that differ for them, and they must enjoy the other's experiences as best they can and realize they will get their turn down the line. Things simply cannot always be exactly the same for both! I really feel for my younger daughter because many, many times the reason she can't do something her sister does is just "you're younger, you have to wait." I know that stinks, but it's reality. Now, of course I don't have to be happy with the decisions, and depending on the relationship I might try various means to get Auntie to change her mind. But bottom line, it's her party and she gets the last word on who participates.

Slimfast has a new line of shakes called High Protein that seem to have a better nutrient balance. They taste pretty good, too!

I don't know anyone personally but I have heard horror stories. For what it's worth, my advice would be to stay far away from anything that bulks up in the stomach. There are other fiber supplements (Benefiber and its generic clones) that work just as well that don't present the same risk to bandsters.

I can certainly see where she'd rub people the wrong way--she's not the most personable of people. Recently I've actually been impressed by her refusal to "apologize" for her initial Iraq vote--saying that she didn't make a mistake, but the Administration did--is what I've been saying all along. As much as I was against this war from the very start, and as dismayed as I was when Congress voted to authorize it, I had to believe they were being shown information that made it the right thing to do. The American people might have had the knee-jerk reaction out of fear, but Congress needs evidence and they were shown "evidence." I'd rather think that they'd vote the same way again, given the same information. It seems to me that a rep who says he'd make a different decision the second time, even under the exact same circumstances, is someone who doesn't know what he or she thinks. And that's essentially what the "I made a mistake" crowd (read: Edwards) is saying. Hillary certainly regrets her vote, as well she should, but I think it's unfair to say it was a wrong vote. They were lied to. That's what is unforgivable. Of course, people who were against the war from the start are really my standard-bearers. But I want someone who can win this time.

At this early stage, it is indeed quite the crowded field. Al Gore is my dream candidate, has been since the mid-1980s. He's the only politician who displays continued conscience, wisdom, and good judgement, and who doesn't weigh every move and statement against his own personal ambition or gain. As time goes by he just impresses me more and more, and I'd love to see him get in the race this time. HE could bring dignity and integrity to the Oval Office, maybe for the first time in several decades. If he doesn't run, Hillary is my next favorite. She has an insight into the Presidency that no one else could possibly match, and IMO she's incredibly smart and cares about the right things. But next year at this time things could look very different. This is certainly a horse race!

Just read that your surgery is tomorrow. Good luck and I hope everything goes well and smoothly!! Tell Dr. A that his friend Alexandra says hi! (Tell him I'm the tall one, not Ali.) :myscared:

Very true. :clap2: :clap2:

My fills always take 3 weeks or more to make themselves fully felt. My theory on that is that our stomach tissue reacts to the increased pressure of the band by thinning out, making the stoma essentially the same as it was before the fill. Over time--two days, two weeks, it's different for everyone--the stomach tissue returns to its normal thickness and voila! Restriction. It seems very unwise to me for a doctor to tell someone they need more fill after only a few days. Hasn't he discovered that for many people that will result in a too-tight band?

I think it's helpful to remember that everyone goes through many different phases on their banding journey. Some people who find themselves saying "I never PB, I'm the perfect bandster, I follow the rules all the time and have lost 300 lbs in a year" may sing a different tune when their weight loss stops well short of their goal. Things change, people change, behavior and the band's effects CHANGE over time. The rough Patches people post about are often temporary, but the nature of a message board can make it seem like they're permanently having a dysfunctional relationship with their bands. Patience, time, persistence, support: these are the elements to a succesful bandster journey.

www.advancedlaparoscopicsurgeons.com They don't take all insurances, but they do take most. I have nothing but great words for them and their program. Good luck!!

Hi quadmom, welcome!! Of course fear of surgery is normal, and it's a big step. But holy cow, compared to what you've been through (and still must tackle on a daily basis, I imagine) banding surgery is easy!! I said that compared to childbirth this was a walk in the park. And this might be a great time to have it done, before the babies get mobile. Yikes! :biggrin1: You've come to the right place. Congratulations on your remarkable family and good luck with your consult!!

Dang, you people without small kids are so productive! I plan to spend the weekend ferrying girls to soccer and ice skating and doung laundry. We might get in a hike if the trails aren't too muddy--it's going to be 50+ today which feels balmy! My house is a disaster that needs mondo amounts of attention, but it all seems so huge I'm putting it off until the girls go to college. :eek: Laurend, I have a friend who basically samples streams for a living. It's cool! What degree are you going for, and what are your plans?

Thanks for the kind words, Bubble, and we're glad you're here!!

Any and everything is possible on the sexuality spectrum. But we are what we ARE, and it's simply not the case that homosexuality is a choice. Sexual behavior is a choice, of course; anyone can choose to be celibate or sleep with multiple people of whatever sex. But bottom-line sexual identity is no more a matter of choice than is skin color. And it should be equally meaningless with regard to our civil rights.

Glad to hear you're home and healing!! Yeah, why did you have a hole in your stomach? Did he say your band had eroded through? Or did you have an ulcer somewhere else? Anyway, rest up and get better fast!

Laurend and Sophrosyne, brilliant posts!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

Check out this thread.

To quote the bumpersticker: When Clinton Lied, No One Died. Are you trying to say that you think Bush has been honest during his presidency? :faint:

:pound: :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound: :pound:

Check out Obesityhelp.com. That's a longstanding support site that's been mostly RNY-geared for years. You'll find lots of very enthusiastic people over there. Sadly, it also has a memorial page for members who have died along the way. Go and learn, indeed. It's vital that you choose the best procedure for you. But don't let your doctor make the decision for you. This is YOUR decision.

Hey, another Jersey girl! Welcome to LBT!! Whereabouts are you from, and who did your surgery?

This absolutely fascinates me. I don't understand why anyone would be threatened by the possibility of actual scientific proof that Jesus was a real person and had a family. From my POV it could make Christianity even more attractive to many people. I'll certainly be watching.