alabubba

My journey took over 2 years! There were several issues that came up as well as some emergency surgery that delayed things and there were times I thought that it would ever happen. But thanks to my family and my spirituality I managed to keep my sights on my goal. I used that time to work on some other things like quitting smoking. I finally got my band on 3/9/09 Eye on the prize.

Hi, and welcome. I live in the NW Arkansas area but was banded in springfield.

I get to watch the end of TV shows instead of waking up after they have ended. No headaches in the morning.

I have seen this type of thread descend into the depths of creative profanity in just a few posts. I would like to comment to all about the civility of this discussion. That's not to say that there are no hard feelings but its good to see that we can come together and have a discussion about this and still remain polite.:smile2:

This has been a great thread, 7 pages and it hasn't broken down into name calling. Just a quick background, I do believe in God. I was raised Lutheran. My mother attended church almost every Sunday of her life. I would watch the good God-fearing people of my town sin all week and then go to church and ask for forgiveness knowing full well that they would be back at it as soon as church was let out. When I was a teenager I started attending a youth orientated church but again was confronted by the gross hypocrisy. I have attended services from many religions in my years always looking for the answers. I have found that most people who claim to be christian would be appealed if they had to follow the rules and laws of their religion. Do you remember how freaked out people got when they realized that G.W. Bush ACTUALLY believed in GOD! All politicians say they believe, I don't think a non-christian could get elected in the U.S. I now list myself as a Buddhist/Christian. I live my life according to the teachings of the Buddha, But I still cant get it out of my mind that there has to be something, someone, somewhere that had a hand in all of it. As for the Bible, I think it is a flawed book but that doesn't mean I don't find comfort or truth in it. I just keep in mind that it is a work of men.

But how can you be sure that you are worshiping the ONE TRUE GOD. What if you spend your life praying to a mock god created by some greedy bible salesman 2000 years ago? Would you still get into heaven? Would you get your 72 virgins? Would the streets still be made of gold? It seams like if my eternal soul were at stake I would seek a second opinion. And if your absolutely positive that heaven is such a great place then why is everyone trying so hard to put off going there?!

Dial Anti-Bacterial liquid.

Have you ever looked into the history of the bible? Early copies were hand scribed by illiterate monks. They simply copied the characters as best as they could. they would send these copies out to other monks who would do the same. This was a business just like any other and pressure was applied to produce. It was EXTREMELY common for scribes to take shortcuts. It got so bad that in the 1600's King James had his people get several copies and try to come up with a unified book. Almost every bible in existence today comes from this unification. 20th century scholars have examined the original scrolls (or at least as close as possible) and the discrepancies are well documented. For example, we all know of the story of the birth of Christ. He was born in a cave, in the late spring, to an unmarried woman named marry. I know that's not what your were taught at your local church but it is more accurate than saying he was born in a wooden barn, to a virgin, in mid-winter. Brief History of the King James Bible by Dr. Laurence M. Vance Bible Errors and Contradictions With that being said, My problem is not with GOD, but with the arrogance of men who would attempt to use GOD for their own personal gain.

Jaclyn. First let me say, I agree you are a beautiful young woman. I wanted to ask about your skin, Most of us will have issues with excess skin and I was curious if you do as well, I have always been under the impression that young skin had more ability to rebound after weight loss.

Pattygreen, you are aware that there are 1000's of translation errors and omissions in "THE BIBLE" I love it when people tell me that the bible is complete and fact because it says so right there in the bible. And isn't it interesting that when you mention god everyone automatically assumes your talking about Christianity. I know that it is the dominate religion in the us, but I think it ranks 3rd in the planet. The Hindi religion has thousands of gods, Native American religion has its share as well. There are dozens of "christian" religions, not to mention Judaism and Muslim religions that share a single god but have drastically different interpretations of him. And whats the deal with Jesus Christ, Is he the flesh and blood embodiment of GOD, or just the bastard son of Mary?

I think the key is to "Do Something. Dance in your living room, pace your hallway, chair exorcises, garden. The what is not so important After a while you will start to feel and see the results and that will give you the confidence to head outside into "skinny world"

Hey all, just wanted to see if there were any others on here. I was banded on 3/9/09 and live in the Ozark Mountains. So far I think I am doing great. I am able to use some meditation tricks to help with the hunger.

I had some bad bruising around my port incision (the large one) but it went away after a few days. Keep an eye on it, also feel it. If it gets hot that may be a sign of infection as well.

I believe in god as well. But let me ask you a question. What makes you think your god is better than anyone else's? I often ask this question and the usual answer is that according to the bible blah, blah, blah.

I was told to take them 1 at a time, with lots of water to wash them through but I have forgot and taken 2 Excedrin together with no problems.

Just to give you another point of view. At over 500lbs starting weight it was all I could do to walk down my hallway, so that's where I started. Then my goal was to make it to my mailbox, did that, then it was to make it around my block, which i just did for the first time tonight! I to was self conscious, but I decided to change my attitude and look forward to being known as the obese/fat/chubby/normal guy that walks around the neighborhood. Eye on the prize:wink2:

I would offer 2 avenues of thought. Firstly, Some men find large woman attractive, Maybe your husband is one of them. The second is Depression. There are many different levels of depression but they are all treatable, and serious. I would talk to a therapist ASAP. by yourself if necessary. With the therapists help you can get him to join you. I flirted on the edge with depression for a couple years and the fatigue excuse is a common one.

Hi guys, Just thought I would pop in and say hi. I was banded on March 9, 2009 in Springfield, Mo. by Dr. Edwards. I have a little longer road than most but feel like I am well on my way. I went home on the 10th and am doing well, had a couple days of gas pain. I was on liquids for 2 weeks before and 1 week after and am on mushies now, regular food on Tuesday! I live in Arkansas so we drove to Springfield the night before, On the way up we stopped at Arby's for dinner and everyone ordered the new roast-burger. I didn't want to wait alone in the car so I had to sit there while they all stuffed themselves. I just kept thinking about how baggy my old tight jeans were getting. Eye on the prize brothers.

I couldn't agree more. I look at it like this, My obesity is a medical condition, If I were deaf and was having an operation to correct that I would be excited and tell everyone. I refuse to hide in shame. I had a medical condition and had surgery to help fix it. If they want to talk well then %^*#$ them and the horse they rode in on. (Wow, I don't know where all the hostility came from, but thats the way I feel)

I would like to join this. I was banded on monday 3/9/09 400 by the 4th of july! Name.............. Start ..........Current.......... Goal ........ToGo 3ShotRoc..............345..............263................220......... ..43 alabubba..............464..............464................400.............64 barb12590............173..............170................155.......... .15 Betelnut…………......95….……...…273 …....……..245………….28 Bklyn1984.............317..............256................230......... ..26 blaze21................200.8...........200.8..............170......... ..30.8 Chicky Abby..........314..............314................270...........44 countrygirlNY........253..............217................182.......... ..35 crzytchr2004.........237..............233................210.......... .23 Fab by 50.............215..............215................175...........40 Fordgal88.............199..............175................199......... ..24 Jennyt71...............245..............210................170........ ...40 LessJess...............228..............228................199........ ...29 Letsgetitstarted.....229..............229................199.......... .30 libbyjane1976.......283...............283................250.......... 33 LilMissDiva...........251.6............251.6..............227......... .24.6 liz_hager..............158..............158.................145....... ....13 Mair.....................222..............220................199...... .....21 mrsezova..............200.............200.................170......... ..30 pbpuniser.............212..............212................182......... ..30 sexylips................238..............238................199....... ....39 SillyGoose............258...............251................228........ ...23 simone................182...............182................160........ ...22 ukcatsfan.............340...............340................300........ ...40 __________________

Just wanted to brag. I am now officially a band-it. Woot. At home and feeling OK.

Just a quick note, alabubba is a guy. No biggy just wanted to get that on record.:mad2:

Medicare required an overnight stay. That means that I got stuck and probed for an extra 20 hours! I too am on full liquids. I am basically using the same diet that I was on pre-op. I feel a tightness in the middle of my abdomen. I have heard of others talking about this so I am not worried. My doc gave me some syrup for pain but it makes me sooooo sleeeeeppppyyyy. and the pain isn't that bad.

I overcame my anxiety and went to my Dr. appointment yesterday. I lost 24 lb's in the last 30 days and the Dr. was thrilled. My surgery is scheduled for March 9th. I will keep up my diet and hopefully i can loose a few more pounds. so far I'm down 49 pounds but since I am starting with a BMI of 75, I have a way to go, but I am on my way!