JeninCO

There should be a law stating that if you target a person because of their race, religion or sexual preference it's a hate crime. You're muddying the waters. People who attack the military are called terrorists and as we're fully aware they get shipped off to Guantanamo faster than you can spit. No trial, no judgment, just prison. People who target gay, black and hispanic and Asians are doing it out of hatred of a specific group, and it's so common that we do need a law.

Then why go into a bar when you know people are smoking? There should be little places where people are allowed to go if they smoke. But then again, the world has become a much less tolerant place. It's much easier to legislate than exercise a little free will.

I shop online and the return policies are great. If something doesn't fit, you send it back, they credit your account -- and I try to only shop at stores that use plus-size models. Support your sisters! IGigi Junonia (sportswear for big girls!) Always For Me Size Appeal B & Lu Absolute Woman Just My SizeAlight.com Jessica London (they use skinny models, but the clothes are great and inexpensive) Ulla Popken

When New York passed its Smoking Ban, many bars had to either significantly reduce staff or close altogether. It was sad, and many of my friends lost their jobs, so I'm not partial on this subject. The same thing is happening here in Colorado. It would be nice if this country wasn't so big on extremes and there were places smokers could go if they wanted to. I think it's a slippery slope. Yes, it's bad for your health, but so is drinking and being obese. Side note: I think ex-smokers are the worst. They are so self-righteous and punitive toward others that it reminds me of born again Christians: "I had my fun, but I stopped, now I want you to not have any fun, either!"

Mormons no longer practice polygamy and are appalled at the splinter groups who do. I'm an ex-Mormon and do not agree with the Church, but this is one myth that must be stopped. Most Mormons I know are great people, pretty tolerant and very, very kind. Much kinder than the hypocritical evangelical Xians who condemn them. I don't agree with their religion or their politics anymore (I did at one time) but I do think people should be judged on their individual merits, not condemned by stereotypes. I think all religion should be stopped. It corrupts and hurts far more than it helps.

I would check with your doctor.

Before you go traveling (possibly needlessly) 150 miles, I personally would ask other patients of this surgeon about their experiences and I would talk more to this doctor about his comfort level with lap bands. If this surgeon is well respected within the community and has done many other laparascopic surgeries (esp. gastric bypass, which is far more complicated than the lap band) then I would go for it. Remember you have to have follow up visits and fills after your surgery and traveling that far if you don't have to is just more time taken away from your life. Good luck!

Fab! Keep us updated.

It sounds like he's very experienced, and if he has a lot of laparoscopic and gastric behind him, you should be fine. Talk to some of his current patients, see what they say!

Congratulations! You will love your band!

Drink lots of water and eat primarily protein, see if that helps!

I can't imagine anything harder than a parent losing a child. My most sincere and heartfelt thoughts to you and the family.

That sounds so great! I think I'll be lucky if my doctor ever deigns to even check his head in to see how I'm doing!

1. Was your procedure outpatient or did you stay overnight? Came home that same day. 2. Did you have complications related to surgery? No. 3. What you were given for at home pain? How many days did you take it?Vicodin, took for the first three days and when I boarded a plane to NY. 4. Pain after surgery for how many days? A week. 5. Degree of pain...10 being your arm was cut off and 1 being a paper cut? 5 6. Doctor and state where surgery was done? Thomas Brown, Denver, CO

I know how you must feel, but don't despair! If you can't have surgery when next week, it will only postpone it, not cancel it. You really want to be in the best health possible when you have your surgery.

Shrub is so corrupt and has ruined so many lives it can't begin to be counted. He has more incompetent idiots in his cabinet than any other president in history -- and that's saying a lot!

I was banded last Thursday and am flying to New York tomorrow. It's about a 3 1/2 hour flight. I tried looking on the boards to see if anyone has had any problems flying after being banded, but couldn't find a proper thread. Any thoughts?

...and lime. Splash of cran if you're feelin' craaaaaazy!

And that, quite frankly, is none of your business. If you want to counsel women who've had abortions, great! It's a much needed resource. However, kindly butt out when it comes to telling other people what to do. A lot of what you say is very sensible, but some of it's just plain nuts, saying feminists use abortion as a right of passage? Where the heck did you get that? That's fundamental crazy talk! Abortion doctors have no respect for life? What utter nonsense. It's because they revere life and have no desire to see an unwanted child be brought into this world that they do their very difficult but necessary job. For me, it's the quality of the life, and not just existing for the sake of life is what's important. This is something on which we'll never agree, but you've certainly created quite the post!

Best wishes to your son and daughter in law!

gadgetlady, :deadhorse: We get it! You hate abortion. You hate feminism. You think the state should decide individual's rights. Geez. Move on. The above post is ridiculous with you arguing with her point for point ~ no one wins here.

I wish I had gone to Dr Kirshenbaum!

Thanks to everybody for the great advice!:love:

I think that the time for giving preference to people's religions in the workplace (other than holidays) needs to come to an end. Period. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, whatever. It's become ridiculous.

At least you're consistent in your beliefs. I find it offensive when "pro-lifers" only apply that position to abortion, yet believe in the death penalty.