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Prior to becoming a stay at home mother, I was an English teacher at two lower income high schools. Presently, I am tutoring a high school student from a very affluent area... Here's my take: 1. Teachers hate teaching for standardized tests. HATE IT...It takes away all creativity in the classroom and makes our jobs passionless. It goes against everything you idealistically think you are teaching for. 2. Students are the same everywhere--regardless of socio-economic status. There are, in every school, the students who are captivated by learning and strive to be the best students possible, and those who could care less. 3. The problem does not lie in the lack of funds given to one school over another...it lies in the home lives of the students. If there is no one at home pushing those children to complete assignments, then there is only so much a teacher can do. If they don't have someone forcing them to attain the best grades, then there is only so much a teacher can do. If there is no-one holding them accountable for their poor marks, then there is only so much a teacher can do. See the cycle? As for Ben Franklin being our President....that's sad and it sickens me. Rain

In our family, it is preferred that I stay home with my children. We struggle financially because of it, and I tutor on the side (was an English teacher), but it is all worth it for us. I am a terrible homemaker...but that is not how we divide chores in my house. My job, as mom, is not to clean my home and make dinner etc...but to nurture and enrich my children's lives. I spend my days playing, singing, teaching, walking, reading to and loving my kids. The housework gets done at night after they have gone to bed (by both dh and myself) and dinner is cooked after dh gets home from work. There are some days I question the decision to stay home...I have three girls under 3.5...but the doubt is quickly erased as I think of the relationships I am fostering between not only my children and myself...but among them as well. We wanted children for a long time and "worked" hard (and expensively) to have them...I just don't want to miss a thing. All that said...that is what works for my family...Far be it from me to even suggest how things should work for other families. Life is tight, we cut many corners, and there is some debt...but I have the rest of my life to work and repay that debt...there are only a few years where I will be able to hold my children this close. I sound like Ma Ingalls...don't I? Trust me, there are days I dread it! Rain

breakfast: 6oz axelrod non fat yogurt and 1/2 banana lunch: 3oz of low fat refried Beans with 1 tablespoon of salsa snack: Protein shake dinner: (will be) 6 shrimp and 1-2 ounces of broccoli On full foods, but trying to eat the mushy stuff I purchased!!! Rain

I tried as many as I could find...saw someone suggested unjury, got samples and liked it tons more than any of the others...still has the whey smell to it...but no aftertaste. Rainer

Way to Go NanaRenan... What a great first accomplishment post band. Congrats!!! May your stay in twoterville be short and sweet! Rain

Name...............................Starting……....L oss.......Current…....Goal….....ToGo losingjusme..(Christine).........293.............. ..13 .............280...........275............5 tann.............(Tammy)...........211............ ..... 3..............208..........198............10 Josette......(Josette)..............322……......... ..8..............314...........307.............7 RidinMyHDDream..(Carol)......264.................. 4 ..............260............254............6 FaithMD...............................308......... ........5..............303...........299.......... .6.4 Elisabethsew..(Elisabeth)......275................ .0..............275 ...........265............10 Libra.....(Angela)...................214.......... .......0..............214............208 ............6 glindab.................................282....... .......3.4............278.6..........265.......... .13.6 Inner_me...(Chris)..................295........... .....0..............295............280 ............15 waterlily1072...(Nicole)...........279............ ....0..............279............269............1 0 Rainer...(Lorraine)..................311.......... ......9..............302.............299.......... ..7 staindgal....(Bridget)..............319........... ....5 8...........313.2...........299..........14.2 jbtullis...(Jonathan)................317.......... ........7.............310............299.......... ..11 Insubordination.....................311........... .....6.6...........304.4...........299........... 5.4 Squale.................................334…....... ........9.............325……......310….........15 ShaunECook........................256.2........... .....0...........256.2……......245........11.2 Hello all.. Wow...everyone is doing so well. I love this thread...it's so inspirational! Losingjusme, you are doing an amazing job. Will start exercising next week...looking forward to it. Would like to be in twoterville by next Monday... Good luck everyone! Rain

I'm torn....on one hand I wish I had had this surgery at 12 and saved myself years of obesity....but realistically, I think the mom is out of control...How about a therapist? diet camp? etc....lipo and a tummy tuck????holy cr*p...I didn't even think those were weight loss options. However, to compare obesity to cancer is ridiculous. Both of my parents died of lung cancer in thier 50s....they went from healthy to dead in 6 months each...I've never heard of a person doing that b/c of obesity-- you could say heart attacks without prior heart disease, but they happen to skinny folks as well--and never to a 12 year old..I think she had quite a few years before needing to worry about that. Rain

Oh, I'm so glad for her.... Welcome to bandland Nanarenan. Rainer

Hello all, I was thinking today how glad I am that I am making this change in my life now, while my children are still developing their eating habits. (I have three girls ages 3.5, 1.5 and 1.5) I worry constantly that I've done harm already and that they will struggle with weight issues because of the horrorific eating habits I have shown them. When I serve them food I constantly wonder if they are eating too much or not enough. I only serve healthy food (well, except birthday cake and the occasional ice cream)...but I at a loss as to the portion. They'll have a bowl (child-sized plastic) of Cereal and a 1/2 or 1/4 of a piece of fruit in the morning...is that too much, am I making them fat? Also, I constantly think about their weight. They are all on the high end of the charts for weight, but they are on the high end of the charts for height as well...so that should even out. But I find myself comparing them constantly. Rest assured, I NEVER EVER EVER mention any of this to my children...or discuss it in front of them. In fact, I only discuss it with my husband...and certainly not in front of my girls. When we discuss our bodies I always praise theirs for being healthy and strong and able to run and kick and pump a swing (all this is with the 3.5 year old...of course!). Am I alone in this or is it something that challenges other overweight parents as well? I'd love to know what you think. Rain

Alexandra, Congrats on your reband...Glad it went well. Who did your surgery? Enjoy your two days off...don't tell Pat, but I kind of milked an extra day out of it. HEAVENLY!!!! Be well. Rain

Name...............................Starting……....L oss.......Current…....Goal….....ToGo losingjusme..Christine).........293.............11 .............282...........275............7 tannTammy)...........211............. 3..............208..........198............10 Josette......Josette)...............322……......8.. ............314............307.............7 RidinMyHDDream.Carol).........264...........0..... .........264............254............10 FaithMD................................308........ ....5............303.........299...........6.4 Elisabethsew..Elisabeth)..........275..........0.. ..........275 ...........265............10 Libra(Angela)...................214..........0.... ..........214.............208 ............6 glindab..................................282...... ....3.4............278.6..........265........13.6 Inner_meChris)..................295...........0... ...........295............280 ............15 waterlily1072...Nicole)............279...........0 .............279............269............10 RainerLorraine).....................311........... 7.............304.............299............5 staindgalBridget)..................319..........5. 8...........313.2...........299.........14.2 jbtullisJonathan)...................317........... 7.............310.............299............11 Insubordination.......................311........2 .6...........308.4...........304............4.4 Squale.....................................334…... .9...........325……........310….........15 ShaunECook........................256.2.........0. ..........256.2…….......245........11.2 Hi all, Down two this weekend...First time away from home since being banded. Ate out three times and it was amazing to order a bowl of Soup as a meal and feel more than satisfied. I want to be in twoterville by Saturday...that is my goal. Not sure how my dh did this weekend...will update my post when he calls with his weight. Happy Monday everyone! Rain

Way to go Chris!!! You're an inspiration to us all and are very impressive!!! Enjoy your stay in twoterville... Rain

I'd be watching my children play, instead of playing with them. Quick kissing my husband before bed instead of making love. Living the life that I couldn't bring myself to admit was mine. And it's only been 1 month and 33 lbs... I love this thing. Rain

Hello, I have 18 month old twins and a 3 year old. I will be honest with you...The dr. told me that I could lift them after a day...that the incisions were so small, the chances of them ripping out stiches was minimal. He did say to lift them (the twins specifically, the 3 year old weighs 37lbs...and doesn't need to be lifted) carefully. So, I still had help and tried not to lift them...but they are still nursing and I needed to get them situated etc... Best of luck. My husband had the surgery done in April and lifted them minimally and was fine... Oh, and you could totally ask a flight attendant if you didn't feel comfortable...but, for what it's worth, I think it would be okay... Best of luck! RAin

Name...............................Starting…...Loss.......Current…....Goal….....To Go losingjusme..(Christine).........293.............9 ............. 284... ........275............9 tann.............(Tammy)...........211............ 3..............208..... ......198............10 Josette......(Josette)..............322....... .....8..............314............307........ ...7 RidinMyHDDream.(Carol).. .....264...........................264............ 254............10 FaithMD............................... 308..........2.6............305.4....... ...299...........6.4 Elisabethsew..(Elisabeth).. ....275............................275 ...........265............10 Libra..(Angela)...................... 214...........................214.............208. ............6 glindab..................................282...... ....3.4............278.6..........265..........13. 6 Inner_me.....(Chris).............. ..295...........................295............280 ............15 waterlily1072...(Nicole)............279........... ................279............269............10 Rainer (Lorraine).....................311...........5.... ..........306.............299............7 staindgal (Bridget)..................319..........5.8....... .....313.2...........299.......... 14.2 jbtullis (Jonathan)...................317...........7...... .........310.............299............11 Insubordination.......................311......... 2.6...... ......308.4...........304............4.4 Squale..........................334.........9..... .......325..........310.........15 ShaunECook..................256.2................. ...256.2........245........11.2 Just updating dh...the butthead...lost a ton of weight just recently...stinker!! Rain

Staindgal... Have a blast...many weight loss wishes!!! Rain

Can I share my 1 month photo of my face??? There's not too much different anywhere else, so my face will have to suffice... The first pic is the day of my surgery and the second is today...exactly 4 weeks since my surgery. I'm down 32 pounds and am feeling great...so much more energy and I am starting to feel prettier. Excuse my hair and the plant growing out of the second one....it was 1am and I look pretty bad by 1am... Thanks for looking!!! Rain

Name...............................Starting…...Loss.......Current…....Goal….....To Go losingjusme..(Christine).........293.............9 ............. 284... ........275............9 tann.............(Tammy)...........211............ 3..............208..... ......198............10 Josette.................................322....... ....................322............307........ ...15 RidinMyHDDream.(Carol).. .....264...........................264............ 254............10 FaithMD............................... 308..........2.6............305.4....... ...299...........6.4 Elisabethsew..(Elisabeth).. ....275............................275 ...........265............10 Libra..(Angela)...................... 214...........................214.............208. ............6 glindab..................................282...... ....3.4............278.6..........265..........13. 6 Inner_me.....(Chris).............. ..295...........................295............280 ............15 waterlily1072...(Nicole)............279........... ................279............269............10 Rainer (Lorraine).....................311...........5.... ..........306.............299............7 staindgal (Bridget)..................319..........5.4....... .....313.6...........299.......... 14.6 jbtullis (Jonathan)...................317...........7...... .........310.............299............11 Insubordination.......................311......... 2.6...... ......308.4...........304............4.4 Squale..................................334..........5................329..............310............19 Hello everyone! I am adding my dh to the list...He's Squale and he was banded on 4/3/07...he's lost 64lbs total...He's amazing! We are racing towards twoterville together... Rain

WOO_HOOO...Only 8 lbs to go....I can't wait to see TWO TERVILLE!!!!!!!!! I love this thing!!!! Staindgal...when were you banded? You are doing very well. Rain

Your diet sounds pretty much the way mine has.... for the liquid stage, I ate Dannon Light and Fit yogurt...cream Soups (lowfat) made with skim milk (for extra protein) and strained...I was banded on July 10th and am now on the mushy phase prior to real food on Thursday... This is the hardest part...The mushy stage has been so much easier...you are done with liquids before you know it...promise!!! feel good and hang in there.. Rain

My husband and I each used Dr. Alexander Abkin out of Florham Park. His partner is N. Bertha and they are called Advanced Laproscopic Surgeons. We have been very happy with them and would recommend them highly. Rain

Hello all, Can I join you? I'm 11 pounds from twoterville...I haven't seen it in slightly over four years... Unfortunately, there won't be a shopping trip as I move in to twoterville...I don't think my stomach is EVER going to change in size. Lorraine

hello, I did okay on the liquids phase...I am only nursing once or twice a day though. I think you should pump like a madwoman now and then you will have some supplements at the read. I DID feel my supply go down..I could tell by the way the girls were uninterested sometimes. However, I've been VERY bad about my Protein shakes...if you were to drink 2-3 a day, made with milk, then you would have a better supply than I did. Also, make sure you get your 64 ounces of Water a day...You'll just have to be super diligent. You could always pump after nursing each time (after you're banded) to encourage more milk...then, when your diet improves, you may have a better supply than if you hadn't pumped...know what I mean? Good luck! Keep me up to date! Rain

hello, I am nursing my twin 18 month olds and was banded two weeks ago. Quite frankly, I would talk to your lac, but I haven't found it too hard...I am a little dehydrated, but our bodies can work off of our fat stores... Your child will be 10 months when you are banded, right? Well, to be honest, at that point you are no longer the main source of nutrition...so you may not need to even need to supplement. Just make sure you hydrate. I was uncomfortable nursing initially, but after the second day, I felt better. Any questions, please feel free to ask! Rain