the best me

Oh My Gosh I'm cracking up!!!! DeLovely DeLarla, very cute. That should be on her business cards!!! Burn those calories, girl! And give SOME indication of just which item is the source of your elation these days...you simply have to tell!!!

Okay, I'm posting before re-reading Romans 8 (this semester's Bible Study is Romans...how Karmic! Oh, that's Providential, oops! ) but you are so right...it's the universal human struggle. I appreciate your insight and will very likely be looking for feedback on what I read...Thanks!!!

OMGosh thank you, thank you, thank you. Well stated. I couldn't agree more. Crystal, you are so right about the condition of the poor in New Orleans. Thank you for speaking that perspective. I agree that it is a difficult situation. You said "the relative safety of their homes" and that made me understand a little better. If what's on the "outside" looks worse than what "could" happen at my home...well, I wouldn't choose to stay under any circumstances but I can see how some might chance it. I don't know, it just seems like a no brainer to leave. There was a way out if you wanted one...it's very sad, it's very frustrating. I couldn't disagree more that the poor response to this disaster was racially motivated. It simply isn't so. See "the nanny state" comment quoted above. I think that is at least a piece of the puzzle. Our opinions are as diverse as we are. Our respect for our diversity makes us stronger. It helps me to process all this by reading and posting. I'm sure this forum does the same for each person here. Our opinions are different, but it's still a safe place to express them. For that, I am grateful.

My hair falls out, too. I have been increasing my protien and being more careful about getting in my Vitamins every day, but, my ponytail is getting thinner and smaller by the week. I wonder when it will stop? When I hit a plateau? Argghh! I like the weight loss but the hair thing is aggravating. It did it just after surgery, it stopped, then started again after my fill. I don't like it!

Interesting. Refuse help, end up in dire straits, then blame the government for not taking care of you. Yep, it must be all Bush's fault. He's such a racist, you know. He hates poor black people, you know. This would never happen in Florida where his brother is the Governer. It's such a conspiracy. THIS is the thinking that gets my blood boiling. People are suffering and dying and it's all the government's fault. Let's all just whine and blame the governnment. That will make it better, yeah. The people of Texas have been just awesome. I keep remebering one man who got out and ended up in at the Astrodome. He told the reporter, very excitedly, "Houston is ON the MAP!" He was happy and relieved. Here in NC we are preparing for several thousand at least. The schools are preparing for the extra students. Businesses, including Wal-Mart, are donating and collecting book bags filled with school supplies. Churches are purchasing groceries and supplies for homes that are taking in families. Rental properties are being quickly refurbished to house families who are beginning to arrive. Private bus companies are gassing up at $4 a gallon and are headed back with hundreds of displaced families. The opportunities to volunteer, donate, and help out are right at our door and I'm proud of tireless Americans who share so much of our blessings with others. Sure beats the finger-pointing in my book.

I have two friends I have yet to hear from. I am praying they are okay. I looked up their addresses on Yahoo Maps. Alan and his wife Marion live on Pontchartrain Blvd. It's smack dab in the bowl, near a Canal, close to Lake Pontchartrain. He's a Professor at the University. My friend Theresa lives north of Lake Pontchartrain. She works for the Federal Government (FBI) so I'm thinking she's safe but very very busy? I hope so. I have tried to call her home and office and the lines are busy. I have no number for Alan but the phones are out anyway. I even looked up their names on the Red Cross list of people who have posted that they are safe. Nothing. I so hope they got out. It's awful. The roads are out. Hazards are everywhere making rescue efforts extremely difficult. I'm dissappointed with the Mayor of New Orleans and the Governor of Louisiana. I don't think they have a clue about how to do their jobs and I can't for the life of me figure out why they had nothing, and I mean nothing in place to evacuate the poor, disabled, elderly, sick, anyone who would go if they simply had a ride. I can't understand why they didn't already have the Super Dome stocked with meals, Water, cots, and personnel especially, so they didn't have to wait for the Federal Government and the Red Cross and other agencies to haul butt from all ends of the country across the aftermath of that storm. I can't understand why Friday they parked school buses in a lot and let them flood, rather than putting them to work getting folks out of there over the weekend. I am extremely dissappointed in the idiots who are looting, not for survival, but for fun? for the hell of it? because they are angry? whatever!!! There is no sense in that at all, and it's more than just a few. It's hundreds of people running amuck, thinking only of themselves, not caring for their neighbors or for the people trying to rescue them. They are making matters worse, and people are suffering for it. This could have been a time to shine, but it's shameful. And then there's the Michael Moore Socialist Propoganda Machine pumping out the rubbish I have refused to read. His hatred is non-productive, inciteful, and wrong. I know many of you may not agree but let me vent, too. It's difficult enough to see what I have seen on television, and to know that I have friends that, as far as I know, are unaccounted for. So I'll refuse anything with his name on it, and I'll even take the liberty of eschewing any thinking that even smacks of his rhetoric. Thanks for the vent. I'll let you know if I hear from my friends.

See stats below. I might be on another small (hopefully) plateau since losing about 12 pounds this summer. I'm working on it though. Slow but steady.

Good job Amy. There is, indeed, a mourning for the loss of food the way it used to be. Your friendship will change and grow in ways you cannot predict. But it will be better. You won't be so dependant. Food won't be so demanding a friend. Your relationship will be better in the end. (((((((hugs)))))))))

OMG, Me? Kathy? Surely not...do my scars look THAT awful?!! Just kidding. I don't know if it was originally for me but I'm glad to know someone out there is as computer illiterate as I am. I havent' read your entire message due to time constraints. I was just wondering if I was the Kathy you meant? Anyhow, thanks for the reply Deena. Man, it went everywhere. Did say everywhere???!!!

Compare our stats Alatina. Remember back when we first got banded? You posted that you were thinking about it and the next week, off you went! So now, here you are. (Okay, so you did 7 months of research before heading to Mx...I just went back and looked) Please don't be dissappointed, you make me feel bad about my own stats!! And I'm darn proud of mine! You were banded 19 days after me. I started at 223, you at 214. I am now 195, you are 187. That's 28 pounds for me and 27 for you. We are neck and neck on weight loss. I have lost an average of 1.4 pounds per week. You have lost an average of 1.5 pounds per week. That is right on track!!! It's working!!! We are doing just great!!! Just look at us now!!! Now, I'm the first to admit it's something to get your head around. It ain't been easy for me either. I didn't get a fill for 12 weeks because I needed time to adjust to the new eating habits, how the band worked for me, and I needed week after week of just trying to be able to eat and use food like I did pre-band. My band wasn't ready for a fill until week 8 or 9, but I wasn't ready until week 10 or 11, then I had to wait for my appointment...well. It worked out fine. I'm on a downward trend again, and it's working!!!! Keep up the good work, and it IS work. Dr Kuri said "I'll do my job but you will need to do yours" and here we are having to do our work. It's worth it. We'll get there. Please don't feel like I'm kicking you in the butt...maybe just a loving reality check so you can shake it off and get going again. ((((((((HUGS))))))))) my band buddy. We went through alot back in April and we can make it through the rest of the ups and downs of losing weight. What was this thread about? Oh, banding over bypass. BTW, a nurse at my fill doc's office had RNY 2 years ago. She was over 250, I think, and got dodwn to 125, then 2 years later she's up to 150 and on the diet and exercise routine with the rest of us. At this point, what doctor would band her at 150 pounds? I'm sure there is one, but she has a point. Does she have to gain all of her weight back just to qualify for the band? How safe is it? For her, based on our short conversation, banding after bypass was not an option. But I have heard of it being done.

Seriously? Tell me you are kidding, please?

Yes, lots of people have it in the center. Not sure about whether it's the old or new way, but it works. I was a little worried about where it would end up, found out it will probably be on the left and decided I wasn't going to mess with my doc's routine by putting a wrench in his plans and asking for it elsewhere. I just let him do it. I like it where it is just fine. Don't worry. Your doc doesn't want to do something out of the ordinary with you. I'm sure there are disadvantages to any location though. I'm happy with my "I'll take it how it comes" decision.

Hello Robin! We actually like it when people go on and on in their intros. We are very nosey so keep telling! There are actually at least a couple of young ladies on here your age, 16 or 17 or so. No guys that I know of. I hope they will find you and say hello. Maybe someone can hook you up? Jodie Warner just got banded a few days ago, she's 17 I think. Anyhow, welcome to LBT. You are sure to find lots of great info here. Just ask any questions you have, we'll do our best. Welcome to LBT!!!

My son is 2 1/2 and it can be done. You really have to watch for those little knees and heels! Especially while diaper changing. His head is to my left, feet to my right when changing him and still, he lifts those chubby little legs up and gets me right in the port! Actually, carrying him isn't bad, but maybe I'm not remembering well...I think I held him a bit lower there for a while. And yep, port is on the left, he's on my left and I'd drop him if I tried the right side. If you can get a hold of your daughter's left foot and tuck it up, that helps. Know what I mean? Anyhow, it can be done. No worries, just be careful!

Dr Eduardo Gonzales (336) 784-8299. His address is 1000 South Park Blvd Winston Salem, NC 27127. Non-flouro fills are $200. He needs your surgery notes and you will have to fill out all the paperwork. I had to wait a good bit for my fill but if you are in some type of "emergency" situation I'm sure they could work you in. Anyhow, good info to have handy. You are a smart travelling bandster!

Bob Evans serves Breakfast all day. We could still meet at 11:30 and get breakfast stuff. Bob Evans is on Tryon, not as close to I-85 but easy to find. Either is fine with me. Let's keep it at 11:30 though so Melissa can come. Poll: Bob Evans or Fridays? If it's a draw or alot of "either one"s then Fridays it is, since it's right off the Interstate. I vote either.

Mine is about an inch below my biggest scar (port incision) and I can feel it when I press. It's round, smooth, and hard. I used to press on it alot, feeling kind of grossed out in an interested way. Now it's just there, no biggie. You'll get used to it. Just let it remind you of your wonderful band!!!

I'm taking my After pic for the Summer Weight Loss Challenge on Monday. I'll post that one here. I also have my measurements from a few weeks back. I measured arms, bust, bra band, waist, abs, hips, thighs, calves. I'll post them all with my pic. I say, post what youv'e got and feel comfortable with. I won't do a nakey shot (whew! says the whole bunch of you!) but I will wear a tank top and shorts, knees up is how the last one turned out. btw, Sarah, I replied to your PM for 25 min. and lost it...it never posted, augghhh!! so I'll rewrite and resend asap. Later tonight.

Heh! Excellent analogy. I think this is why it's good to post size pics. It's hard to think bad thoughts about people you care about, but it's good, too, to realize what size 50 hips look like on different people. I think this is great therapy. Who's going first? I'll post my pics and stats...let me get it together.

Nope, thank goodness. If it were stuck, you'd know it by now. I suppose it could still be in the uper pouch? Seems unlikely. Have you had anything to eat or drink? Any problems? If not, then the gum wad got past the band okay. Whew! Lucky you!

Amen!!! Ahh, such a terrible situation. I'm so sorry for your cousin.

There are great advantages to fasting for short periods of time. I'm not sure how effective it would be to "jump start" Okay, maybe it would jump start some weight loss, but jump starting your metabolism includes extra calories (healthy ones) for a few days. So I don't know. Here's what I did. I was hovering around the 208 pound mark after losing 15 pounds post-surgery. I picked a high weight (210) and a low weight (207) and maintained that for a while with no fill. If I got to 210, I cut back. I hardly ever saw 207 for more than a day. When I was ready, and my fill was scheduled for a few weeks away, I ate extra, as much as I could, for however many days it took me to get up to 210, then cut back again and stayed cut back. Now I'm at 195.8 and I'm moving down slowly. When I get stuck again, I'll do the same thing. Pick a high and low weight, maintain for a while, eat up, then cut back. It's reminiscent of the Plateau Busters diet, I think. I learned it from Curves. They say do the high weight/low weight for weight loss maintenence when you hit goal. Hmmm. I haven't hit goal yet so I just use it to keep my plateau steady until I'm ready to fight harder. And/or get a fill. Hope that gives you some ideas.

I was a bit disheartened at the reaction to the looting going on. These poor people had nowhere to go, no way to get there, and while I'm sure some could have left and didn't, most simply couldn't. So the NO "bowl" is filling with Water and the police are worried about looters. Okay, I know stealing is wrong, and I'm sure some were getting TV and electronics that they were hoping to be able to sell for profit. But think about it. Their homes are destroyed, they don't know where they are going, how they will get there, and no way of staying in touch with others. How 'bout a dadgum TV! It will all be ruined in the flooding anyway! The police were forcing the looters to drop the clothing and other items to the ground where they stayed, I guess. What a waste! If all you have are the clothes on your back and there is a store full of clothing and shoes that is filling with water...very very dirty water...I would personally consider it a donation, ya know? It was so sad, watching people exist in such desperation. Looting isn't right, but under the circumstances, well, it's hard not to justify it. I, too, saw the interview of the man who lost his wife holding her hand...she slipped away and he hasn't seen her since. The reporter lost it. I do too, just thinking of it. I'm sending a donation to the Red Cross. Anyone else?

Penni's still working on the giant pic. I have to say, Angela, despite that fact that your face takes up half the page, you look very beautiful! You skin looks great, especially compared to the top half of my face, which is very ruddy and speckled, not good. I wish I had waxed my eyebrows and put some medicine on my skin that morning!! Ew. I think it will look great of ALL of us if we can just get it shrunk!

Yes!!! I will definately check in on you all and will be happy to be a part of THAT Pity Party! You all are going to have a blast, I know it. Please check in on us here at LBT!!!! So glad to see your post, Megan. Glad you are well and losing again!! Please don't dissappear again!!!