the best me

Did Belinda ever see this?!!! Someone e-mail her...and check her out on Before and After pics. She doesn't look the same...there is hope for me! (okay, my legs will never be that skinny, oh, and I'll never be seen in a bikini again, EVER, oh, and I'm not near as pretty as she is...but there is hope for me!!!) Yay!

Shelly, my insurance pays for Gastric Bypass but not the Band. Since my BMI is under 40, I didn't bother with an appeal. So I'm going to TJ next month...this is a great place for research...put that search button to good use! Good Luck!

Tara, waiting to see how this all shakes out...I have the dates penciled in...we'll see. I would LOVE to go, but with 2 young children, well...plus the debt from surgery and I'll need to go get a job one of these days and wer'e already going to the beach for a week, blah, blah, I'm hoping the "stars align" on this one...You should go!!! It sounds like a blast, I mean, Bash!

OOOOOh! Of course, I knew it should have been obvious! I agree, SO sounds better than boyfriend, it defines your relationship better, but your right, I would have figured a same-sex relationship if you hadn't said "he"...I'll try to get up-to-date with you on the vocabulary. so, what's TMI? hehe (I'm serious, but tell me some other time or I'll just hijack this thread) So, on to the East Coast Bandster Bash!

Hey Donali, what's an SO? I gues if I thought about it long enough I could figger it out...hmmm...Nah, I'll probably feel dumb when you answer, but it sure wouldn't be the first time!!!

This is how I guess I assumed it was before?...I agree wholeheartedly!

I get the rolling eyes or impatient distraction when DH is in the room and I try to watch...it's something I have to catch after 11pm. I have seen 2 episodes that were shot in Charlote, NC (near me) so there were at least 2 poorly dressed souls here that got on...I think I might be eligible, but they'd need to hire Emme to consult for me, Stacy London size "nothing" isn't dressing me!!! Love that show. Hey Bright! How was the shindig? Did you have fun? Take pics? Wear your sexy new outfit and knock 'em dead? Please give us the scoop!

Hey Debbydo, I'm rustling up April Bandsters, how are you coming along? Will you make it in April? Look for the April 2005 Bandsters Thread and post there if applicable, otherwise, fill us in on your progress!...

Trish, is the 28th official? I haven't noticed any other April Bandsters, have you? they'll start popping up...keep your eyes peeled and send them here! I need all the Band buddies I can get!

I hear ya, your Heaven/Hell status is between you and God...piety is based on a sense of duty, but that duty is personal and should not be judgemental. I run across that a little in my "circles" and while I understand their feelings, I am concerned about the heart that points fingers. Yeah, "what the hell's the difference!" between "pissing me off" and "pooping me off". Ha! (I'm goin ta hell, Not!) Man, we could have some religious and political discussions, couldn't we? I'm scared of you, though, you are more of a pro...let's just keep dancing around it!

I'm with ya on the spider thing, if I can get it outside to avoid killing it, I will. Poor fly, give us the update on how he fared in the morning...I probably would have carefully flushed him...Dadgumit!, I hate it when that happens!

I can so relate to the comment the waiter made...he was probably just complimenting her, but Oh! the Sting! Things like that can stay with you for days, the lower than dirt feeling...and then you never really forget them. I am ready for some self-respect, I have been so low on that in my life these years. I cried at the computer when I first logged on to LBT, because I saw people with hope...and let me just say that if I didn't think it would be worth it, I would not be putting myself or my family through the time, effort, and expense of this. Yes, it will be worth it and I will make sure of it. Barring any complications, I will make this band work for me. No more looking at the floor!!!

Oh my gosh that is SOOO sweet!!! Congratulations, Mom! You have one beautiful family!!!

How about "GOT O Mighty!" or "Dad Blast it!" Hey, does anyone know how to write the "Doooo" that Homer Simpson does? And what is the correct context for that?

The sucking part probably has to do with a large tongue, which many with DS have. It effects speech as they get older. In my former life (before kids) I worked with Adults with Developmental Disabilities, and many had Down Syndrome. The heart problem is typical, too, with DS. Your family will never be able to predict the joy this little boy will bring to your lives in so many ways! Just wait and see what God has in store for you. It will be lots of things both happy and difficult, and as with any child, as he grows and thrives, he brings his own special qualities to the family and will be irreplaceable! Good health to little Nolan as he undergoes his heart surgery...prayers for him and your family. Please keep us posted! Good job on the link, Penni! Perfect!

Being concerned with another's sensibilites is the religious part, anyway, not the cursing, I'd say. This is fun...here's some more non-traditional curse words/phrases..."I'll be John Brown" or "What the hay?" or "God Bless America!" I say that when I'm frustrated.

So I call today to find out the lab results from the blood drawn at this last visit. It's neat, I call the lab, press my secret code number, and I hear a message from the nurse about my lab results, so I don't have a print-out with everything on it...but the nurse said, Your cholesterol was 267 and now it's 263. Your triglycerides were 190, now they are 222. Please continue a low fat, high Fiber diet and increase your exercise, the Dr. would like to see you back in 6-12 weeks for a re-check. I wonder what she thinks will change in 3 months? Blah, blah, blah. The good news is, according to my weight at the two visits (last year and this most recent visit) I have lost a whopping 12 lbs., but it did make my cholesterol go down 4 points (wooohoo! I could still have a stroke with those numbers!) and I don't know what to make of the triglycerides, so any feedback would be welcome. At my follow-up appointment, I will have had my band for 5 weeks. Wonder what she'll say? Ohhh...I am so excited to get my band...and have these health issues behind me! I know that losing the weight is the best thing I can do for my health, but I'm even more excited about feeling better about ME. Looking forward to: pulling on a pair of Levis 501 button fly jeans. I have dreams about it. Do they even make those anymore? I need a fashion update, haha!

Now THAT's what I'm talking about...LBT is famous for that, you just keep coming back here and unburden any ole time. These folks are the BEST! Keep us posted, and search the threads for info about how a good fill should feel...it's all in here, but the personal touch is great, huh?

Yay Jamie!!!!! this is really cool, only 14 more days!!! Wooohoooo! thanks for the test... Ooops...11 more days, when you go advanced, you can't go back up and look at previous posts, unless I'm missing something... Go Jamie!!!

"Dad-gummit!" is a favorite, especially if you say it through clenched teeth. Sometimes, though, nothing but a good ole "SH*T!!" will do it for me. If I'm in the car with the kids...I might turn it into a "CcchhhTTT" if I must. Swearing is a hard habit to break, and I'm glad I abstain for the most part. It kind of "hurts my ears" when I hear others rattle off, especially "GD", THAT I have a hard time with, is that a Southern thing? To not like to hear GD, that is, or is it just a NC or SE ID thing? I love how you call it exile, Vinesqueen!

I am no longer mortified, and I have opinions, many of which are reflected above, and since you are asking, Alex B., here goes. The following has been stated and I agree wholeheartedly... Donali: "moderators...HAVE to set and example, and canNOT indulge themselves in their tempers or opinions" and, "I personally look to Alexandra to restore tone and equilibrium. I feel as though I have always been able to count on her maturity and level-headedness when it comes to allowing people to express themselves, yet not letting certain controversial threads get too out of hand by locking down the smoldering embers." Whippledaddy: A beautifully written (as always) analogy. We need a moderator with assistants. I miss you. Jamie, et al: One apple has spoiled the bunch Vinesqueen: "Moderators are charged with being the editors of this board...This is not censorship, it is good stewardship." Greg: "If everyone is careful in placing a proper title on their threads, then those who do not wish to discuss politics/religion or any other topic...should not enter the site" Big T: in particular, suggestion #3 with a "report this post" button Becky: Thank you for speaking plainly. I was confused and wondering about the politely vague messages. I am willing to go down with you to say that I agree with your analysis. As far as Marie goes: She was in a no-win situation. To ignore the confrontations and continue with her kind and helpful and encouraging posts only invited more vigorous confrontation. To actually get a spine and show some backbone against it, only invited more criticism. What to do? I do not envy her position, but she has never failed to garner my respect with her faithfulness and earnest encouragement. There is a twinge of anxiety still in me about this situation; I am searching for closure, a decision, a conclusion, some finality. I hope it comes soon. I love and need LBT and you fine people. Thank you for making my life better in so many ways. I couldn't go away, I just couldn't even try. I will participate in the healing with all I've got. Thank you Alex B. for LBT. This may be a difficult time for you, but your efforts have been and will be worth it. Don't ever regret it.

Awww Trish, look how pretty you are! I LOVE your hair...I can't wait to see the Afters, too! Counting down the weeks with you...

Many of us go to New Posts and read from there, so if you didn't notice, go to General Discussion and read Alex B.'s announcement at the top above the Stickies. I stumbled across it and I think many might be missing it...just thought you'd like to know.

Oh my gosh, don't tell me I have to re-live my 20's! I could live without most of that decade!! I hope I feel like you do about your 40's. It would be great to feel confident and happy, and with a good band experience, I think it's possible! Thanks, Zoe Hey, Marie, you go girl! Eighteen?!!!! Awwriiighhtt!

Happy Birthday!!! I finally went to the Maniaacs site and you are Biggy, right? With baby number three due in April? Well, I know where that 10 bucks is going then, forget about spending it on yourself...your wife gets the money, and she gets a healthy husband and dad for her children. Congrats and Happy Birthday!