Gone4Now

I would like to add that "cheating" is not okay. If you have the mentality that it's okay to test the waters to see what you can or can't do - it's not okay. Have people done it, yes. Should they? No. Always follow the personal care instructions that your doctor gave you. And ask yourself this: Would you really ask your DOCTOR these questions? If the answer is no, because you know he/she would say no, THEN DON'T DO IT.

Okay, just called Houston SPCA - they'll take the puppies after they're weaned, and before, too. They put down dogs if health or temperment is bad. The mother isn't doing so good right now. I'm taking her to the vet on Sat, so I'll see then if she's healthy enough to take in to the shelter. Thanks, Pix!

No, the Harris Co. animal control picked them up and that's where I got them. I've taken a stray to the SPCA before and they put her down. She had complications from a pregnancy (don't know where those puppies were) and she was a pitt bull. I called later and they said they normally don't give out information, but if it was a pitt bull they immediately put them down. Houston SPCA says in its paperwork that if they can't place the animal you're bringing in, or if it's aggressive then they will put it down. It's interesting how many places are saying that they're a no-kill shelter, but leave themselves that loophole of "in certain cases". Or, they just say that if they can't find a place for them, they get turned into the SPCA - and that falls under that paperwork agreement. Honestly, I agree - if the dog is aggressive, or bites people, then perhaps it should be put to sleep. But, puppies? Maybe they were just being dramatic because they wanted me to take them, but it seemed extreme to me.

I like Wasabi Almonds.

HA HA HA HA. No, seriously, though...there was a horse head in my bed this morning.... Signed, Anonymous

Ack! I'm an idiot and ended up getting locked out of the AuCaDo site. I was doing too many things at once! I'll try in a little bit again. I have been calling my area for no-kill rescue places. I think I may end up with the mother, but I think the puppies will get good homes. One thing that scared me is a website I found where it strongly discouraged any ads saying: Free puppies to a good home. Well, damn! That's what I've been doing! It states that people will swoop them up and use them as bait for fighting, raise them as fighting dogs, or use them at puppy mills. My goodness...don't animals have a chance? Aren't humans supposed to take care of and respect the animals that we share this world with? I know, I'm unrealistic sometimes, and a bit naive. I just can't image that kind of cruelty. But thank you to all of you for your good wishes.

I do that! I get the eye rolls or the "Stoooopppp."

Well, now my feelings are hurt. I am simple and sensitive and have a complex about it. I'm working on being insenstive, but I keep crying!!!

Pix - thanks. I had no idea. I was just taking it all in. I will contact them and find out what the rules are, and why. Lisa - I was from Northern VA area...closer to DC. Not too many strays there.

I was surprised, too, at that. When I showed up to get them, at 5:30 on a Wed, there were 2 people (me and another lady) picking up animals, and 5 families there to drop off. One guy was handing in 2 dogs because his shop is closing and they're his guard dogs. So, 6 dogs were dropped off, 2 dogs picked up. I guess with that kind of overflow, they can't keep up. I asked the worker how he could do it, and he shrugged and said, "You get used to it." They hadn't given her any shots or medical treatment, and I think it was because they'd see it as a waste if they just had to put her down. There was a story in our area about a year ago about a dog that got lost. It was deaf or blind - or both, and animal control picked it up and euthanized it that same night. The next morning, the owners called and were told. It was on the news. So, maybe Houston isn't pet friendly...? I dunno. I just think the number of animals is too much for them. On my street alone there are tons of stray dogs, and every day I see one or two on my way to work. Since moving to Houston, I've seen dozens of dead dogs on the road. I never saw that in VA. I don't know if VA was better equipped, or people didn't let their dogs roam so much. If I can't find homes for these guys, I'll be looking into no-kill faciliites.

I know! It's going to be heartbreaking to give them away. I've never fostered any animals before (and this isn't foster arrangement. Since animal control would be putting them down faster than I could get the paperwork approved, I had to claim them as my own.) I've also never had puppies before. The closest was a 3 month old cockerpoo my mother got when I was really young. This is definitely fascinating to watch her.

My $.02 is that if you want to warn others of what could happen, then you have to be prepared to answer questions. We want to know: What kind of band was it, when was the surgery, what kind of problems did you have, if any, from the beginning, etc. I'm being demanding because I want to know: Is the same kind of band as mine, was it earlier in the process when doctors didn't know as much as they do now, did you have problems like mine (I didn't, but want to know the similarities.), etc. That's why your question dodging is getting on my nerves and making me doubt your story. You're like my 10 year old, when I ask if she did the dishes....Yes, no...well, kinda, maybe. I rinsed one out, so yeah...." Hemming and hawing...GRRRR. Give some facts. Give some pictures. Don't be like the Freak on the street corner screaming "The sky is falling!!!"

Salsa and salad...I've never tried that. I will have to do that! I love salads, so it's been nice being able to eat them. It's the dressing that comes with it that's bad. Tonight is weigh in at Weight Watchers...so it's the real test.

Okay, I'm a little nervous about this. I'm hoping the last 6 months have taught me something about eating right...and less. I had a fill last week that was way too tight. They took some out, but I think I was still too swollen and sore. Rather than do damage (further damage?) I went back this morning and the doc took it all out. I'll go back next week and he'll put most of it back in. He said he just wanted to give me time to heal. I am nervous at the idea of suddenly being able to eat ANYTHING, and it's doubled because I am coming from about 3 days of not even getting water down. So, I'm really tempted by food right now because I've been hungry. Like coming off of the flu. I've got my weight loss so far to keep me going, and I have been looking at old pictures, trying on the size 24 jeans - I'm a size 18 now. (Another week of being dehydrated and not eating, I'd have been into the size 16s I bought. That would have made it easier for the paramedics to carry me out.) I'm worried that this is a bad turn and getting back on track will be difficult. Has anyone had a complete unfill in the middle of their journey, and then gotten back on track with fills later? Thanks!

I loved Firefly! I was a fan of Buffy, too, by the same writers. Now, I love reality shows. Skank of Love, er, Rock of Love, Biggest Loser, Next Top Chef, etc.

Do you have time to answer the questions we've all directly asked you?

Even IF this all happened to him, he did it to himself (I think) because he talks about eating around it in week one. Did he follow his doctor's orders? I'm guessing: NO. And, posting it here is silly if he's suing. It's a good argument in favor of the doctor/band distributor.

It really pissed me off, and I DO feel bad IF he's going through all that, but something isn't adding up right.

I know the first few weeks can be rough. Did you get paperwork from your doctor? If not, I would suggest calling them and asking for an after care packet that includes diet information.

I agree. After all, this is an ELECTIVE surgery. If things went wrong, then you knew that going into it. I feel badly for him that he's going through this, but I think this answers whether or not our members should be eating pizza in week one.

How does something burrow it's way into the colon and you not feel it? How long did you go with no restriction, and why didn't you consult your doctor when you lost restriction suddenly? What kind of band did you have, when was in installed? And, why were you drinking several chocolate shakes a day? If you could barely get down a piece of steak (which I was told to stay away from the first year) or other Protein, then you were too tight. Were you not given proper instruction? Who are you planning on suing?

But, I love those phone commercials, where the kid is speaking in "text" and the mom is like, What? That's not a word!!!

What's NMU? I'm internet language stupid, aside from the overused, but loveable: LOL.

Ooohhhh..... I hate it when people do that! And, watermelon still makes me gag.

Take Tae Kwon Do w/my daughter. We did the one month trial a few years ago, and in the adult class, one of the exercises was to stand back to back with another person and hook elbows. The other person was to lean forward and the other person lay on the back, then switch. Well, I got paired up w/the big guy (who was smaller than me) and I said no, I didn't want to do that, and he said, "I don't want you to do that either." His girlfriend was watching and she was just laughing hysterically. I left and never went back...but I loved doing the actually movements of TKD. I would also bunjee jump/sky dive given the money situation. Unfortunately, weight isn't my only hold-back.