LauraD

I'm waiting on insurance approval, so I'm not banded yet. I can't say the board has given me a sunshine and roses view of the band. While my prior research yielded lots of data, this place has been great for a nuts and bolts look at living with the sucker. Complete with PBs, slimes, lack of weight loss, erosions, slips, regrets, and general all around depression. I will say, if someone looks only to this board to all their info before making a decision, they need the psych exam they're going to get. Yes, the majority of people on the board are happy with the bands and want to encourage others to succeed. I think that is the nature of happiness-you want others to be where you are, feel as good as you do. I'm sorry you aren't finding the support that you need here. Maybe the answer is for you to ask about starting a new area, kind of a "hard times support" center?

Double check the deductible-my ins. has a special deductible of $2500 for weight loss surgery. So I included that in my flex plan for 2008

I will second the "anything by Geneen Roth" rec; also Thin for Life by Anne Fletcher-not everything in it is applicable, but it has a lot of useful head hunger info. Also, look for anything on compulsive overeating. Whether you CO or not, that is where most of the head hunger books will be. Take care!

I've said it before: If you don't care for what a particular poster has to say, or the way they say things-don't read their posts. It really is just that easy. No doubt, it benefits the board to have different types of mentors available to newer members. The "Know it Alls" aren't the only resources available. What works for me won't work for you and what works for you won't work for Jane Bandster. Look at how many different support groups there are, not just the unnamed "Know-it-Alls". But here's what I'm looking at: the people with good success rates are who I want to listen to. I don't really take "personality" into account. I've lurked, and searched, and seen lots of commentary on the whole "why do docs say most people only lose 58% of their weight" thing, and since that is the statistical truth, it makes what a few members have done all the more amazing. I want my advice from the 100%ers.

So if there are none of y'all self absorbed, rude, obnoxious, successful "old-timers", who does the OP think will answer her questions? When I did a liquid diet, I belonged to a liquid diet forum. Once a poster succeeded, they went away to the "maintenence" forum, and the rest of us lost the benefits of their experience. Hate to see something like that happen here. It's not necessarily PBs and sliming, it's tangible evidence that you can succeed 100% if you are willing to put in the work.

When you first began talking about the murder of James Byrd, you mentioned that 3 black men had also dragged a white man. Since that is such a similar crime, can you provide more details? When and in what context did you read the Byrd case files? You were around 11 when he was murdered, and around 13 at the conclusion of the trials. I'd love to hear whatever you come up with, along with however you managed to get into A&M in between the drugs, the gangs, the homelessness, the bipolar meds, etc. A&M is a notoriously hard school to get into, despite all the "Aggie" jokes. Don't spin too hard, you'll get dizzy.

Wow, Jodie....you've had an incredibly dramatic and eventful life for a 20 year old. I might even say amazingly so. I never planned to post in this thread, but it offended me greatly that you made my hometown of Corpus Christi sound like hell on earth. While it's not a perfect place, it's not the gangland drug-and-rapefest you describe. Ultimately though, I was disgusted by your complete dismissal of the horrific murder of James Byrd. You continue to insist it was a drug deal gone wrong-an assertion used by the defense but never proved, and really irrelevent anyway. I don't care if he cheated them out of a k of Columbian; that doesn't justify chaining him to the back of an old pickup and dragging him almost 3 miles on asphalt until his head was finally torn from his torso when it hit a culvert-he was alive until decapitated, by the way. Doesn't justify the fact that they found body parts in over 50 places along that road. That they dumped what was left of him in your town's segregated cemetary and then went to a BBQ. Your friend Sean(Shawn)Berry drove that truck, Jodie. Good guy to know. When you sat down with Ms. Byrd, did you tell her what a good n___ her son had been? Because it's ok to use that word, right? It's not hurtful. You never answered my question: Would your friend Sean and his buddies have done that to a white man? (I've gotten the impression that you are trying to go to law school eventually? If so, I strongly suggest spending some time at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Truly an eye opener.)

I am about as WASPy as you can get, and of course I've never experienced racism personally. But Derick, do I need to have experienced it to know it's wrong, and to teach the younger people in my life that it's wrong? Do I need to have experienced it to speak out about it?

"Respect has to be earned"-to me that's the response of someone with a chip on their shoulder. I respect everyone on the basis of their humanity; until they give me a reason not to respect them. Say...being a racist. I've never lived in Jasper, thank God, but I grew up in Corpus Christi and my grandfather was the assistant dean at A&M, so I've spent plenty of time in Bryan-College Station. My family never has used the n word, we just call everyone the same thing: "people". Jodie, please don't try and lessen the horror of what was done to James Byrd by claiming it was a drug deal gone bad, or that black men have done the same thing to a white man-unless you can direct us to legitimate news reports that verify what you say. Small town gossip from Jasper doesn't cut it, whether you've ever waved to Mrs. Byrd or not. As far as the 3 men in the truck not being racist; do you think they would have ever tied up and dragged a drunken white man-even if it was a drug deal gone bad? Why shouldn't we use the n word? Because of the Jena 6, and the return of the noose as an intimidation tactic. Because of James Byrd and Tulia. Because while Nancy Grace was obsessed with a white girl in Aruba, black mothers couldn't get local news channels to pay any attention to their missing children. Maybe these are new times, but some of the sos applies. Just because we all drink from the same water fountain doesn't mean racism isn't still rampant in America; and frankly to hear a white woman complain that she's experienced racism herself makes me laugh. You can't get into a black college? I hope that's not the best example you can come up with.

As a newbie, maybe I shouldn't jump into this, but.......... if Chickie's threads/blog aren't interesting to you or to others, why are you reading them and commenting?? If it's so bothersome, ignore it. There is plenty of other info on this site, or lots of other stuff to do in life. I am brand new to this board, looking forward to getting my band, and starting my new lifestyle. I am hoping to see people like Chickie, WasA, Jachut, etc. continue their positive presence on the board so that I can continue to learn from them. They have succeeded 100%. None of them deserve to be harassed because they succeeded. I say again, if it's a problem, it's your problem.

I went on a cruise to Mexico, and I wore a big ol' tshirt over my suit. But Do Not Miss the chance to float around in that warm, soft, blue water!!! I wish you could see the goofy smile I've got on my face, just thinking about how good it feels... :bounce:

I don't think it has anything to do with the way you look, I think it's just hateful people wanting to strike out and be nasty. Can you turn off the comments feature of your blog? That might be the best thing for you right now, because it really seems to be getting to you. It makes me really sad that you've removed your pictures from your post; I enjoy looking at them and being inspired by what you've achieved for yourself. The celebrities you bring up are thin, and the photographs the magazines publish tend to be the ones that make them look extremely thin. I do think that a few of them have been treated for ED's. They probably also indulge in some other unhealthy behaviors, if you know what I mean. Just because you are the same height and weight doesn't mean you don't look a lot healthier than they do. You look healthy and beautiful and strong. I hope you feel that way, and I hope you don't let a few nasty little insects masquerading as humans make you feel less than that! (I know I'm a total newbie, and don't know you, and I hope I didn't overdo it, but it pisses me off that you have worked so hard for your body and still feel judged about it!)

Mustard & Herb Baked Tilapia 2 4oz tilapia fillet 1 tablespoon fat free mayonnaise 2 teaspoons dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped basil 1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped parsley 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, and fresh herbs. Place tilapia fillets on a flat baking sheet, and coat with herb mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 8-10 minutes. I had a duck named Preep.

Calling Phelps or any of his followers pond scum is an insult to both the pond and the bacteria in it. He is a sick, hateful, evil man; and he takes joy in bringing others misery.

That is a great story! Have a good day on Thursday...... I work at HEB, so send me an email if you need a special broth delivery. Y'all folks out in Drippin' are grocery challenged.

I am BCBS, and when I asked my surgeon's coordinator about this, she told me that in the past, they've had success photocopying the booklet where they paste your weekly stamp, and faxing that to the ins. co. But that is not my personal experience so don't take it as gospel! Have you called a customer rep at BCBS and asked them? They've been very helpful with me on the phone, so far.

Wow Longhorn, you moved fast!! I'm so jealous! Robynn, I'm also an Austinite, and have my initial consultation with Dr. Ganta on 11/8. I went to both his seminar and SW Bariatrics, and liked Dr. Ganta a lot better-his didn't feel like he was trying to sell me something, and he presented the "bad" statistics as well as the good ones. SW Bariatrics didn't have many hard statistics to quote. Lonestar was also very complimentary about him, and that made a big difference to me as well. I've really got my fingers x'd about my insurance coming through for me. Longhorn, just out of curiosity, what has your experience been like so far? The psychology exam-who did he send you to? I'm so excited for you, lol!!

Mariposa, I'd respectfully suggest talking to your daughter's school counselor-he/she can refer you to someone outside the school who can help you and your daughter through this experience. If your insurance doesn't cover any counseling, the school should be able to refer you to a sliding-scale fee counselor, or your church may have pastoral counseling available if you feel comfortable with that. I'd suggest that you definately approach a resource outside your family-you need someone whose only investment is your daughter's emotional wellbeing, not all the other issues involved. ~~~~ Not all women make good mothers, and it's a smart woman who realizes she won't. I appreciate green's very well thought out and well written post.

I'm sorry you're so down right now. But you'll get through this bad patch, and the frustration will go away. You HAVE NOT wasted your money-you invested in yourself. I'd bet $$ that you're holding on to Water for one reason or another. To gain 3 pounds, you would have had to consume 10,500 more calories than your body needs; that didn't happen!! Try and weigh yourself only once a week-lord knows, I'm a scale junkie myself and I don't even have a band. But you can make yourself insane with a scale. You know the drill: once a week, same time of day, etc. etc. As far as people asking you how much you've lost, how rude!! If you're not comfortable telling them that it's none of their business, then just smile and say "wouldn't you like to know?"

Hi, all. I am interested in any feedback or info on surgeons in the Austin area. I have been to a couple of informational seminars, but am hoping to learn more from actual patients before I commit to a specific surgeon or clinic. Also, any other Austinites getting ready to get banded?

Lonestar, yes!! I replied in the "60s" thread, but I should have emailed you as well...I'm so sorry. Thank you so much for the reassurance. Joy has contacted my insurance company, so we are just wanting to hear what hoops I am going to have to jump through to get them to cover the surgery. (Fingers crossed) I really appreciate you taking the time to help me- how are you doing? Kristina, I'm hoping for January at the earliest-even if my insurance co. cooperates, I can't take the time away from work until then. But can I live vicariously through you until then? :mad:

Hi Wintersunshine...... When are you having your surgery? I ask because if you're still this unsure about the band, you shouldn't do it until you are ready to commit 100%. I'd respectfully suggest spending more time hanging out here and learning from the experts. "They" didn't know it, but I've been lurking for months, deciding myself whether or not to get banded! You can learn a lot about how the band works, fills, and how to really succeed at this. Visit for awhile every day or so, and just read the threads; your questions get answered before you can think of them. Maybe the band ends up being your choice, maybe not. Either way, do as much research as you can and remember that you are in charge of your own happy ending.

I think the sentence "unrealistic expectations about results of the surgery" says a lot. Also, unrealistic expectations about what changes weight loss will bring to your life. I think many overweight people believe that once they lose the weight, they will automatically be happy; and when that doesn't happen it would have to be a pretty crushing blow.

Thanks to both of you! Longhorn, I'm out in Oak Hill, so honk your horn next time you drive through the Y..... Take care & best wishes.

That's a big help, thank you very much!