gentlespirit

Hi, Alysha~ Yes, there are a number of us vegetarians here. I'm trying to remember who else is, but if you search using "vegetarian", you should find some of our posts. We've traded some recipes back and forth, but I ha ven't seen anything recently. You've found a great support group...spend time reading through current and older posts, and you'll glean tons of great information and tips. Best of luck on your surgery and recovery! Emily

Absolutely agree...you all do a great job and are truly appreciated. Emily

Wheetsin~ Thanks for a great post. Most of us are very appreciative of the opportunity this forum provides for us to get and give support. Alex really does deserve our sincere thanks and respect, and we owe it to him to abide by the rules we agreed to when we joined. It's just a few people who are making it difficult...maybe we need to just ignore them and concentrate on the reason we joined...for help on our weight loss journey. I feel sorry for people who feel the need to be nasty and stir things up just for the "fun" of it. Emily

Wheetsin~ Thanks for a great post. Most of us are very appreciative of the opportunity this forum provides for us to get and give support. Alex really does deserve our sincere thanks and respect, and we owe it to him to abide by the rules we agreed to when we joined. It's just a few people who are making it difficult...maybe we need to just ignore them and concentrate on the reason we joined...for help on our weight loss journey. I feel sorry for people who feel the need to be nasty and stir things up just for the "fun" of it. Emily

Ooops...didn't realize that the photo would b e so big...I'll have to do b etter next time. Emily

I have a parrotlet...they are mini parrots about 2 inches tall and 4 inches long and weigh an ounce or so. He's bright green with cobalt blue "eyebrows" and back and under his wings. He's really tiny and cute and is lots of company. He doesn't talk much...just his name (Miko and "pretty bird", but when I laugh, he laughs back! If he bits, I always say "don't you bite me" in a gruff voice, and he tries to say that...sometimes right after he bites me! Loves to snuggle under the hair at the back of my neck. Emily

I have a parrotlet...they are mini parrots about 2 inches tall and 4 inches long and weigh an ounce or so. He's bright green with cobalt blue "eyebrows" and back and under his wings. He's really tiny and cute and is lots of company. He doesn't talk much...just his name (Miko and "pretty bird", but when I laugh, he laughs back! If he bits, I always say "don't you bite me" in a gruff voice, and he tries to say that...sometimes right after he bites me! Loves to snuggle under the hair at the back of my neck. Don't know how to attach a photo, or I would...he's cute. Emily

You look absolutely amazing! What an inspiration to the rest of us you aore. Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your mom...that has to be one of the hardest things. Give yourself time to grieve and be gentle with yourself. Emily

I just ordered one after reading on here why it was a good idea. Haven't received it yet, but one side has allergy info and the other side has Adj. Gastric Band...no blind NG along with my doc's name and phone number. Emily

I get the turkey breat wrap at Subway and can eat 1/2 - 3/4 of it if I'm careful with chewing really well and waiting between bites. Didni't have any problems. Emily

My sister had her surgery on May 3 and ended up going back a few days later to have an NG tube put down to suction some of the gas out...it was making her really nauseous. She definitely doesn't recommend that route!! Hopefully you will not have a huge problem with it...I was uncomfortable but just waited it out... Emily

I hate having them done, but they are uncomfortble, not really painful. And I don't think I've ever had any visible bruising. I go in faithfully every 18 months or so. Mvpo, I'm so glad you got good news! Good luck with your band surgery and hope you have a smooth recovery. Emily

I talked to an attorney last week about filing for bankruptcy, and I am feeling like such a failure. My ex husband didn't pay child support for several years and the kids and I needed things my pay check wouldn't cover, so those credit card balances just went up and up. Now I owe about $21,000 on my credit cards and see no way in the world that I can get them paid off. My sons finally talked me into seeing an attorney who told me the same thing. He also s aid I wasn't in terrible shape compared to many of his clients. But it's really depressing and humiliating to be in this position when I've always worked hard. Seems like if we work hard we should be able to make it financially, but it didn't work out that way. I've gone through credit counseling, and they didn't have anything to suggest. So I'm really down and could use some support...or advice if anyone has any that might be helpful. With my head I know this doesn't make me a less worthwhile person, but my heart could use some convincing! I just tear up every time I think about it. Thanks for listening... Emily

Hi, Bubbame~ Never heard of it, but my dad (a retired dentist) is looking into order their meds from Israel...I think they are cheaper than Canadian pharmacies because their government subsidizes so heavily. Might be worth checking into... Emily

Jon~ I wish more men had your commitment to family! Heaven knows the world needs that desperately. Maybe we can clone you??! Emily

Jen~ Thanks...my credit is great right now because I've always made the payments on time. So my interest rate is already way down there and most of the balances were transferred to those "3.99% until the balance of the transfer is paid off" special offers. But I will definitely give them a call. I'm seeing another attorney tomorrow to get a second opinion on whether this the the best way for me to go. He may have some suggestions or other options, even though I don't see any other way. For the first time ever I don't have the necessary $$ to make this month's payment. But it's always good to get a second opinion... Shawn~ I will check into the Dave Ramsey website. Thanks for the information. Emily

You'd b e weird if you weren't nervous! This is a big deal...not the surgery so much as the change you are making in your life. But no, you won't have to spend all your time thinking about what you can and can't eat, rxcept maybe at first. But it becomes habit just like anything else. Wishing you the best of luck and a smooth and easy recovery!! Emily

I chose gentlespirit as a reminder that that's what I aspire to be...a gentle spirit that can bless and brighten the day for the people I meet. I'm definitely not there, but a goal is good Emily

Thanks, everyone, for your hugs and suggestions and support! You guys truly are the best. I'm seeing another attorney tomorrow to get some further advice...maybe he will have some other options I can explore. I know $21,000 doesn't seem like a lot of money to some people, but on my income of $12/hour, it's a lot. And since I don't own a house or anything that I could refinance, that's not an option. But I will definitely check out your suggestions! Thanks again SO much. Emily

My total was about $17,000 of which I am paying off my $2,500 max out of pocket. (Unfortunately I had my surgery in Jan. so was starting over with the out-of pocket) Emily

I really related to your post. I'm 50 years old and am happy with who I am. I have a lot of good points and some not so good ones like everyone else. My two sons are grown and self-sufficient. My life is pretty good, but something is still missing. I really want to find someone who will love me and appreciate me. My first husband was a selfish jerk that I finally divorced when I realized that his emotional abuse of the kids and me was really damaging my kids. So I've been in a bad relationship and know that there are worse things than being alone. And that alone and lonely aren't necessarily the same thing. I enjoy my own company and tend to have a few really good friends rather than tons of just acquaintances. I would love to find someone to grow older with and share the rest of my life with, but honestly I don't see it happening. I have met a couple of wonderful men...both of whom are already taken. I've thought of trying eHarmony.com but just haven't gotten that motivated yet. Maybe after reading Amy's post I'll give it a try! I wish you the best of luck...one of the best things about life is that we never know what's around the corner! Tomorrow could be your lucky day... Emily

My sister has two sons with ADHD, and it has been so difficult for her. One isi 7 and can only go to school half days...just can't make it through the afternoons. She has him taking some kind of herbal/natural supplement called Calm Child that she says really helps. He even has told her "I need more of my dirt pills" (which is what he calls them). The other son is 20 and is basically a mess. He is sometimes able to hold a part time job but changes frequently. He self medicates with cigarettes and alcohol. They can't live with him...he makes everyone miserable...but he has no where else to go and no way to support himself, so they really don't know what to do with him. My heart breaks every time I talk to her. People don't realize it's a disorder that they can't help...they think the kid is just being a smart ass. My heart really goes out to you and all the other parents who have to try to deal with this. It must just tear you apart to see what happens to him and not be able to "fix" it. I would still call the school and let them know you aren't happy. Home schooling is hard, too...I did it for 5 years. But sometimes it's the only workable solution. Hugs~ Emily

Welcome! You've come to the right place for honest answers...we tackle pretty much everything here! The best thing I did pre surgery was to spend time here reading old posts and searching for topics I needed info on...you will learn so much and people here are always ready to give advice/help/support. They are great! Emily

Isn't it wonderful to see bones you thought had completely disappeared! You look wonderful! Emily

Since this is a supprot forum, people come here when they are having problems and need advice or help. Most of us go along day to day without any serious problems and like PlunderBunny said, we don't say "I'm doing great". This is the safest weight loss option, I believe, and while we occasionally have discomfort, I'd do it again in a second, as would most people here. You might want to check out some of the polls asking if people would do it again...overwhelmingly the answer is yes. Hope this helps set your mind at ease... Emily