plain

11 hrs? I think I'd start getting a little bit bored by then....

Clearly SNT is trippin' on the good drugs. Probably staring at her hand listening to "In a gadda da vida"......or maybe I'm the only one doing that right now?

You know, Steve, I don't think that's crazy at all. In fact, the American dream is to work hard, make money, and give Uncle Sam his due. What I think is unfair, though, is to severely increase taxes in relation to what your studio is bringing in. See, I kind of think of it as the law of diminishing returns, by increasing the percentage at which you're taxed. At some point, it's just not worth putting in the effort to work, since you still have to do the full amount of work for far less profit. This seems to me to discourage small business from working as hard. Also, it would seem to discourage the other end, the poor person (and I'm waaaaay closer to that end of the spectrum) from working hard, since there is also a point of diminished returns there (ie, I get x amount of federal support from not working at all. If I have to physically get out and work, I'm only gonna make Y). I am not wealthy....My combined family income isn't nearly half of the 250,000...but I still think that redistribution of wealth is not what America is about.

Excellent!

Maybe you should have explained what it would be like if his teacher handed out grades like Obama wants to hand out wealth: Points will be taken from the "A" students (but only those that make 95% or better in a subject) and given to the "F" students. Why? Because regardless of effort, in America everybody deserves to be the same. Sheesh.

In summary, yes, we are ready for a black president. The real question is, "Are we ready for a president that believes in forcing some Americans to give up their money to other Americans"?

Seriously, I do get what you're saying. Common sense should go further than it does. I daresay anybody can support almost any crackpot theory by having another loon validate it for them on the internet. When it comes to weightloss, or just health in general, there are very very few absolutes. What is true (or works) for one person may not be true (or not work) for another.

Andrea, congrats on having the courage to post that right now you're struggling.....and for not giving up. Here's the thing....it's never too late to get back on the right track. So keep on exercising and trying to pick better food choices. It took me 3 fills to get to my sweet spot. I know it's difficult, but be patient....and hey, support is what we deal in here. So when ya need some, come get some (I realize that kinda sounded like a pro wrestler's tag line, but you know what I mean)!

Awesome results, Chris!!

Welcome to LapBandtalk, Babygirl. There's a lot of stuff to wade through. Good luck on your journey!

When it comes to syndicated radio entertainment, there's nothing better than The Bob and Tom Show. I listen to it on my way home from work every morning.

Pretty cool! It sounds a little like a sitar to me (I totally mean that as a compliment).

Dr H is / was my doc. I don't find him difficult to talk to at all. He sometimes goes off on these tangents, but he's always answered all my questions.

Hey I wanna go to Mexacali too!! I'll sip las Margaritas whilest y'all take care of bidness.

Wow....that's some irony right there.

Great post, Jacqui. Did you find it on the internet?

You mean a hot and smart blonde conservative chick?!? Where? WHERE?

Wow, some of those pumpkins were extremely intricate!!

Mac, she was just hatin'......I think she's jealous.

I love Logic. They have delicious beverages. Cheap too, if you get in during happy hour. Oh wait...that's Sonic I was thinking of. I love Sonic. Logic, I'm kinda ambivalent about.

Eh, I might have exaggerated a bit....I don't really get sloshed @ Hooters anymore (in fact, I don't drink beer anymore, although sometimes I miss it). I was trying to think of the most boorish, sexist image available. Gotta reputation to uphold, don't ya know....

Then why is the reflux only at night? See, I'm not exactly disagreeing with you....could be band-related. On the other hand, it might not be. Really what use is there in consulting people on the internet, when this conversation could be held with a doc? I can totally see how having a band might make GERD a more urgent problem. What I have a little more problem seeing is the causal connection. I guess it boils down to this: In my opinion, if you are worried about some aspect of your health, talk to your doc. That's the person charged with keeping you healthy.

Woah, Denise....take a breath yourself. There are a lot of reasons for nighttime reflux (sleep disorders can be one) that have nothing to do with the band. Just because one person posted on the internet that they had "X" symptom and "Y" reason doesn't mean that there will be a correlation for you as well. Have you been talking to your doc about this? It would certainly be a good dialog to get started.

Notice I never said anything about the quality of the thoughts coursing through that brain. To satirize my favorite Fiber One commercial..."Numbers, yes. Politics, no". I had the exact same thought process RE: revision with the band. And hey....If it makes you feel better, just think of my creepy cartoon avitar watching you on the the day of surgery. Watching....watching....always watching. You're welcome!!

Sick.....calm down. I know it's a little stressful, but it's all good! Here are my thoughts: You need to decide if you really need WLS (Personally, I took a good, long, hard (no laughing at my choice of adjectives, plz) look and decided that I probably wouldn't lose the weight on my own). If you decide that you do, then you need to look at which type of surgery best fits your lifestyle, goals, and needs. I love my band, but I'd never tell anybody that my particular flavor trumps theirs (There are many paths to the prize). If I had a bad experience (with any WLS) and needed to revise, I wouldn't try to deter them from getting their choice, assuming they are going in to the surgery with eyes wide open (having done the research and homework). We should all make our own decisions, because we have to live with the results. There are pros and cons to every surgery. Every one. No WLS is 100% risk free. So don't let fear "drive the bus" so to speak. Of course you should evaluate potential risks, but really use that big ol' brain you have and think about it. Don't rely heavily on anecdotal evidence. You are very close....you have to be the one to decide.