Dody

That came as a huge surprise. I figured Kathryn maybe. I really didn't think Mandisa would go all the way, but I thought she would go lots further than she did. It's getting down to eliminating people we all like now and that's rough. Still think it will be Kellie and Chris in the showdown and I'll be shocked if it isn't.

Over the years I've tried most every protein bar out there and they range from yuck to agggggggggg. Seriously, I have tried them all. The other day I saw and purchased for the first time a box of South Beach Diet Protein Bars. I got the chocolate/peanut butter, but they also come in plain chocolate and vanilla. YUM, what an experience after all the yucky protein bars. These have crunchy tops and what looks like pure chocolate on the bottom. They were soooooooooo fresh. It was like eating a candy bar to me, and much better than drinking a protein drink. I got that crunchy taste I love and I would recommend anyone to try these. They have 220 calories and are delicious. Just thought I would tell those of you that require that crunchy taste that these sure do the trick. I'm looking forward to another one today..........Try Them, you'll love them!!

You've emerged through the other side, and Thank God huh. You are now able to give some terrific advice to people going through the same things you did. You stay strong girl, and I'm soooooooooo glad you are feeling better. You had me worried for awhile there.

Most definitely keeping all in my prayers. I lost a best friend to what started as breast cancer and ended up becoming brain cancer. It is just such a horrible thing for a family to go through. My prayers go out to all of you.

All the packing is making me nervous. Not sure what to bring...hopefully some smaller clothes I know as most women I have overpacked and won't wear half of what is in there. I'm looking forward to the trip but not the preparation and not the lay-overs, but the end result of seeing my kids will be worth it. I'm also taking my dog, and I always worry about him. He is like my baby. Anyway thanks for the well wishes. I sure do appreciate them.

Sorry, Missy, I calls them like I see them. (I love Nashville Star, watched that last night too). Wynonna is the host of that show. I like it as well or better than American Idol. It's on USA channel. Anyway, sorry if you think Chris is good looking. I guess it's all in the eyes of the beholder. I just find him nothing to look at compared to Ace. Kellie should have set her sites on Ace, but then I guess I live in la la land cause I haven't seen Kellie cozying up to Chris. Didn't mean to be harsh....Chris has a good voice and did a good job last night for being so far from her genre. Kellie rocked the house with Fancy just like I figured she was. She was right in her element. Who is going home is truly tough, but I won't be surprised to see Taylor in the bottom 3 tonight, although I don't think he will get eliminated. I just really think Bucky's time is limited....not sure why. Elliott, who has a great voice, was sooooooooooo nervous last night but sang one of my favorite songs. It's getting down to being hard to eliminate anyone. We are pretty much left with good singers, although I don't care for Kathryn either, and think she could be hitting the bottom 3. Simon flat out doesn't like country music...so I don't take his criticism much to heart. If it ain't country it ain't music where I come from. Anyway, it's going to be said definitely to see any of them go.

You are in my thoughts each and every day waiting for this big event...selfish cause I'm looking for you to help guide me through the first rough days. There's a method to my madness!! In all seriousness I will be thinking about you all day and sending out prayers for you. As soon as you are able please PM me and let me know how you are. I'd appreciate that. I know you will do just fine, and the cupboards are surely stocked well it seems. You are right on the ball. Good luck and lots of prayers going out to you. Packing for this trip to Tennessee, along with the thoughts of seeing the surgeon and hoping he approves me just fine with all my paperwork, have me more nervous then when I had open-heart surgery.

When you know what they are going to say before they say it, and when you finish their sentences for them...well that's your soulmate. Hang onto them.

Now that's been around a long, long time. I took it in the 80's. I was up all night doing housework-BLAH...could'nt sleep, dry mouth, talking a mile a minute and driving everyone nuts with my cleaning. I did lose 70 lbs. on it, but as always with any diet I gained it back. It was mostly the sleeplessness that bothered me. Now, I could use it occasionally to clean this place, but can't take it because of my heart....wow that would cause major arrhythmias.

Thanks to all of you. It's late at night and I'm not asleep yet, but feeling better. I want to thank you all for your support. I do know I always have God to turn too and for that I'm thankful. He is one person I can always count on....and this forum is wonderful. Most of you are wonderful, caring human beings not only when it comes to banding but when it comes to personal issues. Thanks so much for your support. I'll be leaving on Monday, and yeh I have to admit my heart is in Tennessee. I just wish I didn't own a home here, and that my son-in-law wasn't so up in the air about where he is going when finished with college, otherwise I would be there all the time. I'm going to enjoy the summer with them. I had to change plans and missed that Bristol race darn it, but I would have rather seen the one this week 3 Loves when Smoke won. My daughter and son-in-law took his mother with them. She likes Dale Jarrett so that's cool too. He's a good guy. Anyway, thank you all for always being there. When I get to Tennesee I'll let you all know if I can steal one of those computers from my kids. I'm so anxious to see them. I step off that plane in Knoxville and I feel like I'm home where I belong.

If ABC was premature in their report then I am happy and tomorrow will be stocking up big time. That's pretty stupid "people have complained it gives them stomach pain"....well let the people who get the pains quit taking the Splenda, but don't make all of us who have no problems suffer for a few. I hope the report was wrong. This is rediculous.

I've thought I had this grief under control for so very long, but tonight it just came rushing back in one short hr. I haven't seen Kenny in a very long time, but when I did I realized just what my husband would look like today. It was kind of an omen when two singers sang songs that were so popular 10 years ago and touched such raw nerves. It's been a long time since I was over-whelmed like that, and maybe part of it is going through this surgery without him there for support. The good part is I will have my daughter. I'm very glad I made the decision to go to Tennessee to be with my family rather than stay home and do this on my own. I'm extremely disappointed with my dr. also for not refilling my meds for me when I'm going away on a trip, but she has been a little put-out lately about having to take care of me after lap banding which she knows nothing about. She has voiced her concern more than once that she wouldn't know what to do. I'm not sure when I come back here what to do either, and I will come home eventually, but I think as a good dr. she should probably order an upper Gi.I. or endoscopy and if something is really wrong I will fly back to Tennesee. I think it's her way of telling me perhaps she doesn't want to go this route with me, and that makes me sad too. She did write me a nice letter, but I had to ask several times. I think she is doubting her abilities when I come home to give me the proper care and doesn't want the responsibility. I guess maybe for her sake and mine when I come home I should find a different doctor, one that is comfortable with me having the band. There is just a lot to deal with right now. I'm trying to pack to leave on Monday, and don't have a clue what I'm packing, but some big clothes, some inbetween clothes, and I don't know I even threw in a couple of "I hope I fit into these clothes". I don't know where this journey will take me, but I know one thing. This forum will always be here for me and I thank you all for that.

Perhaps he was sending me a sign. It was kind of a very inspirational moment for me. Seeing Kenny Rogers and then hearing those two songs just tore me up, but I think now I can see that maybe that's how it was meant to be and perhaps I should look on the bright side of it. Thanks you guys, it means a lot. Kenny Rogers is a hunk and so was my man. I was so very proud of him and his kindness.

Because you went to Mexico to have your band placed you didn't have any of the tests required in the states. I have a heart condition and suffer from the symptoms you describe, but I'm not even banded yet. You could have had a problem going into the surgery, as heart palpitations are certainly not a common side-effect of banding. I've never heard of this happening before. Have your seen your GP about your heart? Get an EKG taken...have some tests run. I have had to have all types of pre-op testing for the past 6 mo. in order to get approved for the band, and lots and lots of tests on my heart. I am a heart bypass patient. Even with the bypass, it doesn't fix anything having to do with the electrical components of the heart, so I still suffer from irregular beats and arrhythmias. I think that is what is happening to you, and I don't think it has anything to do with the band itself. You need to get yourself checked out. I'm not sure how many calories you should be taking in a day, because I haven't seen the nutritionist or band surgeon yet, but I'm sure someone here can help you with that. It doesn't seem like many calories to me. If you are truly afraid for your life you need to run not walk to the nearest ER with your symptoms. Good luck to you.

It was on ABC News here tonight. Quite a spiel about it being pulled from the shelves. They didn't mention what caused the product to be pulled, except there were what they described as "severe" problems with it. I'm wondering now what they do about all of the things on the market that are sweetened with Splenda. I'm sure you will hear more about it. If it was on National TV it has to be the truth.

There are a lot of good low carb 6 in. subs at Subway. Just look at that Jared and all the weight he lost on Subway. I'm not saying make it a daily thing, but a good 6 in. sub with lots of Protein and no carbs wouldn't hurt once in awhile. I think we sabbotage our eating, not the band. I don't think the band can hurt your immune system. I think it has to be about what we choose to eat. So sorry you haven't been feeling well. Have you had some blood work run? That would tell them how your immune system is doing and a lot of other things. Even a bladder infection can make you feel really run down. Take care of yourself....and maybe think about another doctor.

I really truly think you are looking at the top two in the competition, and at the end they will be going against each other for American Idol. Chris is extremely talented; Kellie is more at home in the Country element; but last yr. Carrie Underwood was definitely Country and walked away with it. Simon stated on Jay Leno he though Kellie was far cuter than last year's winner. I personally can't see it. I thought and still think Carrie Underwood is really pretty. Kellie is a cutie alright, but I sure don't think Simon should have made the comparison, nor do I think he should state who he thinks will be there at the end while the competion is still on. I like Mandisa, but I just don't think she is going to make it. I really don't. She is more of a gospel singer, and a darned good one, but I don't see her as the American Idol. Who the heck is dressing that girl...she doesn't have the body for jeans. I wouldn't think of wearing jeans with my body for sure, for sure. I am, however, looking forward to banding and being able to wear those neat jeans one of these days, but today isn't the day. I hope Chris being a family man goes a long way. Both Kellie and Chris will go far I think. Look at Clay Aiken,,,,runner up and the far bigger star. No one hears of Ruben Studdard anymore. Lots of things Ruben can't do because he has heart problems now and can't have weight loss surgery like he wants. I know how he feels, I had to go through by-pass and wait years before I could even get approved for banding, so I feel for him. His mama feeds them boys toooooooooooo good!! Anyway, in all seriousness, I think Kellie and Chris are going to the end, and I don't think Chris is anything to look at, but he has a fantastic voice, and hey if you can sing in this world you can get about anybody you want. Chicken Little was on Regis and Kelly, and today on Ellen. He is certainly making the rounds...unfortunately not getting any better though :ban:

We don't all like the same drivers for sure. I'm just not crazy about Girly Gordon and the way he constantly cheated on his beautiful wife. I can't stand the little squirt, but then I don't like "elf ears" (Kurt Busch) either. Hey, like who you like. I love Stewart and not afraid to say so. He says it like it is and he stands behind it. "Smoke Em" Baby!!

Chris can sing...big deal. Why would someone as beautiful as Kelly want an old bald headed, nothing to look at guy, with a wife and kids. I think you guys are imagining things. Now if you tell me she is hot for Ace, I'd buy that in a minute. Kellie has a fantastic body. She could have most anyone she wanted...and I sure don't think someone that looks like Chris would be her type. His looks turn me off completely.

I would die for Kellie's body. Do I see a little bit of jealousy on this thread :ban: She really should have her eye on Ace...he's the hottie. Don't worry about Chris. He is very happy with his wife and kids.

Your hubby doesn't deserve you either heavy or skinny. You can get rid of about 175 lbs. easily (give or take a few lbs.) by getting rid of him!!

Cinnamon? Did you get those on the cereal aisle. I think those are the small ones, but I'm not sure. The ones I'm talking about only come in 3 flavors...chocolate/peanut butter, chocolate and vanilla. They are big and they are 210 calories. I don't know anything about the cinnamon ones, but I'm so sorry they gave you an upset stomach. They must make another bar too. I found these over with the diet products and not on the cereal aisle.

You stated you have very serious health issues. I have no idea what they are, but I have serious issues of my own. I've had 5-way-bypass heart surgery and cannot have RNY if I wanted it (which I don't). My doctors would not allow it. I'm curious as to your health issues, because whether we like to believe it or not RNY is a very complicated and serious surgery and you should be up to it. If your weight is the major problem and it has to come off quickly, than that decision has to be yours. I just wondered what you are facing, because RNY isn't for everyone.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Loved the race, but then I'm a huge "Smoke" fan. He stayed cool and prevailed. I love to watch him climb the fence after the race. It's getting to be his trademark, although he did say one day "I'm getting too dam fat to be climbing fences". He needs to stay out of McDonalds, but he's still a cutie. Loved seeing him win.