Dody

We have loads of fast food places where I live, but the only Sonic is in Boise and I'm not about to drive 20 miles or so to go there. I don't like anything spicy so I wouldn't want chili fries anyway. The post was too funny. Hey, you can reward yourself with a sundae, but you got two rewards...now I ask you IS THAT FAIR?

My kids both built their own computers and my grandsons. My son-in-law designs video games and all the little people and graphics for them. They are both computer whizzes and my grandson who is 7 can play just about any game on there for his age group. He has his own Spiderman Computer that they built him. They also have a spare that they built a couple years ago that they are putting in the room I'm staying in. In their house computer access is not a problem. That is their enjoyment. They don't drink or smoke nor party. They do, however, love computers and they play each other in games from separate rooms. It actually seems to bring them closer. I would suggest to anyone that with the low cost of used computers that if you can you pick up your own and let the spouse complain then. I have Spyware and Zone Alarm on my computer and I think it has probably saved me a fortune. I wouldn't be without either one of them. I have the virus and firewall in Zone Alarm and think it is the best anti-viral/firewall out there. Actually, I know it it. I have read everything there is to read on it and have never in all the years I've had it had any sort of problem. It's a wise investment with all the bugs out there.

I think it is wonderful you are getting the band now. You will avoid so many health issues hopefully down the road. Good luck to you and your mom.

I think if you have weight and health issues at any age you should be allowed to be banded. The younger and healthier you are the better the process of healing goes. Teens are very resiliant and heal quickly. More parents should be 100% behind their teens. There are so many teen suicides and depressed and unhappy teens who are made fun of by their peers. Kids can be cruel, but then so can adults. I think banding at a young age is a wonderful thing. If I had a daughter with an obesity problem I would be 100% behind helping her, just as my kids are backing my decision and I'm surely no kid. It can give a teen a new life at a most vulnerable time in their lives. Peer pressure is horrible for young adults who want to fit in. Good luck to you teens on your journey.

I think the band can erode from stomach acids, etc. or ulcers. I don't think it is necessarily a case of over-eating. I know people who have stuck to the diet exactly and erosion happened. No one knows the answers. There are some doctors guessing that diabetics have more trouble, but absolutely no proof of what causes erosion. Right now it is just an opinion and you know what they say about opinions. There is no definitely reason the band erodes...it just happens in some people. Maybe too much acid in their system...who knows.

I would love to take my dogs for walks and go shopping at Wal-Mart without my feet and back killing me. I'm in the same position you are, and can't wait to get banded. I have aways to go too before I get everything in order. It isn't going as fast as I hoped, but I've been patient for a very long time clearing up an ulcer and soon I'll be visiting my kids in Tennessee....I can't wait to see them. Dogs are going too. Costs a fortune to take them, but I won't leave home without them. They go in carriers in compartments underneath especially heated and cooled for animals, but they charge almost as much as for a passenger. I think the best thing you can do to prepare is get the necessary ingredients you need for your Protein shakes etc. before hand and make sure you have loose clothing. I can't think of much more you can do to prepare. I know that is what I'm going to do. I'm going to buy Gas-X and some other things and Protein Shakes. I don't think you will get much excercise beforehand if you are hurting so I wouldn't worry about it. I think the time to get the exercise is after you are banded and feeling better....then maybe some of the pain in your back and feet will be gone.

As I've said in other posts, Neurosurgeons and Cardiologists think they sit in the right hand of God, and the rest of them are fighting for their spot on the left hand. I'm saying this as a retired nurse who dealth with doctors most of her life. There are some exceptions, but they are far and few between.

You need to follow your heart and do what you want. Just because you are married you are still two separate individuals. It sure would be nicer if he agreed with you on this, but I think if it's what you want then you go for it. It sounds like the rest of your family is behind you. I wish you luck. I agree with Susan that you have to emotionally support each other no matter what. It is a very important ingredient for a good marriage. I hope he is wise enough to know he is distancing himself from you by not going along with your wishes. I've been alone now for 10 years, but I have no doubt that my husband would have supported me 100% and if he didn't I would have done it anyway....probably why he would have just supported me to begin with. You are working and not dependent on him, so go for it. Follow your heart and your dreams on this one.

I don't think there is an age limit with parental consent. Teens today tend to be much more overweight, because they don't exercise like they did in the "olden days". We actually had PE in school and played games at recess...anyway I know a 15-year-old that was horribly depressed over her weight and got the band, so I have to say there isn't an age limit that I know of. Maybe different states have different rules...not sure.

I wouldn't be able to take a session of any sort that involved both lap banders and RNY's. They both have very different positions on things and those with RNY are very vocal about their choice, as well you should be about yours. Find yourself a support group for bandsters and not one that is mixed up with RNY patients. My friend that has RNY can never be far from a bathroom when we go someplace and also has told me about the horrible gas she passes...luckily I haven't been in her presence to experience it. She is very, very pale and used to be very healthy looking. I don't think she feels well, but she isn't about to tell me, because I'm getting the band and she raves about RNY. I don't think it's all it's cracked up to be honestly...she has lots of problems and tons of loose skin, plus she is fighting gaining it back. She has to eat a little something every few hours or she gets very faint, but they stick by their decisions. Most of them would have been lap banded had it been available at the time of RNY, so I think lots of what you hear is sour grapes.

Photo Nut can give you more info as she was banded here in Boise. There are only two dr's. here in this area that do the banding, a Dr. Cahn and a Dr. Anderson. The first step is attending a seminar to hear all the info on the band. Everyone has to do that and they will explain the procedure to it. It is done laparoscopically (much like a gallbladder surgery). You have some tests to go through first. I believe a psych eval and sleep study and a few other things. I have no idea if you insurance will cover it, because I don't know what type of insurance you have. I know people are having problems with Blue Cross and Blue Shield and they don't do Medicare patients. I would call one of their offices and find out where to call to set up the seminar. That would be your first step. I'm getting banded in Tennessee where my family is am leaving for there before long. Like I said I think Photo Nut can give you the rest of the info as she was banded right here in Boise. The band truly is major surgery (even though we don't like to think of it that way). They put a band around your tummy and a port to the left (or sometimes other places) that you get "fills" put into at different times. Don't take it lightly because like I said it is major surgery, but I think it is worth it, and obviously from the forum here most agree. Good luck on your journey.

I agree with you, I would pay to go see Chris in concert right this minute. Rumor has it that Constantine and Kellie are dating, so says the Enquirer. He was there last night, along with some other contestants. You can't believe everything you read in that magazine, but if they are all the best to a beautiful couple. I always liked Constantine. Patsy Cline was an icon of my generation and Kellie did her justice. Not sure what the above poster was listening to, but Kellie did a great job. Wheetsin, at the rehersals when they were trying out Simon made a remark about Mandisa that he hoped "they had a bigger stage this year". It hurt her feelings and when she faced the judges and was put through she told Simon how she felt in no uncertain terms. Kudos to her. Simon seems to like the women but not anyone the least bit overweight...which is probably why he's stuck on Kellie. As for Paula, I believe she was mixed up with that Cory kid and just bought her way out of it. I wonder often who her next victim will be. Her and her goosebumps are really getting to me too. She's one horny broad

There was no birth control pill when I was first married, just a diaphragm. Well, that just didn't seem to work and neither did finding the time to say hey wait a minute or 10 I have something to do first I have my own little basketball team of 5 girls, but it got me to thinking. My dad comes from a family of 16 children and my mom from a family of 9. There was a time when huge families were the norm. I had a neighbor before I moved that had 10 children (remember this is Mormon country) and they were the best behaved kids around....at least until they grew up and saw the world, and even then they've all turned out alright. Just got me thinking, my Grandma was 46 when she had her last one and she still never skipped a beat. That was in the day of no washers, dryers, or anything we take for granted today. God Bless our ancestors.

I think Bucky will be going home. Taking offense that anyone can sing Patsy Cline...it just ain't so. It's really tough to get just the right twang of the old country singers. Kelly knocked it out of the ballpark last night. Mandisa is awesome, but she isn't going to be the next American Idol I don't think. Chris is awesome, but of the girls I think Kellie is the very best. MePhee is OK, but she's no Kellie. Bye Bye Bucky!! I don't think Taylor is that far behind. He certainly won't be in the top two. I sang too long with a band to not realize pitch problems when I hear them. Taylor looks like he is convulsing on stage.....Paris is OK and so is Lisa, but much too young to have a real set of chops yet. I pick Kellie and Chris to be the final two. OUCH...don't slap me so hard. P.S. Elliott is awesome...he is going to slip right under the radar and be there at the end.....and I do believe Kellie is a country girl brought up by her Grandpa. I love her. She is sweet and wholesome, and Simon adores her, and he hasen't made a wrong pick yet. He picked Kelly Clarkson and he picked Carrie Underwood from the beginning, and I heard him the other night pick PICKLER to win it all. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

It's bad enough I'm going to have to give up my Dr. Pepper Diet Cherry Vanilla and my Diet Root Beer, but please don't take my coffee away. As for the hot sauce, what a brave soul you are. I cower at anything more than a mild sauce with Mexican food. Good luck.

When I saw chew and spit I immediately thought of my Dad who passed away at the age of 100. He chewed and spit tobacco all his life (from the time he was 9, would you believe that)? It is completely off topic, but just brought back some wonderful memories of Dad who constantly was drooling tobacco juice on his clothes in later years.:spider: and back to a serious topic.

I still get a nursing newsletter every mo., but I haven't read about this one, although I've been following one that is far from approved by the FDA and it will be several years maybe. It involves stapling through endoscopy, and I'm not at all sure how that would work. I haven't heard of a band that doesn't need adjusted and is permanent. Sorry.

The thread caught my eye. What a beautiful daughter you have. My daughter's nickname is Babygirl and that is what I call her most of the time....she is 12 years younger than any of her other siblings and is truly the baby even in her 20's. I'm so glad your daughter is able to get this procedure done when she is young and healthy and fit. God speed.

Jack, I enjoy your posts immensely. I hope you use your power of poetry often on your DW. I imagine you light up her day. You gift for prose amazes and delights me. Don't ever stop posting here...promise!! You are a diamond in the rough, and a very intelligent one too. You have a way with words that no one can compare to.:update: You are the BOMB.

I had my first child at 19 and my 5 child (all girls) at age 40. Wouldn't trade a minute of it.

I'm looking forward to leaving Idaho and going to Tennessee for a few mo. or more. I despise this place and have ever since I ended up here years ago in the Air Force. I've been stuck in one spot and when my son-in-law finishes up college (he designs video games) and also works as a nurse, and they move probably to Seattle I'm right with them. What I'm sorry about is that you are giving up school, but I know you haven't been feeling well. I hope things get better for you, but leaving Idaho can't be a bad thing. It is nothing but desert except for the northern part and Pokey town isn't in the north. I like it better up around Moscow and places like that. Good luck to you and I hope things turn out well for you. Wish I was waving goodbye permanently to Idaho...it so sucks, and Tennessee is so gorgeous. My daughters house is in the middle of tall pine trees and deer come right up in the back yard to the salt lick. The mountains they rave about in Idaho are a 40 mi. drive and I don't find them spectacular at all.....Take care.

Personally I would never consider gastric bypass, because of the dumping syndrome and malabsorbtion issues, but it has to be your choice what you want. I don't want my intestines re-routed and the band gives me that option. This is a very personal decision you have to make for yourself. No one else can do it for you. Read all you can on both procedures, but I think in the long run you will choose the safest one which is the band. Everyone doesn't have more than one surgery. A lot of people never come to the forum and are out there very contently living life with their bands. Others like to keep in touch with one another how they are doing, and yes those that have problems come here to ask questions and get answers. It is a support forum as well as just general talk about the band. There are issues with the band of course. There is always port infection, slippage, or erosion, but I think the majority of people would tell you if they had to do it again they would choose the band. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think most people would....anyway best of luck to you whatever you choose.

WHAT IS A JOURNAL? :guess :eek:

Clinical depression is very real, and often there isn't a magic pill to pull you out of it. If you are depressed for no reason that you can think of, and your life is going well, but you are still depressed you probably can be helped a great deal by medication. With me....well it's a long story starting with the loss of my Mom who was my best friend, followed by a tragic car accident that took my husband's life at the age of 49, and the following year a horrible car accident that killed my daughter's boyfriend and left her in intensive care. I was in the deepest, darkest pit that existed. A pill just wouldn't help....and then I lost my Dad. I didn't think I could go on any longer, but the Lord had more in store for me, which involved a heart attack (I can't even imagine what kind of stress I had to cause that). I was living on cigarettes, coffee and working around the clock to try and keep my mind on everything but me. During my open heart surgery I literally died on the table for about 10 minutes during which time I actually saw the other side. I saw and touched the hand of God and it's something I will never forget. I saw my Mom and husband just as happy as they could be. My Mom who suffered from and died from congestive heart failure looked well and happy. I guess that is when I woke up and really, really let my faith in God take over. I always believed in a higher power, but I guess I had a few doubts. I have no doubts anymore. I am positive of what I saw and what lays ahead and from that day on I've done wonderfully controlling my depression. In that depressed state I had gained close to 100 pounds (how could I not notice) and now it's time to turn that around too. Hey I just wrote you guys a book didn't I??? Sorry I got carried away. God does that to me sometimes. I figure God had other plans for me when he allowed me to live and witness the birth of 3 more wonderful grandchildren. I still experience some days when I'm a little down and lonely, but that's when I have private conversations with God and the answers always come to me and I'm fine again.

It was slooooooooooooooooooow before DeCarla even posted the pictures. I wonder how long it took her to get them on here.