rodeomom06

Dear Ghost, I am 5'3 and weigh 174 lbs which is alot better than what I weighed a year ago. I am also in the same predicament. I wear a size 10 but know I could wear a size 8 if I could have the tummy tuck. I just don't know if I need to have it now or when I lose the other 25 lbs I want to lose. I think it's awsome you are having this done. Good Luck.

This was sent to me, think it says it all............. if this is really true, then why would anyone vote for less ? ? ? ? Dark and best kept secrets about Our Social Security. Many years ago in Seattle, two wonderful neighbors, Elliott and Patty Roosevelt came to my home to swim on a regular basis. They were a great couple full of laughter and stories that today I continue to marvel at. Both are now deceased, but their stories remain. During the years of our friendship we had many, many discussions about Elliott's parents (President Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt) and how his father and mother never intended for the Social Security and Welfare programs to turn out the way they are today. Elliott used to say that if his parents returned to earth and saw what the politicians had done to their programs they would have burned all of them in hell. Here is a story I received today regarding the Social Security Program and I immediately thought of Elliott's comments. I Hope you will read this and think about it. _____________________________________________ Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised: 1.) That participation in the Program would be completely voluntary, 2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their annual incomes into the Program, 3.) That the money the participants elected to put into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year, 4.) That the money the participants put into the independent "Trust Fund" rather than into the General operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other Government program, and, 5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed as income ------------------------------------------------------------------- Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to "put away" -- you may be interested in the following: ------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the independent "Trust Fund" and put it into the General fund so that Congress could spend it? A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically controlled House and Senate. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding? A: The Democratic Party.. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities???? A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the "tie-breaking" deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US . ------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Which Political Party decided to start giving annuity payments to immigrants? This is MY FAVORITE: A: That's right! Jimmy Carter! And the Democratic Party of course! Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democratic Party gave these payments to them, even though they never paid a dime into it! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Then, after doing all this lying and thieving and violating of the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away! And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!

What just blows my mind is everyone was far this war after 911 and now that everything is looking better and nothing has happened in about 6 years everyone thinks it's a bad thing. What's the deal. Does no one remember everything this country went through????? God always has a way of reminding us that we are mer humans and our fate is in his hands. I don't know how you can expect everything to go right in this country when you are taking GOD out of everything, put him back and see what happens!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am from Texas and I am very proud that George W Bush is from my state. Everything gets laid off on him when the big picture is everything is done by congress. I guess everyone need a scapegoat. I have met this man and he is a very nice and very christian oriented person. He has never intentionally killed anyone. If these people who are in the military never intended to die for their contry why did they sign up. I have talked to alot of military people and they are all behind finishing this war. If they don't then everyone has died in vein. I feel like if you can't stand behind our military, feel free to stand in front of them.

I lost approx. 45 lbs at my six month anniversary. I was kinda dissapointed but later I found out that I was drinking a protein shake in the mornings because fuood was had to get down. That protein shake kept me from losing weight. It has an ingredient in it that wont stop you from losing weight at first but will over time. I just started eating breakfast. I eat 4 or 5 shredded mini wheats. The nurse told me it won't hurt to eat with just enough milk to wet the cereal. I eat that every morning and it also gives me my fiber for the day. When I stopped drinking the drinks, I started to lose again. I have lost 60 lbs and it has been 8 months. I finally reached a short term goal I had. I am below 200lbs and I haven't been there in 16 years. I hope you do great but don't expect to lose fast consistently. It slows down after about four months.

I was very pleased with Dr. Spivak. He has a great bedside manner and is very supportive of everything. I paid cash and it cost me 15,000 dollars and onw thing he does that I think is great is that includes one year of fills as often as needed and he backs you so much that he says as more inspiration to lose the weight he will give you the second year free is you meet half your goal weight in one year. It doesn't get much better than that. I got very nervous about 10 minutes before my surgery and started to cry. He came in and was so understanding. He told me how he would not let anything happen to me. I needed that. As far as I'm concerned there is no choice. Dr. Spivak is the BEST.....

I ate the whole kitchen before my first fill. It gets better afterwards. Believe me it works. The only thing is they told me that the first fill can absorbe into the band so I had to have another about 3 and 1/2 weeks later, but haven't had one since which has been about 4 months. I was told that is how you know you need a fill. You feel hungary even if you have eaten. GOOD LUCK..........

I don't know where you are from but I had my surgery done in Houston and my doctor (Dr. Spivak) did free siminars. You go to the siminar and if you want to you see the Doctor or you can leave.

You got it patty103. I went for my first fill last Thursday. I met alot of nice people but some were gripping about not losing weight or not enough weight. As I sat there waiting I listened to them talk and most of them were eating poboy sandwiches(which I don't eat any bread)and drinking carbonated drinks which are a no-no. I wanted to say " how do you expect to lose weight that way"? It's just a tool but a wonderful one. You just have to have fought the weight battle long enough to decide that you are going to do this because if you are like me nothing else would work. I will never regret my decision to do this it's the best thing I have ever done for myself the only regret is I didn't do it sooner.:faint:

Hey, you know the ad for NIKE...You just have to do it. I was nervous too but once you get to the consultation and see the people who have lost the weight. It will all change. I had my surgery in June 06 and I have lost 25 lbs in 6 weeks. It's the best thing I ever did for myself.I am 38 and also weighed 255lbs with 3 kids. I just looked at it as saving my life to see my children grow up and my grandbabies to come in the future. JUST DO IT>>>>> good Luck.

I'm gonna ask how you know you need a fill. I have gone from eating one egg every morning to two and I'm not sure if that's to much. I haven't lost but one pound this week and i'm kinda worried if i'm eating too much. Can someone help me? When I snack, I snack on boiled eggs and can eat two, is that too much. I was just banded on June 19th 06 and I only eat three meals a day but I eat one snack. I just don't know? HELP!!!!

TinaH, I also am having the head hunger problem...I just want to eat because I want to eat... or it taste good. I am also 3 weeks post-op. I hope it goes away...I try to eat good healthy foods and drink low sugar and no cal drinks. It sure is hard though. I am not from Houston but I live about 2 hours from there but I did have my surgery done in Houston. Well, I hope things just go up from here....Good luck!!

Hey, I see you're from Houston....I had a great doctor who did my breast reduction there in Houston. I don't live there but i don't use the doctors in my little town either. I went to Dr. Shusterman in Houston. He was great and his staff were wonderful. I went from a 42 H to a 42 D and I am loving it. I did it 3 years ago before I had the lap band done. Anyway they were all great.

I would like to talk to someone about how much weight you normally lose. I have been banded for 2 weeks and 4 days and have ost 15.8 pounds. I lost most of that in the first 10 days. Since then it has been about a pound every 2-3 days. Is this normal or am I eating too much? Can someone answer my question?:phanvan

Thanks for the encouragement. I guess since I have moved up to soft foods I am getting more in my stomach. I guess I am trying to move too fast. I have been big all my life and I finally have a way to take it off and I just want to hurry.... I still want foods that taste really good. Of course it's only because my mind and taste buds still want it. I am not hungry. I have a friend who had gastric bypass and he told my husband that those cravings would go away in about three to four months. I hope they go away soon.....