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I went to New Orleans just a few months out of surgery. I lived on shrimp there! Acme Oyster House was a big favorite with the group I was with. I wasn't partaking in copious amounts of alcohol that trip so I tried to find other things to do. So I signed up for a haunted history tour. It was fun and incorporated my new active lifestyle into my love of history and ghosts!

Sorry for the late update but I am now at 145.5 and officially only 15 pounds away from goal. I've started dating again this past week which has been interesting. Definitely need to watch my alcohol intake and make sure I'm getting enough Water. Protein is good, but I also started to see some hair shedding for the first time this week which has freaked me out more than I can even say. Hoping it doesn't get any more dramatic and goes away soon!! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am kind of dreading my appt with Dr. C today. I've been doing great until this last month. I didn't get a fill last month and he even threatened to do an unfill because I was getting stuck a lot. I was comfortable enough and asked him to leave me where I was. Since then however, I have gotten to where I can eat quite a bit and I get very hungry between meals. I've also been doing a LOT of socializing, especially drinking alcohol. Lots of empty calories. So, I have barely lost anything since my appt last month. I have recommitted myself and am going to ask for a fill today. I'm going back to less than 30 gms of carbs a day (I've also been sneaking in more of those) and hit the gym more often. I've basically been consuming like I probably would when I'm at maintenance instead of what I should be consuming while trying to lose, so I need to get back on the wagon and lose my remaining 24 lbs I need to get to goal. Another concern I've been having is hair loss. It has gotten really bad the past couple of months and I'm actually seeing thin spots where I can see my scalp. I'm going to talk to him about that today as well. Hope everyone else is continuing to do well!

I had an uncle years ago who was an alcoholic. When he finally decided to stop drinking, he started gambling. He actually became a bookie and would sit in front of 4 TVs watching all the games with a bank of telephones (this was pre-cell phone days). He use to brag how he wasnt truly an alcoholic because he was able to give it up. Even at my early age I recall thinking he didnt give up anything, he simply switched vices. food has been my vice for years. All of my family is slim, but most have alcohol or drug addiction issues. Mine was always food. It has worried me some that I might just pick up a different vice, rather than truly give up over eating. Luckily so far I have been able to control my behavior and exercise (at least for now) seems to be my drug of choice. Has anyone else had any issues with picking up another bad vice post obesity surgery?

Which just goes to prove that food is an addiction. Alcoholism, obesity, gambling, smoking, etc. run through my family. I have one uncle who didn't have any of the above but he was obsessive about his diet and exercise. He ended up in therapy where he learned that, in his case, it was also an addiction. He still runs in marathons and still enjoys working out, but there is a balance in his life now. Any compulsive behavior taken to extremes is a problem. I belong to several WLS lists although this is the only one I actively participate in and there are always a few people who very obviously have traded their food addiction for an addiction to physical exercise. Some would say it's the better trade, but an addiction is still an addiction. The key is 'balance'...in our eating and in our life. .

SeattleSue - you are so right! I am a carb addict. They were my comfort food - big time. It is best if I just don't indulge in white carbs (bread, Pasta, potatoes, rice, most crackers) and absolutely no junk carbs (chips of any kind). It is like asking an alcoholic to drink reasonably. I am still recording every thing I eat. It took a long time before I was ready to take the training wheels off the bicycle when I was a little girl, it's going to take a long time before I feel in control enough to quit writing down everything that goes into my mouth. Good luck to you ASBGirl - both with your sleeve and your horse endeavors!

well, I agree with all the above.. I was married to an alcoholic and I enabled him to continue to be for 10 years. Finally broke free of that! Yours sounds a lot like mine... giving orders and such. If he wants a divorce, let him file it. Why should you take on all the stress of that, meeting with lawyers, paying for it and so on while he sits back and just signs his name when you are done doing ALL the work. Screw that. Let him do it and you sit back and sign when you agree to everything. Thats what I say... Dont let him keep ordering you around... you dont owe him sh*t.

I'm 47 and all I can say is I do it ALL as a postop. Most of the time, I eat what I like in very small quantities. Beer with dinner? Errr... no. Can't do that anymore, but get drunk with my friends, ya, occasionally. I almost always REGRET it afterwards and I'm a bit of a "light weight" (literally) now, but alcohol is not a problem in general. I DO have to work it in around food since eating\drinking together are a no no. It makes me uncomfortable, so I just don't anymore. The calories... are a different story and will still catch up with me if I indulge too often. I HAVE made major changes, do get that wrong. I exercise regularly now, make sure I get my 70+g Protein, all supplements and weigh once per week, (no more). I can't over eat anymore period. If I eat too much sugar, (it has to be WAY too much), I'll dump painfully, (just not worth it). My relationship with food is forever changed. So you don't have to change EVERYTHING, but everything will change if you hope to be successful. I'm definitely NOT sorry I did this and wish it was available when I was in MY 20's. Maybe I would't be trying to relive them now!

I have the most amazing friend. She was so excited and open and told everyone about her decision to get her sleeve. It was because of her courage and strength that I have decided to embark on my own journey. I will be meeting with the surgeon in a few weeks and I am so excited, ready to embark on the road to a healthier me. I even found out my insurance does cover it!!! That said the one thing that I have struggled with is deciding if I was going to tell everyone or not. My husband is very supportive and so is my awesome friend, but after a lot of thought I have decided I am not telling anyone, with the exception of some friends and anyone I meet or know that is struggling with obesity themselves. My MIL is a nurse and she will not be supportive and I know she will say I need to do it on my own as she did 30 years ago. When I mentioned my friend having surgery all she said was "well...you have to be careful so many of them become alcoholics, or shopping addicts, I see them all the time at work" . Mind you I wasn't saying I was thinking about it or anything. She also talks about everything and everyone, not in a harmful way at all, she is not mean spirited, but is always talking about various peoples health and medical issues ect. After discussing this with my husband I have decided to not tell my in laws or anyone in his family. This is a very personal choice and I feel I want to keep it private. I wish I too could scream it from the mountain tops like my friend, but I fear that any form of negativity will keep me from being successful. Am I a coward??? :confused5:

You came to the right place! I had the lapband put in back in 2009 and removed Feb 2020. I was heavier when the band came out then when it went in. I am at a cross-roads now. I want wls, but am self-pay and too chicken to go to Mexico where all of the surgeries are more cost efficient. Below is my experience. Mt. Dew was my down-fall!! When I had the band, dark soda's tasted weird to me (thankfully) until I discovered Mt. Dew and that I could drink it (tasted super yummy and I could drink it without it hurting - darks hurt my throat). I have been able to work myself off of the dew 3 times. The first time I was completely soda free (Mt. Dew/7up) for over a year. The last time I got off of it- I did it in stages. I bought a soda stream. Once I got that, and I started with strong flavor of ginger-ale, but then got to where I was making green tea soda and carbonated water with natural fruit flavors. Now - I have been 2 months without any carbonation at all. I started with heavier flavors and more bubbles, and each week lowered the intensity of both. I have been reading and leaning on this website for support and strength! There are AMAZING FOLKS here!! I still don't know what I will do as for wls. The last day or so I have been contemplating trying to follow the bariatric/wls way of eating just without the surgery. Odds are totally against me being able to do this. But I had started a couple of weeks ago trying to change 2 of my meals to the thick protein and a small real food meal, heavy in protein and above-ground vegetables and a crap ton of water. The surgeon I was initially working with gave me diet plan for the month before surgery, and 2 weeks of clear liquid diet before surgery (this is the clear liquids with 3-4 thick protein shakes - powder protein of 30g or more in only 2-3 oz water). I was using this month before stage to get my head in the right place for the clear liquid time... I can't manage the 3oz of water in the protein powder but I have worked myself down to 4 oz. I am up to 50-60oz of water/clear liquid a day (the goal was 80). I am no longer having the surgery as planned.... but even though I was so disappointed... I gain hope and support from reading the posts on this site!!! Reading others who are in your same situation, many folks reply to do the pouch rest (I may have the wording/spelling wrong) but go back and start with the food plan after surgery. Not for as long because you don't have to wait for anything to heal but .... back the the protein shakes, water, and high protein foods... and try limiting sugars. I am sure that others will reply in time to your thread who can help more and know more about the "reset". Or... look through some of the threads here and you will find others!!! I just wanted to reach out because I know first hand how hard it is to kick Mt. Dew. I swear it was harder for me to kick the Dew then it was to give up alcohol (and at one point I did like my hard liquor so that says a lot)! Good luck!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!! The mountain always look bigger before you take the first step. - and YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Dump the sugar and simple carb laden foods, no soda, alcohol, added sugar, etc and then add some exercise. Do all that first if you have not already done that. I made all those significant small changes first, then went harder. The week I attended the seminar I ditched the diet coke, done. Then let go of pasta, rice, any bread except rye and then only one piece toasted once a day, etc. These changes are pretty much permanent. To go hardcore to get to your most important goal - which is surgery scheduled - you may need to go lean protein and vegetables sooner - which is the lifestyle we all have after surgery anyway. You don't need the shake routine until your doc says do the shake routine, unless for you that seems easier. Me - I would rather have tuna or chicken than a shake. Good luck.

My date is October 5th too. My surgeon and NUT are anti-Protein shakes so I am supposed to just keep doing the pre-op plan (3 high-protein meals/day, low carbs, no sugar/caffeine/alcohol) through 6pm the day before surgery.

I' ready to be able to put some cream on them, too. I've been washing them with dial soap, and they look great (no infection) they are just really dry and itchy now. How did you get the sticky goo off your skin from the steristrips? Someone mentioned alcohol - but NO WAY! That would burn, I still have a few small scabby spots, and 1 place where I put a bandaid to keep my bra from rubbing and the band aid pulled all my skin off with it.

Hey Jennifer... I am getting banded tomorrow, but I know about steri strips...lol.. you do not want to remove them. The main thing is make sure the site is completely healed..no opening in the skin...it sounds like they are already in the process of falling off... They usually come off on thier own..10 days..You can trim the curled edges off..I wouldn't take them off because you risk seperating the newly healed skin..only if your doctor recomends..As far as the sticky stuff, once your site heals..you can use rubbing alcohol to remove it..but make sure you are healed...it would burn...lol. Hope this helps..

Request a Rx for Mycolog Nystatin OINTMENT-no cream. The cream is scented=alcohol. My gyn prescribed it for me. Works great!

so yeah there are the calories to consider but like you said it's very rarely that you are doing this BUT here is my thing!! after 9 lemon drops one night I found myself SICK BEYOND belief! and I began puking violently! sorry groose- and puking with the band SUCKS!! it really hurts! so just dont drink to the point of puking- oh and another time I didn't drink quite as much but you know when you are at that place where you are like UGG if I could just puke I'd feel so much better! well I couldnt puke thanks to my band keeping everything down and I had to sweat it out literally for hours until my body worked out all the alcohol and it sucked! cheers!

I am 6 months post op and had my first drink 3 months post-op. Yes, it does hit you faster, but it certainly wears off faster too. I can have two vodka drinks and feel pretty tipsy, but one hour later I am stone cold sober. My surgeon said the biggest concern with alcohol is the empty calories and transfer addiction. I am pretty much a weekend drinker and I haven't had to change my lifestyle much, I just had to give it up for a while. I do stay away from beer though because of the carbonation, and obviously sugary drinks are too high calorie.

Ok, so sorry you are going through this and have to live with it. The worst thing in my opinion is always being on a level of pain where you can't sleep, move, etc. But here's where I probably won't be popular, and I can only give you my story. And everyone is SO different and lives a different pain history. In short, I have osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, cervical stenosis and sacral stenosis, bone spurs on my spine, hips, joints. etc, etc, chronic bursitis in both hips, a 50% ACL tear, and neuralgia 360 around my chest extending 8 inches + neuralgia in my hands/feet from hand/foot syndrome during chemo. And in addition I'm a stage 3c BC survivor on Femara (a drug that causes even more bone and joint pain). I've been on opiod pills, neurontin, tramadol, flexeril, nsaids, tylenol, pain patches, pain gels, cortisone shots to the joints. Oh and now I have a Parkinsonian trimmer in my head and hands from the radiation/chemo--so it causes constant muscle tension cuz I trie to keep my head/hands/shoulders from shaking deep inside my body. I used to not be able to sleep longer than 1-2 hours at a time before waking from pain and unintentional movement. I still sleep in a recliner. And every day I woke, I'd wake in at least a 6-7 pain level. I would not medicate until it was an 8+ to 10 cuz I hated the side effects of the drugs. And now that I had surgery, most of that or a lot of that is off the table. Here is what finally helped me. 1. Adjusting my diet to be as clean as possible. (Every time I eat beef or pork, I wake the next morning 20 years older... Every time I have carby carbs like grains--pain so bad I feel 80 years old. Every time I drink any kind of alcohol other than a little red wine--pain like cray. Cheese and dairy is the same way unless it's very very small amounts of reduced fat or fat free dairy.) 2. Started doing severe calorie restriction, then IF and that reduced the pain ENORMOUSLY! Like...magically. 3. Lose weight. I think my doc gave me some number like: for every 15% of body weight you lose, you reduce your pain level by 20-30%? 4. Get PT and then do the frickin core strengthening exercises religiously. (I'm slacking on this! But I can tell when I do them and when I don't. The difference in pain level is a magnitude of 10 with v. without.) 5. Walk daily. Daily. Even when I don't feel like it. Even when it hurts. By the time I'm done, it always hurts less. The best thing I've done is lose the weight. I can do things now without pain meds that I never thought I could or would be able to do. My goal is to get to 125-130lbs to take off as much extra stress as possible and improve my pain level as much as I can. I think the pain meds caused a continual cycle of spring-back pain (forget the name of it). So it was like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Because I medicated, I would have more pain at the end of the cycle and need to take more meds. And because I medicated, I'd built up a tolerance and needed more and more meds to help. Now if I absolutely must have one, it takes maybe 1/4 of the amount it used to take. I now wake only in a 2-3 and end of day is usually only a 4 which is entirely manageable for me. Some meds that play well together and amplify their effects: 1. Gabapentin + Tramadol together 2. Tramadol + Tylenol together (this one is especially good) 3. Norco 10/325 + Flexoril (last resort med) Lastly, this is the killer part. (Sorry in advance...and you can only do what you can do--and only you know how clean your diet is and if you are eating low cals.) If you are 5'5" and 178lbs and female, you still have some fluffy slush to get rid of that absolutely would help reduce the pain level. I wouldn't say that if I didn't feel the difference in myself. It was night and day relief. I'm no longer on any pain drugs. And the only scripts I take are my Femara, thyroid, and omeprazole. I walk daily. I try to do strength training 2-3 days per week as much as I'm able. And I can actually "fast walk"/jog which I never thought possible. It's now been 1+ year since one of my cortisone shots and about 6+months since the other and I'm holding up really well. I hope my story helps you. I'm sorry for going on about myself. But I just think, if it was possible for me, how many others would/could benefit from it. The freedom from drugs is really just a great gift of this surgery and lifestyle.

I drink 4 oz red wine every night before bed. Got my cholesterol down to 133 (from high 200's) so something is helping. I personally HATE the taste of alcohol and drink this concord grape stuff that is like Welches Grape juice with a shot of Everclear in it It's sickly sweet but I down it in a few slugs. I've been told that this stuff doesn't have all the goodies a more regular dry red wine does but I can't stomach the other stuff.

Keep working at not eating as much - and get that exercise in your schedule! I am 1 1/2 years post-op and I still crave certain foods. I think I will always be fighting my head hunger --- I can pretty much eat anything I want -- but not as much of it....so that makes it nice. I can not overeat - without it coming back up....which is gross. But remember - there are "slider" foods -- that most people NEVER have problems tolerating. And it is the slider foods that will prevent people from losing weight - because they do NOT get stuck - you may end up overeating and NOT lose weight. Sample slider foods (varies for everyone): mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, ice cream, puddings, yogurt, popcorn, crackers, Cookies, and the list goes on and on....it's okay to have a LITTLE if you have control to STOP....otherwise I do not have any.....sort of like an alcoholic....don't start because it is difficult to stop. Good Luck - and keep this website as a resource -- take a look around the other areas....post op, etc. And remember it really is all about EATING LESS and EXERCISING MORE! The band will help you eat less -- but there are many people who LEARN to eat around the band and they actually gain weight. so be careful and stay focused. Hope this helps -- GOOD LUCK!

A Post-Op & A Doc (Cari De La Cruz and Connie Stapleton, Ph.D.) have officially designated 2015 as the Year of Recovery. There are just six, basic ingredients, which, if added to your life, can help you reach and manage your goals to lose weight and keep it off. The good news is: 1) You already have everything you need to begin following the recipe. 2) It doesn’t involve shellfish, peanuts or milk, so you can’t possibly be allergic to it, 3) There is no baking, cooking, sautéing or mixing required, because the Recipe for Recovery doesn’t involve food, but does involve eating. We like to say that obesity is “all about the food, but it isn’t about the food” (which makes you wonder why we’re talking about a recipe and ingredients). Well, let’s start here: Do you eat when you’re upset, stressed or worried? What are you eating to avoid? Are you eating to avoid a person? a situation? a feeling? By following the Recipe for Recovery, you can learn to deal directly with any upset, stress or worry related to any “what” or “who” so you don’t need to turn to food for a short-term “high” or “fix.” Here’s another one: Do you eat when you’re bored? What do you need when you’re bored? Are you in need of a hobby? Companionship? What are you doing to find a healthy hobby or seek healthy companionship so you don’t automatically turn to food? These are some of the important questions you’ll begin to ask yourself as you learn follow the Recipe for Recovery. We know these are tough things to think about – especially when we’re busy plotting our next snack or obsessing about the box of donuts in the break room at work – fortunately, you don’t need to answer these questions BEFORE you can begin choosing to live in Recovery From Obesity. In other words, you don’t have to know what, where, or why in order to stop the destructive eating behaviors. Basically, food is often a SYMPTOM of a problem – not THE PROBLEM. For example, you might have a problem with interpersonal relationships or issues at work, or perhaps a battle within yourself – like an “emotional storm” -- where you say really mean, negative, unpleasant things TO yourself ABOUT yourself. Rather than addressing the problem, you turn to food, so food becomes the focus rather than the actual problem! Unfortunately, food is a temporary (very temporary) reprieve from unpleasant feelings, memories, or thoughts and though it provides a chemically induced euphoria…it’s short-lived. What is true for the alcoholic is also true for people who abuse themselves with food, which means the problem will still be there when the food is gone…. and then you have the hangover to deal with -- usually in the form of self-brutality by way of horrendously abusive self-talk. Yikes! We created the Recipe for Recovery from Obesity to help you learn to deal with the real issues (stress, worry, boredom, frustration, fear) in healthy ways (and to hopefully avoid the self-destructive eating and subsequent emotional hangovers). Here are the six ingredients that make up the Recipe for Recovery: 1. AWARENESS: Awareness is always the first step in change, which is why we refer to it as the essential ingredient to weight loss and weight-management. It’s pretty hard to change something you’re not aware of. You might know that you’re obese, but are you aware of how you are contributing to the problem? Maybe you’re stuck in your weight loss journey, or you’re regaining, or you never made it to your “goal” – you’re aware that there’s a problem – but you don’t know what to do next. Becoming AWARE of your issues is the place to start. 2. ACCEPTANCE: This is often an overlooked ingredient in weight loss/management. If you don’t accept that weight and the associated issues are ongoing problems in your life, then it’ll be pretty difficult to make the necessary changes to lose that weight and keep it off! The truth is, there are many things we need to accept in our journeys of weight loss/management that you may not have ever considered, such as the fact that you’ll have to eat right and exercise regularly, and will probably have to forego (or greatly limit) some of the foods you really love. The process of acceptance may include having some anger, fear and even mourning. Accept it – and get on with the process! 3. ATTITUDE: We call this the flavorful ingredient (and for some of us, this one is pretty spicy!) We all have different “tastes” when it comes to food… and life, which means that we don’t all like the same things or do the same things in exactly the same ways! Variety is the spice of life? Well, we think attitude is the FLAVOR of recovery! Focusing on attitude and having a positive one can make all the difference in your Recovery results! 4. COMMITMENT: You’ll use this staple ingredient at least once (and sometimes several times) each day in your Recovery journey, especially when you inevitably develop a case of the “I-don’t-wannas” – you know, those moments when you just “don’t wanna…” workout…log your food…manage your portions, pass on the cookies, etc. Adding a dash or a splash of commitment to your life helps you make the next wise choice. Every wise choice moves you toward your desired goals – a healthier self and a better quality of life. 5. ACCOUNTABILITY: Often quite underused, Accountability is an ingredient to help ensure the recipe is prepared as directed. We know it can be tempting to try to do things your own way, and we also know how that’s worked in the past! That’s where accountability really brings the Recipe for Recovery to life! Use accountability to do what you said you’d do when you began your weight loss journey. Whether you chose surgery, medically supervised weight loss, or another structured program, you agreed to do certain things, so this ingredient really matters. Hold yourself accountable for following through with doing the things you said you would do to get the weight off and keep the weight off. 6. EFFORT: The sixth (and key) ingredient in the Recipe for Recovery is Effort. Without ongoing, consistent, “use-it-whether-you-feel-like-it-or-not” – continual effort, the recipe will NOT turn out the way you want. Let us repeat: Your Recovery will NOT be successful if you do NOT use this key ingredient. When you put forth effort, you see results in the direction you are working toward. When you withhold efforts, you also see results – but not the ones you want! And, guess what? You can’t overuse this ingredient, so add it liberally and realize the fullness of a life in Recovery! It may sound like a lot of work, but if you want what you say you want (a healthy life in Recovery From Obesity) -- these ingredients really add up to a winning result!

Tssiemer I didn't have staples so I can't relate to that. But my physical recovery was a breeze compared to the mental recovery. Still a struggle almost a year out! Don't be worried about messing the process up and be denied. You will be more upset with yourself not trying if you gave up. Constipation can sometimes be an issue for me but only when I take ibuprofen. I was approved and instructed to take it while on my cycle because mine got worse with loosing the weight. So I take them very limited but when i do take them... Constipation strikes. But its usually fairly easy to take something and get it moving again. And as far as the easy way out.... You tell whomever to go to hell who says that! Sorry to be blunt but seriously.... This is not easy! I work so hard daily at this. Harder than I ever have!! I don't tolerate anyone telling me that because I know the dedication and time I put into this. I contemplate everything I eat, get up at 4:45am to work out before work, count my water all day long, gave up alcohol. Its not easy but still the best decision I ever made! I can't ease all your fears but I'm always here to try and talk and be honest about the process.

64 oz/ 8 glasses a day was basically invented by bottled water companies. You do get a lot of fluids from foods. HOWEVER: post surgery, you are more prone to dehydration, and you are eating less food with fluids in it. So... drink up as much as possible. I definitely drink less now that I can't drink with my meals. Also, plain water doesn't taste good to me, so it's hard to drink that. but I feel better on days that I drink more. If you are in hot weather or exercising, you will need more. I find that drinking things other than water helps a lot. For example, I drink a large iced coffee every day. It's a myth that coffee/caffeine dehydrates you. As long as you stay under 450 mg of caffeine, it's much more hydrating than dehydrating (alcohol is really dehydrating, so that doesn't count as fluid). I drink hot tea, diet juice, and water flavored with starburst packets. I also drink some diet soda, which my surgery center says is fine. I do have to let it go a bit flat or it's uncomfortable.

I always enjoyed a large glass of wine or two every night before surgery now I rarely drink. It may sound odd but I don’t enjoy it as much any more. I might have a glass of champagne, wine or a gin & tonic & one is enough, maybe once or twice a month or so depending on what socialising I’m doing. And I take ages to drink the glass & sometimes don’t finish the glass. I never enjoyed sweet alcoholic drinks & rarely used mixers except with tonic or suds water with gin. (I don’t even add water or ice to my whisky.) I say I drink quality now not quantity. Certainly drinking less than my friends has not affected my socialising & enjoyment of an event. And my bar tab is always cheaper LOL! I have noticed that if I drink I tend to nibble on food more, don’t drink enough water & notice it on the scale the next day. Best advice is probably just to take it slowly & see what works for you.

Hey LilMiss, The issues you are having - are you sure that cancelling the unfill was best? I REALLY hate to think that you might be doing some damage to your system through your nightly coughing. The appointment with the nutritionist can't do any harm, and may be beneficial, but I worry about your coughing. The sweet demon isn't my enemy - but those high fat Proteins are doing me in! Nuts, nuts and more nuts! I know that some of my weight gain can be attributed to the empty calories of alcohol (I went from one glass of wine a week, to having multiple glasses almost every day while on holiday). BAH!!! That is easily controlled. But the need for proteins, and my loves of all things nutty and cheesy are going to be a bigger struggle. How is everyone else doing? Roll call: Shiny, Ezma; Marathinner; Angie; Lori; Jul; RSG; St Louis; CKK;TSK; Mom; and others.