TerriDoodle

That is the coolest!! ...and you're gonna make me cry with all this mushy stuff you guys!!! Then I look at that picture below Tracy's signature...Then I think about how it's gonna be like FOREVER before we can get together again...Then I just want to cry. :thumbup: I do!!! Let's plan something. I've got to have something to hang onto!! You tell me when. Jenn - Glad to see you posting again!! If you're interested, I got a employee discount flyer for a Dell laptop that was something like $680?! I c I'm gonna be out of touch after tomorrow morning thru Sunday...going to the River G! I'll be thinking of you all!

TracyinKS -- When are you going to Vegas??? Can we ALL meet you there??

you went to your regular doctor or your band doctor?? How far away is your band doc?? Scary stuff but so glad you're ok! Just think how bad it would have gotten by Saturday!?!

We'll look for a room that sleeps 3.........:cursing:

Good deal, Eeyore!! Thanks for letting us know you've made it home! Hugs.

jennifur!!! I see you online!! you better be preparing a post, girlfriend!

Ahhhh.... very good point, Grasshopper. PREPARE THE WHIPS!!!

Laura, Why am I beating Haydee??

Ya'll might want to check out this tip o' the day.... very zen... http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f91/shrinkn-violets-tip-o-day-51081/index4.html#post862668 Haydee & Tracy - I'm off all next week....and my 50th birthday is Friday!!! Can we get together sometime during the week? I'm out of town this Thurs-Sun. Haydee - I also meant to mention that maybe if you try eating more fibrous foods (esp. raw fruits/veggies) that you'll stay fuller longer. Have you tried that?

Thoughts and feelings rise and then they pass away. Buddhism teaches that you don't have to act upon them, you don't have to cling to them, you don't have to push them away. They simply arrive and at some point they will disappear. The more we pay attention to the process of rising and passing, the less hooked we are by the content of our thoughts and feelings. This can be very helpful when dealing with cravings or any negative thoughts that are getting in our way of achieving a goal. Addiction experts call this process of paying attention "urge surfing." Here's how Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, Ph.D. puts it in Eating, Drinking, Overthinking: "Urges behave like waves—they start small, build to a crest, then break up and dissolve. When you urge surf, you ride the wave rather than fight it; as a result, you are less likely to be pulled in or wiped out." Want to learn how to urge surf? It's very simple but counterintuitive. We've been taught to run from or give into strong feelings. This requires doing the opposite. As soon as you become aware of a strong sensation, rather than ignore or indulge it, you turn and pay more attention to it. The box below describes one way to do this called SIFT. SIFT is a three-minute process which stands for Sensation, Image, Feeling, Thought. It's useful not only for urges, but for any strong feeling—fear, sadness, anger, inertia, worry, despair. Neuroscientists say that it helps balance us because it uses both sides of the neocortex and helps reduce amgydala hijacks, those takeovers of our thinking brains by our emotional ones. To SIFT, you must differentiate between thoughts, images, feelings and sensations. "I want a Coke" is a thought. Desperation is a feeling. The picture of you being deprived is an image. What most of us are least aware of our bodily sensations associated with our thoughts and feelings. Where exactly are the sensations in your body? Where are they located—in your mouth? Your stomach? Your head? Describe them as if you were a newspaper reporter and could not use any words except precise descriptions without interpretations: it's a hot tingly sensation centered in my throat that pulses in and out. Focus your attention on the sensation. Does it move? Vary in intensity? How far inside is it? How far does it spread? Is it anywhere else in your body? Give the sensations the kind of curious attention you would someone who you'd just met and are intrigued with. The idea is to recognize what you are experiencing, without trying to change it. I've done this with hundreds of folks in all kinds of feeling states and usually, after a few minutes of focused attention, the sensation ebbs. Sometimes it gets stronger first. But eventually, it diminishes. It's as if all the feelings and thoughts we've ever been afraid of or run from or given in to are nothing but tantruming two year olds desperate for attention. If we simply sit down and really pay attention for a few minutes, they quiet down. This process works—but it's not a done-that-now-what? thing. Depending on what you're changing, how much fear you must walk through, or how often cravings arise, you may find the need to SIFT several times a day. There have been brief times in my life when I've used it hourly. It takes a bit of bravery—to turn toward rather than away from that which is appearing to torment you. Hopefully the relief you will experience once you try it will make it easier the next time you need it. Tomorrow, more specifics on how to urge surf.... --M.J. Ryan Professional Thinking Partners www.mj-ryan.com

Haydee - I'm so glad you're negotiating like a pro on these employment terms!! They've got to be used to that in the Medical Center! Now i'm getting really excited for you!! :-) I'd love to be there when you give your notice. HA! [quote name='TracyK;868101 Hi all violets-what fun it was today. My last day of work is the 4th of July (Independence day' date=' how appropriate). It was great seeing the guys faces like "NO WAY". I got so tired of always hearing people say, "oh you'll be here til the day you die". Well, guess what!:cursing::w00t:[/b'] Have a great night violets! Man, what a FUN day!! They've got to be in a panic now!! You just can't train someone to do what you do in a couple of weeks! They're gonna be hurtin'!!! Congrats to you, Tracy!! I'm so happy for you!!! You should submit this to Webster's Dictionary to see if they will put it as their definition of "Soccer Mom"!! There's a special place in heaven for you, Michelle!! Maybe someday when your kids have kids of their own, they'll truly appreciate all you did for them!!

Sorry, Pammy.... I'm terrible about thank you's ... one thing i'd love to change about myself but haven't managed yet!!! Your note was very touching and I have it in my special keepsake box. XXXOOO

Kat, if you look at the list of forums, at the very, very bottom you will see one that is for Moderators only. You never saw it before because you didn't have access, but you should now. If you go into that forum you will see the various discussions going on about troublesome threads, users, etc. You can also ask questions about what is expected of you. There are some lists and guidelines there that should be helpful, too. Hope you have better luck than I did in shaping the board up! It helps to have support, but you'd be surprised what they are willing to allow. At least i was. TracyK - I feel your pain!!! And i also feel your joy!!! I do so remember sobbing over Evan's crib the day i had to go back to work. We crunched numbers for months and weeks but just could NOT make it work...mostly because of insurance needs. It was a gut-wrenching feeling that I don't wish on anyone. I am so very, very VERY happy that you have found a way to stay home and enjoy being a mother!!! Maybe you can find a way to make a little extra cash on the side. It will work out just fine!! ((((Special Hug)))))) Jane - OMG!!! That must have been a shock!! Glad you're having it thoroughly checked out though! Keep us posted. Laura - I really love the name Violet, and always have!! Wouldn't that be the coolest!? She'd have 12 new Aunts!!! Looking at the list of names in Evan's graduation program, my favorite was Obadiah! LOL I told Evan and Allison they have to name their first little boy Obadiah and we'll call him Obie! They loved it! Let's just hope that day doesn't come for a long, long LONG time. Yall have a great day!! PS - Everyone in our company got at 40% bonus yesterday!!! :thumbup: I'd buy you all a drink if you were here!!!

Oh dear.... you DO have it bad, don't you Laura!

Call your doctor right now ... spitting up warm tea is not acceptable at all.

Hi HH!! Long time no see! Welcome to my world!! I have actually only lost at a rate of 1# per MONTH (if that) since September!!! I recently dropped 2# in 2 weeks but i'm not sure why. I'm very tightly restricted, and have been since February, but it didn't seem to make much difference. I think I'm eating less junk and consciously trying not to snack.... plus I have been weaning myself off of Lexapro...so maybe that all helped. I can't count the number of times I've read that people just suddenly start losing again after a long, long stall. Who knows what the heck is going on??! Laura gives some good suggestions....beyond that I'd say be patient and try to get back to basics. Don't be such a stranger!

This, my friend, is known as Bandster Hell. It's the time between getting banded and your first fill which will provide the restriction. There's nothing wrong with you! You're just in 'hell'....LOL

I've seen the question asked before...but in a different form. I've seen self-payers have the hernia thrown in "for free". You don't get what you don't ask for, so I'd just call around to a few doctors and see if what you're proposing is reasonable or not. You might be surprised! Maybe do a search in the insurance forum for the word "hernia" and see if you can find similar questions. Best of luck to you!

Tracy--- another thing that might interest you. I'm a big Dr. Phil fan and watch his show every day. He just got through with a series on 'brats' and i think you might relate to a LOT of what went on in that 3-part series. Here's a link for you when you have time...Dr. Phil.com - Shows - The Dr. Phil House: Brat Camp

Tracy, I just have a hard time imagining a 13 yr old "sobbing and having a fit"!! My daughter doesn't even do that!! I'm sorry, but I think he might need some help of some kind. That's just weird. Or do you think it's simply a matter of being spoiled and this is the only way he knows to get what he wants because it's always worked in the past? If that's the case, then I think you are the best thing that ever happend to that kid....and he WILL thank you one day. You are an awesome mom!!

I believe there is.... they are called HATS and you can get them in the HAT department! Aren't I just freakin' hilarious?

You're very welcome, sweetie! It should do great as an annual...you won't have to worry about it spreading out of control that way. It most definitely was a day for the pool. I sure do wish we had one. :thumbup: Our back yard is very shallow so it's impossible. I used to keep a journal in a password protected Word document... could you do that? Anytime you feel like talking or getting together, just ring me up!! I'd be more than happy to meet you! HA!!!! I love it!!! Becky sounds like a very, VERY good friend! Can I borrow her? Babies are great and high school graduates are great....it's all that stuff in between that gets kinda hairy. I cannot believe it's so late and i'm here on this computer. What a weekend....where did it go????? Well, see ya'll in the mornin'. G'night!

MsTrina - you got it!!! Very wise words indeed!!! Eeyore, I wish I could be there the day when his jaw drops to his chest when you're looking hot in just a few short months! HA!! As Trina said... you just keep walking and with your head high, girlfriend!

I am so sorry for your pain....it sucks so bad. You WILL get thru this and you'll be better than ever. When you are skinny and hot(ter) you'll have confidence oozing out of pores you didn't know you had, so don't worry about that! My only concern is that your state of mind could hinder your healing. The first 6-7 days after surgery can be kind of depressing as you are dealing with pain and not being able to eat to soothe yourself. It brings up all kinds of crap for some people. Maybe talk to the nurses at your doctors office, close friends, etc and get their opinion. If it were me, I think I might postpone the surgery IF it didn't cost me anything!! Just my 2 cents. Let us know how you're doing.

Lisa, The barium swallow also showed the stretched pouch? I'm going Thursday for a slight unfill and guess I'll cough up the extra money for a barium swallow, too....just to make sure. The only reflux symptoms I have are that some spicy or acidic foods irritate my esophagus. Only once have I ever been woken up by night-time irritation/coughing, but I chalked that up to eating too late at night, which I rarely do.