PhotoNut

:welcomeB: to the Gone for Good Club, :clap2:BeacheeGirl, Jorjet, K@t, A1ikou, and RavensRiches!:clap2:

I deleted my original post because I was overtired when I wrote it and I really have no business telling anyone else how to handle their marriage. Life is a series of choices. Where we are now and where we'll end up depends on the choices we make along the way. I hope everything works out for the best of all involved in the situations presented in this thread. Sincerely.

She's right ya know. We all KNOW in our gut when it's not right. The disasters come when we try to shape and mold the square peg enough to force it into the round hole. You already have your red flags PAY ATTENTION TO THEM! Dont just smooth them over with "Yes, butt..". We have women's intuition for a reason. Trust it!

Oh yay! Another hubby and wife team. Love it! Best of luck to your hubby on his approval. You two are going to love going on this journey together! Just remember though, Jen. Men tend to lose faster than women, so don't be discouraged if he seems to steamroller past you. *chuckles* You'll both get there in the end and that's what counts.

Dont know if anyone has mentioned this yet, but caffine is a diuretic which causes dehydration. Because of the extreme reduction of intake abilities after surgery, we are told to avoid caffine because we will already be struggling to stay hydrated. As for the soda. In addition to what's already been suggested.. Carbonation can get trapped in the lower portion of the stomach and be difficult to get back up through the band in the form of a pressure releasing burp, and therefore can be quite uncomfortable. Woops.. I should have read page two before posting. JustDuckie already addressed this. :nervous

ROFL Donna!!!!!! *coughs and chokes and laughs* Thanks... I NEEDED THAT laugh. *grins* Sorry Linda. Still love me? *grins*

*sigh* I was talking to my mom on the phone last night. You know, the mom that always told you how pretty you are but if you'd just lose 10 pounds... 20 pounds... wear some lipstick... dye your hair blonde... *rolls eyes* Anyway, she's coming to see me in two weeks. She hasn't seen me in about 2 months. When I told her that I'm wearing a size 16 pants now, she was thrilled. Which was good. But then she got kind of quiet and said in a sad voice, "Aww.. what if I don't know my little girl?" Meaning what if I've changed so much, I'm not "me" anymore. I think I see where I've gotten these fears. I'm afraid to be thin because.. what if that's STILL not good enough? What if I go through all of this and I'm STILL not... <insert your choice of options here>. Then there's me. The last time I was 150 pounds I started getting far too much attention from men and I freaked out. As a child I suffered a lot of sexual abuse from various adult men that were either relatives or friends of the family. Now I feel like I have this neon sign on my forehead that lights up when I lose weight that somehow advertises the child that doesn't know how to defend herself against predators. My husband assures me that I now have a 6'4 angry looking Englishman at my side who will see to it that I'm never approached. But... the fear from many years ago still lingers. Maybe I need therapy. Ya think? *chuckles*

I am the bread of life, Those who come to me shall not hunger, Those who believe in me shall not thirst Yup, He's in your son's belly!

Grats on the new account, Telly! And we will hold you to your word that you won't be a stranger! *hugs*

Do I regrest getting my band? Oh heavens no! I'm so excited about what it's already done for me and what's to come!

Yay! Ali joined!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: I'll get ya added to the Members Page. Welcome welcome!! Hey Ronny, you're right. This DOES work! Are you considering getting the band? And JoyceGA, welcome back! I've updated your stats. You're under 400 AND on the Honors Page at -52 pounds. Congrats lady!

*laughs* Git her Funny! Heather (K@t), you have the most gorgeous big blue eyes! And I can see your progress in your face. Its really slimming down. And I love your smile! It matches your personality to a tee

Cashley - Remember the story of Job? God allowed Satan to tempt Job into turning his back on God. Satan wiped out all of Job's family, his possessions and finally his own health. Job's friends would come to visit and tell him to pray to God and ask forgiveness for sinning, for surely he must be receiving God's punishment for being wicked. But Job refused. He knew he had been a faithful servant. He didn't curse God for allowing or causing the losses in his life and eventually God replaced all Job had threefold. So you are correct. God does not pushish, nor does he reward. He teaches us in His word how to live so that we might have peace beyond all understanding when the bad times fall upon us. Riches can easily become our God, so I do not look at riches as a reward. In fact, I see riches as distractions for many of us. We are driven to have more, and once we get more we worry over losing it. With all that attention on possessions that will not go with us when we die, how can we be focused on God's will in our lives now? Fame and fortune often breed greed, lust, and vanity. But there are some who are not affected by it and can keep a level head about what the real values in life are, probably not many. TV evangelists constantly focus on money. Robert Schuller for example preaches the rewards of postive thinking.. often suggesting those rewards to be financial. I was in Amway for 8 years in North Carolina and came to the Lord during a Sunday morning service led by one of Amway's biggest celebrities. The entire sermon was about wealth. The church I attended for years here in Boise became so materialistic I had to leave. The richest couples were praised and held up as Funny described. Even though most of them ended up in divorce!! I'm just rambling now. Sorry. This topic really bothers me. I don't want to judge others though. I've realized that my own life is full of sins. I have no business pointing out the sins of others. To sum up my feelings about God and rewards. Our only reward is to live with God in eternity. Things here are merely distractions that will be left behind and of no value when we die. Run the good race, and keep your eyes on the true goal. Easy to say, but so often hard to do.

Kat817 and Cashley - Or Quick Links/Subscribed Threads. You just have to post at least once in the thread to have it added to your Subscribed threads list.

Heyas Alex... I dont know if this has been mentioned yet, but when you click on a member's name you see a list of options to email, send a PM, etc. Could you add Send a Pager Message to that menu? Thanks.

Hey NB, the challenge is just for fun and GFG Members can join in or just stick to the regular weekly weigh ins. Its up to each person to decide how involved they want to be. We just like to hear from ya now and then so we can cheer you on and give you hugs. I've PM'd the instructions to Mychevygirl for her badge. Hopefully it will be in her siggy soon! She blew me away with her dedication to her weight loss. She completed her pre-op diet, got her band, losing 24 pounds during the challenge all while her father was in and out of the hospital in critical condition - SEVERAL TIMES! I'm so inspired by this woman, I just can't begin to tell you. In my eyes, she IS what true femanine strength is all about. Love ya DeAnn! Congrats my friend!

Wow Bermy. I looked at your site too. Truly beautiful. I LOVE your style! The "Each in His Own Way" set left me speechless.

Skye you are absolutely beautiful! And your men are so darn handsome! I was so shocked when you reminded me that you've only lost 40 pounds. You are looking fantastic hun! Thank you for sharing your pics.

No, you're too far away. Come a little closer and I'll let ya know. My stupid port sticks out so far it freaks me out. When I suck in my belly it goes down to where I cant tell its there. So I'm hoping it's only sticking out like this because my belly still sticks out. My port is few inches below my bra line on the right side. Annemarie - The port will be very tender.. Ok, it will hurt more than the other areas of your surgery because the incision is larger and the port will be sewn to the muscle. My port area took the longest to stop being so tender. You'll need to be cautious with it for the first 6 weeks. You know, bending and lifting, so you don't pull the stitches.

He's going to be mighty sore by the time we all translate our names into Russian. Um.. dog's names. I've had a LOT of dogs in my lifetime.. and cats! *runs off to Russia again*

Shut up! wow... um.. *laughs* Hm.. I wonder what my middle name looks like Russian. I think I should go see!

Good news indeed! We've been waiting for this girl to join us in Bandland, and now it's going to happen! Couldn't be happier for ya Kayla! Congrats on getting over the first hurdle! *big hugs*

Awesome news, MelAnne! Its so much fun losing together. And you will both enjoy the changes that will be coming your way! *winks* Tell hubby grats from LBT!

Five weeks of liquids. Geesh. You must have some kinda will power buddy! hehe Hope you are feeling better and I know how good those mushies tasted after just 2 weeks on liquids.. You must be in Heaven!

Heyas Christy! I remember your story way back when they first discovered that "eroded" band. *snickers* I remember your fluro pics and how stunned we all were that the band wasnt even around your stomach! Eroded all the way through in one month.. uhhh.. I dont think so! I'm glad Dr Rod did right by you and rebanded you. Hopefully this go round will prove a lot more successful than the last and you'll be melting off those pounds in no time!