BethFromVA

Luckily anesthesia doesn't bother or worry me. I think of it as a nice, deep sleep. I can't believe how slow (and fast) this is going. I had said a couple weeks ago that the 10 months it took between planning our trip to Hawaii and when it actually came (and went) went by SOOOOO fast, but this few weeks between meeting with my doc and my surgery is dragging... lol I guess now because stuff is actually happening, it will go by faster. Before it was just waiting. Hell, I didn't even get official approval from insurance until yesterday afternoon! I'm just... wow. The emotions will hit (you know what I mean). I see YOUR progress, for instance, and say, wow, that can be me one day. Granted, I'm starting a lot higher than you, but still... it's nice to see people working the band and doing it so well. I won't know what to do with myself. I already have short hair, so I guess I'll have to try to grow mine out to make the "hair change."

Awesome, Lulu! That's a great idea too. So you and DH both had banding the same day? Did I understand correctly? That's COOL! And thanks for the well wishes. Went today to the hospital to register and do bloodwork and EKG and it's starting to feel close now. Friday begins liquids. Then next Friday is my day, 2:30 pm. Omg, I'm gonna be ravenous hungry...

I wanted to do something that would, for me, mark the beginning of the new me. This past Sunday I went to a tattoo parlor and go inked. I already had a tattoo from years ago (hidden), but this one is right there for me to see, to remind me. I realize that even though I will have the band, I will still require making good choices and maybe even some willpower. I found a tattoo that I liked that said, in Chinese: God give me strength. I wanted it on the inside of my right wrist (my eating hand, lol) to remind me. Sadly they couldn't do that in the small area I wanted (couldn't shrink it down enough), so I went with a simple Chinese symbol: BELIEVE. I pray that it will help me remember what I am doing, where I am going, and where I came from. It will stare at me every time I pick up a fork or put my hand to my mouth. I know it's a bit drastic for some, but for me, this commemorates the new me that will come out of this journey.

LOL, mostly kidding? I understand your point, I really REALLY do. I guess what I wish government or institutions WOULD recognize (at least) is the ability for partners to name partners on their insurance or to be able to be considered family if one went into the hospital... stuff like that. I don't understand why people can't, like a living will, dictate documents that says who has certain rights to their belongings or access to them in certain situations. That flat out floors me. I know it's not much of an olive branch, but I DO wish those types of issues weren't made political or legal. P.S. And for what it's worth, I'm sorry you went through such a horrendous upbringing with people mistreating you for being different. I really don't understand that... if we were all the same, how boring this world would be. I know it sounds so sickeningly cliche, and I really don't mean it to be, but some of my best friends... you know. People are people, no matter what. Because I believe in God, I too have been mistreated simply for that fact alone and never because I tried to "convert" anybody or beat anybody over the head with my Bible. Simply believing differently than some has been enough to have me be mistreated as well. I know it's not the same, but it's the closest I can come...

In my belief, when in a marriage (or even a mutually exclusive relationship, but for SURE a marriage), porno must be agreed to by BOTH parties. If one doesn't agree, the other should respect his/her mate's feelings on the matter. Period.

Christine, I can't add a whole lot more than others said here. However, I will help you with two things I think can be addressed. First, overeating is not the same as binge eating. Binging is different in that somebody USUALLY purges with it. That is, they eat TONS of stuff at a sitting -- a whole pizza AND a box of Ho-Hos AND a half-gallon of ice cream AND a bag of Cookies AND... you get the idea. It's TONS of food at a sitting -- so much so that one must purge (throw up) either because it's too much or simply to give them the benefit of having eaten the food but not having the repurcussions of the caloric intake. Secondly, I understand your concern about finding a healthy replacement for overeating. I am a huge believer in supporting your weight loss with therapy to help you through these issues, not only WHY you ate for emotional comfort, but also to help you deal with becoming visible to people again (I don't know about you, but I feel invisible as a fat person). Obviously you will do what is right for you, but I too believe that the only way your doctor and staff can give you whatever you need is to be honest.

Thank you, Nancy. I can like the person but disagree with the issue. I know it's hard to not feel attacked sometimes, and I will do my best.

I have to admit that I haven't read this entire thread, but if she has been shot down or attacked in any way, from what I have read recently from her on the matter, I hope that is not true. She articulates herself in a way that is fantastic and has been caring and heartfelt. However, people can still disagree with her and be just as caring and heartfelt.

Nothing I say could ever be enough to be considered justifiable to those who disagree anyway. Like Donna said, it's like arguing with a doorknob. First and foremost -- AGAIN -- marriage is NOT a right. It is not guaranteed in the Constitution or the Bill of Rights or any other document that guarantees you and I certain things. That said, how can you say that?? What DOES matter is that people have spoken! Otherwise, all our elections are crap. What if the 50-some-odd million that voted for McCain said that it didn't matter what the PEOPLE voted, the RIGHT thing is to NOT have a flaming Marxist socialist in the White House and disenfranchised everybody who voted for Obama and said the people and what THEY wanted must be overturned, that Obama is wrong for the country and that's all that matters? If the vote FOR gay marriage went the way you wanted, the vote would matter THEN, wouldn't it? In a couple simple paragraphs you say that what people want doesn't matter -- oh, wait, except for gay people. What THEY want matters more. Too many people are showing some very major double standards. You can't tolerate those who disagree with you and who take a stance against what they believe is wrong. You are all for shoving aside what people vote for (or against) in their community if it means furthering the agenda of a few. You want tolerance for certain lifestyles, yet show utter disdain for lifestyles you disagree with (like all the Christian bashing here). Again, "you" is general and not specific towards any one person here, but its "your" utter hypocrisy that is your undoing.

Marriage is not a "right." Aside from your situation and what you went through, I have to point something out. These days, if someone disagrees with the new wave immorality, we are called haters and bigots. We simply disagree. It's not like we're running around calling people homos or faggots. We live with all types of people but simply disagree with going with the flow of some. And for that, for taking a stance, for believing in something, and for not being swayed, some choose to bully others with buzz words that I frankly couldn't care less about, but some do enough to not voice their opinions. I don't believe in burning gays at the stake or harming somebody simply because they're gay. But I STILL have the right to vote my conscience the way I see fit, and if I ever have a proposition before me that I must vote for or against gay marriage, I WILL vote no. That only makes me a bigot in the eyes of those who claim to be so tolerant -- except when somebody disagrees with you. Know that I am saying this generally and not directly at you, RSG, but some are so busy flinging buzz words and labels that they refuse to see that not everybody will agree with the agenda du jour.

No amount of explaining will make you (generally) understand. Why does the homosexual community (and those who support them) try to force something when the people have spoken? It's been put to a vote in more than one state. And in more than one state, it's been shot down by the people. That's all that really matters.

Price. They make a LOT more through bypass. And always remember: bypass is PERMANENT.

I once thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken.

Hehe, me too. :laugh:

How about Mrs. Dash, a salt substitute, or low-sodium salt? I went to the low-sodium salt and almost don't notice a difference.

Hey, Breanne, welcome! I have nothing I can say since I haven't had my surgery yet, but there is a lot of great advice here and wonderful people to share stories with. Welcome!!

I can't do plain black coffee. I use powdered creamer and sweet-n-low. Coffee is something I can give up. I don't need it like some people do (hubby being one of them!).

Sounds fair to me! :eek:

Okay, THAT I understand! :eek: I always noticed the appetite suppressing part of caffeine but never noticed the stimulant part. Probably wasn't paying attention. :eek:

People are entitled to feel the way they feel, Nanook. Just like you can't dictate morality onto people, neither can you dictate morality out of people. That's what's great about freedoms. It's really not a far throw. Have you checked out what NAMBLA wants to try to pass? The right to engage in sexual acts with boys because it, too, is "inborn" and not a choice. It's not asenine.

ROTFLMAO! :eek:

What about after healing? Guess I'll find out on Thursday what my doc wants me to do. Bummer, too, cuz I got this GREAT honey macadamia nut coffee when we were in Hawaii last month that I still have half of... :eek:

Awesome post, Plain! I too have some fanTAStic neighbors who are gay, but if it came up for a vote, I too would vote against marriage. Whether some here agree or not, many of us are able to be friends with people and disagree with and vote against an issue such as gay marriage. I don't know why it is when some people don't get the open-armed responses they want from people, they try to guilt or bully or demean them into changinging what they believe. I'm not just talking about here... I see it everywhere. That's why we have a vote. The vote doesn't go the way one group wants, so they appeal to an ultra-liberal court who legislates from the bench. And to think that a flamingly leftist state like California couldn't pass gay marriage... that speaks volumes. The people have the right to vote in the legislation they want and vote down the legislation they don't want such as gay marriage. Like the presidential election, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and get Obama. :eek:

That is sad, BJean. I don't understand how they can live with what they did.

Thank you, Patty. I think it will fall on many deaf (or angry) ears, but all views should be welcome her, right?