jgandg

I agree - I usually buy very plain t-shirts and button downs there.

Eddie Bauer's website or catalog has a good selection in 3x Same for Land's End For in-store shopping I go to Dress Barn, Avenue, Lane Bryant or Sears

I can't thank all of you enough. Really. Thank you. No. I have support from my husband and dear friends. You are right - this is the key question. I think telling him would be dangerous - it would open myself up to more of his judgements. I think this is just the first conscious thing I am doing to remove myself from his "gaze", from his judgement. It is what I've been working on for the past year in therapy, and now it's like I'm really putting my independence from him into action.

I have not told my father or stepmother about my upcoming surgery. We're not super close, though we live about 10 miles from each other. My father's birthday is 2 days before my surgery and I am wondering if I should tell him when I see him to give him his present. Here's the thing: my father is horribly judgmental about women's weight. He often comments on it, and he did it to me when I was growing up. I think that in part my getting fat was in defiance of him - being exectly what he didn't want me to be. Nothing is more important to him in a woman than appearance - not intelligence, compassion, humor, etc. We have had a very strained relationship for years. I am currently trying to decide how much I want him in my life, and I feel like if I don't tell him about the band, then I am making a decision to NOT be close to him, a decision I wasn't feeling ready to make yet. But then I think, why tell him? It would be undermining my success. If I had to predict his behavior based on past experience, he would be initially very supportive (like he was with any diet), then turn to put-downs, teasing, and being the misogynist that he is. I suppose by writing this I am answering my own question: that I should not tell him, if I want to protect my self, and respect the band and the great lengths I am going to to get healthy. It's just hard b/c it's bringing up all these issues I have with him.:cry Thanks for listening. If you have any advice/insight/encouragement I'd love to hear it.

Wow this has been an active thread! I'm looking forward to catching up on everyone's progress. As for myself, I thought I had to do 2 weeks of liquids pre-op, and finally I reviewed the information from my nutritionist and saw that it's only 1 week- so I'm very excited to eat solids until this Thursday.

YES! He did look possessed! LOL! I thought he was going to have a nervous breakdown right there on live tv. I hope Howie doesn't make so many people in the jury house angry that they vote angainst Janie, should she make it to the final 2. Keeping my fingers crossed for her!

Originally I wanted to take 2 weeks off, but work is really crazy and it would be best job-wise for me to take off for one week, maybe 7 days or so. Is this too soon? I have a desk job. No lifting. Mostly phone, email, meetings, etc.

Aries here We're the least represented right now:paranoid

I think the way Boogie AND Will are behaving is despicable. Boogie more so, but even Will is leading Janie on, hinting that they will have a relationship outside the house. I feel really badly for Erica, and I hope Janie wakes up soon!

I'm in Suffolk. I get banded on the 21st, and would love to have a get together sometime after, if anyone is able.

I can sort of see why she wouldn't vote out Will. If he goes to the jury house, he could be very persuasive in getting the others to vote for Boogie (if he makes it to final 2). I know it sounds crazy, but Will can pretty much talk anyone into anything.

Good luck Moongoddess! I hope you get a date soon!!!

Tonight we went out fo Indian food, one of my favorites. I was so excited, but it was terrible. We tried a new place and I wish we'd stuck with what we know. I want a do-over! This coming Wednesday I start liquids and I want to relish some good cooking before then!:hungry:

Elisabeth, I am so glad you asked this question. I asked something similar, but not worded half as eloquently as yours. I am trying to get my mind around when I can expect the band to "work", as it seems to be pretty soon for some, and months after surgery for others. The replies here are interesting.

I dressed up as a gypsy palm reader for a friend's niece's slumber party once. Long ruffled skirt, big hoop earrings, kerchief on my head. It was so much fun! I told them I saw great adventures in their future, sailing the high seas, or fame and fortune in television, or becoming the first woman on Mars, many handsome men would hold their hands, etc. They screached and giggled and really thought I could read palms. I think the "makeovers" or manicures/hairstyle thing is a great idea, and a scavenger hunt, and movies like "13 Going on 30". (Embarrassing admission: when I was at a slumber party when I was about 11, we called someone whose last name was Lipshitz and said "If your lip shits, my ass whistles" :phanvan)

I also think the race division is ridiculous and demeaning. As if there is something about race that makes people differently able to win this game.

Yes, I loved it!

We should start a book thread! I'm a fan of (some) anarchists...like Emma Goldstein...perhaps an inspiration for the character Emanuel Goldstein?

I do about as well with Medifast RTD as I do with Isopure, and I went with Ispure only b/c I've read it's not a great idea to have a lot of soy if you have a thyroid condition (I'm hypo). Lactaid has no effect. Thanks for your replies. I am glad that at least I can use Immodium. Thanks again!

Wow, I'd hope no one would be a fan of that Big Brother!

Do you think if it gets down to Will and Janelle the "jury" will take into account that Will already won? I hope so, I'm really rooting for Janey! For BB sites, I like hamsterwatch.com and bigbrotherchatter.com

Hey 503! Dr. Geiss is my surgeon too. How are you coming along? Do you go to the support groups?

I am lactose intolerant, and so far the best shake for me is Ispoure Lo-Carb; it's 99% lactose free. I've tried soy products and other lactose-free products, and this one is the safest on my stomach. Even the brand recommended by my doctor's office was too harsh. Problem is, even with the Isopure Lo-Carb, I get an upset stomach. I don't know how I am going get through the liquid stages when I can't tolerate any of the formulas. Can I use Immodium during the liquid phase or will that interfere somehow? Thanks in advance!

Interested in having a get together?

Oh bless you - I am not alone! I'm also a big Janelle fan. I really, really hope Will doesn't make her look like a fool in the end. And Boogie? Ewwwwwwwww!