ousooner

I guess I will chime in here. I differentiate abortion and same sex marriage. While as a bible believing Christian, I believe that homosexuality is wrong, I disagree with Ron that it is harmful to society though. As he has stated, God gives us free will and if 2 consenting adults want that particular lifestyle, it should be up to them. Abortion is a different story to me. To me, pro-choice is a mis-labeled term, as the baby has no choice in the matter and I think that is wrong. The debate I guess is when does life begin and is not a religious matter to me. My father who is agnostic at best is also against abortion for the same reason. I don't understand how anyone can look at a sonogram (especially the new 3 and 4 dimensional ones) and not see that as a life regardless if they could survive outside the womb. I do see that as harm to society, but not because of my religious beliefs. I see the baby the same as someone on life support, they may not be able to sustain life without help (be it machines or the mother's womb), but it is alive non the less.

Marci - can't wait to view them, Can't access myspace from work. Great job!

I don't consider it a plus or a minus. It is whatever the doctor is most comfortable with. I personally was not on one and did fine.

Thanks Wheetsin - I don't post a great deal, especially in the R&R forum. This one has been hard because as a Christian, I have my beliefs and want to express them, but not insult or belittle those that aren't. Not beleiving in God doesn't make anyone a bad or immoral person, it simply means we disagree on our future and afterlife. I appreciate your kind words and am happy, that we can come to a place where we discuss our beliefs and agree to disagree in a civil manner.

Good luck. I have UHC and had a great experience with them. Keep us posted.

Thank you

Thanks Laurend. As you can may be able to tell, my oldest is bi-racial, so racism is a hot button for me. I am very protective of him cause I love him a lot.

Talk about stereotyping. You start a thread about racism in France, what about your own racism here in the good ol USA. I see TOM answered you with stats - Thanks TOM. DO you feel less threatened in your home town because there are no African Americans in your town. Is that the gist of your post? I don't anger easily, but this crosses the line RON. I feel sorry for you and your narrow-mindedness.

It veries so much from person to person. I would still aim for the 1 to 2 pounds per week and you will be in great shape. Sounds like your off to a great start.

I made the decision to give that kind of food up when I was banded. Can you ever have it again? Maybe, maybe not. Everyone is very different.

Missy, that is great news. I had the same experience. I really didn't need to lift a finger. They did it all and it was seemless. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Insurance required the psych eval. I mention that I snored a lot and he ordered the sleep study. Don't know if insurance required it or not. Hope things went well today :confused:

Unfortunately, if your like me, it will still be there, but it will look like a deflated balloon :confused:. But still much better than having the weight

5 weeks is actually very quick compared to what I have heard from others. It took about 2 weeks to have my psych eval and sleep study and get the results back to him. Then another week and a half or so to get it to insurance and approved, and then was scheduled about a week and a half after that. I think insurance holds most people up. I would agree with the aftercare. He does give a paperowrk for after care and I beleive there is a support group and a nutritianist available at the hospital there, but he is not very active in it. I have found support through several online boards to be sufficiant for me along with the couple of dozen friends and co-workers I know who have had WSL.

Yes at the same time. He holds the seminar in the waiting room, then calls patients back one at a time for the consult. I had my surgery 5 week after the consult. I would suggest getting there early. They call back in order of when you came in. Good luck, hope you like him. I sure did. Keep us updated. Thanks.

I take it very seriously. By drinking during and immediatly afterwards, it is underminding the effectivness of the band. Drinking will wash the food through the band instead of sitting in the pouch to make you feel full.

Thanks, glad it was usefull!

My doctor did not have me on a pre-op diet either, and I had no complications, so I don't think that is it. I am certainly no doctor, but fever often is a sign of infection. Its hard for me to understand why the doctor won't wee her. I would be persistant until he got me in or go to the ER if it gets any worse.

Hi, I had mine in Dallas. I used Dr Cribbins and loved him. I went with him because I had several co-workers who used him or his partner. I don't know the cost, but the office did all the work for me and got me approved in no time. I have surgery 5 weeks to the day after my innitial consultation. His website is www.yournewhealth.net. I also have a link on my website below.

Hi Duckie - sorry about the ham . I haven't made too many other changes except I am more active and go to the gym (though not as often as I should). I am, however, looking forward to this spring and summer as I plan to do a lot of yard work and maybe some landscaping for our yard. With my new found energy, I think I will be able to do much more and be outside enjoying the weather more.

PCP is Primary Care Physician. Insurance companies make you pick your primary doctor.

Wouldn't hurt to do it yourself. It never crossed my mind pre-op and woke up shaved.Wonder how much shaving is involved if I ever get around to get PS? Could be scary! lol

Thats a great definition.!

Amen. That we can agree on

Its funny (and I mean that very respectfully) how people see things differently. I see Al as an arrogant jerk and very scary. I think he is very smart and like you said he filled a need. And the fact that he is running for Senate (I heard he was almost sure, but its not official from the last I heard) scares the life out of me Just a Hmmm moment. Thanks for your candor.