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yes, be careful of the kid issue, here in Scottsdale a mother starved her kids because she didn't want them to be overweight and one died ( drastic vegan diet) it was horrifying!!!!! Kids should be loved, cherished, and nurtured!! and for the love of Pete, FED!!!!!!!! (I'm a big proponent of nursing, believe in it wholeheartedly, but not to the point of harming my child!!!! Who ARE these people?!?!?!!!!! anyway..... (my 2 cents)

wow, Insurance requirements ( or lack of) are so all over the board!!! My insurance has a 6 month "wait" ...I've done the sleep study ( OMG!!!!!) blood work, psych eval, barium swallow ( oh, hey, I have a hernia??! thats cool!) lung test, I have only to do the upper GI and then finish my "weight loss visits" which they warn me that any major fluxuations in my weight can render me ineligible!!:scared2: 6 visits ( one per month) to tell me how to eat ( We ALL know the right way to eat, the leanest Proteins, veggies, fresh fruit, less processed!) an the LB way: Protein first, then veg, then if room a small amount of starch, etc..... I'm struggling as much as anyone, Do I want to have surgery?? what is wrong with me that I can't do this successfully on my own??!! then again, most everyone I've asked would do it again in a heartbeat!!!!! and do I want to be heavy one day, or 6 months longer than I HAVE to?!!!?!?! I'm soooo ready to be happy inside my own body!!! Its our own personal journey, no one can decide for you ( nor should they!) but Praise God we have someone to talk to ( here in these forums)!!! Good Luck!! :crying:

my husband, best freind and business associate also had emergency gall bladder surger this January!!! I think it's some crazy epidemic!! (LOL) (none have had WLS) My DH said EVERYONE should lone up and get theirs removed! He hasn't felt this great in YEARS!!!!! hope you're healing fine!!!!

BTW - FYI I'm 5'9" 294 ( size 22W) sometimes a 20, or 16!!!! depending on the rat who designed the clothes!! sometime they want to make you think you're "smaller" ....whatever!!! :cursing:

Thanks for all the input!!! I am "diggin" all this perspective...... I know that life at size 2-3X can still be fufilling and rewarding, but I'm looking for the "Extra" that I can get from this.... :cursing:

Its cool to see what everyone does.... My husband and I started a Real Estate Investing company over 5 yrs ago ( still going!!) I've done everything with that (VP to cleaning the bathrooms!!!) Married 7yrs to the Best, Hottest, Funniest guy ever! 5 kids (15,14,13,10,5), a boxer, 2 cats and salt water fish ( Yes, Dory and Nemo!!) I've done EVERYTHING!!, From retail to 10yrs in Pharmacy:hospital and retail was an Insurance Agent, and Mortgage Processor; Closer; & LO....I guess I never figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up!!!!!:thumbup: I want to stay home for a bit, you know, volunteer at school for the field trips, organize the house, craft projects, etc etc etc..... :ohmy:

Interesting results! 28/31 = No Regrets only 3 people sometimes ( less than 50%of the time) out of 31 people, not one of you said they would have never done it. I know that my decision should be based only on my own research, opinions, and conscience...... but it is nice to get a "feel" from those of you who have already been there!!! thanks guys!!! seriously, keep it coming. E :thumbup: :ohmy: :thumbup:

Hello!! I've been hanging out in the public rooms, but thought I'd pop in here and Say Hello!!! It's nice to see like minded Christians supporting each other!! God is Great!! E

I agree..... I don't think I have a correct concept of what I really look like. The girl in my pictures isn't who I see myself as, nor how I feel that I look. :ohmy: ( am I really the fat chick??! Say it isn't soo!!!!!!!):thumbup:

I'm really curious...... I'm pre-op and have been hanging around the boards for over a month....I'm getting all my testing done, jumping through the required hoops for my insurance company..... and I see sooo many posts from people who are struggling with so many questions and issues, from relationships, to PBing, plateaus, pain, some have had it removed, just to have it re-installed :thumbup: what percentage ( hence the poll) do not regret this choice, and would willingly make it again? who thinks that this is the only option that would successfully help them lose the weight for good? Does anyone still think they can lose weight on their own ( without the band)?? Is the pain, frustrations, and negative's completely overcome by the success of losing 50-75-100+lbs?!?!?! has all of it inclusively been worth it?!??! (thanks for letting me know your opinion)

I agree with adagray..... ( only my first and highest priority relationship is with GOD) If I am true to God, and myself, then hopefully the people around me will see the true person that i am ( fat, skinny, bitchy, or sweet!) If the people around you cannot love you for who you are on the inside, then then they are better off fading into the past, and new stronger, better relationships will appear. I have one friend that I've known since we were 4yrs old, and we can love and accept each other for who we are inside. Most of my current friends are the people I chose to have around me. ( they are newer relationships, 9 yrs or less) If it's not a healthy relationship then I prefer to wait for a healthy, quality relationship!!! Love, Honor, Respect go a long way..... also both ways!!! true friends don't care if you're the "fat" one. They see your heart. if not, they aren't true friends ((kick 'em to the curb!!!!)) husbands are little different, although I sometimes agree in kickin 'em to the curb, alot of issues can be resolved through patience, prayer, communication and love. :thumbup: I'm sure you're not getting the surgery so you can be the fake, plastic, skinny "hater" ..... I'm sure you will still have a compassionate heart no matter what size you are!!! E:thumbup:

ok, Yvette, I have to say.... I know from the bottom of my tempted soul what you are describing in your love affair with the "arches" :thumbup: I'm proud of you for taking the steps to heal yourself!! I'm right behind you!!! as for the vitamix! I'm religious over mine!! it is the best best best investment I have ever made!! I have made the most amazingly healthy things and my kids get all excited when I fire it up!! they all want some! "ice cream" for breakfast?!?! sure!!!!!!! thanks Y for being you, and sharing you with all of us!!!!! E