sam c

I have federal bcbs of Texas. I got my approval with in a week and surgery within a month.

I understand what your going through. I am also 3 weeks post op. I have over ate a couple times. I'm eating the right foods I'm just eating to much of it. I have noticed that I'm eating to fast, of course I don't notice it until I'm done eating, lol. Am I causing damage? Am I stretching my pouch? Is the band gona work for me or am I screwing it up? Bright side I get my first fill nxt week. I hope the band starts helping me more.

Good luck and hang in there!!

I'm freaking out little bit. I am 21 days post op and I am mostly back to eating normal foods. I try to stay with soft moist foods. I am having a problem with slowing down. I east way to fast and with no restriction yet a cup of food doesn't cut it. A few times, like today, I know I over ate. I'm stuffed, miserable, and scarred. Am I screwing up totally? Am I stretching my pouch or causing damage I don't know about? Is the band gona work for me?

My doctor said to quit because I should. He said it does not do anything to the band. There are no additional side effects when smoking after you have been banded. Its my choice.

sam: "Is it different or ok for you to tell us what not to believe? You claim these people are close minded to what out there or your beliefs. Aren't you being close minded to theirs?"

I am not telling anyone what to believe at all. I am merely hoping that people will be open to expanding their spirituality.

And I am not being closed minded at all. I have experienced what they've said that they believe. I too have believed it. I am not at all saying that anyone should not believe whatever they choose or whatever fulfills their own needs.

Some others, on the other hand, have said that if we do not share their beliefs, we are going to hell. They've said that we are immoral if we don't share their beliefs on homosexuality, on a woman's right to choose, on even whether the Bible is in fact the unedited word of God.

You have misinterpreted my posts absolutely. I do not claim to have any authority over others' behavior or beliefs. I do not tell people that they are going to hell if they don't believe as I do.

What I have said is that one should be open to further expansion of one's spirituality beyond the conventional lessons we learned in Sunday school. I don't understand how anyone can feel threatened by that.

I do not fell threatened by that. I do not disagree with you or Christians. I am still finding my way. I did not attend Sunday School so I didn't learn many conventional lessons. I did not grow up in a conventional family. For me to expand my spirituality I should also be willing to learn and also be open to Christianity. I have talked to many Christians and i have been to many different kinds of churches. Some people are more passioniate about things than others. You seem pretty passioniate about the subject too. I admire these qualities in people. I admit there are people out there that take things to the extreme. Most Christians aren't forcing God down our throats they are being passioniate about their faith. I just don't understand how anybody can be threatened by that.

Devana, I have a lot of connections with people who think that their beliefs about God and the Bible are the only way to believe or be spiritual. I have extremely devoted Baptist missionaries in my family. I have very strong Catholics on the other side. And everything in between with the rest of my family and my friends. And I have lived through and believed those same things.

If those who believe strictly in Christian dogma were more happy, more generous of spirit or more content in their personal lives, perhaps that would be an indication that they are indeed the ones who have the answer.

To tell you the truth, I think that it has a lot to do with our hardwiring. It seems that where we are in our state of evolvement in this world determines whether we are open to true spirituality within or whether we need the Bible or others, like patty, to tell us what to believe and to confirm whether we are good or bad people.

It is a pleasure to come in contact with someone who understands some of these things and your goodness is very apparent.

I see a problem here. You are claiming people, like patty, are telling us what to believe to confirm whether we are good or bad people. Is it different or ok for you to tell us what not to believe? You claim these people are close minded to what out there or your beliefs. Aren't you being close minded to theirs?

I don't mean to offend and I'm sorry if do. I see people, like patty, sharing what they believe, sharing what they have learned from the bible (their interpatation) and their experiences. They are not forcing it me. I make my own choices. I have my own voice. They are not judging whether we are good are bad. Seems to me that others, like you, may be closed minded to the possibility that people, like patty, might be right.

Pattygreen,

I have been reading this post for a few days. I thought it would do your heart good to know that your words have not only touched my heart they have also taught me. Do not be frustrated or be discouraged from spreading Gods word. Just know that you helped atleast one. Thank you!

I am 33 a mother of 2 teenagers, If and/or when I'm cofortable with weight I will so wear a mini skirt.

I am schedule to be banded on 3/4/2010. I am in the second day of my pre-op diet and I'm starving. I'm luckier than some I'm on a high Protein diet. I'm very excited for the future, I'm not yet discourged. However, today I keep thinking that I'm not gona make it through this 2 week diet. I have tried so many diets and gave up on them after a few days. It helps that there is a prize at the end of this diet but it seems so far away right now. I can do this, I won't give up! How did you do it?

I have a date of 03/04/10. I just started my pre-op diet.

I have a March 4, 2010 date. I just started my pre-op diet.