I think most of us were going through withdrawals from LBT yesterday. It went down while I was online about 3:30am PST.

I just set up a Yahoo! mail account that I thought we could all use in case something did happen to this board - we could go and check the mail at

lbtboard@yahoo.com

password: weightloss

to meet up again.

Just a thought, don't know if it will work or not. Otherwise I would imagine we would regroup through www.spotlighthealth.com or one of the Yahoo! bandster groups.

I missed you guys!!

I gave this a lot of thought before I posted this. I, too, was frightened when I couldn't get on this forum on the twentieth. I haven't found the support anywhere else that I've found here.

Frankly, my wife expects me to be John Wayne about this. She doesn't understand that while I am moving forward, there are times I need to talk about it. In her eyes men are supposed to be made of steel. I try not to disappoint her, but I am human.

My best friends are scattered across this country, chefs all, working like crazy, all.

My family is not close.

So, I've formed a kind of dependency on this place. This upcoming surgery has given me hope.

But hope is a veil woven of gossamer, and the cruel winds of others good intentions can rip and rend and tatter that slight protection.

You all keep that tenuous umbrella of hope intact for me. I need your insights, your gentle slaps that put me back on track.

So. With that in mind, I'll share something very private. I started a forum back in August. Basically it was for me only, though others can visit if and when they please. I wanted a log of my journey with the Band. Since I already pay dues there, why not?

But......what if LapBandTalk should disappear from my computer screen? Me, rattling around in my little one man rant place wouldn't cut it. I'd miss my friends in Bandster land.

So.........I'll give the address here. Once. You may visit. You may post. But I'd rather keep the main thing going here at LapBandTalk.com. You see, I like it here. I'm nostalgic about this place and the wonderful souls who touched mine here. But if the worst did happen, you could find me there, and maybe, just maybe, I could find you.

You'll have to register, it's free. And you'll have to put up with about ten gazillion ads unless you pay for basic membership.

So, here it is. Do with it what you will. I've bared my soul here already, several times, so I won't be too embarrased.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/shrinking1/start

Love-Laugh-Live.

What a relief - a real "emergency" site! Thanks, Ryan. I have bookmarked the address, and know where to go in the event of the "unthinkable".

I haven't read any of the posts on your site yet, but over time I'll get caught up.

It is truly a relief to be able to go somewhere and be yourself, without the expectations and burden of love to be our best. We all know that we can only truly give to others when we have taken care of ourselves first. Too often we are running on empty, and wondering where we will find the strength to be the strong one.

So glad you found us, and that we are able to fill you up when you need a little recharge.

(((hugs)))

Your a real sweet heart to give up your secret hiding place for us! Thank you, what an unselfish thing to do! I did visit and manage to sign your guest book.

I enjoyed learning more about your dear wife. Wow 250lbs! She sounds like shes going thru alot, I hate to hear that. You tell her that shes a lucky woman!

Ryan - Thanks for sharing! I haven't read it all (I am supposed to be working) but I will.

Betty