Dea, (((((((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Come on stop this awful self talk. None of that is true. You have to give yourself a break. I know what you mean being the only child. I never get a break with my mom. Everything that concerns her is shared with me and sometimes I don't want to hear all her stuff. She has nothing to do but be in mine and my kids stuff. She thinks she is a parent to my kids instead of a grandparent. Anyway, I know what you mean. DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP ANYMORE. We all have ups and downs We are all just doing the best we can at the time. I have days when I too feel like an awful mother and wife and daughter but we aren't. Just bad days. It will be okay. Now shuuuuuuuuuuuuuuduuuuup Good Luck Tina

Hey Sept Board, Please forgive me - I just have a need to vent. I'm so overwhelmed - I'm crying - can't quit - sooooo tired - sooooo frustrated - so helplesss - I just don't know what to do. Omigosh - dont you just hate whiners? Tell me to shuddup - but send me some hugs - I could really used them - OK? - hugs - dea Momma's sick again - going back to rehab - I always hated being the only child - She's so mad @ me - I'm going thru identity crisis - I feel like such a failure - as a wls patient - I've not lost any weight in a month now - I'm addicted to s/f fraps - I'm a miserable daughter - I sure can't please her - I've neglected my kids - I'm a awful mom - I don't feel like I've been there when Mark needed me recently - I'm a awful wife- Can I say FAILURE - I just can't seem to connect with superwoman - and okay- okay - I'm shudding up and going back into hiding

Wow. . I wish I had your liberating personality Christine! I would love to CUT LOOSE like that! I tend to be very tranditional and conservative. My wardrobe is mostly navy, kakhi, and bland colors. I have been "living on the wild" side for me, though. I WORE A SLEEVELESS DRESS the other day! and that's wild, wild, wild for me!! WOOHOO!!!! Oh, and I also have a bright green shirt with lots of colors on it! GO GIRL GO!! LOL

Okay, I was trying to think of all the "little things" about this surgery that have changed. I mean, we tend to focus on the "big" things - like changes in the scale or in the tag sizes in our clothes. But what about the other things. See what you can add: The little things - - the fact that a regular size towel can fully fit around me! - the fact that I can soal comfortably in the bath tub! LOL - I can set sit in the driver's seat, belted in, and have TONS of remaining seat belt - I can look at my old clothes and literally fit two or three of me in there - I don't have to lean out over my belly to see my feet - I can bend over AND breathe! - I can ride comfortably in the back seat of the car - I can squeeze in between a chair and the wall in a restaurant without having to walk around the entire aisle! (I love this one) - I can and DO wear sleeveless! WOOHOO - I can sit on the edge of the bed or on the edge of the couch without having the hole side collapse! - I NEVER have to worry about someone thinking "what a pig" when I'm in line for food or at a buffet (which is stupid to go to anyway, but you know) - I can happily announce I'M STARVING without fearing anyone will think I'll take a bite out of them if they get too close! - I can still take a peak at myself in the mirror and be pleasantly surprised Okay, what can you come up with??

I am sooooo glad to hear someone else mention this. I am about DYING in my own stink! GROSS!!!!!!!!! I was asking my mom (who is an RN) about this the other day, and she said that since we bypass part of our intestines for food absoprtion, it also limits the amount of bacteria we have to break down gasses in foods, which results in more potent expulsions! GROSS!! Anyway, Yes, it's that way here too. I am so thankful that I am a stay at home mom and do not have to be around people when that happens! LOL I mean, my four year old gasps and acts all melodramatic enough! LOL