who do YOU think you are?

Name: Carol Blankinship

Surgery Date: 10/24/07

Surgeon: Dr. Facundus

Support Group: OH Bama Board

Re-gain: No,

Up & down Struggles: Carbs and people who say that "you will just gain that weight back"

Employment: Self employed (We have drug stores, my husband is a pharmacist and I help out sometimes)

Hobbies: Boating, going to the BEACH, playing cards and Bunco

Would you have WLS again: YES!!

Reason for coming to this board: For information and to meet new people.  I have not been very successful but that is because of me not because of any one on this board!!. I have a weird schedule.

Many people say that this board is like a soap opera.  I totally disagree.  I see this board in a different way.  I know there are many personalities, some that I don't agree with but I still love everyone just the same.  This board to me is about real people that express their day to day opinions and share problems and "wow moments" and other things that we all deal with in our everyday  lives.  I love to read about all of them and I never consider them an example of expressing to much information. 
I feel an attachment to each and every person on this board.  I feel sad when they are sad and happy when they are happy.  I don't care if it is about the excitement over a gift or about personal relationships that has really gotten them down, I CARE about reading it. I do enjoy the post that are positive more than the negative but I am mature enough to know that the negative post just come with the territory.  I can be negative also, JuJu has helped me through  negative experiences. She is a good "Bama Board Friend".
It is impossible to name all the names of the people that inspire me on this board. I may feel the need to pray for one and high five the other but my heart is touched by all.  My husband finds it amusing sometimes when he hears me say out loud. , "You go Girl" or "that is so sweet" or "please don't go there" but he knows that I care about these people and their families.   Many of you have been on our prayer chain at church. 
I guess this is TMI for some but " this is who I am".  I don't post much but felt the need to say this. When Carmen says she loves all of us, I know she means it!  I feel the same way.  God puts this in my heart.  It is the Christian thing to do!! And it FEELS SO GOOD!!!

Thanks for sharing Carol~

 Soooo good to see you Carol!

Name:  Glenn
Surgery Date: Dec. 31.2003

Surgeon: Dr. Schmitt

Support Group: no

Re-gain: yes, too much but happy with what I have kept off.

Struggles: food, food, and food 

Employment: Retired, U.S. Army

Hobbies: Couch Potato

Would you have WLS again: yes, but sooner

Reason for coming to this board:  Randall makes me.  I am his Cornnuggetts.   Truthfully I have met some of the nicest people I have ever met on this board.  I have lived in many places in this country and around the world.  The nicest people are us Alabama fat people or as we like to say formerly fat people.

You're my what?    You are a mess!    Still love ya though!  Tell Brenda I love her and give her a hug!  Love ya!

corn nugget

A large and hideous toenail attached to the "great" or otherwise big toe. Unmistakably having the appearance of a large, oversized and thickened corn flake. The corn nugget slowly evolves over many years into a varity of mutations. Some of which, can even astound the owner. The proportions of the nugget can reach alarming sizes, forcing some cities and states to enact laws which compel corn nugget wielding owners to register their nugget as a lethal weapon. The corn nugget will always announce it's presence by the foul, yet fruity and intoxicating aroma which tingles and teases the olfactory nerveous system in humans. In a recent animal study conducted by the French Navy, it was discovered that when canines were forced to smell and lick a human corn nugget they would immediately and aggressively lick their own rectum, which can only be described as a reflex action in order to get the taste of the nugget out of their mouth. It was further noted within this study that the dog would always bite it's human handler following the corn nugget exposure. Before any further usefull research could be obtained the French Navy abruptly halted the program amid public outcry of animal cruelty charges. References to the corn nugget dates back to ancient times. Recently, anthropolgy students from Ohio University discoved crude paintings on the walls of a cave in Southern Ohio that contained depictions of corn nugget afflicted neanderthals. This same cave contained remarkably preserved corn nugget specimens, which when analyzed were found to contain structurely similar compounds commonly found in expensive French perfumes. Capatilizing on this discovery, a young student quickly discovered he could imitate the fragrance of the exspensive French performs at a fraction of the cost by using freshly clipped corn nuggets that are harvested everyday in our nation's rest homes. Students have entered buisness partnerships with the janitorial staff within these facilities who sweep these clippings from the floors each evening and in turn sell them by the pound. In fact, the industry in corn nugget procurement in Ohio has well surpassed those involved in the cultivation of Marijuana. This has caused many expert marijauna growers to abandon the fields and enter the legal trade in corn nuggets; which has had an adverse effect on local marijauna supplies. Almost everyone has had an encounter with people who have corn nuggets. Most people have experienced injuries while having aggressive sex with those afflicted. As mentioned above, corn nuggets can have sharp and jagged edges that can cut thru the thickest skin. Inflicting devasting wounds which require weeks to heal.

Name: GAIL - Dakota Mom 

Surgery Date: July 28, 2004

Surgeon: Randall Cook

Support Group: none currently

Re-gain: well yeah...I am human

Struggles: tons of them...I am having a hard time with this weight loss

Employment: not currently employed

Hobbies:  cross stitch, gardening, computer

Would you have WLS again: nope

Reason for coming to this board: I need all the help I can get. This wls stuff is hard

Gail.....guess I just have to be the nosey one and ask why you would NOT have WLS again? If you want to share, I think this would be helpful to pre-ops as well as all the "YES's" ...thanks!

Because now that I am 4 years out it is the same struggle to keep the weight off that is was before I had surgery. The only way I would have this surgery again is if there was mandatory ongoing psycological help during the first two years after the surgery. This surgery only fixes our tummys and does not help the other issues that causes many of us to eat in the first place.
I still struggle with binge eating, emotional eating and eating out of boredom. The surgery helped me loose all the drastic amounts of weight I needed to be healthier but I am not healthier mentally, I am only once again struggling. So, yes the surgery was great for the one time I had it, but if someone asked of I would do it again, no. Do I wish I had not had the surgery, no. I am greatful I had the surgery and I am smaller but like I said I would not do it again. 

Name: Nanci

Surgery Date: 8/27/08

Surgeon: Dr. Les Miles

Support Group: St. Vincent's East Banders4life. But I don't get to go very much.

Re-gain: Nope, it's been all "down" hill from surgery!

Struggles: Sweets!

Employment: Full time, stay at home, homeschooling, Girl Scout Leading, Sunday school teaching, homemaker.

Hobbies: Gardening, arts/crafts, and RUNNING.  Addictions: Thrift stores and garage sales.

Would you have WLS again: In a nano second.

Reason for coming to this board:  Get advice from fellow lapbanders, encourage others, meet people, and get a good laugh sometimes.