Setting the Records Straight....

I just feel the need to let everyone know that UPS is not full of drunks and party people. When we go out we usually only have one drink (if that) and we hang out with each other. We all take care of each other like a big family. I'm sorry if anyone got the wrong impression of our group. Rachel

Hey Rachel! I totally agree! Although I am new to the group, Everyone in the UPS group is totally wonderful. I do not drink, and I feel totally comfortable with all of the ladies, (and gentlement . . . ha ha). My only wish is that I could go out more with you all, but with two little ones at home, with bedtimes, and homework, and projects going on, it makes it harder! I don't know what I would do without all of you! The UPS group is like my second family!

You sound just like our group. I wish I could come will y'all Saturday night. One day I am going to surprise you guys and show up!!!! Mary

THANK YOU, MS RACHEL!!! THIS IS REALLY AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT FOR OUR BOARD AS STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT MANY GASTRIC BYPASS PATIENTS EXCHANGE THEIR OBSESSION WITH FOOD, FOR AN OBSESSION WITH ALCOHOL, DRUGS, SEX, SHOPPING, ETC. SOOO, I'M SO GLAD YOU WROTE THAT POST CUZ SOMETIMES IN FUN, IT DOES SOUND LIKE THE UPSTATE GALS DRINK THE BAR DRY! SINCE MANY OF US ARE LONG-TIMERS ... PRE-OPS & NEWBIES LOOK TO US AS EXAMPLES. SINCE THE MB OUTING, LOOKING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE AS ONE WHO DIDN'T GET TO GO SO I HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT REALLY WENT ON ... AT TIMES FROM EVERYONE'S POSTS, IT HAS SEEMED LIKE EVERY OUTING IS NOW BASED ON THERE BEING ALCOHOL WHEREVER OUR SUPPORT GROUPS MEET SOCIALLY ... SO, NO JUDGMENT INTENDED ... JUST AN OBSERVATION FROM SOMEONE *****ALLY CARES AS TO HOW IT MAY LOOK TO OTHERS. NORMALLY, I DON'T PUT MUCH STOCK IN WHAT "OTHERS" THINK, BUT WHEN WE CAN INFLUENCE OTHER GASTRIC BYPASS PATIENTS, FOR GOOD OR FOR BAD, THEN IT DOES MATTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HONESTY, MS RACHEL! GOD BLESS YOU ... DAWN & NICk

I was in Myrtle Beach, there was no more alcohol that at some of our LCBB support groups from the very beginning, when we regularly met at places that served alcohol. Those who chose to have an adult beverage did. No one acted promiscuously or did anything wrong. It seemed to me it was much more a bunch of ladies finally having enough confidence in ourselves to cut loose a little and have a good time. And of course since we hadn't done this in years, we only discussed the craziness and fun stuff that we had done for the first time in years when we got back In retrospect, we should have discussed more the love and support that was present at every meeting of the ladies (and Trent and Scott). From the times in the room, to the times by the beach, even to the nightclub, it was support for each and every one of us Just my perspective Mary

LOVE YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS A TIME OF LOVE & SUPPORT ... IT SOUNDS LIKE Y'ALL HAD A REALLY WONDERFUL TIME TOGETHER, MS MARY ... IT'S A GOOD POINT, THAT WE CAN ALL LIVE LIFE TO IT'S FULLEST AFTER GASTRIC BYPASS ... WE DON'T HAVE TO FEEL LIKE OUTSIDERS LOOKING IN ... WHAT A FANTASTIC CHANGE. I REMEMBER NOT BEING ABLE TO JOIN IN SO MANY TIMES BEFORE SURGERY ... NOT ANY MORE. NICK & I ARE SO BUSY, THAT WE ACTUALLY SCHEDULE SOME DOWN TIME ON SUNDAYS JUST TO CATCH OUR BREATH. I WAS SO UPSET THAT NICK & I DIDN'T GET TO GO TO MB ... WE SO NEEDED A WEEKEND AWAY JUST TO KICK UP OUR HEELS. THE ONLY "VACATIONS" NICK & I HAVE HAD SINCE MEETING 7 YEARS AGO HAVE BEEN WITH THE GRANDKIDS ... AS MUCH AS I LOVE THAT, WE COULD SOOOOOOOO USE AN ADULT TIME AWAY! MAYBE THE NEXT ALL-STATE MEETING, WE'LL BE ABLE TO ATTEND ... HOPEFULLY. LOVE YA GIRL! GOD BLESS YOU ... DAWN & NICk

Then allow me to state for the record... anyone *****ads MY profile or MY posts. Please do NOT use me as a moral compass ... Stephanie

Stephanie can I just say.......I LOVE YOUR PICTURE!!!!!! You look so good! Melissa

Well thank you Melissa You're making me blush!

I am treading lightly with any posts I make today. I thought that would be a safe one. It is such an awesome picture. I wish I was as photogenic as you and Kathy!!! Every picture that I have ever had made was followed by a redo Melissa