As I don't believe in everything you do... I personally think the people that can express what they believe gently.. Using a soft opening not sure actually what that would be.. if there are no questions that means there are no requests for more information...I personally have learned to say REALLY quickly I'm Happy you have a belief...but I'm not interested...and if they persue I say... the way you talk is excatly why I don't care to hear more...if need be.. I walk away...turn my head... I even whisled once.. No matter what your belief there are people that think they know better how to MAKE YOU BETTER... And we all know.. anyone that thinks that way has a superior complex.... Any way thats my take on it... I believe what I believe and if I care to hear more more information I'll ask right?? Happy ora time right??/ Wendy

Welcome home Willby! Don't stress about food at this point. Just get your protein in and keep yourself hydrated. I stuck to liquids for the entire first month. I let my new stomach get completely healed. I know some people are very conscious of what they can and can't eat and they seem to fixate on when they can start eating more and how many different foods they can add to their post-op diet. I think that's not really the point here. Think about changing the role of food in your life and let it drop WAY down the list of your priorities. It's a mind game, baby! Control it!

Hi Terri, Thank you for your reply . I'm glad that you understand about my drug. As sick as its sounds.........as long as I know I can get a "fix" sometime in the future......its enough to placate me. It truly amazes me when I hear people say they would do it over again if they had to. I guess its pretty much like giving birth. You SWEAR never again.....and in 2-3 years the memory of the pain fades and here comes another baby. I was t-h-i-s close to walking out of the pre-op room on Monday. I wasnt afraid of the pain as much as I was afraid of losing my life as I knew it. Granted, I was 48 years old, 327 pounds, pre-diabetic,and hidden from the world.........but in a sick,twisted way........I was content. Well, have to go now........time to call my therapist and tell her just how dysfunctional I really am Thanks again willby thinsoon

This has been the week of good news! Everything is going through with the closing of my company with no interruption of my bonus or severance. Also, due to Wilma, a few of us have been asked to stay on an additional week. This is good news for me. My 2 year anniversary is 11-3. This means I will earn another 18 days of vacation time to be paid out to me when I leave. YAYYYYYYYY!!!! Also, I got news when I called the insurance company on my TT. They said it is closed and the determination has been sent to my surgeon. This was late on Friday so I have not heard yet. I have been waiting since August. I do know that it is a covered benefit through my BCBS Community Blue. I should have a surgery date this coming week. Is this just in time or what? I know my surgeon will squeeze me in within a week or two. So, everything is falling into place. I am extremely hungover due to the work party being insane last night. People were going to hotels to hook up and stuff. It was crazy. Don't forget to set your clocks tonight everyone. I am in a much better state of mind now. I just have to find out now if my insurance covers an IUD. Anyone ever had insurance pay for this? Terri

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051027/ap_on_re_us/danforth_clinton_school A former Republican Senator and Episcopal priest has stated that he thinks the Christian influence in the GOP is bad for the party and divisive for the country. WOW, that's a Republican even I can get behind! This reminds me of how I was pretty impressed by the Republicans who opposed Congress getting involved in the whole Schiavo thing earlier this year. They looked at the role of Congress, not the issue! It would be great if more of them would look more closely at their party's traditional principles and be more supportive of the separation of church and state.