I just had a long conversation about this last night with Katie Pre-Op, a recent visitor to this board. I knew I had to stop myself because I wasn't going to stop on my own. Food was going to take over. I put an end to that for my own good. But here's the interesting thing--Now your mileage may vary of course, this is just what's happening to ME. I have NO APPETITE. Nothing. It's gone. I can even smell food and it doesn't open my appetite. Nothing does. I go to restaurants with friends and I don't care. I nibble on something. Periodically I might get a very slight feeling like I'd like to eat something and two or three Saltines later I'm over it. Really. I'm actually having trouble getting myself to EAT SOMETHING. I'm fine with going all day just drinking my protein and various beverages. My nutritionist says she sees this a lot. It's an easy habit to get into. Food has dropped off the map of my life. And that's damn freaky but I'm not arguing. I'm three months and two weeks out. I don't know how long this will last. I know it won't last forever. I'm sure my appetite and hunger will come back eventually but for now I'm riding this train as far as it will go!

Well hello, it's the Hershey bar lady! Glad you found the Heathen Hideout. You gotta go get that surgery and make it too late to turn back. Just go do it and get it over with! It is a weird feeling to know that there are certain things you will never be able to do again, like eat at a Brazilian steakhouse where they swarm you with platters of beef and it's prix fixe all you can eat--which for you will be about $1.89 worth. Believe me, I thought about it a lot. And a couple of years ago I used to tell myself I was "scared" of the surgery when what I was really scared of was giving up eating like a pig whenever I wanted to, which was often. When I accepted and faced REALITY, I knew what I had to do and I DID IT. But don't think I wasn't scared a little on surgery day! I'd had several outpatient surgeries so I wasn't stressing a lot but at one point when I was all fixed up and ready and they left me alone to sit and wait in a little curtained room I guess I just became overwhelmed with the dread of wanting it OVER WITH. I thought about my car just outside.... And I stayed put of course. I got through three uncomfortable days and now I have a much better REST OF MY LIFE to look forward to. The turning point for me was when I realized I could choose FOOD or EVERYTHING ELSE in life and my choices were going to be mutually exclusive. If I chose food, that would be ALL I'd have in my life. So I chose EVERYTHING ELSE. Pick Door Number Two Willby. It's the better choice. Go for it.

I trade foreign currencies, options, and futures for myself from home using Internet-based accounts. I have signed a contract with a film production company to give them exclusive rights to purchase and produce my screenplay within a period of time. If they let the option expire I am free to shop it around to other potential buyers. I am currently working with a development executive to make some changes to it so that it can be considered for purchase by January.

Grocery store cashier Fast Food worker Barista Student Aide at my college Liquor Store cashier College Bookstore cashier Babysitter I think that's all but I might have left out one or two!

Babysitter Fast food cashier Party store cashier Lane Bryant salesperson Hairdresser Leasing Agent Assistant manager in a group home Direct care in a group home for behavior clients Home health aid Gas station cashier Deli meat cutter biology tutor Office manager for a security company Customer service rep for credit counseling Payroll/HR coordinator Assistant HR manager for Kmart Substitute teacher Payroll specialist I think that is it.