Posted by granny2 on November 13, 2007 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Way to go girl. Hang in there. I think it was so nice of Brittany to come down to give her support. Hope all goes well for you and your family.

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would NEVER get this procedure done nor would I let my child under 18 get it done. Get up and eat right and exercise.

Posted by charlene68 on November 13, 2007 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bhippey... I agree, but in reality that is hard to do when you always stay hungry, if someone has an eating disorder they first have to have an appetite suppressant whther it is natural or prescribed, because if you stay hungry and exercise and eat right or whatever, you still are going to eat to much or the wrong thing or the wrong way. first you have to curb the appetite then do the rest. it defeats the purpose to do the rest when you are still hungry.

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's really the parent's fault in cases where children are overweight. Don't let your children eat whatever they want to, whenever they want. If your younger children throw tantrums because they can't have donuts, oh well. Listen to them cry from their room with the door shut. It's all about moderation and sensible eating. These habits start at a young age. Start teaching your children the importance of healthy eating and exercise. We keep an eye on what my son eats, and his day care only serves healthy foods. They go out and play 2 times a day for a half hour each. We take him out on his tricycle every night after work and take him to the park on the weekends. He can have cookies and juice but in MODERATION and not ALL THE TIME. I cook dinner 6 nights a week and it's always healthy. Nothing fried or greasy. There is always a veggie, which he LOVES thank goodness. We order pizza once a month. We hardly ever eat out. If we do we go to Ruby Tuesdays and my son and I have the salad bar.....IT'S EASY TO BE HEALTHY AND FOR YOUR KIDS TO BE, TOO.

Posted by MHA on November 13, 2007 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well said bhippey.

Another word for the term "eating disorder" is "bad habit".

I hope this works for the young lady and that she is able to lead a happy and fulfilled life.

I also hope her parent(s) are ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen in the first place.

Posted by bubbbie on November 13, 2007 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Alexis congratulations on having the courage to take charge of your life. I too had the surgery done at MUSC this past march. I'm down over a hundred and still dropping. Good luck with your recovery and new life!

bhippey- Would you also not have a heart bypass surgery if you needed one? For many people this procedure is medically necessary. I've dealt with ignorant people like you my whole life. Your less than educated response to this article speaks not only to your character but exemplifies the prejudices Dr. Byrnes illuded to in the article. God help you!

MHA- What is wrong with you? You can't blame the parents because of the childs eating disorder. Would you blame a parent if the child had birth defects? This is a serious medical problem and not something that can be easily controlled and is definately not just "bad habits". Shame on you for spewing such ignorance and using this forum to hurt this family.

Posted by wifeofatruckdriver on November 13, 2007 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good luck Alexis! I had this procedure 6 yrs ago and it is something I would do again in a heartbeat! Don't listen to all the negative people out there! And before you start on me bhippey, I tried everything I could before I had the surgery, it's one of the prerequisites of having the bypass. I tried weight watchers, I joined the gym, I
walked. Good for you that you make good choices and have taught your kids to do that same, but there gets to be a certain time in a childs life when you cannot control what they put in their mouth you are not with them 24/7.

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's not a "less than educated" response. It's not something I support. I think it's an easy way out. And who are you to judge the OPINIONS of others and start making assumptions that people are ignorant because they don't believe or support what YOU think is just. Are you a christian?? "If you don't believe what I believe in YOU'RE WRONG!!!"

BTW: Heart bypass surgery is just a tad bit different!

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why would I start in on you?? I know people that have opted for gastric bypass. I don't think less of them. I just think that this should be an ABSOLUTE last resort type thing. Too many people get this done out of laziness.

Posted by wifeofatruckdriver on November 13, 2007 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bhippey-EASY WAY OUT? yes..you are very uneducated about the procedure. There is NOTHING easy about it!!! Definately NOT the easy way out!!!!

Posted by jsandyed on November 13, 2007 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I will be following your progress with great interest. I have had a weight all of my life and I know how it feels.
It will be hard I am sure but just I am rooting for you.........

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh my god. Chill out. My one co-worker almost died from this procedure. She had complication after complication after complication afterwards. She ended up having 2 more surgeries to correct the infections and other problems this procedure caused. I didn't mean easy way out as hey you go in for 10 minutes they cut you and you're done. I know more than you think about it. I know the healing process is grueling. I know you can only eat portions the size of your fist. And they have to be less than solid at the beginning. Like I said, I have friends that have had this done. People think surgery solves everything these days, that's it's an easy way out. I'm overweight. I weigh 40 lbs more than I should. I go to the gym 4 days a week and eat right. I had a kid 20 months ago and never felt like losing the weight. I have been extremely lazy, but if dieting and excerise doesn't work, I'm not going to look to surgery to fix my problem. I wouldn't even qualify, but that's not the point...

Posted by reality_woman on November 13, 2007 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To bhippey,
first of all I am in health care and I see a lot of obese folks who have not chosen to be fat they have tried all measures, sometimes they do not work. It is not out of laziness or beacuse they eat what they want. You need to stop bashing this girl for making a decision that in the end will make her healthier and happier. Stop being negative. I hope to God You blow up some day and then you will know how these people feel. Don't assume you know why this girl or others are fat and stay that way you do not have a medical degree do you? No??? Then shut up and keep you insensitive BS to yourself. Last resort yeah it is for these people but to them it is worth the price.
Alexsis you go girl best of luck to you keep smiling and you will be just fine. Work on it I know it is not easy. But you are almost past the hard part now, it will get eaiser. God Bless you

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't tell me to shut up you stupid... I'll write in this forum if I so choose. Unless you feel like reporting me to the P&C. Which I'm sure you will.

Posted by wifeofatruckdriver on November 13, 2007 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

reality_woman-THANK YOU!! More people need to be supportive! For some people the surgery IS A LAST RESORT! I know that if I had not have had it done I would not have been here to see my children grow up! I had many health issues prior to surgery that have now gone away. Not only that, but I lost 200 lbs and then got pregnant and had a beautiful baby girl that I would NOT have had had I not had the surgery!
Good luck Alexis! It's not an easy road but you can do it!!!

Posted by bubbbie on November 13, 2007 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bhippy- you missed the point of the heart bypass. If it was medically necesary for you to get this surgery you would, just like you'd get a heart bypass if medically necessary.

Did you read the previous article about this girls Diabetes? If this was your daughter and you did everything her parents had done would you really rather see her die from Diabetes and other complications from her weight than get this surgery?

As for the "easy way out" and "Too many people get this done out of laziness" comments, total ignorance on your part. This surgery is only done after dieting and exercise do not work to cure the problem. This is the last resort, not the quick fix you seem to think it is. Candidates for this surgery have exhausted all other means before they are approved for this surgery. Alexis risked her life having this surgery, that isn't the "easy way out". The easy way out would be to do nothing and let her medical conditions kill her.

This surgery isn't a silver bullet. It doesn't make you skinny, its a tool, just like a treadmill, used to help you achieve your weightloss goals.

bhippey I would also suggest you tell the people you know that have had this surgery that they took the "easy way out". I'm sure they would like to know how you feel.

Posted by sherlock on November 13, 2007 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Kudos Alexis. Keep up the good work, dont give in to temptation and soon you will be a new person with a new look on life. I wish you the best. Take your meds like you should and follow all of your drs instructions. bless you always.

Posted by eyfigueroa on November 13, 2007 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bhippey: i understand your prejudices. and it's unfortunate that you feel that way about your co-worker. i wonder, did you tell her that she was lazy and that having the surgery was an easy way out? you say she had complications. but did you ever truly 'speak' to her about her obesity and what she tried to do before the surgery?

granted, there are many families out there who let their bad habits rub off onto their children and unfortunately the children suffer the consequences.

but i have to say that based on the initial article about this young lady, the parents were quite aware of the family's eathing habits and years before had drastically changed their lifestyles, to include exercise and diet. for whatever reason, this girl's weight only got worse. even after drastice diets and exercise the weight got back on. her family by the way are all less in weight and in great health. but with her birth defect (in her legs) constant and heavy exercise was out of the question.

let's be happy for Alexis. she knew that choosing this route would be difficult, dangerous and expensive. but she knew that good health would be worth it.

so easy for the rest of us to say what we wouldn't do, but unless in the situation you never know.

as far as your 40 lbs. having a baby is no excuse. i had two children while in the army and actually weighed less afer having them then i did before getting pregnant. and i had gestational diabetes with the second one!

as you said, you're the lazy one yet have the nerve to call others on the carpet for their weight.

but you are certainly correct on one thing. this forum is open to all and every opinion should be respected even if not agreed with. and you being called names is disrespectful.

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm happy for you that you were smaller after having your kids, what does being in the army have to do with it? I happened to gain alot of weight with my son and haven't lost it all yet, due to a lack of trying. But as I said I have started going to the gym and have already lost 10 pounds and two dress sizes. I just do not think that surgery is the answer. Have you read the statistics in the other article? I wouldn't do it given those numbers. That's just me though.

Posted by MHA on November 13, 2007 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There are medical reasons for being over weight and I fully understand that. An "Eating disorder" is NOT a medical reason. It’s a bad habit and yes, I can blame the parents.

Let me start this next part with a disclaimer: Fat/Obese does not mean a few pounds over weight. Being bone skinny is NOT the answer. Being 70 pounds over weight or more IS a problem though. It is NOT acceptable.

Coddling fat people is why obesity is running rampant in the US right now. Your fat, if you are fat, causes an increase in everyone's health care. It causes businesses to lose money and the services/products they provide to be more expensive. It also looks disgusting in tight fitting clothing, shorts and mini skirts. We need to get back to the old days when fat was something to be ashamed of and people worked hard not to be fat.

And oh yea, bubbbie, parents CAN be blamed for birth defects in MANY cases. Why do you think they have so many campaigns to prevent drinking, smoking and drugs during pregnancy?

I wasn't using the forum to hurt the family. I'm guessing that the family voluntarily opened themselves up to the media. They did, after all, give at least two interviews. You don't lay your life out for the media and expect not to get comments. If the coverage has "hurt" the family, I'm thinking it's self inflicted.

Since I don't know your background bubbbie, I won't call you ignorant. I generally don't state such things unless I know them to be fact. I will state that I am not ignorant in this area though (we're all ignorant in one area or another). I'm a certified nutritionist. A thin one :)

As I said, I hope this young girl leads a happy, productive life.

I want to change my statement about hoping the parents are ashamed for letting the girl get so fat. I hope they are ashamed for letting her get so fat AND for airing her dirty laundry in the public media :)

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MHA you are a nutritionalist? Where do you work? I need help!!!

Posted by TarNFeatherEm on November 13, 2007 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

MHA- if you had read the first article on this girl you would know that she has had a weight problem since she was a small child. The article even talked about how her doctors blamed her mother for her weight in the beginning (some sort of syndrome) and did all sort of tests and studies on the mother and child. I don't think the parents "let the girl get so fat" I believe they have all (the family) been battling her weight for most of her life.

Posted by carolinagal on November 13, 2007 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why would I start in on you?? I know people that have opted for gastric bypass. I don't think less of them. I just think that this should be an ABSOLUTE last resort type thing. Too many people get this done out of laziness.

bhippy- this is not the lazy way out- Its hard work....did you see the pics of her as a small child- she was huge- at like 2 or 3. There is alot the docs consider before doing it. I am overweight by about 75 pounds and I eat healthy, work out 3-4 times a week, but i have always been heavy...I called just to get facts for this and i dont qualify for this surgery...Its not just about being overweight....some people are born with thyroid issues, somes metabolisim slows way down- all overweight people are not lazy slobs, who shovel food in their mouths. wake the f*&k up. i usually agree with you , but not this tme.

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How about you watch your mouth when you talk to me.

Posted by carolinagal on November 13, 2007 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ok ok- sorry i should not have used bad language- I am sorry for that.
This is by no way the easy way out though. Kudos to that child- I hope everything works out for her- I know how mean kids can be- especially in school......you make us out to be lazy slobs...thats not always the case ......

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have been yo-yoing with my weight for as long as I can remember. One year I was 200lbs the next I was down to 110. Now I'm back to being 40 lbs overweight again. It gets old going back and forth. I was doing well for 3 years befire I got pregnant with my son. I gaines 55 lbs while I was pregnant. I was high risk and on strict bed rest, but I ate ALL the time. Out of boredom. Plus the fact that as soon as I threw up after every meal, I was immediately hungry again. I was lazy the last year and a half, but have decided to get off of my lazy butt and do something about it. I like playing with my son, and would LOVE to be able to do it without sweating or losing my breath. I understand the frustruation, I just don't understand going through a dangerous procedure like this. I'm not talking about this girl in particular. Just the operation in general. It's very very risky. It would take it being life or death for me to get something like this done.

Posted by carolinagal on November 13, 2007 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

it is life or death- those have to be the qualifications before they will even set up a consultation appt. High blood pressure, strain on the heart, clogged arteries, diabetes...I feel your pain- I live it. But this child would not have lived to see 40- If I was a betting girl I'd be willing to bet on that.
Good luck with your weight loss...have you tried Curves? I love it...15 lbs and still counting.....

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've lost 10 lbs and two dresses sizes in the past month by eating healthy and going to our community gym 3 days a week. I do the ab lounge at home once a week as well. Good luck to you as well.

Posted by juniemoon1957 on November 13, 2007 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Alexis....my hopes and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery and long life full of happiness. Good luck to you in the future.

Posted by SomeTruthPlease on November 13, 2007 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone who believes that all fat people are fat out of sheer gluttony and laziness needs to research conditions such as hypothyroidism and PCOS. PraderWilli is another condition, and I think the most horrifying of them all. May adolescent females are affected with PCOS. Very little in the way of behavior modification will change anything for the positive with that condition; only medical intervention, and with healthcare availability in such a crisis, there are few answers for many people. I've gained weight..yes, out of laziness. I do know that something medical is going on, and always has...I have two skinny-as-a-rail, beautiful siblings...we could eat the same food, same portions, and I would weigh 150 at 5'5" and my sister would weigh 110 at 5'7". I was the one coaching gymnastics and working at the fitness center, and my sister was a cheerleader. We both burned calories, but for whatever reason, I could never be bone-thin. I was a fairly devout bulimic in the 80s...had it all down to a science, and still could not keep it off. I firmly believe that sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, genetics is a big factor.

Posted by gldelox on November 13, 2007 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm overweight and have had a weight problem my entire life. 2 1/2 months ago i hopped on the scale (poor scale), i was the heaviest i had ever been at 261 pounds (i'm 5'6"...so it wasn't a pretty sight!) and totally devastated! 2 years ago i weighed 150 pounds when i got remarried (after losing 80 pounds), but the stress of a new husband, 2 stepchildren, a new house, etc., lead me to resume my old eating habits. I looked into gastric bypass but thought how is that going to teach me the right way to eat, so i decided to start eating right and exercising on my own and in 2 1/2 months i've lost 35 pounds. I still have 76 to go, but the hard part is over...getting started!

My daughter is 11 and both her father and I are heavy. I'm thankful that she hasn't gotten the terrible eating habits that I had, and she actually loves the meals i make for myself. She's seen me struggle and knows what i've been through and neither of us wants to see her go through that.

Posted by liveyourlife on November 13, 2007 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bhippey-you need some serious help you should be praying for this child and not downing her talking about her parents are not on her about her eating habitis man you really need to think about what you are saying because I can talk from experience and your parents do not have control over your eating it is something you have ot do your self and sometimes doing that does not work and it leads into more problems so I think what she done was a wonderful thing and I hope her all the luck and I hope she really gets to enjoy herself and her life now. Alexis do not look down on yourself look up and smile and tell the lord thank you for giving you the opportunity to change your life at such a early age before it is too late. Good luck Alexis and you are in my prayers for a quick and fast recovery!!

Posted by nochasgirl on November 13, 2007 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good luck Alexis. I hope this works, and will help you live a healthy lifestyle.

Posted by MDW on November 13, 2007 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good luck Alexis! You've got a rough road ahead and I'm pulling for you!

TarNFeatherEm - I read the article that you spoke of. Here's the link:
http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/oct/...

It's not this child's fault that she's this way! This family went through hell because the doctors took one look at this child and blamed the parents. They hospitalized this poor, little girl and finally figured out that the parents weren't lying. The Self-deemed, Demi-Gods were proven wrong and they're eating those words. I hate doctors like that.

Posted by datadiva on November 13, 2007 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Again, how is this 'news'

Human Interest? Sounds like more of a way for the P&C to get people on the site commenting about whatever...

Granted, I'm happy that Alexis is able to have this done, I applaud her - but maybe make the article more newsworthy with a slant toward health care and the fact that this procedure may or may not be covered by insurance...

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

liveyourlife: My Posts are not about HER or HER FAMILY personally.

Posted by Girleygirl on November 13, 2007 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GOOD LUCK ALEXIS!!!

After the birth of my son in 1995 I lost ALL of my "baby fat" and was back into my regular clothes, but after I had my daughter in 1999 I could not lose weight for nothing. I tried the cabbage diet and the ending results was me going to the restroom all the time. The south beach diet, for me, was awful as well. I even tried taking the pills and the jitters was not my thing. I was scared messing with those pills. I DON"T RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE Slim fast made me hungry. I mean as soon as I drank that thing my stomach was growling. I finally found the Atkins diet and lost 75 lbs and kept the weight off ever since. With ever single one of these diets I exercised every other day.

Losing weight is so hard and it can be discouraging as well so I hope that anyone whom is trying to lose weight, don't ever give up on yourself! I am more active, and more healthier now than I was before I had my kids.

Posted by stephaniem on November 13, 2007 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

carolinagirl,

although I feel bad for everyone who has this operation, most people in the us are eating too much.

even people who eat diet food are getting side effects or eating too much meat

buy higher quality meat and free range chicken. Fish and cabbage soup recipes help lose weight.

take a multivitamin so your body doesn't tell you to eat more to get certain vitamins and drink more water as the first symptom of dehydration is hunger --believe it or not

walk everyday

Posted by amberjena on November 13, 2007 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There are medical conditions that cause obesity, where no amount of diet and exercise can make the person get back to a healthy BMI, and extreme measures like gastric bypass are the last resort.

Bad habit? From what I understand, an eating disorder is a very serious condition. It effects the person mentally as well as physically and shouldn't be taken so lightly.

For the rest of us that are so lucky to not have to deal with these conditions... find an active hobby and think about what you're eating, it's a start.

Posted by svESinKW on November 13, 2007 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bhippey, I am so glad I don't know you. You make me sick. Not with just this line of posts but with all others. You need serious psychiatric help.

From now on, do some research before you type. There are many physiological reasons for obesity that have nothing whatsoever to do with overeating and being lazy. And for the record, no, I am not overweight.

I think you just don't have enough of a life and try to make yourself feel important by stirring up "stuff" and watching what happens. You assume the worst of people and obviously type without thinking. You think you have the right to type whatever you want but if someone argues or disagrees then you tell them to watch how they talk to you. You are an ignorant bully.

Posted by bhippey on November 13, 2007 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GIVE ME YOUR LUNCH MONEY.....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!

Posted by Hey_U_Guys on November 13, 2007 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

svESunKW why do you suggest people need psychiatric help for stating their opinions? Everyone has their own views on things. I don't agree with bhippey, but you can't fault someone for saying what they believe. I can't believe people personally attack others in a forum. How many would say the same face to face??

Good luck to this girl. It's going to be tough.

Posted by Follymom06 on November 13, 2007 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As an Elementary School teacher in Charleston County, I am privy to what parents put in their kids' lunch boxes, and let me tell you: I am disgusted on a daily basis. And to make matters worse, 90% of my students buy ice-cream after lunch Monday through Friday (which their parents support by giving them the $.) I am by no means the health food nazi, but shouldnt' ice-cream be a special treat and not a daily dessert (especially when your child is already overweight?)

Childhood obesity is so rampant in the U.S. and especially in our great state - but thank goodness for Mississippi, right? Or we would be the FATTEST state in the nation!

I am very curious what eating habits the Khan family has that their daughter has struggled with obesity since early childhood...

Posted by dreamer on November 13, 2007 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to add my two cents here...If you look back (or think back) to the original story, Alexis has another medical condition that affected her (I can't recall what it was) but I remember that it was a contributing factor to her need for weight loss. Aso, FollyMom, Alexis' mother stated that she, herself, struggled with her weight and for years had eaten healthy--Alexis was not able to lose weight. Normally, I would be the first to say, "get off the couch, go to the gym!" And I do think that many people resort to gastric bypass as an easy out. But the truth is that this family turned to it as a last resort--not their first option. Bhippey, I agree--many times it is the parents' fault. Too many are too slow to say "no" and it's too easy to run through the drive-thru instead of fixing a healthy meal. But in this case, I believe that there is more to it than you are seeing and giving credit for.

Posted by reality_woman on November 14, 2007 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bhippey you are down right rude. You can talk yourslef around everything you have to say, but bottom line is you should researcg before saying something. I wish I could throw you off this form, just for being stupid with yurself and your comments. I agree you need to get a life and stop stirring the pot. You are not compassionate. You are an a**. I wish I could kick your's and maybe knock some sense into your brain, because I do believe you are sitting on it.
Yes everyone is entitles to an opinion, but again you don't have all the facts. ANY surgery is a RISK, bigger than you know. I am a nurse and I see the poor outcomes from routine run of the mill procedures. This one is no different. So that being said...you are out of here.

Posted by hockeyb on November 14, 2007 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hi Alexis! I'm so glad this surgery was available for you! I beleive you did the right thing. Listen to your Mom & Dr's. & get healthy! Good luck.

bhippey - Did you read the articles??? You don't sound like a very smart person & you need to get a life!

Posted by mpaul12 on November 15, 2007 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Alexis,
I am just writing to wish you luck and to let you know many people are praying for you. I am not writing to give you pity, for I am sure that is the last thing that you want, but to commend you for your efforts and attitude.

I am a student at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant and by the articles I have read you sound like a very kind, sweet, and intellectual person. It would be an honor for many people to meet you, or to become more like you.

On that subject, I just want to apologize for all of the people on here bashing your decision, or saying very false statements. People try to bash others out of their own insecurties, and may be jealous; for this procedure is often very successful. Helping many people lead a better life. A better life that some of these people may not have. People also don't understand these comments are public, for everyone to see, making themselves look ignorant.

I wish the best of luck to you and your family! I live in Mount Pleasant and have a close family friend who opted to have the procedure. One which was very successful. Since the operation, she has a completely different attitude toward everything. It seems as if her life has become much better.

I'm speechless towards bhippey, but Follymom06 I was just going to let it known that in another article Alexis says "We have been looking at the labels at the grocery store for as long as I can remember." Not trying to degrade you or your comment at all, just want to make sure people don't believe the same thing.

Well Alexis if you ever read this, just know that you are very blessed to have such an oppurtunity and we all wish you luck as you go through this process.

Good Luck!
Michael

Posted by sueelrick on November 18, 2007 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just logged into this blog and am completely blown away by the Southern Hospitality of bhippey. What in the world gives this woman the right to spit such hatred towards a child struggling. This child did not chose to live this life or to live in this body. God created this child and she has struggled her entire life with some medical problem of one kind or another.I have been with her to every specialist that California had to offer her and watched her under medical supervision still struggle with the weight at a very, very early age. I have not been to S.C. but prayed that the Southern Hospitality that we all associate S.C. with would treat her with respect and open arms. I would have expected the harsh words from a body image California, her home state, but not S.C. I am sick to my stomach reading the harsh words of this woman. I would make a special trip to S.C. to sit down with this person assuming it is a woman to get her knowledge of here we have failed this child. This person seems to have a greater knowledge than the hundreds of medical tests and doctors we have taken Alexis to. I believe the great state of S.C. should interview this very knowledge person and put her out on the media circuit with her knowledge. Maybe she could save many lives as well as insurance companies millions of dollars with her insight on obesity. Amazing. I pray for this person that she never encounter something greater in life that she would have no control. Alexis comes from a very close knit, loving family and there is not one of us who would have wished this upon this child. Your harsh words should be directed at an adult not a child and a blog regarding a child should be encouraging not hateful. The child will read your words and may take them to heart. If you have anger and disapproval regarding this surgery you should have written a letter to the newspaper to pass on to the parent privately or if you are so smart paid to have your word published in the paper for everyone to read not a blog to a child. Same on you. If you represent S.C. I am proud to say that I have not visited your great state. Oh by the, what level of education do you proclaim to have in the knowledge of how people become obese? Shame on you. When you go to bed each night I hope you have done something good during your day so that when you wake up the next you are a better person than you were on this day. I live by the rule that on your death bed you better pray that your children are standing there looking at you and that they are the last eyes you see. I would be so lucky to have Alexis standing there looking at me knowing that I as well as her mother have done the very best to assure this beautiful child a wonderful, healthy, happy life free from evil people like you.

Posted by sueelrick on November 19, 2007 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Alexis, I am proud of you and proud to be your great aunt. Stay strong and as you know .....do not clutter your mind with the evil, ignorant people that may pass by you during your day. They too shall pass and we will still be strong, smart, happy, with dreams of greater things and on the beach of Laguna.