Doddie63

One other thing I forgot to say, your fiance proposed to you at your present weight. It is obvious he loves you just as you are so there is no excuse really unless you have other reasons you are not saying. Doddie

Where are the little smileys found?

If you both love each other, weight should not be the criteria for getting married. This is a life time committment and your weights will flucuate up and down. You will look just as beautiful in a wedding gown at any weight. You will radiate your beauty no matter what so get married. Doddie PS: I was 303 lbs and my husband loved me just like he did when I was 129 lbs. We have been married 36 years.

Hi Marcar 35 Yes, I use Dr. W.'s scale as the officail weight, but I am addicted to the scales. I have tried to stay off them but I get into a real lather is I don't weigh. At least now though, I know my pattern and I don't get discouraged. You are really do well, congratulations. Doddie

Yes the lower the weight of the individual the slower the weight loss is my belief. For instance at 300 lbs after 30 minutes of exercise I have used over 200 calories now at 250 I use 170. So it seems to me I have to walk longer to use more calories as my weight decreases. Doddie

Good point fousilly. Most staff at the TLBC have been banded and lost a tremendous amount of weight not just 20 or so. I am not sure about Dr. C. but I am sure he has some. Doddie

Please do away with this blue hue and blue writing. I have eye problems and it is horrible for me to try and read. At least darken the type. Thanks Doddie

Can someone tell me what full is. Is it measuring the 1 cup of food allowed per meal? Is it a "stretched painfully tight" feeling, hiccups. I have all of the above. Doddie

Oh NJ I forgot to mention. Don't deny yourself a treat once in awhile. I factor into my daily foods one treat. Try it. By denying yourself everything you love, you are doomed to failure. So treat yourself, just cut back on something else.

Hi to Cchristy and NJ: Thanks for responding about not overdoing it. I have spent my life yo yoing and resenting every minute. So I have empathy about the cigerettes. We spent huge dollars to be like everyone else, then pressure from all quarters to "diet", "exercise" get the weight off fast. Why? what is the rush. My priority from day one was to change my lifestyle and the way I eat one day at a time. If I sound "angry" I think I am a bit chippy. I am told almost daily and I read on the website about "gung ho" this or that. That is fine for those that want to be in the old rut and/or want to take it off fast but please everyone respect the slow losers. We are going another route and for me at least, it is working. Good journey is wished for all Doddie

Hi: comments are on one of the doctors we think is backing the clinic, not the clinic itself. But the general consensus in deciding on any clinic is to try and pick a surgeon who has done roughly 200 bands and has a network of support organized. After care is vital and I personally would pick one of the longer established clinics if they were all within my home. If you do go with your clinic please let us know how they do. Doddie

I think the post about a slow metabolism is what most of us suffer. Our problem involves genetics along with all the other hangups we have. I have stated I am not in favor of exercising to the max, because no way will most keep up that pace. We got the band to help us control our eating volume not to kill ourselves or cause joint injuries. Everything in moderation and the weight will come off. There was an article in the paper today that just walking 30 minutes a day will take two pounds off a month and I find that is a true statement. I have taken of an average of two pounds a month for a year just by walking or taking aquafit for one hour a day. I eat properly. So my point is relax. Exercise moderately, eat as dictated by your doctor and let the body take care of getting rid of the fat in its own time. Enjoy your life and try to stop worrying about not being fast enough. Doddie

Just like weight makes your feet larger it also affects your height, maybe?

marmalou: To answer you we would have to have more information. When you say you try to help. Are you always on his case or do you quietly support him no matter what he does. My husband is an enabler. That is he loves to give me things I like, particularly food. After the band, he quietly accepts anything I do, including if I gain weight. My point to you bluntly "is get off his case and quit trying to actively change him". You married the man not the size of the body. Let him decide what he wishes to eat and drink. He knows what the guidelines are and if you put out healthy food and drink if HE WANTS to, he will choose them. If not, that is his decision not yours. Support and love him no matter what is decisions are. Someday he will come to gripps with his problem, but he is the only one to do it. I hope I haven't been too brutal, but there is no simple answer. He is an adult and must answer to himself. Doddie

Hi TedOB. Doesn't matter in the least what others think, it is what you think of your decision. When and if you wish to discuss it with others, that too is your decision. I don't point fingers or look down on people that tell a little white lie because that is their decision and as long as they are comfortable that is all that counts. I just have cautioned people that telling a lie has a way of coming back at your. Better to say nothing or give as little information at possible. In Canada, we have had a major Victory. Obese people can now buy a plane ticket for two seats at the cost of a single. How long that will last after Air Canada appeals is a guess. The editorial in the paper today say why should thin people be penalized supporting a fat person who has just not made the effort to control their weight. I am seething mad that this attitude exists today. So everyone whatever you want to say or not say is your right. Good Luck Doddie

Hi TedOB. Doesn't matter in the least what others think, it is what you think of your decision. When and if you wish to discuss it with others, that too is your decision. I don't point fingers or look down on people that tell a little white lie because that is their decision and as long as they are comfortable that is all that counts. I just have cautioned people that telling a lie has a way of coming back at your. Better to say nothing or give as little information at possible. The

I am a slow loser but I am a slow loser because I keep a loose fill. I have found that bad food goes down easier when you are too tight. If you keep a looser fill you can eat the harder protein and veggies. It may not be a solution to everyone, but numerous posts suggests it can help many. Doddie

Proof is in the puddin. Keeping records shows you that uneven weight loss gain eventually ends up a plus. Well done.

I agree with Green. TLBC recommends in their literature that all banded patients of theirs return once a year for them to check on the band and how the patient is doing. You should get an appoint ASAP. They have a tremendous support group network that can help you restart your journey. Good Luck Doddie

Hi: Good news. Has anyone seen the Federal Court (Canadian) has ruled that Air Canada must supply physically challenged people with two seats at the cost of a single. This includes obese people as well. I am sure the judgment will be appealed but at last, the obese are now considered physically challenged. Of course, editorials came out complaining that all we had to do was show some self control and loose weight but now we would be allowing ourselves to eat ourselves to even higher weight. Ohhhhhhh how I would like to get my hands on that guy. Doddie

Hi Bert99. I live in North Vancouver. How in heavens name did you make it over the border. LOL Doddie

Yes this is my point. So many posts show individuals that are defeated because of weight gain after strenuous exercise, low food intake and yet they show gains. People trying to loose weight have to know their bodies and how the weight is lost. When they know what occurs then they won't get discouraged.

They know only too well how difficult is but their problem is usually only 10 or 20 lbs. They turn their noses in the air because in my opinion they are jealous that we have finally made the decision to control our bodies and minds. People seem to like to snear at someone rather than look at themselves. When we take away their object of superiority, I think they then have to look at themselves and they don't like it.

I weigh in every Saturday. My pattern is the lowest weight at the lst week and I have increases and decreases for the next three weeks. On the 4th weeks, I usually show a lower weight than the lst week. then I start all over again. Gets pretty depressing over the month to see myself heavier but by weighing in regularly I know my pattern and I don't allow myself to get too down. What about all of you. What is your pattern? Doddie

Good thinking Donna D. I read all the time of individuals increasing the fill more and more and still not making progress. Instead of looking to increase look to decrease. Many long time bandsters I have chatted with tell me they keep a loose fill. Impatience may bring on more problems than just taking your time. Learn how to eat smaller portions, healthy portions and to keep your self moving in a sensible exercise program. I always remember the story about the "turtle and the hare". That's me folks. .85 lbs a week average. I get down sometimes but my Doctors are very encouraging and remind me I didn't put it all on overnight. I think I will start a link about how people find their weight loss. For instance, I start off at the first of the month at a lower weight then I increase in weight and decrease each week.Usually on the fourth week of the month, I decrease to a lower weight that I showed at the start of the previous month. Make sense? It can be pretty depressing sometime but I like to keep track of my weight and watch the pattern on weight loss.