Donna113

Are NY or NJ the only venues under consideration? For purposes of convenience of travel (flying into NY or NJ is always such a hassle) and affordability, wouldn't other venues be more accessible?

Maybe she'll use that as the platform for why she's getting one. Picture it -- "We, Oprah, have decided We will have WLS because after We received further documentary and medical information as part of our due diligence process in acquiring a Health Network, We discoverd WLS is the best method for permanent weight loss."

Boos, have you had any fills? I've had 4 and had a 5th one scheduled for today but I canceled it because I do have some restriction and I'm scared of being overrestricted. The first couple of days after my 4th fill, I had the most restriction but for me that meant I couldn't eat more than a couple of bites of solid food before discomfort and pain but the hunger still remained. It was very tempting to do slider foods so I decided that I'd rather be too loose than even slightly too tight. If after I complete my 5 Day Pouch Test, I feel I'm still too loose, then I'll get a 5th fill.

Arguing with the Christian Right is like arguing with a door knob, except you might get a more diverse response from the door knob. I don't mean this as an insult to Christians, it's just that being a recovering zealot, I know that when you are in that phase and God is the answer to every question, how can anyone argue against God? Arguing that the Bible was written by man doesn't work either because "God enlightened man and the hand the man wrote with was simply an instrument of God's will"

yumm -- sounds good.

I'm just flabbergasted. My husband would throw himself in front of a bus before he'd suggest I submit to him and if he didn't, I'd shove him in front of that bus. In all seriousness, we are best friends, lovers and partners in life. This brings us joy in our relationship and also sets an example for both our son and daughter that one is not above the other. It saddens me when I see people use God as a sword to stab others with whom they disagree. That's one of the reasons why I no longer practice any organized relgion. I prefer to be a tolerant spiritualist.

I had been exercising daily but my knee flared up when I started the Couch to 5 K training and I was advised by the doctor to rest it for a week or 2 and sure enough after a couple of weeks, the knee stopped bothering me but I had gotten out of the habit of exercising so I really need to get back into it. As for food, right now I'm on day 2 of the 5 Day Pouch Test but normally, I just eat normal food in much smaller amounts than I used to prior to banding. I don't eat bread anymore (although I've tested it to see if I can and I still can). I don't miss it so I don't eat it. I still eat a tiny bit of pasta and a tiny bit of rice on rare occasions. I love them so I just stay away from them. I have had a bit of trouble over Halloween chocolate (ate it every day for a week straight) but miraculously did not gain any weight. That probably means I would have lost had I not indulged. I just really suck at tracking food on a diary. I hate it and don't want to do it. It makes me feel like I'm a slave to the food and in fact makes me feel even less in control. Does that make sense?

Her show at least... I heard tonight that Oprah plans to "retire" from her show in 3 years.

OMG you've planted some sort of device in my head so you can read all my thoughts, haven't you?

I feel your DW's pain.

Thanks Steph. I admit that at times I feel like I'm failing at this weight loss thing. I will be 4 months next week since being banded and the scales just laugh at me. Other times I feel like I'm OK and my body is responding at the rate it feels like responding and comparing myself to others is ridiculous. I did start the 5 Day Pouch Test today to help reset my mind. I'm not having any pouch problems and haven't even PB'd or thrown up but it states that it can be a way to "renew" the band and get that "newbie" feeling. BTW, where does the name Twilight come from?

Judging others for judging others... I'm too simple minded to grasp this concept.

I gave up cigarettes (unrelated to band), diet sodas and last but certainly not least--gluttony. I pity the fool that tries to take away my coffee. [channeling Mr. T]

I'd love to get all these people (me included) in the same room to see how the debates would go then. Of course, they'd have to pass through metal detectors first! :eek:

I started the 5 day pouch diet today. It's supposed to renew the pouch and help you get that "newbie" feeling back. It wasn't too bad.

Thank you Marjorie for answering all my questions. When I reread my post I thought "Wow, how incredibly rude of me!" I guess sometimes in an online forum and especially in one like this where we are here to share and support, we can (I can) cross the line.

Marie, what a difference! You look great. I'm on day 1 of the 5 day pouch diet today. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. I'm pretty hungry now but I find if I drink a protein shake, that chases it away.

Renewed, you look great! Completely amazing!

WTG!!! That's so awesome! I can't wait until I can say I hit the 50 lb mark. Michele, you've passed the 50lb mark too! Congrats! Yes, quite often. I've been trying to avoid sleeping on my stomach but I must flip over during my sleep.

It's not them, it's my band. The first fill was 3 and it didn't do anthing, the 2nd fill they gave me 1 for 4 but it was too much so they had to back out .5. The 3rd fill they gave me another 1 but had to back out .5 so on the 4th fill they gave me .5 to take me up to 4.5 and it gave me good restriction but I'm starting to feel it loosen again so it's time to go back. I'm just very sensitive to fills.

Just reading this thread is inspirational.

aaahhhhhh -- and here I was thinking Plain had some sort insidious carnal knowledge of Renob... :eek:

Orea, how wonderful! I have another fill scheduled for next Tuesday. This will be my fifth fill. I currently have 4.5 in an 8 cc band.

Marjorie, I did not realize you were in Houston and that your lapband doctor was Spivak. That's who did my lap band as well. How much total weight did you lose? How long after your weight loss did you start the PS process? Did the LBL include TT and muscle tightening? Finally, how much did it cost?

Intriguing... wondering why Plain calls Renob Boner... [need a smilie that shows raised eyebrows] Anyway, congrats Renob. You're definitely kicking my butt in the weight loss department. Alas, I am a very slow loser.