5.0junkie

Good for you Butter!

Was any of that brought up in this thread? Forgive me if I'm thinking wrong, can the sleeve not be stretched? As I said earlier, I know there are tremendous benefits of the sleeve, it doesn't go without its issues though. Can't a person mistreat their sleeve and eat around it just like you can with band or bypass? This is not a debate question I'm asking. I'm asking honest opinion or stated fact here. I read where you said you're a social gal. I can appreciate that and wish everyone was more social. It seems that with the merger that there are more hens in the house and everyone is trying to determine a pecking order. Sad really cause I think we should all be able to support and congratulate each other.

Amanda, on the other thread, I asked you to stick around. Please come back!!!! I care to hear your opinion on what was stated wrong and if it was a statement I made. Ill be the first to admit if I'm wrong.

Amanda I say don't let the door hit you, I want to hear your opinion on what was stated wrong about vsg. I don't think you in anyway questioned people's choice of WLS. I will admit that there are people that say band is the only choice but did you read my response? My biggest debate for any conversation is that it is A choice, not the choice and definitely wouldn't push one or the other. I just don't like getting grouped or hated on because I made MY choice. You don't have to leave band land forum but could you help keep haters out:) Seems that some sleevers post terrible things on band land then go to the sleeve side and brag about their war stirring post.

I've got the nerve. Send me your office address and I'll sign her up for the Cupcake of the Week club. They'll ship it right to her desk. Might even throw in a few Krispy Kreme treats occasionally. Laced with mirilax of course

It's like B-52 said, docs see so many band patients that come in to their office in tears but then a year later want to live life the way they did before the band and go back to making poor decisions. Looking at it from the docs point of view, why would they want to bust their ass doing these surgeries to have their work destroyed by some lazy band patient or one that just wasnt mentally prepared for the work involved with the band. The band is work. We all know that. In my industry, I only want to make so many repairs before I just get frustrated and say I'm done. I'm sure docs feel that way everyday. If there is no reward for you in your work then why would you keep doing it? There are actually many benefits of the sleeve. More so than the band I believe. I still ultimately chose the band because I wanted to start with moderate severity surgery wise. I knew I could work the band and mentally handle all that it requires. I liked having the adjustability and I just liked the idea of having more control of me. Do I expect complications with the band?? Honestly yes. I will cross that path when it comes. Do I hope there are complications? Not at all. It just makes sense that docs are moving away from bands, higher reward for their work rate and higher success rate with the sleeve. Docs end up being graded by patients based on their success rates of their surgeries performed. Band patients take the control of success in their own hands and out of the docs. No one likes to be graded on something they don't have control of. Do I believe that all docs are giving the band a fair shake? Nope. I think they ultimately want to do what they feel is best for their practice and the general population not just the individual patient. I don't think it has anything to do with money making. Docs charge accordingly for their services. I believe it all has to do with lack of control and success with band patients. You have to admit, most band patients don't give the band a good name when it comes to long term control.

Sometimes I'm just not that passive. I dont mind dropping down to someones level. My problem is I usually go lower than they did. I'm thinking some mirilax in her morning coffee is in order. Then get a candy bowl, fill it, set it on her desk, then sit back and watch as her own temptations get the best of her and she becomes as wide as a Buick.

That's not rude, its evil. It's like "thanks for calling me out as the fat body in the room." I get the same stuff when I go eat with coworkers now. They tell the waitress that I don't need a menu to just bring me green beans cause I'm on a diet and can't eat anything. I don't need there help remembering that I had WLS, especially in a derogatory type way. Sounds like its time to plot your revenge and get even. Wait, then you'd be stooping to her level. Plot your revenge, work your plan, find someone to blame it on, sit back and enjoy the victory!!!!!

Speaking of isms, seems this thread is the picket line of anti bandism

You people??? I hope you're not lumping me into a "you people" group. That's just not being neighborly. Texas isn't that far of drive for me and I may just have to come say hello!!

Don't forget all Californians do is drink wine, visit art studios and go to lush parties. Oh and throw a surf board on top of a Range Rover when they need a break from "reality"

I read this earlier today and still am shocked at how people are being treated from one type of surgery to the other. Butter I will say that you are a flipping idiot for removing 85% of a perfectly healthy stomach and losing 175 pounds by doing that. I just can't believe you would do something as stupid as having surgery to lose weight. Where do you even come off trying to better yourself in a way that works for you. I'm frankly amazed that anyone would be such a fucking idiot to cut into their body and do anything to improve themselves. I mean come on....seriously, you should be ashamed of your accomplishments. I read earlier somewhere you said that you were swinging a larger hammer these days too. That's just embarrassing. <smirk> By the way, stay out of the lap band section. Some people find ignorance blissful.

I'm in Oklahoma and Coast people still ask me if we have horses and carriages. Add that to the church on every corner and every one drives a pick up truck persona and us southerners might as well be living is Mayberry!!

One of my go to's is seared green beans or I actually started cooking green beans and carrots together in a sauce pan, boil them for a while with different seasonings and once the sauce is gone let them sear for a few min. Depending on the flavors I add they taste great and keep me full. Another thing is black beans with chicken. I take canned chicken and boil it in some water in a sauce pan and add fajita seasoning. I boil it down and the chicken becomes super soft. Top the black beans with the chicken, add some fresh salsa and a little low fat shredded cheese. It's basically a burrito with no tortilla. There are lots of ideas and recipes out there. You might try and search for "whole food diet" and see what you find. Also look up high protein veggies. There are tons out there and you'll be surprised at which veggies actually carry no real nutritional value. When I like to cheat a little, say on my high calorie days, I have a baked bean recipe that I use that's basically a meal in itself. Barbecue is prevalent here in Oklahoma so I also do a lot of baked beans with chopped brisket mixed in. Barbecue is typically my lunch go to. Turkey or chopped beef with green beans. I also do Mexican. Fajita chicken and steamed beans or black beans. On my higher cal days Ill do a quesadilla or tamale. It's also worth while to look up fruits and there values. Again, lots of surprises. Stick to higher fiber fruits, less acidic fruits. Fruits just like veggies can be sliders so again its worth it to get the most benefit of fullness and use supplements and vitamins to gain things you may be lacking.

Mesmerizing...my hats off to you Mr Bean! It's the little pleasures in life that make it all worth it. You know, the longer I watch this, I seem to be overcome with feelings and reminders of earlier days and how I so wish I could have had a toy like this. Let me see if I can put my feelings into song.....oh yes, here's one

Fiber also will curb hunger by making you feel fuller longer. Debbie I'm going to have to disagree partly with you on the roughage. While it has its benefits, you should be choosing veggies with higher protein and fiber levels. Most veggies, with the band, are of no actual benefit to feeling full as they tend to be more of a slider food. Lettuce is the perfect example of non filling. It's packed with water and has very little nutritional benefit. It's better to eat good, nutrition based meals to stay feeling fuller longer with the band. Drink more fluids and add fiber to help with the rest.

One word Vida.....Fiber

Butter I had a yellow lab that looked just like yours. Wonderful dogs. I have raised and trained many. Sure do miss my yellow one though. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Yes it's about finding what's lurking underneath.... I used to brag about being 10" but 6" was inverted!!!

Well Butter, congrats are in order for your loss and your gain. Now you get to use both hands!!!!

I hope that's additional!

Thanks Steph!!! You still willing to assess before and after photos?!?!?!

My sentiment exactly. I agree with you 100%. Decide what is best for you based on research and what you can spend the rest of your life with. Hell I did more research on getting WLS than I did my spouse and I have both of them for life......wishing I had done a little more research on one of those subjects at times! The doc I spoke with used staples and I was out. Dissolvable was not an option for him or the others in my area. I really didn't have any issues with the removing of the section of the stomach. I just in the end felt most comfortable living with the band and its required maintenance for life. I can't honestly say that it was a decision based on science or proven fact, it was just where my heart led me.

I only do a day of shocking either being below 1000 or above 1000. I don't follow any routine and I think that's the most important part. Keep your body guessing, never let it know what's next. As far as Chocolate cravings go, it's time to get over that!!! There are tons of options out there to satisfy instead of candy type chocolate. Bad carbs invite more bad carbs and that's one thing that causes cravings. Maybe find a chocolate protein bar you like or drink almond milk that's chocolate flavored. There are just so many more options. I actually eat a product from Isagenix that's chocolate with green tea infused and some other healthy items. It's great for me to feel like I'm not doing without. You just need to find one that you like and what helps you the most. Remember, it's a new life you are living and this is a process. Take your time, test, adjust and try. You should be amazed at the results

As you should be HaHaHaHa