Jonathan

Simply amazing. I'd say congratulations, but it's really not sufficient. Amazing.

That one is lost forever, but I will send you another one. Be sure to let me know if you don't get it. Jonathan

Done! Check your mail.

Done. Check your mail.

Jonathan, please =) Certainly. Send me your email, please? You may PM it to me if you don't want to post it.

Need your email =)

Hmm, I sent you one a while back... Did you never get it? You might check your junk mail folder.. sometimes they get filtered out for some reason. If you don't have it, I can send you another, but make sure you look for it in your junk folders if you don't see it.

You betcha. And the web grows =) In fact, I got 4 more after giving those away, then got 4 more now. So, if anyone wants one... just lemme know! Good to see you posting again Leo!

Not yet, but I'm doing the same thing you are. Be sure to keep us updated on how it goes.

My baby =)

This is excellent. I've been looking for something concise to send to people asking me about what I'm about to do. Great post!

I think, if I understand correctly, that she studied 20 women who she probably picked *because* of their success. Of those, 90% were able to maintain their weight loss. That means 2 did not. Clearly it wasn't a random selection of subjects. Amazing what passes for medical research these days. 20 hand picked subjects, and she tries to draw a reasonable medical conclusion? I'm with ... I think it was Greg. 20 years from now the headlines will read "40 year, 78 million dollar study proves: eating less and exercising more is the key to weight loss" Or maybe I'm just feeling cynical tonight... =)

Here's something I wrote last year. I wonder how many of you can relate to this. I also wonder what happens when you have a band, and no matter how much you want to compulsively eat, you can't... you know, when you're actually forced to face your deamons? I think that I've actually faced my deamons... at least I'm pretty sure I've identifed them.

Kelly and Nana, You've both got gmail! Jonathan

Hello all, I want to compile some writings from people that deal with food, addiction to food, obesity, the band, etc. I've done some journalling in the past few years as I've tried to deal wtih my problem on a psychological level that I'm going to clean up and post. In the mean time, I plan on putting them on my website. Eventually, maybe something more permanant. If you're interested in contributing, feel free to send me your materials via PM or email at any time. If you want to be anonymous, just indicate so, and I'll never reveal your identity. If you want to be credited, let me know that as well. I think writing, especially poetry, or even poetic "prose", is extremely effective at relaying an emotional state of mind (or being) that normal conversation simply cannot. I'm not sure what my "goal" is here, but I just feel that this might be a way to reach both those who feel they're alone in their struggle, and those who just don't get it at all. Jonathan

Well, I'm done jumping through hoops. I had my $60, 15 minute exercise consultation and my $150, 20 minute psych evaluation this week. Both were fine. The psychiatrist said I was an excellent candidate for the surgery, which means I successfully tricked him into thinking I'm sane. My surgery date was confirmed for January 31st, and they told me it would be $15,000. They've been saying $16,000 the entire time, so a $1000 break rocks. Although, I won't be shocked if they end up billing me $16,000. Anyway... two weeks to go! I start the pre-op (low carb) diet on Monday. Now I need to find one of those places that give you your meal for free if you can eat their 48 ounce steak That's something I'll never be able to after January, huh? =) Jonathan

BubbaMe was the last invite I had. Kelly and Nana -- I'm sure I'll get more invites in a couple of days, I'll send you one then. By the way, don't worry about the first and last name that are on the invite... I made them up in most cases =) You'll get to configure your name, etc., when you sign up. Enjoy! Jonathan

You've got mail.

You both have mail. =) Enjoy!

I have 9 gmail invites I can give out. If anyone wants one, let me know. (Be sure to include an email to send the invite too.) If you don't know what it is, go to www.gmail.com. (Gmail will be free to everyone, eventually, the advantage to getting an invite now is that you have a better chance of getting whatever username you want -- plus you get to use it earlier than everyone else =) I get absolutely nothing for giving them to you.) Jonathan

Here's a couple of my wife, so I can brag on her too. Here's in 2000 Here's in 2004. She still wants to lose 100 lbs or so, and would really really really love to be banded. I'm hoping I win the fight with my insurance company to pave the way with her. (I'm private paying, but hoping to win on appeal and get reimbursed.) She lost 110 lbs when I lost my 100 lbs, and has put back on only about 30 of it after 2 years. That puts her in the 5% category of successful dieters, I believe. I wish she knew what an accomplishment she's made. Isn't she gorgeous? =) Jonathan

You betcha =)

Haha! You guys are *great* for the heart and soul =) I'm 31 (32 on Jan 20th), have been married for 12 years to my wife Kelly, and have 2 beauuuutiful kids... Matthew, 10, and Grace, 4. Thank you EVERYONE for your kind words of support. 3 weeks to go! Jonathan (Will be banded Jan 31st, 2005)

I thought I'd psych msyelf up by posting some pictures. Here I was in 2000: Then, I lost 30 lbs and looked like this in April of 2002: Then I lost 100 lbs (diet and excercise) and looked like this by August 2002: Here's what I looked liked before I lost the weight with my shirt off: Here's what I look like now with my shirt off: I still can't believe that I did all the work, lost the weight, then let it all come back. I really thought I could be one of the 3-5% of people who can actually keep weight off with just a "diet". But, it doesn't matter, cause here's what I *know* I can look like, because I *did* look like this 2 years ago!!: So, there are some before and after pictures, as well as one last final never-gonna-happen-again before picture. 3 1/2 weeks can't come soon enough, dangit!!! Jonathan (Will be banded Jan 31st, 2005)

I got my date today: Monday, January 31st! 3 1/2 weeks... what did you all do to pass the days from the time you found out your date and the day it arrived? I was hoping for something a little sooner, but I'm just glad there's finally a definite date! Jonathan