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Sunta

LAP-BAND Patients
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Posts posted by Sunta


  1. Hi Fellow Bandsters!

    I've been away from the forum for awhile since having lost my band two years ago due to appendicitis. I have gained all of my weight back. I had previously lost over 100 pounds with the band. I am considering getting rebanded but for right now I am on an off label weight loss medicine called Victoza. Recently, I've been doing research into the two new studies which came out in the last few weeks on genetic causes of obesity. However, I've noticed that many people refuse to accept the new research findings. I'd like to get everyone's take on this. What do you think about genetic causes of obesity? My article focuses on how people refuse to acknowledge the scientific findings. I'd love to hear your opinions on this subject. Here is the article: http://guardianlv.com/2013/07/obesity-proven-genetic-so-why-do-people-refuse-to-accept-it/. Please leave a comment or email me with your opinion. I would like to do a follow-up article on the differences between how thin people feel versus how people who have a weight problem feel. I am also looking for people to interview. If you would like to participate, please let me know by emailing me. Thanks!


  2. I recently posted that I lost my band after a burst appendix a month ago. I had my band for five years and lost 100 pounds. I wanted to share my results one month after losing my band. I'll also check in from time to time to lend support to those who have lost their bands or are losing their bands. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I might have come to a point in my life where I can apply the knowledge I have gained over 30 years of dieting to reach a succesful goal weight and stay there.

    Ok, my results at one month out with no band: 10 pounds down from before I went in the the hospital, appetite controlled, eating what I love in small portions, and feeling hopeful about the future flying solo.

    I had/have a huge appetite problem and do not eat emotionally, which is why the band was so great for me. Having that hunger control was amazing. It was the first time in my life I felt full. However, after losing my band, I have been doing great controlling my appetite on my own! Here are my top tricks and tips for getting through the day with no hunger and without feeling deprived:

    1. Protein, Protein, Protein:

    Protein keeps us full! I aim for a minimum of 15 grams of protein at Breakfast and 25 grams at lunch and dinner. The best "protein bargains" (high protein, low calories) for me are: tofu, fish and shellfish of all kinds, "pure protein" shakes, chicken breast, lowfat Greek yogurt, whole grain bread and Pasta, fat free cheese, and egg whites.

    2. Fat!!!

    If I don't add some fat to my meal, I will be hungry soon after I eat. If I add about a teaspoon to a tbsp. of good fat such as olive oil, avacado, flax, etc. it keeps me full much, much longer.

    3. Fiber!!!

    Always combine your protein and fat with as much Fiber as possible. Fruits, wholegrain breads, Beans, and even fiber supplements are great. For example: a turkey breast sandwhich on whole wheat with some avacado and lowfat mayo. So yummy, high protein, and filling!

    4. PILLS!

    YEAH PILLS!!! I don't care what anyone says. OTC supplements help me alot. I have done about a million hours of research on the ones I take and have reviewed them with my doctor. We feel what I take is safe and helpful. I like green tea, red wine extract, garcinia, carraluma (Indian cactus), pine nut oil, and other "generally regarded as safe" food-derived supplements. These supplements help to control my appetite and green tea, specifically, is proven to raise the metabolism. So if you want to explore OTC supplements, check with your doctor, and don't let the naysayers get you down. There are things which do help to take the edge off. I think that the pharma companies are the ones who put the idea out there that "nothing works", because they want to be the ones to make all the money. There are things which work out there and you can find what works for you after consulting your personal physician and getting their approval, of course. And no I don't sell anything so I can't help you there, but do the research for yourself and maybe it could help you the way it's helped me.

    5. "Fullbars"

    Again, I don't sell these nor am I affliated with the company. This is a product which was designed by a weight-loss doctor. They are not safe to eat if you still have your band though! I know because I called the physician personally to check. They are only for those with no band. I get them at my local drug store and they have been instrumental in my success thus far. I eat one with a full glass of Water and it kills my appetite for about two hours. Again, check with your doctor if these could be right for you.

    I am a firm believer that people with weight and appetite problems need HELP. We need to combine ALL the principals that can control appetite and we need all the help we can get. But believe me, if I can do it, YOU CAN TOO! You really can. I was the most hungry/starving person in the world before my band. But now that I've lost it and am combining everything I've learned in the past 30 years plus using the great new OTC products available out there, I've been doing fantastic!

    I have been sticking to 1,200-1,500 calories per day and I do not restrict what types of food I eat. If I want a hot dog or chocolate, I eat it within my allotted calories for the day. Since I eat primarily high protein/fiber and take my supplements, I am in control and have not been overeating the high-calorie stuff. I've been eating it in small yet satisfying portions.

    WE can do this!!! I am living proof. I know it hasn't been long, but I will check back in a couple months to give an update, and I'm sure it will be a positive one!

    Good luck everyone, and never give up!!!


  3. Hello All,

    I was a frequent poster on this board when I first got my band 5 years ago. Then, like so many succesful Bandsters, I dropped off the board because I was too busy living my happy banded life, 100 pounds down and thrilled. I did gain back about 30 pounds over the five years, but that was because I had some minor band issues like not being able to find the sweet spot, and getting too tight, then too loose, then I remained too loose for a couple of years. However, that all being said, here I sit five years later, 70 pounds thinner but without my band. I've been reading alot of posts by people who have lost their bands due to erosion and slippage or other problems. I would like to report that I did lose my band, but it was not the fault of the band at all. I consider my band to have worked extrememly well for me despite the minor issues with tightness/looseness. I consider 70 pounds off to be a huge success. What happened to me was that my appendix burst three weeks ago, and when it burst it spread infection throughout my body and infected the band. After my appendix was removed, my band had to come out a few days later (after I was stabilized on antibiotics). At the time my band was removed, it was in perfect position and condition aside from the infection from my appendix. I am posting this to say that not all band losses are the fault of the band. Life is full of risk, and despite my horrible hospital experience recently, I can honestly say I am glad I took the risk of having the band. 70 pounds is a huge life change for me and I can do so much more than I could when I was much heavier. I am considering the bypass now but will start off trying to maintain my loss on my own and hope I won't have to have another surgery. I have learned alot during my five years with my band, such as eating primarily lean Protein, upping my fruits and veggies, and combining protein and Fiber to feel fuller longer. I am hoping with these tricks, I can succesfully maintain my weight loss and maybe even lose more weight. Don't let other people's horror stories stop you from getting the band. If it weren't for my appendix, I'm sure my band would have continued in good condition. Good luck to all of you newbies and I wish you much success with your bands!


  4. Hi All,

    Wow I can't believe it's been over two years since I got my band! I haven't been around this board in ages!

    I'll make a really long story short. I lost weight great the first year, then started having problems with my band closing off and not being able to keep liquids down. So the short version is, my fill is too loose (because any tighter and I'm too tight).

    Because of this loose fill I totally stopped losing weight and recently have even started gaining a couple of pounds here and there (about seven total). I'm still 85 pounds down from my start weight though so I am happy.

    Anyway, in a last-ditch effort to avoid getting a fill I am trying Nutri-System. If anyone is in the same boat as me, and is on Nutri-System, let me know how it's going!

    I'll keep ya'll posted.

    --Becky


  5. Hey ya'll! Long time no talk!

    I've been soooooo soo busy!

    On this issue I have to say: I never really thought about any of the character's sexuality because I always think of the books as being for children (even though I know a ton of adults read them).

    But it's nice whenever Gay people get more exposure in the mainstream.


  6. Hi all,

    First let me say I'm sorry I haven't been around much. I've been super, super busy.

    I have bad jaw pain right now (I have no idea why) and am dying to take an anti-inflammatory. Not Tylenol, because Tylenol does nothing for inflammation. NSAIDS not only help the symptoms, they help to heal the underlying inflamation by breaking the cycle of inflamation.

    Since we can't take Motrin or Advil, etc., does anyone have a suggestion for an alternative? Maybe something herbal or whatever.

    Thanks!!!

    Becky


  7. Congratulations on your re-banding! What a huge relief! I think about what would happen if I lost my band and I shudder. Even being unfilled for two weeks taught me that the hunger is the real problem. I gained so fast during those two weeks!

    I'm sure you will do fantastic and get down to an even lower weight than before losing your first band.


  8. Twice during PMS I have had to have an emergency unfill due to being closed off completely. The rest of the month I had been completely fine. I am now too loose due to this, and as a result my weight loss has totally stalled out. I have been stalled for months (well actually I have been bouncing up and down the scale anywhere from 2-6 pounds). I don't want to get another fill though, because it is horrible being closed off. It's up to me now. I started doing power yoga for 45 minutes a day and am planning on adding a half hour walk at night as well. I'm hoping the exercise will kick-start things. I only have 60-65 pounds left to lose and am frustrated. I just want to reach goal and be on maintenance. I'm sure if I was a man this would not have happened. Sometimes I hate being a woman.


  9. There is absolutely no reason why everyone can't reach their goal weight given proper restriction and hard work. There is no magic percentage after which the body decides not to lose anymore, or after which the band just "stops working".

    If a person is consuming fewer calories then they are expending, they will lose weight. From now until the end of time, through every percentage point, through thick and thin (no pun intended), this rule will always work (barring certain medical conditions of course).

    I think the 50-60% comes from those who ate around the band, or who had to have the band loosened and thus had a harder time getting to goal.

    For example, I have an extremely loose fill right now which gives me much less restriction than I had previously. It's basically up to me now. I have started exercising 45 minutes a day, counting calories, and taking Alli to further cut calories as well as green tea pills to raise metabolism. I've lost 92 pounds to date and have 63 to go, and I am not going to let my loose fill stop me. I am going to reach goal come hell or high Water.

    With this loose fill, I have really struggled, gaining about 7 pounds and then losing it, then gaining back two pounds. I had been bouncing around on the scale for three months, losing and gaining 2-3 pounds, when I finally made the commitment to exercise. That was a few weeks ago and today I weighed in at my lowest weight in 10 years, at have lost about 5 pounds in the past two weeks. I am thrilled to be losing again.

    I know if I stick to my commitment to exercise and count calories I will make it to goal. I am finally in ONEderland, and I plan on staying here!

    We can all reach goal if we work just a little harder! I'm not letting any statistics stand in my way!


  10. It occurred to me last night that I post alot in Rants and Raves, and I think maybe sometimes I come off as really serious and uptight and too politically correct. Then I got to thinking, boy, I bet the people on the board would be surprised to know this fact or that fact about me.

    So, I thought it would be fun to post something about ourselves that people here on the board would be surprised to know. It can be one thing or more than one thing.

    I'll start:

    I love celebrity gossip and am addicted to tabloids and gossip Websites.

    I love pop culture and love learning about fads in history as well as current.

    I will admit that I mostly go to art movies, but I equally love really dumb mainstream comedies like Talladega Nights, Scary Movie, and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry.

    I collect anything vintage, like cookbooks from the 50's, antique clothing, and black and white photos.

    Now, how about YOU?


  11. Sigh, I feel like a total ass for pointing this out, but I believe that the slogan is technically correct, because it is the correct use of a double negative. The meaning is "Everyone likes Sara Lee".

    While use of a double negative is often intended (incorrectly) to create a negative by the speaker, in this case, the intention is to create a positive, and therefore its usage is correct.

    That being said, it is a non-standard usage of the language and would be better suited to Middle English, when double negative usage was standard.


  12. LOL! I agree with all of your observations. I also noticed (and I just went to Home Depot yesterday!) that every time I go in there, the people that work there NEVER know what I'm talking about or have an answer for me. For example yesterday I went in looking for a product to kill drain flies. No luck. Other times I have gone looking for other basic items and can never find what I want. Even worse for this for me is Target. I swear I have gone into that store 25 times and I have never, ever, ever once come out with what I wanted. How can these stores be so big and yet have so little?

    I also noticed several women in Home Depot (lagging behind the men as you observed) being dressed very provocatively, as in, hoochy mama dresses and heels. Home Depot is just a weird, surreal experience overall.


  13. As a general rule I avoid shopping at Wal Mart due to ethical concerns over their business practices, but I will admit that when in a total pinch (like the time I needed a dvd/tv converter thingy and no one else had it), I will sheepishly go there, but I am not proud of it. Since I don't shop there often (maybe twice in the last five years when it was an "emergency") I don't know if they changed things around or not.

    I encourage everyone to attempt to shop at the mom and pop places first and use Wal Mart as a last resort.


  14. Did you read about the gal in Arkansas who just had her 17th kid?

    Call it an extreme shot in the dark, a wild guess, or just plain spidey sense, but something tells me that this family is not super informed on the environmental impact of such a decision.

    Like I said on another thread, their 17 children's children will have a grand old time swimming in the polar ice caps, that is if the earth is still inhabitable by then.

    But let's forget about the future for a moment. Let's just look at what's happening today:

    A whopping 125 lakes in the Arctic have disappeared in the past few decades, backing up the idea that global warming is working fiendishly fast nearest Earth's poles. Research into the whereabouts of the missing Water points to the probability that permafrost underneath the lakes thawed out. When this normally permanently frozen ground thaws, the water in the lakes can seep through the soil, draining the lake--one researcher likened it to pulling the plug out of the bathtub. When the lakes disappear, the ecosystems they support also lose their home.

    400,000 square miles of artic sea ice have melted in the last 30 years, far outpacing any previous melting, ever.

    "The habitat of the polar bear is literally melting away under its feet," says John Kostyack of the National Wildlife Federation.

    President Bush says:

    "I recognise the surface of the earth is warmer and that an increase in greenhouse gases caused by humans is contributing to the problem," he said during a visit to Denmark en route to Gleneagles.

    WAKE UP AMERICA!!! TAKE THE BLINDERS OFF!!! GET INFORMED!!!BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


  15. Sunta that's one thing I've learned reading threads here. Scarcasm seems so much more harsh when you read it in a post, than when you are hearing it and reading someone's body language.

    Excellent point, BJean. I often tell my friends not to instant message their significant others, because tone/body language/facial expression is totally lost in writing. Now if I could only learn to follow my own advice...

    I guess my tone and intent is much like that of George Carlin, most of the time.


  16. No, please explain

    This article is a re-print. It explains far better than I could, and gives links to Websites to obtain further information:

    Technological advances during the last century led to low mortality rates and high birth rates across countries around the world. In addition to this, increased migration and concentration of population clusters in selected locations have put extreme pressure on the surrounding regions.

    Scientists are now predicting that unless we bring a healthy balance in the growth rate many countries will be facing acute food shortage and our environment may face irreversible damage that will jeopardize our future. According to a UN report, the world population is predicted to grow from 6.5 billion to 9.1 billion by 2050. Can you imagine the pressure this will put on our scarce resources?

    Some common definitions of Population

    For a brief overview of world population, read this. This article gives a brief history of the unprecedented growth in population since the last century. It also provides reference for different theories on population growth. You can also visit this website for a look at the population statistics for countries and their major cities.

    Population Growth and the Environment

    'Overpopulation indicates a scenario in which the population of a living species exceeds the carrying capacity of its ecological niche.

    In common parlance, the term usually refers to the relationship between the human population and its environment (the planet Earth). Read this article on overpopulation to know how overpopulation can lead to acute shortage of resources.

    Though the birth rate has fallen in some economically advanced countries, it has increased alarmingly in other countries, leading to increased pressure on land and other resources.

    Since human habitat and livelihood are closely interconnected with the surrounding ecosystem, increased pressure from population can cause irreversible damage to fragile ecosystems. Significantly, in some cases, technological advances of developed countries lead to more exploitation of natural resource than the so-called developing countries.

    So the problem is not simply population growth but finding the right balance between population growth and sustainable development. These issues are discused here. Visit this website for a more comprehensive look at population issues.

    Pressure on Scarce Resources

    There is a growing imbalance between the demands of human populations and the resources that support human life. Fresh Water, land, finite resources like fossil energy are depleting very fast because of increased pressure to meet the growing demand of an expanding population.

    According to a study most replacement of eroded agricultural land is now coming from marginal and forest land. The pressure for agricultural land accounts for 60 to 80 % of the world's deforestation. The fresh water that is consumed or used up by agriculture is not recoverable.

    Already daily news and reports tell us that competition for water resources among individuals, regions, and countries and associated human activities is already occurring with the current world population. Overfishing has led to almost complete extinction of some species of fish as even the smallest fish gets caught in the net to meet market demands.

    In regions like eastern Canada, for instance, overfishing has been so severe that cod fishermen have no fish to catch, and the economy of that region has been devastated. For details visit this webpage.

    The Future

    Current trends in population growth indicate that fertility rates have been decreasing in some high-risk regions. But the growth rate is still not stable enough to provide relief. According to reports, more than 99 % of that growth occurs in the poorest countries already torn by strife. For projections of world populations, download this file.

    You can also visit this site to know more about issues related to population growth and environmental concerns. What are the current trends in population growth across the globe? Do we consume more than we can regenerate? Will there be enough food to go around? Will climate change lead to droughts and disrupt agriculture? These are some of the key questions discussed in the report here.


  17. What now? Do we castrate the men with more than 5 children? Or tie the tubes of women with 6 children?

    My point is simple. How many is too many? And....says WHO?

    Well, as I have said many, many, many times on this thread (I guess it falls on deaf ears), I do not advocate tying tubes or castration or anything similar to that.

    All I want is for people to become educated about the impact of population on the environment and then make their own decision about childbearing. That's it. For some reason, people always seem to get very angry over my use of the term "become educated", as if I'm implying that they are "uneducated' in general. I'm not implying that.

    There are many things in this world I would like to become educated about. One thing I am educated about is the impact of population on the environment. Thus, I have made the decision to (possibly) adopt rather than bear, children. This is my own personal decision, based on what I have learned regarding carbon footprints, and the impact of population on environment.

    If someone were to truly delve into, and learn, about the issue, and then go on to decide to still have many children, then that is their right. I am not trying to take that right away and would not advocate for anyone who would try to take that right away. But my hope would be that by learning about the issue, perhaps they would choose to, say, have one child and adopt the rest. If they choose that, then great. If not, then that is their decision and no one should be able to take that decision away from them.

    It's like this: say that alot of people didn't know that smoking causes lung cancer, and someone posted a thread saying "I wish people would become educated about the effects of smoking before they decide to smoke or not." The poster would certainly hope that once people knew the effects of smoking, they might choose not to smoke. It's not to take anyone's decision away, it's simply to hope that people would have the opportunity to to learn about the effects of smoking, before making the decision, so that they could make an informed decision. Does that make sense?


  18. Hey Sunta, I would never have picked you as a Tammy Faye fan in a miilion years!!!! I had to do a double take when I looked at the thread.wink.gif

    I guess I owe everyone an explanation for my Tammy Faye obsession.

    As you all know, Tammy loved the Gays. She was the first person to reach out to those with AIDS, and the Gay community in general. In the 80's when other so-called "Christians" were saying that AIDS was God's punishment on Gays, Tammy stood with the Gay community and urged compassion. Tammy made many appearances at Gay pride parades around the country and she never said "love the sinner, hate the sin", but rather "God loves you exactly how you are, and I love you too."

    Jim and Tammy's son is leading a Christian movement that rejects traditional "Christian" condemnation of Gays, inspired by his mother's love of the community.

    That is the first reason why I love Tammy.

    The second reason why I love Tammy is because of her personal sense of style and her unwavering commitment to be herself, no matter what. I love her makeup, her clothes, her hair, and her whole manner of speaking. She's the epitome of camp in a totally authentic way. She never tried to be camp, she just was camp. She was a better drag queen than any drag queen who ever graced a stage.

    I honetly view Tammy as someone who actually knew what Chrisianity is intended to be. And I do think it's entirely possible that she did not know what was going on. I really do. It's more of a feeling than something I have evidence of. It's a gut feeling.

    I remember waching "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" and just falling in love with her even more. It's a great documentary for anyone interested.

    I hope I've laid out my reasons for my post in a way that makes sense to those of you scratching your heads because you know me and the post seems out of synch with who I am. It's actually totally in synch with who I am.

    I will always miss Tammy because she was an American original.


  19. I posted this is the main forum yesterday and no one answered me, so I'm trying again here.

    I just recently took up power yoga and am concerned that some of the moves could increase the risk of slippage because they can cause your internal organs to shift.

    Has anyone heard anything about this or know if yoga is safe with the band?

    Thanks!

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