photo

Haha! This is getting pretty much off topic here... But I have seen the opposite side of things, and can name 50-75 people who use it regularly who have very good jobs, productive relationships and don't turn into potatoes.

Now on the other hand, I have seen 5-10 people who have suffered the potato effect.

I don't think that this is necessarily representative of the overall population of habitual marijuana users, perhaps more a representation of the type of people I work and hang out with... I work in an extremely competitive industry, where you have to have your shit together or you simply get left behind. If marijuana had a *universal* potato effect, I'd expect to see way more people losing their jobs. It just doesn't happen that way.

I've also noticed that where I grew up, which was a more rural environment, sports more of the potato types, whereas I live in a major city. Several theories on why this may be, but that discussion is for another day.

Finally, and I hope this is not taken as a criticism, rather just an opportunity to see things a different way, saying that "all people who engage in a certain behavior will have this outcome" is very similar to the perspective some people take about those of us who are heavier. To me it echoes statements like "Diet and exercise is the ONLY way to lose weight, if you're big it's your own fault. PERIOD."

I'm not saying that marijuana is "good," that I'm convinced that it should be legalized instead of alcohol, or anything like that... Just that it's a big world and there are so many different types of people and ways that people react to the drug, there are no absolutes.

I've heard good buzz, although never read Understanding Marijuana: A New Look at the Scientific Evidence by [ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/105-3836504-8901208?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Mitch%20Earleywine]Mitch Earleywine[/ame]. He teaches at USC where I went to school and knows this subject very well. The book is supposed to be a very balanced perspective on the issue.

If you were told that if your insurance would cover Lap-Band surgery if you were a little bit heavier, would you gain weight in order to get the surgery covered? If so, how much would you consider gaining?

Heehee... Just hang in there. Gentle pressure applied over time. :biggrin:

Also, in kinda a backwards way, it's sweet that he's worried about eating alone... Means he enjoys your company.

I learned recently that marijuana stimulates the endocannbinoid system and that an overactive endocannabinoid system leads to obesity - they have been actually working on diet medications that sort of work against the this. I would really limit marijuana use for that reason alone, i think it increases cravings and slows down you metabolism for longer than the time you are high.

Funny little piece of trivia here, they have developed diet drugs that work on supressing that system. You know what one of the major side effects of it is? Depression! Guess that system makes ya feel good, as if anyone reading this thread had to be told that, LOL.

Fat people are happy people.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! :biggrin:

Oh, that's good stuff. Sorry, not to invalidate what your husband perceives, but if fat people were happy people why would anyone want the surgery in the first place? And beyond that, why would there be hundreds of commercials for pills, diets and health club memberships?

I think he'll come around, though. Sometimes the people who are closest to you want you to do what they think is best for you, and if you disagree, there's bound to be conflict. But, it's perfectly okay for him to say "you know what, I don't want you to do this personally, however it is your decision and whatever you do I will support you and continue to love you." In my opinion, it's good that he's being honest about his doubts because a) he knows he can trust you with his feelings, and :hurray: you can help him to get over them. If he kept them to himself you wouldn't have the ability to show him your different perspective on the reasons he says not to have the surgery.

Good luck!!!

Hi, all! I've been investigating this surgery for a little while now, and wondering if anyone out there has opinions on whether the risk of surgery is worth the benefit for a BMI in the 35-40 range. I don't have any co-morbidities. I'm about 15 pounds away from a BMI of 40, which is the minimum insurance companies usually cover without other "severe" illnesses associated with obesity.

Thoughts?

Thanks!