"Just" Paul

EVERYONE STOP>>>:eek: OK, now Breathe... Better? I think this discussion has been misinterpreted. Let's start with the fact that it is not personal, geez, I wish we'd all be adult enough to realize that nothing in this discussion is an attack on another. Stop thinking it is, and if you can't stop... move on to another thread. OK?:grouphug: Now. What is the point here? It is that many folks, despite all the work and finance associated with getting a band, continue to work against it, and fight it. No this is not the same thing as a person having an occasional treat, treats are fine if they are occasional. Period. This is about the folks who are constantly looking for ways to "eat around" the band... grazing is one good example, eating too much and getting sick is another, etc. The band is part of a process of weight loss, it is not magic, it is not malabsorptive, it is a tool to help limit the VOLUME of food intake... no the quality of food, or the type of food... simply the VOLUME. I have been reading a lot of posts lately, and not responding out of a bit of frustration. I gat frustrated when I see folks post their daily meals, and everyday... no occasionally, but everyday consists of sugared Cereal, tacos, hamburgers, KFC, steaks and baked potatoes with the works, chips, Cookies etc. Once again, and I do feel the need to repeat this, I AM NOT AGAINST TREATS, they are fine on an occasional basis... BUT NOT EVERYDAY, FOR EVERY MEAL!!! Many of the same folks doing this, complain about slow, or no weight loss, duh! You eat too many calories, you do not lose. Simple. The band does not limit CALORIE intake...You need to do that. Back on the thread about the eroded bandsters, you know the one where folks got pissed at the doctors and all... I mentioned how the band is part of a program. I am not going to rehash that here, go on back and read it, but I think part of my point is really valid here: Kare mentioned in her well-written rebuttal to my statement that not everyone needs their band "program", and that some folks have the experience to just need the tool... I disagree. I see many folks on this thread backing up the point I am about to make... they say that they have trouble breaking old habits, it is hard to change, they aren';t able to make good choices all the time... hmmm... this sounds to me like this person may benefit from some counseling. Yes, counseling, not necessaryily a shrink, but maybe a nutritionist, who will help them tio make better choices on the road, and exercise guy to help them find more fun ways to melt off the pounds, or yes, maybe that shrink. I see the poeple here saying, gee, I started off good, but got off the bandwagon, I haven't lost in a long time... that is because you are only looking at the band as part of a diet... it needs to be a part of your program, and yes to all the naysayers, a PROGRAM FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. It is not the same as any other diet you've ever been on... this is completely different, and past experience in dieting is not enough... if it was, you would not have needed the band. I'm personally disturbed by the number of people on this board, and boards like it, that get this procedure, and don't know what to do next... what do I eat, when do I get fills, etc. Do not get the band until you have ALL the information on what to do before, during and after. It is OK to look for support and ideas on a board like this, but you should not be on here because you have no idea what is next, AFTER you got the surgery. Sorry to go on and on. I hope no one took anything personal, it was not meant to be so. This is a LIFE change. Stop looking at it as a temporary thing. Get rid of the old diet mentality that when you reach goal, you can go back to "eating normally". Make a complete change, and if you cannot do it yourself, get help... real help... talk to a professional or professionals. That is how we all can succeed. If anyone is pissed about my statements, I will recuse myself from further postings. Much ablidged. Paul

Got my 2nd fill today at 3:30... I need some restriction, was able to eat way too much this weekend! Of course, the Superbowl Snacks did not help.:hungry: I may be in my first plateau. It happens, no biggie, but I hope a fill can snap me out of it!:huytsao

I'd have to tattoo an entire hurricane, a lightning bolt would get lost. I think I'll get some flesh-colored tattoos that no one can see. BTW... Yea STEELERS!!!!!

HMMMMMmmm... I have always been told otherwise. Obviously, if it makes one sick, do not do it, but, In order to raise the temp of the water you drink (ice cold) it takes heat. To make heat, the body must use calories. I was always told to drink ice cold water while I worked out, as it would indeed cause me to burn more calories, as my body tried to "heat up" the cold fluid. That's what I was always told, and that's what I do, but hey... that's just me! Paul, the tea thing makes complete sense. I can dig it man. BTW digging is great exercise! Am I rambling? BTW... Yea STEELERS!!!!!!

But... I am nuts, and I am really trying to offend everyone... Why does everyone think I'm just kidding!?!?! Yes I'm speaking about all of YOU!!!!!!!!!! BTW... Yea Steelers!

Penni, I support you 100%. I know you all don't want to revisit that thread, but please ready "my 2 cents" I added there. I hope that it makes a point. We're all here to help each other, and it seems strange to me that some of the folks supporting the doc's statements had less than 20 posts... like they got here the same time as him. Just a thought.

For those of you that have known me on this board, you know I am very rarely serious. this is one occasion where I will be. I do not know any of the band docs other than my own. I do not know what kind of surgeons they are, what their facilities are like etc. Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Pleatman may be fine surgeons, and I will not debate their skills. However, and this is a discussion I had with my band doc before I chose him, this is not about the surgery. Lap Band is a process, not just a surgical procedure, and one needs to look for a doctor who has a PROGRAM for weight loss, not just a surgical option. With my doc, it starts pre-op. To qualify for the procedure, First you have to attend an informational seminar, otherwise he will not give you an appointment, followed up by your first visit with the surgeon. Now, you have to have your doc give you a full physical, and forwad his surgical recomendations for or against to the band doc (including weight loss attempts history, documented). Then you need to go through the normal pre-op tests, then more. You meet with a nutritionist, to go over in detail your pre-op and post-op diet plan, for which she gives you detailed documentation, handouts and papers listing your options etc. Next you meet with the PA who does most of the fills, and he goes through the fill options, procedures etc. He will also assist the doc during surgery. You meet with the patient counselor, who talks about past victories and failures (yes, my doc told me details about patients whose bands failed on the first office visit... he said that it was necessary so that I could understand the risks involved). I then had 2 sessions with their psychiatrist to discuss the psychological aspects of weight control and loss. Lastly, I met with an exercise physiologist (something he is going to make a regular part of his plan) to go over the physical aspects of the weight loss, and to develop an exercise plan to help. This was a lot of stuff, and it was BEFORE he's do the surgery on me. Afterward, there were weekly appointments for the first couple months, then every other week, then monthly for the first year. Every other month, or as needed after that. Barrium swallow and fluoroscopy with my first fill, and every 6 months there will be another. Monthly support group meetings attended by the entire staff of the doc's office, the shrink, the exercise guy etc., and strongly encouraged for you to attend. Constant feedback, and attentive reaction to the patient. In addition, you have unlimited access to the dietician, patient care couselor, and phychiatrist from then on, in addition to your doc! So, what's my point? My point is this... THIS IS NOT ABOUT SURGERY...IT IS NOT ABOUT AFTERCARE, IT IS ABOUT A WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM! A program means more than just a surgical procedure. Now, I will state emphatically, that I cannot speak for anyone but myself, but, how could I garner the attention, and care that I have recieved from my LOCAL doc, if I went to another country? Would the foreign doc be able to do all those pre-op requirements in a day? No. Would I be able to get to his office weekly? No. Would I be able to go to his support group meetings, see his dietician with questions, go to the doc's exercise guru? No. Now, if you live near Mexico, or in Mexico, then you can. But if you do not live within a reasonable distance from your SURGEON, then that's all they will ever be to you, a SURGEON... Not your WEIGHT LOSS HELP, not a part of a program. It is the program that makes this work, not just the surgery. Many of you have asked me how I lost so much, so fast, this is why. I have a TEAM working for me, non stop. Now, before you ask, yes, I did self-pay. I had to borrow the money, I don't have it sitting around either, but I never considered looking for a discount service when it comes to my health... the PROGRAM sold me, not just the surgeon. I am amazed when I see folks writing on this board, right after they come home from surgery, saying things like "what am I supposed to eat", "how long am I supposed to be on liquids", "Should I do a pre-op diet", "What kind of exercise should I do", " when do I get a fill" etc. You should know these things already. They should have been given to you in detail BEFORE you had this procedure. I had those things, because my doc has a PROGRAM, not just a surgical procedure. Now, I am not saying that is why there are erosions, why there are possible issues with certain docs, or anything like that. But, I think that if your docs were looking at more than just cutting someone open, and installing the band, then they might look at you differently. I could never imagine having my pre-op tests and then getting the surgery in less than 24 hours from each other. Unless it is emergency surgery, I'd want to have a bit more thought put into it. Sorry so long. Hope I did not tick anyone off. I know that many folks have the surgery done in places like Mexico for very valid reasons, and that is your decision. I am just telling folks to look for more than just a good surgeon... look for a good DOCTOR.

"We subscribe to Playboy too, but for other reasons" Of course... the sports scores!

DeLarla, of course I know! Still waiting for the boobies... Where are they? Here boobies boobies boobies... Good Boobies, come here, tweet tweet

DeLarla, I'm not Magic. You know me, I don't have to pretend to be someone else to be obnoxious and rude. But I did open this thread hoping it was genuine. Imaging my disappointment, only one good cleavage shot. More boobies! More boobies! Boohoo

Hey... I responded... I'm here. Don't I count> Bwaaa aaaaaaaaa (crying)... did I get any sympathy? Wait, maybe you all thought I was a hairy woman?

Having been sexy all my life, it is hard for me to imagine not getting the cat calls and such. It is a difficult road, but it is a cross I have been destined to bear. Seriously, I went to a bar in old town Alexandria with a friend a while back. We were walking through a crowded section, his friend in front of me, and he behind me, when I felt a grab on my ass. Not a little grab, mind you, but an "i've gotta get me some of this meat" kind of grab. By the time I turned, I saw this table of men, and thought... oh great, a guy just grabbed my ass. When we got to our table my friend was laughing, and I told him someone grabbed my ass, and I thought it was a guy. he wa laughing the whole time,and pointed to a 20-something attractive blond at a table with a bunch of friends. He said that she did it, i looked that direction, and the whole table started waving at me. Now for a 40 year old fat man, I was astonished, until they sent a pitcher of beer to my table. Whadda ya know! And this was before my surgery. My wife thought it was hilarious. So, the moral of the story is... whenever any of you meet me in person, you're gonna want to grab my ass, and buy me beer. Sorry, I just wanted to warn you.

Mine is increasing... A LOT. Hmmmm, maybe gotta get my wife on the bandwagon... it's no fun alone... well it can be, but your arm will get sore.

For me... I couldn't walk more than a few feet, couldn't sleep well, could not stop sweating, had nothing to wear that felt good (or looked good)... and finally was kicked out of the room due to snoring (never had snored in my life). Went for a physical, and the doc asked me if I was prepared to die, because I was on the way. Sometimes it takes a big shock to get the ball rolling. Death was mine.

Low carb is great... if it is true low carb. Real low carb eating involved, meats, fish and other Proteins, and veggies veggie and veggies! Low carb processed foods were never intended to work with low carb diets, only to grab the "fad" and make money... Atkins products included. If you want to do true low carb, nothing should come in a package. Delarla, actually when I first entered college, it was to become a chemical engineer, so 'm into researching the chemistry of stuff. later I switched to engineering and architecture, and now I manage telecom engineers... weird paths careers take! What I was saying about sweeteners was applying to insulin rwaction only. I have no idea what other reactions the human body may have to the chemicals in sweeteners. My one point is, though, if you are going to use them, Splenda is the closest to a "natural" product. I've also read the conflicting studies on Fructose, which used to be given to diabetics, and it is now on the list of items most diabetics should avoid. Here's an interesting factoid to ponder... The obesity epidemic in the US began in the early to mid 1970's (US medical journals vary, but this timeframe is an average). IN this same time period, actual SUGAR consumption in the US decreased. It actually killed most of the sugar inductry in Hawaii, the highest sugar growing state in the country.. Why, you may ask...because of the introduction of a new product, high-fructose corn syrup... now the primary sweetener in most products. It is cheaper to produce, and stronger in flavor than sugar from cane. Coincidence?

More pics... more pics... more cleavage... more...oops, did I say that out loud? Sorry Doll. heh heh heh, no I'm not. Please excuse me, I have to go back and look at page 1 of this thread again...

NJ Chick, Don't confuse sweeteners with sugar alcohols like Sorbitol. The Alcohols give you gastric distress, not Splenda. Because your body canot process sugar alcohols correctly, then tend to pass through the colon rather quickly and vigorously causing gas, cramping and diarrhea. Really watch out for them the most! Splenda is simply sugar with the hydrogen molecule replaced with a chlorine molecule, making it 600x sweeter than regular sugar... so only tiny amounts are used (that is why splenda is so flaky, and not granulated like sugar. If you are saying that splenda is giving you cravings, that may be, but it has no carbs, and therefore cannot spike your insulin... causing a normal sugar spike and food cravings. Once again, this is not the same as sugar alcohol. Sugar Alcohol does indeed cause sugar spikes in many people, and can cause a similar, although somewhat lesser, effect like sugar. With the candy bar, it is unlikey it is only sweetened with splenda, as splenda has no ability to create the "bulk" that sugar does... that is where the sugar alcohol comes in, and it is the likely culprit. There is also Glycerin. many "low carb" foods subtract the glycerin carbs as well, but many people with sugar sensitivity are affected by the glycerin too. again, it isn't the splenda, but the other ingredients. Diet coke contains aspartame (nutrasweet) not splenda. Aspartame is a purely man-made synthetic product, unlike splenda, which is derived from sugar. Delarla, honey is pure sugar. So is Fructose, sucrose, corn syyrup and maple syrup. If you use these products, it is the exact same thing to yor body as using regular sugar... pure carbohydrate, nothing more, Honey may have a minimal amount of other nutrients, but they are negligable compared to the carbs. Of course you should be careful with artificial sweetener, but read the label... you may be being affected by somehting other than what you thought. I was quite the Atkins guru years ago, way before the advent of low carb products on the market, so I learned a lot about the ingredients,and how to read them. Just my 2 cents.

When I make it with the psyllium husk, I add eggs and beef broth (low sodium, fat free) to the loaf when mixing it up... them add more broth to the pan it cooks in. I use that juice with some Zanthan Gum and heavy cream to make a gravy afterward.

I use ground psyllium husk... pure fiber, and absorbs the liquid like bread crumbs do! It's healthy for you too! P

I am shocked. That never happens to me...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Git yer self down to that Sci-fi convention in February, and I give ya an old-fashioned kick in the rear! We just need to figure out what inspires you, and that'll get ya goin' again!

I am sexy, so it is a non-stop thing with me. :thankyou: Sometimes I wish I could help it, but you have to work with the cards you are dealt.

My sister was in town for the weekend, so I made DESSERT in my crock pot. I only had a small taste. It was Hot Fudge Cake. You made two layers in the pot, took about 3 hours to cook. It made cake on the top, and a layer of gooey hot fudge on the bottom. Served it hot with ice cream. It was awesome. Wish I could have had more than a spoonfull. If anyone wants, I can post the recipe.

Actually I'm in Springfield Va, but no Va folks post as much as me!

Shrink, dammit... shrink