Angelyco

Some insurance plans also require a 6-month supervised diet before surgery, it all depends on your plan. For me, I just had to do the psych eval and nutritionist, then scheduled my surgery, which was 6 weeks out from then just because of so many other surgeries booked at the same time. During that 6 week wait was when I saw the pulminologist and my primary doctor had to see me and fill out paperwork saying I'm okay to have the surgery.

My BMI was about 71 when I had the surgery. Yes, 71! I was 444 lbs (5'6"). I already knew I wanted the band when I first went to my doctor, and he NEVER mentioned having bypass instead. He had no problems with my weight as a candidate for the band. It's all a doctor's personal preference on what they want to operate on and what they believe will be successful. I've been banded 2 and a half years and I lost about 70 pounds, then bounced back the last few months, but it's not the band's fault - I have had a horrible time getting the fills I need. When I have restriction, I lose weight.

I was really starting to like Rick, too. This was only Week 5 and there is SO much game play going on, I'm getting really tired of it. It makes the show less interesting. The girls totally could have teamed up against Frado or Brendan, I was hoping they would. I really thought nobody would vote for Rick, but I guess threats are more important than helping your team.

Tina. Scraped by last week, begged to go home at the beginning of this week, decided she definitely wanted to stay, then got eliminated anyway.

There is too much crying this early in the season...

First, I would just like to point out that the guy who won the weigh-in is the one who had bypass surgery. Interesting, eh? He apparently lost 70 lbs with it before he came on the show. I don't like how they did the weigh-in and elimination this week. I DO like how the weigh-in was a surprise and nobody could prepare too much (we've all read the articles of former contestants and the stuff they did before weigh-ins). However, having a challenge to determine the two to be up for elimination is bullshit, in my opinion. The people who are more in shape for that particular challenge will always get ahead. Beyond determining the top 8 and bottom 8, your weight-loss is pointless after that. Yeah, sometimes the eliminations are unfair if someone has just one bad week, but I can already see how people who are in better shape would try to throw the weigh-ins in different ways if they are confident they would win the challenge. Of course, this is all assuming that this is how eliminations will be determined for the rest of the season.

vlp, the first episode is already on NBC's website, you can watch it online

I just got a chance to watch the first episode tonight. I actually did notice scars on at least 2 or 3 people before they actually MENTIONED the one girl who got vertically banded. They didn't mention WLS for anyone else, but I definitely saw the scars. My opinion is that in the early years of the show, they must have turned away people who had WLS because they didn't want to bring it up on the show, didn't want it thrown out there as an option, or just had a very low opinion of the people who tried it. I think with the success Ron had with the show vs. bypass, it seems like they found the perfect weapon to bash WLS. Sure, they didn't -really- talk about it much with Ron, but those of us who are educated on the surgeries picked up on it. I still firmly believe that Ron only did as well as he did on the show because he was FORCED to eat right--Dr. H even said that his pouch was intact and still the size of an egg. He had an advantage over other people there, in my mind. Anyway, just to chime in about the conversation going on, when I was in high school, my doctor would often talk about what's available for weight loss, but at that time (10-12 years ago), there was really nothing safe enough for my age. Bypass was really the big thing back then, LapBand wasn't really heard of in my area, and my doctor said bypass was just too dangerous for me. I wonder if he would have recommended the band if it was an option then. I actually went through the opposite of some of you - my mom was constantly trying to get me to stop eating so much, we NEVER had junk food in the house, not even sugared cereals. Because of that, I always felt deprived and I started sneaking food whenever I could, but my mom basically kept inventory of everything we had and would constantly accuse me (rightfully so) of stealing food. Once I started working and babysitting and whatnot, I bought my own junk and fast food and such whenever I could and ate in secret. When I was in college and on my own, I ate all the food I wanted because I finally could. I think even if I could have had the surgery at 14 years old, it probably wouldn't have worked for me because of this environment I was in. Unfortunately, I'm STILL trying to break the habit of buying bad foods, eating in secret, and hiding it from my husband. I usually end up telling him about it, and he's never mad about it, but I just don't know why I can't stop doing it.

Agreed :w00t: I think I want Koli to stay and Daris to go. I didn't care for Daris's attitude about his weight gain, it's like he didn't really care.

I was a little disappointed in the makeovers, it seems they got to choose their own clothes this time and it was really to their detriment. The guys looked MUCH better, but Ashley didn't seem to have much change - maybe she didn't want a new hairstyle? Who knows. I did notice though that people whose partners went home, the partners didn't come for makeover night. I wonder if they're trying to keep their looks under wraps since it's getting close to finale time. I'm officially tired of Sunshine, I want her to go home. I think I want Koli to win, first time all season I'm hoping for someone. I think I'd be happy if Ashley won though.

I've wanted the yellow team separated for awhile, but what really pushed me over the edge was this weeks challenge - every time O'Neal fell while trying to chase a calf, Sunshine screamed. Your dad is a big boy and can decide if he wants to actually TRY to help or not. I thought I might like Sunshine but I just plain don't anymore. Not that I really wanted her to go home over O'Neal, but after all the BS and crying they went through, she was being so selfish when it came to the pleading to stay on the ranch. She KNEW her dad would ask everyone to vote for him to go, she could have at least acted like she would have given up her place for him. She's thin now, he still needs it more than she does - that's not to say that I wanted him to stay, I think he was holding everyone back with his knees, I'm just saying. I felt awful for Ashley. She had a pretty good week, and she was happy not to have fallen below the line with one of the yellow team, but she had to act heartbroken because then both of the yellows fell together. I don't know if she was really heartbroken her not, but she said herself that she didn't want to go below with either of them. Her moment of happiness was taken from her because of the yellow drama. Can't wait for the makeovers!

Through the entire episode, I couldn't help but think "When is makeover week?" Some of the guys REALLY need one! I thought the challenge was probably the most difficult one they've ever had. Not only was it dangerous - sure, they had harnesses, but if you even drop a few inches you could bang your head on the metal ladder thing or on a big pile of wood (or the concrete, like O'Neal) - but I personally wouldn't have the guts to climb a pile of wood, THEN pull myself up onto an awkward hanging latter. I'm not surprised Victoria went home, and of course SHE says she was working her hardest, but she definitely wasn't working AS HARD as everyone else. I think Jillian was right that she just can't handle the stress of the ranch. She looks pretty good now though, I'm happy for her. I don't know if anyone else caught this, but Bob was so mad after Sunshine's weigh-in, his eye actually twitched! I found it hilarious. I gotta say this...Michael looks so funny when he runs. Sometimes it looks like he's just powerwalking unless they show his lower body. I'm really starting to wonder who is going to make it to the Final Four (I personally wouldn't care about the Final Four...I'd want to be in the final three! Duh!)

Just a few thoughts on the last few episodes... I thought it was hilarious that Melissa made it back on the show only to get beaten sooo badly, Sam beat her to the buzzer and the challenge just proved how much everyone hates her. Also, she said she was a lawyer, which explains a LOT in my opinion. One thing I noticed during her episode and was reminded of this week is that usually Alison says "You are not the biggest loser and it is time to say goodbye" but with Melissa she said "You are not the biggest loser and it is time for you to leave." I think that summed it up pretty well, especially since there were no goodbyes anyway. I think Drea is dating someone from the show...I haven't heard any rumors, but it was something she said to Bob this week "I never thought I'd find love" which I imply to mean that she did and she's surprised about it. Just a thought. I'm really trying to pick someone I want to win but I can't. If I had to, probably Sam or Koli. I think Suze Orman predicting Sunshine to be the winner just put a big target on her now. I was happy to see Danny back, he looks great! It was awesome seeing him exercise with the trainers again. I loved seeing the trainers dragged through the mud...literally :thumbup:

I haven't posted in awhile but I've been keeping up with the show. I'm soooo happy the green team is gone, they were freaking bitchy. The radio show I listen to had Jillian a few days ago and the DJs asked what Miggy's problem was, why were both of them so angry all the time? Jillian said she thought it was because they were Puerto Rican and came to the US and they feel like it's everyone against them, and they carried that attitude to the show - and I can see that, because no matter what happened, they thought EVERYONE was out to get them. The DJs also asked about Michael, because he seems so unpleasant, but Jillian said he gets better later this season. I'm not sure who I'm rooting for right now. I never really latched on to anyone this season. I think whoever said it was right - The Tara Machine ruined the show and I can never love anyone as much as her!

Not much to talk about so far this season. As for the red chick, from the previews for next week, I think she loses a TON next week because of her water-logging this week and last, Jillian gets pissed about it, and they showed the woman saying "I don't regret my decisions" or something like that.

Erik from Season 3. They showed him at the end of last season in a special BL episode going back to some of the past contestants. Yes, he lost about 200 pounds and gained it all back. Bob visited him at his house to confront him about it.

I lost about 4 pounds this week I was surprised though because stayed steady for a week and thought I was plateauing again already. So apparently what I'm doing is working! If I can keep it up, I can still make my goal.

I feel the same way. Some of those people weigh HALF as much as my starting weight. Shay said it best last season...her finale weight is still higher than some people STARTED at. I just can't feel as much sympathy or cheer for someone who, to me, isn't really that big. Amanda last season was still crying over her weight at like 190 - it drives me nuts. FIVE people went home last night. Sure, two of them will get to come back, but that was just ridiculous. The Pink team looks an awful lot like Helen and Shannon in season 7...so weird. I'm very proud of the twin that went home, 100 pounds in 2 months is awesome for doing it himself at home. I also just realized that when they started taping this season, the contestants don't even know who won last season at this point.

I'm a little late to the party but I'm in! I did the Labor Day challenge but failed horribly...I just got a fill and I'm cruising along now. I'm more motivated this time around and I would love to set another goal. Since this started around Thanksgiving I'm going to use my weight from then as the starting (I didn't lose anything for months until last week anyway).

For women who haven't had a baby, it does hurt - alot. It's much easier for woman who have went through childbirth, since the cervix isn't so "tight" and unstretched. I've thought about Mirena but I don't want periods at all and frankly the pain scares me.

I've been on Depo for over 7 years now and I was banded a year and a half ago. I had the same experience; I spotted for about 2 weeks when I was losing rapidly right after surgery. I haven't spotted again since then. I didn't gain any weight with Depo (I actually went on a diet/exercise plan for awhile and lost 55 lbs. the same year I started it); at least I didn't gain anything that I can't attribute to my horrible eating that made me gain 150 lbs. back after dieting. One thing I do notice though is a few weeks before my shot is due, I start getting hungry all the time and want to eat everything in sight. As soon as I get my shot, the hunger goes away again. The trick for getting around that for me was just knowing WHY I was so hungry all of a sudden...now that I know what's causing it, it's easier for me to deny cravings. My doctor recommended switching to Mirena since I don't plan on having kids (at least not for a long time), but there's no guarantee that I won't get my period, which is why I love Depo so much. I'd rather get a shot every three months than possibly start getting periods again.

So many things to talk about! I had to write all my comments down as I finally watched the finale today. Amanda looks REALLY pretty now! She never was and never will be one of my favorites but I have to give her credit. Tracy looks a lot older now and she looks anorexic. Sorry for TMI but she's completely flat-chested now, that dress didn't look right because of it, though it was a gorgeous dress. When they showed Liz by her old self, she honestly just doesn't look much different from when she started. I think it's interesting that her and Amanda actually ended up being less than 1% away from each other, I believe. I love Rebecca, but her new hairdo looks AWFUL and her dress looks like she picked it out of the kids' department. It was really really unflattering and you could see the extra skin around her thighs. I was honestly thinking about that when I saw Rebecca and Dina - especially because Rebecca wouldn't say a word for a long time until after she had gotten moved to first place. They interviewed Danny on my local radio show this morning. One of the DJs asked him if he knew how much he weighed before the finale so that when they told him how much he needed to lose to beat Rudy, if he knew if we won or not. He said he hadn't weighed himself for awhile before the finale and when he saw Rudy's numbers, he was just praying that he lost as much as he needed to. They also asked about the extra skin - he said he uses something called a "Yummy Tummy" to keep it pulled in. He also talked about how there is a plastic surgeon who talks to the contestants right after the finale to offer their services and what they can do, etc. It's nice to have access to such a huge radio station, they've talked to Bob, Jillian, Tara, and Danny now. I'm sure they've talked to others as well that I just didn't hear. I can't believe the new season starts in January already, it looks like they're going to keep doing 2 seasons a year now instead of one a year.

Tara did look like she gained a bit back, but she still looks really good and I'm still proud of her. I don't think she'd let herself gain it ALL back, maybe her body is just more comfortable with a little extra cushion.

I knew I saw him in the crowd! I was waiting for them to have a little mini-interview with him or point him out somehow, or do SOMETHING, but they just showed him in the crowd in that one shot and that was it.

I knew it would be down to Liz and Amanda for the third finalist spot. Rudy and Danny just have so much weight to lose that their percentages don't even compare. I'm really curious how the guys still lost so much weight. I think it was Rudy that lost 59 pounds--in 60 days. How were they pulling those big numbers when doing it at home? I get this feeling that they were using less than honorable ways to get there, because I know one of them said they can only work out 2 hours a day, and with spending 12 hours a day working, I doubt he even did it every day. Maybe I'm just skeptical, but 7 pounds a week for about 8 weeks straight is really unrealistic to pull off at home with just diet and exercise. I hate the way they word the voting on the website - who would you like to shield from elimination? It should be either who do you want to eliminate, or who do you want to make it into the finals? Too confusing. I voted to shield Amanda, because Liz just keeps getting on my nerves. Honestly I don't want either one of them in the finals. I thought Amanda would finish first in the marathon, since she's the smallest and I would think that running would be easiest on her body. I was happy to see Dina came back to run with Rudy, but I thought she had lost more weight when they showed her progress when she was eliminated. I was jumping up and down when I saw Tara come join them - she's still my favorite Green Machine :tongue2: