PhotoNut

Put me on the waiting list! How cool is this?? Although Dawg did have some humor to toss into the pot. Surprise, surprise. *snickers* http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=166009#post166009

Morsaille, could you increase the size of your font please? Im old and cant squint well enough to read small text anymore. *laughs*

I posted an excerpt from the personal trainer certification study guide that our son is using to get his certification. It explains 80 - 90% of ingested animal Proteins can be absorbed by the body. Only 30% of vegetable proteins. whey Protein is an animal protein and an excellent source for protein when people are trying to keep their calorie intake low. There are also protein suppliments which are "pre-digested" or hydrolized that allow the body to absorb 100% of the protein. There are also very crappy protein powders out there that are a waste of money. Check out the post if you want more help with that. http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14199 But overall, I would say that if a good quality protein suppliment is being used, it can be as good if not better than protein ingested from meats and veggies.

Oh, by the way... the stats show that over a period of 5 years bandsters lose about the same amount as bypassers but they keep it off! Good news eh? *smiles*

Hey Charlotte, welcome to LBT! Oh yes, things will be very different with the band. But be prepared to put some work into your success. The band, unlike the bypass, does not circumvent our issues of eating high calorie foods that we can "get past the band". Weight loss will be slower but healthier. There are risks involved of course, but nothing as dangerous as those associated with the bypass. Im sure you see that already. Enjoy your journey, get to know everyone here, cruise the boards and find a wealth of info that will get you started with confidence and excitement!

*laughs* LaMadam - we just gave a bit of conflicting info. You are right though, things can still go down easily that can defeat the weightloss. I don't think that Rozi is a frequent binger though. This seems to be an isolated incident that has upset her. But I do agree, the band will not stop everything. Some of it has to be sheer determination to overcome the cravings.

Aww.. you already did hit yourself, with 2500 calories that made you feel horrible. I know when Im around that time of the month I get ravenous. Try taking emergency food to work with you. Things you can snack on to your hearts content without guilt. Low fat microwave popcorn, carrots, yogurt, a low carb bar that tastes like chocolate and Peanut Butter. Things like that. We were just discussing binges on another thread and all agreed that when this happens with the band, a binge is a few of this and a bit of that. Not 2500 calories at a time. The band will help, and you'll be fine. Also, try eating some brown rice. It's great for you and the carbs are like a fine sedative without side affects - unless you eat too many. hehe Hang in there, you'll make it thru this. *hugs*

I fully agree Alex. *huggles her band* And - looks like we agree about Kim. I think we need to start feeding her more. What an odd thing to say on a thread like this. *laughs*

Kim, Thank you so much for sharing that. Man can I relate. No self control.. the band is our safety net. And that's what I've been counting on. It sounds to me like you have worked so hard at this, and had a melt down. But you saw it and got right back with the program. Good for you! I am concerned about this tho -- Kim, sweetie that's too low. Are you following your doctor or nutritionists suggestions? I see on every nutritionist site that eating 800 calories a day should only be with doctor supervision. This could be causing your weight loss to go slower. Dawg and I have been having this discussion every night. He is not banded but is dieting along side of me. He eats different foods but we realized he's only eating 700 - 800 calories a day and he's a 6' 5" tall man. Not good at all. I am still struggling to get to 800 which is where Im supposed to be now. I think ideally, we should be at 1,000 - 1,200 to lose the pouds effeciently and safely. Gosh, I can see where we can all get screwed up with this. Some go to one end of the spectrum and some to the other. Some overeating themselves silly, the others starving their bodies. Will we ever just be 'normal'?? *smiles* I can take it. What stresses me out the most is when I feel the need to save everyone and I end up faced with the fact that not everyone wants to be saved. Or, as I am learning on this thread, I just might not be the one to save them. Another addiction to deal with, yeah? Thanks, Kim. *hugs* Susan

Alot of you took this thread wrong from the beginning. Some were misunderstood along the way. Others saw exactly what I was saying. I thank all of you who contributed your thoughts, feelings and opinions. There are some of you who really heard what the cry of my heart was. I have posted umpteen times in this thread just how bad I felt about anyone having hurt feelings. I have bared by soul to strangers in an attempt to show that I am also suffering and struggling and trying to beat this monkey on my back. Perhaps you were on the verge of ordering that pizza when you read the post. Perhaps you were in tears over the fact that you had lost the battle again and you were at your wits end when you read it. Perhaps just one of you got the wake up call and laid down the burrito and picked up your rekindled commitment to your success and health. It was for that one, altho I think there were more than one, for whom the post was written. Those of you who felt it was too harsh, judgemental, hypocritical, uncaring, unsupportive, pious, or otherwise hurtful, this thread was not intended for you. You may go back to your soft hugs and eat however you like. One suggestion though, the next time you want to share about the 2,000 calorie meal you just ate, start your post with - Dont really want to make a change, just want sympathy. At least I tried.

Hiyas Max.. Grats on your band! My doc told me that right now I physically should be able to just like I did before being banded. (Jan 9, 06) He assured me that right now is the time to take things easily, stick to the liquid and mushie phases without thinking about weightloss. Let your tummy and your body recover from surgery. After you get your first fill, then you will start feeling restriction. And you may need to have more than one to get just the right amount for you (the sweetspot). Until then, you are "wide open". Rest and follow your Doc's orders to get the best results from your band.

While everyone is making great points and I'm learning a LOT from this thread, I would like to remind y'all that this wasn't a thread about self deprivation or self flatulation - oh wait, that was flaggelation, sorry. *grins* This was not about why we have occassional treats, or why we sneak a piece of chocolate now and then. I have stuck the tip of my finger in the p'nut butter jar and made that tiny bit last as long as I could because I was craving p'nut butter. I know that old habits die hard. I know that patterns are not easy to break. I have seen many on here who are defending the fact that they have an occassional burger or salad with dressing. This is NOT what this was about. I know that thin people eat snacks. I know that it is unreasonable to think that I will never eat another hamburger in my life. I was asking why we push the band to such extremes and eat way beyond the recommended allowances thereby making ourselves sick or risk ruining our bands, because frankly.. it astounds me that this thing we call our food demon could have such a grip on us that we would go to such lengths to ruin something that might just finally help us get past this. For those of you who took offense and thought I was aiming this at YOU, I was not. I used some examples that I had seen on the board but there have been many, many more that I didn't use. Perhaps instead of getting all defensive, we should be open and talk about this together so we can ALL learn and figure out how to put this to an end.. for each other.

Thongs with tummy support. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but if you need tummy support don't you think your bum is going to need some support too? Ohh.. I feel a song coming on.. Oh my god Becky, look at her butt Its so big She looks like one of those rap guys girlfriends Who understands those rap guys They only talk to her because she looks like a total prostitute I mean her butt It's just so big I can't believe it's so round It's just out there I mean, it's gross *break it down* I like big butts and I can not lie You other brothers can't deny That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist And a round thing in your face You get sprung Wanna pull up tough Cuz you notice that butt was stuffed Deep in the jeans she's wearing I'm hooked and I can't stop staring ------------------------------------------- I hope y'all are laughing as hard as I am.

Meets tonight and Veritas, Dawg, and I will be there! Anyone else in the area coming? How about you Patty? 7-8:30 pm Behind St. Al's on Hartman St. in the white tent looking thing. Go wee first.. the bathroom's in the building across the street. Too bad we don't have some LBT cards to pass out. We could get more bandsters on board!

*laughs* This is a great thread, even if I did start it. :eek: Now this is about me - I have spent my life trying to love myself, be kind to myself, forgive myself. And I have ended up soft coating the fact that I was really -killing- myself. For me, and obviously for many others (thanks for all the PMs), it is time to stop treating myself with tender loving care and start excepting the cold hard facts. If I keep doing this to myself, there won't be a tomorrow in which I can forgive me.

*big smiles* I just love this gal. She is so awesome. And I was just thinking back on what Donali had said about there being other boards that have no tolerance for people who don't eat healthily. When I started initially posted my feelings on this, I did it on a thread where some were talking about the issues I addressed. Then I realized that it would be taken as a direct slam at those posters in particular. So I quickly deleted it and started a new thread because it wasn't my goal to point fingers, but rather to raise awareness in folks. I knew it would be a touchy subject but I was hoping it would also be one that made people do some soul searching. And my question now is this.. If you come here and post that you are struggling and eating unhealthily and are depressed or wondering why you are eating so much, don't you then expect support? If I give you a big hug and say, "It's perfectly alright that you did that. Chin up and you'll do better tomorrow." am I not supporting your downfall? Alcoholics Anonymous has a group called Alanon for family and friends of alcholoics. It is designed to teach these people how to be a real support, and to be aware of the things they do that enable the alcoholic's behavioral issues to continue. To me.. I repeat.. TO ME.. if you come here and cry out for help, how am I helping you if I just hug you and leave you with an "Oh well, you'll do better tomorrow"?? This is how MY mind works. *shrugs*

Damnit Vines! *coughs* I almost choked on my Fiber One! LOL Here is the full pic. If I get in trouble for this, well.. *snicker* Um.. somebody hold Big Paul down. I can feel him getting all jumpy all the way over here.

Ohhh.. well why didn't you say so?? *laughing too*

Think my arse has a chance of looking like that someday? *looks around behind and makes a face*

You are wearing this... and complaining about how low riders feel?? From what I've seen, a bit of thong showing with a sexy tat on the lower back is all the rage. Be sure to wear your top to short to cover that up.

Exactly why Big Paul keeps emphasizing the importance of a complete program in order to succeed. I believe I was misunderstood when I said that I believed that others here who have had WLS had the same attitude about this as me. I didn't mean that if I can do it anyone can. I meant I thought it was a deeply serious emotional and intellectual decision and commitment to saving our lives. This is so true and very wise advice. While some may need to link arms with another to have a buddy to walk along with, others may need a kick in the pants. And, likewise, some are gifted in gentle support, while others are take a more straight forward tough-love approach. Like you said, it's best to read it all and pick out what works best for you. And please, try not take offense to things which are said that might be helping someone else. So right again. There is no simple answer. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't ask the questions. This is how we learn. And knowledge is power. Thanks for your input Donali. It was, as always, given with thoughfult insight and a truly kind heart. *hugs*

*takes a deep breath* I have to confess that I am sitting here overwhelmed and in tears by all of these posts. Thank you all for sharing such deep and honest feelings - even those of you who have been angered by this thread. If it has made you stop and think, if it causes you to pause before you give in to the same demons that have beaten you down for so long, then I have done what I hoped to do. I too had given up on living. My feet and ankles were so swollen I could hardly stand to walk on them. In fact, I didn't walk, I waddled. Still do. My hips, back, hands, neck.. everything hurt. My double chin covered my neck completely. I watched in horror as I saw ME being swallowed up by this blob of fat, and eventually I couldn't see me at all anymore. I heard about the band about a year ago. It was a fluke, landing on Anne Wilson's (from the group Heart) site about her lapband. I remember thinking, 'Oh my god. Could this be something that can truly save me?' After a year of researching it, praying and hoping for some way to be able to have such a gift, a series of events fell into place and the next thing I know.. here I am. Banded. My prayers were answered. As I started into the pre-testing phase, Dawg and I promised to stay away from fast food. Everyday I was plagued with the thoughts and smells (yes, smells) of Cracker Barrel's roast beef dinner. I would wake up in the middle of the night and I could swear I could smell the roast beef. I was almost in tears over the mental torment. The day I went to see the nutritionist, I dropped Dawg off at work and I knew where I was going.. Mc Donald's. I fought it all the way there, as I pulled in, as I drove through, as I ordered the Breakfast biscuit, and as I ate the damn thing, I fought it. I swallowed down every bite, even tho it was not even as good as my brain had been telling me it would be. And with every bite, I swallowed tears and self loathing. I wanted the band so much. I wanted desperately to be saved. To live. And here I was, on my way finally - with a damn sausage egg biscuit in my hand. *sighs* That was the last time I have allowed myself to be weak. Have I wanted pizza? Oh yes. Much the same way I fought the Cracker Barrel dinner, I have smelled that pizza and craved it with everything inside me. But I knew that if I allowed myself -- permitted myself -- gave my self leeway for excuses -- opened the door an invited in those demons yet again, that I would have lost the battle in my head. I would have admitted that this is a losing battle that will never be won and I can not afford to do that if I want to live. I know how much food means to all of us. It's why we are here. You can lable it what you want, you can point to what you want as the cause of the problem. And you can forgive yourself for every time you screw up. But the facts remain. Our bodies don't care what caused or causes it. Our bodies don't care how many times our heads and hearts forgive ourselves. If we continue to abuse ourselves, there will be a price to pay. And that price scares the hell out of me.. not just for me, but for YOU (points at each person reading this). I only want each of you to be free. That is what prompted this thread. Not malice, or snobbery, or judgemental finger pointing. God bless.

Like he said, Human nature is a horrible thing and since we are all humans (with perhaps a couple of exceptions *snickers*) I guess this might take a while to achieve. So.... *passes out glass cleaner and paper towels to everyone*

That album *coughs* CD rocks! Always has, always will. Nothing like Locamotive Breath turned up to "rattle the windows" volume to get your day going. I can't wait for my treadmill to get here. Move over Richard Simmons! Susan's going to be Walking to the Oldies!

Someone should invent bacon flavored chewing gum.