barbara465

OK everyone. I've got so much to share. First, I went for my fill. Everything is great and I'd lost 5 lbs on their scale so I'm back where I need to be. I only got .2 because she didn't want to take me over where I had problems before. Hopefully I will get some restriction, but just enough. I had minimal reaction last night with just a little fever and chills. Not like the other times so maybe my body is getting used to it. I am on liquids for 3 days, but my doctor has changed things up. I got lots of good handouts yesterday and I want to share some of it with all of you. Also they have come to some of the same conclusions I have so let's get started. Top protein drinks: Advant Edge, 100 cal, 18g protein; Dr. Atkins Advantage, 178 cal, 18g protein; Slimfast High protein, 21g protein,/Low carb 190 cal, 20g protein; Isopure @ GNC (juice like protein drink) 210 cal, 45 g protein; Gladiator @ Smoothie King, 45g protein Exercise 30 min day; build up to it 800-1000 calories per day. Liquids, junk food and sweet do not relieve hunger. Only solid food, which fills the pouch and empties slowly, will relieve hunger. Drink at least 2 qts of water per day. For more food options go to bariatriceating.com I'll post more later. We are going walking tonight for 30 minutes.

Yes I wasn't saying that people that do not believe in God or Higher Power or Jesus Christ were not important. I was saying that this double standard of being "christian", the moral majority, etc. excludes a lot of people who should have a say as well. It doesn't make them any less important. That was what my post meant.

I had two separate friends that did this. One had her house completely redone, etc. etc. When the 2 years was up (Texas) they put the MIL in a nursing home. She had been living with them. The second one took all the money and did whatever. The MIL was already in assisted living so they used the money for her care, but took lots for themselves. In both cases they were only children. They let the government pick up a big portion of the bill. Money we save for our old age should be used that way. Those that can pay for care should and the government should help those that can't. There should be some reasoning used in this decision, but it does come down to a moral one. It does seem wasteful to watch money that could be used for other purposes be bled away for care. If the same level of care can be given and the federal governent pays isn't that tempting. Its a hard decision. I'm not sure what I would do if given that situation.

If our bodies were meant to "cleanse" completely wouldn't it? I don't believe in doing lots of artificial things to our bodies. Listen to me. One who had a silcone band put in my body. There is a reason when doing medical tests to clean out so they can take good pictures. I'm not sure I buy the logic that it causes cancer, etc. when left in. My 2cents.

How could a jewish person survive in GWB's cabinet? All they talk about is being christian. All the laws they are trying to repeal or research stopped has to do with being Christian. Not about believing in God or a higher power. You can be a good person and not be christian. It just gets so tiring listening to their rhetoric and then everyday we hear of those "good" people molesting children, abusing their power, cheating on their spouses, etc.

I didn't have a problem. I didn't have my PCP do anything. They took what the lapband doctor submitted which was my chronicle of all the things I tried. I don't think you have to prove you tried all the different weight loss methods, just list them. Not sure about the 5 years of obesity. I think if you have co-morbidities that should be enough. Good luck.

PB is productive burb. Sometimes when people get stuck they have to PB. Its like throwing up only its the food from the pouch. It doesn't have any gastric juices so its not exactly like throwing up. SLiming is also what happens when you get stuck. Its like you can't swallow your salivia so you start sliming. You will also hear them talk about the golf ball feeling. That appears in your chest and tells you that something is getting stuck. It is painful and usually proceeds a PB. Check out the thread for newcomers where all the terms are defined.

I would say that if there is a sensitivity to the words Nazi and Hitler, there is also a sensitivity to "the Christian way", being Christian, etc. I am so sorry that so many people in the USA think they are superior or "right" thinking because they are Christian. What does that mean? I'm not talking religion. I'm talking of the way it is expressed in everyday terms. Like, "be a Christian", he is compasionate because he's a good Christian", etc. Why is this worn like a badge of honor and excludes a lot of our population? Our country was founded on religious freedom, not christian freedom. Why do all these polticians hide behind this christian shield? Why are we allowing politicians to mix their church with our government? How come we've never had a jewish president?

Did you just get a fill Barbara? It sounds like you are too tight. Since you can drink liquids I would give it a few days. Maybe you are just reacting to the fill and once the swelling goes down you will be OK. Thirteen lbs to Onderland is great. Claim those lbs, but remember that if they are lost under diuress they might not stay gone. I don't think pain is something we should expect with the band. I would think some discomfort from time to time, is acceptable. I just don't think pain is something we should put up with. Of course, I don't think grown people should have to walk around with spit cups either. If I had to do that after every meal I would have the band removed. I just can't see living like that.

I would guess that Jennifer has not talked to Dr. Spiegel. All his fills are being done by the PA at the surgicenter. I think the PA misspoke and doesn't know what she said is incorrect. I would have Spiegel check it out under fluro and decide what's going on. It doesn't seem that everything is quite right.

All of mine have been with fluro and by a PA. I've had several overfills that didn't show up on fluro and my own reaction was 6-10 days later. I like seeing that the band is OK. I now only go for small fills as my body can't take huge ones.

OK guys we changed the meeting to Wednesday November 15th. We will be meeting at Ninfa's at The Shops store in the Houston Center. Time will be 11:45. PM me if you plan on attending so I can make sure we have a table to accommodate us. We meet at one of the tables outside the restaurant facing the food court. Hope to see a few of you Houston downtowners!

A group of us are going to meet for lunch once a month. We have decided the 2nd Tuesday of the month we will meet at 11:45. The next meeting will be held at Ninfa's in the Houston Center Shops (formerly called The Park Stores) at McKinney and San Jacinto. We will meet on November 14th. Ninfa's has an area of tables just outside the door in the food court area on the 1st floor. Let me know if you will be attending so we can get a big enough table and look for you.

Thanks Carlene. I love soup and these are fantastic. I will definitely be trying a few of these.

WOW socialgal what an accomplishment!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You should be so proud of yourself. Now the next time you do it it may be a little easier. I'm eating way too much and no exercise. Going today for a little fill. DH and I will start our walking program tomorrow. I can do this. I've just been too lazy to stick with it. We are going to walk as soon as I get home from work and prior to dinner. It will be easier this week since I'm just on liquids/mushies. I don't get that tight feeling at any time so I don't think I've really had restriction. Sometimes I feel full, but I can eat to that point. I've always been able to eat in the morning so I'm not sure what's going on. I am anxious to do the fluro today so I can get reassured that the band is still placed properly.

I ordered from Schwanns their turkey and mashed potatoes. We have tried it before and the turkey is so tender. I couldn't make it like this. Anyway its enough for 2 meals for hubby and I. We also found sweet potatoe patties in the frozen section of HEB. I'll heat those up with a little artificial brown sugar. I'm also getting Green giant green bean caserole in a small frozen box. That's it. Thanksgiving dinner. I'm not even going to try and cook or go out to eat. That's my way of dealing with it. We will start decorating for Christmas and hope to be so busy doing that that we won't miss a big meal. There is advantageous to being just the two of us for the holiday. Now help me with the Christmas cruise. Yikes. I've found that my not cooking is really helping. Of course, hubby sometimes doesn't cook the best way for us, but he tries. This way he gets something he wants and can eat, and I just eat a little. It makes my life easier and I don't think of food as much. Although, thinking of food still takes way too much of my time. I'm working on that. If your fill is not causing pain and PBs then I think its OK to be tight one day and open more the next. Its when you can't get anything down and PB lots that it causes problems. I'm going on Monday and get just a little one. I think maybe I have restriction, but it doesn't kick in very much. I also bought a food scale so I'm going to start weighing my food. Did any of you see Oprah with Dr. Oz? I've got it taped and only have watched 1/2 of it. It is very interesting. Also, he had a documentary on Discovery Health channel last night that I taped called something like You and diet. He explains things so we can understand them. You might want to try and catch this show if you can. Off to a brunch. I don't plan on eating, but I love the friendship. Later.

Anger and hatred are pretty powerful words. We don't have to like or admire our President. We can disagree with his policies, or any policy. That is what's so great about America. We can agree to disagree as well. Why is it if my opinion is not the same as yours I get labeled? And I don't have to concentrate and let the lapband and weight loss rule my life. I have many other interests, including what is going on in my government. For some I guess this board should only be about the lapband. In that case, those that don't have one (from loss or otherwise) should not enter their opinion on weightloss. Also, those that have had other procedures should not be here as well. Maybe total obsession on the band and all it is continues to make us crazy when it comes to food. It feeds our obsessions. Uh OH, was Oprah on to something on that show she did? OK I guess I've said enough. I thought the discussions here were interesting, but now they have turned from debate to personal. It seems this board can't discuss anything but lapband, and then that got a few in trouble as well.

You will be surprised what fear will make you do. I was a gobbler, eating fast, and washing it down with liquids. I don't do that anymore. In fact, I probably eat slowly and chew more than I should. It was easy to switch over. The non drinking during meals is very easy. The hard part is when I eat breakfast out and want my cup of coffee. Get smaller plates for when you start eating real food and you will find it looks like a lot and more than you can eat.

He got reelected because of 911. Just prior to that event his popularity was wanning. It surged upward in his support to fight terrorists. Its hard to elect a different President when you are in a war that the majority felt at the time was our only hope of safety. Many bought the hype. THose that didn't, didn't feel confident with Kerry. The reason he was elected in the first place will fill textbooks in the years to come. Also as an aside, we are not defined by the fact that we all have a lapband, or are trying to lose weight. That is just one part of identification. It is only practical that our discussions would be more varied than just topics about the lapband. Those that only want lapband information should not stray from those threads. Those that have other things of interest in their lives may choose to discuss them in a thread properly located on the board.

Lay off Bush. He has an excuse - He is STUPID. I think they define that as a disease. You can tell he is inflicted with it everytime he opens his mouth. He can't help it. Stupid just drips from his mouth like salivia on the tongue. Just watch him when he strays from his script. Then the stupid really shows. There is no cure. Stem cell research might help, but it is doubtful. Here is a man who is proud to stand next to Rush. I couldn't believe that he would appear on Rush's radio show. He did have the good sense to not let DeLay attend the rally he had in Houston a few days ago.

Believe me I would never imply that teachers are stupid, getting an easy degree, etc. I am one of the few that think educators should make more money then even they dream. This to me is one of the most important jobs in our society. Why am I the only one? Teachers making $40,000 are at the top of their game. They should be making $100,000 + in my opinion. Why is it that so many of our educators leave their field? Because they have families they have to support as well. No one gives them hazzard pay either for what they have to endure each day. That should be worth another $25,000/yr. I want politicians that put education first. Education is the ONLY thing that will save us. This is my opinion.

I started at size 24, now a 20. I could cross my legs at size 24, but comfortably at size 22. Now at size 20 I can cross my legs on the bus. That's a major accomplishment because the seat in front of me would always prevent this. I guess now I can cross my leg while flying on a plane as well.

My co-worker who knows about the surgery and has been supportive told me today that I looked skinny. SKINNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She never comments on how I look. Once she said that since she sees me everyday the changes are less noticeable. I went shopping in my closet and found a pair of black jeans and a green sweater that I haven't worn in years. The jeans were in the cleaner bag from when I sent them to the cleaner. SInce the weather was colder today I put them on with the green sweater. I thought I looked good, but didn't think anyone else would comment. Made my day!

Unfortunately he will probably win. He is not popular with the majority, yet he will win. It just makes me so mad to think that the votes will be spintered by the other 3 and he will just ease right back in. You can't bring facts to the ones that don't want to hear them. There will always be those that disagree with reality.

Something needs to shake me up with this exercising thang. I just can't get myself motivated. My walking tapes still have the shrink wrap on them!!! I'm going to try to do better. Now that it is cool out I'll start walking outside. When I can't do that I'll put the tape in. I've got to do something to jump start my weight loss. Barbara: I'm not big on these colon cleans. I don't think they are the way to go. I suggest you try adding some fiber and eating 1 activia a day. That has helped me. Also, if you must, take an enema. Its fast and easy on the system. You might want to add a fiber pill or drink to your routine. I've always had the opposite problem and since surgery constipation. Since I've started with the Activia and adding some fiber I've been fine. OK everyone. Have a great weekend. If the Halloween candy is still in your house give it to the neighbors or throw it away. Enough of it already. It has to go!!!!!