btrieger

I too use the "New Posts" button but I check to see which forum an article is posted in before I click on it. Look to the right, it tells you. Do you have any idea how many times I've had to bite my tongue and not reply in the teen or xtian forums? Women answering questions that men have for other men is a pet peeve of mine. Hell, I don't go talking about child birth or riding the cotton pony. :smile2:

Without hunting the number of animals may rocket out of control and a lot of them would starve. I think it takes a sick person to shoot Bambi but I'll be the first one in line for the meat. :smile2:

Great questions and replies!! Gonna start pointing people to it when they ask 2 or more of these questions. Not banded yet but have read a few posts by people on this site saying they had no problem with soda. So, don't give up hope just yet. Also, if you want the taste and flat soda makes you gag, try freezing it. Diet coke makes for great homemade popcicles.

There is some great documentation on the Bodybugg site: bodybugg I think that may only be available to Bodybugg subscribers.

Blogging is a great place to get it out of your system. Therapy is $85 or more to do the same thing and bartenders just don't care any more. It's too late for the "what have I done to myself" attitude. You've already started undoing it. Reh, rah, keep it up :thumbup: I have a feeling we will be seeing those pictures sooner or later. The ugly, fat pictures always make the best before pictures and the thin, beautiful ones the best afters.

It is a great post and points out what most of you are missing. You lost weight because you have modified your lifestyles and followed the lapband rules. If you've lost more than 1 pound, pat yourself on the back. YOU lost this weight because you are doing what is required not because you have a piece of plastic in you. There are many people on this site that were not properly educated and think that all they have to do is wait 3 - 6 months for approval; have surgery and the weight loss will just happen. GIVE YOURSELF THE CREDIT YOU DESERVE!!!!

Congrats on the weight loss Dennis. John, keep us informed when you do make your final decision.

You aren't lost you are just taking more time to adjust than most. The lapband is a tool and comes with instructions. Your surgeon should have made sure you were clear on everything before opening you up and installing the band. You're still young and have plenty of time to learn to use the tool that you already possess. You lose weight by burning more calories than you consume. The lapband is a tool that when properly filled will make you feel full after eating a fraction of the food you are used to. Have you had any fills yet? Arte you still in touch with your surgeon and/or his staff? If not, call them Monday morning and discuss your situation. Make sure you drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. This is needed to purge the waste from your body among other things. Log everything that you eat. By doing this you may see that you are eating more than you thought you were and it will come in very helpful when you consult a dietitian. Do not drink anything that contains calories. Do not drink within 30 minutes of a meal. This only makes the food go down faster and defeats the purpose of the lapband. Eat slowly, cut your food small and chew the hell out of it before swallowing. Stop eating when you are satisfied or no longer hungry. Do NOT wait until you are full. Eat only 3 meals a day spaced 5 hours apart. Try and walk at least 30 - 45 minute 3 - 4 days a week. If you do all of this, you will lose weight but there is no hurry. Take it one step at a time if you must. This is not a diet plan, this is something that you must be ready to do for the rest of your life.

Is everybody familiar with this article: http://www.fortworthlapband.com/public/forms/LAP-BAND_Golden_Rules.pdf? It's written well but doesn't include what is the most important weight-loss tip ever: Drink plenty of water! It also doesn't make it clear that you have to burn more calories than you consume.

You got it OS! nichelle, here are the instructions: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

you could try a small coffee or spice grinder but that may just make a mushy mess also.

I googled it and it looks like HCG is nothing more than a scam and can have adverse effects. HCG Worthless as Weight-Loss Aid I wouldn't touch it.

Thanks Denise!! I don't think we need more veterans. You explained it pretty clearly. Great job! I still need to experience it for myself but now I am more prepared.

I don't think how much we consume is half of the battle for everyone. You can eat around the band; you can eat or drink nothing but high-calorie sliders; you can graze all day instead of eating 3 satisfying meals a day; you can wash everything down with Water and go back for seconds and thirds. I am a volume eater and I know it is going to help me but some fat people don't eat that much in one sitting, they just eat the wrong foods or graze all day. The band is a tool and comes with instructions and will not function as expected if these directions are not followed. Apparently not all surgeons are including the instructions when they install the tool or people just need a little reminder.

Here's a step by step: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

HB, You do NOT give yourself enough credit! The band does NOT make you drink plenty of water; the band does NOT make your food choices for you; the band does NOT make you eat only 3 meals a day; the band does NOT exercise for you. YOU do all of that!

I am not banded yet but this is bothering me a little. I love hot sauce but I also douse the fires with fluids while eating. So, it is not so much whether my body can handle it, it is whether I can get used to eating spicy food without drinking something or I have to turn the heat down a little.

It kills me every time I see some one say, "I have been banded since xxx and I am not losing weight." Then comes the reply I abhor, "when you get fills you will lose weight." I am not banded yet and have done more research than my surgeon has. Well, maybe a little less. I try to reply to most of these letting people know that the ban is NOT a magic wand and give a few tips. I am great at losing weight. I just suck at not putting it back on. I gave somebody weight-loss advice in their blog the other day and some clueless idiot replied with, "he isn't banded and is giving you advice only a doctor can give." Take a look for yourself: Wondering? - LAP-BAND

Congrats!! Here's a little tip on the clothes. Set specific goals and when you hit them buy a new pair of pants and a shirt of something. As you mentioned, there is no use in buying a whole wardrobe if you are going to shrink out of it.

I believe that way because I live it and it is usually true. From the time we are kids and can't keep up with the other, our esteem takes a hit.

I should be able to but I can't because I would not affiliate myself with either of the 2 major parties. It's a shame too. I would make a great king!

This damn Canadian air mass should have stayed up north where it belonged!

Take this cold with you and I will send you first class!

Obama won the nomination because he was running against the most hated woman in America. He won the presidency because of McCain's awful choice of one of the dumbest women in America as a running mate. * Don't blame me, I have not voted for a major party candidate since 1988.