btrieger

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!

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.

If anyone ever tells me I look too thin, I will give them a twenty and a wet kiss!

And a health care package that MOST Americans don't want is a success? I am indifferent to both parties and look at the issues and how they are wasting my money on an individual basis. I don't see Obama being any more successful than Bush yet.

As for having morals and not being xtian; I have no doubt whatsoever that there is no God; yet I believe I have high morals. I definitely know the difference in right from wrong. The two-party system is one of the many things destroying the very fabric of this country. It makes everyone choose one party or the other. Once elected the reps and senators don't think for themselves or vote as there constituents want them too. They vote along party lines. I don't consider myself to be conservative, liberal or moderate. I am all over the map. I am far right on some issues; far left on some; undecided or apathetic about others. I think most intelligent people think as I do and the current system doesn't recognize us. And CM, the democrats did the same things and said exactly the same thing about Bush. And at this point, the republicans are being a lot more civil about it.

I have a Cuisine Art food processor that makes fast work of everything including some bones.

Shonette, I am in a similar situation and not letting it get me down. I should have had my surgery date a couple of days ago. This is not a race. We have the rest of our lives to get it done.

I should have included that as an option. It is exactly what spurred me on in the beginning. At 30 I bought a sports car. At 35 I bought a home gym. At 40 I bought a new house. At 45 I'm buying a lapband. At 50 I will probably by a cemetery plot. :eek:

Unfortunately, I am not speaking from experience. Slime is that saliva that we used to blow bubbles in when when were kids. The spit we used to let drip out of our mouths a few feet and then suck it back up. I guess that builds up when you are stuck or eat the wrong thing.

The Bodybugg will definitely help. It will tell you how many calories you are burning and then you just need to try and keep how many calories you are eating to 500 less than that. I am a fat slob and didn't get this way because I had a lot of willpower. I am not banded yet but with the help of the Bodybugg I have been losing 3-5 pounds a week. I am eating basically everything I always have but have cut my portions down. I walk about 3 miles a day, 45 min - 1 hour. I was walking 3 miles every other day but just moved up. I am NOT dieting, I am NOT hungry, I am NOT killing myself at some gym. With the Bodybugg and the lapband you should be able to make much better progress than you have. Make sure to drink at least 64 ounces of Water daily as well. This is needed to wash the waste from your system.

Congrats!! I can't wait to get banded so I can get stuck, slime and PB. I've read so much about them I need to experience them so I know what it was all about.

Not cheating but using a tool that makes it not as painful.

I think you have the advantage. You may have to work just as hard but you won't be as hungry as they are.

Thank you!!

I plan on asking my surgeon or nutritionist this but am curious now.

We get about 30 days a year with a high over 100 F (38C) a year but the swimming pool is always refreshing.