btrieger

This isn't the dark ages any more. We have modern science. There is no need to claim a god or gods is responsible for everything that happens. Grow up!!
I'd rather have somebody in office that has their own morals and doesn't rely on fictional characters in a 2,000 year old fairy tale. And if we can't have that, I'll settle for the lesser of two evils, the candidate that isn't as zealous as the other. That candidate will never be Sarah Palin.
I also feel that she isn't much of a mother because she let her teenage daughter get knocked-up.
That being said, I not a liberal. I am a libertarian.
Libertarian Party | Smaller Government | Lower Taxes | More Freedom

This isn't the dark ages any more. We have modern science. There is no need to claim a god or gods is responsible for everything that happens. Grow up!!
I'd rather have somebody in office that has their own morals and doesn't rely on fictional characters in a 2,000 year old fairy tale. And if we can't have that, I'll settle for the lesser of two evils, the candidate that isn't as zealous as the other. That candidate will never be Sarah Palin.
I also feel that she isn't much of a mother because she let her teenage daughter get knocked-up.
That being said, I not a liberal. I am a libertarian.
Libertarian Party | Smaller Government | Lower Taxes | More Freedom

This isn't the dark ages any more. We have modern science. There is no need to claim a god or gods is responsible for everything that happens. Grow up!!
I'd rather have somebody in office that has their own morals and doesn't rely on fictional characters in a 2,000 year old fairy tale. And if we can't have that, I'll settle for the lesser of two evils, the candidate that isn't as zealous as the other. That candidate will never be Sarah Palin.
I also feel that she isn't much of a mother because she let her teenage daughter get knocked-up.
That being said, I not a liberal. I am a libertarian.
Libertarian Party | Smaller Government | Lower Taxes | More Freedom

This isn't the dark ages any more. We have modern science. There is no need to claim a god or gods is responsible for everything that happens. Grow up!!
I'd rather have somebody in office that has their own morals and doesn't rely on fictional characters in a 2,000 year old fairy tale. And if we can't have that, I'll settle for the lesser of two evils, the candidate that isn't as zealous as the other. That candidate will never be Sarah Palin.
I also feel that she isn't much of a mother because she let her teenage daughter get knocked-up.
That being said, I not a liberal. I am a libertarian.
Libertarian Party | Smaller Government | Lower Taxes | More Freedom

This isn't the dark ages any more. We have modern science. There is no need to claim a god or gods is responsible for everything that happens. Grow up!!
I'd rather have somebody in office that has their own morals and doesn't rely on fictional characters in a 2,000 year old fairy tale. And if we can't have that, I'll settle for the lesser of two evils, the candidate that isn't as zealous as the other. That candidate will never be Sarah Palin.
I also feel that she isn't much of a mother because she let her teenage daughter get knocked-up.
That being said, I not a liberal. I am a libertarian.
Libertarian Party | Smaller Government | Lower Taxes | More Freedom

There is no better option for a lot of us. It is a much safer choice than the alternative of letting our weight kill us. I've had a heart attack, it is not fun.
You are right in a way about common sense though. If I had common sense I would not have let myself go so far as to require surgery. I, like most of you did this to myself by sitting on the couch or a bar stool filling my face with crap.

Congrats; you look awesome and great post!!
How could you think that 90+ pounds wasn't a success?

Congrats; you look awesome and great post!!
How could you think that 90+ pounds wasn't a success?

Keller here.
Getting my date tomorrow from Dr Kim.

Absolutely not!!
It just shouldn't be done in a fit of anger and the child should know exactly why it is being done.

Here the link for ticker help: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/
As for cheating on the pre-op or post-op diet: If you can't go without cheating for a relatively short time, how the hell do you expect to follow the rules for the rest of your life?
Don't get me wrong; I AM judging you.

We talk about Santa Claus, vampires and honest politicians too. What does that mean?

Trust me, it is even harder for some of us to understand how anyone can believe in a god and we are far from hopeless. We live one day at a time and don't get stressed out about whether or not we are going to a good or bad place for eternity.
We take responsibility for our actions and decide for ourselves what is right and what is wrong.
But the best thing is, we sleep in on Sundays without guilt.

I quit reading at the "1/3 need re-operations" line.
I think the majority of us did enough research to realize that is a stupid statement.

Captain Morgan!
Unfortunately, I am bound to get dirty looks while drinking it at work. So, I settle for Water.
I love Water and always have. If I need a little more flavor, I throw in a packet of Crystal Light.

WTF!!!
Since when is 15 pounds not GREAT for 3 weeks?!?!?!?!
What were you expecting?
I must be a total failure!!
I was banded 47 weeks ago and the most I have lost in any 3 week period is ONLY 10 pounds.
I've averaged about 2.5 pounds a week.
Congrats on your progress and make more realistic goals!

Absolutely not!!
It just shouldn't be done in a fit of anger and the child should know exactly why it is being done.

I gave up ABSOLUTELY nothing I enjoy!
Life is more normal after surgery if anything.
I still eat EVERYTHING I love. Just a lot less of it. That being said, I am a meat and potatoes guy that never really ate a lot of Cookies and candy.< /p>
Living alone, I eat out 5 to 7 days a week. I either order and appetizer or kids portion when available. If I do order an "adult entree", I ask for a to go box before I even start eating. I store what I don't plan on eating in the box and take it home for later.
I don't do fast food (any place with a drive thru). If you enjoy McDonalds,Jack-in-the-box or Taco Bell, you'll have to cut you portions and trips down.
NOTHING is bad in moderation!

No... spanking is not child abuse and some times a smart mouth deserves a slap! Don't get me wrong, too much abuse to children in this world and I don't like to see a child spanked or slapped, but sometimes it is more affective than a parent proving he can count to three!

Absolutely not!!
It just shouldn't be done in a fit of anger and the child should know exactly why it is being done.

I was banded on 1/12/10, and have lost just over 90 pounds. I am just shy of 106 pounds from my highest weight.

I was banded on Aug.3 2010, I weighed 262 pounds and as of this morning I weigh 220, so I have lost 42 pounds!

I also love my band!

I was banded on 3/5/10 and I have lost 97 pounds!

Banded March 2, 2010 and lost 71 pounds since then.
I lost 95 prior to surgery for a grand total of 166.
21 pounds in 3 months is excellent! Do NOT worry about what others are losing. You're doing great!

The best thing you all can do for yourself is to *STOP* comparing yourself to everyone else...and that goes for those who say "Look at how successful I am. If I can do it, anyone can do it."
We are all unique individuals and while our basic anatomy is the same, they are not identical. Age, activity level, health factors and so much more go into how slow or fast we lose weight. Our reasons for being overweight will vary. Some eat for emotional reasons...some just bad habits...others because of a constant driving hunger. The dynamics of our personal lives vary. Some are able to remove all temptation from their home...either because they're single or they have fully supportive family members willing to eat the way we need to eat (healthy choices, no junk). Others have families unwilling to give up their own bad eating habits or who deliberately try to sabotage them for whatever reason.
If you want to compare yourself to anyone...compare yourself to *you*. Keep a journal of your progress and when you feel like you're falling down, read back and remember where *you* started.
Comparing ourselves to others will only help to make us feel like failures...and telling others "if I can, you can" (I'm paraphrasing) is only a way of grandstanding and saying "Look at me" while at the same time making the other person feel like a failure.
<kicking my soap box back under the table>