Electrawoman

Well, Patty. I hate to break it to you but you have to deal with me as long as you post here. This is a public forum, my dear and if facts threaten you, go back to Glenn Beck's forum and talk to people who won't challenge you on this nonsense. What you posted was a bunch of propaganda and opinion. Facts are fun. Get some.

There's nothing wrong with being hopeful. If your insurance won't pay and you really want it, you will find a way to get it. :thumbup:

I just got mine a week ago. Already, I have lost at least 15 lbs. Probably more. But mainly what I have lost is that nagging anxiety, guilt, and obsession about food. I have only lost weight twice in my life...a total of 32 lbs, gained back with extra. For the past 20 years, I have beat myself up on a daily basis about my weight and what I have done to my body. I don't feel that way right now. I feel free.

Yeah, I still worry that maybe it won't work for me or something will go wrong or my food addiction will take over and failure will set it. But, when I look in the mirror, I feel better just knowing that I have some control over food now. I am still healing and sore from surgery but I feel GOOD. That good feeling makes it easier to love my body again.

I have had two other surgeries in my life: a c-section and ankle reconstruction. This surgery was a piece of cake compared to those.

At this point, I would do it again in a second.

Yeah, clearly Miss Patty has an alternative agenda here. Poor thing. She has no idea how ridiculous she appears. I will have to pray for her.

I don't have time to respond to each Obama rant right now but it appears that very few of these points are facts and probably copied from some rightey-sitey. I'll find the place where she copied it from later tonight and post some actual facts in response. (I just hate it when misinformation is floating around in the universe.)

I think it is really sad that people would rather eat the fear than try to work together for a better country.

And, has anyone noticed Patty's profile? It's worth looking at. Here's a link to "her" posts. She is not bringing anything positive to this site and I doubt she has even had a lap-band or is even thinking about it. She's just another Propaganda Monster. I wonder how she has time to take care of ten kids when she spends so much time posting Rightey Rhetoric.

I find myself wondering why I am even responding to this but I have made it my goal this year to get more involved in politics, instead of letting apathy and ignorance take over our country again.

I know this post wasn't put here because the original writer actually wanted an answer and these words will probably fall on deaf ears but maybe someone reading it will learn something. So here's a list I have compiled that may explain why some people do not want to vote for Sarah Palin if she runs for high office.

Sarah Palin Quotes:

1. "As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where– where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border." --Sarah Palin, explaining why Alaska's proximity to Russia gives her foreign policy experience, interview with CBS's Katie Couric, Sept. 24, 2008 (Watch video clip)

2. "The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil." –-Sarah Palin, in a message posted on Facebook about Obama's health care plan, Aug. 7, 2009

3. "Who calls a shot like that? Who makes a decision like that? It's a disturbing trend." –Sarah Palin, pushing a conspiracy theory that "In God We Trust" had been moved to the edge of coins because of the Obama administration (the change was made by the Bush administration in 2007 and was later reversed by Congress, before Obama took office), West Allis, Wisconsin, Nov. 6, 2009

4. "We believe that the best of America is not all in Washington, D.C. ... We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation." --Sarah Palin, speaking at a fundraiser in Greensoboro, N.C., Oct. 16, 2008

5. "Ohh, good, thank you, yes." --Sarah Palin, after a notorious Canadian prank caller complimented her on the documentary about her life, Hustler's "Nailin Paylin," Nov. 1, 2008 (Read more about the prank call, watch the video and see the transcript)

6. "Well, let's see. There's ― of course in the great history of America there have been rulings that there's never going to be absolute consensus by every American, and there are those issues, again, like Roe v. Wade, where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. So, you know, going through the history of America, there would be others but ―" --Sarah Palin, unable to name a Supreme Court decision she disagreed with other than Roe vs. Wade, interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, Oct. 1, 2008 (Watch video clip)

7. "All of 'em, any of 'em that have been in front of me over all these years." --Sarah Palin, unable to name a single newspaper or magazine she reads, interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, Oct. 1, 2008 (Watch video clip)

8. "[T]hey're in charge of the U.S. Senate so if they want to they can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes that will make life better for Brandon and his family and his classroom." --Sarah Palin, getting the vice president's constitutional role wrong after being asked by a third grader what the vice president does, interview with NBC affiliate KUSA in Colorado, Oct. 21, 2008 (Watch video clip)

9. "They are also building schools for the Afghan children so that there is hope and opportunity in our neighboring country of Afghanistan." --Sarah Palin, speaking at a fundraiser in San Francisco, Oct. 5, 2008

10. "I think on a national level your Department of Law there in the White House would look at some of the things that we've been charged with and automatically throw them out." --Sarah Palin, referring to a department that does not exist while attempting to explain why as president she wouldn't be subjected to the same ethics investigations that compelled her to resign as governor of Alaska, ABC News interview, July 7, 2009

Sarah Palin Lies:

Palin lied when she said the dismissal of her public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, had nothing to do with his refusal to fire state trooper Mike Wooten; in fact, the Branchflower Report concluded that she repeatedly abused her power when dealing with both men.

Palin lied when she repeatedly claimed to have said, "Thanks, but no thanks" to the Bridge to Nowhere; in fact, she openly campaigned for the federal project when running for governor.

Palin lied when she denied that Wasilla's police chief and librarian had been fired; in fact, both were given letters of termination the previous day.

Palin lied when she wrote in the NYT that a comprehensive review by Alaska wildlife officials showed that polar bears were not endangered; in fact, email correspondence between those scientists showed the opposite.

Palin lied when she claimed in her convention speech that an oil gas pipeline "began" under her guidance; in fact, the pipeline was years from breaking ground, if at all.

Palin lied when she told Charlie Gibson that she does not pass judgment on gay people; in fact, she opposes all rights between gay spouses and belongs to a church that promotes conversion therapy.

Palin lied when she denied having said that humans do not contribute to climate change; in fact, she had previously proclaimed that human activity was not to blame.

Palin lied when she claimed that Alaska produces 20 percent of the country's domestic energy supply; in fact, the actual figures, based on any interpretation of her words, are much, much lower.

Palin lied when she told voters she improvised her convention speech when her teleprompter stopped working properly; in fact, all reports showed that the machine had functioned perfectly and that her speech had closely followed the script.

Palin lied when she recalled asking her daughters to vote on whether she should accept the VP offer; in fact, her story contradicts details given by her husband, the McCain campaign, and even Palin herself. (She later added another version.)

Palin lied when she claimed to have taken a voluntary pay cut as mayor; in fact, as council member she had voted against a raise for the mayor, but subsequent raises had taken effect by the time she was mayor.

Palin lied when she insisted that Wooten's divorce proceedings had caused his confidential records to become public; in fact, court officials confirmed they released no such records.

Palin lied when she suggested to Katie Couric that she was involved in trade missions with Russia; in fact, she has never even met with Russian officials.

Palin lied when she told Shimon Peres that the only flag in her office was the Israeli flag; in fact, she has several flags.

Palin lied when she claimed to have tried to divest government funds from Sudan; in fact, her administration openly opposed a bill that would have done just that.

Palin lied when she repeatedly claimed that troop levels in Iraq were back to pre-surge levels; in fact, even she acknowledged her "misstatements," though she refused to retract or apologize.

Palin lied when she insisted that the Branchflower Report "showed there was no unlawful or unethical activity on my part"; in fact, that report prominently stated, "Palin abused her power by violating Alaska Statute 39.52.110(a) of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act."

Palin lied when she claimed to have voiced concerns over Wooten fearing he would harm her family; in fact, she actually decreased her security detail during that period.

Palin lied when asked about the $150,000 worth of clothes provided by the RNC; in fact, solid reporting contradicted several parts of her statement.

Palin lied when she suggested that she had offered the media proof of her pregnancy with Trig to "correct the record"; in fact, no reports of her medical records were ever published; and the letter from her doctor testifying to her good health only emerged hours before polling ended on election day, even though there was nothing in it that couldn't have been released two months earlier.

Palin lied when she said that "reported" allegations of her banning Harry Potter as mayor was easily refutable because it had not even been written yet; in fact, the first book in that series was published in 1998 - two years into her first term - and such rumors were never reported by the media, only circulated as emails.

Palin lied when she denied having participated in a clothes audit with campaign laywers; in fact, the Washington Times later confirmed those details.

Palin lied when asked about Couric's question regarding her reading habits; in fact, Couric's words were not, "What do you read up there in Alaska?" or anything close to condescension.

Palin lied when she mischaracterized the "$1200 check" given to Alaskans as the permanent fund dividend check; in fact, that fund had yielded $2,069 per person, and she claimed otherwise to obscure the fact that Alaskans also received a $1200 rebate check from a windfall profits tax on oil companies - a tax widely criticized by Republicans.

Palin lied when she claimed to be unaware of a turkey being slaughtered behind her during a filmed interview; in fact, the cameraman said she had picked the spot herself, while the slaughter was underway.

Palin lied when she denied having rejected federal stimulus money; in fact, she continued to accept and reject the funds several times.

Palin lied when she claimed that legislative leaders had canceled a meeting with her to hold their own press conference; in fact, they only canceled it after being told she would not participate, and the purpose of the press conference was very different from the meeting's.

Palin lied when she announced on the news that she never holds closed-door meetings; in fact, she had just attended a closed-door meeting with the legislature earlier that day.

Palin lied when she said that former aide John Bitney's "amicable" departure was for "personal" reasons; in fact, Bitney said he was fired because of his relationship with the wife of Palin's friend, plus a Palin spokesperson later claimed "poor job performance" for his firing - without elaborating.

Palin lied when she said she kept her running injury a secret on the campaign trail; in fact, her bandaged hand was clearly visible in photographs and the story was widely talked about.

Palin lied when she claimed that Alaska has spent "millions of dollars" on litigation related to her ethics complaints; in fact, that figure is much, much lower, and she had initiated the most expensive inquiry.

Palin lied when she denied that the Alaska Independence Party supports secession and denied that her husband had been a member; in fact, even the McCain campaign noted that the party's very existence is based on secession and that Todd was a member for seven years.

Sarah Palin Actions:

1. She was elected Alaska's governor a little over a year and a half prior to the VP announcement. Her previous office was mayor of Wasilla, a small town outside Anchorage. She has no foreign policy experience.

2. She is strongly anti-choice, opposing abortion even in the case of rape or incest.

3. She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000.

4. She thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.

5. She's doesn't think humans are the cause of climate change.

6. She supported McCain's "Big Oil first" energy policy.

7. McCain met Sarah Palin once at a meeting; then they spoke a second time when he called her about being vice-president; and then he offered her the position.

8. Her appearance on a morning "shock jock" radio show was described by the Anchorage Daily News as "plain and simple one of the most unprofessional, childish and inexcusable performances I've ever seen from a politician."

9. Palin supports gunning down wolves from airplanes.

10. She supports failed abstinence-only programs.

11. She is under investigation for allegedly abusing her power as governor to help her sister in a messy divorce.

12. She lied about her plans for the "Bridge to Nowhere."

13. She has big money ties to Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, who has been indicted for political corruption.

14. She exploited her son's Iraq service for political gain.

15. During her time as mayor, Palin drove a town deep into debt.

16. She slashed funding for teen moms (ironic, isn't it?).

17. She thinks the war in Iraq is "a task that is from God."

18. She failed at running a car wash.

One of my nurses told me to expect this. She said the first few days are kind of easy. I had my surgery on Monday and she told me to expect a "bad day" on Friday or Saturday. She was right and you are right on schedule :thumbup:

My stomach is gurgling and I am having some gas pains too, but I find that the GasX strips. Since you never know when it will hit, keep them close. I found some TUMS Quick Paks today at Dollar Tree. They remind me of pixie or lik-m-stiks. The powder just dissolves on your tongue. Don't be afraid of your pain meds, either. That's what they are there for.

Hang in there!

Thanks, Serenity!

The way I understand it is that our bodies either feel safe fat or thin. In the overweight, our safety trigger is set to fat. In other words, fat=safe. So we have to retrain our primal brain to think that thin=safe. That's what the CD helps with.

Oh and little elm is near dallas and Denton.

You can download the cd from his website if you already have the book. Just look in your book according to the directions for the password.

Oooh what a good challenge!

I am nearly 5'9 and I just got my band. I weigh about 305 post-op and carry all of it around my middle. My legs are long and were always my favorite feature. I have DD breasts. I am large-boned and not at all the delicate type. I think when I lose this fat my build will be considered to be the large-athletic type. I love girly stuff like fashion and makeup. I am a total makeup junkie but I choose a very natural style of application.

I will be 40 next month but most people are shocked when I tell them that. My skin tone is that weird fair-olive that Jachut described. I freckle and burn easily in the sun so I stay out of it as much as possible.

A friend fondly calls me "Battleship Betty" because I have a strong presence in appearance and personality. I think a nickname like that might offend some folks but I like it.

My face (sans fat) is heart-shaped and my brown eyes are deeply set and dark. I use concealer to hide my genetically-dark circles. My features are fairly balanced but I have a slightly crooked smile and an overbite. I also have a cleft in my chin. My heritage is Italian, German and English. I have mostly German features but when I wear red lipstick, I look very Italian. My stylist is jealous of my eyebrows because they are perfectly arched and I have never plucked or shaped them (my chin, however is a constant site for annoying plucking).

My nails are usually kept short and are sometimes polished in graphic colors (black with white tips or cream with pink tips, etc). I mostly do them myself but when I can afford it, I try to get professional manicures and pedicures. I am the first person in my friend group to try new and creative things in fashion or technology. I am known for my accessories addiction and get a lot of compliments on handbags, watches, jewelry, hats, etc.

My hair is naturally dark brown but I have been dying it since I went gray at age 15. Now, it is usually black with a streak or two of a bright color. I colored it black and bright green for awhile. Now, it is mostly black with a blue streak or two. My hair is long and styled in a very glamorous cut but I rarely style it like I should. I often feel guilty for that because I know how good my hair CAN look and feel like I am not doing my stylist justice. My good friend is my hairdresser so we experiment a lot and try to have fun but now that I volunteer for CASA and have to appear in court frequently, I have to tone it down a little.

I love love love a beautifully-designed shoe. Unfortunately, I broke my ankle and my choices are limited. Now, I try to find a stable, supportive shoe that looks at least halfway fashionable. This is not easy. I can look at zappos.com for hours just admiring the shoes and the designers who created them.

I would like to dress stylishly but usually just wear what fits from the bargain rack. I also love retro/rockabilly styles but have a hard time finding my size and, because I am older now, can't quite get away with that look. I have been known to wear a dress shirt with yoga pants or pajama bottoms with a sweater in public either because I can't find anything that fits or just don't give a damn that day (though I will rarely be caught in public without makeup). I love long flowing hippie skirts. I haven't worn pantyhose in nearly 20 years but will wear tights occasionally. When I dress nice, I wear basics so I can show off my accessories. My style would be considered "eclectic". I envy women who always look glamorous and put-together but don't want to do the work involved in that look. Besides, it's hard to keep a perfect coiffure when you sweat all the time in this infernal heat.

This book and the visualization CD that comes with it has really helped me with similar issues. I can't say enough good things about how it has reduced my cravings for "bad" food. The book explains why your body may, indeed, want to remain fat. What an eye-opener!

The Gabriel Method

I got mine on Monday. Like SharSHar, I had a couple days of dry throat and I am a little sore but I really feel good, considering! There is a lot of gas and my tummy talks to me all day long. The GasX strips do help, though.

I am having some confusion over what to eat but I am going to call my surgeon tomorrow and ask them. They put me on what they call "full liquids" today. Their list includes oatmeal and grits and cream of wheat as well as applesauce and puddings/yogurts. I would consider those mushies and, since I am not scheduled for another diet change (to real food) on January 8, I am assuming that mushies are cool. I asked the hospital nurse who said they don't really do a separate mushies phase because you can chew anything for a long time and make it mushy. I even had some mashed turnips tonight and feel fine. But I want to make sure so I will call tomorrow.

I loved my surgeon and everyone at the hospital. My room was so comfortable that I kept calling it "the hotel". All in all, it was a good experience.

I can definitely feel when I have had enough to eat or drink and notice a big difference in fullness when I stand up after eating.

I love the feeling I have of not being a slave to food. For the past 25 years, I have not spent one day not worried about my weight or food. I feel like the pressure has been lifted from my life. Yeah, I am still fat but I am doing something about it so I can let those guilty thoughts pass right through my brain and keep going with my life. What a relief!

I hope I won't have to! Ick!

I just got my band and I haven't gotten stuck yet (and don't plan on it) but I am wondering what you do if you do get stuck? I was thinking about it this morning and wondered if some apple cider (or any flavor) vinegar would help since it is so acidic and breaks down organic matter. Has anyone tried it or is there something better?

Garlic bread Soup

1 whole head of garlic

2 shallots

1-2 T olive oil for sautee

1 small sandwich baguette, cubed

1/4-1/2 c parmesean cheese

3 c chicken broth/stock (you can substitute 1/2 cup with white wine for added kick if you like)

1/2 c fage plain yogurt

sautee garlic and shallots slowly in oil until carmelized. Add stock and bring to boil. Lower heat and add bread. Cook until the bread is soft and mushy. Remove from heat. Add yogurt and cheese. Dump in blender or food processor and blend until creamy. This tastes so good and is great for boosting your immunity.

My doctor has me on Clear Liquids until Thursday. The nurses said I couldn't even have Jello. I would really like some milk or cream of wheat at this point. On Thursday I am supposed to go to a full liquid diet that includes some mushies. Its confusing when I hear that others didn't have to do clears at all and knowing that I just go straight from clears to cereals. I don't want to get sick but I am hungry now and Protein Water is not doing it for me like it was.

OH and for the recipes, I too am thinking about that. My doc has me on clear for another day. Then it's full liquids/some mushies until Jan 8.

I was thinking that a good mushy meal might be:

puree a chicken breast in the food processor and add a little lite mayo plus salt and pepper for a chicken salad

with a side of mashed potatoes or carrots or turnips or cauliflower, etc.

But I am looking up recipes next. I will post with any more that I find.

I like the name and I am now at home with my band. Everything went great. Very little pain...wonderful experience (as wonderful as surgery can be, I mean). Let's just say it ws delightful :smile:

This is all I am going to say: Throw that damned scale away and listen to your body!

[raises hand] food ADDICT yes. Meeee, too. I have known it for a long time. I use the term obsessed more than addicted because my counselor corrects me about the terminology all the time. BUt it is what it is.

I haven't gotten my band, yet---Monday is the day. Since I have restricted my food preoperatively, I already notice how much of my day is spent thinking about or acquiring food. The money I spend on food is way more than I thought. I am like a junkie. I need my fix. I am hungry all the time. Eating actually makes me hungrier. I told my surgeon how I think of food while I am eating food. He nodded his head slowly. I am sure he has heard it all before.

After the past 12 days, I am less hungry with much less food but still obsessed. Today, it was a pancake obsession. I can't stop thinking about them and seeing references to pancakes everywhere I look.

I know that if you show up to the ER, they have to treat you. Payment can be worked out later. If your insurance doesn't pay, you can pay it out or make other arrangements.

adevong, we are very close!!!!! I work out at the LE 24hr fitness if I go to the gym. I want to find a team or a sport to do instead. I have a bunch of metal in my leg, though so I can't do anything too rough. I love swimming but hate driving to Frisco to go to the pool at 24hr. What do you do for workouts?

sooo sweet! I am getting misty! My son notices every time I dress up. He is 2 and he says "Mamma's a lady". ha ha I can't wait to see how he reacts to the skinny :Yawn:

GREAT! COme join us in the December Bandsters thread!