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Just about everything we build is offesive. In ancient Rome, soldiers had swords for offense and shields for defense. Today, we build weapons for attacking, not defending. I am not placing blame on any particular US regime, I am placing the blame on all who since the cold-war allegedly ended have spent very little on learning Arabic, farce or much of anything else about Muslims or their history or culture. That was not the first in the chain of attacks and counter-attacks between the West and Muslims. It was not even a surprize attack. We had bombed them and Bin Laden had declared war on us many years earlier. It was part of an ongoing war that we never tried to mediate by talking with the countries of the Middle-East. [ When the USA bombs cities, there are hundreds of buildings destroyed, some of which are hospitals, restaurants, etc. [ We also station troops and/or support the restrictive governements that squash the freedom of their people. Sweden buys oil on the open market but does not prop up the government od Saudi Arabia. The price of oil dropped because Iraq and Iran got into a war with each other and to afford the war, they each sold much more than their OPEC quota of oil, driving the price down (and US inflation down which Reagan took credit for). The Iraq issue is not entirely oil, but mostly oil related. That was a rhetorical question to show that BuSh was full of BS about his need for Democracy in Iraq. It was an excuse. He knew there were no WMD, nor did Hussein have anything to do with 911, but he attacked anyway. As long as the USA has this air of being Jesus' chosen country, no matter who is president, we will not make allies in the UN. As long as we support Israel, no matter what policy they employ, we will have problems in the UN. We can not expect fairness when we are in the right, if we act unfairly when we are in the wrong. It is our attitude, not our people that much of the world hates.

Sleeves 12/21! 1st night home was rough (22nd)! I had a complication during surgery bc my spleen was attached to my stomach so they had to remedy that 1st then continue on with the sleeve. Lost quite a bit of blood and was weak and really sore. EVERY SINGLE DAY IS BETTER!! Since 2nd day home I'm walking over a mile strolling the kids in the stroller 1-2xs a day. But when my energy runs out its immediate and I need to rest ASAP! I'm back to washing bottles and loading the dishwasher (top rack only--still a bit uncomfortable to bend), folding clothes! So glad I feel normal for the most part! Now on to food! The last 2 days I've felt hungry but I think it's in my head! I want ANYTHING other than fruit or a Protein shake which along with Clear liquids are my only options. Some scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, tuna anything that's not sweet!

@ I am fed basic. I sent a letter to my surgeon's office and Ned records showing my side effects and weight for the last few years. They said it might be enough and to get my psych evaluation done. Doing that in two weeks and we will submit. We shall see! Thanks so much.

I was self pay for band in 2001 and did well with weight loss at the beginning. Had some fills and unfills around 2009 and after that never felt right. Was too tight and did not eat well. Had imaging studies in 2011that showed esophagitis, gastritis, and a hiatal hernia. I had terrible shoulder pain and heartburn almost daily. Finally had the band emptied in 2013 but still have symptoms. Had a surgeon send in a letter in 2011 but was denied. I never got a copy of the denial. I want to try again but I have not been at a 35 bmi for two years. Anyone approved due to medical necessity for similar circumstances? Also my preferred surgeon is not at a center of excellence and I really want him to do my surgery. I have thought about self pay but am scared that if I develop complications since I have had band for 14 years that insurance will not cover the complications. Thank you for your thoughts!

Why couldn't u just pull the strings out of the celery? I do that anyway BC they weird me out. I'm way OCD

I have Anthem BC/BS of CT. I am just on the cusp of not needing lap band. I weigh 200 and have a BMI of 34.8. I have alot of medical problems however so weight loss is a necessity to try and get rid of some of my health problems. I had to get a letter from my primary physician, see the nutritionist and a psychologist before the surgeon sent in the papers. I had my reply within 2 weeks. I really thought I would have to resubmit, so I was surprised.

@@taniamatts, I started an new group Bc I couldn't find the one you started, how are you doing? And how did you add me as a friend?

I had a sinus infection and had to reschedule my surgery bc my surgeon was concerned about risk of pneumonia post op.

So do the dr give you a date before insurance approve, bcs I was told I should be getting a date at the end of this week right after my last nut visit''' Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yep, I agree with everyone else - sounds like migraine to me too. The best OTC med I've used for them is Exedrin Migraine - here's the problem, Exedrin is part of the ANCID group of medications which lap bandsters are supposed to avoid. They're hard on the stomach and so are hard on your esophagus and the band. My doctor said taking these meds OCCASIONALLY is OK, you just have to watch how frequently they're used. When I feel a migraine coming on, if I take the Exedrin Migraine quickly enough I can avoid the headache or (more often) extremely suppress it so it isn't as painful or doesn't last as long. With a bad headache, I too have to retreat to a darkened room and lie PERFECTLY still, sometimes for as much as 12 - 24 hours. And then, as if it wasn't bad enough to lose one day to a migraine, I get what I call a 'phantom or shadow headache' the next day. It's not really a headache, but my head doesn't feel quite right, almost like a hangover, but not. I know - how vague and unhelpful can I be here? Sorry. I'm not sure of the chemical make-up of BC powder so I'm not sure if it's an ANCID or not, but you should find out before you start using it. I HAVE heard from several people that BC Powder works well for migraines, but they also say you have to be careful when you take it or you can inhale a bit of the powder as you pour it on your tongue. It makes you cough like crazy and gives you a scratchy throat when it happens. Just a heads-up on taking BCP. Sorry you're having headaches - migraine or not. You really should see a doctor just to be sure there isn't something else going on there.

I got one post-op but haven't used it. One restaurant has grilled fish and broccoli on the kids' menu (alongside the typical kid junk food), but I realized that it's more cost-efficient to order the adult grilled fish with two full sized vegetables bc I get about three meals out of it. I got a similar card when I first got a lap band and even had it laminated. I never used that one, either. It was a strange little card that even had a diagram of a banded stomach on it. Lol [emoji23]

I started out drinking slimfast. The first night I dreamed about ham, steak and fried chicken. The next day I could swear I smelled meat cooking as I walked across the parking lot. Then I went home and had a can of cream of potato Soup. After all the cold liquids, something hot was very tasty. Just choose things you like, I made homemade oyster stew one night and fed the oysters to my dog. It was very good to me. I had to do liquids two weeks before surgery, and then they postponed me a week so I've had another week now. It's not as bad as you think. just think of the goal ahead, and it will be worth it. I know I'm SO ready for tomorrow!

I've been having a rough time of it lately watching the scale go up, then back down with the same few pounds. The zero restriction is tough. Sometimes I have such great will power and then other days, not so much. I mean I obviously suck at long term dieting because I knew I needed help and had WLS. I had a terrible day today and just felt like emotional eating everything in sight. I spent my whole lunch hour crying to my fiance about what a crappy day it was and how it was one thing after another and how I had spent a fortune and was STILL gaining weight. I had such a defeatest attitude. After work I begrudgingly got us all fed and ready for church tonight as we are having revival. What a blessing it was for me. I have been going at this the wrong way totally. I have been putting this stupid weight loss first above everything. And when I'd find myself depressed about the scales not moving, I would let it affect my entire life. I have been down right awful lately. I keep hearing those words in the back of my head that say 'you'll never be thin, you can't even do it with WLS' and honestly that is how I've felt. I realized tonight that I just need to trust that God has a plan for me and that if I put HIM first above everything then he will give me the strength to get through anything that I cross. Even stupid plateau's and those evil carbs! I know it won't all be roses and I'm sure I'll struggle some more, but I want to be able to look back on this post and remind myself that I just have to have faith. I will be more than just the fat girl. One day I'm just going to be Mia. What a great day that will be!

Hello everyone: I would ahve loved to meet with ya'll today, but i have the funkiest shedule. Either I work from 8pm-5am, 530am-12pm or 3am-12pm. :: insert dramatic sigh here :: Yay me. Brina, princess of the night shift and varying schedule. And the worst part of it is that i stay less than a mile from Palmyra Hoapital and Dr. B's office. If you are talking about the Zaxby's on Slappey Blvd, I could have walked there. The next time you guys meet up, i am gonna try to attend. Heck, I wanted to attend this time. I will see how it goes. I am very thrilled that you guys had a chance to meet. I am sure you had a blast. As I say this, i am squishing the little bit of jealousy that i was unable to attend. :embaressed_smile: I hope to be able to meet when the next social event (i had to say "social event" so that it could imply that I have a social life, so just humor me) is planned. How is everyone doing? I think I am doing well. I have no idea of my weight at this point. I do not think that i am gaining anything, but I dont think that I am losing anythign either. I will occasionally weigh myself at home, but I really dont trust my scale here at home. The scalle seems to tell em that I am still at the post op weight loss of -15lbs. I am NOT complaining by any means, but I cant get happy until i know that my scale is not playing with my emotions. i am generally an emiotinally stable person, but when it comes to my weight i am as stable as the stock market or gas prices. At times it is right on point with Dr. Bs scale and then other time the thing is a bloody blue blazin liar. I think it does that to see if it can finally snap my last nerve. Can you just walk into teh obesity clinic and get weighed or is an appointment required? I would like to know. I have never been to the obesity clinic and I don't have an appointment to go there until my first fil on April 9th.

But he never mentioned anything about spitting!!!! Why are you trying to drag other people's comments into this? Maybe you need to go suck your mans wee wee bc I think you are hungry!

Kathy the Underachiever-don't be dumping all kinda self-actualized motivation BS on me cuz it's over my head...I'll be elsewhere, thanks I'm being tongue-in-cheek, hoping it gives you something to chew on. No disrespect intended, okay?

I understand why though....in our organization (Fed Gov't dep't) you have to put your "harassment" complaint in writing. It is for everyone's benefit, including yours. She will find out anyways, whether you make the "official" complaint in writing or verbally....so just be stong and do what you feel is right (write!)!

Well folks I still need prayers... I have yet to get my return and the IRS can not give me a reason... This is BS... I call every other day and nothing after the initial 30 days they send a message to a different dept. and say to give it another 30 days... That was on 3/25 so I am in waiting... I have talked to Sandy and She is waiting until 4/8 to hear back from me... I just really need prayers.. This has gotten me so down that I am not wanting to get out of the bed.. I am a mother of 3 (son is 15 and twin girls 10) also 1 of my daughters has Down Syndrome and needs extra care.. I have got to get healthy so I can take care of her.. My mother in law lives with us and takes care of the things I can't.. helping her bath and stuff... But that is my job.. PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS.. Angela

It started about 3 years ago, My sister, then, a 21 year old young woman was living her life normally when she was overtaken by a horrible pain in her abdomen, followed by throwing up and not even being able to keep water down for days we decided it's time to take her to the emergency room, the doctors wrote it off as a stomach virus and said it would pass. Months go by without a trace of another "attack" when again same scenario, back to the E.R- again told it was a stomach virus, not one doctor did a test, MRI, CAT anything.. this happened more times than I can really count in the years to follow, when finally she had the worse "attack" ever which lasted for weeks, no one had a clue what was going on "could this really be a virus?" It got to the point where, her face had sunken in at her cheek bones, she looked sick, I thought I was going to lose my sister and I was terrified. After the last episode we met with our family doctor yet once again, he sat and brainstormed with us for what seemed like forever, then finally he thought "it's a long shot but let's check your pancreas" – A long shot because not only was she a 22 year old otherwise healthy young woman, but she wasn't an alcoholic. He performed the necessary testing and made the astounding discoveries, not only were her triglycerides at alarming numbers, (normal triglycerides levels should be 130 or under) hers were at 5000, but my sister, my best friend, was suffering from pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) causing the "attacks "of dehydration, excruciatingly painful episodes and constant vomiting. Now you can imagine how angry we were with the hospitals and previous doctors that not one of them thought to check her levels, not one of them cared enough to get to the bottom of why my sister was withering away slowly and in such pain. Once we knew this info we thought "ok, give her some medication and let her get back to her life" They experimented on her as if she was the poster child for narcotic exploration, she tried it all from high doses of Niacin, Omega 3 fats (which spiked her triglycerides even more) to Trilipix, Nothing helped, Now it was starting to become an issue of just when her body was going to give up the fight because she was tired, fed up and sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I had been researching the Lap-Band®®® procedure for myself and brought it to her attention, "Well it's known for helping with diabetes.. maybe it will help with this too". She searched for a surgeon right away, we didn't need any surgeon, what we needed was someone experienced and had a "clue" about this monster inside her. She came across Dr. George Fielding at NYU Langone Medical Center, when reading his bio we thought maybe this is the guy to help, we hoped that finally our prayers would be answered and within the month had an appointment to meet with him. Now let me get into why I wrote this, This isn't one of those writings of mumbo jumbo or blah blah hear my story blah.. No, this is for you, the reader to understand the extent of the situation before any action was taken, and for you all to know that without Dr. Fielding, my best friend would not be here with me today. During the consult he was what some would call brutally honest, but coming from all the flakey sugar coating doctors we came from, this brutality was utterly refreshing. He told her that while the band would help lower her triglycerides, at her severity, it wouldn't have made much of a difference and she was a ticking time bomb. So here we thought "back to square one" When Dr. Fielding mentioned there was another option called the Biliopancreatic Diversion where he would by-pass the pancreas so that she would only be using a small percentage of it, It was a dangerous procedure but considering that by the time she'd be 30 we were looking at heart attacks, strokes or even worse, this was our best bet. I must mention that both my sister and I have medical backgrounds, both went to medical institutes and both have an above "average" knowledge of medical terminology and physiology but this, was foreign to us. We had no idea what it would entail, was it going to work? So the researching data started. This was it! Why hasn't anyone thought of this before? Why didn't any of the doctors we saw in the past even mention the option? The answer, we shall never know but one did, and for that, and I speak for my entire family, are eternally grateful. Dr. Fielding performed the procedure within 2 months of her initial consult, The procedure itself took less than 2 hours and here I am writing this over 2 months later and she is doing fantastic. Her triglycerides are down to numbers I am even to scared to mention because they are so good and she is finally able to eat normally, just live. Without him, I don't know what Id be writing about today, but chances are, nothing good. I'd like to express my gratitude, my appreciation to him and his staff for letting me keep my sister, We could never express it accurately or enough but, know, that he saved my sister's life and I can never repay him for the gift of a normal life he gave her. Thank You so much for everything, we are forever grateful from the bottom of our hearts. -Jasmine (scheduled for the band with Dr. Fielding 6/14)

Me too I ate 2.5 oz of pasta tonight (soft small shells) and about 3-4 oz of ground beef. I feel like a failure bc of it! I possibly ate 7-8 oz in my dinner meal.

Hi Helen, I'm having my op done in my local hospital in Dewsbury on the NHS. I come under Mid Yorkshire PCT incorporating Huddersfield, Wakefield & Pontefract areas. Anyone having the op done has to come to Dewsbury for referral and all their appointments and to have the surgery. My surgeon is Mr Clive White who also does the procedure privately at the Spire hospital in Elland. He has years of experience. He has been an upper GI cancer speciallist for years and performed partial and full gastrectomies on cancer patients before the VSG came in for weight loss. He is really nice and I have every confidence in him. I can have some fruit and veg on the pre op diet, woo hoo ! I'll have to get a bit creative with that won't I ? I asked Mr White if it would be a complete disaster if I had the odd bit of fish or chicken if I get desperate, he said he has no problem with that. I think he would prefer that rather than me going completely off the wagon and guzzling buckets of rubbish LOL !!! I live on my own, so I'm getting as organised as I can. All my friends are lining up to help and I have a direct line to my GP surgery, for any post op issues, as I work for them ! I think the main issue I have at first is working out how to feed my cats without busting a gut LOL !!!! I've been trying to train them to jump up to be fed, but they're not having any of that so far ! Thanks for replying and for the advice, look forward to joining you on the loosers bench. Best wishes Angela x

Congrats! I received my approval from BCBS Fed before Christmas and I'm scheduled to be sleeved 1/29. Tomorrow I go to hospital for preregistration, labs, EKG, chest X-ray initial dietary program appointment and pulmonary function test. Low carb diet starts next week and two weeks later I start the liquid diet.

I am five weeks out and on the BC pill to regulate my period. I have been having breakthrough bleeding daily ever since surgery. Not enough to need any products, just enough to notice on the tissue every time I go pee. I am glad to know that it’s probably surgery related cause I was beginning to wonder.

I also use continuous BC for terrible periods, and the doctor made me go off mine. I'm now about to be 21 days post-op, so I'll be able to likely restart at 30 days. Surprisingly, I haven't had much of a period. I had some spotting in the hospital, but not since I've been home - assuming because I'm not eating much.

Hey there, I'm 28- I started this journey at 25 but got every road block. Finally got through them & am scheduled for an Oct surgery. Don't wait, the odds are so stacked against you doing it on your own. I'm 5'2 bmi 39 also was 41 when I started. I actually had to gain to get approved- total bs- my pcos wasn't enough to get approved. That I was bigger around than I was tall terrified me & I ended up getting high bp with the last 10#. My friends all fired me bc they dont agree w/ my decision to do this but we all did WW together & I never really lost anything. I am sick of being fat. Its not "fun" anymore. My losing cal per day is 1200- I am miserable on that little w/a normal sized stomach. I can eat 1200 so easily in one meal. I looked around my house & there were diet pepsi's everywhere. My soda addiction was so out of control. I'm now off it in anticipation of surgery. I am not off caffine but I did swap to the great value sf energy mix powder. I lost what I did by eating1 meal & doing shakes for the rest. Also miserable, but nice to lose some. The hardest part of all this has been admitting to myself that I am unhappy with being fat. I am super confident in my daily life but having to be real with myself has left me feeling vulnerable. Hope this helps. allons-y