WASaBubbleButt

Chelle... Why do you need a reason to decline the request? Why not just say no. I don't like that you feel a need to explain why you will not honor a ridiculous request.

To be perfectly blunt, your doc needs to go back to pre-med and learn the basics of weight loss. That is just a bunch of hooey. Verify it for yourself, do a bit of research. Your body does not shut down and refuse to allow you to lose weight. It comes down to calories in/calories out. Either he has forgotten far too much information from medical school or he simply doesn't want to take the time to work with his patients. Or, perhaps there was a misunderstanding of what he said? What is excess body fat? When someone is in a healthy BMI range? If so, I have lost in excess of 100% of my excess body fat. I could lose another 10 pounds and still be in a healthy BMI range. I think that in another 10 pounds I will be at my *real* 100%.

Fluoro. That way band placement is checked, stoma size, and esophagus size is evaluated. Fills are a piece of cake.

In a passive aggressive way you have. Such as: Considering there are those of us on this very thread TODAY that you have been reading - are writing that we push ourselves in our own way beyond our own previously thought limits, I'd say Chickie and Lauren are onto something here.

Beauty comes in all sizes, I'd have to disagree with you that health comes in all sizes. To claim one can be obese and healthy is simply not true. It's the starting point for many issues that are not the least bit healthy even if those issues haven't shown themselves yet.

I don't find it offensive, it's different. I worked really hard to get to a healthy BMI. Now I question if most newbie types feel that anything "those in a healthy BMI" range say is exaggerated confidence and I question why we are all here spending time working with anyone. Maybe one needs to be MO to have merit in what they say. When I was 50lbs fatter nobody assumed that everything I wrote was directed at them. They took it as intended, in a generic manner. Chickie... not sure but I think it was you that made a comment once about how people were not responding to posts you wrote, feeling you were no longer one of them as though this has turned into them against us .. I don't recall details. I just remember thinking that I didn't feel that way at all and I had a long way to go before a healthy BMI and I was glad you were here. You and all the others that were at goal. Nobody understands like one who has been there. I remember when I was probably half way to goal. I was sick, I was barfing ALL the damn time. Foods that went down well were crap foods so I worked hard on finding alternatives I could do. Instead of malts and shakes I was sucking down protein drinks. Instead of cookies I was eating parmesan crackers. Instead of crap foods I was finding alternatives I could do. I was walking and running until my feet were covered in blisters, I was reading everything I could get my hands on regarding banding, complications, issues, what was normal and expected, what was not normal and expected. Someone came along (in all fairness, it was someone from OH trying to stir some pooh) and told me that essentially I was cheating because due to band problems I couldn't help but to lose weight. ??? WHAT? At that point in time with the complications I had, I could have (and wanted to) eat things that tasted really good like liquid calories. I could have been sitting on my big fat butt. Instead I was devoted to trying to find a way to make this work and in a healthy manner while quite literally running my ass off. And she claimed I was cheating? I wasn't offended then, it was different. Just like right now.

That would appear to be the case. :cry

No, I don't think there is a thin line between perception and imagination, I think they are completely different topics where one has nothing to do with the other. Nobody is questioning if anyone loves him/herself or not, that isn't the issue and has nothing in the world to do with my point. The issue is that the closer one gets to goal the more the head issues that got us fat to begin with - begin to change to new head issues. Or maybe there are just issues we didn't recognize before, I don't really know. I don't know why you seem so defensive here. I have not suggested you pick any other goal than you have. I have not claimed anything is wrong with where you want to be. I have pointed out an issue that many of us seem to experience. Perception issues. For me the more weight I lost the more perception issues I had. I thought I was just nutty and bizarre, I had no clue how common this is. With that said, there most certainly are some folks that set a high weight goal in fear of failure, they post on these boards and they will tell you the same thing for themselves. I never claimed you are one of them and I did specifically explain that I wasn't referring to anyone here. I also explained that I will not pretend to know the ideal weight of someone I have never seen.

This is what I really was responding to: It sure sounds to me like you are saying that if we want to feel what you are, we must run. And... like it. I see several types of people. One is... I lost some of the weight and I never imagined I could even do that so I'm happy with that. I understand you to say there is even better quality of life out there with even another 20lbs. There are things I didn't do or do well 20lbs ago. You have to experience it to see the difference. I guess my problem with your post is that you certainly are explaining that if we don't run there is something we are missing in life because it's fun. It's not fun, it sucks. It sucks so bad I have to use the word "suck" because nothing else describes it well enough. I pushed myself beyond limits I didn't think I could do by cutting calories. I can't imagine willingly eating extra calories that are not necessary to maintain health if the goal is to get fit and healthy. I damn sure didn't enjoy it, I did it because of the final reward.

I too, run. I do it daily and you know what? I hate it. I feel like a hamster in a running wheel, it makes me sweat, it makes me breathe too hard, and honestly I'd prefer to be curled up with a great book. I'd prefer to be out with friends having fun and laughing, quite frankly I'd prefer to be getting a nice comfy root canal instead of running. I run because it is effective and my body is healthier because I do it. I do lots of things I don't like to keep my body healthy. I avoid most junk food, I go to dentists, I get vaccines. I do lots of things to keep fit and healthy but it doesn't mean I like it. You enjoy running, I enjoy other things. It's just how it is. If someone prefers power walking or even walking there are plenty of studies to show it is better overall due to joint deterioration, etc. that running can potentially cause. If someone says they are power walking and they can tell me what power walking is, I believe them. Just because they prefer walking or power walking over running does not mean they are going at a snail's pace around the block a time or two. The only reason I opt for running over power walking is because running I can get the sucky task over with sooner. I hate weight training. I think the person that came up with the concept is evil and sadistic and should be shot. I do it because it keeps me fit and healthy but I still hate doing it. And that is great for you. Not everyone gets the same kind of enjoyment from running. It's a bit like saying that I like Chocolate thus I cannot comprehend of the fact that others don't care for it. Some things are just personal preference and just because someone isn't running that does not mean they are meandering around the block smelling the roses along the way. There are plenty of very fit, healthy, slim folks that don't run. Running just isn't a requirement for good health. You happen to enjoy it, that's great for you. We are not all the same, people are individual and unique, it's okay that they are different from you. I don't dismiss running, I do it. And I still hate it with a passion. You know, I have another example. You have written repeatedly that you were okay with losing at a slower pace because you wanted to enjoy your food. I don't get it, to me that makes no sense. If you want to be fit shouldn't you want it quickly? Why eat calories that are not necessary to maintain your health or body? Why not take the plunge, cut the calories down to the absolute lowest healthy number, cut out ALL the junk and get to goal? Wasn't goal important enough? Obviously, I'm not dead serious here, just making a point. You do what works for you but that doesn't mean everyone feels the same glee after running. We are not missing out on something we simply don't enjoy. You prefer running, I prefer seeing that scale drop quickly to get the fat chapter closed in my life. In some ways I agree here, it's the methods used to get to the point that we are normal size, able to do things we might not have been able to do 20 pounds ago.. etc are where we disagree.

I agree about critiquing another in this sense but I guess I feel there is a middle ground here. One big glaring reality for ALL of us is, "Can we really get down to a healthy weight? Ever?" I mean, if we could have without a band we would have done it. Sometimes after losing part of our excess weight we are so thrilled we made it to that goal that we don't want to fail AGAIN so we are happy with where we are at. That isn't to say we can't do better. I'm not suggesting anyone should do anything they don't feel comfortable with but I still think there is another issue to consider. Perception. I know a 440lb woman that lost 12 pounds and she claimed she could feel the difference, her bra was too big unlike 12lbs ago. Although she measured herself and had not lost any inches (a week out of surgery) she swore she could feel and see the difference. And you know what? She could. But the question is, is there *really* a difference or is it perception? I'm 3lbs below my goal weight but when I look in the mirror I still see all 252lbs. My perception is that other than my gut looking like an old wrinkly dog, I see no difference. I see pants that I would bet my bottom dollar there is no way I could stick a thigh in there and in reality, they are baggy when I put them on. What about posts from someone who is 300lbs and they look in a mirror and see 130lbs? They don't see the fat. They can't see the fat. When we are fat we have a lot of extra insulation and many fat folks are warm all the time, maybe they get hot flashes, maybe they walk across the room and the exercise of just doing that causes them to be hot and sweaty. Ever see the posts where an MO person lost 10lbs and they are now freezing with the less insulation? Don't we really know that isn't likely? They *do* feel those sensations, but are they realistic? Is it real? We have huge perception issues. Some fat folks see skinny, some skinny folks see fat when they look in a mirror. I see it as all being a part of the head issues we deal with. Take for example the post on the "at or near goal" forum where a person that had lost a massive amount of weight couldn't see it. Her friends wrapped her in aluminum foil like a mummy, cut along the sides, she stepped out and was finally able to see her body as others see it. That's the first time she saw herself objectively. I don't think it is a wrong statement to say that sometimes we need a little dose of reality along this path. Sometimes the only other person that understands and sees things more objectively is another fat person. When we could never lose weight and keep it off and suddenly with a band we lose weight and keep it off that is the only goal that matters. Some of the excess weight is gone. We are thrilled and happy to stay with that. It's a goal, it was met. We are satisfied with that because we got to the point somewhere in the past that we never thought we could even manage a mini goal. I'm not suggesting anyone depend on weight charts or BMI, I am suggesting that we consider perception issues because I tend to think most of us have them along this journey. And no, I'm not even referring to specific people here. I don't know what a healthy weight is for someone I've never seen nor met, but I do know perception issues. They are real, they exist, and they are very hard to get beyond.

If my fat surgeon can find a doc with a personality that doesn't make me want to beat him to a bloody pulp, that would be doable. Thing is, this is a small private hospital and not many docs are granted an ability to work there. I want it done at that hospital so my fat surgeon can be there. That cuts things down a great deal. HA! Having PS scheduled that far in advance certainly demonstrates goal! ;o)

Obesity Could Bankrupt NHS, UK Obesity Could Bankrupt NHS, UK National Obesity Forum (NOF) chairman Dr Colin Waine has warned that the financial cost of obesity could "bankrupt the NHS". Speaking at the NOF's fifth annual conference in London, he talked about the challenges posed by obesity and what needs to be done to overcome them. Dr Waine said: "Even with the very generous funding that we have had, the problem is escalating so quickly we are not just going to get an epidemic of obesity, we are going to have an epidemic of Type 2 diabetes." On Sunday, new research by the Foresight Tackling Obesities: Future Choices project warned that half the population will be obese within 25 years if trends continue. Simon O'Neill, Director of Care, Information and Advocacy at Diabetes UK, said: "Dr Waine is right to focus on the soaring rates of Type 2 diabetes. The worry is that it's not just adults who are affected. "It is estimated that there are around 1,000 children with Type 2 diabetes in the UK, all of whom are clinically obese. This means that there is a generation of overweight youngsters facing potential blindness, heart disease and amputations. "In a time where we enjoy much-increased life expectancy in comparison to previous generations, chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes could lead to thousands of needless deaths in years to come. "We need to take action now. Finland has the first example of a large scale prevention programme, based on studies which have shown that changes to diet and levels of exercise can reduce new cases of Type 2 diabetes by 58 per cent. Children need to eat a healthier diet and take more physical activity to reduce their chances of developing the condition. "As the Foresight project highlighted, the potential long term impact of obesity and Type 2 diabetes in children is frightening - both in terms of impact on our youngsters and the cost of dealing with the crisis. "The NHS already spends £13.7 million a day dealing with diabetes and its complications. This figure will rise rapidly as our children grow to be adults facing a lifetime of ill health." Diabetes UK home page - Diabetes UK

Nina... Nope, I tried every angle. Surgery earlier... the works. It just isn't possible. PS is not flexible at all. He is very busy and scheduled well in advance. The thing that bothers me is that he's an ass. I don't like him, I actually dislike him a great deal. He's an ass and I'm blunt. Honestly, that's not a good working relationship. I just wanna smack the arrogance right out of him! He is very skilled. I am familiar with his rep, I know some of his patients, I have seen his work, I have verified his credentials, he was referred by my fat doc. I just don't like him... not even a little. When I look at him all I can see is his creepy little eyes and silly blue smock. I see nothing else. Totally me & my issue, I know that. Bottom line, it is still an issue. I won't do the procedure unless my fat doc is there. It is important to me, important enough to cancel surgery if my fat doc isn't there, even if it messes with my overall goal. Speaking of goals, what is yours? What keeps you going?

When I was a kid my Dad had three daughters and one of us always had friends over. He couldn't remember their names and referred to everyone as honey or sweetie. He meant nothing wrong by it, he just had no clue what their names were. It was also during a time when people weren't offended by this behavior. Why is it that some need to refer to everyone her as "hun" or "sweetie"? I mean, there are times it is okay but in every bloody post? I worked with a nurse that is about 20 years younger than I am and she never once referred to me by name, it was always "honey" or "sweetie". My name isn't difficult, it's rather easy to remember. I'm not her honey, I'm not her sweetie, I am (was) her co-worker. Why are people under the assumption that they come off as motherly, friendly, or whatever it is they feel they are perceived by not using someone's name? Even a LBT ID? And why in the world does this annoy me so much?

You are the one that brought it up. Post #24 you wrote in part: I did not say you are wrong, I said you are being unfair to infer an entire country is not the best place to go because you didn't have the experience you were expecting with one doctor. Huh?

It's a flatter type stone, it's almost flush with my skin. It's the size of a small mole.

I did it. I really did it. I went to the place today with a plan of getting the anchor and stone and taking it to my Mexican doc. I knew that when he said no I'd say that was cool, I'd have the tattoo guy do it. That would have made him cringe and he would have done it. After I saw it and he explained how it is done I knew there wasn't a chance in the world my doc would know what to do with this thing. I asked about his sterile technique, etc. and it met my standards. I finally just said we should do it. So he did. I watched him every step of the way and it was all absolutely perfect sterile technique. Hurt like a buggar but it only hurt for about two seconds, twice. It doesn't look very nice now but in a few days it will have healed and be fine. Not sure if I'm going to like it or not. The problem is that right now there is a temp stone for healing and it isn't the most attractive stone I would have chosen. It's a bit like those old newbie pierced earrings. It's just for the healing phase and then I can start buying prettier (yet tiny) stones. I can change the color daily if I want to match my rings. Just unscrew the stone and screw in a new one. The anchor is about the size of a thin piece of rice. The stone is about 3mm long. He used an 11g needle (that's similar to a garden hose for those that don't know), dug a hole for each end of the anchor and popped it in. Took less than a minute. It took him longer to prep the area and bandage it than it did to do the procedure. I called a friend and told her what I did. She was floored, couldn't believe ME of all people would do such a thing. I'm about as conservative as they come. I mean, I let my ears grow back after a double piercing, it was too much! HA! So I have single holes in my ears. So for me this is very out of the ordinary which is what I want. I've hidden from the world for too long and I don't have to do it anymore. Besides, if I end up not liking this thing it takes about 10 seconds to remove and I'm back to where I started. So I guess it wasn't tooooo daring. :car: When it heals I'll take a photo and post it. It's kind of yucky now, but when it's healed I'll take a photo. I do believe when it's time to change the stone for the first time I'll let him do it. He said it's no different from changing an earring, easier even. While that may be true I will let him do it so I can see how he does it. If you guys knew how conservative I am about this stuff you would see how huge this is for me, a major change in my "usual" personality.

Find someone to fix it, wear it! You'll have time, you just have to get going on it!

l The logic of voting on gender over ability is what got us in the mess we are in today with Bush. That logic just isn't reasonable. The queen of mean had a vagina too, doesn't mean she'd make a good prez. We aren't in the problem we are because those in office have a penis, we are in the problem we are because those in office don't have any balls or care for the people of the US.

Perhaps I misunderstood you, I thought that due to experiences you didn't care for in Mexico you would have preferred to have it done in the US vs. any other Mexican doc. If that isn't what you meant, my apologies. BUT, to say everything here is "very sanitary and professional" simply isn't true. Just like your experiences in Mexico many in the US have the SAME experiences. Just because we are the US doesn't mean everything is better. I'm not knocking your choice to have it done in the US if you had it to do over again, I'm knocking the statement that you would have it done in the US BECAUSE everything is sanitary and professional. We have the same problems as Mexico, people aren't perfect and stuff happens.

(emphasis my own) You are taking one experience with one doctor and basing a decision about an entire country. I am of the opinion that is not fair. What you are describing happens in the US every single day. Are you aware that the infection stats are higher for US hospitals vs. Mexican hospitals? I'm sorry you didn't have the experience you had hoped for. But to make it sound like an entire country is like your experience is painting with a very wide paintbrush and quite unfair. You are complaining about being an inpatient for 24 hours in Mexico vs. 4 hours in the US. You are complaining about paying half the standard price in Mexico vs. double that in the US. You are complaining about having the teacher (Ortiz) vs. the student (ANY US doc at that time). I worked at our county hospital here in Phoenix, I only lasted three months. I couldn't hack it, it was horrible. A mother was sitting with her dying two year old. This child was not going to survive, he was dying. Not a thing in the world we could do about it. The child's nurse went in to ask Mom to sign a DNR so we wouldn't prolong this childs suffering by putting him on equipment forcing his body to live longer than it wanted to. Mom refused. The nurse was annoyed and told Mom that was ridiculous, the kid was going to die anyway! I'll bet you your bottom dollar Mom would have preferred to be under the care of Ortiz at that moment. A resident at Mayo clinic decided to give a patient IV antibiotics. Problem is, that particular drug doesn't come in IV form and the patient was in ICU and in a coma. The nurse kept explaining that the drug is not made in IV form. The resident insisted he knew better. He took the oral suspension, drew up the dose in a syringe and proceeded to inject the patient's IV. The nurse went running to get the clinical pharmacist but it was too late, as they ran into the room the resident had just finished giving the dose IV. The clinical RPh ask the resident a question, since when does an IV drug come in bubble gum flavor and in a non sterile form? I'll bet that family wishes that patient would have been under the care of your doc vs. Mayo Clinic. A neonatal nurse gave a two pound NICU baby an adult dose of a heart drug. While they were trying (without success) to bring the baby back to life she sighed and said the child wasn't going to live anyway so what's the point? I'll bet that child's Mom wished her child was under the care of your doc at that time. I've been in medicine since I was 16. I'm 45. That's a lot of years. Sometimes I swear I've seen it all. You have NO clue what goes on in hospitals today. The mistakes, spreading infection, the horrible attitudes, shortage of nurses, nurses that are so burned out on nursing they hate their patients.... each and every one of them. The lack of care and consideration for a patient, the unprofessionalism, it's mind boggling. I could go on all night long. But I believe I have made my point. Just because you were not happy with one experience out of millions within Mexico does not mean the entire country is somehow less qualified or that the US is superior. We most certainly are not superior in many aspects, we just choose to pretend it doesn't exist. We make nice, tell everyone we are the best and we've repeated it so many times we actually believe that line of crap. We believe we are superior in just about every aspect of our lives in comparison to other countries. We are too stupid to realize that places outside the US laugh at us for a variety of reasons. They don't want to be like us, they don't want to behave like us, they don't really want anything to do with us. Yet we sit smugly and arrogantly claiming we are the best. Again, I am very sorry you were not happy with your overall experience but to base ONE experience and claim the US is better because your nurse probably didn't know the English name of the drug she was giving is simply not right. You are the one that was in Mexico, when in their country speak their language. When in the US speak English. Not difficult. Perhaps it is you that was in error for not studying the Mexican names of common drugs.

You would actually vote for someone based on the fact that they have a vagina? Are you SERIOUS? No wonder we have Bush in office now.

She'd be dragging out that sorry study and the bogus claims and the feetie stomping! Oh my goodness can you imagine the feetie stomping? The poll really doesn't surprise me, at this point 70% use Protein shakes. People here are losing weight, they are doing well... it would appear that Protein Shakes work for many people.

Oh, I don't know. I tend to think that he is simply unfamiliar with the pledge.