Cingulus

Hey, First off, I understand the comments about diet sodas. My question is about naturally carbonated mineral waters. If I follow the caveman rule, they could have drank mineral Water that was naturally carbonated. Do you still consider an unacceptable drink?

I am also using Dr. Oliak. I go in June 8th.

I think given that one of the many goals of this is to looks good at the beach that Jammin' Juners with all things Bob Marley is the way to go...Yaaaah Maaaan... :purplebananna: June 8th - Going under the knife...

The key for item me in reading your note is not if you tell people or not. Somehow, it will eventually get out. The key issue is to brace and prepare yourself for detractors...Let's face it many people (i don't have scientific data, but I would guess about 50%) do not have a positive view of WLS or the people who have it done. Personally, I will tell if asked, but otherwise I am not promoting my plans. I am in the "Go F$&% yourself, if you don't like it" camp. However, I know it is not always easy for everyone to do that or to be so cavalier about other peoples thoughts. All I can tell you is not everyone will understand and support you. Just focus on your goals, doing the right things to help reach your goals and how good it will feel when you achieve those goals. Many people can't feel good unless they make others feel bad first. Don't let them get in your way.

Hi, Does anyone know the self-pay price for Dr. Micheal Feiz? Thanks, Shaun

I would nto deny it if specifically asked, but otherwise I would just tell them...I am make good progress in that area...You still have to exercise and eat less so you are doing the work, you just have better tools for the job now. You never know who will turn out to be judgmental.

Almost everyone is scared at some point in the process. Really spend a few weeks reading all the posts and seeing the good, the reality and the bad parts of the LB. No one can tell you if you are ready, many people take years to know this is what they need and that they are ready to make the changes. I spent several years leading up to making my choice (June 8th for my surgery). I also highly recommend reading the blogs, they tell a much more detailed story of the process and the ups and downs. I can tell you from everything I have read, those who have had success seem to do three things: consistent exercise, reasonable eating (not perfect) and they ignore the detractors. The key to the lapband is using the tool as intended, not weather it is easy, hard or somewhere in the middle. Just focus on your goals and what you need to do to achieve the desired results. As for the rest of the world, some people will always be judgmental about something, so let them think what they want and then ignore them. This is a deeply personal choice and only you can make it work, because in the end, we choose what we eat, if we exercise and if we let others rule our choices. I can tell you from reading what others have posted almost everyone have met with their share of detractors (often very harsh detractors) and they only achieved their goals because they had conviction in the face of adversity. I can assure you that your are not alone in any of the concerns and issues you outlined, so keep reading the answers for the posed questions are hear and in your head.

Results matter, not perceptions or other opinions. Ignore them and focus of hitting your goals. You will be much happier.

Medicine, like law is not called a "practice" for nothing. Every doctor I know (i have a few in the family) tries to balance the rules/demands of insurance companies that pay for the surgery, malpractice insurance risks and their personal convictions about how they feel each patient should be prepped. So you get a wide range of pre and post op options. I don't know that this helps, just my personal experience/observatoins.

I am off for a short trip to San Francisco. As I was driving to the airport, I was thinking to myself...ok I can stop by the Admirals Club, they have great chocolate chip cookies, have nice snack...get some email done... Oh Shit my mind is screwing with me again, DAMN! As my rational side took over again, I thought to myself, this is the real battle of the Lapband. We all know mind-hunger is the great trickster. Why is our own mind our greatest enemy? I now find myself moving beyond rationalization to confrontation. Before deciding on the Lapband my mental efforts were focused on justifying why my food consumption was OK...it was not that bad...I can make up for it by eating better tomorrow...I had a really stressful day...it is not fair that I am fat and others who eat the same or more are skinny...and the list can go on. Now, I find myself in mortal combat with my own mental demons, saying...ok you bastards stop trying to trick me into bad choices...who's side are you on anyway...I will not listen to the voices in my head...not this time, byte me, you SOB. (I cleaned up the language to protect the innocent, my internal discussion really sound like a George Carlin on one of his more colorful rants.) The few people I have told about the Lapband have asked me why I think it will work, or why this diet will be different (I know it is not a diet, but I just smile and move on), I do believe it is the mental shift from justification to confrontation that is my secret weapon. Because, in the end it is our ability to manage choices, change innate and ingrained behaviors that will enable our success with the band. It is also why I was not really upset about my banding date being pushed out. I have begun to view this battle like a great game of chess, if you are not thinking 3-5 moves ahead, you will lose. Bobby Fischer was famous for sacrificing his queen, and other odd behaviors, to set up elaborate traps for his opponents. I find myself thinking, or at least trying to think like Bobby Fischer, trying to anticipate how my demented mind will use seductive traps next, how I can repel those attacks and finally trap those demons into dead end moves. It is a laborious process, but it helps me know the enemy and defeat those demons without defeating myself.

I am off for a short trip to San Francisco. As I was driving to the airport, I was thinking to myself...ok I can stop by the Admirals Club, they have great chocolate chip cookies, have nice snack...get some email done... Oh Shit my mind is screwing with me again, DAMN! As my rational side took over again, I thought to myself, this is the real battle of the Lapband. We all know mind-hunger is the great trickster. Why is our own mind our greatest enemy? I now find myself moving beyond rationalization to confrontation. Before deciding on the Lapband my mental efforts were focused on justifying why my food consumption was OK...it was not that bad...I can make up for it by eating better tomorrow...I had a really stressful day...it is not fair that I am fat and others who eat the same or more are skinny...and the list can go on. Now, I find myself in mortal combat with my own mental demons, saying...ok you bastards stop trying to trick me into bad choices...who's side are you on anyway...I will not listen to the voices in my head...not this time, byte me, you SOB. (I cleaned up the language to protect the innocent, my internal discussion really sound like a George Carlin on one of his more colorful rants.) The few people I have told about the Lapband have asked me why I think it will work, or why this diet will be different (I know it is not a diet, but I just smile and move on), I do believe it is the mental shift from justification to confrontation that is my secret weapon. Because, in the end it is our ability to manage choices, change innate and ingrained behaviors that will enable our success with the band. It is also why I was not really upset about my banding date being pushed out. I have begun to view this battle like a great game of chess, if you are not thinking 3-5 moves ahead, you will lose. Bobby Fischer was famous for sacrificing his queen, and other odd behaviors, to set up elaborate traps for his opponents. I find myself thinking, or at least trying to think like Bobby Fischer, trying to anticipate how my demented mind will use seductive traps next, how I can repel those attacks and finally trap those demons into dead end moves. It is a laborious process, but it helps me know the enemy and defeat those demons without defeating myself.

If you really want to get a solid home work out for getting your body firm. BowFlex would be my recommendation. Shaun

For a variety of work related issues my banding has been moved out about 30 days from May 6th to June 8th. First, I would like to thank folks who have expressed their support. Second, I am somewhat relieved, odd as that might sound. I have been making good progress on losing weight with the pre-op liquids and kind of want to keep it going. I have been able to hit the gym almost every day and figure the better my physical condition before the surgery, the more likely it will be successful and the easier recovery will be. Third, my delay was related to some one time external events that can’t really be controlled. Given some of the horror stories I heard about insurance hassles and lack of family support I have read about, this is a minor compared to other trials. I don’t mean to get all “Tony Robbins” on people, but, determination is at the core of the LB lifestyle change. You have to be determined to make the changes, eat appropriately and exercise…especially exercise. Despite the delay, I look at this as a way to test my determination and resolve before is shelling out $16K. If I can’t handle a 30 day delay, how will I handle a full life time of change? This is a great opportunity prove to myself and those I love, that this is a real change, not a transient trend that goes away at the first obstacle. I am not disappointed, I am actually grateful for the opportunity to keep demonstrating that I can exhibit the properly modified mindset for LapBand success (Yes, I am ignoring the possibility of failure. As they said in Apollo 13…”failure is not an option…”).

Ok, so one of the first tasks is to come up with a name that can also be a web domain. Lapcon.com is already taken…by a German door manufacture. Typically, for naming events like this you smash two words together, al thought that is not required. Here are some names to kick around. LapBand - LapBandCon, LapbandWorld, LapbandShow, LapbandFourm Band - Band for Life, BandCon, BandWorld, BandForum, BandForum 5Stars (Referring to the Incisions) - 5StarsCon SecondU – SecondUCon, SecondUworld, NewYou - NewUcon, NewUworld, NewUForum U/2 or You/2 (meaning we are half the size) – U/2con, U/2world (I see a lawsuit from Bono) Bandit – BanditCon, BanditWorld,

John, Great point about keeping busy. If you are just sitting around food thoughts will creep into the head. Shaun

For a variety of work related issues my banding has been moved out about 30 days from May 6th to June 8th. First, I would like to thank folks who have expressed their support. Second, I am somewhat relieved, odd as that might sound. I have been making good progress on losing weight with the pre-op liquids and kind of want to keep it going. I have been able to hit the gym almost every day and figure the better my physical condition before the surgery, the more likely it will be successful and the easier recovery will be. Third, my delay was related to some one time external events that can’t really be controlled. Given some of the horror stories I heard about insurance hassles and lack of family support I have read about, this is a minor compared to other trials. I don’t mean to get all “Tony Robbins” on people, but, determination is at the core of the LB lifestyle change. You have to be determined to make the changes, eat appropriately and exercise…especially exercise. Despite the delay, I look at this as a way to test my determination and resolve before is shelling out $16K. If I can’t handle a 30 day delay, how will I handle a full life time of change? This is a great opportunity prove to myself and those I love, that this is a real change, not a transient trend that goes away at the first obstacle. I am not disappointed, I am actually grateful for the opportunity to keep demonstrating that I can exhibit the properly modified mindset for LapBand success (Yes, I am ignoring the possibility of failure. As they said in Apollo 13…”failure is not an option…”).

Here are my last to work out play lists: Runnin' Wild Airbourne Party Hard Andrew W.K. Falling Down Atreyu Inside the Fire Disturbed Lose Yourself Eminem Undead Hollywood Undead Shakin' Hands Nickelback Something In Your Mouth Nickelback So What P!nk P!nk, You're Gonna Go Far The Offspring Check Yes Juliet We the Kings Addicted Saving Abel Lifeline Papa Roach No You Girls Franz Ferdinand Richman 3OH!3 Takes Me Nowhere OffSpring Little Bribes Death Cab for Cutie Don't Trust Me 3OH!3 My Life Would Suck Kelly Clarkson Right Round Flo Rida Get On Your Boots U2 Hot N Cold Katy Perry Bark at the Moon Ozzy Osbourne Big Jack AC/DC Crazy Bitch Buckcherry

Hi Folks, Well it looks like I am being moved out until June 8th for banding. Shaun

that sounds good

Hi Folks, It looks like I will have to move my date. Stay tuned...