WestCoastFatGuy

For crying out loud! Can I not count on you for anything? There you go... taking an opposite side of the conservatives! You're going to lose your conversative discount doing that, ya know!?! Oh, and like your kids are more important than we are!?! Okay, so I agree with you. Wait a minute... does that make me a conservative? They're not gonna like me at their parties! Oh, except that us fags are really good with flowers and party planning. Maybe they will! :biggrin:

Take a look at the 'homeschooling' thread. Gadget has kept us all up to date. California is backing down, BIG TIME. All will be well in the land of homeschooling.

My dear lapband friend... I think that was the point he was trying to make. Some stories are soooo full of holes that one just has to take "pause" and reflect on their pathetic-ness (as I coin a word).

BTW, gadget, you are one of my favorite posters... so my intention is not to attack you, but to really get to know what gives you the passion about the issues on which you post. I should also let you know that as a result of our civil discussions on the homeschooling thread and my subsequent research that I have a newfound compassionate view for homeschoolers. While I don't agree with the reason that ALL homeschool, I believe that the majority (including you) do it for very legitimate and well-supported educational reasons and I applaud them (and you). And before you start to think that I agree with all the views of democrats or the left.. you need to know that I differ greatly from their opinions on military cuts and a plethora of other issues. I really face each issue on a case-by-case basis. As a result, neither side would want me to work on their political committees. I'm just too much of a wild-card for them to count on.

Hi there.. I grew up in this business. My family owns auto parts stores/repair facilities in small towns in Michigan. I don't know if your DH worked in indendent garages or with dealerships, but I do know that technicians with BMW never seem to have trouble finding work and that BMW dealerships seem to always be looking for good employees. Is your DH a master mechanic? That makes all the difference in the world. Regardless if he is or isn't, I would encourage him to contact the BMW or Mercedes dealership closest to you. They have comprehensive training programs and reward their employees quite well. I have a friend in Hawaii who didn't go to college or tech school, but got all his training through BMW. He transferred to the mainland and makes around $30-35 per hour. He is a hard worker and wants to succeed, so obviously that helps.. but he has had no problem getting job offers from several BMW dealerships. All my best to your and your DH.

I didn't see any jumping and didn't hear any screaming. Unless that's the way you interpret it when someone confronts you with facts, as opposed to conjecture. And if you're not trying to ruin Al Gore's reputation or to put it into question, at least.... what exactly are you trying or hoping to accomplish? Or are you just, again, presenting some links/conjecture that you find "interesting?"

It's on the internet. It MUST be true!

Gadget... the one thing about your posts that I find very unsettling is that you're always linking to some article that is "interesting" to you. The articles in this thread, to date, have always been misleading... have had significant holes in the research that was used to write them... numerous posters correct the innacuracies... yet you charge on ahead with blinders on to the facts. You pop off one-liners like the one about Gore "profiting" from being green... but then when confronted with his portfolio that has been presented by right-wing sources as well as left-wing.. you "suggest" that there might be more than what is being presented. Funny, but it seems like you only have that sort of in-depth desire-to-know when you think the source is from the left. You certainly don't spend any time at all researching your right-wing sources before you post their nonsense. Or is it because those types of articles are "interesting" and ones from the left aren't? What exactly do you really believe in and how did you arrive at those beliefs? You say that you don't rely on right-wing websites or right-wing sources... but you post their links or use arguments contained in their websites in your postings on almost a daily basis. I'm starting to think that you like the "idea" of having these views and like the "idea" of what the right-wing has to say... but don't really do the necessary quality research to back up those ideas. I don't go on abortion-type threads so I don't know what is said there. I'm referring especially to what I've seen you post here on this thread and I find it rather confusing.

OMG! Is this REALLY such a hard question? It's a HUGE HISTORICAL mansion! The man also has a more-than-full-time job. Working with architects, builders, local planning for permits, etc. on a normal-sized house for normal remodeling can be a daunting task that takes months (or sometimes years) of planning. Ask any builder or architect and they'll tell you that it's much easier and takes far less time to build new. Green remodeling on the scale that he took on takes a great deal of time and research before one even gets to the permit stage (not even adding in the time for the actual demolition/building.) You put up a couple of solar panels. He did a full-scale greening of a very old house. I don't know what the restrictions are on the area in which he lives... but friends of mine that have lived in historic houses have had to jump through hoops and wait months for approvals in order to make the smallest of changes/upgrades.

Which, of course, turned out not to be hypocritical at all. But then, why let facts stand in the way of good fiction?

This is my last post on this topic, because one needs to go into the topic with their eyes open to other views to even have a discussion. I told you you might not agree and I don't expect you to. Your response, however.."right off the bat" made me laugh out loud because I never even gave you the chapter or verse from whence it originated (Isaih 7:14, BTW). But, then again, you're going to see what you see despite any volume of research that I present. That is the way it has been on the topic of global warming, which started this thread. You post articles full of inacuracies... posters, including myself, rebut them with credible evidence and you say that weren't asserting that they were correct... that you just found them "interesting." Gadget... I'm just going to agree to disagree, because there's no way you're ever going to concede any view that you ever have. How, at 41 years of age (we're almost exactly the same age) you have become so set in your ways is beyond me... but you have every right to do so. All my best to you...

I'll share just one because I don't want to have a full-on theological hi-jacking of this thread, nor am I interested in a theological debate. I offer this not suggesting that you need accept it or even believe it. So much of the "church" is based upon the belief that Jesus was born of a virgin. In our culture, virgin refers to a woman who has not had sex. The stories of His birth that I grew up with in my church (Lutheran- Missouri Synod) and my converted faith, Roman-Catholicism, taught that His divine nature was confirmed in that He was born of Mary, who was a virgin. The original New Testament text from which the Hebrew and subsequent other translations originated was in Greek. The original word translated to Hebrew as "virgin".... correctly translated would be "maiden" or "young woman". To many this suggestion is heresy. To me, after research and reflection, it is nothing more than a small translation error that does nothing to divert my faith in God. The child, not the fact that the child was of a virgin birth, is the evidence of the prophecy. The child, regardless if by sperm and egg or Divine, was still the Son of God. In my mind, even more Divine in that the birth was prophesied. As I stated, I don't expect you to accept this. There are several websites that attempt to 'explain-away' this mistranslation and the subsequent embracing of the virgin birth as the heart of soul of christian teaching. Despite all their 'explaining', I have yet to read a credible argument that debunks it. There are numerous geographical and time-based innacuracies between the apostles and their retelling of the story of His birth. Again, they do not deter me as the basis or essence of the stories are the same and all point to the most important event of all... the birth of Christ.

Wow. As much respect as I have for you on so many issues, sometimes I feel like I'm just getting a word-for-word recitation of right-wing websites. This whole business of "defining terms" is repeated over and over again on these websites. Natural selection is one of the four parts of Darwin's theory. Micro-evolution, adaptation... whatever term you want to use is an integral part of the theory. Additionally, your (in my opinion) simplistic and judgemental view that believers in evolution view humans as animals that do not care or should not care about how their actions affect others (land or animal) seems purposefully inane. The bigger picture for me here is this: I don't have to be a bible literalist to have faith in God and His creation. Whether the story of creation in the account of Genesis is a realistic portrayal of the beginnings of life or whether it is a parable intelligently written so as to allow all human beings (regardless of education or intellect) to be able to understand the "big picture" that God is a mighty Creator and that all basis of life comes from Him, matters little to me. In my mind, God could just as easily have created a world with humble beginnings to intentionally slowly evolve over time. Either way... to me... it's the same powerful compassionate creative God... and I'm in awe of His creation. The first words of the bible weren't written for hundreds of years after Moses left the desert. I have confidence and unswerving faith that the intentions and underlying messages in the bible are true and provide to me all the proof I need of His existence/presence. Do I believe that the stories of the bible (especially in light of all the numerous translations) are historically accurate or occurred exactly as written? Absolutely not. In fact, the more inaccuracies that I find... the more I am compelled to INCREASE my faith in God. Many times these inaccuracies turn out to better align themselves with other religions in the world and make sense as to why there are so many similarities in the lessons and parables found in them. To me, this is true evidence of one God and I find great solace in in it.

Wow. I'm not even sure what to say here except that I hope you do some further research so that you will find out that your doctor is a nutjob. I'm sorry to be so blunt, but it simply is not fair or healthy or compassionate for him to restrict you to the number of calories he is doing. That is a one-way ticket to throwing your body into starvation mode and bringing your weight loss to a screeching halt. In fact, there is a thread around here somewhere where a poster was furious when her doctor told her that she wasn't losing weight because she wasn't eating enough. She was eating less than 1000 calories per day. Several posters, myself included, agreed with her doctor. She reluctantly upped her calories significantly. Initially, she stayed the same.. but after a couple weeks... when her body had 'recovered' from starvation mode, the pounds starting dropping off. We were all very happy for her and she was happy that she had finally learned what was causing her to stop losing weight despite working out, etc. All the before and after pictures that you talk about that are in your doctors office (and say that they are all on the same program) really don't lend any credence whatsoever to his methods. Losing weight in a healthy way and being able to keep it off is what we are all after. BTW, restricting calories to such an extent will be a fast-track ticket to hair loss. So many people post here wondering why they're losing so much hair. Nearly all of them are on severely restricted caloric-intake. Those that take in between 1000-2000 calories per day (depending on body type) seem to have much less instances of this. I really am not trying to throw a wrench in your works... it's just that I hate to see you going through with all this considering what negative affects that it has caused so many others that post here. Ultimately though, it's your decision and I (as a fellow fat person struggling with the same issues as you) will support you no matter what.

I know I'm 2 days late on this and I hope your migraine has subsided by now. I have found that a good stiff dose of caffeine can often take the edge off those suckers. Caffeine causes the blood vessels to constrict. There is one caveat, however...If you are someone who regularly consumes a lot of caffeine, it may actually cause the migraine to become worse.

I'm in San Diego, as well, but had my procedure done by Dr. Nguyen at University of California Irvine. I didn't realize there were so many of us San Diegans on the board! It's nice to see!

One of the first rules for lapbanders is to always eat Protein first. If you think about this, it becomes more clear... as protein is dense, it tends to clump together and 'block' the stoma while the stomach goes to work digesting. If we eat Cookies or crackers or other items that break down to very very small pieces when chewed and swallowed before we eat the more dense foods (many fresh fruits that are high in density also help 'block' the stoma), then they tend to woosh right through the small stomach into the big one. Therefore, we can go on eating and eating far more than we believe that we should be able. We can't be expected to never eat a cookie again or chips or junk foods. We just have to find a balance and moderation when we do. Choosing to eat denser, protein-based foods before we add those items will definitely allow the lapband to do its job better. Obviously though, no matter how little we eat... if the things we eat are extremely high in calories.. we won't lose weight.

If you're only eating the tiny amount that you describe, then your body is most likely in starvation mode and has reduced your metabolism drastically in order to conserve energy. You band is too tight if you are sliming with only two tablespoons of food. I'm sorry that I can't remember which thread this was, but there was another bandster who was furious at her doctor because he told her that the reason she wasn't losing weight was because she wasn't eating enough. Several posters (including me) spoke up in agreement with her doctor. She very reluctantly upped her calories and, while it took a couple weeks, her body suddenly kicked into gear and the pounds starting dropping quickly. I know that it goes against all logic, but our bodies will do anything they can to stay alive. If we restrict our calories too much, the body panics and fears starvation. In order to keep the machine running, it puts everything on "low power" and we stop losing weight. Sometimes to "fool" this strategy, it is helpful to have a high calorie day every now and then. When we stay at one level of caloric intake for too long the body adapts and attempts to keep our weight steady. Shaking it up a bit by varying the calories keeps everything running more smoothly, metabolically speaking. I had my doubts about my band early on... but now I can't imagine life without it. It doesn't keep me from eating bad foods or finding a way to eat more than I should (i.e., eating softer non-Protein foods first that can slip through the stoma more easily, or eating high-caloric foods, or drinking with meals, etc.), but it does help me feel full for longer than I did pre-band. My band doesn't keep me from pigging out... but if I weigh/measure my food and wait a few minutes after consuming it... I am generally satisfied and don't feel the need to go back for more. In those instances where I do, I eat a few more bites and stop again. 99% of the time that I find that I feel full (or at least satiated).

So if someone believes in evolution, then they also believe that human beings are the pinnacle of evolution and can do whatever they want without consequences? I think I'm lost here. Also... believing in evolution does not exclude a belief in creationism. As you have often explained patiently to other posters... it's all a matter of common sense and moderation. I think that you have stated that quite eloquently in this thread, as a matter of fact. With the belief in moderation... isn't it possible that God created his world so that the plants and creatures and humans in it could evolve as needed to adapt to his ever-changing ever-growing universe? For example... many strains of bacteria become immune to antibiotics. That's evolution. If someone accepts evolution on this scale it doesn't mean that they have to jump all the way to man evolving from apes; just as you being a self-described conservative doesn't mean that you agree with every idea or ideal that is espoused by every conservative out there. I am an animal lover and have spent an amount of money over time for my dog's medical bills that might even cause a PETA enthusiast to cock their head in dismay. Yet, to go the mentality level of those animal activists that you quote would be, in my view, extremism to the max. I consider myself an environmentalist-in-training. I'm gradually learning more and doing more to leave less of a negative visible imprint on the world as a result of the way I lead my life. I have a long long way to go. I'm in no position to point my finger at others until I have my green house in order... so I'll just go on learning and, hopefully, doing my best to do my part in keeping this world alive for future generations. Thanks, as always, for your thoughtful posts, Gadget.

Yeah, right... the 'policy' of making money. What a con-artist! That's one of the most outrageous things I've ever read on these boards. Did you have any knowledge of this 'policy' before you had the surgery? Or was it sprung on you afterwards?

Hey there, Amber! Of course we January bandsters remember you! I'm glad you checked in! How are you doing? Have you been able to achieve what you hoped to? Please fill us in on what's been going on in the last couple months with you. You may not be banded, but we care about you anyway!

It's the obvious answer and one that your inner voice doesn't want to hear.. BUT... here it is... STOP DRINKING! I know... easier said than done... but you OWE it to yourself to do so through whatever means necessary. As other posters have said, there is AA. If you're not a big fan of AA, I recommend seeking a therapist who specializes in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and ONLY CBT. This type of therapy focuses on your self-talk and the ways that distorted thinking affects our lives. It is EXTREMLY effective and insurance companies love it because significant results are often shown in 10 sessions or less. Congratulations for recongizing that alcohol is an issue that is affecting your weight loss and wanting to do something about it. After all, admitting that you have a progem is 9/10ths of the journey towards overcoming it! Remember to tell yourself daily that you WILL be successful and that NOTHING will stand in your way!

Hey there, Jason... I was TERRIFIED in the weeks leading up to my surgery. If I would have been going in for something that was medically necessary/required (like a gallbladder surgery) I wouldn't have had any worries at all. The problem in my mind was that I was going in for ELECTIVE surgery because I was a fat *ass! I couldn't seem to get past that feeling in my head no matter how hard I tried. I felt guilty that I had had to resort to surgery to accomplish what I thought I should have been able to without such drastic means. I was soooo hard on myself and soooo ridiculously rigid and self-judgmental. What a fool I was! How do I feel now almost 3 months post-surgery for having those feelings? Like an idiot. I thoroughly researched my surgeon and the institution that he is affiliated with prior to my decision. As it turned out, I couldn't have had a better experience with my surgery, the hotel stay and the follow-up if I had scripted it myself. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner! I wish you all the best in your journey to the "new you!"

Holy hotpants Batman! I'm GAY and think you're hot as a sidewalk in Arizona in August. You should be very proud of yourself! You are an inspiration to us all!

OMG yes, it's common! In fact, I attended a seminar for a lapband surgeon in town and near my home and went all the way through all the psychological assessement, labs, etc. before I learned that his institution was not approved by my insurance. I ended up choosing a surgeon 1-1/2 hours away and having to go through the seminar all over again. The new surgeon made no exceptions to this requirement. I ended up having my surgery with the 2nd surgeon and couldn't be happier. Everything happens for a reason, they say... and I am very very glad that I ended up with the doctor and institution that I did. It has been a wonderful experience all the way. Try not to be impatient, as hard as it is... time actually goes by much more quickly than you think it will. Before I knew it I was on the eve of my surgery and wondering how the time had flown by so fast. Now, almost 3 months out from my procedure I am asking the same question. Keep your chin and determination up and you'll be fine!