Catalystmb

In my info packet was the following sample letter. Hope it helps someone. NAME has been a patient in my office since DATE. She was advised to start a weight loss program. The patient started (name of medically supoervised weight loss program) on date. She was also advised to start an exercise program such as walking, low impact aerobics, etc. The patient was followed monthly in my office while on the above weight loss program. She was counseled regarding her diet and exercise plan. Her weights while on the diet are listed below. (FYI I need SIX months of consecutive weigh ins) JAN FEB MAR APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC NAME was examined in my office on DATE. She is considered medically cleared for bariatric surgery/Lapband. If you require any additional information please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. They noted at the end of the sample letter that "acceptable" weight loss programs were: LOW CALORIE DIETS(12-1500 cals) Atkins Pharmacotherapy with FDA approved weight loss drugs combined with exercise.

You are essentially correct!:eek:

Then angling shoulders to draw the viewers eye toward the subject, shooting at a level higher than your subject, the rule of thirds etc. you are familiar with. Everyone here is showing their pics for inspiration. Who cares how the shot is gotten? No one WANTS to look like a frump in a pic. Nobody is tricked into thinking anyone weighing over 2,3,400 pounds is a waifly 89 pound weakling because of positioning. Chuck Gardner's Photography Class Congrats to ALL who post their pics, before, during and after. You are an inspiration.

I too have never noticed a smell. I have not sniffed at it though. I only have mixed it with water because I am lactose intolerant. I will throw plain yogurt, frozen strawberries in and blend it up. Van, strawberry and chocolate are great. The chicken I have not tried.

You really have to try and fizzle it out of your diet...hehehe....get it? Seriously, I am addicted to Diet Coke and although preband, I am really trying to stop.

He addressed this very thing on TV today(might be a repeat, it was on an affiliate channel). He stated that he was asked by Lynn Spears to go and SEE Brittany. He is a family friend of the 20 somthing pop idol. When he went there and was seen he was swarmed with paparazzi. He decided to nip the rumor mill in the bud and make a statement. He stated that he did not and would not divulge what transpired during that visit. Now, hearing all this a few weeks ago about his statement and his license lapsing I was kind of ticked at him. He reitterated that he did not go to see her AS A PSYCH. He then went on to say that YES he does not hold a license in Cali. He HELD one in Texas which he let lapse. He says he made the decision after tv fame(remember that was a LONG time ago for him as a regualr in Oprah). He did not want to any longer avail himself to patients and hang out a "shingle". He also said that he practiced psychology YEARS ago.... He said that he does have so many years of experience and YES, he holds his degree so you still have to call him Dr. He then said that in hindsight he regrets that he said anything, but in now way was it a Dr patient relationship. I like Dr Phil. I like his "pull no punches" approach to things. I also like that he asks that each person makes HIM/HERself responsible for the crap in their lives. While seemign simplistic writing on this post I too hold a "GET THE @^ OVER IT" feeling about many things. Sorry this is so long and disjointed. I'm sure the transcript can be found. I hope I stated things clearly as I understood them.

Oh Lord, the song titles I couldn't tell you. I have a very ecclectic taste. The only music I truly dislike is Rap. I have: Billy Joel James Taylor Rolling Stones Garth Brooks Fergie Nickelback Daughtry Elton John Joe Cocker REO Speedwagon ( I know I know) Aerosmith Hinder Kenny Chesnet Bonnie Raitt Jimmy Buffet Pachebels Canon Deanna Carter James Bkunt Bruce Styx Goo Goo Dolls Leona Naess *** Air Supply Matchbox 20 Taylor Swift Eric Clapton Melissa Ethridge 10cc Led ZEPPELIN Third Eye Blind *** I HAD to look up this songstress after an episode of WEEDS Season 1. The main character Nancy is watching video of her and her dead hubby making love(no, NOT pornographic...lovely), and she was just sobbing. She is sitting on the floor at the foot of her bed and this song is playing over the scene. It just HIT me. It's a little weird, but hooks you in. The song title after MUCH searching on the internet is Ballerina by Leona Naess.*** PS NOW I have to go play the song....lol

We just had a new treadmaill delivered Monday. It is still in the box blocking our hallway. It is HUGE. We will assemble(said it took two steps) it before the weekend because seince it is so much larger than we expected, it is going into another room. It was bought from HSN, free shipping. It has a SD card and designed workouts built into that card. I'll let you know how it goes. There is an 8 week weightloss program on the card. :frown:

:tt1: Melinda, Thank you but I can't see a link?

Jerry Seinfelds wife wrote a book about incorporating veggies into almost ALL of the food you eat..."under cover". She uses veggie puree s and adds them. Apparently, you caanot taste them and the kids are getting veggies they need. Deceptively Delicious - Get Your Kids Eating Good Food! There is some controversy surrounding the book. There is another author out at the same time who has the same ideas. In any case, the idea is great. You'll likely have a new blender or magic bullet around anyhow...to make mushies....

Proud Rep here. I won't though, vote straight party. I will look at both sides. It's been decades since I voted against my party. This year seem to be bo different.

Oh man do I know the woes of Splenda! I was so excited when it came out. Although the taste doesn't bother me, ANYTHING with the sugar alcohols in it make me so sick SO fast! I envy those of you who can tolerate it. I am an aspartame girl/addict really. I have also started putting Stevia in hot tea. I wish Iliked splenda people who cook and bake with it all rave. There are two chefs on the food channels who have gone lo carb and their recipes make me drool.

I've told only a few friends and family members. Some comments have been negative which I am learning to deal with instead of it making me defensive. I have a few points of fact for them next time. The savings.... you can think of it this way. You'll be saving any out of pocket costs you may have in the future dealing with any comoridities associated with obesity. I read here somewhere about food bills being greatly reduced. That's incentive:). The toll on your family? They will GAIN from this, gain years more living and loving you.

the turnaround for me was under a week! I am pre banded(enduring the 6 month doc sup deit) but wanted to try some of them Proteins drinks to find one I liked. The Unjury is GREAT. I have had al but the chicken Soup. I can't bring myself to try that one. I don't have them hot. I make a 1 scoop unjury shake in the morning with a 1/4c of frozen strawberries and 1/4 c FAGE Yogurt. Yummy and super nutritious. I wonder about the bits of strawberry post op. I will probably wean myself off of the fruit. I make the same shake with Van, Choc and strawberry flavors on different days. I last signed up for auto delivery which yields a small discount. :rolleyes2:

Have you had an MRI? When nothing resolved my right foot pain we had an MRI confirm a calcaneal fracture. Before that we only had bilateral Xrays at the office. You've been casted already, which is what they would do FIRST if you did have a fx. Massage, foot soaks, untucking sheets etc are all thing sI do. Foot pain is so awful, it can stop us in our tracks.

We're in the same 6 months of waiting boat. I ws told by others who had my insurance that there is no 6 month doc sup diet but my surgeons office says yes. I had my first visit to my doc early in Jan so I called her up and told her that we will be weighing me and logging progress for 5 more months. It's a bit of a bummer but it's what must be done. Stick with the weights you reported. Getting trapped in lies and errors now can cause troubles with the approval. I hate redtape. Good luck to you.

I also HATED when the scale got up to 140! I was HUGE in my eyes. 135, 145, 155,165,175,185,195,205,215,225,235,245,255,265......(kept my numbers going for effect, sorry). I would give anything to see ANY of those numbers again......at each stage I was horrified...even the lower 100's.... Been forcing myself to take a lot of photos. I have to get comfortable seeing myself in pictures.

There are a few things and something just came up last Friday. Our furnace wasn't working. DH was not home. In order to avoid a call and $$ for HVAC guy to fix it we tried to troubleshoot. One answer I had to get was the power switch near the furnace, was it on or off? I didn't even know there was a switch. If there is why in the world would it be off? The blower is in the attic. I've never even been up there. So there I am puling down the attic stairs and looking at the flimsy looking ladder steps and raling. I see a big sticker on it stating that the weight limit is 250. Serious bodily injury, breaking the stairs or DEATH could occur! YIKES! I went up a few steps....ok, holding....holding....I was able to peer into the attic but I wasn't going to brave the final boost....or the first step down. We ran into the local Hvac guy and he fixed it for free. I haven't had one of those moments for a few years. The last time was wondering how I was going to get out of a friends above ground pool....the flimsy aluminum ladder ....... I can't wait for the band!

Laura, Here is some info: Pathophysiology of the Digestive System - Pregastric Digestion The reason we(the obese) override even the vagus nerve is not known. Too many other factors are in play; hormones(insulin, leptin, cholecystokinin), environment, and habit. How many of us have eaten PAST that obvious signla to stop, I know I have. I think we, well, I eat/ate too quickly. If I slowed down to the pace the band will force me I might "HEAR" that signal.

I have two opposing views here and I can tell I will be facing the same situation once I am scheduled. You could either just go crazy one last time, having that "last supper" so to speak. Get it out of your system,,,,,B U T Would it really be out of your system? You had your revelation about being a food addict. If you didn't have your "last supper" you would have your victory over the internal battle. If you can't stop it this time, will you be able to when it's most critical? More posters will come. Some probably had your dillemna. I'm surious to read how they handled it and how they felt about it afterwards. Whichever you choose, GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

I've had a few of them. Actually used it as a (my)chair in my massage office.

I have clients with PF and they find great relief with massage. Tell your MT about your foot pain. If you go to a sports or NMT specialist they will help. Massage used WITH conventional therapies helps enormously. If you can't get to a Massage Therapist there are things you can do at home. Stretching gasrtocnemius(calves) and soleus(under calves) is very important. Backsleepers, UNTUCK your sheets at the foot of the bed. Tight sheets will keep you in plantar flexion which will make the mornings HELL to wake up and walk if you have PF. IF YOU AREN'T DIABETIC, warm foot soaks in a foot massager/bath work great. Throw some golfballs in the freezer and while sitting, woll them under your feet. Get a loved one to strip your feet!!(after warming up the feet with a few rubs, take a knuckle and run lengthwise from toes to heel) do this on the entire sole surface. "Cup" and squeeze the heel at the sides. I have PF AND a calcaneal fracture. I feel your pain. I can resolve the pain in one of my feet, the other I have had steroid injections. It helped for a few weeks. I SHOULD be on a boot but I cannot wear one at work. Any weightloss will help foot pain. Here is an illustration of a great calf stretch. Wall Straight Leg Calf Stretch

1 tsp = 5 cc's. So, one cc would be 1/5th of a teaspoon.

Does anyone have a sample of the letter available for viewing?

Oh boy Derick, you couldn't be more right. Thats what led me to think, ok, this is totally wacko. I tried to find an old webpage which had transcipts of a deposition given by a Scientologist to have a more credible record but couldn't find it. Here are some links which describe the space aliens and Xenu. Scientology --- Xenu and the Space Aliens: The lies and deception behind the Scientology space opera Ahh, actually found them. Operation Clambake present: Scientology Court Files the xenu site has a lot of info on it. If there are any Scientologists out there who can explain the space alien "thing" I'm willing to listen.