Sunta

My doctor says the reason not to is because air will be introduced into the stomach. However, I don't see how a straw is any different from one of those Propel bottles where the opening is a tiny hole at the top of a twisty lid. I feel like I get far more air from those than from a straw. So, I try to avoid straws but sometimes I do drink from them and have had no discomfort.

I am going to choose to ignore your insulting remark. I guess it's easier to ignore my remarks than to actually, oh I don't know... Post the study??? You state you didn't pull the stats out of your ass, but I think you did, little boy.

Congratulations!!! We are all thrilled for you!

I guess I am one of the 60% losers, but I'm not done yet! I'm 16 months out and have lost 90 pounds with 60-65 pounds left to go. I see absolutely no reason why I can't reach my goal if I ever get off my ass and start exercising! Weight loss is totally up to you. It all depends on the work you put into it. There's no "magic percentage" at which one stops losing weight. The bottom line is, if you take in fewer calories than you consume, you will lose weight, period.

I well remember my xenical days, the frequency, the urgency, the dreaded orange oil... The thing that I don't get about this drug is that it cuts about 135 calories a day (if one follows the 15 grams per meal rule). This would translate to 14 pounds in a year. Now, don't get me wrong, 14 pounds is still 14 pounds, and I would love to lose any amount of weight, but is 14 pounds worth the side effects? My answer is no. If Alli is half the prescription dose, I'm assuming it would amount to half the weight loss (7 pounds), which is definitely not worth the side effects. They need to come out with something that delivers ALOT more weight loss than 7 pounds, before I would consider dealing with the side effects this drug produces.

PS: Are you one of those people who thinks that slaves really didn't mind being slaves?

it means they chose that option on a study. So 27 million people said it's just fine with them that they don't have healthcare? Where is the study? What percentage of people said it's fine? This is the most absurd thing I have ever heard in my life.

Oh my goodness! I am eating lots more than everyone else on this thread! In my defense, I have a very loose fill, but even before my loose fill, I was eating about a cup of food at a meal. Now I eat between 1-1.5 cups at a meal, but never less than a cup. Right now I only have 1cc in a 4cc band. Despite my loose fill, I have been losing on this amount. I strictly count calories and stay between 1,000-1,300 per day. 1 cup is what we were told in our pre-surgery classes.

Eighteen million were people in the 18-34 year old age range in good health. So they felt that health insurance was a low priority. Nine million were people with incomes of over 75,000 dollars a year. They either felt health insurance was a low priority or considered themselves to be able to pay for any likely health care emergency. Huh? How does simply being 18-34 automatically mean "they felt that health insurance was a low priority"? How does having an income over $75,000 per year automatically mean "they felt health insurance was a low priority or thought they could pay for health care." This is ridiculous. Bizarre logic that makes zero sense and is 100% unfounded by any scientific study on their real thoughts and opinions. So 27 million people are totally fine with not having health care? Riiiight. Since you believe that, are you interested in purchasing the Brooklyn Bridge?

I have a very similar story. Lost about 85 pounds in about 14 months and then just stopped for about 2 and a half months. I also had an unfill in there which didn't help. I broke my plateau by cutting out all white flour and sugar, and counting strictly 1,000-1,300 calories per day, and exercising. Well, actually I'm not too good about the exercising part (only doing it about two or three times a week), but the other stuff has definitely helped. The first two weeks of this regimine I lost 6.4 pounds. Now I'm on week three, but I'm getting my period, and thus begins the monthly Water weight gain of between 3-5 pounds, which is so disheartening. But, I really think that my regimine is helping. I plan to resume white flour and sugar in limited portions, only after I reach goal.

I have a pretty loose fill now (1cc in a band that holds 4cc's) because I had previously had an unfill due to a too-tight fill (1.5cc's). It seems I'm eating alot more than everyone who answered! I eat a minimum of 1 cup of food per meal, and sometimes even 1.5 cups. However, I keep my calories to 1,000-1,300 per day via strict calorie counting. Since I've had my loose fill and have started the strict calorie counting (I have also cut out white flour and sugar), I am losing much faster than before, even while eating the 1-1.5 cups per meal. As an example, my dinner last night was 1/2 cup of squash with Beans, and 1/2 cup of whole grain Pasta with low cal yogurt sauce. So that was a cup total, but then shortly after that, I snuck a few more bites of each and had about 1/4 cup of whole grain Indian snack mix. So my total dinner intake was probably 1.5 cups or just under. Despite this, my total daily caloric intake was under 1,300. So, I feel that as long as I don't feel overstuffed and am watching calories, I am doing fine.

I can't believe it. For 16 months I've been seeing everyone else's posts about ONEderland, and I would just sigh and think "maybe someday I'll be posting about onederland." Well today, I made it!!! I can't believe it!!! It's been a long journey but I did it. My total loss is 92 pounds. I still have 60-65 pounds left, but now I finally feel like goal is in my sights! I went from size 26 to size 14/16 (sometimes 18 on the bottom depending on the cut of the pants). I had previously gained due to an unfill, but now I've lost that, plus more! What helped me was that for the past two weeks, I have been sticking to a very strict regiment of no white flour, no sugar, and strict calorie counting (1,000-1,300 per day). I also have been throwing in exercise when I can, and taking green tea supplements. In these past two weeks, I've dropped 6.4 pounds, to arrive in ONEderland this morning!!! Previously I had been on a two month plateau, and then I had my unfill, so I went 2.5 months losing nothing and even gaining about 5 pounds. But here I am! So if anyone needs a plateau breaker, maybe getting tough will help you like it helped me. See you in ONEderland!!!

After two weeks of a complete unfill, gaining 6 pounds, and then finally getting back on track, I have MADE IT to ONEderland!!! I can't believe it! Weighed in this morning at 198.8!!! I have not been in ONEderland for 15 years!!! WOOHOOOOOOO!!!

I didn't know this until tonight, but eharmony does not include Gays in its services, so now they're being sued! GOOD!!! Screw them! I hope they either get shut down or that they're forced to change their policy and include Gays and lesbians! End discrimination now!!!

That's great news! I had something kind of similar happen. I had been with the same fill level for about 8 months, and everything was going fantastic, when suddenly one day I woke up and couldn't keep fluids down! It happened just out of the blue. I was so shocked because up until then everything had been perfect. I got a swallow test and everything was just fine, no slippage, nothing. My band had just suddenly tightened up out of the blue. So I had an unfill and am now re-filled back, but looser. I had previously had 1.5cc's and now I have only 1cc, which is quite loose. However, I would much rather be loose than be too tight! Now, though, I have to be really careful and have gone on a strict calorie-counting/no white flour/no sugar regimine. So it's alot more work. I wonder what causes the band to do that for no reason?

I know I haven't been around this thread alot (I've been so BUSY!) but I wanted to check in and say I'm interviewing Alison Bechdel next week and I am sooooo NERVOUS!!!!!!!!!!! A friend of mine is the senior producer at a local TV station here in Philly, and their format is 5-minute learning pieces. She has to produce tons of these pieces each week, so she hits up her friends and family to come on the air as hosts, interviewers, etc. She booked Alison Bechdel for next week and I will be interviewing her about her new book "Fun Home: A family Tragicomic." It's a great book (just read it two nights ago) about her relationship with her father, who was also Gay. In case any of you don't know who she is, she is the author of the graphical comic books "Dykes To Watch Out For." She's amazing and I've been a big fan of hers since the 80's, so it's really like meeting a huge celebrity for me! I am sooooo freaking out!!! I had a practice session this morning with the tv staff who sat in for Alison. It went pretty well, but honestly I think I'm going to have a severe panic attack next week when it comes time to actually film for real! I'm thinking of taking an ativan before I go on! Anyway, I'm really excited... and nervous... and excited...

I just started South Beach due to having been on a plateau for about 2.5 months! During that time I had to have a complete unfill, and now only have 1cc in my band, which is rather loose, so I've been having a hard time losing. I started South Beach a week ago and so far I am down 2.2 pounds. so maybe there's something to the "good" carbs theory. Previously I've always been a big proponent of calories in calories out, and I'm not 100% convinced that eating "good" carbs is giving me any specific advantage but I'm open to the possibility. I also have been strictly counting calories while on South Beach, which I had not done before, so I don't know if it's the type of carbs I'm eating or the lower calories that is contributing to my weight loss.

Lets divide the country into regions - homophobes, confederate flag flyers and war lovers on one side, the rest of us on the other. One can dream, no? They tried that already in 1861. Sometimes I think it's a pity they didn't win. But then again, I am against slavery so in that regard it's better they didn't. But only in that regard.

Oooh my goodness, I just had a barbque and we put out expensive imported creamy French cheeses as our appetizers. Soooo amazing! Laurend, do sample some of these kinds of cheese! They are simply divine! I also love hard extra sharp cheeses with salt crystals in them, plus cave cheese and also a lovely stilton with blueberries. Oh! And I can't forget the delectible goat cheeses as well. Come to think of it, I honestly don't think there's been a cheese I've tasted that I haven't loved!

Wait! before you write off brie, try doing this: go into your nearest cheese shop or even Whole Foods, and say you want a cheese that is very buttery and creamy, and similar to brie, but more mild. Ask for a sample before you buy! If you like what they recommend, buy it and enjoy, then, go back and sample the brie. Work your way up slowly and see what you like. The creamy cheeses are sooooo sooo good and heavenly it kills me to think anyone is missing out just because they haven't tried them yet!

Aaaaah cheese. Glorious cheese. Fatty, salty, delicious cheese. I think it's my favorite food right now. We have a gourmet cheese shop in Philly and he imports amazing French cheeses that are soooo delicious I can't even believe it. Cheese goes down beautifully and is high in Protein. I too am an avid avoider of all that is low fat and fat free. When you're only eating an ounce or two at a time, it's worth the full-fat versions. My husband just enrolled me in cheese of the month club AND wine of the month club for my birthday!!! I can't wait to receive my first shipment. There's nothing like a beautiful Reisling and a creamy brie. mmmm mmmmmmm!

Hi, I don't know if it's true or not, but I'm currently taking a green/oolong/white/black tea supplement. I'll let you know if I see any results.

Hi, I just don't believe that "nothing" works at all when it comes to diet pills and supplements. I'm not talking about a "magic" pill that causes weight loss without diet and exercise, I'm talking about a pill or supplement that gives an edge to weight loss when combined with diet and exercise. I think that there are combinations of herbs that work, but that the pharmaceutical companies don't want that information out there because they would lose money on their own meds like Meridia and Xenical. Besides, there is too much anecdotal evidence out there of things working for me to dismiss the concept that something could give me an advantage in this fight. So, I want to know what worked for you. Please do not write and say "all of these things are a waste of money. People just want to avoid diet and exercise. Save your money and join a gym instead." I have heard that theory and I am not looking for that answer because I already know how some people feel about it. I want to know what works. I want to hear stories like "I tried X product and felt it gave me a slight edge in losing weight." Or "I tried X and it helped to break my plateau." Thanks!

How are you doing on your weight loss Sunta? I see by your pictures you are very close to goal....congratulations. Thanks so much. I have 65 pounds to go until goal, and have lost approximately 90 thus far. I have been on a plateau for about two months in which I have not lost a pound! This is partially my fault though, as I haven't been exercising very regularly (ok, actually not at all). I am looking for something just to give me that little extra edge to get going again, while beginning to exercise. I'm thinking that if I had something that accelerated my loss just a little bit, I'd be even more motivated to exercise. So far I've tried green tea, hoodia (I swear this makes me 10x's more ravenous! It seems to have the opposite effect on me), and "Accelis" and one other thing I can't remember the name of. So far, nothing seems to be working. I currently have 1cc in a 4cc band, and I know it's a little too loose, but I can't seem to tolerate anything more. Most recently, I had to have a complete unfill for two weeks due to complete blockage of my pouch and inability to keep liquids down. My band just suddenly tightened up for no reason and I was totally blocked off. During the unfill, I gained almost three pounds. So, that's it in a nutshell. I just want to get these last 65 pounds off and get on with my life! I'm ready for my weight loss journey to come to an end and to begin a lifetime of maintenance. I do sometimes wish Phen Fen was back on the market, but I know that is a foolish wish. For now I will continue with the green tea, Accelis, and the other thing, and see if they make any difference.

What about the gay dating site....is it allowed to practice discrimination solely because it represents a minority group? As I said before in another post, I don't think it's right for any dating service to discriminate based on sexual orientation, period.