HOWLUCKYAMI

Long2Be...you consistently provide good advise in a motivating, yet frank manner! You've been an inspiration to me during my "lurking" days and whenever I start doubting my decision to do this, it's posts like yours that help me realize that I CAN SUCCEED! Just wanted you to know...:smile:

Hi there...I saw your post this morning and just wanted to say hello. I am local...live in Pleasanton, work in Newark, so I just had to look you up as it's nice to see a local on these boards. I don't have much information to offer you as I'm in the very beginning stages of WLS and don't have Kaiser. But I can send happy thoughts your way and would love to keep in touch along the way. Have a wonderful day!

I may not be the authority you are looking for...I haven't been banded yet. But I've been on these boards long enough to know that if you're asking for advice, these are the two statements you're going to get tossed back at you. The band is a tool. It will not work on it's own. If you want to be successful, you're going to have to exercise. I know it's not fun. I know it's a pain in the butt sometimes. But if you got this band it's not news to hear that you're going to have to do it. Do you have cable? If so, Comcast has OnDemand. It offers Exercise TV and they have some really great walking videos that you can do. They range from 18-30 minutes and by the end you have walked 1 or 2 miles, depending upon the video you choose. As for your "eating all the time," I can only say that from all I have read, you shouldn't be doing that. There are some basic "Bandster Rules" that have been posted here often. I would suggest you revisit them and try to follow them as closely as possible. Take it one day at a time and try to incorporate as many of them into your daily routine as possible. You have the gift of a very powerful tool to help you change your lifestyle. But it is going to require some serious effort on your part to work. I wish you nothing but success and may God bless you.

Hey....congratulations on your approval! That's simply amazing how quickly you got approved! You give me hope....we're actually pretty close in stats. I started the process at 255 with a BMI of 42.3. I also have BC/BS through a union plan...fingers crossed they are as accomodating as yours! Additionally, I'm also in California. Where are you? I'm Northern California and having my procedure done at Valley Care in Pleasanton.

I think it's great they're following along! My son is 9 and last night at dinner he asked me what voter fraud was. It seems like everyday he has a new question about politics and I am encouraged that he is taking an interest and asking questions. I'll definitely check the website out tonight! Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome. It was no trouble at all...I've been bothered by these things for some time now and my husband can confirm that they are at the forefront of my mind most all the time! If there was any labor in it, it was a labor of love...for my country!

Interesting...you might have noted that you didn't author it originally. In all due respect, unlike you, I haven't tried to disguise my opinion. Yes, I will watch the debates on Fox. Last time I checked it was Hannity and Colmes. (At least there's one team who'll be poised for the Fairness Doctrine.)

Yes, let's add to that list. I'm not going to go into the lengths of Bjean felt necessary...but let's be fair here: What if John McCain had his political coming out party at Bill Ayers, an unrepentent domestic terrorist's house and sat on multiple boards with him? What if John McCain had sat in the pews of a church that offered a reverend who regurgitated anti-American hate speech for 20 years and then claimed to never have heard of him saying anything out of line? What if John McCain had that same reverend marry he and his wife and baptize his children? What if John McCain touted "spreading the wealth" and other socialist philosophies? And what if he proposed government taking over healthcare and ran on a platform that would result in spending over one trillion dollars during the worst economic times our country has known since the Great Depression? What if John McCain's running mate had actually advocated that he'd be happy to be on the ticket with Barack Obama and stated that John McCain wasn't ready to be President because the Presidency doesn't lend itself to on-the-job-training? What if Cindy McCain came out and said she hadn't been proud of her country in over 40 years of being an American? What if John McCain had represented an organization well known by both parties to engage in voter fraud and what if John McCain, fully knowing of said organization, rather than denounce the organization, instead funneled over $800,000 to it? What if John McCain's mentors included a proclaimed Communist and a racist Muslim? Finally, what if John McCain was a freshman Senator with little executive experience that had spent a little over a year in the Senate before beginning his campaign for the Presidency? My list could go on and on too, Bjean. I'm not going to knock either candidate's education. Harvard is obviously impressive, but the Naval Academy isn’t some community college. I think we could both agree that if Barack Obama can call his "community organizing" on the streets of Chicago the "best education" he ever received, John McCain's time as a prisoner of war in the Hanoi Hilton probably qualifies as well. Because of his radical ties to terrorists, racists, communists, etc. it is doubtful that Barack Obama would pass the background check required to deliver you your mail. I'm certain that John McCain could. I'd throw the same question right back to you. If these questions really reflected reality, do you believe the election numbers would be as close as they are?

Clusk...if you're directing this comment at me, I would have to suggest that since you're not hearing what you want, you're not considering what has been posted. Since you appear to have missed it, here it is again: "It is not fair for either party to purge or supress voters, to register illegally, or to vote more than once." Since the media, mainstream and alternative alike, is focused on ACORN and fraud, there appears to be cause for that focus to continue. I would expect that the issue of voter purging would come about in that coverage. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. Perhaps there is not the abundance of evidence of voter purging that there is of ACORN and their illegal actions? I don't know. All I can do is repeat my position and hope that you will hear it this time.

"So you don't believe in fairness like you said you did. If it is unfair for Acorn to register fake people (who still have not voted, right?), why is it fair for the Republicans to purge voters to keep the vote down." I can see where your confusion lies. I'm still trying to figure out quoting into responses. If you read my response carefully you will see where I said that I do believe in fairness and both should be investigated. However, I would caution you to not make the same mistake I made with Steve. You don't know me and you don't know my mind. It is not fair for either party to purge or supress voters, to register illegally, or to vote more than once." "I understand Republicans are going to do anything they can at this point to slow down Obama. I watched Fox News and it is all Acorn all the time. And I agree anything can happen. But lets be honest if your counting on Acorn to derail Obama because he has some history with them it is not going to happen. Ayers, Wright and Acorn. All have been tried and the American people are not buying it." Personally, I hope you continue to watch Fox along with other networks. This is the only way you will get even close to receiving a fair representation of both from television. I never said I was counting on ACORN to derail Obama. I'm counting on America looking at him objectively and weighing his positions and promises to do that. It's not looking good as of right now, but a lot can change before election day. I'll wait to find out then. Look, the facts bear out that Obama has more than "some" history with ACORN, Rezko, Wright, Ayers, Odinga, Fannie, Freddie, etc. In fact, when you add up all the cast of characters Obama has "some" history with, you get A LOT of questionable history and I believe that all his associations and positions need to be evaluated. Personally, my problems with Obama are more than just his associations with questionable people. That's just the launching point for me.

Really???? I don't need another pair of shoes. But if we continue that line of logic, I will be going to the mall and spending $800,000 on shoes tonight.

"stay calm, steve... this person did not just try to say that you can't be fair like they actually know your mind" Ok...I'll give you that one. Unfortunately, its applicable to so many that I made an assumption and applied it to you. You have my apologies on that. "As far as ACORN, it might be an issue with them that needs investigation. As far as Obama is concerned, it is not." On this I must disagree. He has a very vested interest in ACORN. Barack Obama's campaign failed to accurately report their financial records regarding the $800,000 funneled to ACORN through one of its subsidiaries, Citizens Services Inc. ACORN is an organization that has been previously convicted of voter fraud, is widely recognized for having done so and the Obama campaign has continued to funnel almost a million dollars into it! By contributing to an organization that has a long and storied history of voter fraud, he essentially condones their actions. Were this a new problem with ACORN, I'd be more inclined to offer him the benefit of doubt, but the issues with ACORN have been around a long time and for me that's too significant to overlook. "Now who's making silly arguments. If our whole society is going to be shaken by ACORN, then we have far worse problems than that." We do have worse problems than that. However, just because we do doesn't mean we overlook this issue because you don't see it as a big threat...or any threat. You may say my argument is silly and fortunately you're still entitled to an opinion. However, it's the culmination of things that may not be perceived as a "threat" that combined have lead us to this place.

"Obama had some dealings with ACORN, but there is no sign that they acted under his orders." ACORN may not be acting on direct orders from Obama, but that $800,000 check they got from him to "get out the vote" cannot be overlooked. I'd also argue that "some dealings" with ACORN is a bit of a misrepresentation of the facts. Training ACORN workers and representing ACORN legally is a bit more than what one could infer as "some dealings." "If ACORN was part of registering Micky Mouse, or the Dallas Cowboys, or dead people... guess what.. They're not going to show up at the polls... That's why I say it's not a big threat... and I will now ammend that to say it is not a threat at all. Personally, I think it is a stupid issue to keep our minds off the real stuff." To me, this is a ridiculous argument that you would never let fly if John McCain was as tied to ACORN as Barack Obama and the Democrats are. Voter registration fraud is a BIG threat in that it is ILLEGAL! When we start excusing bad action simply because it is the opinion of some that it's not a "big threat," what road are we traveling down? I mean, come on. We live in a world of distrust and disenfranchisement that is felt in epic proportions. And now you'd ask us to disregard these obvious wrong doings because you don't view it as a threat? If this issue doesn't get dealt with, we will only further widen the gap between what we believe to be true and what actually is. It hits at the heart of Democracy itself...if we cannot rely upon the foundation of our society, if we can't even believe that our vote will be counted and that we can have a free and honest election for the highest office of our land, then what kind of a society are you asking us to pass on to our children?

Got to break the tie!!!

Hi there...I came across your post and wanted to get in touch ASAP! I'm also going through the process at Valley Care with Dr. Lee. I'm in the same boat as you...RNY just seemed SO invasive! I'm very excited about the prospect of the surgery. Done the orientation, met with the surgeon, nurse, psych and dietician, and am currently taking my nutrition classes while waiting to see if I've been approved by the team. It's really great to see someone who's going thru LB at VC because as you said, they do mostly RNY's. I'd love to buddy up with you if you're looking for one! Oops....now that I reread your post to try to find your name I see that it was made over a year ago. Did you end up going through with the LB at VC? How are you doing with it, if so? I'd LOVE to hear from you! Emily

I think we all go through this at some point. I left my orientation certain I would be doing lap band (less invasive, reversable, etc.). Low and behold, after meeting with the nurse (who had had RNY), I had done a complete 180 and was now going to go RNY (without a second thought about LB). I then started my nutrition classes and went...whoa...what the heck am I thinking? Surgery? Surely I must be able to do this on my own. I'm on the low end with a BMI of 42 (can there really be a low end to morbid obesity?), and I really started second-guessing myself. So I decided to give it two weeks and really bear down. I have been keeping a food diary, exercising moderately (30 min) 4-5 days a week, avoiding drinking with meals, chewing slowly, cutting out sweets, etc. Heck, I even passed up a cupcake at a birthday party (totally out of character for me, I might add). I really feel like I've worked hard at giving it another shot. And in the end, I'd only lost 3 pounds, probably just Water weight...and that feeling of dread, failure, and hopelessness came flooding back. It was then that I realized that the odds of me actually losing a significant amount of weight on my own were slim to none. For whatever reason, I just don't have that fight in me any more. At 41, I've been overweight for 33 years now and I truly believe my many years of dieting have made it practically impossible for me to lose the weight on my own. I need a tool desperately. Now, with that all being said, you will read over and over about how the decision is a personal one. No one can make it for you and no one can make you comfortable with it. For me, I know in my heart that I will work the tool and I WILL ROCK IT! This is my last shot at being thin and I will do everything in my power to use it to get to my goal. Though not banded (yes, I'm back to LB now) yet, I think that as someone going through the process, I would encourage you to read, read, read, read and then read some more. Don't let the negative posts fool you, there are so many wonderful people here who have had fabulous results! Go to the forums and read about bandsters from 2007, 2006 and before so you can get an idea of what successful banders have done. They are honest and they can be of great support. I wish you the best in your decision-making. Emily

I just want to thank you all for the great information and support you have provided. I am going through the process of WLS, am currently doing my classes and labs. These messages have been so inspirational. I wish you all continued success and may God bless you for all the good work you are doing to help one another.

Hi There! I'm from California, too. I'll be having my surgery at Valley Care in Pleasanton. I'm just about a week behind you in the process...I meet with my surgeon on 9/29/08. In fact, I'm doing sort of a 'consultation blast' that day, meeting with the nurse, dietician, psych and surgeon over a 5 hour period in one day. I'm so glad that they offered an all-in-one, as those individual appointments would have really dragged out the process. If I am deemed a candidate, I'll be well on my way! My BMI is 42, no co-morbities but for joint pain associated with my extra weight, and slightly elevated cholesterol on my last lipid panel. Like you, I have Anthem BC. But boy do I have a long history of unsustainable weight loss. Been battling the bulge for over 30 years with little success. Valley Care tells me that they are pretty good about turning around approvals, so I could be banded by the end of November! I am psyched! Good luck to you!

Hi Everyone! I'm new to posting today...have been reading up for a few weeks now and decided to try posting. I'm going to the free seminar offered at Valley Care in Pleasanton this afternoon and I'm both excited and nervous. I don't really know what to expect, but I'm going in with a positive attitude and hope to come away from it well-informed. Like most you all here, I have been overweight all my life. I literally cannot remember a time that I haven't been fat, but for the few brief times in adulthood that I lost weight. Needlesstosay, the weight found me and brought several friends to the reunion! I have tried everything, again probably not a new story here, and feel like banding might be the thing that works for me. I know it's not a cure-all, but I am willing to do the work it takes...I just have a hard time being able to do the same thing over and over again and believe that "this time I'll keep it off" without a tool for success. From all I have read, I think banding could be the tool I need. Is there anyone here who had their surgery at Valley Care? I understand that there are 3 surgeons, two with several years of experience and one relatively new doctor. My initial reaction is to hope for Dr. Estkari (female), as what I have read from a couple of posts about Dr. Ngyuen hasn't been glowingly positive. I'd love to hear from anyone who has experienced Valley Care and the doctors if you have time to post! Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories! I have found much inspiration and motivation in your words.