ousooner

The way I got over my fear of death was weighing the risk of the surgery vs the risk of staying obese. My health was starting to go, borderline diabetes and high blood sugar. I know if I had stayed on the path I was on, I wouldn't have been around for long.

Thanks for the clarification.

I was just talking to my wife about him last week. I voted for him in the primaries as well. I haven't heard anything from him in a while. Talk about one of the best orators around. Wehter you like what his message is or not, the man can give a great speech! :confused:

That makes sense. Now that I think about it, the churches I've attended haven't endorse a candidate, but did address the issues and urged us to vote the issues. Thanks for clarifying :confused:

Not sure what the rate is for us guys, but i think being a guy has really help my loss. I am down 147 pounds since May. About 15 pounds from goal.

My only question is: Why is it not appropriate to as a spiritual leader, to direct you people to vote in a manner that is consistant with the moral code set by the organization. I say that carefully, because that could apply to any group. Planned parenthood lobbies people to vote for pro-choice candidates. The NRA lobbies people to vote for candidates that support their ideas. Minority groups lobby to support candidates that help their cause. The list goes on. Why would Christian leaders not lobby for candidates that supported their views as well?

Awsome Jeff, glad things went so well! :confused:

I understand, it is an internal fight I have with myself all the time. TOM - we don't agree with very much on the political or religous front. But I truely respect your insightfulness. Even though I don't agree with most, your posts are very thought out and, unlike some who I think throw things out to make waves and to get reactions, you have a true conviction for what you say and I have much respect for that.

That probably sounds smart in your case. If your spending the same amount, but after care would be much easier. Thanks for the update.

Since this has morphed in the war debate, let me chime in. I am torn. I supported it and I still think it important to present a united front. But....I don't know how this will end. The people in that part of the world have a different mentality than we do-good, bad, indifferent, whatever. I grew up in Libya until the Americans were told to leave. My mother was pregnant with me during the coup and Gaddafi came to power. Although I was young, I was exposed to the environment both directly and also through stories from my parents. It is hard to negotiate with people who see things in a totally different view. Us American's find it horrible that children die, while many in that region find it honerable to send their children off to blow people up including themselves. How to you reason or come to agreements when ideologies are so different? I don't know the answers, but I do know that this is far more complex that most realize. Sorry I only have questions and no resolutions.

Sue, I am sure it is the same person as well. Her pic on OH is the same as she used to use here.

I am an open book (as evidenced by my website ) I tell anyone who asks. Thats me and my personality though and I am comfortable with that decision. You have to do what makes you comfortable. There have been some good by-products of my being so open (in my opinion) For one, I have been able to "pay it forward" and help those who were seeking answers. They know I had it and have come to me for help in making their own decision about WLS. The other thing for me is that I have been better about eating because people know. If I am in a group and tempted to make a bad food choice, I will be good because I know what others would think. Some may not like that, but for me it has helped. The main thing is to do what you are comfortable with.

Jeff, good luck. You will do great! Keep us posted when you get home.

Good luck, insurance run-around sucks! Wish you the best

I think everyone agrees that liquid protein is needed during the liquid and mushies stage of your post op diet. Where there seems to be some disagreement is once you reached to full food stage. I would ask you doctor what his post op program consists of. Mine has not said to stop and I still do 2 or 3 protien shakes a week if I am in a rush to leave to house for work or the gym and don't have time to sit down for a meal. It has worked for me.

Wow, that is shocking. I don't know what to say. Sorry you experienced that kind of reaction. It may be a good thing as if a doctor is not confident in himself or his information, I don't know if I could trust him to operate on me.

Sunta, I am sorry you have gone through so much. I mean that honestly in the middle of all this bantering. You are right that the way the message is delivered causes problems. No question and I think this thread proves that. As a Christian, I honestly do not beleive in homosexuality. That is my beleif system. That being said, it is wrong and shamefull for anyone to shun or outcast anyone who believes other than yourself. I had a friend at my last job who was gay and found out later had AIDS. He knew my stance and I knew his and we got along fine. In fact, we he had a spell of sickness and was off work for a period, myself and some co-workers bought graceries and visited him at home. I say that not to pat myself on the back, but to say it is possible to let your beleifs be known and not hate or shun people. Anyone who preaches hate and violence are morally inept regardless of faith. I think it as also natural to try to get laws passed based on personal beleifs. I think pro gay activist lobby just as hard. Just as pro life and pro choice lobbyist work hard to have laws passed based on the individual code of morality. Please accept my appologies for things you and others have encoured in the name of God. Remember that just because someone claims to be acting for God doesn't mean they are, usually its just a bunch of ignorant rednecks!

Updated pics. Here are pics of me pre-op at 334, down to 230, and current at 187.

The only problem with that is that people are getting hurt on both sides that have been respectfull. But I understand what your saying.

I have heard that and it does make sense to a point. If you are drinking your protein, it goes right through the band and you will feel hungry faster. That being said, if I am on the go or on the way to the gym, I still have them occasionally, may 2 or 3 times a week. It hasn't hurt my success and my doctor hasn't said not to, so I keep doing what works for me.

Ron and Sue are cut from the same mold, they just stand on the opposite sides of the isle. They both lik to egg others on and stir the pot. I much prefer the calmer more rational discussion and debate over that type of posting.

Banrion, first of all welcome. It is totally normal to feel this normal. General anaesthetic has to be done. I am 37 and had never had surgery either (not counting having my tonsills out when I was 5, which I don't remember. ) Marjon said it well that the risks of having the surgery are far less than that of staying obese. Not to mention that quality of life is so much better. I have not run into any downsides. I would read that thread about Sharon Osborne. She does not have to have it removed, she is having it removed on her own for personal reasons. She also seems very misguided for her reasoning, but thats just my thoughts :rose: I would recomend taking a deep breath, sit back and read the posts here. Ask as many questions as you need to make you feel more comfortable. THats what we are here for. Just 9 months ago, I was sitting in the same place you are now. I remember the nerves kicking in. Let us know what else we can help you with.

Ron, your arrogance is amazing. I too have been offended by some of the remarks by non-beleivers. I have stated my faith and my beleifs. I can not force someone to respect me. You might have heard the old saying that respect is earned. I truely beleive that some of the hurtfull comments about Christianity came about as a result of your posts. Some were just mean spirited and getting outwardly upset will do nothing to make that person change, it only fuels the fire. God does give us free will as you stated. It is our job to bring the message to non-believers, but no where does the bible state that we should pick fights with them if they don't agree. So maybe shame on Lisa and me, but you know what? I am still very secure in my beleifs and the way I present myself.

I think Wheetsin hit it on the head. I have always heard that the 50% success rate was that patients loose on average 50% of there body fat, not that only 50% loose any weight. I would question your doctor. There is a percantage of people who don't loose. That goes with any WLS. It is a tool and not a cure. Remember too that the 50% (and I honestly beleive that percentage is higher than that if my memory serves) counst those that don't loose and weighs down the average loss.

Great goal. Keep us updated.