BJean

Ya'll keep up the good work. It gives me some hope. I play Bridge with some women who love the Tea Party movement. And yes, they're just as dumb at card playing.

I'm curious patty, how many people were polled? Who were these people? How were their opinions obtained?

Well that opinion poll is aptly named. Americans distrust anyone who has any power these days. And why wouldn't they? They've been screwed royally by the Republican majority for 8 years running. So far, the new Democratic administration and congress have acted like they're trying to make things right. But although they have passed health care reform and have worked to keep the economy from tanking, they haven't made the very drastic changes that Americans need and require from their government. The Republicans want everyone to believe that the Democrats are turning America into a socialist country but the reality is a very different thing. But that doesn't keep them from screaming "socialism!" and wringing their hands and beating their chests in a very raucous display of politics at its' worst. Most Americans have a good idea of what's really going on. They are not as motivated to chant and wave placards and strap on their guns and march in the streets, but trust me, the majority of us have high hopes that the administration will keep moving us in a better direction.

P.S. I hope you will keep in touch since we'll undoubtedly be sharing similar stories from the 28th on. Will his surgery be there in Louisiana?

Well isn't your friend the lucky one! I wish I had someone to go through this with. My DH thinks he will try to go through it with me, at least partially, and lose weight too. I really don't think he can hack it though. He had similar intentions when I got the band. I lost and he gained. I'll bet you will be successful because you are already so involved and committed You're totally familiar with the diet already. Like I said, your bf is one lucky dude. Best of luck to both of you for a great journey to health and loserville (as we say here on the forum.)

Hilarious! I liked your earlier comment about those brilliant congress people accepting veggies for campaign donations. If I were one of their constituents, I'm pretty sure I'd be sending them some okra. You know it's pretty scary knowing the intellect of some of our congressional legislators! Good grief!

Oh Wannalise that sounds pretty dreadful on all counts. But I'm proud of you for keeping your sense of humor! In spite of Idaho's economy I think I'll tread lightly when it comes to adding potatoes as a mushie. I have seen a couple people post that when they got into trouble it was because they didn't realize that the next bite would send them over the edge. So I take it that's why putting down the fork is such a necessity? And my doc's assistant said that I really MUST buy a baby spoon to get me used to eating lots slower and in much smaller bites. What a trial! But we're lucky to have a chance at health and beauty like this. If you're anything like me, all the crazy diets and fasts that I've tried just worked against me. You are such a doll! I really enjoy your posts.

citygal, looks like you're doing well with your revision. Are you pretty happy so far or are you struggling like most people do during the first month or so?

pnw218 - my posts were meant to be in a very general nature and not directed at you personally at all. In fact I hoped that you wouldn't think that I was arguing with you! Your first hand experience is impressive to read and I'm sure everyone is relieved to get this kind of fresh feedback. Hope you have a safe trip home. I wish I had the time and money to scoot down to Mexico with friends. When do you head back this way?

Jodoza, great news! I am really glad to hear that you have done well and have had a good experience and we sure do appreciate your post. Hang in there and we'll look forward to hearing from you when you feel like being on your computer again.

First, who won? Mashed potatoes are one of the things on my list as mushies when I get to that stage. Are they difficult to eat, or what? Second, I don't think that having a good little cry over some spilled potatoes is that big a deal. I'm expecting to be an emotional light weight since I hear that some of the hormones that we used to produce with our bigger stomaches will be gone. It's a mixed blessing I guess. We aren't as hungry because we don't have all those hormones guiding us to eat but without those hormones we won't be able to be our old selves. If I'm wrong about this, somebody please correct me.

Oh. No I can't see it. I guess I miss a lot of stuff here. My computer has been attacked so often we finally have a gizmo that screens everything and kicks out anything suspicious and sometimes it even kicks out things that aren't surpicious at all. Go figure.

I have played the sax before. I definitely think that drums are harder. Glad that Hope realized some benefit from his PR piece that was awesome. Best of luck for your continued success!

This is the first I've heard of the risk being that much higher with revision. Now I'm officially nervous.

taxi I just heard today from my doctor's surgical assistant that since I know that I tend to eat too fast, I need to buy a baby spoon. She said it will save me a lot of pain and grief. And she said that everytime I take a bite I should wait a while before taking another one. Sounds pretty boring but I am like you... I sure don't want to stretch my new stomach. Gary, you're the only other person I've seen who's from Hope. Are you as cool as he is? :-) Congratulations big time on your phenominal weight loss! Maybe if Bill had gotten the sleeve years ago, he wouldn't have had the heart surgery. I know they didn't have it back then, but I'm just sayin.

angel that is music to my ears! I sure hope I feel that way about food after my sleeve. Congratulations on your fabulous weight loss!!!

I had my pre-op today and visit with my doctor and his surgical assistant. When I asked about spasms and nausea, she said that if I do not stay hydrated I will definitely get nausea. She also said that if I do not eat often enough I will get stomach spasms. I guess she wouldn't have told me either of those things if I hadn't asked about them specifically. So between Annalisa's post and her warnings, I am convinced.

Sorry kid, ya lost me. What woman? Understand what? I don't open random links. It can eat your machine.

Wonder how the cocoa almonds compare with raw almonds in the carb count... I'll check it out since I'm low-carbing it. Yesterday I wound up with pecans and mandarin oranges on my salad in a quaint little cafe. They were a surprisingly good combination I wouldn't have thought of. Now the almond/mandarin orange thing for Breakfast sounds like an easy and tasty solution for breakfast after I heal from the surgery. Thanks for the tip. I have a feeling that pecans and mandarins were too high in carbs right now so I only had a couple of bites. Yesterday didn't turn out to be stellar for me, but I'm going to be better today.

Ouch, don't say fries... I'm low-carbing it! Just kidding. Our Wendy's nearby has gone downhill and their fries and chicken sandwiches are terrible these days! It helps me out because I would have missed the old Wendy's!

I see what you mean. I think my problem with choosing to go there is that nobody who has posted on their behalf has done a good job of actually disproving that the infections and leak ever happened. Instead they say that those kinds of things are acceptable because ALL doctors have complications. And they further claim that it's all lies, all those posts are made up and lies. And for those we can tell are obviously not lies, they are discrediting the posters saying that one brought her problem on herself and one got fired from her job and is a disgruntled employee, etc. So they defend by attacking or saying it's okay because everybody else does it. That's just not good enough for me. Not even for a savings of several thousand dollars.

I started my low carb diet yesterday and tried to have baked chicken for dinner. I haven't had a problem with the band in quite a while but the chicken was so over cooked it caused pain and I lost it. Maybe the band was trying to remind me why I'm going to get it taken out!

It looks like there are at least three of us who will be getting the sleeve next Wednesday the 28th, right? Swiftflow, goodlife and me, BJean. I hope we can compare notes as we go along. Should we use this thread to keep track of each other? Any other April 28th surgeries out there?

Hey I admitted that my doctor hasn't done the number of surgeries that it sounds like Alamanza has. But honestly it is not a given that doctors all have a certain percentage of complications, period. If a doctor is performing surgery, one does expect that complications can occur. But there are actually doctors out there who do not experience serious complications. What you've told me about disgruntled employees makes sense. And I certainly know that there are always two sides to a story. Divorce is a prime example of that, right? But I haven't been privy to all the history of what actually went down and that is the reason I've been trying to get more information. The fact that there are two very opposite and vocal opinions being posted makes it interesting but confusing at the same time. I am happy that you have taken the time to help me out and I'm sure there are lots of peeps lurking who have been wondering about the same questions. Please don't think that I cast aspersions on your doctor. I'm only trying to figure out what is being posted and what makes the most sense. (Wonder why that person Shirley, got fired?) See, there is really no end to the questions that pop up every time someone writes something... LOL

wannalise, that was a very powerful post. Thank you so much. If and when I get home and have similar problems, I will re-read your post and get the encouragement that I'm sure will help settle me down. Congratulations on your journey to this point. You've already lost almost 35 lbs. and that is amazing to someone like me. Your comment that the relatively small number of calories you're taking in now actually provide your body with more nutrition than a meal at Wendy's says a whole lot!