BJean

Big sigh of relief! Hope you don't encounter any repercutions from swallowing your gum. But you've enlightened many of us about something we were totally unaware of. Thanks.

Well I've always enjoyed getting a good buzz and have been known to have a few too many from time to time. But alcohol just never has made me feel as good as ice cream used to. Weird, huh? I totally understand the dependancy transfer situation. I imagine I could figure out how to do that. Not that I'm on self-destruct, mind you. But I am a girl who likes to have fun. Many of my friends like me better with a few drinks in me because I'm generally so darned uptight all the time. I'm one of those chicks who grew up needing to have everybody like me and so I've been bad about trying TOO hard, if you know what I mean. That kind of behavior often makes others uncomfortable and kinda feel sorry for you. Gawd, youth is wasted on the young! Thanks for the feedback, Jane.

LOL, ROLLEYES, LOL!!** **That's what we get from you when you have nothing you can come back with. If I'm a dramaqueen (one word?) what do you think that makes you, my dear?

You know, don't you, that wealthy men confer with and back Rush Limbaugh, right? And we all know who is backing Fox networks and various newspapers and the other interests that Rupert Murdoch runs with an iron fist. And that jerk oilman who claims "wind power" is his gift to America. And we know about many other extremely wealthy men who influence the Republican party and the Republicans in congress. And that's who the tea party movement supports - and guess what? The tea party's roots are within the wealthy influence peddlers. They're intertwined, big time. And they've sucked in Americans who like to think of themselves as conservative, God-fearing, patriotic Americans. They love capitalism, hate welfare, are outraged at the thought of socialism in any form, think they should keep every dollar they make, etc., etc., etc. Well if they had a clue they'd understand that the people they're supporting in congress and the money behind campaigns to destroy Acorn and the president and the speaker of the house and other Democratic politicans, is handled by the extremely wealthy billionaires, who do very little to provide jobs or pay taxes to help run this country. And yes, Americans are becoming expendible to them. Or have already become expendible when it comes to the labor force. When I was talking to the DirecTV folks the other day, trying to make some changes to my service, I was routed to a person whose job it was to clarify the order and make sure I understood the charges. I could understand about every third word she spoke due to her very heavy Indian accent. It was extremely frustrating and par for the course these days. What used to take about half an hour (at worst) took me most of 2 hours! This used to be such a fine place to live, work and raise your family. Now it's turned into a fine place for billionaires to get richer and the middle class and poor are finding it more and more difficult just to keep their heads above water.

Yup, those two things, the travel and the wilde beests, are the reason I haven't wanted to make the trip. But I dunno if I had the chance to go I probably would. Your photos of the Sex in the City party were very cute. You're a better man than I for being able to manage those shoes until the wee hours. Which brings up a good question: wine? I have teetotled since surgery because of all the stories I've heard. Plus my dietician says that alcohol is hard on the tummy. Have you had any problems? I have a tendancy to get drunk on small quantities (being part red Indian, ya know) so I've been afraid that I would totally make a fool of myself by waking up with a lampshade on my head and burn marks on my knees.

Sounds fab. Do you have to worry about sharks there? How long does it take to get to Australia from your neck of the woods?

Enjoyed your posts, Will B and Cleo's. And now the baby boomers are stuck with the world that they helped create - capitalism on steriods. And all we thought we wanted was a retirement that allowed us to have more than what a social security check would buy us. We wanted was to go out in comfort with a beautiful (oversized) home, fancy cars, a TV in every room, luxurious vacations and the assurance that we won't be stuck in a nursing home run with medicare funds. Too bad. The stock market and now the world market has changed all that we worked hard and planned for. But Bush and Cheney and their Yalie cronies WILL have all I mentioned and much more. But at the country's expense and certain at the expense of many upper and middle class baby boomers. Now we just hope we can hang onto our big homes until the housing market recovers. Otherwise, we may be standing in line with the working poor for health care, food and a place to sleep.

Not weighing everyday is smart. I didn't weigh once during my vacation - two whole weeks! And I was thrilled to find that I'd lost about 5 lbs. So I definitely see the merit in not weighing so often. But I am trying to learn what foods and exercise cause the best results and when I see the scale move down even a few ounces I consider it a huge success. I've lived for so long either not weighing or when I did weigh, it was nearly always showing a weight gain, not a loss. I've always wondered about scuba diving. It seems like it would be magical. But I haven't felt comfortable in a swimsuit for so long I just never even considered doing it. I know you'll get the opportunity and I hope that it's everything you dreamed it would be. Let's both keep up the good work!!

One of the most telling sentences in the propaganda you posted, patty, is the one that says even though science and the Bible are consistent there are many things we don't understand. Well, if that is true why do you and others insist that you do know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? And btw, as Cleo's pointed out the Bible and science are quite contradictory in places. You can't explain the contradictions so you choose to believe one way only. And interestingly and annoyingly, you did not post the source of your original text and as usual one might believe that you were the source of part of the writings. Then when Cleo's pointed out the innaccuracy of some of it, you claim you don't agree with part of it. You're a mess.

It really is a great feeling! I woke up this morning down another pound. I am feeling pretty normal too. I look at the scale though and know that to be my real self, I still need to get the rest off. I will be so happy when I can wear a petite size 8. That is where I should be for my bone size and height. After I had my second child, I weighed 162 lbs. I still have the chart I kept when I worked my way back down to 110. I don't expect to be that small but I am sure that if I get to 130, I'll look nearly as good and be healthier and more energetic. One goal is to go skiing this winter. It's been many years since I've been able to ski. Do you have any goals like that or are you just keeping focused on your weight goal?

Thanks for the tip! My daughter buys those. I'll try it. I do not get hungry either but definitely get that "empty" feeling that only gets worse if I don't eat something. If this is the way it will be for the rest of my life, I will be a happy camper. When I'm having a meal and I get that dull ache that signals that I am full, it makes me very happy! I love eating so little. I woke up in the middle of the night last night and ran my hands over my ribs sticking out and my much smaller waist and grinned to myself. What a feeling!

My doc said something like, well you can still regain weight the weight you've lost after you get the sleeve since your stomach can stretch like with the band, if you eat too much or the wrong foods. He's a highly educated and savvy person so I'm wondering if he was just trying to put the fear in me so I won't eat the super foods (high calorie, low complex carb foods like candy, ice cream, pastries, etc.) I sure hope he's one of the doctors that Tiff's post mentioned. Meaning the ones who remove all of the stomach except the muscle part. I wonder if I should ask him about this because he's the reason I am so worried about stretching the pouch because of what he said about regaining lost weight. If I didn't have to worry about that, I might be able to relax and accept a slow weight loss with the confidence that I will reach my goal eventually and if I eat nutritious food I won't have to worry about getting obese again. I've seen many people who had gastric bypass regain most of the weight they lost. In fact, there's one gal I know who regained everything and more. Has anyone heard of the "rosebud" surgery for patients like that?

stcyt, how are you doing? I notice that you don't have all that much more to lose.

Yes, how true Cleo's.

Great plan. You must know from experience that the obesity issue is far more complicated than just calories in and calories out. There has to be some brain chemicals involved or hormones that get askew or something. People don't want to be obese and the fact that we'll allow our stomach to be cut out and intestines re-routed or a big instrument of restriction put over our stomach proves that. I often think of it like anorexia. No one wants to die from starvation. They can't help themselves. And it isn't a matter of will power alone. It's the same (although in reverse) with many obese people. It's complicated and there hasn't been enough research to determine exactly what happens when people either become out of control eaters or they find it impossible to eat to stay alive. And people who have no eating disorder can't fathom that it is anything beyond the mind controlling one's bodily activities. It sounds like my doctor is a lot like you. He knows someone needs to help people. Obesity is a national epidemic in the U.S. I lived in Canada (Montreal) for a couple of years in the 90's and there was a lot of discrimination against overweight people there at the time. Is that still true?

Loserbob, I'd like to believe that you're right. But Americans seem to believe the last crazy "news" flash. Republicans are fully aware of that and take advantage of it in every election. Sensationalizing, lying and misrepresentating the facts are their credo for winning elections. It usually seems to work for them. And then the voters wonder what happened and why they fell for it when they're dealing with the aftermath. If it weren't for Sarah Palin, there's a good chance John McCain would have been elected. But perhaps we are finally seeing the pattern, finally seeing that the Republican political machine is not to be trusted. But sometimes their wickedness can't be identified until too late, as in the Swift Boat fiasco where they enlisted the signatures of actual former military officers to bring down John Kerry in the last moments of the campaign. Who would have thought that would be possible? A group of military men bringing down a bona fide war hero? Republicans will stop at nothing to regain the power they have lost. NOTHING. So hang onto your hats. The next presidential election will probably be obscene.

Will B I just read your full post above that Cleo's quoted and I'm sorry I'd missed it earlier. Greatness, dude!!

We are not a painting. We're living, breathing creatures that have evolved. If there was a big bang, it merely started the evolution of things to come. People take the Bible too literally. That is not to say that God doesn't exist. But if we are to be intelligent creatures, ever evolving to a higher level, we must realize that science and nature are a fact of life and unless we choose to mentally live in the dark ages, we must be constantly learning and growing and adapting to our environment.

If Graham is speaking with a softer stick, it's because his constituents have been giving him negative feedback about his behavior and his party. He needs to figure out a way to work with this congress and this administration and get things done for the people who elected him. Compromise has always been the way laws are made in Washington. Repbulicans have been "just saying NO!" (thanks a lot Nancy Reagan) and their constituents are beginning to realize what that means for them - the people.

Morgandobes, I never let my tight pants slow me down. That was the problem. I just kept buying bigger ones. I think that having had the band and all the problems it caused has helped me identify real early when I am getting to the point of eating too much. You'll learn and improve, it just takes time to figure it all out. And you've lost a really good amount of weight so far. You're doing great... you WILL get there! Now I admit that I'm trying to believe it for myself as well!

Nativtxn: I'm glad to know I'm not the only one that worries about this stuff!! What about the slushies, are they sugar free? If not, do you worry about things like that? I even obsess about bar-b-q sauce and things like that, even though there is so little on the things that I've had! I've got to calm down some! :thumbup: I believe that the small slushie (which is not sugar free) is probably around 200 calories. And I have half at one sitting which is about what other everyday snack foods (not low-calories ones) would cost me. So although it does have sugar, I allow for that in my overall caloric intake. I haven't been actually figuring out my caloric intake everyday like I was but I must be staying around the 1000 to 1200 range because I'm not gaining weight. When I first had something with sugar in it after surgery, I was worried that I would, like a gastric bypass patient, have the "dumping" syndrome. But I didn't. One of the biggest benefits of the sleeve for me at this point though is that ice cream makes me very uncomfortable - even in extremely small quantities. Ice cream has been one food that I've never been able to do without and when I was really obese, I ate massive quantities of it all the time. So not being able to eat and enjoy it is absolutely fantastic! I think that's another reason why I enjoy the slushies so much is because I love the cold and they're not as high calorie as ice cream - or as addictive. And they help me get in some Water even if it's frozen. Hope I'm not just justifying something I really shouldn't be having. I had a barbeque rib last night with part of a baked potato. It tasted good but I didn't like the way I felt afterward. Not uncomfortable from being full, just yukee from that heavy smokey barbeque taste. I've found that the simpler my foods are, the better they sit with me. How about you?

Booklean I went on a similar two-week trip the summer before last and I dreaded the cobblestones in all those ancient cities. I managed to keep up with my little group too and was so proud of that. Congratulations on having such a wonderful experience! This summer I was able to do all that was required to fully enjoy Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons for two weeks. I even rode a horse 5 miles into the wilderness and negotiated the thick growth to learn how to fly fish and then 5 miles back on the horse to civilization. I also climbed a trail for 2 hours that was very rocky and steep to view a hidden waterfall, among other exciting activities like rafting, etc. All this from a woman who 4 years ago was told that I had no choice but to have both knees replaced. I didn't have THAT surgery - I first had the band and now the sleeve - and I'm far healthier and mobile because of it. Keep up the good work! It's too bad we don't walk more here in the U.S. everyday like they do in Europe!

BetsyB is the voice of sanity in this discussion. We acquired a beautiful min. schnauzer puppy that my vet said was going to be a "biter" but didn't recommend that we get rid of her. Instead he said she's going to get very protective of you and your husband and the situation will escalate. You need to get another dog. That's what we did. Long story short, she has been a wonderful pet and companion and is absolutely no threat to the grandchildren. Ever. We've had them for 11 years and they are like family members. I never in a million years thought I would feel this way but if one of my dogs bit someone I would need to analyze the situation and come up with a reasonable game plan that didn't include just discarding the animal. My nephew was sitting on his aunt's lap one day when he was 2 years old. The aunt's long time family pet, a dachhound, scrambled up her legs and very aggressively bit the nephew several times on his face. He had to have plastic surgery and even now, as an adult, looks like he had surgery for cleft lip and surgery on his nose. So the size of the animal doesn't necessarily tell you how much permanent damage a dog can do. So I sure don't believe that dog bites should be taken lightly! That being said, just keep your children (and all other children) away from this obviously jealous and protective animal. But don't ask your mother to choose between her pet and your kids... she might just choose the animal that loves her the most and the one that gives her unconditional love.

I think I'm going through right now what it sounds like you're concerned about. I am scared to death that I'm not going to get all the weight off. I haven't really stalled yet but have actually WANTED to eat a little more lately and that truly scares me. I believe that perhaps the swelling from surgery is gone and that is why I can eat more than I was able to. At least that's what I'm hoping and that it isn't that my stomach is getting bigger. And one other problem I have acquired is SLUSHIES! I have trouble getting in enough Water. If I drink more than a couple of drinks of water at a time, my stomach hurts. I've found that a cranberry-grape slush from Sonic not only goes down easy, but it doesn't make my stomach hurt. I usually buy a small and drink half and save half for a while later. I'm afraid I'm becoming addicted because I'm wanting to do this almost every day! I can't tell you how scared I am of stretching my "pouch" and not losing the rest of the 30 lbs I need to for reaching my goal and staying there. Maybe this is a common thought process for people who've dieted a lot and regained the lost weight and more. Also, I had the band prior to the sleeve and regained half the weight I'd lost with the band. This is scary stuff!

It is odd how meds and anesthesia affect people differently. When my dad had major surgery, he kept thinking that he was actually in the shows on the television in his hospital room. I think they did wind up giving him something like Klonopin.