Spartan

One thing you might try is to take a can of Beef stew (with Beef, potatoes, carrots, etc) and toss it in a blender. Blend until thick, soup-like. Or, one of the "Chunky" Soups that has meat in it and use the blender. food like this that is already pre-cooked and seasoned actually tastes really good blended up like that. S.

The face is always the toughest part....it's what people see the most, and it's what YOU see when you look in the mirror. The impact on the face varies a great deal amongst people who have had WLS. I have seen people who have lost hundreds of pounds (literally) and they ended up looking terrific with no Plastic Surgery...I have also seen people who have lost 25 pounds and have ended up looking gaunt, very drawn, and much older. It depends on a lot of things, including your age, the amount of time you have spent in the sun throughout your life, genetics plays a role....lots of things. One important thing is to make sure you drink a LOT of Water during your weight loss....being properly hydrated is SO important to many parts of this process, INCLUDING the way your skin will turn out. Vitamin supplementation is also very important, as is Protein consumption. In my own case, I have lost nearly 200 pounds. People told me that I did look a bit gaunt initially, but that changed a bit.....I have remained at the same weight, but people tell me I look much better than I did in the months right after I finished losing the weight. So, I think that there is, in fact, an adjustment of sorts that the body goes through and it is reflected in your face over time. S.

I would suggest that you see your physician. An infection of any kind at the port site is something that you need to keep a close eye on. If the incision has opened, I would be a little concerned. See your Doctor, Just to be on the safe side. S.

One other thing about the Weight Watchers experience post-banding..... Over the years, I have seen many people on this Board comment on the fact that if you attend the live WW meetings and they are aware that you are banded, they tend to treat you not-so-nicely. It's the old "taking the easy way out" idea that many of them have, and some of them can apparently be rather rude about it. So, if you DO attend the meetings in person, consider keeping the fact that you are banded to yourself. It's information that they do not need to have, and will likely make the experience a better one. S.

ROFLMAO!! Amen!

It has happened a few times here over the years. It is usually due to server changeovers, updates, Patches, or an incremental upgrade of VBulletin Board software. Installing upgrades or patches can very often bring down a server or an application for a period of time. BUT....when that is anticipated, a good webmaster will usually post a notification of some kind....so it might have been some kind of unanticipated event. hard to say.....could have been any one of a thousand things. S.

Actually, that is not necessarily a bad thing. A couch can be an excellent source of Fiber, and, depending upon what activities took place on the couch, an excellent source of Protein as well. I have a few comments on various issues you might want to consider when contemplating the consumption of a couch (or other furniture items). 1.) When planning your couch meal, it is always important to keep in mind that all couches are NOT created equal, calorie and nutrient-wise. If you are going to consume a couch or other furniture items, you need to make sure that you are eating QUALITY furniture, and not just empty calories. A day bed from Ethan Allen is ALWAYS going to provide a higher level of nutrition than, say, a futon from Ikea or a wrap-around from Sears. Also keep in mind that while initially more expensive, the protein and Vitamin content provided by genuine Leather couches far outweighs the additional cost. Note: When purchasing a Leather couch for consumption, make CERTAIN that it IS, in fact, real leather. Naugahyde and other vinyl-like leather replacements, while filling, can often have an unpleasant aftertaste and do not have nearly the beneficial nutrient content of leather. 2.) When possible, ALWAYS choose wood-frame Couches over Metal frame. The wood provides significant fiber and roughage, which is important to your overall health, as well as being beneficial to your digestive tract. Metal frames always take longer to digest, and the paint used to coat the metal frame can often be irritating to the stomach lining. The exception to this would be fold-out couch-beds manufactured prior to 1965, where the frame is made of unpainted Iron. These couches can often be a rich source of minerals and iron, in particular, which will be very important to your overall health and vitality as you are losing weight. 3.) Make certain to check under the cushions before consuming the couch. There can occasionally be items there that might interfere with your pre-surgery diet efforts, such as M&Ms, pencils, TV Guides, condoms (used and in wrappers), socks, underwear, French Fries, Aunt Helen’s handkerchief, hidden Easter eggs from 1979, the occasional deceased rodent, and handfuls of loose pocket change. The ONLY real problem in consuming a couch is that the flame retardant used on the fabric in SOME couches can act as a metabolic inhibitor, slowing the basal metabolic rate, and making it more difficult to lose the weight. So, before you actually consume the couch, you might want to check the Product Safety Tag (PST) that is attached to all furniture to check to see what kind of flame retardant was used on that particular piece. Of course, once you actually have your Lap Band installed, you won’t be able to consume a couch, but many people are still able to enjoy a recliner, an ottoman, and even the occasional Love Seat on days when the restriction is not at its peak. I hope this has been helpful to you in some way. S.

I always get a little annoyed when people mischaracterize ANY of the various Weight Loss Surgery procedures. People always seem to know more about the surgery they DIDN’T have than the one they decide on….and they are, more often then not, quite wrong. Here’s a few comments on a previous post: “Some look great some don't.” Same with Lap band, DS, FP, and Sleeve patients. No surgery has a monopoly on “looking good” post-op. it’s all what you DO with the surgery that determines how you are going to “look”. “It is all in how you want to live your life after surgery.” No, it’s all in how you LIVE after your surgery, not “want to live”. If you are suggesting that Gastric Bypass offers a lower quality of life post-op, you would be wrong. People who have problems with the bypass do so because of their CHOICES after their surgery, and NOT because OF the Surgery. It is the same with ALL of the Surgeries. You can screw them ALL up by making stupid choices. “If you don't mind taking lots of pills everyday because of malabsorbtion” “lots” of pills? A few Vitamins? Huh? If you don’t think you have to take Vitamins Post-Lap band or Sleeve, you would be wrong….again. ANY WLS requires supplementation post-surgery. It is more important to a GB patient that they take Vitamins, but the action is the same….it is simply something you HAVE to do, regardless of the Surgery. It is a non-issue. “if you don't mind messing with natural anatomy...bypass” The old “Invasive” argument. It is NO different than many other surgeries and procedures that are performed to correct a deficiency or malfunction in some area. We have appendixes removed, gall Bladders removed, Heart bypass surgeries, joints replaced, and on and on and on….we have TONS of plastic surgeries. I find it amusing that so many of the people who chose LAP-BAND® over Bypass because it’s “less invasive” are planning to have tummy tucks, facelifts, etc….whole big pieces of skin (an organ) removed. Plastic surgery probably carries as much if not MORE risk than a GB. Not to mention all of the piercings and tattoos we have and don’t even think twice about. But a gastric Bypass? An effective surgery that has been successfully performed for nearly half a century and has benefited hundreds of thousands of patients? Oh No! You’re messing with the anatomy!! Roflmao. “if you eat sugar and don't mind going to the toilet often, then, bypass” Huh? If you are referring to the “Dumping Syndrome” experienced by SOME Bypass patients, then you are mis-describing the experience. First of all, not every Bypass patient dumps. Not nearly. No solid stats, but the estimation is only 15-30 percent. And, the severity of the syndrome varies quite dramatically. For some patients, it is a mildly uncomfortable sensation. For others, it is more severe. MOST people who experience dumping are grateful for it. But “going to the Toilet??” Sorry, you’ve got that one wrong too….you are referring to the diarrhea that can occur with the Duodenal Switch, an ENTIRELY different procedure…..but one that does have it’s place. “I feel that a slower weight loss is healthier,” A slower weight loss IS better. But here’s a news flash for ya….you can CONTROL how fast you lose with the bypass. It’s that simple. You do not HAVE to lose as fast as you are capable of. Again, it all comes down to patient responsibility, and HOW healthy you want to be. I really don’t care what surgery any one chooses, as long as it is based on FACTS, and not a bunch of Baloney. I hate reading stuff that is INCORRECT (as cited above), because although YOU might have chosen your surgery, your mis-information is influencing others who are still in THEIR information gathering process. So, to ANYONE out there trying to choose a procedure….get ALL the facts, and get those facts from reliable sources. ALL of the WLS procedures have value, and each one would be the correct choice for SOMEONE. Your job is to take the time to find out which is right for YOU. S.

The consensus on this issue has changed a couple of times since the introduction of the Lap Band concept. At one time, it was thought to be a temporary device that would be utilized for a period of time during which the patient would lose weight, and then be removed. Over time, that evolved into a semi-permanent installation. Because of increasing problems and complications with the Lap Band (such as erosion), many Doctors are beginning to consider the Band as a temporary 3 to 5 year solution, during which time the patient will be strongly encouraged to use the band to help them modify their behavior and attitude toward food, rather than simply as a weight-loss device that will remain in place forever. Again, this does vary among Physicians. But, there are complications that can require removal, and it happens more often than you might think. The unfortunate part is that once the band is removed, the vast majority of patients DO, in fact, regain a significant portion of their weight, if not all of it. This is because they have not utilized the time spent with the band in changing their habits and attitudes toward food; they simply let the band restrict what they eat. For many people requiring a restrictive mode of Weight Loss Surgery, the Gastric Sleeve is often a better choice…no maintenance, and the elimination of the Fundus Gland, which is a producer of the appetite hormone Grehlin. But, it has its down-side as well. And do not eliminate the option of a Gastric Bypass. It is a proven, successful surgery that has benefited many people over half a century. ALL of the various Weight Loss Surgeries are meant for different people, with different metabolic, eating, and emotional issues. One size does NOT fit all. You need to do a LOT of research and get opinions from multiple Bariatric Specialists to be able to make an informed choice. Some people make the WRONG decision about their WLS, and they end having to do it all over…..you do NOT want to have to go through that. S.

Just out of curiosity, why are you excluding the RNY and the sleeve and others from consideration? S.

Hmmm. You know, what I am seeing in a couple of posts in this thread is some evidence of the idea many people with the band have, that the band is going to do ALL the work. Just because you do not yet have full restriction does NOT mean that you should simply eat as much as you want. The band is not going to automatically “switch on” and keep you from eating….even after you HAVE restriction. YOU have to stop eating at some point. What you need to be doing is to simply decide how much you are going to eat at one sitting (based upon your surgeon’s instructions), and eat THAT much, and no more. It might not be entirely satisfying, but that is part of the adjustment you need to learn to make. You might have to wait a little while after you have eaten to feel satisfied, but it WILL happen. Even though you have a lap band installed, YOU are the one that is going to make it work….or KEEP it from working. The band is not an answer all by itself. You need to work with it the RIGHT way, or it will fail. S.

Welcome to the forum. Sorry you have had so much trouble with the WLS process. There is no procedure that is perfect, and a lot of people have problems, regardless of the surgery they have had. BOB (Band over Bypass) is one of the options for people in your position, and it does work quite well. Of course, the band does require a different state of mind than the Bypass....it is not nearly as "automatic" an experience as the Bypass. You did not mention anything about fills, or what you are eating or anything. Have you had any fills yet? What does your Doctor say about your progress thus far? It does not sound like you have any restriction this far, and restriction is the "name of the game" in the Lap Band world. I think you will find plenty of people here who can offer you some assistance....tell us more about your fills, and what you are eating now.... S.

It could be a lot of things, actually. First, keep in mind that you have lost a LOT of weight in just a few weeks. It is an adjustment that the body might take some time getting used to. You ARE going to feel differently. Second, are you taking supplements? That is very important. You need to be doing that even if you are eating what you percieve to be "enough". Third, are you getting enough Protein? That could be the problem right there. You might consider adding in a Protein shake.....it makes a huge difference for many people. Lastly, you said that you are eating correctly. That means different things to different people....even different Doctors. You might not be eating enough, and it is important that you DO eat enough. The lap band is not about starvation. And, it is important that you are eating the RIGHT food. So many people make the mistake of continuing to eat the SAME STUFF post-surgery as they did before...just LESS of it. The Quality of the food you are eating actually becomes more important to you after you have the Lap Band, because you are eating less, and you have to make sure those calories you are consuming are QUALITY calories, full of the nutrients you need to maintain good health. Finally, keep in mind that any kind of surgery is a "blow" to your body, and it takes time to recover. The effects of the anesthesia, and post-surgical medication and pain killers can all have an impact on how you feel for quite a while. You have been through a lot, and it does take time to heal and recover from ANY surgery. You might want to give your Surgeon's office a call and make them aware of this, and see if they have any suggestions or directions. Hope you are feeling better soon. Just close your eyes and think about all of the shopping you will be doing before long.....:thumbup: S.

The best Vitamins I have found for Bariatric Patients are the products by Bariatric Building Blocks (bbvitamins.com). The have various formulations for the different types of WLS's. One of the reasons I like them is that they taste really great. They make taking Vitamins a pleasure, something you actually look forward to. Regardless of what Vitamins you choose, TAKE them. It is so important, regardless of what WLS you have had. S.

Because the subject comes up a lot, with INCORRECT information....THAT'S why. On Bypass-oriented sites I talk a lot about the Lap Band in the same manner. People need to be informed to make the CORRECT decisions about a very important subject. And very often they are not informed, and they make the wrong choice, and they suffer for it. S.

That is an asinine point of view. It might…just MIGHT… be that those Surgeons who recommend the GB think that would be a BETTER choice for their patients. For many, it is. Some Doctors are motivated by Money. The vast majority are not. The reality is that while GB costs more, it also takes longer to perform. The Lap band is, comparatively, simple. The real money is in Lap Band installations. In the amount of time that it takes to perform a single GB, two or three, even four Lap Band procedures can be performed. Do the Math. In one day of surgery, a Lap band surgeon can make significantly more money than a GB surgeon. It is also a Surgery that requires less experience and skill. No Staple Lines or internal cutting. So, more second-rate surgeons are getting into the business. I have seen other people on this forum say that money is the reason that Doctors push the GB. Apparently, math is not those people’s strong suit. S.

There really should be nothing that would prevent you from using a Tanning bed after a Lap band Except, perhaps, for common sense. But, what's a little skin cancer and prematurely aged skin, anyway. I mean, you're slim now, so that should make up for it... Right? S.

Brenners; I am so sorry you had to experience all of that. It must be very difficult to have enjoyed that level of success, and then have this happen. I will say that you had a superb Surgeon….many Surgeons would have had to open you up completely to extract a band in that condition. You were lucky to have been able to have it dealt with in that manner. A number of things come to mind. First, I know that this must be devastating to you. You have done so well with the Lap Band. You would certainly be considered to be among a select few who have lost that much weight with the Band. You should be very proud of yourself for that accomplishment. In spite of the fact that you had the band to assist, YOU did the work, and YOU made it happen. The other thing you should know is that you are not alone in this. If you are thinking that you are a failure, or that you are simply unlucky, I would suggest that you try and not feel that way, because this outcome happens to people with the Lap band a lot more than you might think. Erosion is one of several outcomes that are becoming much more common. While banding technology has been available for around 20+ years, it has only been widely used for about the last 11 years. It was only approved for use here in the US about 9 years ago, and it has only been in the last 3 or 4 years that a critical mass has been reached where it would be considered a “common” procedure. This means that we really do not know, on a large scale, what the outcomes are long-term. The unfortunate part is that as time goes by, we are beginning to see many outcomes such as yours. The Chief of Bariatric Surgery at one the largest HMOs here in the states has told me on several occasions that he feels the Lap Band will be removed from the market in the near future because of increasing outcomes like yours. Other Bariatric Surgeons feel that the Lap band will be considered to be a temporary three to five year solution during which the emphasis will be on proactively changing the eating habits of the patient, rather than the present idea of it being a passive “permanent volume restriction”. I’m not sure that I agree that it will be removed from the market, because it has benefitted many people worldwide. But, there are members of the Bariatric community who feel that way, quite strongly. So, you’re not alone in this. It has happened to a lot of people. I have seen it happen to people on this forum. Once they lose their band, they usually don’t stay around here long, but there are many posts in the Complications forum that attest to the fact that the band does, in fact, have a “Dark Side”. I do think that it is possible to continue to lose or maintain a weight loss post-band. Many people have done it. In your situation, though, you have regained some weight when the band failed , so you might want to consider the other options that are out there. There are people on this forum who have lost their band and have moved on to bypass, or other options. One very well respected member of this forum (with over 6,000 posts) had their band removed recently because of problems, and is having a Bypass performed this coming Monday. Many people look at the Bypass as the “boogeyman” for some reason, and they wouldn’t even dream of having one. But the fact is that it is a very good surgery with a long history of success world-wide. If you feel that you really cannot continue to lose weight or maintain what you have lost, I would seriously consider it. You will find people on this forum who can tell you what it’s like moving from a band to a Bypass. Nanook is one long-time member who revised to a Bypass. Best of luck to you in whatever you decide! S.

Jaxnole, Sounds like you got caught up in a ”Lap Band Mill”….one of those particularly noxious “in-and-out” centers. Sorry you had a bad experience. Some of those places can sure make you feel like a piece of insurance meat. You mentioned the fact that they are a “Bariatric Center of Excellence”. I know that a lot of people use that designation as criteria for selecting the Surgical Facility who will perform their surgery, but to be honest, it’s not worth very much. Here are some comments on the “Center of Excellence” designation: They are, essentially, a “Trade Organization”. It serves to promote the interests of the bariatric surgery INDUSTRY, and that is not always a good thing for the consumer. The Surgical Review Corporation, the “parent” of the COE program, is offering the COE designation to Surgical facilities that meet certain criteria, and I’m not all that sure that the criteria is that rigid. One of the requirements to be designated a COE is that you give them MONEY. LOTS of Money. One other requirement is that the Surgical facility must perform a minimum of 125 bariatric Surgeries a year. Now, for one experienced surgeon, 125 surgeries a year is not very much at all. BUT, the problem is that their requirement states that only the FACILITY has to have that volume. If they have 5 surgeons in the practice, then to maintain their designation each one only has to perform 25 surgeries in a year. The designation is given per FACILITY, and not per SURGEON. It could, conceivably, be a training ground for “rookie” surgeons, and I would NOT feel comfortable with that. The UP side is that they are requiring statistics to be submitted by all COE designates, so that a massive database can be compiled containing efficacy stats for all the various procedures and products, as a well as a mechanism for Adverse Event Reporting. There is presently NO accurate, single grouping of accurate Statistics for WLS Outcomes, and the COE might be the best hope for obtaining this info. In addition to what was stated above, It is my understanding that a site inspection is not performed by COE officials. All that is required is that some forms are filled out, and a nice, big, fat check is sent to the COE offices, and if the forms look good and the check clears, you’ve got your designation. So, for anyone who is considering surgery and is using the COE as criteria for provider selection, I would not put a lot of confidence in the COE designation. It is ALWAYS best to choose the Surgeon first…..a good surgeon will not work in a sub-standard facility. S.

I understand exactly what he is. And, I also stated that there some things about the story that were a little unclear, and that makes it a little difficult to speculate. And, it would not be all that unusual for a Pyschologist who specializes in Bariatric issues to be part of a team, and as such could help to identify those surgical candidates who would, in fact, be better served by the GB. Part of the success/failure of ANY WLS is the psychological component, and the fact that there is a Psychologist on board is a pretty good indication that this surgical understands this. That is a GOOD thing. As I said, it is unclear as to the dynamic of this particular support group, and why the Facilitator took this stance. Again...it might be because the people in this group were identifed as better prospects for GB than LB. As far as why some Surgeons prefer the GB...well, it's no mystery....the GB WORKS better for many people. And some surgeons have simply had many years of positive experience with the GB and see no reason to change to a different procedure. The very best Surgeons will embrace ALL of the procedures, and utilize them when and where indicated. S.

If you are NOT getting a recommendation from your bariatric team on which surgery to have,...then you have picked the WRONG team. That is part of what they DO...... There are some things in Sandy's story that I am not sure about, so it is difficult to determine what the scenario is here. It is possible that various factors led Sandy to be placed in a group where the Surgeon/Psych team felt that they would be better served by a Gastric bypass than a Lap Band. It does happen. Some people do far better with the GB than the Band. When researching WLS seriously, you really should not go into it with any preconcieved notions about what you should be having. Just be aware of all the options that exist, and then let the professionals work with you to help you arrive at the best decision. If you have picked the right team, then that is exactly what they will do. S.

Many Doctors do have their preferences. And they have them for different reasons. Some GB-biased Doctors have been doing the GB for many years, and simply do not WANT to begin doing the Band. Many Band surgeons can’t DO a Bypass….it is a more complex surgery, requiring more experience and training. There are many, many reasons why Doctors have their biases, and it is not always because of the efficacy of any particular surgery. As an informed patient, it is your responsibility to take the time to do the research and come to a proper conclusion. Now, in your case, it does sound like this Doctor has a bias toward GB. And, that is not a bad thing because the GB is a very, very good surgery for Obesity. It is, as he said, the “Gold Standard”. There are many reasons for choosing it over the Lap Band. But, just because he prefers it does NOT mean that it is the right one for you. Based upon your posts thus far, It would appear that you have decided that you want the Lap Band, and you are looking for a Doctor that will tell that you should have it. I see that in many, many people on this forum. They come here saying that they are looking for information and are trying to decide, but in reality they have ALREADY made their decision and they are looking for support in that decision. The Lap Band advertisements that you see on TV, and on Bus benches and the back of taxicabs make the Lap Band look simple, easy, and fast. And for some, it is. For many, it is anything BUT that. Most people fall somewhere in the middle, losing some weight but not all. For every major Lap Band success story about someone who has lost 150+ pounds, there are literally hundreds of people who lost some, but not nearly all, of their excess weight. So, if I were you at this point, I would not commit (in your mind) to ANY of the WLS procedures, and do some serious research on ALL of the major surgeries: GB, the Band, the Duodenal Switch, and the Sleeve. (there are a couple of others, but are usually not worth mentioning….) They are meant for different people, with different problems. You could very possibly make a mistake if you take any single Doctors recommendation as your final choice. Do your best to remove any bias that YOU have in your mind, and begin attending as many seminars and informational meetings as you can. This is not a race, and if you turn it into one, you might be the loser. Take your time in doing this. S.

Merrywait; The Lap band has worked miracles for many people. However, you really need to be certain that it is the correct procedure for YOU. You mentioned that your Doctor recommended the Gastric Bypass for you. He could have done that for a lot of reasons, but you might want to consider what it is he has to say. He IS your Doctor, so I would hope that he knows your situation. Please be aware that not many GP doctors are all that Bariatric Surgery-aware. Some of them simply recommend what they know about, or have heard something about. Others, on the other hand, are quite knowledgable about it. It’s hard to know how deep their knowledge goes, because it varies a great deal. Going on the assumption that your Doctor DOES know something about WLS, then it is possible that he recommended GB for a specific reason, because he knows you and the difficulties you have had with your weight. The Lap Band and GB are meant for different types of people with different eating and metabolic disorders. People think they are interchangeable, and that is not always the case. While there are people who would do well with either, usually one of them is better than the other for you. There are a great many people who have had the Lap band, and then had to revise to a GB because the band was the wrong procedure for their particular situation. Trust me, you do NOT want to go through this process twice….make the RIGHT decision the FIRST time. The studies that the two posters above cited were funded by Lap Band manufacturers, and are not reliable. They have a product to sell, and they do it by producing “studies”. This is not to say that the Lap Band is not a good thing, but the fact is that it does not work for everyone, and most people do not lose all of the weight that they originally intended to. The other WLS procedures also have their drawbacks…..none of them are perfect. But….ONE of them could be the right one for you. Before you make a firm decision and commit to any of the procedures, I would encourage you to speak to several Bariatric Doctors and get a well-rounded consensus on the path that would be appropriate for you. This is a decision that could very likely have a profound impact on the rest of your life, so it is important to take the time to perform the proper research. You did not become fat overnight, so you should take your time in deciding on a solution to the problem. It could very likely turn out that the Lap Band is the right one for you, but you will not know until you have done the legwork and the research. Never let a conversation with ONE Doctor be the deciding factor in choosing a Weight Loss Surgery procedure. Good luck in your decision! S.

“moderation is key” Huh? Key to what, exactly? Amazing. When I point out a potentially destructive behavior people say I am “angry”. I suppose I am angry. I’m angry at the ignorance people demonstrate when they try to rationalize and make excuses for their stupid decisions. Now, I really don’t care what you do to yourself. You go ahead and eat all the garbage you want. I’m fine with that. Go ahead do everything “in moderation”, and you will be “moderately healthy”. What concerns me is that there ARE people out there who genuinely want to achieve EXCELLENT health, and they might just listen to you and think that it is ok to consume crap….”in moderation”. Sugar can be an ADDICTION for many people, in very nearly the same way that alcohol and drugs can be. So, I’m thinking that if you had a family member who was an alcoholic who had been sober for a while that you might hand him a bottle of scotch and say “here….you’ve been sober for a while….here’s a treat for ya….but please,… drink it in moderation. Hugs”. I see the “everything in moderation” mantra ejaculated around here with great frequency, and while the idea might work for some people, it does NOT work for many. To suggest that you can engage in bad practices part of the time and still realize a high state of health is ridiculous on ANY scale. For people who need to separate from sugar, you don’t give them something that TASTES like sugar. Especially if it is poison. Jeez. I hope you have a “moderately” nice day. S.

You are suggesting that Equal/Slpenda and cookies/muffins and pies are HEALTHY in any way shape or form??? C’mon. You’re not serious. Equal/Splenda are NEUROTOXINS. They are dangerous. And, the only way to get rid of a sweet tooth is to….hang on to your seat here…..STOP EATING SWEETS. Real or fake. I really wish that people would come to understand one very simple truth: The object is not to become thin…..it is to become HEALTHY. And the natural byproduct of being healthy is to be at your Correct weight, or very close to it. And you are NOT going to accomplish this by consuming a lot of baked goods with processed white flour and other ingredients that will NOT lead you toward a state of health. Getting rid of the processed white sugar is ALWAYS a good thing. EXCEPT when you replace it with chemicals like artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners help maintain your addiction to sugar. They keep you “connected” to the sweet taste that you have come to accept as “normal”, and that is BAD. And there are other metabolic consequences as well. By using artificial sweeteners you are merely perpetuating part of the problem that brought you to the point of having to have a “valve/spigot” placed in your stomach to control your eating. To be a real success at this, you need to break free of the sugar addiction, and you cannot do that by continuing to consume sugar or anything that tastes like it. S.