Betsyjane

We all have free will, at any age. Children that are brought up well are still not in their parents' sight all the time and as youngsters, are still developing and can be tempted. Parents have a big responsibility and should step up to it. And even then, things can happen. I just don't see the world as such a black and white place. It stifles my ability to engage in critical thinking.

Here's part of an article I was reading.... There have already been 900 stevia studies. Nineteen of them indicated problems according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Excellent perspective. Thanks.

I love Stevia. But I just read an article that says that with all artificual sweeteners, you may save the calories, but your body reacts as if it's sugar, and produces insulin. then causes you to be really hungry to get enough food in the handle the insulin! Not fair! Think of all the diabetic sugar free candy that's been sold forever...and it increases insulin! The article also said that watching TV shows about food increases insulin so you go eat. Sigh.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Hey, that was really interesting about bulemics. Thanks!

Oh poo. ALL parents ruin their children. And ALL parents enhance their children. We're all human and no one is a perfect parent or child. Bravo to those who choose the best of what their parents have to offer, and bravo to those who didn't, but are trying to change. (Not sure how my prior post was posted out of sequence, but I was talking about Sharon in the last post.)

I've heard that a number of the surgeons have been banded themselves, so they MUST believe in it!

Ha! I'm even worried about being able to comply with the PRE-op diet!

Why the nastiness about Sharon? I don't have kids with drug problems and I'm not being defensive, and I don't believe in swearing around kids....I also don't believe what I see on TV about people's lives on "reality shows". All I want is to not spend my time being negative or being around put downs, and I want is to wish anyone well who is dealing with weight issues.

Sounds like when an alcoholic takes anabuse, and then throws up if he takes alcohol. Sounds good to me!

I'm going for my first consultation Wednesday with Dr. Spivak in Houston. I do wonder though...after reading the posts on this site...it sounds like it takes as much "will power" with the band as without, and I ain't been so good without! I am rehearsing in my head...eating slowly, loving broth, chewing alot, eating mindfully.

After reading a bunch of the posts on this site, though, it sounds like it takes almost as much discipline with the band as without. That's scary. If I'm not good without it, I wonder if I can be good with it.

My struggle is that I am buying in to the TV ads. I should be able to do this myself with better food and more exercise, and that's it. Getting a lap band feels kind of like a failure of will. (But if the pounds come off, I'll get over it!)

If she's purging alot AND gaining wieght AND has the band, she's in trouble. Sounds like she wants to start from scratch and make some choices....

My problem is that I keep thinking people will think I'm a failure...that all I had to do was eat less and exercise more! But I also know that that is more about me than them....There's a little piece of me that kicks me for not being able to do it alone. I'll get over it!

Remember, if they are not supportive now, they may not be supportive after. Be alert of attempts to sabotage your program...whether they consciously mean to or not. They may be in denial about themselves, or acting like alcoholics who try to tempt a friend to go off the wagon so they don't have to look at their own issues. AND THEY WIN IF YOU ARE UPSET. Just keep saying they are who they are and I am who I am, and don't let them rattle you. Whatever they say has to do with them and not with you. Keep your peace.

Does artificial sugar give you gas???? I haven'b been banded yet, but I was planning to stay away from sugar free pops and drinks. Anybody had a problem with them?

Are you glad you did it? I keep reading about such difficult struggles! Makes the TV ads seem like a joke....

Haven't had my band yet...but just wondering. Should I wear a medicAlert bracelet that says that I have the band?

How do you know who is good in Mexico? I hear such horror stories......

WHY do you lose hair after surgery? Is it a nutritional thing that I need to be trying to counteract?

I'm getting the band in a few weeks. I want to get back to exercising as soon as possible. What worked and what didn't during your first month after surgery?