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I just read a great article about Easter; it can be found here: http://www.dailybreeze.com/opinion/articles/6877872.html?page=1&c=y Here's a cut and paste: Evidence of faith, cause for hope Here are ten reasons why the resurrection of Jesus Christ remains the most important occurrence in history. By Paul Viggiano Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church Charles Hodge, the renowned 19th century Princeton theologian, penned these words concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ: "It may be safely asserted that the resurrection of Christ is at once the most important, and the best authenticated, fact in the history of the world." Hodge buttressed this assertion with 10 arguments. Nine of these arguments would pass muster vis-à-vis any other notable historical event. The 10th is undeniable: 1. It was predicted in the Old Testament. The Christian faith began at the dawn of man with God making a promise to redeem mankind through the death and resurrection of the Christ. The Old Testament was a widespread and well-known document. 2. It was foretold by Christ himself. People have twisted the Scriptures from the very beginning. For those who doubted the promise of the Messiah, or were inclined to bend the Scriptures to their own agenda, Jesus re-announced that he would die and rise again. 3. It was an easily verified event. The Resurrection wasn't a matter of secret knowledge. It was a physical resurrection. There was no faith required to observe the risen Christ. 4. It was substantiated by abundant, suitable and frequently repeated evidence. Jesus was a threat to the religion of the Jews and the authority of Rome. They wanted Christianity to end. All they had to do to achieve this was produce the dead body of Jesus. This would never happen. 5. There were numerous, competent witnesses of the event.The Resurrection didn't happen in a vacuum where only the devout or those skilled in piety could observe. Jesus was a public figure followed by hundreds and seen by thousands for 40 days after his resurrection and before his ascension. 6. The conviction of the witnesses was testified by their willingness to suffer even to the point of death. The Christian faith grew dramatically after the ascension of Jesus, due to the spirit-inspired testimony of the apostles who all (but one) were put to death for their faith. It can be argued that people have been known to die for a lie, but it is a much harder argument to make that people will die for something they know to be a lie. 7. God confirmed the testimony of those who witnessed the Resurrection by signs and wonders seen by entire communities. Jesus conferred the power to perform signs and wonder to his apostles; this continued for years. The authorities certainly had the time and occasion to expose these apostles if they weren't genuine. 8. The fact of the Resurrection has been commemorated by a religious observance of the first day of the week from the time it happened until this present time. The regularity of millions (now billions) of people meeting on a weekly basis for thousands of years speaks toward the reliability of the data. 9. The effects produced by the Gospel admit of no other rational solution than the truth of Christ's death and subsequent resurrection. The Christian church is his monument. All believers are his witnesses. The tome of literary, archeological and historical evidence of the Resurrection is simply unmatched. Unbiased observers have taken historical events as fact with much less evidence. The truth of the Gospel, the Resurrection, in fact all of Scripture can, and always has, passed every legitimate method of scrutiny. The real question is, "How legitimate are the methods?" Using man-made disciplines and evidences to determine the authenticity of Scripture would be like using my Casio to determine the accuracy of the atomic clock. Add this to the fact that man has a propensity to interpret facts through his own grid. For example, if someone's grid doesn't allow for miracles, he won't believe the event was a miracle no matter how much evidence he is given; he'll just wait for some new explanation. Besides, it would be foolish to think that God has left us at the mercy of our own ability to do research in order to know the truth, let alone be saved. This brings us to Hodge's last point. 10. Simply put, we know the Resurrection truly took place. Jesus said that his words are sufficient to judge us -- words which we still have in the Bible. The testimony of God's word is self-evident and undeniable. When people deny the Scriptures, they are denying something they know to be true in the depth of their heart. Man's accountability to God is not capricious; it is based in something men know. And what a glorious thing God has revealed to us -- that there is hope beyond the grave. Jesus is called the first fruits of the Resurrection because those who trust in him will be resurrected as well -- this is what the Bible calls the good news. He is risen indeed!

Hi Mellygirl! I'm from Mt. Washington so we're really close! I am getting banded on 10-30-08 but having to go to MX to get it done...no ins coverage but am super excited (and nervous)about the trip. I've done a lot of research and am confident in my decision. Maybe we can keep in touch since we are so close!

I have BCBS also, and you have to read the requirements very carefully. They basically require 6 months of monitored weight loss plan, documented every month by the PCP. Failure to be able to lose 10% of body weight, in spite of the supervised program is qualifying for surgery. When I first read the requirements, I thought it said I had to LOSE 10% to qualify - to demonstrate compliance with the program, but that;s not what it really says. I think I stayed about the same weight. I was tipping the 40 BMI, but what really helped me was getting a sleep apnea diagnosis, which lowered the qualifying BMI. BCBS is tricky. Just read those requirements over and over until you understand them thoroughly. As long as your PCP also documents all your weight loss attempts very thoroughly, you should not have a problem. My PCP did an amazing job. She knew how to "play the game" and told me she had never had any of her patients denied WLS.

Hootiebelle, I did have the band removed and converted to an MGB. I've had a great experience with the MGB and I have also had great success. I've gone from a size 20 to a size 8 in 10 months. I am very happy with my decision to convert.

Wow, that is an agressive fill. I would ask for some clarification from your doctor. I had 3cc placed during the surgery, then 1.5 cc on 12/10/08 and 1cc on 1/14/09.

Yeah, I’m in Victoria. Pre op I was just on 100 at my heaviest. I then decided to take out top cover health insurance and start the ball rolling. In the 12 month wait period I tried duromine, dropped 12 kilos in 3 months but the lack of sleep just made me feel crazy. Was doing good and dropped another 2 kilos off duromine. Then the weight crept back. Over about 10 weeks I went from 86 to 96 kilos. So by the time I saw my surgeon I was so glad he had me booked into hospital 3 weeks from our first visit. So far eating most things has gone really good. Only if I eat one bite too much I vomit a bit. Drinking enough is the bit I struggle the most with. Atm I can eat almost 1/2 to 3/4 of a small yoghurt now. So around 80ml. How much my taste in food changed was the biggest shock. The kids got kfc the other week, I stole one popcorn chicken, one chip, and a little pinch of skin and it all tasted disgusting, and I threw it up within few minutes. Tried a bit of ham cheese and tomato pita bread and was horrible. Things I would normally love taste vile, I really hope it stays that way forever haha. Try to have a variety of shakes and sugar, free jelly, different stuff to make smoothies when you come home from hospital. All the things I drank a lot of the first couple of weeks I can’t stomach now. They ones I switched up often I have no problem with now.

Went to Curves yesterday and trick or treated with son for about 1.5 hours last night, but went to a Halloween party and had a deviled eggs, candy, cupcake binge. Now I've eaten about 10 pieces of candy FOR BREAKFAST and am dragging butt on going to Curves, help!!!! Desperate need of motivation. : (

And I've lost 10 pounds so far

182.7:clap2: 185 on Geiss' scale 10lbs dn in 6 weeks...Next apt is Feb 2 @ 2pm 10 dn = 175 YES!!!!:kiss2:

Hi, I am a 49 year old nurse that is having the lapband on Tuesday the 22nd. I am scared and excited. I have told a handful of friends and my family. I started this journey in June of 2007. I have lost 10 pounds in the preop time ( which was about 3 weeks). I had to appeal my insurance when we first filed, but then they came back with me having to do the 6 month diet supervised diet. I actually didn't loose any weight during that time and I was very worried that because of that they would not approve me. I checked with the surgeons office and they hadn't heard anything so they checked with insurance and within 4 hours I was approved. It all happened so fast after that. I will check into your parogress..mama59

I experienced a lot of stomach gurgling yesterday. Leah, who got sleeved at the same time as me, said she did not which is another indication that everyone experiences everything differently. She experienced lots of gurgling the day before on ice chips. I was too chicken to take my drugs last night with my stomach acting out of sorts. We got a few pain pills, which I don't need but I am keeping "just in case" (the gurgling was uncomfortable but not painful and was only accompanied with liquids I was trying to ingest). Antibiotics and something for my stomach which I believe is acid reducer. I'll try the drugs today. Not sure why my stomach was all gurgling. Could be that I took the nasty leak test, followed by a popsicle, followed later by some broth, followed later by some super sweet apple juice (all in little amounts but my tummy was letting it all be heard). I was pretty active yesterday once we hit the hotel. I sat by the pool just to get some sunshine and enjoy the beautiful weather (too cold for pool but nice for sitting). Then I took a cab and went to a place to get a pedicure that the hotel bell hop recommended that was close by called Soleil. It was super close to the hotel and I could have walked but because I was unfamiliar with the area I thought it best to take a cab. I'm going back today and I will most likely walk. While I was there I had my eyebrows waxed and upper legs waxed. All three things cost approximately $50 total american. Totally worth it. You get a 10% discount if you mention you are from the hotel. Leah and her friend braved the traffic walking and went to a Starbucks and a convenience store where she got some Gatorade (I'll go get some this morning at some point). I am also getting my teeth whitened today. It is something I've always wanted to do. I'll post about that when I am finished. I tried to be on a semi normal sleep schedule that first night just to get my body back into the routine. I went to bed at 8:30 p.m. which is a little short of my normal 10 p.m. bedtime. I am up at 5 a.m. so I would consider that pretty normal (normally I am up by 6 a.m. at home). I slept in all different positions last night without any problem. Normally I sleep on my side but I woke up in the middle of the night on my stomach. The main incision on my left is hurting a bit but nothing too horrible. The beds don't have a fitted bottom sheet (it has a flat bottom sheet) so with all my tossing and turning at night (which is normal for me) I managed to rip off the bottom sheet and expose the mattress. That is annoying. I wish I had thought to bring compression socks with me for the flight home. I am worried about blood clots the most. I think I would add that to any packing list people are making from this point on. Also I would have had my larger bills broken up into smaller ones. I've been running into some problems trying to make change or not having small bills for tipping. I could have lived without a robe. The night nurse at the Florence Hospital gave me a second gown that I would use as a robe while I was there. Since I don't wear robes at home I might leave the one I purchased here at the hotel and save some packing space. As I think of more stuff I will post.

First day home had my surgery tues 11/19/13 feeling good took a shower wen I got home that made a big dfference yelled at my teenagers to clean up started my period last night I read bout that an new was going to happen to me lol

I don't think its bad necessarily for you to be below 1000 caories for a few days -- but IMHO its all of the yo-yo dieting we've done over the years that has messed up our metabolisms -- so a low calorie plan for a few days or weeks might trigger gain once you start eating more calories. And of course if you cut out carbs, once you have them you could regain some, but with that said, instead of a liquid diet - have you tried the plateau busting diet? I am sure you have seen it: (I have it saved but haven't tried it yet!) Dr. Fox' weight loss plateau/stall diet. Heard of it? It's ONLY for 10 days.....We could easily drop 10 pounds doing this...<o =""></o> 2 quarts of Water EVERDAY<o =""></o> 45 grms Protein supplements EVERYDAY<o =""></o> Daily Vitamins<o =""></o> 3 oz. of the following 5 times a day<o =""></o> Beef<o =""></o> Pork<o =""></o> chicken<o =""></o> <st1:country-region><st1 ="">Turkey</st1></st1:country-region><o =""></o> Lamb<o =""></o> Fish<o =""></o> eggs<o =""></o> low-fat cheese<o =""></o> cottage cheese<o =""></o> plain yogurt<o =""></o> Peanut Butter<o =""></o> beans/legumes<o =""></o> <o =""></o> You can also have sugar free popsicles (no real fruit ones though)<o =""></o> tea/coffee/diet soda/crystal lite<o =""></o> 30 mintues of exercise a day.....or more if you wish. Good luck! <o =""> </o>

I don't particularly care for canned chicken. Smells too much like tuna to me. I found these Tyson Grilled and Ready strips. 19 grams of Protein per 3oz and they taste pretty darn good too! They're soft so they are easy to mush up or chop, and they come in several different flavors (I think there are beef strips as well). Today, I tried the fajita chicken breast strips. Tossed them in some olive oil, peppers and onions. VERY TASTY. http://www.tyson.com/Promotions/Grilled-and-Ready.aspx

A new month, a new week, and new focus, new goals! My husband wants to get back to the gym, so we are going tonight. I also went down to the gym today on break and did 20 min on the elliptical machine. I'm going to focus on exercise this month! I know I say it all the time, but I really really am trying, I don't know why I do so good for a week then fall off the wagon. I think if my husband gets to the gym, that will help to have a buddy. wt was up a bit this morning 170.6 grrrrrr I brought my lunch today, I brought some roasted chicken, i'm headed down to the cafe to get a small tosses salad to go with my chicken. I also scheduled yet another fill. grrrr. I'm sick of fills, but I'm not giving up until I have my sweet spot. My next fill is next week at 10:00 am. Yay. I can't wait to get a fill and hopefully have my sweet spot. This fill is pretty good, I just think I need a tad more. Wt 170.6 Exercise - 10:00 am - 20 min on elliptical 3:00 pm - 30 min brisk walk around my building spines a few time. 8:30 pm - upper body workout 30 min on elliptical

Day 10 rocks! Ok so I am finally look less puffy and my incisions are looking great. I feel great today. I am so ready to eat mushy food but have till weds I think. Sigh. I have been so good with food I deserve one thing that tastes good. I am craving chkn' veggie nuggets. I think those will be ok to eat on the mushy diet especially if I nuke them they get soggy. I am so glad I have tomorrow off. Not sure what to do with myself?

Day 10 rocks! Ok so I am finally look less puffy and my incisions are looking great. I feel great today. I am so ready to eat mushy food but have till weds I think. Sigh. I have been so good with food I deserve one thing that tastes good. I am craving chkn' veggie nuggets. I think those will be ok to eat on the mushy diet especially if I nuke them they get soggy. I am so glad I have tomorrow off. Not sure what to do with myself?

It's Halloweenie! Since I'm still on liquids, I bought no candy for trick or treaters. I had one come up though my light wasn't on. Ignored. Then I had some middle schooler come up at 10:50pm. WTH! So anyway, I have one week left on liquids and it's REALLY getting old!!! I know my stomach is healing and all that but still - I wanna chew my damn shoe. It's funny b/c I'm craving a scrambled egg and I don't even eat eggs that often. Lulu told me that she has, for the most part, lost the desire for snacking. Please God, let that happen to me!!! Oh and I weighed yesterday and am down 16.5 pounds. :mad2:

I don't think you are going to hear from many people who have been banded 10 years? But, I think the gastic sleeve in its new form, performed by the right people, using the right technique, is the future. I don't think any real miracle is coming within the next 10 years. Just my opinion.

I've been banded almost 4 years now. Like you, I've never really assumed this will be a lifetime thing, I really hope to get 10 years out of it, if nothing better's out there and my band wears out, I wouldnt hesitate to get another. I'm intrigued by the sleeve and I do believe for a lot of people its a better surgery but I dont think I'd swap over, I think I'd get another band. If I were so lucky as to get 20 years out of it, I dont know what I'd do then, whether I'd have any other WLS at all. I really think the longer this goes on, my habits are becoming more and more consolidated. I dont want to be so arrogant as to say that I could have done this without the band, but I am now maintaining my weight on about 1800 to 2000 calories a day which is quite a reasonable amount of food (I have to work REALLY hard to get it all in, but I need it) and I will never give up running, I love it. So I lost 120% of my excess weight and whilst I'm sure I'd have rebound weight gain if I lost my band in even 10 years, I dont think I'd really shoot up to my previous high, which was heavily influenced by being a stay at home mother of young children, something which no longer applies to me. Not sure there. But I do think somewhere in the future they'll work out how to control our appetites, not restrict our stomachs! i dont need an emergency fund, in Australia, if my band slips, wears out, or I just want it out, its pretty much free. Our health insurance covers it, no arguments, no pissfarting around. Its paid for. I paid a once only $3000 fee and I will never pay for any service from my surgeon out of my own pocket again. He bulk bulls everything, so its billed straight to our public health system and my private health will always pay for ANY hospital stay costs.

Hello All My orientation date has been moved up a month to May 10 with Kaiser Southern CA. :001_smile:I am so elated to start these 12 week classes after orientation. Hope you all are still doing great. We are a wonderful people.

Hi all! Have just found this site and I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you. I'm asking for a bit of encouragement. I'm 10 days post op from my gastric sleeve surgery. Doing well at getting in my Protein and my fluids but I am so craving something to eat!!! I am not craving a burger or pizza - just something with a little substance. I am scheduled to go back for my first post-op appt with the nurse practitioner on 1/6 but unless they change their usual post-op plan, I will still have another 2 weeks after that of just liquids before moving to "mushy" foods. I know I can do this but it's a challenge for sure! Any suggestions are welcome. I'm still using the protein supplements that I got from the doctor presurgery and do best with the Soups. I bought some whey powder from Walmart but really don't care for the taste of it. I'm thinking I'm going to try the premade shakes and see if I like them better. I have tried the Atkins shakes in the past and liked them ok but they are more expensive. But it will be worth it if it helps me stick to the liquid phase right?

I used my Protein shake as a 10 a.m. snack (64 gram) I could not gulp it..it took about 45 minutes to get the whole thing down. I siped, siped, siped all day and night. At the beginning of each day I would put crystal light or what ever powder flavor i was using into 4 16.9 oz bottles, all I had to do was make sure I drank all 4 bottles by the time i went to bed. My surgeon/nutritionist gave me all written instructions before the surgery and then sent me home from the hospital with more written instructions on exactly what I should be eating/drinking and when.. They game me the 3 day post op instuctions, 1 wk, 2 wk, 3 wk, 4 wk, etc. etc. I would contact your surgeon because each one is different in their post op instructions.