Search the Community

Wow, it has been great reading these post, now I don't feel alone. I have 2 for you: I have been going to the same ob-gyn for years. He has saw the scales go up and down like crazy. I asked him is there anything that would help me (meaning meds) He said" sure, duct tape. It really hurts when you rip it off" Hopefully, I will like my new Ob dr. 2nd jerk, getting a pedicure, same girl that has done them for years. Was talking about Lap band, this nasty man beside me says, "just stop eating" I shouldn't have been so rude, I just smiled and said, "just stop breathing" Of course then I explained that if I was an alcoholic I could never have it again or if I was a drug addict I could never have them again, however food is required to live. Then thanked him for putting his comment into our conversation. I'm from the south so I sure he didn't realize I was being sarcastic. Why do people think this is the lazy person's way? I am only 5 days post op and it has been very painful. I didn't come out of surgery skinny. Oh well, let's keep our head up and lose the weight with this valuable tool. Good luck everybody. We are all beautiful.

Okay ladies, it's me...........I'm here...... It took me forever to catch up on all the posts... I was about 8 pages out...... I'm glad most of you are doing pretty well.... I'm okay. It's been a roller coaster ride for me... After my trip to the ER for morphine I saw my GP who gave me muscle relaxers and Lidocain patches for my neck... That has improved things... then had the second epidural spinal shot this past Thursday and am still sore from it... Had some pain today, but it is gone right now.... I have permission to keep using the muscles relaxers and the lidocain and am trying to slack off on the pain pills and the sleeping pills... I so need for this to not be the foremost thing in my life anymore... It has just taken me to crazy places.... I have so much to do for DD's wedding and other things... They don't really take my physical energy at this time, just my clear headed thinking to organize and make calls and generally get my sh## together... Same as all the other things on my desk... But I haven't been able to do much of that either... DD has been very ill and had to help with Mimi for 2 days.... She was very good and I didn't have to man-handle her, but just keeping up with her took it all out of me...... SO....................with my fingers crossed, I'm going to say I'm a bit better right now... Have been sleeping pretty well in my bed and that is a good thing.........My Goddaughter graduated from High School (GED) after quitting school last year.. Her class graduates in a few days so she actually got it done right on target, but just couldn't handle going to school here with kids who wouldn't let her live down her mistakes... I'm so proud of her and had to be there for support...... She has scheduled ACTS and has done the FAFSA to start college in nursing in the fall...... That has taken my time, too..... Anyway, you all have been so busy... I'm going to try to do a response from memory, so bear with me.... Janet, thank you for taking the time to e-mail and check on me.... I do know how much you all care and wasn't gone because I was upset or anything..... just so overwhelmed with my life..... I'm proud of you and am glad your trainer set you straight on the credit thing.. That's what you have been telling me for quite some time!!!! Flowers are pretty.... I got some from my brother and wife today when they stopped by for a visit.... Apples, I love you and your smile, but I want you to be happy..... I support you 100% on making yourself feel the best you can be.... I'll look forward to seeing the new you..... Have fun at the lake..... Hugs on the family issues, but I know what a survivor you are and know you already have it handled and put where it belongs.. Jessica, oh you pretty girl..... I'm so proud of you.... Loved all the pictures and you are just so in the right place now..... You are blossoming into just the most beautiful lady...... I can hardly wait to be out of the clothes I've had for years hoping to wear again one day.. I'm almost there...... Good luck with the camping trip and take Janet's advice and try a little of the "bad stuff" just to show your MIL that you are a real trooper.... She has to see how well you have done and respect you for that....... Great going on the grades.. Laura K..... Nice that graduation went so well.... I'm sure you are anxious for the trip... enjoy it all.... and then think of all the times you can come to visit and just have fun...... Phyll, Hey I'm loving the idea of I-94...... I'm 36 miles from it at Bismarck, ND..... I'll be looking forward to an itinerary so we can plan lunch or supper or whatever......... Yes, you are a groovy gramma.... I don't get all those gadgets... I don't even text....... I wish I could do your water aerobics... I miss them so much... Have all I can do to get myself out of my chair right now.... Deb, so glad you had a wonderful time in NY...... seeing all those stars was exciting... Just being with your family was the best I'll bet...... and you did so well with food.... good for you.. Jodi, girl, you are such a goer.... Sorry you had such a tough time letting go of the dog..... but you have so many good stories and memories of him now.... Hope you are feeling better soon... Congrats on the new look.... funny that Dassi didn't recognize you at first...... Arlene, glad your mother is better................ and the others are right... You are doing so well that the exta water weight will just show up next time.... proud of you... Laura, yes, I love to see the pictures... Your baby is growing..... cute little lisp..... enjoy it.... Your parents are hanging in there and that is what matters... Better Mom lets it out than keeping it all inside..... Let's hope things will be better very soon.... Glad you had a great Mothers Day trip.... Melissa, glad you are doing well with your version of Arlene's shake program.... Whatever works is great... Eva, our galavantor (SP).............off again to some fun thing.... I think it's great.... I'm not a big travelor like you and Apples, but it sounds so exciting... Your projects are all so exciting, too... You are such a hard worker..... Hope your job calms down or that you find one that deserves you.... Joyce, yes, sounds like you are too tight...... At least a call to the doctor is on order.... Can't remember....are you the one who lost 7 pounds..... If so wonderful....if not, wonderful to the one who did...... I'm getting to the CRS phase now...... Cheri, thanks for the tip....yes I thought of that, but had it checked early on and they said all was well there... Glad you enjoyed your singing...... Sounds as though your summer is planned for you.... Linda, you are such a busy lady.... Seseme Street will be fun.... I remember taking DD when she was little.... Was so much fun to see the little eyes light up..... Judy, so glad you joined in to tell us of your new-found commitment... OA is something I tried once, but wasn't ready for what they had to offer and I had to drive so far...... I'm really pulling for you and I wish you would let us be your support.... We love you and want to be here for you...... We are all addicts.... With all that has been going on for me I am so glad for my band... I just plain have not been paying attention to food.... just eating what is comfortable and easy... The band stops me from doing anything stupid and I lose a pound once in a while.... I am fluctuating on 274-275 now... would just love it to drop, but how can it when I don't do the work.....????? I'm hoping that will come now if I can feel better..... I can do more and be more active and take time to eat the way I know the weight will come off.... That is what we all have to do..... And that is what OA will steer you towards I believe..... Eating only what you need and not what you want.... It's a struggle for all of us.... I always wished I that alcohol had been my drug of choice because I could give it up entirely... With food, it's always there or you die...... It's an incredible thing..... You are on the right track and I have faith that you can turn this around..... Let us help..... Lori, I know you are out there searching for you dream house, so wish you lots of luck.... Peaches, welcome....... looking forward to getting to know you better.... Good luck getting back on track and making that 10 pounds history...... Well, sorry to have written a book...... Did I miss anyone???? God I hope not, cuz I didn't mean to do that........ I love you all and thank you for sticking with me through this horrible ordeal I have been going through.... I'm praying that things will be better very soon and I can relax and get on with my life.... Thanks for being my support and my friends..... Hugs and prayers to all............. Julie

Hi Everyone, I had to catch up on around 5 pages of posts and don't remember what everyone wrote! :redface: Dex is adorable, congratulations! Ali, don't you have a sleeve? I was told no pills at all until after my 1 month checkup. They said not to risk injuring my staple line, even at three weeks. OA - I was a member till a few years ago. I started in 1989. I think that my years in 12 step really prepared me to deal with surgery and following the rules. I find the food plan to be the easiest part of post-op. As far as Higher Power, mine was the Bay Laurel tree in my front yard. Power bigger than me. I looked at the tree and said, yup, you're bigger, you're it! You don't have to have a sponsor to be in OA but finding the right fit is wonderful. For years I worked with a woman in her 80's who was a retired drug and alcohol counselor. It was fabulous. I think the 12 steps are a great way to live. I still have all of my materials and look at them on occasion and talk program with my best friends that I met 20 years ago in OA. John, Monday is our 3 month anniversary. I have an appt with Dr. Baggs on Friday for my three month checkup. My lab work looks good but they didn't do some vital tests. I still struggle with the weight loss. Sleeve is not an easy fix. I have to exercise 60-90 minutes, 7 days a week to be guaranteed a 1 pound loss. Eating 600-700 calories, every bite logged in myfitnesspal. com. Less than 30 carbs a day which come from dairy and calcium chews. I go to at least 1 support group meeting each week, sometimes 2 a week to stay connected to my plan. I walk at least 1-2 times a week with other WLS folks. I'm still barfing up my vitamins and sometimes my food which is all protein. If I attempt 1/3 cup protein and then a little lettuce or spoon of fruit, it gives me a little surprise of saying hello again. As far as the question asked about hunger, I've been hungry since Day 10. I eat and I'm hungry a couple hours later but not so bad that I can't wait until 4 hours to eat again. It's a different hunger, not head hunger but stomach hunger. 200 calories 3x a day isn't that much food. I'm careful to keep it to meat, dairy or seafood because it offers the most protein per 3 oz serving. It's nothing like being hungry pre-op and it takes so little to satisfy my physical hunger. For those of you getting your fills, big big big congratulations! Wishing you so much success. Pat, those 16 and 18's that I got from you are getting too big, but some fit and I love them. :smile2: Ash, congrats on your surgery date! Can't wait till you're on the Loser's Bench. I read somewhere on Obesity Help that Kaiser Southern California is discontinuing the LapBand and going to RNY and Sleeve. Who knows, Richmond may follow suit at some point. I wonder if they'll be more open to revisions at that point? There's very few banders at the support group these days. Time to walk the lake, have to run. This afternoon is the Obesity Help support group at San Leandro Hospital if anyone is interested. I'm planning to be there. Have a fun weekend!

I dont know about this... I know alcohol is supposed to hit you harder but this i'm not sure

I have a bit different approach. I have been tracking my weight daily on my scale - same time of day & always without clothes. I keep this on a spreadsheet & monitor stuff like TOM, exercise, and alcohol intake. The graph I get from this data shows my ebbs and flows throughout the month & gives me peace of mind if I see something unusual. What I mean is that it isn't usually UNusual - it's just the way my body works. Now, the stall I had 2 weeks prior was not part of my normal routine since having surgery, but now I have it documented. It will be interesting to see if it follows a similiar pattern in the future. Of course, this is what works for me - you need to find out what works for you.

I was banded Wednesday. I was scared and nervous and had second thoughts right up until the day before surgery. I think you can still party just limit your drinks or have something non alcoholic. Congrats on stopping smoking. That is great. Smoking would prevent you from healing as quickly. I quit soft drinks and caffeine about 3 months ago. I only drink Vitamin Water Zero. You will only be as successful as you want to be. Remember this is just a tool. I have friends who had it and they "cheat" and have only lost 10 lbs in 4 months. Keep blogging on here and find some new friends that will walk through this with you! I am here if you need any encouragement or help.

Did you drink Alcohol? what are you eating? It seems very odd......need more info.

I had a fill a couple of days ago and it's going great. I am really working on slowing down when I eat and drink. That is probably my biggest downfall. I did get stuck the night of my fill. I had chicken, baked potato and steamed veggies. Not so Good! I ended up having terrible pain in my chest, sliming & spitting until I threw up. Then life was good again and I think I learned my lesson to slow down! For now anyway...:smile: I went to a support meeting that my doctor set up and attended for post-op banders. It was very encouraging to here all the stories of weight loss. My doctor also talked a little about addiction as he feels food is an addiction much like alcoholism. I can see his point. I know I eat for "head" hunger more then real hunger. Seems like so many people do. It is all a learning process. The number one question that came up was "What are you in this for? What is your goal and how will you know when you get there?" Maybe we should all take some time to consider these questions... Hope all is well and have a super day! PS: down 26 lbs since 2/17/10 :biggrin:

Candice, you and me both, I haven't even had time to finish reading Beck. Actually, I'm not even sure which box it is in...sad but true. My realtor is stopping by for one of my lattes. It will be nice to see him. He is a real inspiration, 12 years ago his family had an intervention for his drinking. The family was told that if he didn't agree to go into rehab within the first hour that it would be unlikely that he would. Two hours later, he still hadn't agreed, but before the night was over, he did go into rehab and hasn't drank since. He is active in AA and frequently gives talks about his addiction. His family never gave up on him. So...if he has controled his alcohol addiction, we can control our food addiction. Granted food is more difficult because you must eat to survive, but we don't have to eat sugar. We all need to remember that we can 'beat' our addiction

Guess what you can have that glass of vino when your surgeon releases you for alcohol. You just have to count it in your calories for the day ! ! ! I figured, oh well 1 out of 7 days to be over by 150 calories isn't going to sabotage me. I was a volume eater, and not really a snacker. Believe me, I love food, and loved it all the way up to 270lbs. Now, the sleeve has totally helped reinvent my relationship with foods. I admit, I still eat stuff that probably shouldn't be consumed very often, but I'm not going to diet my way back up the BMI chart. It's all about moderation. I have become obsessed with new recipes, and I find it mentally challenging (which I thrive on that feeling) to figure out how I can make recipes more "sleeve appropriate". Then, when we eat my new "finds" and my husband and son rave about it, I get a huge sense of accomplishment and success. It makes me feel "good" to provide them something that not only tastes great, but something that I know exactly what is in there, and that I shaved off 300-800 calories by making some changes. Sorry for the ramble, but I truly can't even express how fabulous life is once you get further out. It actually took me a couple of months to wrap my head around being able to have "treats" and little indulgences without feeling this huge sense of guilt. Then something just clicked, and now I feel like I'm living the very best life imaginable.

The element of God within 12 step programs is referring to spiritual health and faith in God or a Higher Power. There are no references to any particular religion. or religious belief. God is referred to by many as their "higher power" implying an intelligent life force that embraces the totality of being. Most refer to "God" as their "higher power" some refer to God or their higher power as a "She". Here are excerpts quoted from the AA/Alcoholics Anonymous, Big Book which is the origin of all 12 step recovery programs: Pg.47 WE AGNOSTICS "When, therefore, we speak to you of God, we mean your own conception of God. This applies, too, to other spiritual expressions...Do not let any prejudice you may have against spiritual terms deter you from honestly asking yourself what they mean to you. At the start, this was all we needed to commence spiritual growth, to effect our first conscious relation with God as we understood Him. ...We needed to ask ourselves but one short question. 'Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself?'...upon this simple cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built." Pg. 68 HOW IT WORKS "...We trust an infinite God rather than our finite selves...We never apologize to anyone for depending upon our Creator. We can laugh at those who think spirituality the way of weakness. Paradoxically it is the way of strength. The verdict of the ages is that faith means courage...All men of faith have courage. They trust their God. We never apologize for God. Instead we let Him demonstrate, through us, what He can do. We ask Him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what He would have us be. At once, we commence to outgrow fear."

Finally heard back from my surgeon, he says no NSAIDS for life! He believes that they can cause an ulcer. I believe he is very conservative though because he also recommends no caffeine or alcohol, ever. I am only 8 weeks out today so I am going to wait for a few more months and see how I feel.

Yes I also have the resturant one I never used it yet but the cook this not that is very good I can't wait untill I can eat again... I keep reading the book like its a porno mag I want everything in it lol lol And the book also have a lot of interesting facts like one for instace Men who moderately drink alcohol 3 to 7 days a week are at a 32% lower risk of heart attack then men who drink less then once a week. Which me boyfriend pointed out to me after I said I think he drinks to much (foot in mouth) lol I can't wait untill I can start making this and there is like 3 fullfulling meals Breakfast lunch and dinner that I can make and it will only add up to 1200 calories and low fat They also have a section on instant lunches for example They have buy a rotisserie chicken at the supermarket remove the skin and shred every last bit of meat. Then it gives you a lunch idea for each day of the work week and all together it will cost 20$ I just want to eat.. I'm not hungry but all the food ideas look ohh soo good lol

Well, I formally move onto less mushy foods today. Terrified! So much so that I am still eating the same things I ate on the last phase (yogurt, baby food, cream of wheat). I am afraid to open the flood gates. I had some peanut butter on a spoon, ate it slow, and boy did it stick like a ball of wax - not ready for that yet. I received a notice of a "bandsters" mtg. in my general area and they are meeting at an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet restaurant! Isn't that like taking an alcoholic to a bar for a meeting? Aren't places like that what got us in trouble in the first place? Definately will NOT be going to those meetings. Trying to motivate myself to get back to exercising. I used to go to a strenuous boot camp 5 mornings a week. Would like to do that again - maybe 3 days and get back into running. A little too soon I think as I still have pain in my left side like a running cramp - start with walking I guess. Fingers are crossed!!!:smile:

Hi, My name is Samantha. I'm an alcoholic with 65 days sober and just got the band 13 days ago. I didn't plan this much change in my life all at once... did I mention I'm also newly separated from my husband? YIKES!!! Guess it's time to reinvent myself. I'm VERY involved in AA (I'm a retread) and stick close to my sponsor.

OMG LOST MY FREAKING POST !!!! Again shorter version Candice - I bet you $100 bucks - stay with me for 2 weeks you would lose 10 lbs !!!! The doors open... Any Time - Phyl - I think we have had the pj conversation before - it's not allowed :0) Hugs on the family medical issues... That's scary - I have 2 freinds who are in the hosptial - one stomach bleeding - the other an alcoholic (rich one) who won't quit drinking - liver issue again.. Maybe Earl is not smoking - I think it's cuz of the new car - he's watching the pennies.. You didn't have a car payment before and now you do.. So he's watching every penny... Candice - Ya sis wrote letter bitching again - not getting bank statements - she should have to co-sign every check I write (ya right) she never said to me she wasn't getting bank statements - I called the bank back in Sept - hopefully they will get a trustee - and this house being sold and I'm done - just want my $$$ for the headache I have had - and yes I have had all the headaches while she sits on her butt and writes letters... Phyl - Earl doesn't want a dog - cuz he has a cat... Get yourself a dog... He will have a whole bunch of aunts this summer :0)

I believe the roller-coaster has everything to do w/how hydrated vs. dehydrated you are at any given time. At least this is how it works for me. I can barely eat anything now when I am dehydrated, but feel like I can eat too much when I am well hydrated. So, I need to be more disciplined about getting my Water in ALL the time and staying away from alcohol (since it is a diuretic). I would say first try to increase your water and see if that helps. Then, if it doesn't, try a slight unfill. You've come too far to give up entirely, though. A small unfill may be all you need. Best of luck to you! Your weightloss is an inspiration!!!

A summary by Jack Dresser, Ph.D., with selected excerpts from two books: Bush on the Couch by Justin A. Frank, M.D. Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, George Washington University and The Superpower Syndrome by Robert Jay Lifton, M.D. Distinguished Visiting Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, Harvard University Psychiatrist Jerrold Post, M.D., founder of the CIA’s Center for the Analysis of Personality and Political Behavior, stated, “the leader who cannot adapt to external realities because he adheres to an internally programmed life script...has displaced his private needs upon the state.” Applied psychoanalysis is a discipline used routinely by intelligence agencies since early in World War II to identify such distortions and predict political behavior through psychological profiles of foreign leaders. Although lacking the data of direct doctor-patient interaction, such analyses have far greater external data available to draw upon. Dr. Frank has applied these methods to George W. Bush. Dr. Lifton focuses on the theme of grandiosity and unresolved personal self-doubt projected into our foreign policy. A Sense of Entitlement A lifelong “sense of entitlement” has been exhibited by Mr. Bush, described by Washington psychoanalyst Justin Frank. Dr. Frank has published a comprehensive study of Mr. Bush’s personality, based upon his many public statements, public actions, and the historical record provided by biographers, journalists, and others who have known him well and observed him closely over many years. Specifically, Mr. Bush feels and acts entitled to disregard the laws, rules and expectations governing ordinary people. This has taken many forms over many years. He did not have to “pay attention” at Yale, to wait his turn in line to gain safety from war in the Texas Air National Guard, to observe the law regarding intoxicated driving, to file required reports on his Harken Energy stock sales with the SEC, or to respect the will of Florida voters. His has become our national outlaw ethic. He disrespects U.S.-signed treaties to reduce global warming and nuclear proliferation, and refuses to support the International Criminal Court. This fits the romanticized American outlaw image, but is an adolescent response to problems needing complex adult solutions. Violating a principle common to all human societies, Bush entitles himself to lie without guilt. He has misled, misrepresented, and lied outright and continuously throughout his public life. This has been witnessed and described by many observers. There are volumes of documentation by writers of impeccable reliability recounting the Bush practice of saying anything to control the perceptions of others and get what he wants. Bush’s Orwellian descriptions that totally misrepresent known facts reveal his perceived exemption even from the laws of reality, suggesting disordered thinking. He also claims exemption from the laws of personal and public accountability. “I don’t feel like I owe anybody an explanation,” he told journalist Bob Woodward. Aggression and Cruelty This is a lifelong pattern. As a child, little George blew up frogs with firecrackers inserted into their bodies. Lacking scholastic and athletic abilities, he used unkind teasing in school. In college, he hazed new fraternity pledges with branding irons on the buttocks. As Governor he mocked death-row inmates and smirked at their executions. As a political campaigner, he relies heavily on smug ridicule and mockery of opponents. The smirk – one of Mr. Bush’s characteristic expressions that has worried his political handlers – is a telltale indication of sadism. It reveals pleasure in inflicting or observing pain, defeat or discomfort in others while attempting to suppress more overt and unbecoming expressions of his pleasure. He is a profoundly angry, destructive man who, in Dr. Frank’s words, “needs to break things.” Dr. Lifton extends the analysis to the appointees surrounding Bush as well, all of whom avoided Vietnam service. Lifton describes the exaggerated aggression with which people may respond to "death guilt" or "survivor guilt" – the knowledge that facing a common challenge others suffered while you didn't. This is often associated with a sense of "failed enactment" at the moment of truth. When such a wound to self esteem is repressed, it often becomes “transformed into impulses toward further violence." This may well unconsciously haunt our entire tough talking Republican leadership who hid out as young men while others died. Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Easily mistaken for resoluteness, Mr. Bush’s impulsiveness, snap decisions, and disinterest in abstractions or complexities are all suggestive of adult ADHD. He is impatient and easily frustrated, with poor control of his emotions. On two known occasions, he has driven his car through property barriers in fits of temper. And of course, the continuing indications of dyslexia: Dr. Frank observes, “He may seem decisive, but his behavior represents the fall-back position of someone trying to manage the anxiety of not being able to think clearly.” Defensive Dyslexia. Mr. Bush has learned to use his legendary difficulties with language to avoid meaningful communication, to obfuscate meanings for tactical concealment. Unable to think and communicate with language in normal ways, he has learned to use it manipulatively – to attack, dismiss, distract and intimidate, to control rather than communicate with others. Most alarming is his genuine inability to think clearly and to develop cognitive models that even remotely match the complex realities for which he is responsible. Untreated alcoholism. Mr. Bush displays common characteristics of a “dry drunk,” struggling to protect self-esteem and cope with anxiety without the liquid crutch. Symptoms include inflated self-confidence, judgmental intolerance, denial of responsibility, avoidance of introspection, simplistic thinking, and compulsive daily habits that remove him from responsibility and stress. Without treatment, the alcohol is removed without the “ism.” Instead, self-esteem is now protected by his born-again Christianity, which permits escape from accountability for his past while avoiding the self-examination and restitution of a 12-step program. Many of his actions are “dry” efforts to reduce anxiety by avoiding his inner world. In Dr. Frank’s words, “Throughout his life, George W. Bush has taken many detours from the path to self-knowledge.” In addition, his annual physical detected nasal spider angiomas that might suggest continued alcohol abuse, and unusually low blood pressure typical of antisocial personality incapable of normal emotional responses. The Overall Diagnosis: Megalomania “The evidence suggests that behind Bush’s exterior operates a powerful but obscure delusional system that drives his behavior,” concludes Dr. Frank. Omnipotence and grandiosity are clearly reflected in Mr. Bush’s identification with God’s purposes and his flouting of international opinion and international will. Omnipotent fantasy is a self-esteem protecting mechanism from early childhood, outgrown in normal development that Mr. Bush lacked. This childish omnipotence is identified and described by both authors. Mr. Bush’s personal grandiosity has been projected onto our nation. His megalomanic narcissism and lack of ego boundaries is translated into a vision of superimposing our “Freedom” throughout the world, welcomed or not. Jealousy, a centerpiece of Bush’s psychological struggle since early childhood, is the motive attributed to “the enemy” through projection. The Bush grandiosity fits seamlessly with the neoconservative agenda, which explains Bush’s choice of Cheney as Vice President and neoconservatives Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, and Douglas Feith to the top three civilian DOD posts, as well as Richard Perls and Elliot Abrams in other key administration posts. After collapse of the Soviet Union, these neoconservatives resurrected the 19th century’s grandiose images of Manifest Destiny, the right to impose ourselves on others, that perfectly fits Mr. Bush’s megalomania. In Dr. Frank’s judgment, “the enterprise he is poised to add to his history of failures is the future of our nation. Our collective denial helped put him in that position...Our sole treatment option – for his benefit and for ours – is to remove president Bush from office... before it is too late.” About the Review and Reviewer Dr. Dresser is a behavioral scientist who served as an Army psychologist during the Vietnam era. He is not a psychiatrist or psychoanalyst, but feels these are important perspectives for public consideration, has attempted to carefully and concisely summarize their views, and recommends the reader to the works cited. It should be pointed out that Dr. Frank is a Kleinian psychoanalyst, but his observational foci and diagnostic conclusions would be consistent with other theories of psychological developmental as well. These were astute observations made about bush's public persona, behavior and style. Their suggestions of a diagnosis are just that - suggestions. Again, I find nothing offensive in what they said and in fact I think they intelligently summarize bush and his behavior in the context of their knowledge of these behaviors.

Interesting take on the whole carb thing, and I think it makes a good deal of sense. I grew up a strict ovo-lacto vegetarian. Everybody I knew was either LOV, or strict vegan (religious thing). Everything I've ever known about eating a healthy diet was centered around low-fat, high-carb, high-Fiber food combinations to create whole Proteins (Beans and rice; :tongue_smilie:legumes such as lentils, and grains like barley and buckwheat, and on and on). The emphasis on healthy living was so strong that I actually remember attending church services where the sermon was about the evils of eating meat, consuming alcohol, and any source of caffeine, and what it would do to you. So far, I can't seem to kick the carb habit, or at least the automatic mental process of pairing foods to create balanced meals that are, of course, high-carb. It seriously sucks being diabetic with that kind of background, let me say! My reaction to eating something high in carbs is more like serious annoyance, and, "Crap, all that health stuff I got hammered into my head, and I had to go and get diabetes and now I have to try to convince myself that the nutritionist isn't full of crap on the whole 'eating meat' thing." I guess some kinds of indoctrination go deeper than others, because I'm still not totally convinced after all this time that vegetarianism (if one includes sufficient sources of protein) is at all a bad idea. There're always dairy products and eggs, after all...or at least I'd like to try to maintain that pleasant fantasy for a couple more weeks, anyhow! :001_tongue::laugh0::001_smile:

And no it is not necessary to unfill before a flight. If you are newly banded with little fill then the air in the band may expand. If you have fill the saline itself can't expand. My Dr also told me that if a problem occurs when you fly which it shouldn't then you will be fine once you touch the ground again. I had a marathon trip in Dec/Jan( 3 flights total 24 hours travelling each way) and there were no problems whatsoever. Staying hydrated is important and yes that means Water not alcohol.

I wouldn't do it just for a trip. But, if you think you are too tight in general, then that's different. With my last fill, I've gone back and forth between being too tight and too loose. I think I'm finally ready for another fill, though, cause I've been more hungry than not for the past couple weeks. For me, its taken awhile to get good restriction so I guess that's why its not tempting at all to unfill just for a trip or occasion. Its taken so long to get this band really working for me and I just don't want to give that up and have to start over just so I can eat more for a trip. And, I did actually get too tight during my trip to Vegas a couple weekends ago. I probably did it to myself due to dehydration (drinking more alcohol than normal which is a diuretic). I ended up hardly being able to eat during the trip, but it didn't really bother me much. When I am too tight, the good thing is that I'm also not hungry. So, it doesn't phase me if everyone around me is eating. I even went to the Paris Buffet w/all my friends and used my lapband card for the first time so they would only charge me the child's price. Trust me, nobody really even notices what YOU are eating when they are going back over and over and over for more heaping plates of food. LOL I should also add, for my Vegas trip, I brought a bunch of Protein shots w/me and was so thankful I had them. It made it so much easier to just be able to eat whatever sounded good or that I knew would go down easy and then supplement w/the protein shots between meals.

it may be up to your surgeon as well. My doctor did not want me to fly within 2 weeks after my surgery or any fills. I don't know if that was because of air pressure reasons or if he wanted me close by in case I had any problems. 3 weeks post surgery I don't think I wanted to get on a plane as I was still trying to adjust with my mushy food phase. I'm with DodgerFan on this one, follow your dr's post-op rules. Do not cheat during this time as your body needs time to heal and adjust to this "foreign" band. Side note: I definitely was not drinking alcohol or anything for the first month. :biggrin: Good luck with your surgery and with your holiday. Let us know how it all turns out.

OH My that is a big freeking snake.... I wouldn`t want to deal with it myself for sure. aND ACTUALLY i like snakes... prefer them to bug...s... I have even dealt with BATS before.. Oh and a TICK last night... I was petting twig on my lap, I felt this little LUMP... I thought oh no, he has another fat deposit lump thingy.... then I saw the TICK....ewh... got some tweezers and pulled the little bastard outa there.Then dosed him(the dog) with alcohol... Karla; your Consignment job sounds perfect. And a lot less lifting than at the nursery..

I had the same advice as above .. abstaining is better because of the sugars in most alcoholic drinks. Sugar is not friendly with your new tummy. However, apparently most people can tolerate a little bit but going forward, the advice I was given was to really take it easy and you will have to - you will not be able to consume the same amount as before.

Well, you asked the golden question. The answer depends on who you ask. Many people count a carb as a carb. Some don't count the fiber because it's insoluble and passes right through you. Others don't count fiber or sugar alcohols. The last one is tricky because for some sugar alcohols cause a sugar spike like sugar and for others there is no spike - meaning no trigger for wanting more carbs. Personally, I delete the fiber and sugar alcohols. I did just have a stall, but since I have been doing this all along, I really don't think that caused the stall. Like everything else, I believe you just have to experiment and find what works for you.