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When republican Jim DeMint said "If we can stop this healthcare it will be Obama's Waterloo. It will break him." - What did that have to do with the american people or helping them or having any other agenda other than wanting Obama to fail? Ditto when rush limbaugh said he wanted Obama to fail. It was personal - and that sentiment is echoed with those who only found their voice after Obama became president. What does Obama as Hitler or the Joker or those racists sayings have to do with healthcare, spending or the debt? Nothing. But it has everything to do with Obama. Remember that the republicans aren't just against this healthcare reform. They also voted against expanding SCHIP - the healthcare program for children. Now, regardless of what you think about the parents of those children - the children are innocent and deserve to get healthcare - but the heartless republicans didn't think so. So much for family values!!! Again - I repeat my mantra "If it weren't for hyprocrisy the republicans would have nothing." As to those thousands who die every year from tobacco use and abuse of alcohol - I am not going to shed any tears for those who make a conscious decision to poison their body and refuse to do anything to quit. That is in stark contrast to those, who through NO fault of their own (unemployed, lost job, can't afford...) don't have healthcare insurance and die as a result. That should never happen in a country like ours. Period.

Larraine, I want affordable health care for all Americans. I don't want our government to be that insurance company. The government has the power to make laws and they should enforce these laws that they can make on private insurance companies. They should drop the law that states you can't cross state lines for medical insurance because that would encourage competition between states. They should enforce tort reform, because that would stop all trial lawyers from making these multi million dollar cases. There should be caps on ins. payouts. Then doctors wont have to perform unneccessary tests just to cover their butts should someone choose to sue them. They should make it a law that noone can be denied health coverage or pay a higher premium because of pre-existing conditions. There are many ways to enforce the private insurance industries to comply. They don't want to do this because the lawyers and the insurance companies are lining these politicians pockets to keep the laws from ruining their greedy wealth. Maybe they could make a law that puts a cap on insurance premiums. If you don't have the ability to pay for ins., then you can apply for medicaid, which is government ins. that is already set up for those who can't afford to pay. The gov. can simply raise the income guidelines for people who can't get on it because they are borderline income and don't meet the eligibility. God wants us to be good stewards with our money and the government has shown us many times over that they can't be. When the government runs something, they don't have a care about waste. It's not coming from their pocket, so why should they care? Just look at medicare or social security, both are bankrupt. So, as a christian, it's not that I am against helping the unfortunate that don't have insurance, for I do want help for them. Jesus said, "The poor you will always have with you." What about the 450,000 who die every year from tobacco, should we help them, how about the hundreds of thousands who die every year from alcohol, should we help them? This list could go on and on forever, but you get my point. The government should not be in the business of social wellness. Roosevelt did a bad thing when he started welfare in the government. Handouts in the government far exceed what the people here can afford. If the gov. stopped giving away all our money, then we would have more for our own health care and living exenses and will be able to give to the charities of our choosing. We wouldn't be indentured servants to China and other countries either. Your great grandchildren will be paying for their deeds in the future.

I still have diet soda (and other fizzy drinks) occasionally; not nearly as much as before surgery, but when I feel like it. My doctor has no problem with soda (or caffeine or alcohol) as long as it doesn't bother us, we don't overdo it, and are conscious of our calories. I generally try to eat healthier than before surgery, which was my primary reason to reduce the amount of soda (and alcohol) I drink. Since I've cut down, I don't crave it as much.

The government would never ban cigarettes or alcohol (they tried the latter) but I would be supportive of a very high ($10/pack) cigarette tax to make it economically prohibitive. That money could be used to help fund many things. And people who quit would be healthier. That's a win/win. But the big tobacco lobbyists would never stand for it. People should be required to buy healthcare insurance because those who choose not to buy it (but can afford it) are costing those of us who have insurance higher premiums to pay for their healthcare. For those who can't afford insurance, there will be help to pay for it.

Your reply is full of contradictions. You ask "does the government step in and take control and outlaw cigarettes and chewing tobacco?". And then you criticize the government and say the government wants to be in control of what we can and can't do. So - what is it? You want them to outlaw tobacco and alcohol and control what we can and can't do? Or do you want them to stay out of our lives, or do you want them to do what they are doing - educating people and helping states to pass anti-smoking laws and tough drunk driving laws. Here's what the government does about tobacco: Do Anti-Smoking Programs Work to Reduce Smoking? | Michael Marlow | Cato Institute: Commentary And I've always known that tobacco is responsible for about 500,000 deaths a year. It's on websites, in the newspapers, etc.. But the issue has been somewhat eclipsed by the obsession with covering the obesity epidemic. Additionally, tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking are choices that people make. One does not need to do either. These people choose to pollute their bodies with poison. Those who are dying from lack of proper care due to lack of health insurance would love to be able to afford affordable and proper healthcare. It is not their choice to die from this.

All of a sudden this country is sooooooo concerned about the so called 45,000 deaths a year from lack of medical insurance. How come we never heard of this before? Did you know that 435,000 people die every year from tobacco, Thats 7X more the amount of people annually who die from lack of insurance, but does the government step in and take control and outlaw cigarettes and chewing tobacco? NO! How about the people who die annually in this country from alcohol. The number is 85,000 every year. (twice as many than those who die without insurance) But no, you can't take the 'fun' away from society. Give me a break! the government wants to be in control of what we can and can't do. They are not concerned about your health or mine! P.S. I meant to say a million abortions annually.

Sorry, he's right. The Band won't follow the Bander rules for you, keep you from putting the wrong things in your mouth, or keep you from eating too much...only you can do those things and you'll have to in order to lose the weight. It takes a great deal of committment. The only thing the Band will do for you is help take the hunger away between meals. BTW-I started out with a similar BMI and although I've been very successful and committed to many diets in the past, this WL has required even more committment. It was easier for me to follow a diet plan and only eat certain foods...it's much harder to make an entire lifestyle change where no food is off limits...and even harder to have to finally deal with the head hunger and food issues that got me fat to begin with. For me, any WL surgery is like an alcoholic hitting bottom...you have to be ready and committed to make the changes or you'll fail. I'd be asking myself how ready am I to do what it takes? Good luck on your decision...if you decide to do this, we're all here for you and will help you through! -BG

Hi Ms RoJacks! First, let me congratulate you on being banded - where did you get your surgery done? I live in Norwich, but was banded at Yale New Haven Hospital (I work at Yale). Please don't move ahead to thicker liquids or solid food unless your doctor's orders say it's okay. You are still healing, and it's important to follow doc's orders while that is going on. You don't want to have ANY kind of problems right now - and I know it's hard, but it will help you in the long run. I'm glad you're not having hunger problems - I was hungry all the time, even after I was banded! :smile: I'm doing much better now - approaching my 1 year bandiversary (in 6 days) and down over 70 lbs. My goal was to have lost 100 by now, but I'm still really happy with what I've achieved. I hope that your fiancee is able to get the help he needs to conquer his alcoholism - it will make it very difficult for him if he's at all insecure or uncertain about your progress and your getting healthy. Please take good care of yourself, and if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. I also suggest you talk to your doctor and their support staff often - don't do this alone. The doc and his staff know your situation best - listen to them! Once you get the clearance to exercise, do what you can - walking is great. I lost the majority of my weight with walking - I started running about 3 months ago, and ran my first 5k race in October. Something I NEVER thought I'd do when I was heavier. Find ways to occupy your time that don't include food - now is the time to break old habits and establish new, healthy ones. Good luck and blessings to you! :tongue_smilie:

I agree Karen. That is why the head work is soo important for us to. We can stop eating and work out forever, but the head needs to be on straight too. My friend had GBP 5 years ago. She started at 500 lbs. and is only down about 60. She REFUSES to see the connection. She STILL says, "I just like to eat." Look, we all have issues but she grew up in an alcoholic environment and her mother still berates her daily, evan at 38. She has mocked me for seeing someone to talk to and taking meds, but I went into this with realistic expectations. So, Karen, a miserable fat person will be a miserable skinny one too.

It's important that you realize that there might be things that you just can't tolerate after getting your band, and it's great that you're asking questions. I always think it's better to be prepared too. There are very few foods I can't eat. For instance, one is raw celery. I'm not even sure that I can't eat it, but I tried it once after banding, and the texture of the fibers in my mouth made me decide not to try it. The thought of swallowing it kind of made me feel gaggy. Often times, it's better to try a new food at home, just in case. But, as Cathy described, as long as meat isn't dry, I don't have any problems with it, and I never liked it dry anyway. It's important to try new foods slowly, and if you start to feel tight, and you'll get to recognize that feeling, not to push it. Actually, some people have issues that their tighter during certain times of the day or month, so it's always best to take those first couple of bites with a bit of caution, especially if you're prone to band fickleness. Pre-banding, not knowing what I was going to be able to tolerate, I decided to go into this WLS as if I was an alcoholic giving up alcohol. If I had to give up steak, for instance, to be healthy, so be it, however, I have been very lucky that most foods don't trouble me. I know you're saying the same thing too. For me, eating smaller portions, eating at a slower pace, taking slightly smaller bites, and chewing a little longer has allowed me to lead a very normal life with food.

I got my lap band 5 days ago. I wish I used this board a little more. I could have used some help during the prediet and during the whole ordeal! When I decided back in Jan that I wanted to have this done I weighed about 350. I did all the tests, had a few issues with insurance, but that is all past me now. When I was weighed before the surgery I weighed 340lbs. I cant wait to be weight again to see my progress from this week. I also havent had much problems with the hunger. I am strictly on the clear liquids. Broth, sf jello, water, protein shakes! On my one week anniversary I plan On trying thicker liquids. During my hospital stay, my roommate was also getting the lap band, we are now friends online. I have several books, but think this site is better then the books. I do have alot of stress at home, my fiancee is an alcoholic, so I could use all the support I can get Thank you for listening:smile:

lol! I haven't experienced it but I do have a friend who smells exactly like the alcohol she drinks when we go out and have a few drinks. It's hilarious.

Hey Homies. LOL. I slept in this morning but I was up late last night. At the Teen class last night at church we gave each of the kids 3 cards and had them write on it things that they had been dealt. Mine was that I grew up with an alcoholic family, not just my immediate family but Aunts, Uncles and cousins. My second one was in my senior year that my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and was sent 1,300 miles away for 6 months. I had to become a mom to my younger sister, go to school, work a pt job and take care of the house. My other cards were of a happier nature. That I met and married my best friend and we have celebrated almost 27 years together. That I was told I had problems with my kidneys and the first words out of my sisters mouths was them fighting over who was going to donate a kidney to me. That's a good one because it shows how much I am loved. The other 2 adults in the class did the same thing. So we gave the kids about 10 minutes to fill out there cards. OMG. I really mean that. OMG. We were stunned at some of the stuff that they wrote. I wanted to cry. I wanted to run around the room and hug all of them. I couldn't believe how honest they were being. So we let them if they decided too to talk about what they wrote. One boy said he was going to talk about his cards because he wanted everyone else to know that it was ok to open up about it. And open up they did. I sat there with my hand over my mouth and the other one over my heart. It was truly moving to hear the 14-16 year old kids talk about what they deal with on a daily basis. I spent a few minutes talking to them afterwards and it was so touching to see how they all responded. Not sure I can take another night like that. I hope next week we do something a little lighter. Sorry if I brought you down with that. It was just that I wanted you to know what some special kids we have in this world and how lucky we all to have them. Now, as for my day. I'm off to go get my older sis and take her grocery shopping. I'll come back here and do some housework and than I have to work later today. I go next monday to give blood for my Doc appointment on Wednesday. That's when I see my Kidney Doc. So starting today I'm pushing the water. Need to keep those kidneys flushed and functioning right. I hope Kat is having a great time and a very "Happy Anniversary" to her and Rick. Everyone have a great day and I'll check in after I get back.

I just celebrated one month since banding (Oct. 7). I am down 30-35 pounds depending on the day. I have found that since I am back on solid food though, the weight loss has stopped. I guess I need to increase activity now. Everything is healing fine. I am able to wear things in my closet that I haven't looked at in over 3 years. It's a great feeling. I haven't really purchased any new clothes yet, but my husband has surprised me with a few things here and there. The big thing for me is not to stress and to find more time for activity. I fell prey to a small handfull of cheese its yesterday. I should have gone for a walk or had a glass of water instead. I am proud that I refused the alcoholic beverages at a birthday party on Saturday, though I did have the cupcake...It was the first real sugar I've had since before the surgery. It was nice to have, but I can see where it was only that good because I don't eat those things much anymore. I think it is time for my first fill. I can eat almost like before surgery, but I don't. I am scheduled for 2 days before Turkey Day.

I just celebrated one month since banding (Oct. 7). I am down 30-35 pounds depending on the day. I have found that since I am back on solid food though, the weight loss has stopped. I guess I need to increase activity now. Everything is healing fine. I am able to wear things in my closet that I haven't looked at in over 3 years. It's a great feeling. I haven't really purchased any new clothes yet, but my husband has surprised me with a few things here and there. The big thing for me is not to stress and to find more time for activity. I fell prey to a small handfull of cheese its yesterday. I should have gone for a walk or had a glass of water instead. I am proud that I refused the alcoholic beverages at a birthday party on Saturday, though I did have the cupcake...It was the first real sugar I've had since before the surgery. It was nice to have, but I can see where it was only that good because I don't eat those things much anymore. I think it is time for my first fill. I can eat almost like before surgery, but I don't. I am scheduled for 2 days before Turkey Day.

Ye im doing fine feeling a bit rough had a crazy few days in Germany still trying to recover.lol.Dont think i will have lost anything this month so im going to get another fill on tuesday to get me back on track.Good for you starting the water areobics i cant seem to get my self motivated for exercise.So will just need to stay off the alcohol to counter act the no exercise.lol

Maybe splenda is not a sugar alcohol, but it somehow impacts me the same way, so maybe it is just that it is grouped in my head as one. Splenda = sucralose, and sorbital, xylitol, malitol = sugar alcohol. But to me, same difference! Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm going to try Beneprotein and also try to contact unjury to clarify the statement. I have sent two emails thus far with no reply, so I will try to call on Monday.

So does that mean that splenda is a sugar alcohol? I didn't know that, if that's the case.

Hey all! I did pretty good today. I did eat some chicken but hey...I'm on Stage III diet and it's allowed....I just pureed it in my mouth! I did eat 2 Pillsbury chocolate Chip Cookies...I am ending my TOM and needed those cookies.... Tomorrow is a brand new day..... I'm ready.... Did I tell you I was going to see R.Kelly tomorrow night? I can't wait. I've never seen him before. I always thought his show would be for the young and crazy. Luckily, he is going to be at the Oakland Paramount Theatre. More intimate and mellow than the larger venues. I can take this one. I love the quieter concerts...... Riley, girl you are crazy! I would buy your book. So much knowledge about the drank!!!!! I took your advice and had 1/2 of a shot of Patron tonight. It felt pretty good too. I totally gave up the alcohol while I was trying to lose the weight pre-op. I really don't drink much to begin with. But I can put away some tequila shots with lime or lemon and salt. How ever said Dr Fisher was more strict with the pre-op weight is right. I had Dr Fisher and I had to lose 29lbs in order to have my surgery. I played around and did not ake it seriously for approx 1 year. Then I got pregnant and had the baby. Then I got re-enrolled in the program and lost the weight. It is now me time! I am done having children and am not preparing to have my tubal ligation. I now want to focus on losing weight and enjoying life with my babies..... Night night, I'm feeling kinda tight!!!!!!

Riley - I don't know crud about alcohol but I can help with the chocolate chasers LOL Jes - no plans - just downloaded a new C25K Hip Hop program tonight - the one I was using was just garbage - music with no words and weird music at that - not even upbeat or motivating so I thought I try again with this one. gotta do something cuz I'm going in the wrong direction! 12 weeks is way too long to wait to get a fill!!!!!! No advise on the girdle cuz I just let it all hang out - I'm all about comfort! ash - my stepdaughter use to work for torrid and she likes the spanks too. So, what is everybody doing tomorrow?

GOODness girls, stop with the alcohol! I had a bad expericne dontcha know, I am off the stuff! Too Teeny for drinkies now :-) But LOVING wearing size 10s!!!!! It's so worth it. Surgeons and gas . . . . gosh. Here is my "IMHO" rundown on what each excels at. I think Baggs and Fisher do the best squeezing gas out. Fisher is toughest on initial weight loss - Baggs second toughest - but Fisher I hear is best on making scars pretty except he makes an extra incisoion so there is one more TINY scar. Baggs good on all accounts, very positive and informative, leaves very small scars, and most agressive out of them all with fills, first one at 6 weeks and the next 4 or 5 with 4-6 weeks between each - he does smaller fills more often. Dr. Parks the very nicest, kindest, most reassuring person on earth but not so great on squeezing gas out and seems like she has more bruising (I have a lot of friends who have had her, not just you guys!), and she believes in less fills, waiting longer until 1st fill, and bigger amounts in every fill! Dr. Im I don't know much about, Pam is the only one I know who had him but he's a sweetie!

Hey ladies & gent Riley - call your book "Alcohol with Lap Band" Oaklander... Welcome to the group! You will get weighed and that will be your starting weight - wear heavy shoes & eat BFast first. DON'T BE LATE OR THEY WILL NOT LET YOU IN. You will find out who your surgeon is and get your first appt date by the end of orientation. Be sure to put that you are completely open on the questionnaire they give you - that way you will get the earliest appt available. Liz & Nicole just had orientation and had their surgeon appts and hour later!! I have THE Doc Fisher and have to say that he is the best (compared to what others have said) with getting all the gas out - I had zero pain after surgery - and my incisions/scars look really small & straight! Warning: He is a little more harsh on the initial weight loss requirement but it's all worth it. All the Doctors are good at what they do but some have different specialties - If you read back you will see that I had big issues about the scars because some I've seen aren't too pretty but The Doc does a really good job with that. I haven't had a fill yet with him - oh, and he typically puts in 4cc's at surgery - except for me cuz of my big ass hernia he had to fix (swelling). FYI: All of the surgeons push/advocate for the RNY/Bypass surgery so do your research, be sure the band is what you want and let them know that!

Riley- Very impressed with your Alcohol knowledge. Many new recipes after surgery (my hawaii trip next year) Shoot you should write your own book..."Cocktails 101" by Ms. Riley Jane." Thanks for all that info.

Good Job Tamra - so glad to have you back... I REALLY NEED A HAIR CUT & STYLE THAT WON'T MAKE MY FACE LOOK SO FAT! Who's good at that? Just looked at pics with my cousins last night and they are scary! I've lost 40lbs and it doesn't show at all - Don't mean to be so negative ladies & gent but seriously - I HATE LOOKING AT PICTURES OF MYSELF - JUST MAKES ME CRY! Here is a pic of me & my cousin Denise, the one Jes thought was me in the old picture (look at my fat ass face!) BTW Riley - very impressive alcohol breakdown!

p-butter, oh no not rihght after surgery!! I can barely eat it now! 2 cans of soup would have done me - seriously. Get a magic bullet blender; you can eat anything that the family is having (once on Stage 3) by just poppin' it in the ol' blender. I ate GOOD in stage 3 . . . . used it all the time in stage 2 also, turned anything into soup with some broth or soy milk :-) YO - drinkies and calories = my area of expertise, yo Jes jump in anytime here! All "shots" (hard alcohol, assuming it is unsweetened - does not include the likes of Malibu rum, etc) has exactly the same amount of calories and ZERO carbs. If you are in an establishment that knows you, bring diet cranberry (ocean spray) juice and drink that with plain old vodka. Otherwise stay away from any kind of fruit juices. Vodka (or plain rum) works with crystal lite too - and we ALL pack THAT around - and in diet jello shots. Michalob ultra is like 70 cals and 2.3 carbs, it is a beautiful thing for BEFORE surgery; after you have to pour it into a glass from 3 feet height and let it flatten before you can drink it! I can actually drink one out of the bottle now, but too hard to stick to 1 so I don't. I am especially partial to vodka diet tonic, no fruit. But that was when I drank vodka . . . . I'm over than now. But I lost so much weight that I cant drink like i used to! 2 is my limit and I have a hard time with that, so I sip red wine now - i NEVER chug that. It has calories AND carbs but I am drinking 2 not 5 or 6, so it all works out and saves me from stupid and regretable behavior(!) I had to not drink at all to lose 43 lbs. before surgery - probably one of the main reasons that I lost it so easilt, LOL!!