...I would like to share this month's rant from Susan Maria. I think we all need to read it. I can honestly say that while I may not be so good with the food sometimes (but I think I am most times , I take my vitamins RELIGIOUSLY, and I make sure my protein intake is AT LEAST 80-100 grams a day. Take your vitamins, please. And don't forget: Protein is KEY for us. Not enough protein=muscle mass loss. If nothing else, think about this: The HEART is a muscle. Does that give you a good perspective of what can happen if you neglect your protein intake? I sure hope so! ----- http://store.bariatriceating.com/thismonthsrant.html I just had the privilege of spending a week attending the American Society for Bariatric Surgery annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. Engaging in casual conversation with the top surgeons in this field, discussing vitamins, protein, calcium, and compliance issues was an opportunity that I won't soon forget. I was as excited to meet some of the 'famous' surgeons as I would be if Mick Jagger stepped up to my pink and black BariatricEating.com booth. Now... why this is a rant! These surgeons cannot fathom that after they save our lives that we have the audacity to be picky about nutrition! The way many of them see it is that we are NOT living up to our part of the deal. They perform life altering surgery to save us from a certain early death from morbid obesity, their office staff does battle with our insurance company to pony up tens of thousands of dollars to pay for our surgery as it is surely the only means by which we will survive, yet we are lackadaisical about putting a small pile of vitamins and minerals into our body every day, and are boldly noncompliant with protein requirements. The docs are even more incredulous about our pickiness with protein. When I would give them a taste of Vanilla Very Berry or Fuzzy Navel, their eyes would have a twinkle and they would love the taste but they would question as to why this was even an issue. It is cut and dry with the surgeons; they think it is a given that we do what we are supposed to do. These are no-nonsense men and women; when something is broken, they fix it. Some of them could not believe the letters and stories I related to them and had no idea that noncompliance was so widespread. Here is a message from your surgeon... Pick up the protein drink, the calcium, and the multivitamins and take them. There is no negotiating, there is no looking for a compromise, and there are no valid complaints about graininess, taste, or smell. Pick up the glass and drink the protein. Chew the tablets. Swallow that mouthful of calcium or vitamins. Period. We saved your life on that operating table, now do what you are supposed to do to maintain the health we have worked to give back to you. Fortunately there are drinks that taste good but as I have said before; if in order to be sitting here in size 10 jeans I had to drink a glass of toile****er every morning, I would gladly do it. In fact, if I had to drink a glass of water from my neighbor's toilet every day I would do it. Why is this so difficult to comprehend for some of you? Do you take the label morbid obesity so lightly that you don't think you have to perform certain tasks, that you have a responsibility as a post op. Look up the meaning of MORBID. That should be enough to scare you. Why would anyone not do what they were told when given a new lease of life with so few strings attached? I used to think that making pre-ops jump through hoops for weight loss to qualify for surgery was cruel but I have changed my mind after a year of speaking to thousands of pre and post ops. With so many people facing insurance rejection, how can we make sure that the ones who will not hold up the end of the bargain are put at the end of the line for approval? I think that strict compliance goals are a great way to weed out the disobedient. If you can't lose 10% of your body weight before surgery, you don't deserve to have it. If you can't stop smoking, you don't deserve this procedure. If you can't manage to choke down vitamins, calcium, B-12 and protein; too bad, let someone have the surgery that will. We all can mange to stick to a program short term. We are all experts at losing weight. We just can't keep it off; which is where the surgery comes in. It gives us the means of control we lack. As you can tell, this is NOT the week to write me an email and tell me that you cant 'tolerate' the taste of your protein, or that you cant 'tolerate' your chewables or your stomach feels 'icky' when you drink your protein. I have little lenience for weakness and whining. It will take a long time before I allow much room for the helplessness that I so often hear. I can't stand the word 'tolerate'... it is pure baloney. About 3 years ago I read a 'tough love' essay by an OH member named Leilani, and one line in particular resonates in my head; 'If this surgery doesn't slap a backbone in you, nothing will', as it is so true! Just do what you are supposed to do. Figure it out and make it happen. Thank goodness we have products that make it easier to stick with the program but the bottom line is that it shouldn't even matter. Ciao, Susan Maria ----- Angie http://www.geocities.com/tiger_angie

Ash had a blast as well. She wants to come down and see you guys but she isn't coming home until a week before school starts. LOL Yeah, that is enough time. LOL Hey, we did alot!! Noone complained. I liked the pool better anyway. LOL Even though you made me look like a ghost. LOL I had tons of fun. I just wished we could have gotten together more while you were up here. Ash is telling everyone that you are her aunt and Anthony is her little cousin. LOL She cracks me up. Tell him I am sooooo proud of him winning all those events and that we wend our love to all of you. This baby is fine even though he tried to give it to me if it's a girl. LOL that was funny!!! I better be the first to know!!!!!! Love you all. Tonya

Dear Lisa, Just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on your fantastic milestone! You look absolutely fabulous -- keep up the good work! Donna

I'm in the DOUBLE CENTURY CLUB!!!! I'm in the DOUBLE CENTURY CLUB!!!! I'm in the DOUBLE CENTURY CLUB!!!! I'm in the DOUBLE CENTURY CLUB!!!! I started my journey 1 year and 4 months ago and never would have thought I would have came this far so quickly! I started out at 423 and little hope of doing well! I have stuck to my plan for the most part. Still haven't tried sugar knowingly. I do have toasted bread. I have increased my protein the last 2 months and my nut put me on fiber pills. I am still and will forever take my gazillion pills everyday. bleh! But that is a small price to pay for what I was going through at 423! I feel so blessed! I started out wearing a 7x but needed an 8x. I am now in 2 and 3x's. I go for my reconstructive appointment tomorrow and according to my wl surgeon he said they will take off a good 30 pounds just off my stomach. As it does hang to my knees literally. I think once that is gone I will at least be in a large. I pray my insurance goes through as well as it did the first time! Any advice for tomorrow?? anyone? anyone? Any ?'s I should ask? Any volunteers who would like to make me a double century card so I can put it on my profile? I can put it on if you send it as an attachment. I would love to have this on here today! XOXOXOX Lisa

Oh, I just looked at your profile, and you look great too!!! And, Congrats on being preggos. How exciting!!! When are you due? I always read the preggo board, wishing I could have a baby, but my hubby really doesn't want one right now, because we are financially unable at this time. Let us know how its' going throughout the pregnancy!! I can't wait to see pictures, if you don't mind. Tricia