BionicBear

I can't believe that I watch Hell's Kitchen. I really think that Gordon Ramsay is an obnoxious jerk... with the people skills of a grapenut. I really love to watch it because of that fact I guess. He really is a person I love to hate, and I don't care how much money would be involved, but I would never work for the man. What I find really interesting is how all of the chefs that are competing... all smoke like chimneys! Season after season, all the contestants light up after work. I wonder why this is. With less than 30% of the population smoking I am wondering if all 30% work in kitchens!

Well, another class is finally completed. I just finished up with Anatomy and Physiology II and I am glad to say that it is over. I know more about the vagina than I ever cared to know! I have run out of classes that I can take online, so my next class will be at the college. I am taking microbiology 3 nights a week in July. It will be weird to actually be back in the classroom... and probably be the oldest person in the room! I am really trying to do some housecleaning before my surgery, so I have reopened my eBay store. Everything must go! Operators are standing by!

Is it me or is American Idol now kinda boring? There is no one this year that I am that excited about lately. Perhaps I just don't care anymore. I got that way with Survivor. Maybe it is time for the next big show.

This is an excellent piece on gastric bypass that was on 60 Minutes.

OK, I admit it. I am fascinated by Logo's Transamerican Love Story and Calpernia Addams! I first heard of Calpernia when I saw the excellent movie, Soldier's Girl. Soldier's Girl is the tragic true story of Private Barry Winchell who was murdered by his fellow soldiers when they found out he was dating a transgendered woman. Now, the real Calpernia is starring in her own dating show reminiscent of The Bachelor. Eight suitors vie for her affection, including a female to male transgender! The men are ruthless to one another in their competition for Calpernia's attention. I found myself not liking any of them, and not one of them worthy. I truly hope that Ms. Addams finds a true love one day. She really comes across no different than any of us, and deserves the happiness we all seek.

Today I had to have and upper gi and also meet with the nutritionist
for the first time. Dr. Lautz wanted to rule out whether I have a
hiatal hernia since I have gastric reflux. I had one back in the
90's and it was negative, but he wanted to make sure.  The Upper Gi was
much easier than I remembered. I drank a lot more barium when I had
this first done. This time it was only 1 bottle and I think I had 3
last time! It isn't the greatest tasting stuff, but it is a painless
procedure.



Next I met with the nutritionist, Linda Antoniro. She wanted to know
what a typical day of eating was like for me. The majority of the
meeting was about what my preop diet should be, and what it will be
after the surgery. Since was on a liquid diet in 1996, I kind of know
what to expect. I will only be on all liquids for two weeks after the
surgery which seems doable. I don't have any other meetings until I
meet with Dr Lautz and the anesthesiologist on May 29th. The journey
continues.

Congratulations to Mike Cordeiro for winning the New England Bowling Association Singles Tournament! I am so proud of you!

Well I am back at the gym 3 times a week trying to get back in shape. I do the elliptical for 45 minutes and then head to the weight room for about a half hour and pump, pump, pump! I have my records from when I was lifting before and it is amazing how quickly my muscles return and allow me to lift more and more each week. I really would like to be in great shape for the surgery in June. I am watching what I eat, but the pounds just don't want to leave, I hope the reason is that I have been building some muscle.

Yesterday I met with the Psychiatrist, Dr. Florina Haimovici. It was a
short meeting about 15 minutes. She wanted to know about my family
history, if I heard voices, and if I was familiar with what to expect
from gastric bypass. She asked me who was President of the United
States, to subtract 7 from 100, and tell her the months of the year
backwards. Gosh, I hope I pass! I was actually hoping for more from my
25 dollar copay, but it really is just a quick meeting to see if I was
certifiable!

I am scheduled for gastric bypass surgery for Jun 16th. I have done much research and have talked to some of the best doctors at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston. All of them think I would be a great candidate and said they would do it themselves if they had the health problems that I am now facing. I don't think I would even consider this if I did not have the diabetes, but the chance to eliminate it through surgery has sealed the deal. I would like to lose 20 lbs before the surgery and I have begun exercising every day. The better shape I am in before the quicker recovery I should have. If you would like more information on the procedure itself I strongly recommend reading Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity at the National Institutes of Health.

This has been a very soul searching week for me. Since diagnosis with diabetes last October, I have maintained a weight loss of only about 5 pounds. It is really time for me to evaluate why I can't seem to take my health seriously and get this weight off. I feel that one of my main problems is my ability to inhale food. I just don't give my body enough time to let me know that I have had enough. I eat a varied diet and don't have much of a sweet tooth, but my portion sizes are huge. I am discouraged by diets and weight-loss plans and have been on many all my life. I am even considering surgical solutions. I have always thought that they are a bad choice. However, recent studies suggest that surgical solutions can send diabetes into remission in over 80 percent of cases. It has also been noted that bariatric surgery is the most effective tool for losing and keeping weight off. It is becoming obvious to me and apparently backed by most statistics that telling an obese person to just eat less and exercise more is not effective. From what I can research 90% of those who lose weight with traditional attempts regain their weight. I know from my diet classes that most of us in there are still fat! I look at all the people in my life that are fat and although some lose weight, all of them have gained it back. I know from psychology that "past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior", and that is why we stay fat. Yes we can change, and some people do, but most of us will not and that is the reality. Almost all the gurus, and friends that mean well seem to have never been 100 lbs over their ideal weight. I have tried weight watchers, nutra-system, atkins, and have been going to HMR for over ten years and I think I have yet to meet an educator that is keeping 100lbs off permanently. It seems my doctor's can't seem to lose weight or have never been seriously overweight either. Obese people like myself started our problems early in life. We really should have been more worried then. If we never got this heavy the first time, I think we probably would have had a better chance. My understanding is that once we gain additional fat cells they remain with us even if we lose weight. This gives us a tendency to gain weight more easily than someone who never has been overweight to begin with. Doctors and people who have never been really overweight seem to forget this. Our bodies are different than yours. It really is different for you than us. Yes, we can lose weight just as you might have, but it is harder for us to keep it off. Our extra fat cells are hungry! I am really beginning to believe this. I know I can lose weight...and have done so many times. I just find it impossible to keep it off without making it a total obsession. I know when I lost 100 lbs 9 years ago that I was working far harder than someone who was my weight at the time who had never been seriously overweight. I don't think telling people that diet and exercise is the only key to weight maintenance in  someone who was obese is the end of the equation. It is an important part, but I think more research must be done. I really think something is missing here. It could be the fat cells I spoke of, a metabolic deficiency, or something we haven't found yet. There is too much focus today on losing weight when the real problem is keeping it off permanently. At this point, I am going to use the best available evidence to find a permanent weight maintenance solution.

I found this great article about the history of the French butter keeper. We use them all the time at our house. It really is a great way to store your butter. I used to hate spreading butter on toast when when we used to keep it in the refrigerator. It was impossible to spread! Get a butter bell today! They are wonderful!

Kudos: Interesting Thing of the Day

Apparently someone has hacked Sesame Street's Elmo Toy! You can read the full story here. What's next? Suicide bomber Barbie?

Kudos: Endgadget

Today I was watching The View with Whoopie Goldberg and the name of Actor Ed Harris came up. At hearing his name, Whoop let out a quite audible, "Woof"! I nominate Whoopie as an honorary bear!

Today I am back to school. I am taking only one course this semester, the second half of Anatomy and Physiology. I am taking it online through Seward Community College in Kansas! I took the first part of the course there last summer and it was a great experience. I have a different teacher this time and from looking at the syllabus it appears to be a little more demanding... Lots of busywork. I prefer to just read the book, do a virtual dissection, and take  the chapter test. I also have to do some real dissections for this course also. This week I am on the lookout for a pig or steer eye at a local butcher. I can't wait to see the looks(pun intended) when I am in the store asking for one! Where do you find a butcher today anyway?

This is the best news that I have heard in a long time! He reminds me of several actors I worked with over the years. They would say anything to get the part and overall they were a big phonies! BYE, BYE... YOU JERK!

Mitt Romney is my Loser of the Week!

This is the 3rd time I watched this show on FOX. It is getting tired fast. It moves at a snail's pace!

Apparently the massage therapist that found Heath Ledger called Mary Kate Olsen before calling 911. If any of my friends find me not breathing one day would you please call 911, then Mary Kate?

What was the horrible graphic on the bottom of the screen tonight? It looked like scaffolding or something. It was very distracting and quite ugly! I guess my attention to that shows you how interesting I thought the candidates were!