RE: Cindy and

January 9, 2004

Dear Cindy,

Yes, n is correct in that soy protein tastes better than whey

protein a lot of the time, but that's usually because there's also more

sugar in the soy drinks.

The fact is, the major difference between soy protein and whey protein

is that we don't absorb the protein from the soy mixes. Whey protein is

the most absorbable type for bypassed intestines. And, yes, it takes a

very long time to find a shake you can stand the taste of, but it's

worth the effort because once you are bypassed, the amount of protein

you will actually be able to absorb from food is very little. The most

protein (probably 95%) you will absorb will be from whey protein shakes.

I strongly recommend that you visit either Vitalady.com or

wlssuccess.com and search their samples sections. Both sites have a

tremendous amount of protein powders that you can sample for about $1 to

$2 each, instead of buying big tubs of the powders and then not using

them when you decide they are too nasty. Another alternative, if you

don't want to shop online, is to go to a local GNC. They have an

excellent return policy. Keep the receipt of any product you buy from

them. If, after opening it, you decide you hate it, they will return

the product for a full refund WITH YOUR RECEIPT. If you lose your

receipt, they will return for store credit.

I don't work for these websites or for GNC and make no money from

recommending them to you... hahahahaha. These have been my experiences

with them.

Dear ,

I know how nervous and afraid you must be for your mom to be going for

this surgery. It is a very scary time for you and for her. The thing

you need to think about, though, is that with mom as heavy as she is,

she cannot be living a good, healthy life. She probably has many

medical conditions that could kill her and this surgery, though scary,

could extend her life many, many years.

I know, for me, I had many medical conditions that were killing me. I

had severe diabetes, GERD, hypertension, kidney problems and the list

goes on and on. I knew there was a .5% chance that I would die from

this surgery. That means that 1 person out of 200 can die when they have

this surgery. I also knew that my medical problems were killing me. I

am sure, that without this surgery, I would be dead my now. Now, when

you look at that number (the 1 in 200), do you realize that 199 out of

200 people go on to live very healthy, thinner lives? Don't you want

the best for your mom? Don't you want to keep her with you as long as

possible?

A lot of times people look at fat people and think we're just fat, that

there's nothing wrong with us. Well, the truth is, we suffer from

medical conditions that are truly life threatening, but you just don't

see the results until it's too late. Diabetes is a major killer, but

you don't really look different or feel different when you have it.

But, it effects your eyes, your heart, all of your organs. It makes

your hands and feet go numb and stay cold. Hypertension can make you

have strokes and heart attacks. None of these illnesses let you live as

long as you should.

When you have this surgery, 98% of people with diabetes no longer need

medication for the diabetes after surgery. Most medications for these

typical illnesses stop following surgery or are greatly reduced.

You will have a healthier, thinner mom that will be able to participate

with you in the things you want her to. She will be there for all the

major steps you take in your future. She will be an active participant,

not just someone who sits on the sidelines and watches or doesn't leave

the house because she's embarrassed. She will fell happier in her own

body and enjoy her life with you so much more.

I know, for me, I was in a wheelchair for over 3 years. I had to have

people help me take care of my daughter and take her places for me. If

we went on vacation to somewhere like Disneyworld, I had to go with

friends also (not just our family) because I needed people to be able to

do things with her and ride the rides with her that I couldn't fit on.

I had my surgery 16 months ago. Since that time, I've lost 174 lbs. and

there's nothing I can't do. I no longer need my wheelchair (I use it at

my desk when I'm at my computer, that's all). I am able to walk without

having to stop for air. I am able to fit in anywhere. I can go

straight through a turnstile and I can ride rides with my kid and don't

need someone else to take her anywhere now. I can even get down on the

floor with her and enter her world. I could never have done any of this

without having this surgery.

I hope you can see that your mom wants to do what she feels is best for

her to help her get her life back on track, so that she can be there for

all of you in the way she wants to, in the way she was meant to be.

My best wishes and hopes for the future for both of you.

live each day like it's your last... love like you've never been hurt...

Deb in Hazlet, NJ

" Debbie Dancer "

distal rny

September 3, 2002

386/212/165

BMI 60/31/24

-174

-100 "

Angel to Bill, Debbie, Ilene, Roy, and Ro

January 9, 2004