Large man taking legal action against La Ronde.

I'll say this and say it right now.

BARRIATRIC IS A LAST RESORT! Yeah, My doctor even recommended it. I KNOW TWO NEAR DEATHS, One related and she developed problems 4 years afterwords. SHE's been in the hospital for 2.5 months now, Finally got her right but recovery is slow.

If your so big you could have a stroke or die of a heart attack from just getting out of bed, Id say go for it. It's healthier than being that big.

If your only up to double your recommended weight, I say give some plans a chance to work and follow them. They all aren't as hard as it seems.

I've tried many and only Weight Watchers am I able to stick to longer than two months. I've been in it 4.5 months and see no reason to stop now and feel no need to cheat or get off it.

Whatever works for you, Just try! :)

When I started this, I honestly felt i didn't have the will power to do it. I honestly at times felt hopeless and considered doing the dr recomeneded surgery.

Im doing it and I can do it and it's working!

Chuck

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Charles Nungester said:

(Chili I use 98percent fat free turkey instead of beef and fat free cheese but it's the spices that make the flavor anyhow so IM MISSING NOTHING BUT A TON OF CALORIES.

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It is a bit more expensive, but try ground bison instead. Less calories than turkey and tastes more like beef.

Other tips include Walden Farms calorie free italian dressing. They have calorie free everything but most of it scares me. This stuff however I tried and although it tastes a bit different, it is not bad. I found it at the grocery store but you can find it online too.

I also like stevia as a sugar substitute. It is a natural herb, sweeter than sugar, with no calories. It works better in some things than others, but is good for making your own sauces and dressings. You can find it at GNC.

I've met some women who you'd never ever EVER guess were bariatric patients. And I mean EVER. Late 30s, early 40s, look like they were ridiculously thin their entire lives.

Then again, I know others that didn't lose much. I know some who lost weight and gained it all back and then some.

Laparoscopic bariatric procedures are far less risky and invasive than procedures of a few years ago. So the odds of severe complications are significantly less than they were. But they still aren't a magic bullet. Like exercise or diet, it's naught but a tool. Just a part of the puzzle, if you will.

-'Playa

I would think that maybe this guy is upset at the way he was treated or something...

I mean if they run this Goliath any thing like they run SFOG's Goliath (dumb to try to match these crews, its just the first thing that came to my mind), then I could see that he may have been 'mishandled'.

At SFOG, everything they do or you do, seems to stop the entire operation. They are the dummest, meanest, stubbornest crew I have ever seen. I mean bad, real bad.

I worked on the Blue Streak at CP and we would see a big person coming through, we would be ready, and would tell them (discreetly of course) that they may have a hard time getting the lap bar down. But we wouldn't make a scene.

We did have to walk a couple folks down off the lift though a couple times b/c of lapbar not closing issues. But now the ride has a system that you can just sit back and stack the trains all you want (that's a diff thread.)

I'm fatter than ever.

You stick queens are gonna make us fatties selfconscious.

True dat Playa Lap bands are safer and just as successful if you do the follow ups however many insurance companies don't cover lap band but will barriatric because people don't do the follow ups due to the 200 dollar adjustments That actual surgery cost 26.000

There is actually two major problems loosing weight that fast (More than ten pounds a month)
The one is not getting your required nutrition.

The other is the skin will not recover and requires additional (COSMETIC SURGERY) That most insurance plans also WON'T cover unless it's deemed a risk to your health. Have fun finding a couple drs that will sign off on that.

For the last time, I'll just lend support and say Try Something :)

And congrats to the other weight loosers on this board! :)

Chuck

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J7G3 said:
I would think that maybe this guy is upset at the way he was treated or something...

I mean if they run this Goliath any thing like they run SFOG's Goliath (dumb to try to match these crews, its just the first thing that came to my mind), then I could see that he may have been 'mishandled'.

At SFOG, everything they do or you do, seems to stop the entire operation. They are the dummest, meanest, stubbornest crew I have ever seen. I mean bad, real bad.

I worked on the Blue Streak at CP and we would see a big person coming through, we would be ready, and would tell them (discreetly of course) that they may have a hard time getting the lap bar down. But we wouldn't make a scene.

We did have to walk a couple folks down off the lift though a couple times b/c of lapbar not closing issues. But now the ride has a system that you can just sit back and stack the trains all you want (that's a diff thread.)

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Why not just state they knew they were operating the ride unsafely and the trains had a tendency to overshoot so they made sure the train in the station wasn't there!

Chuck, who applauds you for your discretion But my experience with CP ride ops or line entrance people is to grab me by the shoulder and make a sceane SIR YOU NEED TO USE THE TEST SEAT. WELL NO **** DUMB A## I've already ridden twice today and tested myself first thing this morning. A simple SIR and pull take me aside would have sufficed.

I have been doing Weight Watchers myself. Been back on it for six weeks now. I haven't tried a lot of other diets, but I like WW in the sense that you can what you want within reason.

I started back in 2003, and had lost 66 lbs. I weight 286 lbs at the time, and dropped down to 220 lbs. Went from a 42 waste to a 36, and I still fit in the 36.

Recently I got back up to 251 lbs, and the 6 weeks I have been back on WW I have lost 17 lbs. I am now at 234, and am really starting to feel really good. This time I am shooting to get down to 190 lbs.

What made me get motivated? Originally a lot of it had to do with riding rollercoasters. I forget what year it was, but it was before they shortened the belt on MF. I was able to ride that, but then I went over to Mean Streak and couldn't fasten the belt.

Getting thrown off of a coaster because you can't fit is one of the most embarrassing things that has ever happened to me. I feel for the other people when I see that happen to. Then when I got thrown off of MS it made me think of just how unhealthy I had been eating and what could happen if I kept heading in that direction.

After that happened is when I joined WW the first time. That was in the fall, and the next spring I had started reading all the trip reports about MF, and how people were getting thrown off of it. I was going to CP for Coastermania, and was pretty anxious to see how I fit on the coasters.

When I got there I went directly to MF to ride knowing that if I could fit on that I'd be able to ride everything at CP. Got on front seat ride with several inches of slack in my belt. I was happy as can be. When I got on Mean Streak again I had at least a good 5 inches of slack in the belt. I was really feeling good.

Back up to the present this season at CP I just got the belt fastened on MF with enough slack to ride. I consider myself lucky that the way I am built(stocky) was the reason I was able to ride. I seen other people that I am pretty sure that weighed less then me not so fortunate.

As soon as I got through my Spring coaster trips(CP, PKD, BGE, SFA, SFGr8Adv, Dorney, Knoebels, and Hershey)I joined WW again.

I haven't been traveling this summer much due to the fact that I am remodeling my house. I am redoing the whole inside. New drywall, electrical, 2 new bathrooms, kitchen, trim, floors, and pretty much anything else you can think of. I am only about 30% of the way complete, so it keeps me busy. At the same time I am getting a good workout with all the heavy lifting hanging drywall etc.

I have been getting pretty good on the workout mode on Dance Dance Revolution, and ordered a Wii for their exercise games they have and are coming out with. It's nice losing 2- 3 lbs a week instead of gaining.

I tried the weight watchers thing. I've tried the Atkins thing. I've even tried Playa's carb addicts thing. None of them really worked for me because I don't cook all that often. Nor does my wife. I lead a very busy life, which, frankly, does not give me a lot of time to cook healthy meals.

That is why I decided to try the Nutri-systems plan. It'c very convenient. I have yet to make a meal that has taken more than five minutes to make. It isnt just their meals. You also supplement with salads, fruits, dairy, and some carbs. In fact, I feel like I eat TOO much on this diet.

As for maintenance, I will cross that bridge when I get there 60 lbs from now, but I do know that Nutri-systems does have their whole plan laid out in book form and that as long as you learn to read the labels on stuff right, that you can go off the special food items as well. One thing that is stressed is that you are not on a diet. You are making a lifestyle change. Also, just like WW, I can eat fries or things like that, too. I just have to watch the portions and limit the amount.

One of the biggest hurdles for me was the exercise. I had joined gyms before only to never use the membership. I despise lifting weights as I find it mind numbingly boring. Same thing for running, ect... For me, I would rather be out playing a round of golf or tennis or something that is more interactive. That is why I chose martial arts. Its interactive, they whip you into shape pretty darn fast, and you get a lot of the discipline to stick to a "lifestyle change" there. To me, it is now a hobby, like riding coasters is.

Chuck, the ride was operated safely. The trains on the Blue Streak shooting the station wasn't the problem here. The problem was that if the train coming in hit the limit switch at the back of the brake run before the train leaving hit the limit outside the station, the ride would 'set up' and maintenance would have to come out to pull the pin out and reset the brakes and system ;)

Billy, who thinks CP still really screwed up a great ride in the Blue Streak ;)

I weight 275 and wear a 40 waist, but I am not really fat. I am also 6'5 and most of what I have is muscle (I will admit to a little bit of fat in my stomach, which is over where the seatbelt falls) And I do have some trouble fitting in to some coasters. I would love if the parks and manufactures would work together and give us larger people a chance to ride some of the great coasters, but if I can't I'm not going to sue. I am just going to not ride, and if too many rides in the same park are too small, then I am just not going to visit the parks.

Congradts to everyone's weight loss!

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J7G3 said:
I would think that maybe this guy is upset at the way he was treated or something...

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That's what came to mind when I read this. Everytime I've been to La Rhonde the ride ops have been super nasty. Snickering or making comment to someone who couldn't fit on a ride doesn't seem out of character based on what I've seen there.

Last timean op on Goliath pretended not to speak English to one guy, then made fun of him in French, then spoke English to some girls next to him.

I don't think it warrants a lawsuit, but hopefully will be a wake up call for the park to make sure employees are at least decent to guests. If he's to big for the ride then that's his issue. But no one should have to play money to go somplace to be publicly himiliated by someone that works there.

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majortom1981 said:
That would send a dangerous president for the WHOLE industry.

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Didn't we send one of those to the White House for the last two terms? :)

Comparing apples to apples, I know that Nitro has a test seat at Great Adventure, and I can't imagine why La Ronde wouldn't have one as well. From the Great Adventure map I got on Monday:

Ride Restrictions

Safety is our number one priority. Guests with certain body proportions, height and/or weight may not be able to participate on certain rides if the safety restraints will not operate as designed. Specific ride information is available at the ride.

Here's the problem in a nutshell; you've got a whole industry who is starting to make big bucks catering to severely overweight people. From bigger beds, toilet seats and even caskets, they know there's big money to be made.

So instead of the person taking any responsibility for their weight issues, they don't have to worry about it anymore. And that's going to cause a huge ripple effect that's going to work its way down to the amusement park industry and potentially cost them a huge amount of money. If you can get a wider seat at church or on the airplane (due to high demand), why not on the amusement park ride?

One of the major problems with test seats is that on B&Ms at least, they only represent one size, even if there is a bigger size. I thought that is was genius at CP on MaxAir that both sizes of seats were available to try out.

Kick the Sky mentioned that he joined gyms only to never use the membership. Sadly, that applies to most of the people who sign-up for the annual New Year's resolution. They say the average person is back on the couch again in six weeks, and they've got your money--usually in a multi-year contract. I'm very lucky that I go month-to-month.

I don't always want to go to the gym, but I like the head results afterwards. It helps me fight off depression, insomnia, and I like looking physically better.

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Intamin Fan said:
Comparing apples to apples, I know that Nitro has a test seat at Great Adventure, and I can't imagine why La Ronde wouldn't have one as well. From the Great Adventure map I got on Monday:

Ride Restrictions

Safety is our number one priority. Guests with certain body proportions, height and/or weight may not be able to participate on certain rides if the safety restraints will not operate as designed. Specific ride information is available at the ride.

Here's the problem in a nutshell; you've got a whole industry who is starting to make big bucks catering to severely overweight people. From bigger beds, toilet seats and even caskets, they know there's big money to be made.

So instead of the person taking any responsibility for their weight issues, they don't have to worry about it anymore. And that's going to cause a huge ripple effect that's going to work its way down to the amusement park industry and potentially cost them a huge amount of money. If you can get a wider seat at church or on the airplane (due to high demand), why not on the amusement park ride?

One of the major problems with test seats is that on B&Ms at least, they only represent one size, even if there is a bigger size. I thought that is was genius at CP on MaxAir that both sizes of seats were available to try out.

Kick the Sky mentioned that he joined gyms only to never use the membership. Sadly, that applies to most of the people who sign-up for the annual New Year's resolution. They say the average person is back on the couch again in six weeks, and they've got your money--usually in a multi-year contract. I'm very lucky that I go month-to-month.

I don't always want to go to the gym, but I like the head results afterwards. It helps me fight off depression, insomnia, and I like looking physically better.

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OK, This is a example of someone not knowing WTH they are are talking about and just spouting opinions.

SORRY JACK! No matter how accomidating the world becomes to fat people. THE PERSON HAS PROBLEMS IN JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THEY DO! TRY WIPING YOUR ASS WHEN YOUR HUGE?

It's up to everyone to take responsibility for themselves and find what will work for them and if you've read everything, I HAD FOUR MAJOR PROBLEMS which led to food which for some people leads to drugs or alcohol or even abusing others.

Quit spouting off and being so hateful about something you have no clue on.

Chuck, who says you can lead a horse to the gym, YOU CAN'T MAKE EM WORK OUT! Be supportive, Not hateful.

P.S. After re-reading your post, I agree with most of it, However that statment of A FAT PERSON DON't have to worry as long as the world changes to them I consider extreme BULL.
*** Edited 8/3/2007 1:01:55 AM UTC by Charles Nungester***

This is very hard thread for me to read...but I appreciate it very much. I too would like to join the list of "losers."

I want to have another ride on El Toro (By 2008) and if I don't do something, it's not going to happen.

Speaking from one who is on the borderline - there are a few rides I can no longer ride at the moment:

In my case it is still a very few rides that can't accommodate me, so I am not as bad off as some.

Those of us who fall into this category should have a reasonable expectation when approaching a new ride that you might have problems.

That being discreet thing is a two way street, speaking as one who has taken "The Walk of Shame" ,the more you can keep the whole thing a non-event the better. Instead of making a scene and drawing further attention to yourself, and now some ire from the line as you are now holding up dispatch, when you get the unwelcome news, the best thing is to just make a low key departure from the ride area. Your first time will be the hardest on you.

Ride test seats, if you have any doubt, use 'em. Problem is that some parks don't have testers, take Kings Island for example. Only Delirium and Tomb Raider have testers, whereas my near misses are Drop Zone and Flight of Fear. (Note I can still ride those, but those are my two challenge rides, with Drop Zone being the big challenge)

Kings Island (and I think some other parks as well) have a written policy that if you have any doubts as to whether you can fit in the ride, that you should walk up the ride exit and ask to test a seat before waiting in line. I wonder if anybody has actually done that, I mean we are talking about an embarrassing situation anyway, if you are self concious, do you really want to bring attention to yourself by holding up the line so you can be escorted to try a seat you may not fit in, then either way be escorted back out.

Drop Zone was a challenge for me, requiring one of those "ride op pushes hard on the restraints" maneuvers. Seems that Intamin rides are the worst for larger rides, leading me back to my complaints that Intamin rides are completely out-of-touch with the American market purchases so many of their rides.

^I'm probably even a little more understanding of Intamin's *issues* regarding weight than I am with their issues re: height. For instance, the lapbar configurations are not very forgiving of overweight people, but it's taking the Europeans a little while to catch up to our overweight culture...

But *everyone* is getting taller, and fast. Was it Denmark (somewhere in that area, maybe Norway?) where the average adult man is now 6'1"...OTSR's need to be able to accommodate taller people - and the Europeans are NOT lagging behind in getting taller, so Intamin's HQ should theoretically be MORE understanding of that particular aspect...

IMO... ;)

Europeans are clearly better when it comes to their diets, hence their relatively low obesity rate. Still, since Intamin does a large part of its business in America, their rides should feature restraint systems that accomodate them at least as well as restraint systems from B&M and Vekoma. It's not like it's an unreasonable request when other European companies have been doing it for years and years, and not an unreasonable request when the current restraint systems are so flawed to begin with (I need not rattle off a list of Intamin rides that involved rider fatalities, do I?)