ArcusX

I just got my approval yesterday and we're eyeballing May 19.

Man, do I feel sorry for you. I couldn't get through 1 pages without getting bored to tears. I highly recommend Head First PMP. MUCH more digestible. http://www.amazon.com/Head-First-PMP-Jennifer-Greene/dp/1449364918/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1388950180&sr=8-1 My class is based on 5th ed PMBOK. After class I will be concentrating on PMBOK and 8th ed Rita Mulcahy Exam Prep. I rate PMBOK up there with some of my insomnia cure reading for other classes including con law and admin law. Can't want to read something fun. Hopefully by end of March if not sooner. Just have to pass my PMP exam. The Head First book covers PMBOK material in a format that's actually readable. It helped me pass my PMP for sure. If I decide to recertify, I will start here. Oh, not a book but PM Prepcast by Cornelius Fitchner was really helpful too. More worth the money than the prep class I took through University of Riverside: https://www.project-management-prepcast.com/?mobile=0

My recent activity: "Wilderness" by Dean Koontz: it was okay. I think it's a starter short story to another novel. I don't plan to read the novel. "NOS4A2" by Joe Hill. This was an Audible book and I really enjoyed it. I thought early on that Hill's style was very similar to Stephen King, only to later find out that was because Joe Hill is actually Stephen King's son. If you like King, give this one a spin - I really liked it. "Transfer of Power" by Vince Flynn: I mentioned Flynn earlier in the thread, and this one didn't disappoint. It's what the movie "Olympus Has Fallen" wished it could have been. I just started reading "Sycamore Row" which is recommended here above, and was also recommended by a friend. So far, so good. I also started listening to Audible version of "Atlas Shrugged"

Man, do I feel sorry for you. I couldn't get through 1 pages without getting bored to tears. I highly recommend Head First PMP. MUCH more digestible. http://www.amazon.com/Head-First-PMP-Jennifer-Greene/dp/1449364918/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1388950180&sr=8-1

I'm scheduled for 12/16, but not yet approved by insurance. I spoke to the coordinator today, and Wednesday is my drop-dead date to get the pre-op class and appointment w/ surgeon in before Monday. She said she might be able to get me in on 12/23, but I'm still in the same boat. Puts more of a damper on Christmas, but works better for my out of pocket stuff since it's the end of the plan year.

Hi All: I was in the thick of this last year, ultimately to be denied by insurance because my employer specifically omitted bariatric surgeries of any kind from their coverage due to risk of complications. I found this decision to be an old one, and I set out on a mini-campaign to get this decision at least reviewed, if not changed. I spent about two weeks doing research, and sent a fact-filled, heart-felt letter to the CEO and VP of HR stating my case. When I did this, I posted here on what was VST the contents of my letter. At the time, this forum for research did not exist, and I felt this would be a good home for it. So for your reading pleasure, here's the link to the original post: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/237281-letter-to-human-resources-long/ I welcome/encourage any mods to move that post to this forum. Enjoy!

Well, as it turns out, I haven't gained approval yet, so the 16th is definitely out for me. In fact, it's unlikely it will happen here in December at all. Best of luck to you all next week and in the coming weeks!

Here's a link to my experience. I'm sure it's on here too, some where. http://johnswlsjourney.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-egd-experience.html Just make sure they clean the scope after the last colonoscopy!

I found the poll: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/228860-chewable-multivitamin-taste-survey/

When I was originally going down this path a year ago, I had opened up a poll in the nutrition section looking for everyone's favorite chewable. The one that came out on top was one I hadn't even heard of: Celebrate. Unfortunately, search only goes back one year, and I think it was probably 14 months ago I posted the poll.

I think this has been discussed quite a bit - you might do a search. My guess is you would be happy with the vita mix; it's well reviewed. The Ninja seems just as well liked, and is less expensive. I have no direct experience with either, but search the forums and I'm sure you'll find good info from those how do.

I prefer the Isopure powders. 200 cal, 50g Protein. ~$2 per serving. Vitamin Shoppe online has the best price that I've found. Another thing that's great, is it mixes better than any powder I've used. Here are the flavors I've tried: Dutch chocolate (low carb): My favorite vanilla (zero carb): good, solid. My wife's favorite Strawberry's & Cream (zero carb): Just started this one for the first time this week. Wife's choice. Much better than I expected. I think it's my second favorite. banana Cream (zero carb): very good. Probably equal to strawberry, imo. pineapple, Orange, Banana (zero carb). I didn't like this one, but I managed to get through the tub. My neighbor was sleeved about 4 years ago, and he highly recommended the Isopure RTD for post op. High in protein (50g), but much more expensive (~4$ per bottle) than the powder. But, you don't have to worry about air.

I'm always one to think "it happens to other people, not me." Sooner or later it will be in one context or another. I thought that when I bought a motorcycle in August. I thought, "I'm smarter than those people who wreck their bikes." I guess my number finally came up when I got cut off by some out-of-stater on my commute home who wasn't looking where he was going. I went down and fortunately only suffered a broken shoulder and elbow. On the up side, my number isn't likely to come up again soon so surgery here I come! Sab - If you feel you're the one, maybe play the lotto?

LMAO

My ideal is purported to be 170, so I put that as my goal. If my goal were 200, like so many of you, I'd make it 199, just to break into the 100's! Honestly, I'll be surprised if i get below 185, but you gotsta have goals! What's that famous graduation speech? Better to aim for the moon and miss it than to aim for the gutter and hit it.

Congrats! What's for dinner?

My psych eval was a good long while ago, and mine did not involve a test. My shrink earned her money by talking to me directly. Comfy_Blue is spot on - especially w/ 1 & 3. Last year when i was on here a lot (before i got denied), i remember seeing a post from someone who was freaked out about NOT passing the psych eval. And I mean she was FREAKED. To the point, I thought - and might have responded this way - that maybe she wasn't really mentally strong enough to take this path. Look at some of the posts in Post Op forum: this surgery is not for the faint of heart. Beyond the physical challenges and changes, there are plenty of mental ones. Are you going to freak out and bust a stitch when you hit a plateau, or will you persevere? If you consider this as you cruise the Post Op forum, you'll see what I mean.

Well, i've moved on to another employer, so THAT point is moot. I posted here to help others. When I originally posted, the "Statistics" forum didn't exist, which is probably where this now belongs.

IDK about any models specifically, but I'm guessing - to a certain degree - you get what you pay for. We spent like 3400 on an elliptical machine, and it's every bit of "gym quality." I glanced at treadmills in passing at Sports Authority, and some of the more expensive ones have TV's built in or speakers and a connection for your MP3 player. I'd avoid these kinds of features; I feel like they push up the price more than the value they bring, and may artificially make it look "high-end." If you don't have Consumer Reports, they've never steered me wrong. Buy their top pic, and you're likely to be satisfied. I think online version ls like $26/yr and worth every penny. My $0.02. Good luck!

"Am I getting smaller, or are you getting bigger?"

Butter - i read this last night.. just incredible! One question I either missed, or no one asked: how much was it? (should be okay in the Man Room, right?

How do I find it? http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/181994-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-gastric-sleeve-surgery-thread/

http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/181994-the-official-what-you-will-need-for-your-gastric-sleeve-surgery-thread/

There's a pinned thread at the top of this forum on what to pack.

I've seen "Circles" on two lists now, but when I look it up on Amazon, it's not well rated.