ArcusX

Don't get me wrong. I like Lee Child; I've read Killing Floor, 61 hours and The Affair, but I have two basic problems: 1) I don't really connect with Jack Reacher; he seems flat to me somehow, and 2) (and this is my biggest problem) All three stories were basically the same: Reacher drifts in, assists the small-town local sheriff, who just happens to be an attractive single woman, twist, Reacher & said sheriff are attracted to each other, turn, kiss, solve the case, then Reacher and Sheriff separate, never to see each other again. As soon as the sheriff enters the story, half the synopsis becomes predictable.

Maine - I don't plan to be nervous until I'm on the gurney!

That's because it's not horror, it's more "historical fiction." I'm with you... it's the only book I've read where I almost literally couldn't put it down. I've always heard that phrase, but never truly experienced it. Joyland is supposed to be really, really good too, but now that I have my Kindle, I have an aversion to physical books. I might have to go Audible on this one and listen to it during my 51 mile commute.

Dark Places was her first novel. Maybe she got better and the next one will be on par with Gone Girl.

Looks like we have very similar tastes: "Inferno" is the only one I haven't read yet by Dan Brown. It's on my list. "Sycamore Row" - I saw this the other night and read the synopses, and it looked too similar to another one of his I recently read, "The Testament," so I'll pass. The Testament was good though. Baldacci: A recent discovery of mine. I like him better than Lee Child, but if you like Baldacci, check out Vince Flynn. I didn't want to like him just because of his name, but the first 2-3 books in the Mitch Rapp series were very good. King: I'm a long time fan. Just finished "Doctor sleep." "11/22/63" was awesome! "Gone Girl" - I really liked this one too. I have G. Flynn's previous book in my wish list, but haven't gotten to it yet. One you haven't touched that I recently read and really liked is "Brilliance" by Marcus Sakey.

I just finished Doctor sleep, and The Shining right before that. Did you read 11/22/63? My personal favorite.

In men's defense, it's not as though we can see you from across the room and know what your personality, intelligence or morals are. Can you imagine? "Hey Bob, take a look at her. I bet she's got a GREAT personality!" it's got to start somewhere... On the other hand, the flip side could be this: "Hey Bob, take a look at her. She can barely find the straw in her cocktail. And those tattoos! She probably has NO MORALS!"

Hey Dan, Actually the overall hasn't been as short as it may seem. I started in earnest last October with a previous employer / insurance. I got through all the stuff only to be denied because my employer explicitly excluded bariatric surgery from its coverage. Check my sig / past posts and you'll see. When I got this new job on 29-July I learned that my new insurance does, in fact, cover surgery. Within a couple of weeks, I was in a motorcycle accident and broke my shoulder. Fortunately, I hadn't made my elections yet for the new insurance, so I maxed everything - high-tier coverage & $2500 on FSA so i could cover the ambulance, physical therapy, etc. Now that I'm recovered, I reached out to my surgeon's office, and found that all that stuff I did like the endoscopy, etc., is good for a year, so they just had to submit all my info to the new insurance company. I made the move because i found that the coverage year ends 12/31, so i still have money to burn on the FSA, and I've already hit my deductibles and out of pocket maximums. Might as well try to take advantage!

They're not telling me just yet. I emailed the coordinator this morning. She said they couldn't/wouldn't schedule me for pre-op before getting approved. She also said I needed to attend a sleeve class and the next one is next Thursday at 10:00 AM. Not exactly convenient, but I can make it happen. I guess I'm resigned to do as others are doing. Today so far, a couple of shakes, Water, a hard boiled egg and a handful of peanuts. When people say "shake" on the pre-op, how many ounces are they? I've been doing Isopure, which is 12-oz water w/ 2 scoops of powder for 210 cal / 50g Protein.

I think I'm going in on the 16th. I'm scheduled for that date, but I'm still waiting on approval. I actually got a call today from the surgeon's office saying they got a letter from insurance looking for proof of sleep apnea and diabetes. She said that was good. She said she'd get them the info today. My fear now is this shortens my pre-op phase. I'm not even scheduled for a pre-op appointment as a result. I feel like I should be doing something now that I'm not yet doing. What are you all doing today? Vitamins? Diet? Other supplements? As you can see in my sig, I got denied a year ago, and this came up somewhat quickly after starting a new job. Any help or advice is appreciated.

While tentatively scheduled for surgery on 16-December, I am awaiting approval. I just got a call today that the surgeon's office received a letter from insurance looking for proof of my sleep apnea and diabetes. She said that was good news. Fortunately, I saw the sleep doctor and had blood work in the past month or so, so she says I should be in good shape. My only worry now is that I think I'm supposed to be starting my pre-op diet, and they're holding off, pending approval. <sigh> - John

I've been absent from this site for around 10 or 11 months. Last year, starting in October, I started down the path of getting the sleeve done. Doctor's office said I was covered, and after loosing 25# and going through (and paying for) all the pre-op stuff, when they submitted me for approval in December, I found my employer expressly omitted WLS from their coverage. Fast forward and in August, I started a new job, and was pleased to find that WLS is covered under their plan. A week later, I broke my shoulder in a MC accident, so it gave me the opportunity to get the maximum coverage, and maximum FSA for medical. Now in order to maximize my deductibles, I'm looking at - and currently (tentatively) scheduled - for surgery on 16-December. I had done pretty well the first few months after being denied with keeping the weight I had lost off, but eventually I fell back into old habits. I didn't put it all back on - maybe around 10# of the original 15, but I'm not eating like I should. I'm not drinking nothing but Water the way I was, and the way I should. While I did get a letter from the surgeon's office Friday about needing to pay for the surgical assistant, I still don't know if I'm approved at this point. I had planned to call on Monday for an update anyway. I don't think the letter necessarily means I'm approved, and I think that's why I'm in the funk that I am. I know what I need to be doing, but I'm not motivated at all, feeling like I'm just going to get declined anyway.

When I had my vasectomy, I had to do it myself. Will they shave my abdomen, or will I have to do it?

I can't stand when I read, "my hubby" this, and "my hubby" that. I can't explain why. Maybe I would compare it to calling my wife, "my 'ol lady." Is it just me?

don't know how good it is, but Fitbit has one: http://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-Wi-Fi-Smart-Scale-Black/dp/B0077L8YOO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360086913&sr=8-1&keywords=fitbit+aria Seems to have favorable reviews.

I've mentioned this before here in the Man Room, but the product is so good, it's worth repeating: if you shave with a razor, I highly recommend trying Billy Jealousy's Hydroplane Super Slick Shave Cream: http://www.amazon.com/Billy-Jealousy-Hydroplane-8-Ounce-Bottle/dp/B000A5CPJ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360008459&sr=8-1&keywords=billy+jealousy I shave my head now too, and it works so much better than anything I ever used in a can. I regularly shave against the grain without any irritation, and I'm using a cheap Schick Extreme 3 disposable razor (for the contour of my head), and still get great results because of the cream. Do yourself a favor and try it. You probably won't go back!

I prefer the Isopure low/no carb powders. Vanilla, dutch chocolate and banana were all very good. I didn't like the Orange-Banana-Pineapple one at all. The one's KittenKate is referring to are the RTD bottles, which I was told were really good for your clear liquid stage immediately following surgery.

I posted a poll a while back. Celebrate came in on top for taste: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/58030-chewable-multivitamin-taste-survey/

Statistically, bariatric surgery resolves 74-98% of obstructive sleep apnea.

Amy and All - I've had really good success at following recommendations by Consumer Reports. I think a year's subscription is only about $25 that is money well spent. I'm certain they have something for all sorts of fitness equipment - especially treadmills. Any recommendation I've followed from them, I've been extremely happy with.

After being denied, I'm continuing dieting. I'm still doing well. I fear too well. If it ever comes around, maybe my BMI will be too low... oh well. There are worse problems to have.

Sorry to hear about your complications, Princesstia. How did the doctor feel about your prognosis moving forward after the second surgery? Are the continuing discomfort what he expected? I would stay in CLOSE contact with the doctor's office until you feel better. Daily.

Thanks Nicolaz and Susie. And by the way, that passive aggressive approach is better than out-and-out "No!" and being obstructive to the process.

Some amature observations: She's against the surgery, but doesn't want to come right out and say so. This is the "passive aggressive'" approach. All excellent reasons you've given YOURSELF for moving forward with surgery. She doesn't get this part.. at least not yet. Here's where I have a little more direct experience. My wife doesn't work and I have little control over meal planning - particularly for dinner. I began this most recent diet in October. Here is my approach: I have 100% control over Breakfast and lunch during the work week. I drink an Isopure shake for breakfast and have a simple sandwich for lunch. If I snack, it's hard-boiled eggs that I prepare at home and bring in to work. I keep the stuff for sandwiches at work, and make them myself. I'd do this at home if I had to, but since I don't, and my only focus in the morning is getting out the door, this is what works for me. Dinner is where my control is lost. About half the time, she cooks meals that are not too bad for me, like stir fry vegetables The rest of the time - like just last night where she made frozen pizzas - it's up to me to simply control myself - my portions. My 9-year old ate twice as much pizza than I did last night. Simply put, I've made the decision to eat better (despite being denied for surgery from insurance), and if I fail to do that, I have only myself to blame. I think you're 100% right here. My guess is, if she ever becomes supportive, it won't be until post surgery and you're feeling good and she's able to see the results. My advice: Ever paid attention to the flight attendants safety talk/demonstration when you fly somewhere? When the oxygen mask falls from the ceiling, you are supposed to put your own mask on before assisting your children. This is because if you don't take care of yourself first, you may not be able to help anyone else. To me, this concept is universal. You first fund your own retirement and emergency savings, before funding your children's college. This same concept needs to be considered here for your health; if you do not take care of yourself first, you may not be alive to have that happy marriage. It's just like they say, it's up to you to make your self happy; it's not your wife's job to MAKE you happy - it's up to you. If you are not healthy and happy, it will make your marriage less healthy and happy. Your first duty is to yourself. Make the decision that's best for YOU, and make the rest work.