NewSetOfCurves

Mark! Is right!!! The stuff my husband buys and the product I bought are products that augment natural growth hormone release...I'm sorry for posting misleading information!!!!

The shrinking of the liver also helps decrease the chances of the surgeon accidentally puncturing or creating any type of laceration on the liver itself.

Thanks for sharing!

These assholes no longer have my business! I spend a crap load of $$$ there every year for my oldest kids and niece. All they'll get now is my finger!

Sorry! Here is the link to the article: http://www.lahealthandrejuvenation.com/hgh-benefits.html

Congrats on the weight loss! That is really, really awesome! I found a pretty good article on HGH. My husband uses it and swears by it. I just ordered some for myself earlier today.

Has anybody used this to help slow down the absorption/breakdown of protein? I've started an exercise regimen that includes 6 days of cardio (in the AM for maximum fat burning potential) and 4 days of strength training (in the evening for maximum muscle building potential). I'm still pre-op (5-6 weeks to go), but I've already began drinking shakes for breakfast and lunch, a small sensible dinner with protein and greens, and snacks between each meal consisting of 2% string cheese, nuts, and fruits (fruits only in AM to allow time to expend carbs)--caloric intake varies from 1200-1400 a day. However, I was thinking about adding a casein drink before bed time. I was looking at BioQuests Ultmate Casein (http://www.prosource.net/product_details.aspx?item_guid=CFE3CCC4-B3A8-4B24-919B-A559BE16F1D8). Anybody have any takes?

I really dislike it when one asks, "Is this the total cost? Are there any other fees?" And the response is, "No mam, that is the total cost; it covers everything." Only to find out that there is a $1300 fee for the Endoscopy, $500 for the hospital registration, $150 gall bladder sono.... Arrrrrrrgggggg! I'm self pay and I barely have the money to cover the cost...would it be to much to ask of these people to give you the courtesy of a warning/heads up of these costs, so one can prepare? Instead of having to stand there like a speechless idiot because I'm shocked at the unexpected charges. SMH Sorry...just venting.

Lmao! I think there's already a thread on that in the Men's Room...

First off, I have to agree with Laura, you look great! Second, I think your pecs look great, but a suggestion I have--if you're really concerned about them--is the bench reversed pyramid. You can do this with flat, incline, or decline (or any lifting exercise, really!). I read about it once-upon-time in a Muscle and Fitness magazine, and my husband rotates it into his routine on bi-weekly basis. He started out at 185 and now maxes out at 415. Basically you bench 1 rep of you max, 2 reps of your max - 10 or 20 pounds (whatever weight you reach failure at with 2 reps), 3 reps of the next weight down and so on until you get down to the 45lb bar all on its own, with maximum reps. You will definitelt have Jello arms afterwards, but not only do you increase your strength, you increase your pectoral definition. They will be even more phenomenal than they are now .

Do you mind sharing your stats (I.e. your height, starting weight, ending weight)? I want to lose about 80/85 pounds and I'm curious if we are similar in build.

You look awesome! Your weightless is making me so excited to begin mine!!!

Wow!! Congrats!!! How exciting and what a great job you're doing... you look awesome!

I'm a big girl with a WHOLE lot of confidence. I feel very beautiful, my husband makes me feel beautiful, and people flatter me all the time. There is nothing wrong with being confident and loving yourself despite your size. I don't think anybody is judging you about that, but rather commenting on the information you had provided. Now, I too agree with you. I find people with "meat on their bones" more attractive. I don't want to get too skinny because I LOVE my curves, but my health is more important. You just have to access if this surgery is right for you, and based on you health issues, it may be. However, you must be prepared to lose a LOT of weight. Like Laura-ven said, you will lose about 75% of your excess weight. If that makes you feel uncomfortable, then perhaps you should seek alternative methods. This is in no way casting judgement; rather, it is a suggestion for you to explore more options because although health is EXTREAMLY important, so is your happiness. You can be healthiest person alive, but if you're knee deep in your own misery, then your stuck in a river that isn't living. I wish you the best of luck and I hope you find the answers you seek.

Wow! You look great! Congrats!!!

So I've been researching shakes, and I went ahead and clicked on an ad on this site for IdealShape Shakes. I really liked that they have 20 vitamins and minerals, 18 of which are at a 50, 60, 80, or 90% rate of the recommended daily value--not to mention the low calories, sugars and carbs. Considering the lack of ability to consume much of anything, I really value that. However, the grams of protein per serving is low (only 11 grams). My thinking is to add a flavorless protein to get the protein I need; reaping in the tradeoff of great DV's. What do y'all think? Has anyone tried this or perhaps have better suggestions? Need help...trying to prepare!

I am a mother of 4, and I didn't really start to show (in my first pregnancy) until about the enf of my fifth month. Everybody is different, and everybody carries differently (some towards the back, some more forward), so I am sure you're fine. Please make sure to take those vitamins and consume higher nutrient and calorie meals for the baby--or whatever your doctor has advised! Good luck and congrats!

Fiddleman, I am from South Texas and we have short-wearing heat waves in winter! I am currently up to a 3 mile run; however, I used to run a 7 mile course. One thing I learned early on as a young athlete was not to run in the sun! I would run at the butt-crack of dawn (please excuse the expression), or at sunset. I've never used a hydration belt, but I'm sure they would have helped when I HAD to run in the hot sun. Of course, I am not sleeved yet--so considering the minimum amounts of liquid that can be consumed at one time, I am interested in hearing about these belts.

All of you look great! Very inspirational! CowgirlJane...WOW!!! Congrats on the -150!!!

Here in south Texas, you're looking at about $8,000-$11,000. However, lots of doctors require pre-operation procedures and consultations; all of which can be costly, especially without insurance. For example, most doctors require an upper endoscopy (or EGD). The cost of that procedure varies from $2k to $10k. The hospital I'm going to charges $6k, but I only pay 10%. So, she must consider those things. A lot of doctors also have credit lines, like Care Credit, that will cover the costs and create a payment plan.

I agree! So many factors to consider! People's body frame:sm, m, or lg? Fat vs. muscle. People with higher muscle content will look thinner because muscle is dense and compact, versus fat that is more volume-ess, less dense, and requires a lot more of to have an equivalent weight to muscle. However, it was a really neat site and I did find a person of similar body frame size that matched my own. Thanks for sharing

Congrats!

Lol! Based on everyone's comments on this site, I guess you're right!

Did you have to go through or follow a monitored nutrition plan first?

Thanks for sharing! Congrats on commencing this journey to a new you!!!