KarenG.

Thanks for your response. I have to call my insurance company and get some info from them. I get the occasional rash under my stomach - I actually thought to take a pic last time. THey are pretty tolerable though between you and me. I also find running increasingly difficult because of the swinging skin and need to wear super duper spandex to keep things from flying away. Finding other things uncomfortable with the skin on butt - won't get to graphic here. Anyway I hope that combined with the need for a hernia repair my insurance company will cover some of my costs. Good luck to you and keep us updated on your progress!

Get a george foreman grill. You can put chicken, fish etc. on there even veggies and no cooking is neccessary!

Could you tell me what insurance you have and how you got approved and for which procedures? Thanks!

See I have the hernia problem so I may decide to do it even before I am at my "goal weight". I have been losing pretty steadily but would like to lose another 30lbs or so total. I probably will opt for the end of the summer or early fall unless my hernia really starts bothering me in which case I may have to do it earlier. 60lbs is a great loss. The exercise has been really helping me lose steadily even when I am not eating as wisely as I could. I also have been really well restricted for over 2 months now.

and burns tons of calories....

I am seeing some people at NYH because that is where I always go. It seems like you have been doing great too. What is your timeframe for PS?

Hi Pashimina - what is the name of the PS that you are using? I have some consults scheduled. Remember - both in NYC!

I am having a lot of body anxiety - also down to a size 12. I really am not sure where it stems from because I know that I must look better but I look in the mirror and feel the same. Actually, I feel almost worse than the same --- ugly. The loose skin makes me so sad for some reason. I also get irritated when people tell me that I look thin now - I don't feel thin. Also not sure why this irritates me so much since I would have loved such a compliment before... I am having a PS consult in a few weeks - a little earlier than I planned because I need a hernia repair also.

Feels weird to me -- i guess it could bounce up again before 3/21 - havent been this low since middle school. Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........198........197..........1 cQQlgirl........215...........212........200.........12 destiny79.......255...........250........240.........10 Foofy...........242.5.........240........234.........6 Jackie..........164...........162........157..........5 Jill............220...........216........210..........6 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........181........181..........0 kjl315..........227...........220........217..........3 kristin1031.....240...........235........225.........10 legster.........209...........206........196.........10 LessnLess.......164...........159........157..........2 Linda Lu........228...........217.2......215..........2.2 Longhorn........204...........196........195..........1 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........202........195.........7 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........247........241..........6 Redtulips3......225...........221........215..........6 Renewedhope.....213...........206........199..........7 Sades...........201...........197........190..........7 Skinny_Jill.....186...........182........178..........4 Stacy73.........222...........219........212..........7 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........269........260..........9 wombat712.......145...........144........135..........9 debihaines......254...........219........209.........10 4jin............225...........220........220..........0 Trixie..........241...........224.5......221.........3.5 Jennypoo........199...........197.5........194.......3.5

you will definately make it. If I could do it anyone could. I started spinning in November - weighing over 40lbs more than I do now and I love it so much and go 4-5 times per week when I can.

Congratulations!!

I have a ps consult on 3/31 and the idea is making me as nervous as the LB surgery. What are you thinking about getting?

You guys are great! Keeping me motivated. Name: Frangipani Weight loss from day of surgery: 81 lbs Total weight loss: 87 lbs Name: Candle Weight loss from day of surgery: 81 lbs Total weight loss: 111 lbs Name: Salsa Weight loss from day of surgery: 81 lbs Total weight loss: 81 lbs Name: Pammycakes Weight loss from day of surgery: 84 lbs Total weight loss: 86 lbs Name: Ceradad Weight loss from day of surgery: 80.5 Total weight loss: 100.5 Name: KarenG. Weight loss from day of surgery: 74 Total weight loss: 74

It seems like I was restricted just a few days ago... and now poof this week it is GONE. Is it normal? Should I wait it out and see if it is a hormonal thing or should I try to schedule a fill? I had an appointment 2 weeks ago only and we decided I didn't need one. Thanks for advice.

Name...........Start........Current......Goal.......To Go Brandymom1234...200...........200........185.........15 Candle..........205...........200.5......197..........3.5 cQQlgirl........215...........212........200.........12 destiny79.......255...........250........240.........10 Foofy...........242.5.........240........234.........6 Jackie..........164...........164........154.........10 Jill............220...........216........210..........6 Jovi2673........217...........217........200.........17 KarenG .........189...........184........181..........3 kjl315..........227...........220........217..........3 kristin1031.....240...........235........225.........10 legster.........209...........206........196.........10 LessnLess.......164...........159........157..........2 Linda Lu........228...........221........215..........6 Longhorn........204...........197.4......195..........2.4 Mumof2boys......188...........188........175.........13 Marimaru........206...........202........195.........7 PhDiva..........208...........208........195.........13 Rainer..........251...........247........241..........6 Redtulips3......225...........221........215..........6 Renewedhope.....213...........208........199..........9 Sades...........201...........198........190..........8 Skinny_Jill.....186...........182........178..........4 Stacy73.........222...........219........212.........7 Sunny112........143...........143........135..........8 Suzzzie.........291...........291........280.........11 Valstar.........269...........269........260..........9 wombat712.......145...........144........135..........9 debihaines......254...........219........209.........10 4jin............225...........225........220..........5 Trixie..........241...........227.5......221.........6.5

totally helps! Thanks! I may try a modified version of this. BUT as I write this I am eating lunch and I think I am restricted again! Go figure.

THanks for your answers guys but I have had good restriction for 2 months now so I am mostly interested in people's opinions about the change I am feeling. Thanks!

Hi Larend, I see that we have about the same BMI --- how did you decide when you would go for a tt? I would like to try and do it sometime soonish (like spring or summer) because I need to repair a painful hernia at the same time but I want to make sure that I have good results. How close to goal have the PSs been saying that you need to be?

I would go for the fill. I dont know anything about the realize band but I assume it is the same concept. When you are first given a fill you are swollen for a while (like after surgery) but then when the swelling goes down you can tell more what you need. Some people get a delayed reaction and feel tighter a few weeks later but I have never experienced that.

Getting smaller is a great but EXPENSIVE problem to have. I started at a very tight size 20 and now am wearing a regular size 12. Actually I didn't really believe that I am a size 12 but I even went shopping with my mom this weekend (totally picky shopper and tells it like it is) and she said definately a 12 and maybe even try a 10... but the 10 was too tight! My head definately has not caught up with my size. I feel like I look the same as I did before weight loss and I definately am not feeling good about my body. :drool: I try to keep a pair of jeans and a pair of black pants that look good on me all of the time.

AMAZING AMAZING!! The difference is so remarkable! Loving your updates and hoping you feel as good as you look.

I woke up this morning really wanting to cook. I texted a friend and told her that she HAD to come over for dinner. I cooked a semi-elaborate meal and enjoyed a tiny portion. It was gratifying to be able to cook for my friend and I enjoyed it too. Don't worry - there are problems with the band but THIS is not one of them ! Things get easier once you have the surgery.

At first I didn't have a problem with the sushi rolls but as I got more fills the sticky rice was too sticky for me. Also, the seaweed makes it hard to take small enough bites. The solution is that I get the rolls without rice and ask for soybean paper instead of seaweed. I have had no problems getting maki this way.

OMG! What an amazing and awesome difference. For sure going to help with the running and everything else. So happy for you!

I carefully chose who to tell about the surgery. It was my younger sister's idea and she has been 100% supportive. The friendstold were all supportive too. I knew that there were people who would be judgmental so I didn't tell those people.