cassi

LOL! I guess it's all relative. I look forward to actually being ABLE to shop at Lane Bryant. They only go up to a size 24, leaving those of us who are bigger to shop at Wal-Mart (ugh! don't get me started) or Catherine's, which is pricey and ill-fitting (for me, anyway). One of my pet peeves about the plus-size industry is that they assume that we are all tall, big-boned girls. Pants, sleeves, etc. are always WAY to long for me. I'm a "petite"(LOL) 5'3";. I can't wait for the day that I can actually shop in the petite section of a regular department store!

<p>The sliding scales can be created at ticketfactory.com. Copy the URL when you're finished. Then go to the UserCP tab at the top of this page, click on edit signature, and then add the URL.</p>

Hi, I'm Cassi. It has taken me several years to make this decision. I previously felt like I was "giving up" or somehow "cheating" if I chose to do bariatric surgery. I felt like I needed to learn the lessons I needed to learn by working through this on my own. Now I've come to a point where I feel like the lesson I need to learn is that I don't have to do everything on my own. It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to NEED help. For so long I attached a lot of "moral rightness/wrongness" to choosing the surgery, as if losing weight the "old-fashioned way", i.e. diet and exercise, meant I was somehow stronger, better, etc. I have come to see it as a tool, a way of helping with the hunger part of the equation while I stay committed to the diet and exercise parts. I went to my PCP on Sept 6, 2007 with my decision to do the lap-band, which she whole-heartedly supported. From there, insurance had to approve the referral to a bariatric surgeon. They initially denied it, but then reversed their decision a few days later based on additional notes from PCP (showing consistent weight loss attempts). I have been to the requisite seminar, have scheduled the psych eval, and have scheduled the initial consultation with the surgeon, set for Oct 19, 2007. I'm hopeful that an approval to have a surg. consult. will mean that they will approve the actual procedure. It doesn't necessarily meant that, of course, but I can still hope, yes? Right now I'm at the stage of practicing eating with a lap-band--not the microscopic portion sizes, of course, but chewing thoroughly, eating slowly, avoiding "cheat" foods like ice cream, etc. My concerns are primarily centered around social issues. How/what do I tell people who say, "Wow, you look great!"? What is life at a Thanksgiving family get-together like? How do I deal with those who think I took the easy way out (believe me, I understand their mindset--I've been there). I just don't want to feel like I have to "explain myself" for the rest of my life. Anyway, sorry to get long-winded. I tend to do that. :-) I'm looking forward to getting to know many of you. Cassi

Oh, that's too funny! :-)

I think my question would be, "Can I ever wear a bikini to the beach." Period. The thought of ME in a bikini is something I have never, EVER, contemplated! :-)

I've heard that there is no lactose in whey. Apparently it is safe for people who are lactose intolerant. Don't take this as absolute truth, though. But you may want to check it out and see if it is so.

You can ALWAYS appeal a denial. However, I think the most important thing is to take it as it comes, and to find the "advantage(s)" of each situation.

Wow! Thanks! That will be very helpful. I'm embarassed to say I don't know what toilet tongs are. I'm afraid I probably don't want to know!

Good advice! I agree that eating s-l-o-w-l-y will help ease the social eating awkwardness. If you're finished at about the same time as everyone else, then it shouldn't be a big deal, right? I figure it will be good incentive to make social gatherings more about the people than the food.