WLSResources/ClothingExch

I so like the Cook's Illustrated universe. I spoke with Chris and Bridget a little while back. We had a fun chat, much of which ended on the cutting room floor, but I got my answer. He urged the $150 version of what I was asking about. She agreed and, even better, added that a $12 version is as effective. Guess which?

@@4MRB4PHOTO, yes, your wrath. Had I spelled out the error of one who groused about language faux pas, I'd have --to paraphrase your line -- rained on his/her parade. psst, perambulator

Never heard of Staywell. If it's your medical plan and one of its genius phone answerers said, "I dunno," get back in there and demand an accurate answer from an appropriate party. It may be better to send a written complaint to the customer service "complaints & grievances" office. Crap. How dare they. And they are par for the course. Between you and me, the person who handles insurance applications at your chosen bariatric practice should be able to give a definitive answer. After all is said and done, I'd be surprised if the answer is Yes.

@@cindyw41, I know nothing about the others' mention of blood sugar, et al., but certainly check those out If you really do mean that the room is spinning, i.e., you feel pinned on a fast carousel, talk to the PCT about seeing an ENT (a.k.a. otolaryngologist). The latter may refer you for VNG and "rotational something-or-other." Sorry, I don't remember the full names, but they are audiology tests to detect inner ear problems. An evaluation by a PT/Vestibular Rehab Therapist can also help detect the presence of BPPV, for which you'd be taught Epley Maneuver. The ENT or your PCP can refer you. I say all this not knowing how your PCP is 'treating' you for a possible inner ear problem. In the meantime, keep your eyes open. Closing them exacerbates the miserable sensations. (P.S. I was still typing when you posted two up.)

Don't forget those who grouse about incorrect usage, grammar or vocabulary and then commit the very sin about which they grouse. You can find it for yourselves. I shan't name names, lest I bring the wrath of @@4MRB4PHOTO upon my head: "How about people who must always one up someone else instead of letting them enjoy their moment." It can also be such fun to see them swing from their own nooses. Let's not overdo the martinet routine, though. There really are honest typos.

Some of those 18 days were about healing after surgery, not the time to think about weight loss. You're probably at the tail end of healing process now. The amount of saline is irrelevant to efficacy of the band. You have the right amount when your appetite is diminished. Keep in mind that that can change over time. You may find down the road that you need more saline or need to have a tab removed. The activity of the band can change. It's not a problem, just they way they work. Some surgeons are more aggressive than others about adjustments. You had your second only about four days ago? It's probably too soon for another. What matters, though, is your practice's stance on how often. CAll and ask. Never say "...only lost...," especially at the start of your band career. Downward movement on the scale is downward movement. Fluctuation in rate of loss may occur at any time. It may indicate the need for an adjustment or something else, such as a close review of your eating patterns and food choices. Keep a detailed log. "My Fitness Pal" is widely used and has a good rep. There are plenty of other free food tracker options online. SparkPeople.com is one. You can register only for that purpose or you can also use the workout tracker, read articles on all sorts of relevant things, take part in teams. It's your choice. Keeping a tracker will enable the RD at your practice to work with you on making improvements if the need arises.

Glad to hear it. I gave some thought to describing the actual procedure, but we don't all have the same experience. Also didn't know if you may be an hysteric. There are plenty of them and each should be slapped. Sounds as though yours was like mine have been. You're on your way. All the best.

Do you see a pattern here? Maybe it does depend on the insurance and, if so, it may be your own plan's requirements upon whicith it depends. It may be the RD (I hope not a nutritionist) at your chosen bariatric practice who will inform you of the prescribed food plan(s) and with whom you can bargain for something more to your liking. Based on the information you provide, you may do well to have broad discussions with the RD, as you suggest knowing almost nothing about nutrition and weight loss. To gain weight as a vegetarian is possible, especially if you coat and fry everything, pile on pounds of cheese and lean toward the starches. You'll save a lot of nervousness -- and time -- if you present the questions to the proper sources. Compiling a list of requirements of 10 other insurance companies, for example, may very well shed no light on yours. When I feel overwhelmed by a large project, I regain my confidence and capability when I compile a list of tasks and questions all in logical sequence. P.S. My own insurance company is staffed by idiots on the front line and, as it's worsened in the past couple of years, it becomes clear that this is deliberate on the part of management. The person in your bariatric practice who handles insurance applications will/should be a reliable resource.

In that case, let's drink to OCD. (I'm glad that you do have a sense of humor. Someone else would have gone all huffy and offended over my note.)

Proselytizers. Whether it's about religion or deism, bariatric surgery or anything else, keep it to yourself.

Nothing to be nervous about, but watch over your shoulder at all times. When you go in for adjustments (adding saline, that is), you'll be given some Water to drink to be sure it goes down comfortably. Each surgical practice gives its own instructions. You may be told to stick with liquids for a couple of days or just for the rest of the day... or some other variation. Follow the instructions you're given and you'll feel safe and confident. food should go down comfortably, but be sure to take small bites, chew to smithereens and pause before the next bite. If you get stuck, feeling that the food is stuck in th esophagus and the only solution is to bring it back up to get over the pain, you're a little too tight. In such case, get back in for another adjustment (aka unfill) to loosen a bit. Some people choose to keep a tight band in favor of what they see as a more rapid rate of weight loss. They'd rather be uncomfortable. I think that's nuts. Losing weight shouldn't feel like punishment and eating should be pleasurable even in smaller quantities. You'll find your own way.

The first time for any gym equipment is cause for celebration and some laughter. The first time I got on the elliptical, the staff available to answer questions, etc., wasn't around and I had no idea about adjusting the settings. I began pumping and, with each pump, felt that I was going to go flying off in all directions. It turned out that the resistance was set at about zero. A staff member came along, set the machine, and I continued feeling as though I would stay on solid ground. Somehow I managed about 10 minutes. You'll be a champion.

@duckydoom@duckydoom@duckydoom, I turn my back for a minute and you're still at it? Let's try this: Stress may cause hair loss. Got it?

My medical insurance plan didn't require any pre-surgery weight loss period. My bariatric practice routinely had people lose weight either with an all-liquid plan or mostly liquid with one most modest daily meal. My own surgeon, one of three in the practice, told me that she didn't care if I lost weight before surgery. I was gleeful at that last, deciding to continue as I always had until after surgery. About three weeks before, however, it occurred to me that, if I were truly serious about losing weight, I'd start immediately. I began the liquid-modest meal method and lost about 11 lbs. in the three weeks. On the morning of surgery, the surgeon commented on the change on the scale. Her remark accomplished two things in my head: That I was a 'good girl' and that I was a responsible, capable adult. Your "yummy food" reference reminds me that many pre-op people plan "last meals." I'd been thinking of doing the same. Part of the mix in deciding to begin losing weight beforehand was that one day more or less of bad eating would make no difference. We never remember a meal. It also occurred to me that changing my life forever was the point of the whole thing. There's one person's take on it. You'll do as you see fit.

@@duckydoom, I've been hit by the hair-loss wand, but not necessarily related to weight loss. My best advice to you -- and by all means rely on my being freaked by hair loss -- is to put the worries on a back burner. The main thing is to take care of things you can control first and face the others as they arise. You can't really stop what may be coming down the pike even if it's a locomotive. Since you mentioned hairdresser, trust that a new cut can help with the way things look if they do get bleak.

Try whatever you like before surgery. If you do not experience hair loss later on, super, but you'll never know whether it was the products or the universe being kind to you.

Instead of taking a poll, 1. Speak with the RD at your bariatric practice. And despite my primary advice not to take a poll, I'm no RD, but I don't see a problem with just one week without supplements. and 2. Run it by the gyn again. Find out why the instruction to do without for a full week. There may be an important reason.

I remember when they were called milk duds.

Which eye? No, seriously, there's nothing wrong with nervous or a little freaking out. Keep yourself occupied at a comfortable pace (not frenzied) between now and the time you head to the hospital. Change the sheets Monday a.m. before you head out. It will give you something to do and you'll have a fresh, crisp bed if you want a nap and some relaxation once home again.

Thank you, but I seem to have given an incorrect impression. I haven't had the experience. Reading your earlier message about a history I didn't know you had got me livid on your behalf and on the side of decency overall. I thought he should be run through with a bayonet, but have calmed down since. That you have long since made a happy life is balm.

You can cast a wider net, but you don't have to give up the dating sites. An acquaintance who will very soon marry a man from a dating website simply decided to keep meeting and dating from it until she found the right one. You will find a lot of incompatible or inappropriate me, but there are good ones with good intentions. Just be sure of your requirements and, moreso, which are non-negotiable.

@@Christinamo7, you've moved forward, which is good and right. The news is new to me, however, so I do hope the vermin SOB has had a miserable life. If you like, I'll tell you what I really wish him.

@@OKCPirate, again, you conduct yourself in a way that lets you hold your head high. Doing the right thing means that we never even have to remember it although we do.

Just had a reminder of another category: Those who clearly need medical attention. Instead of calling their surgery practices, they post to asking what's wrong. Some seem to be taking polls in order to pick the problems that most please them, while others appear to be compiling scrapbooks of speculative replies.