WLSResources/ClothingExch

Dear, dear @@Katrinakit, I prefer this quotation: "Into each life a little swill must spill. You may quote me. I didn't have to drink such medicinal-tasting things, but I do sympathize. Look on the bright side -- you have only five more days before you get to have less vile things. Or a greater variety of vile things! I didn't have to use medicinal-tasting, make-believe food either, but I do imagine that you've described the soup quite nicely. You all can do it. You'll all be fine. Promise.

I didn't even know that fat girls want to think of Marilyn as fat at all. She never was fat, just not toned. Toned women were rare during her reign. The same goes for toned men. It's true, though, that, according to the 'ideal' that's thrust in our faces now, she was a tad fubsy. Bizarre thinking. Hey, those who were of the age of consciousness at the time will know that revivals of hair are anachronistic for the actors. Their muscle definition is out of place in a show about the '60's. They really look weird.

It's a good idea to attend the info sessions at more than one hospital in your area regardless of their med insurance affiliations. Make your goal to learn as much as possible and ask questions at each session. The info presented will raise lots of questions in your mind, some of which you'll be able to ask at any session and others when you get to the stage of a consultation appt with a surgeon. Certainly engage your PCP, but not necessarily as the first stage -- unless he/she may be able to recommend a bariatric practice. It's likely that the PCP won't know much about bariatric procedures. Then, again, all things are possible. At any rate, the surgeon you go with will routinely want clearance from the PCP. You probably know that it's usually as simple as "Yup, she's in good enough shape to undergo the x-y-z procedure." I'm unqualified to speak about your candidacy for bypass or other WLS options. That's to discuss with the surgeon(s) you'll be considering. High on my list of recommendation is "Relax." Don't worry about your insurance plan or anything else. Just take the steps in logical order. You're good.

Go farther back and the sizes get funnier. Eons ago I was researching through New Yorker's ca. 1940's and couldn't help but notice Saks 5th Avenue ads. In those days, the "regular" range was 10-18,* with 18 being not for women considered overweight. It wasn't only the sizing, though. There was more leeway for what was considered "normal" body size. We've all seen mention in the past five years that Marilyn Monroe (never an 18, mind you) would now be viewed as plump-ish with plump arms because it wasn't the norm for women to do weights. * whereas 12 is now the top of the range

Sweetheart, I'm so glad it wasn't your pretty heart. Do what you need to to do heal up.

Oh, @@OKCPirate, ye of little faith. Surely the backbone -- the symbol -- of the nation would not mislead us. I haven't been there, but pictures of Coca-Cola's HQ tells us that the company built itself a temple in Atlanta on a par with the Acropolis. Faith, man, faith. Years ago Marion Nestle (Uncle Google if you don't know her) and a PR guy from McDonald's were guests for a segment on a public radio program. The McDonald's rep was reciting party line...how McDonald's is a perfect component of a wisely-chosen, balanced diet. Marion, already one of my idols by then for her gentle-voiced, take-no-prisoners style, shut him down with few words. Cut him off at the mid-sentence pass.

...through a straw which, in turn, goes through the ear.

It's a clear liquid for post-surgery purposes. I had it right after band surgery and, two months later, gall bladder surgery, not to mention after appendectomy 25 years earlier.

You may be over-focusing on food as a main attraction. Think more about everything else that will be available to you. I'm glad you mentioned the fitness center. Make a list of other activities that are on the menu. Plan to be bold by trying something you've never done but have fantasized. The resort may well offer lessons for it. The trip is about a change of scenery and new experiences. There's nothing new about eating. Have a great time!

Yes, the server was out of line. The good news is that you won't have to see that person again. The real issue to me would have been whether I'm fit for human consumption, i.e., ready to leave the house. I need to feel that I'm ready for anything; there's no way of knowing who I may run in to. Clothes that fit decently, shoes in good condition, and all the rest are part of the package that does it for me. During weight-loss phase, I buy less than I do ordinarily at retail. Thrift shops and clothing exchanges are great options, but if they yield too little at any particular visit, I''ll go full price just to feel civilized.

If you're saying that you have all records that exist for the past three years, there you have it: Three years of medical records. If you're saying that not all records that exist from the past three years are in your possession, call the past doctors in those past towns and request them. You'll probably need to print out the HIPAA form and fax it to those doctors. Whether the total is two pages or a 20-inch stack of paper, you'll have the three years' worth.

@@Oregondaisy, thanks for spelling it out. (After a couple of days with no answer, I was afraid that no one was speaking to me!)

You look wonderful and so very happy. Congratulations. P.S. Your clothing color preference seems to have remained the same. Couldn't help but notice the print of the "after" shirt.

Are any of the men game for discussing this one? A few words -- a cowboy reference -- of an exchange between two male characters, lawyer David Lee and investigator Jason Crouse, in "The Good Wife" fascinated me, as I'd never given thought to whether men might give each other the once-over either out of curiosity or another, non-sexual reason. The few words are funny, too and, to those who know the show, surprising. I'll refrain from describing the characters so that anyone who doesn't watch the show can make of them what they will. I hope that only men will post, but women are more than welcome to read. www.cbs.com/shows/the_good_wife/video/hnKrnqCiuNDqFtFLGJv_jYyCSb36qnDj/the-good-wife-targets/ P.S. Sorry for omitting this earlier -- The exchange begins just about 6:45 (but you probably have to get past the commercial before reaching the episode itself).

@@kiwij, you asked specifically about keeping your son from talking about your surgery. At eight, I think he's old enough to respect your wish that he not talk about it outside the home. As someone who was eight, I'd like to continue from that perspective. Tell him the truth, but in a simple, abbreviated version -- omit the blood and gore. Respect his intelligence. He has to know that you'll have a little procedure to help you eat less and lose weight. Let him know that you'll be doing this so that you can be healthier and have more energy to do things with him. He may well feel more confident about everything if he knows that he'll be a beneficiary. Let him know that he can help you eat healthy things once you get started -- he'll feel quite grown up if he has a role in caring for you. Bring the subject up now so that he gets used to the idea and can ask questions as they may occur to him. You'll also be preparing and preventing him from being bewildered or worried post-surgery while you're in the healing phase. If you talk about it while doing an ordinary activity, he's more likely to think it's no big deal, i.e., nothing to worry about.

Freak out! They are -- but how can that be? -- the same person. Of course I've known that you'd lost oodles of pounds, but I'd not given a thought to what all those pounds may ever have looked like. If you now take a picture of yourself holding up your catch on a fishing trip to the same place, the poor things will look much, much larger. Suggested captions for each photo: "Me on a sardine expedition" and "Me on a tuna trip." Hot diggity.

I'll say no more about having your mother on the premises than it sounds unpleasant. Something else comes to mind. Has she had a thorough exam in the past few years? If she behaved appropriately when she lived with you last time around, I wonder if she may have some medical or cognitive or other neurological issue percolating? In no way do I suggest that you give her a pass, but the overtones of sibling rivalry or her thinking she and your kid are peers may mean something needs exploration. Or perhaps your mother needs more of a life on the outside?

Ask the surgeon. Even if I knew who it is, I would be unable to speak for the individual.

The main purpose of the evaluation is to determine whether a person understands the risks of surgery (and all surgeries have risk); is motivated to lose weight and feels positive about it; is capable of understanding and following instructions of the surgeon and others in the surgery practice both before and after surgery; understands that surgery provides a tool that must be put to work rather than being a magical solution. In other words, the evaluator wants to see if you're clear on what you want and what you're taking on. Not a big deal. Lots of people with mental health and other concerns pass the evaluation. It's to your great advantage that you are in treatment, as it signals to the evaluator that you take your well-being seriously. It's even more to your advantage that your prescriptions work for you. Some evaluations are quick and simple, while others are quite detailed and yet others fall between. Mine consisted of sitting for a few minutes with my own psychotherapist (a Ph.D.) while she wrote a seven-sentence letter. Other BP participants describe a more complicated rigmarole; I'm sure at least a couple will stop by to tell you about their experiences. You can also find lots topics on the subject by using the search bar near the top right corner of the screen (just above the blue "new content" button. Most important, stay calm. shake your shoulders and arms to loosen them. The appointment will be far easier than many other things you've been through. Come back afterward to let us know how it went.

Please 'splain to me what "chat room" is. I just clicked something and was taken to a screen that said I'd entered the room. It seemed pointless to be at an otherwise empty screen, so I clicked "leave." What's the purpose of "chat?" Does it even have a purpose?

Yes, you did say "cream' earlier. I repeat, it doesn't work that way, but if you really are fond of the idea, have at it. I've done my work.

I hope that she knows there's a one-per-day limit on insipid comments, too. It's in the Constitution.

Not having seen the episode or any part of the series, I'm less sensitive to the possibility of sabotage. Taking the shirt of out context, I chalk it up to tacky taste in clothing and broad humor.

@@Christinamo7 --- "it has hamburgers and fries all over it." Oooh, oooh, I know, I know! If her shirt is removed, she'll lose 30 pounds on the spot.

@@Christinamo7, oh, I thought lenses can be made to size by the optometry shop. As you may guess, my opinion comes from my needing reading glasses only. Given the possibility of dizziness or bumping into things or simple unhappiness and not functioning at your best, I vote for new frames and lenses now. Is there a chance that you have long-forgotten frames at the back of a drawer for which lenses can be had? Then you'd still be able to splurge on new, stylish frames when you're close to goal.