WLSResources/ClothingExch

The video doesn't work for me. All I see is a still of a woman wearing a multi-colored print top. If you're referring to something else, please describe it. I'm curious to see the joke.

@@Xtina717 It doesn't work that way. You can't lose fat where you choose to lose it. Losing fat means that it's lost all over. Some spots may be more reluctant, so the fat will melt at a slower rate. Don't waste your money or time with creams that make promises. At best, you'll walk into an old wives' tale. At worst, you'll be a sucker for fraud. Beside that, who wants a sweaty crotch? Women who discuss this all report sagging "down there." If your mother had a different experience, it may be that she didn't lose as much weight as others.

@@Christinamo7 What do you mean "frames are no longer in stock?" I have a feeling we're talking about different things. If your initial quandary was about frames and not vision, it's up to you.

Opinion: If "not happy" means that all of your current glasses aren't giving you good enough vision, new lenses without investing in new frames will keep the expense low. You can then hold off on new frames a while longer so that, expensive as they are, you know they'll suit your slimmer/smaller face. If your readers are prescription, consider a new pair from the drugstore. I had a made-in-China pair from a dollar store -- probably cost no more than $2 -- that my ophthalmologist checked and declared the lenses of really good quality. Most of all, you want to see well. Don't put it off.

@@blm1*, my advice is to call your surgeon's office, describe what's going on and finding out how conservative or aggressive they are in terms of frequency of adjustments. At least you'll be able to make an appointment. Tthe amount of saline in a band and the band's capacity are irrelevant in and of themselves and certainly in comparison to other people's. The adjustment level is good when the band serves well. Nothing else matters. It's fine to compare numbers with other people if that's fun or interesting to you, but the comparisons indicate nothing useful. Keep in mind that you may be at a good level for a while, but find that, for no reason, you're suddenly too tight or too loose. It can happen that the Water you swallow at the time of a fill will go down easily, but later on or the next morning you'll be too tight. If you haven't already heard, that's why bands were known as "fickle bittches." I hope there's a newer phrase for it. If so, please tell me. Best wishes.

Unless you're paying your own way, you'll do better to focus on your insurance plan. Will you say where in NY you're located? And why you're seeking revision? I may need to revise, but have been putting off seeing my surgeon. I had the band done at Columbia UMC.

That does look good. Very good. Does the particular brand have to be applied daily? If shampooing washes it out, I'd have to apply daily. I've lost a little more than you have, but I'd be willing to experiment based on your photos. My hairdresser moved my par, which made a nice difference. I start out each day with the new position, but most days my hair manages to re-part itself when I'm not watching.

I haven't seen this product or others where fibers are put on the scalp. Both leave me skeptical, as I've seen neither put into use. It's not clear to me whether you've used the one in the photo. If you have or will, I hope you'll post some close-up pics and your thoughts on the degree of success. I wonder if it makes the scalp look as though it's been painted. My guess is that it may be just good enough if hair loss is barely perceptible, but, when it's even slightly noticeable, the scalp will look as though it's been painted. Same for the Fiber products. It would be great if my expectation is off base.

This is two weeks out of a lifetime. As someone wise said, "You can do anything for two weeks."

Wonderful stuff. It's been a long time since my blood began to run cold from the opening words, "Research shows..." What he says about press releases being butchered by reporters is true. At one job, I wrote releases that primarily went to newspapers. The subjects weren't scientific, but they often were interpreted in ways that made my eyes cross. That goes for papers in all market sizes.

I've neither had nor heard a weight-loss goal that I thought "weird" or "strange." What each of us wants is valid, important and worthwhile. The mobility and improved-health goals don't render the others shallow, vain, frivolous or oddball. Never feel uncomfortable or apologetic for what you want for yourself. Children in Europe and India won't starve if you and your arches gleefully withstand flimsy sneakers. One of my desires is room to place my bag next to me on theater seats rather than having to hold it in my lap.

@@gettingsleeved1, may I introduce you to gettingsleeved1? You've really not seen each other around the neighborhood before? I know you'll become great friends. You're both lovable now and will be lovable as you get to know more about each other. What on Earth is the enormous vehicle? It looks like something from an alien invasion movie.

Double-@@treblecutie23 -- super progress

Bear with me, Sharon-kins, so that we're sure I understand the punchline. The boy thinks you're a tutu?

@@sweetdarling1983, some of the others have already said that other people in the gym aren't watching you/us and that the most serious about working out and fitness admire newcomers of all shapes and sizes. It's true. Another thing to keep in mind is that the fear (I think it's safe for me to say this next) is more about general insecurity than your/my/anyone else's actual weight. Long ago, having been at my then-highest, 206 lbs, I dieted to 170, but still felt like a cow. I went out to Boulder -- outside Mount Olympus, perhaps the place with the greatest number of U.S. Olympians in residence -- to visit an athletic friend. I met her friends, who included the men's U.S. half-marathon record holder, a couple of Olympic athletes, ultra-marathoners, an Ironman finisher. I caught the fever and bought my first (and, it turned out, only) running shoes at Frank Shorter's shop. To my horror, my friend told them all about my purchase. From each I received the most generous, encouraging, sincere responses. People who love what they do love to share it with the newcomers. I fell down way back, but recall with gratitude and relief that generosity. You can do this. Countless people have had your fear and discovered that it was unfounded. You'll be so absorbed with your own form and progress at the gym that you won't notice no one else noticing you, at least not in a judgmental way. P.S. If you want to "confess" anything else, I hope it will be juicier than the above.

MinaDina, attending your surgery practice's support group and/or the groups of other bariatric practices in your new city may be just the thing. Most meetings are monthly, which may make them seem less daunting. You'd be in the company of people who at least share your weight and health concerns, which is a good way of seeking acquaintanceships that may grow into friendships. By going to a meeting, you wouldn't even have to speak if you didn't feel ready. Someone is likely to ask you to join in the discussion. You could decline politely or, having taken the first step by simply walking into the meeting room, you might be open enough to say that you feel uncomfortable speaking just yet. I don't have social anxiety, but there have been times when I felt uncomfortable about something or other (I can't recall an example at the moment). Saying as much immediately freed me to take an active part.

I'm not paid enough to read every post and gaily skip by quite a few. When a post makes an unreasonable demand of my time, I pass. One of my bêtes noires is a post title in the screen-right list that gives no clue to the subject. I just about have myself completely trained not to clik on "A Question" and similar items. I say "just about," otherwise, I wouldn't have come into this topic. @@Christinamo7, some misspellings are deliberate to circumvent the infernal, blue ad links and censorship. I don't see that the latter would bedevil anyone. I do entertain myself now and then by inventing words. And tossing in a sentence fragment. Never shall I apologize. Except to e e cummings on behalf of y'all.

To answer your banner question, just about anything she chooses that she can then build on. Many exercises that may be beyond one's capability at first become second nature with time, increased fitness and flexibility, and weight loss. @@JamieLogical said it. Cardio and strength-training are both important and beneficial. Cardio should be done first, then strength. In addition to preventing muscle loss and toning them, and is helps keep bones strong. Breathing properly while exercising is important. So is keeping hydrated to avoid, for one thing, lightheadedness. If you join a gym, you can have a couple of sessions with a trainer and then work with the trainer as you go along and need more challenge in your workouts. There are countless online sources of workouts and info on line. A couple of good ones are sparkpeople.com and livestrong.com.

It would be for Ali Vincent to determine what she "needs." (Her name is slightly familiar-sounding. Does she have some sort of TV show? A secondary channel of some sort?) I neither criticize nor defend Weight Watchers. The last I knew of it was way before the "points" system was introduced. People have long-term, even permanent, success with WW and other non-surgical choices while others regain. Oooh, just like surgery. It's for Oprah to determine what she "needs."

There she goes again, the Mistress of Understatement. Repeat after me: "I am a hot babe." Again!

Sounds kind of rough. I'd be excited, too. (P.S. I left a note at one of your other topics first. Glad to see you found someone regardless of how rough she plays.)

The vulva can be surgically refreshed. How's that? I'm sure someone else will come along who can go into greater depth. So to speak, that is.

I gave you some suggestions if one of the topics you started yesterday. I'll take it that you followed up, but found no one. If you get no responses with referrals here, call the Copenhagen hospitals and ask to be connected to the bariatric/weight loss/weight loss program departments. If there really is no one local, ask at each department for a referral a little farther afield. The alternate is to go to a nearby emergency room.