WLSResources/ClothingExch

@@downsizingdebs -- My bariatric RD and others have told me that 140 and above is much too high, potentially harmful. On the advice of same, my goal has been min. 60 and up to 90-ish.

Put on your most mischievous facial expression -- the one worn by older siblings teasing the younger kids in the family -- and tell people that your weight is in magnificent proportion to your height and they're thinking you're too skinny is probably because they've been gaining weight.

Sorry, @@Ignatius, the "Male Only" and "Female Only" headings aren't positioned well in the website. I didn't see that you intended to talk only with men until it was too late. This doesn't mean, of course, that I didn't give you a solid response.

@@Elode You look amazing and sound so upbeat. A quick run-through revealed the fainting episode and I hope that was the only bad thing. I've wondered for some time and will take the opportunity to ask now. Are the drain tubes for the purpose of draining the Fluid that tends to accumulate around surgical incisions? I had no drain for my atypical appendectomy incision (a vertical cut just along the right side of my belly button, starting 2-3 inches above and about 7-8 inches long (the surgeon was doing exploratory as well as taking the appendix). I was out at a class while I still had sutures and, while there, found the front of my pants wet with fluid seeping out the suture holes.

Don't over-question yourself or what may lie ahead. Today you want to lose weight. That should be the foundation for your decisions. Keep putting one foot ahead of the other on the way to the operating room. There are no guarantees for what you'll do a year down the road, but, if you decide against surgery, nothing will change. I think it's called "one day at a time." You can also work with a therapist to reorder your thinking.

Many things affect the band's workings. It's too bad that it came as a surprise, but now you know.

If only the endocrinologist who monitors my thyroid were also affiliated with my health plan as a primary, I'd be thrilled. As he doesn't, I asked if he'd recommend someone. He erred in giving me four names, each of which looked good on paper. When I saw him again several weeks ago, I asked him to simplify the field and mentioned some of the qualities that I want in a PCP. He named one of the four, but I can't recall which. He hasn't responded to the email I sent the other day. It's one of two of the original four. Both meet my major concerns according to Yelp reviews by patients who give high ratings to their medical skills and attentiveness. Both are board-certified internists. One is also a board-certified geriatrician (gads) who, among other things, does EKG's in his office. The other is a board certified gastroenterologist. I have need for the basic EKG/heart-watch and I have some gastro issues for which I have seen a gastropod. I think I've gotten past my horror at the word "geriatrics." After all, I'm 67, past the pediatrician stage, and he's really an internist with some extra knowledge that I'm heading toward. The internist/geriatrician is 51; the internist/gastropod is 62. It is on my mind that I'd prefer someone less likely to retire during my reign as his patient. The gastro is said to have a good sense of humor. The geriatrician-with-EKG-machine has appeal for the machine as well as his age; the PCP I want to quit is also a Board-certified cardiologist. If I go with the gastropod, I'd stlll need a new cardio doctor. He also has knowledge that pertains to WLS. If I go with the geriatician, he'd refer me to one should there be need. Each has his pros in my estimation and I'm not sure that the cons and differences are especially significant. Shall I simply flip a coin? I hate that I'm making this so complicated for myself.

I've heard that people see/interview more than one doctor and then decide. I feel silly saying that I'm a little timid to call both offices and say that I'm calling for an exploratory appointment. Who knows if they'd even put me on the schedule? Well, there's only one way to find out. And, yes, that PCP-of-the-Month Club option is open. It's also why I see no sense in medical plans' PCP designation. When referrals from a primary were more commonly required, it made some sense. Now that referrals are rarely required, what's the point? There's your brilliant, common sense again. This time, though, both are within a mile and a half from me and only six blocks from each other. They're also three blocks from the university medical center with which they're affiliated and where I do all my medical shopping (except for WLS surgery, which was at another university med center in town). The sensible transportation modes are foot, bus or taxi. Where did the "Eh" come from? It sounds as though you're masquerading as a Canadian. Thanks for the input, folks. I'll take care of it today.

The RD at your surgery practice may have some samples.

Never having heard of TNE, I'm not the one you were hoping to hear from. You're referring to the transnasal thing? Based on my own experience with endoscopy for which I wasn't out cold, you'll feel movement of the tube. It'll be unpleasant, but not painful. I was gagging a lot because I had tubing in my mouth and down my throat. You won't experience that. You may feel soreness when the procedure has been completed, but, again, I think it'll be unpleasant rather than out and out painful. In short, you'll think that you've been through worse with other things.

Wouldn't they? If not, you know the good ones.

I see why you're asking. Until such a thing is available (ha!), all you can do is go into the duplicates and edit them to say "system duplicate...sorry" or whatever you prefer. When my posts have repeated within a topic, I've edited to say "dumb, stupid technology."

Because calf muscles work, they are generally more developed than other muscles even in people who are more sedentary than not. Yours will slim down at least somewhat and probably have already begun in that direction. Don't lose sight of the fact that it's overall weight loss that you want.

You're describing the usual process. Saline is added gradually so that you have some time to see how each addition works for you. It's better to go slowly than too aggressively. I'm sure you were given some Water to drink last time and will be with each subsequent addition. Even if the water goes doen comfortably, it is possible that you'll find the band too tight after you get home. The last thing you want is to have to go back later in the day or the next day to have some of the saline removed. If you're expecting that the band will be filled eventually, you're 99% incorrect. It's rare that a band is adjusted to that high a degree. The amount of saline isn't even relevant. The only thing that matters is that there is enough for the band to be effective. You'll find many people comparing their levels, but it's only small talk and curiosity. A 10cc band with 5cc saline will work for one, but be pointless for the next person.

Sorry, but there's no reliable answer to the question. Lots of people say they can't eat salad greens, cooked broccoli and a host of other vegetables. Many say they get stuck with white-meat chicken unless it's in a sauce. Many others say they have trouble with any number of things. On and on it goes. None of their reports mean that you will have the same experiences. Nothing that I may say means that you won't have trouble with some things on and off. The only rule about the band is that it's a fickle bitchh. (I have to think of a new description. The one I got from my forebears always bugged me.) You'll find out what works for you as you go along. Don't be discouraged. There are loads of foods to choose from.

Fiddle-dee-dee on all of them, Chiclet. You look stunningly beautiful in the new signature photo, hair color and all. How's that other thing going? You know... No more blushing, I'll bet.

@@anwen_ut, I see -- Anwen as in Bronwen and the other "-wens." I knew that your "ut" had to "Utah." By the way, my screen name wasn't chosen and is fun in no way. The BP system assigned it when I joined, as it's connected to the email address I registered with. I was going to change it way back, but had already become acquainted with some members, so why confuse the issue?

@@anwen_ut, that was my first guess, of course, but I just had to play with your screen name. [m]an w[om]en_ut[erus] Hey, I have to entertain myself. Regards, The new Nancy Drew P.S. Your weight-loss slide is wonderful. Congratulations.

Goodwill is one of those places that people check from time to time 'just in case.' New things are always being donated. You can ask whether they have a particular day when new things go out on the floor or, probably more useful, if there is a particular day when donations are most plentiful and how long it takes to get those things out.

Very mysterious, @@anwen_ut, that you don't indicate your gender. You don't have to, of course. In any case, I'll be surprised if Biotin promotes hair growth regardless of the recommendations. If it truly does, it would just be the Universe on a lark to direct the substance to our legs, crotches and other places away from the top of the head. I've been taking biotin some quite a while and believe it merely contributes to my expensive urine.

Note to everyone: If your own hospital is far away or doesn't have a support group, fear not. Check the websites of bariatric depts. at nearby hospitals for their schedules. I've heard of only one pissy/anal bariatric practice somewhere in Podunkville that didn't welcome patients from other practices. If it will help, go to as many different meetings as you can find. The good news is that you don't have to weigh yourself today. You're still healing and that should be your focus. Certainly work on getting in the nutrition, but don't fret about losing now. You're fine...just work on nutrition intake. Maybe the RD has some tips. Maybe others in the waiting room will have some techniques they devised. Hey, get the help wherever you find it.

You know your own standards and tastes. The best way to find out if any source suits you is to go and browse for yourself. I don't go to Goodwill here because the clothes are not sorted by size and I'm not of a temperament to browse endlessly for what may be no reason. You may do better to go to stores in higher-end neighborhoods or those that are in transition.

@@crazygoose, darling, from what you say about your grandfather and your mother, I think you're better off not having them take you or escort you back home. They'd only make you miserable when all you'll want is some quiet and maybe a nap. When you arrive at the hospital, you'll be busy with personnel preparing you for surgery and taking your basic info for the surgeon's records and the hospital's records, etc. You wouldn't even have much time to talk with whomever may take you there. It's more having someone to escort you off the premises that's the issue. As far as I know, every facility insists that patients be escorted out. This doesn't even mean all the way home, only as far as outside the building door and that's only to cover themselves with regard to requirements of their insurance policies. If you have an overnight stay, you'll have some time to enlist a friend or co-worker. Is it your plan to return to your new apartment? Had you arranged with anyone stop in to give you a hand for a few days or so?

I don't know what you hear or what scares you. You don't say whether you hear anything that sounds positive. You have to be aware that any surgery carries risk. You also have to be aware that some of what you hear ay well be based on patient non-compliance or magical thinking. This is not to say that people don't have real difficulties despite following instructions to the letter. You also don't say whether you ask questions at the meetings. If not, you're missing out on a valuable opportunity to learn and fill in the gaps that people leave for you to puzzle over. These are your meetings, too, and I hope you're using them as part of the way you fulfill your obligation and responsibility to yourself. Be aware at the same time that people who attend support groups are often the ones who are encountering difficulties of one sort or another. Those who have smoother sailing and success tend not to be at meetings. Some, however, go as an extra way of having support.