misseye

I am looking at Dr St Laurent. Anyone use him? Good? bad? We are looking at self pay. Can anyone share about the costs with them? Also, I am wondering if anyone have any thoughts on how long it takes to get consultations and surgery scheduling (I am SO ready!). Thanks

Start working those arms out! I guess, for me, my skin goes through good periods and bad periods. OK, not good, but not god awful. When I lost quickly they would look bad. Then after a stall they would be a bit better. And then, working them out makes a world of difference. I think its kind of like the hanger the skin hangs on...still I wont be hailing a taxi in a sleeveless shirt, but I can wear sleeveless shirts without feeling too self conscious.

I have had to put off some running goals cause of my exercise induced asthma. I am going to see a pulmonologist but for now, I cant really do much. But in the gym I just feel lost now. I have no real goals and I need them to feel motivated. Who has goals? What are they?

Yeah I see a trainer twice a week. I was thinking more of a event I was training for or something. I am still thinking about it.

I was thinking about it. I can run about a mile at a time before my asthma flares (then I have to slow down for a few minutes). I could take walking breaks. I also have an appointment with a pulmonologist this month to see if there is any meds to help. I did most of couch to 5 k but ended up having to stop because of asthma. Maybe it would be good to get back or at least aim to run the 5 k

:thumbup1: Ok, so I know its suppose to be low carb, but the two times I have had it, I went into a carb binge fest after. And it isnt just pasta. I make whole wheat pasta from time to time and have no issues. Anyone else have this happen?

6 weeks before pool

To some extent you can choose. I am a size 12/14 now. I started in a size 32. I would love to be a size or two smaller, but we will see. I am *done* trying to lose weight. You can eat higher cal foods and stop or slow loss pretty easily

I work out 6 days a week (some days more then once in a day). I do tons of abs, I run, work with a trainer 2x week, etc. It is not gonna budge. I still think working out is more then worth it even if it will take surgery for me to have abs of steal :thumbup1:

I had my VSG in Feb 09...almost 15 months ago. I am ready for surgery the doctor says cause my skin is pretty much empty...I guess not alot of fat left in it. But I am still losing slowly, so the earliest would be early fall before I can do it. Of course I want to do it right away, but I know I need to make sure I am done losing before I go ahead. And it is much easier to live with once you have lost alot of weight.

yeah, I really feel awful when I dont go now. Moody, tired, down. Thanks. My goal wasnt especially ambitious, but I am pleased with my progress.

LOL as jealous as I am, most people arent quite as lucky as Tiffy. Most people have one when they are done (esp if you carry alot of weight in the lower part of the apron I think). BUT, it is soooooo much better as you lose weigh. For me there were awkward periods where it bothered me more then other times. But overall, it is much better. Sexy? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. But managable. Everyone tells me they cant see it when I am dressed in regular clothes now (I dont really hide it in work out clothes)

I just saw a surgeon for a consult. I talked to a "patient coordinator" for a while about questions, etc. She showed me a video, took a patient history. Doctor came in, sat down and went over my history. Asked some more questions. Then I asked him questions. He gave me a robe and some funny really uncomfortable panties. Then he and the coordinator came in and poked at me nude, pulled my skin around. I HATED it. I really did feel super uncomfortable. But it didnt take forever or anything. Then the coordinator took my pictures nude (no faces). I got dressed and she went over the price quote and any other questions. Overall it was much easier then I expected.

I couldnt have out the sleeve. But I figure 6 hours in the gym a week is a small price to pay for keeping the weight off so I am glad to have read that.

But! "The newest science suggests that exercise alone will not make you thin, but it may determine whether you stay thin, if you can achieve that state."

Here is a rough draft of the week. (I am updating it to show actual workouts) Monday: Cardio, Strength Upper Body Tuesday: Cardio, Strength Lower Body Wednesday: Off day Thursday: Bodypump class morning. Run 1 mile/abs, back. arms strength in evening Friday: Off day (very sore from my two workouts the day before) Saturday: Yoga Class Sunday: Running

My theory is that the affected muscles will swell as they are damaged and hold on to fluid that way. I notice it most with strength training. But keep up the good work. It is so worth it!!

We were approved for a medical loan through capital one through an online application. It seems like its a good start. I have the consult with the doc I chose on Friday. Does anyone have an estimate on how long it takes for the loan to come through?

Alot of places have options besides seminars. Online classes and one on one consultations. With your age, that might be more comfortable. I would research the heck out of the doctors in your area, call your insurance and see who they will let you use and talk to your parents (you will need them).

Congrats!! Its a mini-big day. I am going to my first choice doctor for a consult! I am really nervous and really excited. I cant even imagine how I will feel if I can get the surgery! Dont call it "being put to sleep"...that just sounds wrong! LOL

We have BCBS (PPO not HMO) and I am not even going to bother with them. We are going to finance it instead. BCBS drug us into the middle of a contract war with our kid's doctors office. They sent us a letter saying, oh so sad you must like your doctor, but they are being unreasonable. you shuold call them and get mad at them, but in the mean time, start looking for a new doctor". Then the doctors office wrote us and said "you insurance company is being unreasonable, you wont be covered any more after march here. Call you insurance company and tell them not to be such _____"...ok that wasnt the wording in either of them, but you understand. I was so upset. My daughter has a serious health condition and having to leave the doctor who has seen her through it was really upsetting. They ended up resolving in a matter of a few weeks. But sometimes they do not. I would start looking for a new doctor and see if they come around too. 2 months isnt a long time in the grand scheme of things, but when you are ready right now, it seems like forever.

Good luck to you. I am in the process of getting my consultation but I wont be telling anyone if I do get it done. My husband of course (he already knows), and maybe afterward, my mom (not before cause she worries and maybe not at all cause she is a gossip!). But otherwise I plan on saying "I finally found a diet and exercise program that is working for me" or something along those lines. It isn't judgment that really bothers me, I just think it is private.

I called today and they said I could come in today for a consultation. Being self-pay they seemed to think it might be fairly quick to get scheduled. I made the appointment for Friday because I needed time to schedule a sitter, but woohoo! :tongue: