StephaC

This is phenomenal. I'm at 230 pre-op, & this gives me a lot of motivation!

Thanks, this is just the type of information I need. What do you think you'll be going with, if not the garmin?

Does anyone have any Fitbit products? Is it worth the investment? I already have a polar watch, so I was going to just get a regular scale, but then I saw the Fitbit scale. I like accessibility and techy stuff. (Disclaimer: I know it doesn't make my goals any easier to achieve. I don't NEED fancy devices. I'm just looking for a review to see if anyone found it helpful.)

Food hacks - cauliflower http://youtu.be/g1o79d7pgew

Um, that wouldn't have happened! Have you seen him on the cross? Dude was ripped.

I don't mind my gas attendant, whom I loyally go to, saying "God bless you," or random strangers I try to help out saying it. I know better than to be so petty. It's really been an accumulation of things. Even if I were very religious, it just seems blasphemous to credit/blame a higher power for anything. It's a cope out no matter how to slice it (pun intended).

I feel as though I should add that the review following the aforementioned one stated "I had a leak after my surgery with Dr Paragi. He misrepresented his experience, his track record and every aspect of his qualifications. I nearly died as a result of this man. While in Intesive care, there were two other patients of his with leaks. I know that one did not survive but have no idea about the other. Do your homework before seeing this man!" (This is from ratemyMD). I, admittedly, am biased because of having seen these two reviews back-to-back. His patients say he is great, & most other reviews agree. The office is a little hectic, but overall patients have a positive outcome. My concern is that because I have Medicaid, my opinions are limited, & I'm not having interactions with this particular surgeon that leave me reassured. I appreciate your candor. I have been wondering whether I am being over-analytic. It's just that, well... I am like that by nature, and if I can't be about the fella that is cutting a vital organ then... Again, thanks for your feedback.

Totally new... Still picking up on jargon... "Onederland" - is that goal weight?

Oh no, this man is not humble. I just wrote in another post that I am looking for a new surgeon. He has a track record for being condescending with me. I've seen him do it to another lady in front of the whole seminar. He has great reviews from most people, but I am far from impressed, or even comfortable.

Morristown. In every encounter with him, he has been short and condescending. My boyfriend mentioned it at first, but I didn't pay too much attention. When he essentially hung up on me a couple of days ago over a miscommunication, after telling me "he is only here to help, I have to call doctors and do that work myself," that just was the straw. I wasn't even talking to him, I was talking to an office worker who must have misunderstood me and suddenly the surgeon was on the phone. It was strange.

I can't believe there is an agnostic/atheist sub-forum. This is the first I've ever look through extensively.

This review is from another site. It was writing by someone with whom I share the same surgeon. "We went over the paper work together, he helped ease my nerves and made me feel like I was making the right decision. Before I left his office I turned to him and said 'Dr. Paragi I am putting my life in your hands' he said to me 'You should put your life in Gods hands no mine. I am just your surgeon.' I knew right there that he was right and this was the right decision." This is probably the most uncomfortable, illogical, and concerning thing I could have read. The "cognitive psychologist" in me knows that it is statistically better for a surgeon's performance to separate from the patient. But you can't just pass the buck! My "patient" side of my wants to scream in complete dismay.

I can't believe this group exists! I've been scanning through other forums like "geez, who are these people?!"

That's kind of a trip, but I'm not getting great vibes from my doctor so it might be worth it

How long ago was that? Yeah, that's different. Thanks for your response though!

Horizon direct is different from horizon Nj health, I'm assuming

Does anyone else have Horizon NJ Health... If so, who is your doctor?

I've never heard of a patient advocate. Could you say a little more about that...?

Part-time New Brunswick (commuter); part-time Morristown

I've gotten most of the pre-op steps out of the way through Dr. Paragi in West Orange. I'm wondering if I should push back my surgery date. Is this something that can be handled during an academic semester? I thought I would do it I couple of days before spring break and have that time to recover. I'm not sure if that is a prudent move.