anonemouse

Okay, I've found my top 3 plastic surgeons (as of today, at least! ). I've looked around on www.makemeheal.com for people that had lost a lot of weight and had PS with a surgeon in my state, and I was really impressed by all of these surgeons. Could you guys check out their websites for me and tell me what you think? I kind of feel like I might miss something myself, since I'm already thrilled with them. A "so happy, I'm blind to the reality" sort of thing, you know? Anyway, here are their websites: Dr. David Reath Dr. Lois Wagstrom Drs. Mary Gingrass and Melinda Haws So far, I'm leaning towards either Dr. Reath or Dr. Wagstrom, but I plan on doing at least 3 consultations. I really like the results of both the LBLs and FTTs on both Reath's and Wagstrom's pages. I'm not so thrilled with the LBL results from Gingrass/Haws, but the basic FTT results are pretty decent. Any comments on any of those doctors?

We need to see more of you, Lisah! It's good to have you back!

Frankly, Huckabee seriously scares me. I think he'd be even worse than what we've got now, in terms of letting his religious beliefs influence his decisions. Don't get me wrong, I think he's probably a great pastor for the people that believe the way he does, but I don't think he'd be able to set aside his personal beliefs enough to act in the best interests of the nation as a whole. I like all the Democratic nominees, so I really don't care which one gets nominated. Now, as for the Republican nominees.... Well, I seriously doubt that Romney would win, if nominated. There are way too many very conservative Christian Republicans who don't think that Mormons are Christians for him to win. I honestly think many of them would probably rather have a Christian Democrat in the President's office than a Mormon Republican (yes, you and I both know that Mormons are Christians, but still). Huckabee, like I said earlier, is way too conservative. After the last 8 years, I think moderate and liberal Republicans (if there are such creatures) will probably run screaming from him. Giuliani? Maybe, if the ultra-conservatives can get past the adultery/divorce/pro-life/flip-flopping thing. McCain probably has a better chance, but he'll still have problems from the moderate/liberal Republicans who think he's sold out to the ultra-conservatives.

There are galleries at www.makemeheal.com that you can look at. Many plastic surgeons also put examples of their work online.

Worth it? HELL YES! Let me put it this way, I've NEVER been able to lost 40+ pounds before. EVER. I'm still losing, too, and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that I will reach goal and stay there. And the best thing? I don't feel deprived at all. This isn't a diet, it's a new way of life.

I think it'll depend on your specific policy, just like with banding. From what I understand, though, even if the policy covers it, the insurance company generally won't approve it unless the skin is causing some major, chronic issues (rashes, infections, etc.).

Please stay! Like SElaine said, we're all struggling with our weight here. You aren't going to be any less welcome just because you didn't have surgery!

I REALLY doubt it. Now, I'm sure you could make it a mushy, by cooking it until it's glue, but who would want to? Bleh!

I've actually found that I suffer from head hunger more when I don't indulge myself. As a result, if I get a craving for something, I'll go ahead and have it, but just a little of it. I learned not to just keep eating the hard way, with a bunch of take-out from Outback. Boy, that hurt. NEVER AGAIN.

I picked up the tropical flavor to try, so I'll update with the results!

I buy Seapoint Farms, or something like that. I get it at Kroger, though, so I don't know if Walmart carries it.

Try the frozen, ready-to-cook kind, if you can find it. It's REALLY good. It's become my favorite veggie.

I couldn't have said it better myself! I mean, I'm 24 and I want to feel comfortable and confident in my body, for once in my life, and not feel like hiding. I look bad because I'm fat right now, and I don't want to look bad in the future because I settled for "good enough" when it comes to plastics. I want "good," not "good enough."

Honestly, I think we're in for a big improvement over what we've currently got, as long as Huckabee isn't the one voted in. At the moment, he's the only one that REALLY gives me the creeps. I keep wanting to use the sign for the evil eye against him.

Beans Edamame (soybeans) Tofu

That is SO true! We can practically see your spirits raising and your confidence increasing.

Hell, both of you are going to look damn good, I think! I've only been able to find a couple of surgeons that are relatively close to me that have pictures of their work online. This guy particularly impressed me, but he doesn't have a lot of pictures up. This is the other group that I found that seems pretty good, but I'm not sure. I like the idea of having a female surgeon, but I REALLY like the work that Dr. Reath does. Any thoughts on either of those?

Okay, that's what I thought, but I was starting to get confused!

Are those the same surgery, or different ones?

Have you had your consultation yet and filled all the other requirements for surgery? Your insurance will probably use your weight from your surgery consultation to determine whether they'll cover the procedure, so unless you've got a required 6 month diet or something, you should be okay to join a gym once you've had your consultation. If you haven't had the consultation, though, and you're borderline, I would put off joining the gym until you've had the consultation.

I do love that website. It definitely shows the good, the bad, and the ugly. I've started searching for surgeons in my state, and some of the pics on their websites kind of freak me out and scare me. I don't want headlights that point two different directions, you know? And I don't know yet if I'll need an LBL or a FTT, which might limit my choices. I don't know whether to show the most interest in the surgeons that do a lot of work with bariatric patients or ones that don't. Sometimes, I get the feeling that some of the surgeons that specifically cater to bariatric patients are not as concerned with aesthetics as the other surgeons. More "lose that extra skin" than "let's make you look beautiful." Does that make sense?

Oh yeah, I don't believe in being so tight that you're always PBing, sliming, and getting stuck. I think that's just asking for a slipped or eroded band.

I hope mine don't shrink until spring's over. Or at least, if they do, they do it quickly, so that I can return some shoes. I bought a great pair of sandals while I was in Memphis, and I hope I actually get to wear them. I still have the "if it fits and actually looks good, buy it" behavior ingrained.

Don't be. Many first fills have absolutely no effect whatsoever. It's completely normal. I didn't have any restriction at all until my 2nd fill, and didn't have good restriction until my 3rd one.

I was out of town (visiting family and getting a fill) and just got back a couple of days ago, so that's why I've not been very active for several days. WASa's around, but I haven't seen Jacqui or Chickie posting yet. Carlene's not been here for months, though.