SippNSotaGirl

Hi everyone! Does anyone know any good exercises to get rid of this unsightly muffin top I'm getting? I'm happy that I'm slowly losing weight, and my pants are fitting better. But it's getting harder and harder to find shirts that don't put my developing muffin top on display. It's a little embarassing. Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

LeighaMason, I do volunteer. However, it's with Big Brother / Big Sister and Meals-On-Wheels. With BB/BS, I only really have contact with my "sister", and with MOW, well mostly female former co-workers and geriatrics. AND since I just started my MBA program, I really don't have a lot of time to take on new activities. Plain, thanks for making me laugh and for giving me the male perspective. That's exactly what I was hoping to get. So here's the deal. I've been at this company since April, and we were on the same team when I started. (I didn't know him beforehand.) We never really worked on the same projects, which is why I got moved to the different area. So ... if I didn't make myself abundantly clear, how do I do that? I'm guessing I can't do the lunch thing again? Or should I just leave it alone? Now that we're not on the same team, the only time I'd get to see him is at happy hour. :-(

Fireman, you are too kind. Thanks for the pep talk! And thanks to you, too, 1LE4ME, for the advice and encouragement!

Thanks for the advice and prayers. I hope something works out soon. :-)

Thank you for your reply! He said he doesn't have a girlfriend, and he's not gay. (We talk about these things at happy hour.) So I guess it's the last reason. I'm just bummed out. I don't get ANY bites from my online dating account, and apparently I was misreading some "signals" I thought I was getting from this guy. I have NO idea where to even meet a guy. I don't do clubs. I don't do church. And I don't have any friends that I can hang out with. The "friends" I do have are either married and/or have children and just make me feel more of an outcast than I already do. Why is life so difficult?? I know you're supposed to get back up when love knocks you don't, but I have no idea how. Oh well ... Thanks for listening.

Thanks for your reply! You gave some really good advice. I have to figure out a way to apply it. I need to find a hobby or something, but honestly, I don't even know what interests me. I've just enrolled in an MBA program because I have no idea what else to do with myself. It's an online program, so there's no chance of picking up a cute guy there! Anywho, the guy said he didn't have a girlfriend. (We have these discussions at happy hour.) I don't know what gives, but I'm SO tired of always being the last girl picked, if picked at all. My "friends" (who, by the way, have NO idea what it's like to be the undateable fat girl although they swear they know EXACTLY how I feel!) assure me it's not me, it's the guys. But after getting the same thing from, say a BILLION, different guys, I'm pretty sure it's me. I thought it would be a little different after starting to lose weight, having more energy blah blah blah, but it's not. I'm just so sick of it all. Oh well ... Thanks again for listening.

Hi everyone, I don't post much on the site, but I need to vent and rant for just a second. I'm devastated because I finally worked up the nerves to ask this cute guy at work if he wanted to go to lunch, and he replied that today wouldn't work because he was really busy. I know there's an upgrade going on this weekend, so he was legitimately busy, but this is what gets me. He didn't say "maybe some other time" or "I'll take a raincheck" or anything like that. Simply "Sorry, today won't work". Am I over-reacting? I feel like such an idiot for even asking. I should have prefaced this with we don't really work together. We used to be on the same team, but I just got moved to a different floor because my work is more suited to another team. In my mind, his reply pretty much equals flat-out rejection because if he were remotely interested he would have offered some sort of alternative. And to make it less awkward, I told him if he could feel free to invite anyone else who may have wanted to tag along. Help me with this!! I don't want to be a basket case or drama queen, but I'm 33 and SO lonely. When I finally decide to be a little more assertive in going after I want, this is what I get. I don't have a lot of friends, and I don't know where to go to even find potentials. What are your thoughts? I feel like such a high-schooler with a stupid teenage crush, and I have no idea where to go from here. Thanks for listening! PS - one small "victory" is that even though I feel like crap, I haven't turned to food for comfort!!

Hi everyone, I don't post much on the site, but I need to vent and rant for just a second. I'm devastated because I finally worked up the nerves to ask this cute guy at work if he wanted to go to lunch, and he replied that today wouldn't work because he was really busy. I know there's an upgrade going on this weekend, so he was legitimately busy, but this is what gets me. He didn't say "maybe some other time" or "I'll take a raincheck" or anything like that. Simply "Sorry, today won't work". Am I over-reacting? I feel like such an idiot for even asking. I should have prefaced this with we don't really work together. We used to be on the same team, but I just got moved to a different floor because my work is more suited to another team. In my mind, his reply pretty much equals flat-out rejection because if he were remotely interested he would have offered some sort of alternative. And to make it less awkward, I told him if he could feel free to invite anyone else who may have wanted to tag along. Help me with this!! I don't want to be a basket case or drama queen, but I'm 33 and SO lonely. When I finally decide to be a little more assertive in going after I want, this is what I get. I don't have a lot of friends, and I don't know where to go to even find potentials. What are your thoughts? I feel like such a high-schooler with a stupid teenage crush, and I have no idea where to go from here. Thanks for listening! PS - one small "victory" is that even though I feel like crap, I haven't turned to food for comfort!!

Hi everyone, I don't post much on the site, but I need to vent and rant for just a second. I'm devastated because I finally worked up the nerves to ask this cute guy at work if he wanted to go to lunch, and he replied that today wouldn't work because he was really busy. I know there's an upgrade going on this weekend, so he was legitimately busy, but this is what gets me. He didn't say "maybe some other time" or "I'll take a raincheck" or anything like that. Simply "Sorry, today won't work". Am I over-reacting? I should have prefaced this with we don't really work together. We used to be on the same team, but I just got moved to a different floor because my work is more suited to another team. In my mind, his reply pretty much equals flat-out rejection because if he were remotely interested he would have offered some sort of alternative. And to make it less awkward, I told him if he could feel free to invite anyone else who may have wanted to tag along. Help me with this!! I don't want to be a basket case or drama queen, but I'm 33 and SO lonely. When I finally decide to be a little more assertive in going after I want, this is what I get. I don't have a lot of friends, and I don't know where to go to even find potentials. What are your thoughts? I feel like such a high-schooler with a stupid teenage crush, and I have no idea where to go from here. Thanks for listening! PS - one small "victory" is that even though I feel like crap, I haven't turned to food for comfort!!

I stayed in the hospital overnight, and I went home the next day. The gas pain was really bad in my shoulders, but other than that, I was fine. I was able to go home and function well -- with pain medication -- with no assistance. I used to try to walk in the mornings before work, but now it's getting too dark. I'll have to figure out something else.

Hi! I DID have my surgery -- on March 26th! Things are going great. I've gotten my eating pretty much under control. Now I REALLY need to kick the exercise into high gear. I'm having some trouble with some nutrients -- potassium, B12, Vitamin D, and folic acid -- but I think that's fairly normal. I'm working with my PCP and Dr. Leslie and his office on it. I don't think I need to be in panic mode just yet. When is your surgery? Let's keep in touch. Feel free to send me any questions you may have. Good luck and best wishes! Toni

I'm not trying to be harsh or judgmental, but am I the only one who thought the twins looked as if they hadn't lost ANY weight since they left the ranch? I was a little disappointed, but I guess it just shows how hard the "real" world is. I was SO excited Mike won. I wanted Daris or him to win. :-)

Does anyone have any good pureed protein recipes? I shutter at the thought of pureed meats, but if I find a recipe that sounds good enough, I'd be willing to try it. Are there any ways to make pureed meat taste good? Thanks in advance!!

Next Friday is my day, too!! I'm so excited. I can't wait. :-)

I apologize in advance if this question has been asked before, but I didn't see it. Has anyone ever had the LapBand surgery done through COBRA? I got laid off from my job last week, and my policy covered it. I'm wondering if/hoping that I can get things squared away with COBRA in time to still have my scheduled surgery on March 26? Is that possible? Thanks!!

My problem took care of itself -- I got laid off!!! It's a blessing in disguise, so I'm okay. NOW ... I'm hoping I can get everything squared away with COBRA so that I can proceed with my Mar. 26 date. Has anyone ever had the surgery with COBRA? I was told that if my previous insurance covered the surgery, COBRA should cover it, too. I hope that's correct.

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions! They've been really helpful. Minimeme, I'd totally forgotten about the lack of FMLA coverage. If the law doesn't require it, my employer sure as heck won't offer it. She offers the bare minimum. But now I'm freaking out, but I hadn't thought about the insurance review. They'll for sure find out then, and once they do, word will spread. I'm already embarassed about being the biggest person here. I'm not sure how to handle that. I almost want to put the brakes on things, but I know that's not the best approach. Seriously, I know about the legal issues, etc., but these people tell everything. Now, all of a sudden, I'm in panic mode. :cursing:

I grew up in Mississippi (Sipp) and I now live in Minnesota (Sota), and I'm a girl. So there you have it -- SippNSotaGirl. :thumbup:

I've already decided that I'll explain the WL by saying that I've started to exercise, have cut back, and I'm eating healthier. All true, just not "the WHOLE truth". I won't go into many details, but I'm the largest person here, and I'm made to feel like our high insurance premiums are all my fault. No one's come out and SAID anything, but I get the look. The owner even came to me asking for info about hypertension. I lied and told her, "I don't know anything about that." It's the combination of a lot of little things that have made me decide to keep my WLS to myself. I would REALLY be happy if I can stay here long enough for this insurance to pay for the surgery, but find another job somewhere else soon afterward. I know I'd probably end up footing the bill for fills, etc, but I could plan for it with an FSA or HSA.

I'm scared that the "vacation" time might not get approved. :thumbup:

I work in a small company (family-owned, not my family, 23 employees TOP!) with no HR or legal department. People here have NO sense of what are appropriate questions vs. inappropriate ones. I'm having WLS on March 26 to coincide with my Spring Break from school, and I've chosen to keep my WLS a secret. My quandary is, how do I ask for the time off from work, and what reason do I give? I thought about waiting until the last minute and calling in saying I had an "emergency" surgery, but I'm not sure whether that will work. Any ideas? Time is running out for me, so your suggestions are GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!!

I work in a small company (family-owned, not my family, 23 employees TOP!) with no HR or legal department. People here have NO sense of what are appropriate questions vs. inappropriate ones. I'm having WLS on March 26 to coincide with my Spring Break from school, and I've chosen to keep my WLS a secret. My quandary is, how do I ask for the time off from work, and what reason do I give? I thought about waiting until the last minute and calling in saying I had an "emergency" surgery, but I'm not sure whether that will work. Any ideas? Time is running out for me, so your suggestions are GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!!

Do you have any ideas on how to deal with "Last Supper Syndrome"? I'm wanting to eat everything in my path right now, and I need to lost 15 pounds by March 12th. HELP!! Thanks!!

I was told that multiple co-morbids definitely help! I have hypertension, borderline diabetes, and joint pain. Plus, the medication I'm taking for hypertension is taking all of my potassium, so I also have a potassium deficiency. I'll be so glad to get weaned from all the meds. Please keep us posted. Good luck!!

I just went to my seminar/consultation yesterday. The scheduler kicked off the seminar, followed by the dietician, then the surgeon. Our consultations were scheduled for the same day (that afternoon). I went in to get weighed, then talked to the dietician, then waited forever for the surgeon. The surgeon FINALLY came and answered my questions and asked several of his own, pointed out where my incisions will be, and scheduled the surgery! I still have the follow-up with the psychologist next week and a few things from my PCP that I need to work on getting. The surgeon is also sending me in for a GI (?), which he said is pretty normal for the process. I meet again with the surgeon in a month, and I have a BCC (bariatric care coordinator) visit in two months. At that visit, we talk more specifics about the surgery since it will only be a few weeks out then.