Hi everyone--I thought I'd listen to some advice from one of the other monthly groups and start one master thread in which we have an ongoing discussion/updates. I don't know about you all but I certainly spend most of my time on these boards on the pre-op forum and the general forum, not here. It would be nice to have just one thread to go to once in this forum.

We can maybe start out with introductions?

As for me, I'm going the "online privacy" route for now (paranoid that people I haven't told about this will somehow stumble across me on this site I guess, which is crazy, I know) but I can give you the big picture:

You can call me Penny, I'm 27, single and live in the Washington, DC area. I have a background in politics (which is why I live in DC) but now I'm a librarian which is much cooler and way more fun (trust me on that). Oh, and there's no "Marion the Librarian" thing with me either. One of the things I hear most frequently (besides the cliche "you have such a pretty face") is "but you don't LOOK like a librarian", which is another one of those bizarre backhanded compliments that you never really know how to take.

Personality wise, I'm kind of dorky, big into public radio and books and popular science. Oh, I'm also a little on the paranoid side (as you may be able to tell from earlier in this post). Beyond that I'm just kind of silly and friendly, VERY much so into traveling and I'm an aspiring "green" domestic diva (but that's not going so well).

Alright Ladies, Are any of you having this problem? I'm losing the weight in my breast that I can't afford because I had a breast reduction a while back and in my already non existant(sp?) butt. which is making my stomach look bigger(also had tt a few years ago)so it's not like it was a big old beer belly or anything. but it's starting to look like it. and i'm having a hard time finding clothes for the office that look good.

The only place I've lost from is my face, ankles and mostly from my butt. My belly looks so disporportionate to the rest of my body, it's almost physically uncomfortable. I hope once I step up the exercise that my belly will catch up with the rest of my body.

The only place I've lost from is my face, ankles and mostly from my butt. My belly looks so disporportionate to the rest of my body, it's almost physically uncomfortable. I hope once I step up the exercise that my belly will catch up with the rest of my body.

Yes, that's how I'm feeling (disporportionant) I guess this to will pass. My Doctor said most people lose weight from the head down but it seems to have missed my belly. although my feet are getting thiner.

Me, after a chicken wing. For a good 40 min.

Bread does the same thing to me. I love bread and love to make it. I think those days are over. I guess it's just part of our new learning process. I can give it up if it will help me reach my goal. Good luck.

Hi everyone - I posted this on another thread so for some it may be a repeat.

Yesterday I received the bill for my first fill - $1600!! I was shocked. I didn't think the fills were going to be that expensive. I've had two so far so the next bill should be arriving soon. I called the doc's office and the business manager said that I could expect to pay between $1000 and $1600 each visit.

Is everyone paying this much? Our fills are done in the hospital out-patient under floroscopy.

Boos, that's outrageous! I was self-pay, $12,900 including 1 full year of follow-up and unlimited fills/unfills. I have heard that there are a number of fill doctors and fill centers in the Houston metro area that charge between $150 to $350 for a fill depending on whether they use Fluoro.

From what I hear this seems to be outside the norm. Unfortunately, there are no other doc/fill centers in my state. I'll have to look around for some in other states.

I have never heard of anyone paying that much! Are you self pay, or is that what they bill your insurance? Either way, it is outrageous!!!! Many times offices grossly inflate what they bill to insurance companies, and then people wonder why we have to pay high insurance premiums.

Wow, that is a crazy cost. My doc charges $150 for no flouro and $300 (IIRC) w/flouro. All his are done in office, you said outpatient? Are you getting hospital fees in there too?

My surgeon says that fills under a flouroscopy are a rort unless there is a specific problem. My fills are included in the surgery price but I'm bulkbilled by (Australian) medicare at each visit.

Mel

Hi all,

I have gotten a new job. All is well but I can't eat any snacks like I did before because I only get a lunch and no breaks. I am still wondering about this because I thought they had to give you at least a ten minute break once or twice a day besides lunch. As it is I only got a lunch after 4-5 hours of working. It is very crazy right now.

Question for you all. I am so hungry by lunch and dinner that I am eating to fast and we all know what that means. Any suggestions on what to do or how to sneak more in when I can't get off the phone?

Oh by the way I am working at a call center again so I must stay on the phones. When I went to find a new job I had to start all over again which means being back on the phones.

Here is my typical day

8am at home - breakfast either egg salad or chicken salad I make

9am-protein drink of some sort because I am drving to work to start at 10am ( I work 10am - 7pm or 11am - 8pm depending on their needs)

2pm or 3pm - depending when they let me go to lunch I have tuna salad or chicken salad or a plain no bun burger or veggie burger. I also have yogurt and/or fruit with maybe a couple high fiber crackers

Dinner 8 or 9pm - usually whatever I cook for my family or whatever my DH makes. Something like chicken cabbage alfredo ( no pasta) or sloppy joes (no bread for me), grilled chicken, spagetti, etc....

I do have a problem with getting my water in and Coffee has been a crutch this week. So I have to kick that again. Anyways any suggestions would help.

Thanks everyone.

Hi all,

I have gotten a new job. All is well but I can't eat any snacks like I did before because I only get a lunch and no breaks. I am still wondering about this because I thought they had to give you at least a ten minute break once or twice a day besides lunch. As it is I only got a lunch after 4-5 hours of working. It is very crazy right now.

Question for you all. I am so hungry by lunch and dinner that I am eating to fast and we all know what that means. Any suggestions on what to do or how to sneak more in when I can't get off the phone?

Oh by the way I am working at a call center again so I must stay on the phones. When I went to find a new job I had to start all over again which means being back on the phones.

Here is my typical day

8am at home - breakfast either egg salad or chicken salad I make

9am-protein drink of some sort because I am drving to work to start at 10am ( I work 10am - 7pm or 11am - 8pm depending on their needs)

2pm or 3pm - depending when they let me go to lunch I have tuna salad or chicken salad or a plain no bun burger or veggie burger. I also have yogurt and/or fruit with maybe a couple high fiber crackers

Dinner 8 or 9pm - usually whatever I cook for my family or whatever my DH makes. Something like chicken cabbage alfredo ( no pasta) or sloppy joes (no bread for me), grilled chicken, spagetti, etc....

I do have a problem with getting my water in and Coffee has been a crutch this week. So I have to kick that again. Anyways any suggestions would help.

Thanks everyone.

I am glad to hear you got a job. Back in the day, I was a telephone operator.....I know about no breaks. In fact, that is a contributing factor to me eating so fast. It is a hard habit to break. Just drink as much protein as you can during the day. Have you tried those protein bullets? I think GNC has them. Carbs make me hungrier. I wish you well on your new job.:crying:

I have not posted since Sept. 11 just been so fustrated. I have only lost about 18 pounds since the end of June. I have not binged since then. I used to eat a large chocolate sundaee and also ice cream during the day. I have not done that since but I have had 4 sundaees since the end of June. I have had 3 fills with no restriction. I do not eat until I am full and I am much more choosey about what I eat. I used to eat a large breakfast from McD's now I usually eat a biscuit from Hardees. Lunch a peanut butter sandwhich and some fruit. Dinner I have been eating chicken noodle or tomato and then I have a couple of icecream bars that have 80 calories each. I do have some chips at lunch but not a lot. I am not excersing but I hear that is only 20% of what you need to do. I have to have surgery on my neck so I can't do much as far as physical activity. I feel this was a huge waste of money and also my time. Has any one else done this? I weigh 190 lbs and I am 5'6". I hope some one can help!

I am glad to hear you got a job. Back in the day, I was a telephone operator.....I know about no breaks. In fact, that is a contributing factor to me eating so fast. It is a hard habit to break. Just drink as much protein as you can during the day. Have you tried those protein bullets? I think GNC has them. Carbs make me hungrier. I wish you well on your new job.

Thanks CharleneK,

I actually am using them now. I do about one a day. Would you do 1 protein supplement a day on two? I just ask b/c I eat protein protein but maybe not enough.

I have not posted since Sept. 11 just been so fustrated. I have only lost about 18 pounds since the end of June. I have not binged since then. I used to eat a large chocolate sundaee and also ice cream during the day. I have not done that since but I have had 4 sundaees since the end of June. I have had 3 fills with no restriction. I do not eat until I am full and I am much more choosey about what I eat. I used to eat a large breakfast from McD's now I usually eat a biscuit from Hardees. Lunch a peanut butter sandwhich and some fruit. Dinner I have been eating chicken noodle or tomato and then I have a couple of icecream bars that have 80 calories each. I do have some chips at lunch but not a lot. I am not excersing but I hear that is only 20% of what you need to do. I have to have surgery on my neck so I can't do much as far as physical activity. I feel this was a huge waste of money and also my time. Has any one else done this? I weigh 190 lbs and I am 5'6". I hope some one can help!

Joiful, don't beat yourself up. It sounds like you have been dealing with other health issues and that can get in the way. 190 and 5'6......sounds good to me. Of course I have over a hundred lbs to lose. Have you tried just walking 30mins a day? And eating 1200calories a day? That is what my doctor recommends. He also wants me to eat 60grams of protein a day. It is working for me. I walk in the morning....and not fast. I journal my food which keeps me in check. It is slow, but at least I don't have that gnawing hunger I used to have. After your surgery you will be able to get back on track. Keep reading the posts, and get plugged in again. Maybe something will be said that can help.