The Thoughts That I Think I Thought

Hey Y'all... I haven't posted in a while due to family flu-bug pass-around and other non-weight loss issues, so pardon me if I babble a bit. I went to see my surgeon today for the one year follow-up and it was almost all good news and the little bit of bad is hardly bad: My weight on his super accurate mega-bucks scale is actually 4 lbs. lighter than that spawn of the devil at home!.....GOOD NEWS! I still haven't broken the 200 lb. barrier, but so close!....BAD NEWS! My calcium level and other blood chemistry is perfect!....GOOD NEWS! My surgeon is very pleased!!.....GOOD NEWS! I don't have any hernias!....REALLY GOOD NEWS! My skin isn't floppy enough to cause rashing etc.!....GOOD NEWS! Because of the last 2 items, there's no way at all that my beloved insurance will cover a TT!....BAD, BUT EXPECTED NEWS!! Well, that's the news....now for the random thoughts: While I suffer from the heartbreak of "MAN BOOBS" and some minor bat wing issues, I know that I'm fairly lucky that my rubber skin has bounced back as well as it has. It seems that it has all migrated to the warmer climate below the equator.... big time Michelin going on there gang! The problem is that getting pants that fit the rubber raft means that the waist, legs, and butt have room to swim and if I fit the rest, the Michelin feels like it's stuffed in a corset....I think I may need to shell out the cash for the TT even though I hate the thought of surgery that is not strictly necessary....I'm sure that you folks that have hernias and other "Real Problems" don't need to hear me whine about this! As I mentioned in a response to Reenie... I discovered to my joy during my haircut yesterday that I no longer feel like I'm involved in a helicopter crash when the barber lowers the pneumatic chair. It just hisses gently and slowly lowers itself!! I'm sure that the poor barber appreciates this also. My 16 year old daughter was being a brat the other night, so I shut her up by sitting on her lap and putting her in a headlock. When I'd done this in the past, I would never have dared to give her my full bulk...... no holding back this time!! She survived to "BRAT" again!! I discovered to my delight that all of the "little" short sleeve shirts that I bought last summer are way too big this spring!! When I was sick, I unthinkingly took out and put on a nightshirt from my largest period which I forgot to discard..... That bad boy took an express ride from over my head to around my ankles..... good for a chuckle when I was feeling bad! Yes.... if I could get over the "Carb Lust", I'd have been at goal ages ago, but if I were perfect, I wouldn't have needed the damn surgery in the first place! Finally, dear people, Thanks for letting me blather on and thanks for all of your encouragement and support.....I'd be lost without you. Mike

Mike, You have done better than most of us your first year. & I sure can relate to the carb lust, I think we all can at this point in our fight for the healthy new lifestyle we have formed. Right now is when we need to stick together the most as that honeymoon period is now over & we have to fight to keep this weight off & keep it going down, down down. I also cant seem to get below that proverbial 200 lbs, but this week I am getting closer than before. Being sick myself I am actually losing weight again. So maybe its a blessing in disguise (i think i spelled that one wrong) I haven't had a cold in a year & its not fun. Plus over the last few days we have had 30 mile plus winds out here in the desert & doesn't help with any sinus problems even if its just a cold. Thought the wind was gone, but tonight its blowing again!Good to hear all your good news from your doc visit & maybe you can get a loan for that TT, that would be a good thing to check out. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Mike, You have done better than most of us your first year. & I sure can relate to the carb lust, I think we all can at this point in our fight for the healthy new lifestyle we have formed. Right now is when we need to stick together the most as that honeymoon period is now over & we have to fight to keep this weight off & keep it going down, down down. I also cant seem to get below that proverbial 200 lbs, but this week I am getting closer than before. Being sick myself I am actually losing weight again. So maybe its a blessing in disguise (i think i spelled that one wrong) I haven't had a cold in a year & its not fun. Plus over the last few days we have had 30 mile plus winds out here in the desert & doesn't help with any sinus problems even if its just a cold. Thought the wind was gone, but tonight its blowing again!Good to hear all your good news from your doc visit & maybe you can get a loan for that TT, that would be a good thing to check out. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Thanks Marilyn.... We really do need to stick together to keep on track. It's a lot more difficult to get sick now because we need to be so careful with what medications we put in our pouches. As far as the loans for surgery are concerned.... My surgeon's office has brochures on available loans, so this is obviously a fairly common issue. Have a great weekend! Mike

i, for one, enjoy your blathering on!! you have done so well- gosh--i have a vison of the nite shirt on the floor--something like when what to my wondering eyes ..... mike- the results of your doc visit are fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i am one who will have to self pay any plastics--and tho i am not swimming in money nor did i ever think i was "so vain"--i am seriously thinking that i didn't go thru this surgery to have that extra stuff hanging!! i am not greeting card material!! now i am rethinking the "vanity" taht we have all associated with plastics and thinking about health and that includes mental-self esteem! i talk to jack nieporte on the ohio board-he has issues with the man boobs and denial from ins--i guess i had never ever thought about it before mtg all of you guys on the OH boards-and it is a serious issue--youwill find a way-- i have the issue of the weight around my middle still- with the excess fat i cannot get into smaller pants-i also have my last 30 pounds very compacted in my belly and waist area--it is my goal to get that gone!!!my twelve month checkup is actually on my 13 month anniversary-soooooooo- as for the carb lust-oh gosh--i am not so sure it is carb lust--or the want to chew--i sat down last nite and ate 8 girl scout cookies-damn!!!!! and i knew better!!!!!! whip me-beat me-chain my hands away from my mouth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Margo You bring up an excellent point which I hadn't considered. I always looked at non-medically necessary plastic surgery as vain and wasteful, but I never really considered the psycological and emotional health angle before. I'm still nervous about the idea of more surgery, but I'm leaning more in that direction. It's a lot of money, especially with one girl in college and the other graduating from High School next year. Oh well....I frequently get the opportunity for extra work on weekends for overtime, so I'll just have to give up some days off which I hate to do now that I have the energy to enjoy them! Thanks for making me look at things from another angle! Cheers! Mike

Great to hear from you, Mike..I have to admit I haven't been around much either. Life has been keeping me very busy lately, what with work, my kids and the new love of my life! I knew he was out there somewhere...it just took a while to find him! He's actually one of my best friend's uncle...met during our vacation. Ya never know. I'm still struggling with the last 10 lbs I want to lose and it's difficult. I wanted to get rid of carbs for a couple of weeks to see how that affects things, but I've not been able to do that as of yet. I found this fabulous sugar free low carb cheesecake...but I think I'm going to stay away from it. I think it has too many calories. I think if I get outside and walk and stuff the weight will come off...but I have scheduling issues at this point. I'm hoping life calms down eventually. I'm not eligible for the TT either and it kind of bothers me, although I do have second thoughts about going through another surgery. I've got no rashes or bat wings or hanging skin....only a "buddah belly" as I call it. That skin needs to go byebye, but I'm not sure if I'm actually going to fork up the bucks to do it. The timing isn't good now. Glad to hear you're doing well....keep us "posted"....Joan

Thanks Joan...... Something that my wife has been trying to get through my thick skull that applies to all of us is that now that we are all "Normal Sized", we must struggle to lose every pound the way "Normal Folks" do!! It gets frustrating, but I'm determined to get to where I'm going. I think that you are wise to stay away from the cheesecake.... it sounds like a potintially very dangerous temptation!! I also have reservations abour the TT, but the more I think about it, the more I think that I may go for it eventually. If I do it, it probably won't be until next year, so I have time to decide. You should try to make the time to walk if you can. Just look at it as time you need to set aside for you! I have found that I'm less prone to getting depressed when I walk regularly. I get grumpy and "pent up feeling" when I miss a few days and it has done wonders for my legs. I've got a rubber inner tube arond my middle, but I could crush beer cans with my thigh muscles LOL. I'm very happy to hear about the new love of your life. I think that he was also fortunate to have found someone nice! I wish you all the best! Take care and be well. Mike

Hi Mike, so glad to hear you had a great check-up with Dr. A - he's the kind of doctor that, at least for me, I feel like I don't want to disappoint him! He evokes feelings reminiscent of a child trying to please a parent, or am I way off base here? Anyway, terrific news that all is well on the health front for you and I for one will dance on the tabletop when you post that message... UNDER 200! Take care, Maureen

Howdy Pardner! I'm with you....... Dr. A's "Glare of Disapproval" is something I try to avoid! I felt like a little kid bringing home a good report card to daddy when he was pleased with my checkup! I'll be dancing with you on that tabletop when I see 199 on the scale from hell!! I think that the good checkup will inspire me to get over the hump. Also the weather has been so nice lately, I've been doing a bunch of yardwork to go with my walking. Also if you saw my response to Margo's post abour running, you'll find out that I actually broke into a run for about 100 yards during my walk. First time for that in many moons Kemosabee!! Thanks for your encouragement as always my friend. Mike