Checking In....

Hi all. I figured I'd give you all an update since I have been laying low for a while now. I do not have an updated weight because I threw my scale out on my first plateau about 6 weeks ago... I was very annoyed with the fact that all the scales I was hopping on were different, I had previously posted about that issue. But anyhoo... I'm in my 4th week at my new job at Verizon Wireless and loving it. Everyone is so nice and friendly and it's a great training program. Since being back to work I am not on my computer as much at home and in bed normally by 10. The only reason I'm up now is because it's payday and I was paying some bills. Thank god I can do that now. I'm planning on buying a scale this week and keeping track at least weekly. My holiday went great except for the fact that I did over eat , grazed way too much and felt like I was going to explode by the weekend. I probably gained 10 lbs in on that one holiday... I am dreading christmas, gotta psych myself up to avoid the same scenario. On a bright note...I am joining a gym this week. My brother is taking me to his tomorrow night and I am looking forward to it. My arms have shrunk so much the skin is soooo nasty. I will definitly be needing some snips and tucks once I'm through. I will stop babbling and just end with I miss all of you so much and I plan on going to the post op meeting at Middlesex on the 7th. Is anyone else going? This will be my first time so I'm anxious. Also, Can anyone recommend a good Dietician that handles WLS patients. I have heard many negative reviews about Dr. Aranows new gal and am not even going to bother with her. Thanks again. Tootles. ~Julie~

Hi Julie! I think the scale thing is in our heads. As long as we don't freak out when we step on it and see we gained a pound or three, we are okay. It all averages out at the end of the month for me anyway. That is why I keep track (on my profile) of my weight because I then realize, okay, I did lose something this past month. I didn't eat much on Toikee Day. I don't eat much period. But I had a bite (literally) of turkey and I was all set with that. I am not big into food at all, and I guess that is a good thing .. The extra skin is getting to me too. The gym will help that, I promise. Good luck with that!! Tara

Hi, Julie! I have mixed feelings about Elina (at Dr. A's office) and at $60/half hr., there are less expensive alternatives. I saw on your profile that your insurance is Healthnet. Since you've changed jobs, is it still Healthnet? When I was diagnosed with diabetes 2 yrs. ago, Healthnet paid for me to see a dietician as long as it was someone affiliated with a participating hospital. I went to the nutritional clinic (or something like that) at Yale New Haven Hospital and only had to pay my $10 co-pay for each visit. One time when I was there, I had a discussion with them as to how many visits Healthnet would cover and asked how much their services would cost if I paid for it myself. I don't remember the exact amount, but it was less than Elina charges. Their explanation was that they are subsidized by the hospital, so that keeps their rates lower. My sister-in-law's neighbor is the head of the clinic and I happened to speak with her the other day. I mentioned that I had gone to one of the other dieticians there for my diabetes. She asked how I've been doing and part of what I said was that I was now planning to have WLS. She told me that they handle the nutritional counseling for Dr. Bell's patients. So you may want to check with some of them to see what they thought of the clinic at Yale. If you're up for 2 nights of support group meetings in a row, a bunch of us are going to the Hamden meeting Mon. night, the 6th. Maybe we'll see you (and your brother?) there. Debby

Yea!!! Bring Mike Monday night! (Good call, Debby!)

Good to hear from you Julie..thanks for checking in. I am doing the plateau thing now and its murder to try to keep myself off that scale!! Update us when you can! Joanie

Hi Jule , thanks for checking in. I'm so glad that you have found a job that you love. We miss you, but understand that you have to be away due to job. Darn those bills anyways. Don't beat yourself up too much over the holiday grazing. I'm sure you still ate much less than you would have pre op. I'm dreading Christmas. Hopefully I'll have the will power. Congratulations on joining the gym, you'll love it. Maggie