Portsmouth- Excercise Evaluation? Anyone?

I got a call a few days ago from Portsmouth rehab center or something like that from a girl named Bri who left a message on my answering machine that said Dr. Gens wants me to have an excercise evaluation. I called back left a message- didn't get a call back so I called again yesterday and asked for Bri and they said she's no longer there ...I asked her what the excercise evaluation is and she had no idea... so I'm here to ask you all- what exactly is an excercise evaluation?

Hi Jess, This exercise evaluation is just part of the program. I take it you haven't had the surgery yet. I met with a guy named Frank. He showed me different exercises to do with the big rubber bands. You should start doing some form of exercise because you lose weight at a rapid pace at first after the surgery and this will help you retain your muscle mass. You want to lose the weight but not the muscle mass. The appointment doesn't take long to do and is a requirement. I only went once but I think they want to see you a couple of times. I was naughty and canceled my 2nd appt. ( job related ) But make sure you go at least once and if you have the time twice. So I would just call and set up an appointment with anyone. Tell the person on the phone why you are calling. Make sure you get a referal from your insurance if required. Good Luck. Hugs, Roxanne

Hi Roxanne! Thanks for the advice. I did call back and made an appointment. The only problem is I used up all my vacation time at work for my sister open heart surgery (she's handicap and had it at Boston children's hospital) last week so I made the appointment for mid September and I *should* be getitng 3 more weeks vacation time around then. Also it's like an hour and a half drive!  It take a lot of gas, time and miles to get down there for every appointment. I soo hope having this surgery is worth it though- that's why I am trying as best as I can to make the commitment. I'm just having a lot of trouble losing weight right now. I have to lose 40lbs BEFORE surgery because my BMI is 67 and the highest BMI they take for surgery is 60  Anyway I haven't really been to any required appointmenbts yet and I'm hoping with some of them it will help!

Hi Jess, Let me be among the first to say how proud I am of you. I know it is a big commitment to do this but I can tell you from my experience and others I have talked to it will be well worth it. I know you will make your goal. 40 pounds seems like a lot to you right now but stick with it. Day by Day. My friend lost almost 40 before. She followed Weigh****chers. You might even want to try a protein drink once a day. I joined Weigh****chers in order to get myself under control and lose my required weight. Maybe there is a way you could go to an evaluation closer to you. Ask Nancy Seesman about it. Her EMail is.....   [email protected]  She is great but if you can't go somewhere else for it and have to go to Portsmouth. You can always make a day of it and go to the mall.  I hope your sister is doing better. If you need anything I know there are some wonderful people on this NH site that will be there for you. Keep me posted.  I know you can do this.  Hugs!! Roxanne

hi!. i recently went to this appointment, it went fine and was about an hour long. one peice of advise. wear sneakers...lol. i didn't relalize i was going to be doing the treadmill. so i was in espadrills doing it looking like a total dork!..... i know with is one of the requirments they want you to do in the program.....so i got to check that off my list of things to get done do you have that blue booklet thingy that you get once entgering the program?... at the back it lists all the things you have to do. it's great cuz i just start checking stuff off as i go along!

Thank you all for letting me know! We will see how it goes...hopefully the process will move along a little faster after my first couple appointments.