I just want to tell you....

[kis123]

There are two reasons I am not considering gastric bypass. Affordability was one-the fact that I know someone who died from it is another along with the fact I have no long-term information about the after effects. What happens twenty for thirty years post surgery? To mess that much with what God gave you makes me a little uncomfortable. If I can't get the weight off any other way, then I'd consider GB surgery. But I'd didn't need surgery to gain the weight, and I hope I won't need surgery to lose it.

Thanks everyone for the advice and links. It's really nice to know that there are people I've never met who have taken so much concern about me It makes me feel all mushy inside!!!

No more crying-gotta run to the gym before the pool closes for the day. See 'ya soon!

 

[steph]

Kis~I believe in some cases insurance will cover this, because it's not considered cosmetic~many people need this for health reasons. I know in my state, they're working on getting the Medi-Cal program to pay for it. Your state probably calles it MedicAid. It's considered a disability. The tummy tuck that you'll need afterwards, I don't know about it.
You are ALWAYS at risk for death during any medical procedure. Educating your doctors about any medical conditions in advance is IMPERATIVE. These deaths are rare and could have been avoided in many cases.
But your concerns are intelligent and valid. I'd do more research. WebMD is a fantastic and solid source of info for me on the job...

XOXO

 

[kis123]

I want to work this out on my own as best I can. If it gets too overwhelming, I'll consider the surgery. But right now, surgery wasn't required for me to get this big, I hope surgery won't be necessary to get out.

Did I mention that one of my sisters had GB surgery earlier this year? She's in her fifties and has a myriad of health problems. Her recovery was very slow, and she's still having problems. Her weight loss is not as the doctors told her it would be, and she's just not her old self anymore. I don't think I'm a good candidate except for the amount of weight I need to lose. I'll have to just wait and see. I'm giving myself six months and I've already gone about 7 weeks, so I have a way to go before I consider GB. Other people have lost weight without it.

Well, I went to the pool and may have overdid it a bit. Now I have to find something to eat and try to do some homework. I'm really behind in the studies and need to catch up. See 'ya soon!

 

[steph]

Oh, I agree kis, lots of people have done it on their own. Your doctor will be able to tell you if you are good candidate. The people I know who had it done also suffered from health problems and that was the reason they chose to go thru with it. They tried on their own, it simply wasn't working and they were running out of time.

You are definitely smart to be cautious about it~it is a very extreme surgery and certainly things can go wrong.

On the upside, there's this one gal who used to work in my bldg. Couple months after the surgery, you could definitely tell she was dropping fast. She got transferred to the main hospital and I saw her recently, it'd been about a year~I almost DIED when I saw her, she was literally a size seven! I hardly recognized her--looked like a totally differnt person altogether. She did tell me that as she lost, she began working out like a madwoman, now that her body would let her. Her husband was stationed overseas and she wanted to amaze him when he got home. Beleive me, she will!!

XOXO

 

[giantfan121262]

Kis, you are smart to be concerned about the GB surgery.

I knwo a couple of people that had the procedure. One was my cousins husband. He lost over 100 pounds from it, and a very dear friend of mine lost over 200 pounds. Both instances they looked great and needless to say felt so much better as well.

This is a very personal decision to undergo this procedure. I have heard it's risky business but if you are properly informed and ask the right questions, which in both cases you appear to intend to do, then you greatly minimize the risk. there are alot of people that get this done and come out of it fine, so, like Steph said, any operation is a risky proposition but in alot of cases, those are rare.

I don't blame you for saving it as a last resort. Going that route will take patience though. When I lost all this weight, I realized that it took about five years to get to this point so taking it off was going to be harder. I am faced with the biggest challenge and that will be keeping it off. I have ideas which I shared with you but sometimes that craving can just do you in. for the record, I am still not satisified where I am at. I can still pinch an inch or two.

Funny thing is that I finally added those 36 waist jeans to my wardrobe and feel I can go further. Now I know I won't be at where I was in HS (30 waist), but 34 or 33 maybe.

Kis, you got a good head on your shoulders and sound like you have a solid game plan. Now you have to execute. Good luck to you and we love you.

 

[featherfingers]

I'm with you all the way, Kis, no matter what you decide.

 

[kis123]

It would be even easier if no one ever made chocolate carmel pecan coated apples! I made four for me and the kids, and we decided to split one between us. It was really sweet and rich. The kids will take one home with them-I don't want it in the house after tomorrow! I didn't do an hour in the pool to flush it with a whole lot of sweets.

If I could only not do stuff like this to myself and stick to a stricter food regimine, I'm sure I could lose weight faster. One thing GB would do is cut the sugar (and occassional alcohol drink) right out! You can't do any of that after GB surgery. I'll be back on track tomorrow. If I fall off the wagon again, I'll have to deal with it then. I can't keep taking one step forward and two steps back.

I have year end goals and six month (feb-mar, 05). I'll reevaluate my situation then. If I still haven't gotten off the ground by then, then I'll explore GB. What were people doing to lose weight before GB came along? Did they just stay fat? Did they use hospital diet programs? What did they do? No one in Dr. Phil's original weight loss challenge used GB, and they lost tons of weight. One lost over 100 lbs, and one lost 148 lbs. All of the participants lost weight even those that didn't reach goal. I just think his food choices are kinda boring! Outside of that, there's gotta to be something about what he's doing that's getting the job done.

Well, I gotta go to bed! I'm going to try to do some reading beforehand, but I think I just may call it a night. See you soon!

 

[giantfan121262]

I'm with you all the way, Kis, no matter what you decide.

So am I

 

[featherfingers]

So am I

So, Kis... what did you decide? (just wanted to bring the thread to the forefront again) <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSXXXXXX41US' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_109v.gif' border=0></a>

 

[steph]

same here!

Kis~I am diabetic and I guess a little lucky in this but my solution is I just don't keep that stuff in the house. The only "treat" is fat free~lemon ice!

XOXO

So am I

 

[kis123]

Re: same here!

Kis~I am diabetic and I guess a little lucky in this but my solution is I just don't keep that stuff in the house. The only "treat" is fat free~lemon ice!

XOXO

When you have kids, it's kinda hard to avoid. I don't eat nearly as much junk food as I used to, but sometimes.............let's just say there's always room for improvement!

I had the job interview today, and let's just say I'll be continuing in my job search. I hope I can find work before the holidays. My kids don't even know I'm unemployed. I've been living off savings and some money my mom left, but it's almost gone and I really need to find a job.

I'm not a very happy camper right now. Neither of the last couple of interviews have a positive outcome and it's not like potential employers are beating down my door these days. I spent all this money for a degree because that's what I thought employers were looking for. I get fewer interviews now than when I just had and Associates degree. I simply just don't get it.

Well, I have to go to the post office and work on my accounting assignment. It's due by midnight tonight. Plus, I really need to go the the gym. That interview was horrible and when I finish being upset, I'll need to blow off some steam and revise my game plan.

 

[featherfingers]

I'm sorry to hear the interview didn't go very well. The exercise will help you clear your mind. Don't get discouraged.

 

[steph]

Re: Re: same here!

That sucks hon~I know it took me awhile too. hey! Does your school have an employment/job skills lab dept~they might!

XOXO

I'm not a very happy camper right now. Neither of the last couple of interviews have a positive outcome and it's not like potential employers are beating down my door these days. I spent all this money for a degree because that's what I thought employers were looking for. I get fewer interviews now than when I just had and Associates degree. I simply just don't get it.

Well, I have to go to the post office and work on my accounting assignment. It's due by midnight tonight. Plus, I really need to go the the gym. That interview was horrible and when I finish being upset, I'll need to blow off some steam and revise my game plan.

 

[kis123]

Re: Re: Re: same here!

That sucks hon~I know it took me awhile too. hey! Does your school have an employment/job skills lab dept~they might!

XOXO

The only thing this school does is take your money. No employment assistance at all!! They cater to the professional student who is already employed. So what happens if the student gets laid off? I guess it's every one for themselves.

I'm way beyond discouraged. I have bills to pay with no job in sight. I don't even know if I can afford my gym membership next month. It looks very bad from here and I really don't see any positive progress. The hole just gets bigger and bigger.

I wish I had better news, I hope someone else has something good happening to them. If they're depending on me to provide it, they're going to be starving for awhile.

 

[steph]

Have you checked out your local EDD? Ours has a program catered strictly to working professionals...

So sorry to hear it. If I win the lottery, I promise to make you my first "good cause" (I always pledged I'd start off by giving some of it away...) 😛

XOXO

 

[kis123]

What is EDD?? I'm not familiar with the term. When I recover by tomorrow, I'll go to the local college and check out the job boards and hope to find something.

 

[steph]

Employment Development Dept. It's where you go to apply for (temp)state disability and unemployment benefits. Everyone thinks they only find blue collar work but it's not true~they're so much more!

XOXO

 

[giantfan121262]

I'm sorry to hear the interview didn't go very well. The exercise will help you clear your mind. Don't get discouraged.

I'm sorry also Kis, I know when I first graduated, it took me a good month or three be4 I found that first job. Don't worry. Something will come up. It takes time.

I know the job market is tight right now and I remember when I was pounding the pavement back in 1986, the job market was booming. Hence, it took time for me even in the best of times.

 

[giantfan121262]

Re: same here!

Kis~I am diabetic and I guess a little lucky in this but my solution is I just don't keep that stuff in the house. The only "treat" is fat free~lemon ice!

XOXO

Great strategy! I know when we have cake and desserts, I take the left overs to my office and let the scavangers save me the calories. God knows I have a big time sweet tooth.

 

[kis123]

I'm sorry also Kis, I know when I first graduated, it took me a good month or three be4 I found that first job. Don't worry. Something will come up. It takes time.

I know the job market is tight right now and I remember when I was pounding the pavement back in 1986, the job market was booming. Hence, it took time for me even in the best of times.

I have one big problem. I'm out of money!!! I need to figure out how I can raise some money while I continue my job search. BTW, any resume writers out there? The man I interviewed with today was from an executive search firm and he basically ripped me a fresh one! I felt like I was a six year old in grade school and I had just wet my pants!! I tried to take his criticisms in stride but they just kept coming until I eventually humiliated myself in the interview. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't hire me if I was the only one who interviewed for the job. I don't even know why he interivewed me since I had such a horrible resume?

The worst of this is that I've been wondering why I haven't gotten the responses that I thought I should get. I guess he provided the answer, but presentation has always been important to me. If I was coming in for a resume critique, maybe I would've been better prepared. But I came in for an interview, not an emotional beat-down! Then he had the nerve to ask me if I was okay-I nearly passed out!!! I couldn't even face him to shake his hand and thank him for his time. I've never felt that way in an interview before. I felt like a fool and I'm still hurting now!! I don't have the money to have some professional write my resume for me!! I don't have the money to hire some executive headhunter prime me for a job. I need to work and with my work history (the result of parenting a disabled child) kinda sucks for my age. I really don't know what to do. I want to crawl under my blankets and make like Rip VanWinkle and sleep into the next millenium. Maybe I'll fit in there.

 

[giantfan121262]

Kis.

Check this out

http://resume.monster.com/restips/finance/. I used finance cuz I know you were an accounting major.

If I see a resume, I like to see action words like "initiated", "streamlined", "modified" "saved", "compiled".

Also, a good resume should start off with a career objective so the prospective employer can get an idea of how well your objective will fit into the plans of the company you are interviewing with. you can also incorporate a little bit of what you might have to offer and your qualifications.

Don't be afraid to list your accomplishments. This is not limited to jobs you have held, but any clubs you may have been involved with in school and what you did to make it a better situation.

Talk a little about the fact that you are an honor student as well. This may be important to you since you are just finishing your degree and entering a new career firld (I think, correct me if I am wrong). If I see a resume of a recent college grad, I would put some emphasis on his or hers academic performance in college. to me it gives an indication of that persons work ethic.

One thing that is also important, check for typos and grammar. They DO look for that and if you don't pay attention, it can only hurt you chances.

Those are the main things I look for in a resume. You can also look at this link from monster.com which offers tips which I may have missed

http://resume.monster.com/archives/tips/

Kis, I may also add that I am sorry to hear of your humiliating experience. As bad as it may have seemed, take it as a wake up call and look at it as an educational experience. you know better now what prospective employers are looking for. Rest assured that I have had a few of those in my day. One job I interviewed for was for an assistant controller back in 1991, and the guy just tore me to shreads. when the interview ended, I called him the wrong name. It was like the icing on top of the cake. One other thing, if you go thru an agency, alot of times the company will pay the finders fee to the agency. It shouldn't come out of your pocket.

Good luck to you and if I find anything else that can help, I will pass it on.

 

[kis123]

Giant, your information has been phenominal. The problem is, I don't know what I really want to do. I've always done what I needed to do in order to take care of my family. I've never considered what I actually want to do. I'm overwhelmed and I really don't know where to go from here. I just want to disappear!!!! I don't want any more interviews. I don't want to try to figure out what is going to make the next potential employer happy. I don't want to figure out what is going to make me stand out in a sea of twenty two year olds! I'm sick of all of it!! If I didn't have a kid to put through college, I'd say "f" it and stand on a corner downtown with a tin cup!!! I understand that they're making a lot more money than I am these days.

 

[giantfan121262]

Kis, your concerns are valid and not uncommon. You are about to make a big decision in your life and you want to weigh your options carefully. I think once you finish your DANTES and get that monkey off your back, you may be able to sort out what you want. You have some time to think about that. I know from my personal experience my first job wasn't what I really wanted to do but it was a stepping stone to what I do now.

BTW, good luck on your DANTES. It's tomorrow, I think.

 

[kis123]

Kis, your concerns are valid and not uncommon. You are about to make a big decision in your life and you want to weigh your options carefully. I think once you finish your DANTES and get that monkey off your back, you may be able to sort out what you want. You have some time to think about that. I know from my personal experience my first job wasn't what I really wanted to do but it was a stepping stone to what I do now.

BTW, good luck on your DANTES. It's tomorrow, I think.

I'm not taking the test until Oct 22. That is unless I can get a class financial aid will cover. I have to milk the system as best as possible. What's the difference between paying a couple of thousand more over the same ten years if it means you can take care of your family now??? BTW, I pm'd you so look in your mail....

I have a lot on the table, but nothing that's going to bring me income soon. It's at the forefront of my life right now and it's hard to think of much else. I'll see what's going to happen in the days and weeks to come......Maybe I'll go work at WalMart or something...

 

[featherfingers]

Kis, ask yourself what your favorite pastime is. What interests you in your leisure time. Chances are, you'd probably enjoy earning money doing the same thing. For example, I'm into music. A few phone calls and tomorrow, I could be in a band or at least work in a CD store. The possibilities are endless. The only one stopping you is you. Like Giantfan says, look at the lousy interview as a learning experience. Don't limit yourself. (I'm speaking to myself at the same time. If my business doesn't pick up, I'll need a second job). As for money... if you have any family there or anywhere for that matter, plead your case with them. Don't worry about your pride or whatever... you need help, you'll get it. Better to swallow your pride and ask for a loan than to hang onto your pride and starve.