Hm, I just spoke to my dad. He is morbidly obese, and it looks like he's going to begin the consultations to get into a bariatric(???) program- stomach bypass procedure. Anyone know anything about this, or anyone who's done it?

I'm trying to imagine my dad as normal sized. Weird! (trying to remember if any of you have seen Big Mike at parties or other gatherings. He was at my 30th)

Nora, a very good friend of mine went through gastric bypass surgery. She documented the whole process here: [link]

Nora, a friend of mine had a bypass procedure, don't know the name. It was not the more minor one, but the big surgery kind. It pretty much saved her life. She has 3 small children and at her size she couldn't keep up at all. She was probably 300ish and now is maybe 120. She melted away in front of my eyes.

It is tough. Huge restrictions on what and how she could eat. More than worth the effort. She indicated 2 requirements. 1) This is a last resort when all else fails. 2) You have to really want to do this.

In short, she is very happy she made the huge effort.

My cousin had the surgery done recently. They did some kind of new procedure so it wasn't as invasive as it used to be.

She's doing great, as soon as she lost about 30lbs she started working out and going to Curves. I'm not sure what her total weight loss is to date, but she looks fantastic.

Anyone know anything about this, or anyone who's done it?

Herself just had this recently. She's written a lot about it in her LJ.

Nicole -- I'm going to second Laura's recommendation for an umbrella or parsol, I saw a lot of people using them last year around campus. Light colored loose fitting clothes are great. Dresses might be more comfortable as well.

Frankenbuddha, Jilli, and askye have new tags.

Herself just had this recently.

Learn how to use reflexive pronouns correctly, dude.

Nicole -- I'm going to second Laura's recommendation for an umbrella or parsol, I saw a lot of people using them last year around campus.

Parasol: [link]

Oh Jilli! I need that parasol. I can't wear hats and summer can be brutal.

Oh Jilli! I need that parasol. I can't wear hats and summer can be brutal.

Well, I *highly* reccomend ordering one from Dragonfly Design Studio. The owner is a friend of mine, and is an absolute sweetheart.