Posts by Dennis James10

It is highly probable they were referring to specific hormone panels, such as thyroid levels or reproductive hormones.
In essence, the list would look something like this:
LH, FSH, Prolactin, Estradiol, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA-S, B-HCG, and Cortisol.

These comprise the primary sex hormones. You can request a referral for these from your primary care physician. If you happen to be in Chicago, I suggest heading over to Holy Spirit to have your blood drawn before you make your appointment at the Mayo Clinic. There is no need to wait around; you simply arrive in the morning and wait your turn, but you can get everything completed in one go. The results should be ready within a week. It would also be wise to ensure you have recent thyroid hormone tests on hand as well. 😉
There you have it. If you truly intend to bring those lab results with you, that covers all the bases. I hope this proves helpful to you.
When are you scheduled to head up to the Mayo Clinic, electricangler16? I am genuinely curious to hear what your impression of the whole experience will be... ☕

I absolutely agree with that sentiment—as long as your hormones are out of whack, you aren't going to see any meaningful weight loss. It is virtually impossible to make progress when your hormone levels are that unstable.☕

You are very welcome! I truly wish I could offer you more encouraging news regarding my experience, but I was also under the impression that Weight Watchers would be something entirely different. In the end, it feels like nothing more than a mediocre department designed to funnel money into our healthcare system. 🙄
When I attended my appointment there, I did not bring any prior medical records; however, after reading the post by Hannah Bishop, I realized they actually require you to bring your own documentation. As I mentioned in my initial post, I INTENTIONALLY chose not to bring any previous test results because I fully expected—and was convinced—that they would perform all the necessary testing on-site so that I would have "fresh" data ready to go. Unfortunately, that was not the case at all. It honestly makes little sense why an endocrinology referral is even required if they aren't going to conduct any significant testing and simply spend the time listening to you talk. 😕
Furthermore, I have no intention of traveling up there for follow-up appointments. The idea of driving all that way just to step on a scale or sit through some trivial lectures about diet and lifestyle is simply unappealing. I can easily find much better information online whenever I feel the need to research something, and I am certain those resources will be superior to anything presented in one of their seminars. ☕ Consequently, I believe the entire process is quite a waste of time!! 👎
Regarding my attempts to handle this independently... in a sense, I have already taken action. After years of being misdiagnosed, I decided to see this through to the end, regardless of the difficulty, to finally secure a concrete diagnosis and proper treatment for my hormonal issues, which were the underlying cause of my weight gain. 😢 Our healthcare system is, as we are all well aware, in a state of absolute catastrophe, and for years, I was merely brushed off with nonsense like, "It’s just PCOS; just take these pills and you'll be fine." It was not fine. Since then, everything has worsened, and my thyroid has been steadily declining. So, here I am... I am focusing on resolving my hormonal health first, and once that is managed, I will address the weight. ☕

Hello!
I see you've been looking for some information regarding this "new" Weight Watchers. I hope this info proves useful to you; please accept my apologies for just now noticing this thread.
I was actually referred there about 4 or 5 months ago. I dealt with an incredibly long waiting list; despite signing up the moment they began operations, I still had to wait an extensive amount of time to be seen. To clarify the process, your primary care physician issues a referral to an endocrinologist, and that referral is what directs you to this specific center. To be perfectly honest, my experience was quite underwhelming. I arrived for my 1:00 PM appointment to find two people ahead of me, with each individual spending roughly 20 minutes with the doctor. When it was finally my turn, the doctor asked if I had brought any previous medical records (since I have consulted endocrinologists in the past), and I politely informed her that I had not. I intentionally did not bring them, as I had fully expected and hoped for a comprehensive review of my history to be conducted on-site. However, she actually seemed offended that I hadn't provided my prior results myself.🤷 😕 She proceeded to ask several general questions regarding my weight, lifestyle, place of employment, job duties, dietary habits, exercise routine, and any existing health issues. She noted all of this down, and then the consultation concluded. Following that, she simply handed me a booklet containing printed advice and a schedule for various clinics where one is expected to attend lectures once or twice a week. In essence, everything is handled in a mass, group setting. 😕 Additionally, one is required to go upstairs to the clinic at the Mayo Clinic every single week just for weigh-ins. 😕 That was the extent of it. Nothing special, and nothing particularly substantive in my opinion. Yes, she did offer me certain weight loss pills, but those naturally come with numerous side effects! 🙄
After my appointment, the waiting room was completely empty. It was quite perplexing to me how they can manage such long lead times for appointments when there was absolutely no one else in the waiting area at that time!!! 🤷
In any case, a massive 👎 for this "endeavor" of opening the Obesity Treatment Center!!

Ladies, here is the link to the new thread created specifically for us... 😁 Take a look and join the conversation!

All right, that is perfectly fine. I appreciate your understanding and the clarification you provided. 😁

Ladies, if I may ask you something first... (I am not entirely acquainted with the rules of this Forum yet, so I wanted to survey the landscape before proceeding)🤷

What are your thoughts on me posting some photos of the items I have for sale, covering all sizes? I find it quite difficult to navigate the "clothing sales/trades..." thread because most of the listings are labeled "too small" for both me and our group, so I was thinking perhaps it would be more efficient and much clearer to post here instead. Or should I simply start an entirely new thread??
That is my opening inquiry... I believe this would be beneficial for everyone, but I certainly expect your feedback. 😁 😉

Jason Moore63 said:Maybe there's some deeper meaning behind those heavy denim jeans? Or just some thick-cut work pants? I don't know. Sometimes you look at a pair of rugged jeans and wonder if they're actually saying something about the person wearing them, or if it's all just fabric and thread. It’s like when I was looking through that old thrift store in Chicago last winter—just rows of heavy denim, all looking identical, yet everyone thinks their pair tells a different story. Probably just clothes, though. Just stuff we wear to cover up.
Personally, I can't stand copycats. Honestly, they make up like 90% of what you see these days. It just feels unoriginal. I prefer things to have some actual substance, you know? Everything falling apart around me lately. Back in the day, you had places like Amadeus where there was some real depth, but now? Every model out there feels incredibly shallow. Just empty shells. 🙄🙄

You know, when it comes to retail workers, you really run into every single type of personality under the sun. It’s wild. I was at the CVS down the street the other day, just trying to grab some aspirin and a snack, and the vibe was just... heavy. You get the ones who act like you’re personally insulting their entire lineage just by asking where the bread is, and then you have the ones who are so aggressively friendly it feels like they're trying to sell you a cult membership instead of a bag of chips. It’s exhausting, honestly. Just one more thing to navigate in a day that already feels long enough.
I was over in St. Helena recently, stopped by Levi's for a bit. Honestly, the woman working there nearly took my head off with that "stay inside your house and never come out" look she gave me. Total vibe killer. On the bright side, though, those ladies in the Mustang were absolutely lovely.😍 I picked up some jeans for... well, I haven't quite decided yet. Just one of those things you do when you're wandering around a mall in suburban Ohio or staring at a screen too long. Honestly, sometimes you just see them and think, "Yeah, these might work." No grand plan. Just another thing added to the pile. $83Yeah, they’re a bit small... but I’ll definitely be heading back there. Honestly, they really caught me off guard in the best way possible.

Yeah, I mean, is the St. Helena outlet actually worth the drive for anyone? Ever since they opened up over in Lisca, that’s where I go for bras. The other day, I picked up a bra and some panties for... $19😁😁
Finding a decent, supportive bra is such a nightmare for me. I’m stuck wearing an 80D or a 75E, and honestly, most of what you see in the stores is just that cheap, flimsy stuff made for teenagers. It’s always those "young girl" collections, too. So, I finally managed to track down a modern, actual adult bra in my size. About time. 🙂🙂
Then there’s this one friend of mine who’s like eighty years old, always out there hunting for bras. Honestly, I don't think she ever actually finds one that fits—it's either a total bust or she just ends up dropping a ton of cash on something overpriced because she's desperate. It's kind of a losing battle, really. $167 Before she had any others.
My mom’s basically my walking wardrobe at this point. She’s constantly hauling around these massive 85F bras for me—it’s like her main hobby now. Honestly, if you look in her closet, you’ll pretty much always find one of mine tucked away in there. Just part of the routine, I guess. $33...

Yes, yes, and yes!!! All credit goes to the staff at Mustang!!! 👍 😍 They are consistently helpful, communicative, and they ALWAYS manage to find me something. It isn't just about the visual presentation, if you catch my drift, because they frequently pull items straight from the stockroom for me (not everything is out on the floor). 👍 Whenever I lose all hope of finding decent, youthful, and sufficiently deep-cut women's trousers, I head straight to Mustang. Granted, I always shell out quite a bit of cash for the pants; I tend to need more sizes, but it is absolutely worth the investment. At least until our consumer culture realizes they could start importing more inventory in sizes L and up. 🙄 ☕

amberheron64 said:I honestly can't tell if they count bras for plus sizes under the same category 🙂

I was scrolling through the sales list today and noticed some much higher discounts—some were actually pretty decent, too

Regarding the matter of bras, one must approach the subject with a certain level of practical scrutiny. It is not merely a question of fashion or aesthetics, but rather one of structural integrity and daily comfort. Selecting the appropriate support is a fundamental necessity for any woman's wardrobe, yet it remains a topic often discussed with far too little precision. 👍 The Triumph minimizer is an exceptional piece of engineering for anyone seeking a more streamlined silhouette. It provides a highly structured fit that effectively manages volume while maintaining a sophisticated, polished look. For those who prioritize both comfort and a controlled shape, this garment delivers consistent results through its thoughtful design and superior fabric tension.👍
I am absolutely delighted. 😍
Honestly, they are never on sale, but trust me—every single cent you spend on them is absolutely worth it.

Timothy Nguyen said:You can actually find larger sizes at Lacoste too (like 44-48), but man, you need some serious luck to catch them in stock. My recent finds? I snagged a size 46 Lacoste A-line skirt $73(on sale!), and a fuchsia pink wide-strap tank in a size 44 $100(also on sale)—both right here in sunny Florida. I’m stoked! Since their shop is right on my way through downtown, I always pop in to see if anything catches my eye. It actually feels like they might be moving clearance items from one store to another, because the stuff on sale now wasn't even in the regular collection when I saw it back in Miami. Even last year, I managed to grab two tops that I hadn't seen anywhere else before.

To be perfectly honest, I have developed a genuine phobia of walking into boutiques and asking for a size 44 top or a 48 pant. Every single time—and I mean ABSOLUTELY every time—the sales associate gives me this once-over look before dropping a comment like, "We don't carry such large sizes." Or even worse, they say it with that condescending little smirk! 🙄 Consequently, over the last couple of years, I have stuck strictly to "tried and true" stores where I know they carry my size. Thank you so much for the tip; I will certainly make a point to stop by the Lacoste locations nearby and see how the fit works out.😍

Thomas Alvarez3 said:I'm wearing a size 46 or 48, and I stand about 5'10"...
Even when they’re being absolute firecrackers, these women somehow manage to squeeze themselves into those smaller size brackets—down to a 44—which you'll find stocked in pretty much every shop around town...
Sometimes you just can't wear the low-rise jeans or anything too tight and revealing because of work requirements, yet you still find yourself craving that modern, vibrant look that actually feels fun to wear...

Shopping for clothes feels like such a massive drain on my soul and a complete waste of my precious time, and honestly, here is a little look at the exhausting, uphill battle that defines the whole process...

Moving from the high-end stuff down to the budget options...

Marina Rinaldi's collection at Nordstrom—specifically that Max Mara line designed for those with a bit more of a midsection... it’s incredibly pricey, honestly. The Italian cuts seem specifically tailored for women who carry their weight in the stomach, whereas I’ve always found German brands offer a much better fit if you actually have curves in your hips and backside. That said, if you happen to be invited to a high-society gala at the White House and you don't mind dropping a small fortune for something elegant... it might be worth the splurge...

Elena Miro, over on Ilica Street... everything there is just so overpriced, and honestly, the fashion is a bit much—we're talking trousers cut in that tapered carrot shape that makes you look like a little sausage, or tops that are way too long, and skirts that are almost always that tulip style... Still, I suppose it's worth popping in for a browse every once in a while...

MARCONA, over on Gundulićeva... it’s definitely on the pricier side, but you can actually track down some decent, classic pieces there—nothing tacky or overly trendy, just those timeless staples that actually hold their own...

If you're looking for DELMOD, head over to Ilica—just take a left from the Square toward Frankopanska. It’s got that same vibe as MARCONA, but they also carry Hirsch, which feels really fresh and modern... high quality, too, though it's priced reasonably unless you're looking at certain models that can climb up to 46 or 48... just a heads-up, you might want to ask one of the sales associates about those specific prices since everything is out on display...

If you ever find yourself wandering around downtown near the old shopping district, you really ought to swing by Gerry Weber... they’ve got such a massive selection of stuff that hits that sweet spot between quality and being actually affordable, which isn't easy to find these days. It honestly doesn't matter if you're looking for something trendy for the younger crowd or just something solid for the older generation, they pretty much have it all covered... and since they seem to be getting new shipments in constantly, it feels like there's always something worth checking out if you pop in every once in a while...

Monari over on Ilica... they’re a bit on the pricier side, though I suppose you get what you pay for, and some of their pieces run anywhere from 46 to 48 bucks...

SHOPPING SPOTS: If you’re looking for Centra Mode, they have locations in Dubrava and downtown near Martyrs of Fascism Square—there's one on Jurišićeva too, right near Draškovićeva, though they have a few other spots scattered around the city... They tend to carry a massive variety of styles, but you really have to ask the clerk for help because they don't always put every single size out on the floor. Honestly, the selection is pretty solid, even if they don't really cater to that specific teenage crowd, though you can definitely find some basic pieces that work with just about any look... Prices lean a little toward the pricey side, but considering the quality of the stuff, it’s actually fairly reasonable... Oh, and at the location by Martyrs of Fascism Square, they carry a special line specifically for those who like the SAMOON style—you know, the ones with those extra-long, flat tops...

You know, thinking about those spots like Walmart or Target, or even that stretch over by the industrial parks near the airport... it’s kind of similar to how things operate at a place like LANTEA...

Massive shopping malls... they have this strange, sprawling energy that you just don't find anywhere else... those endless corridors lined with everything from high-end boutiques to those little kiosks selling phone cases, all under one massive, climate-controlled roof... it’s almost like entering a different dimension where time doesn't really exist quite the same way...
Downtown Manhattan, near Times Square; then over to the mall—it was just Marks & Spencer...
But then you see them with necklines plunging all the way down to their navels, almost entirely made of synthetic fabric, and you realize that if the price tag is low, the quality is bound to be trash, yet if it’s actually decent, the cost climbs so high you start wondering if you could just find something much better for that kind of money...
The Importanne Gallery over on Bandolera Street is definitely on the pricier side, but if you manage to snag one of those numbered pieces—they have up to 48 of them—the stuff they carry is genuinely modern, interesting, and just... different...
Downtown—specifically that Dorothy Perkins spot—is mostly just a collection of cheap synthetic fabrics and those neon low-cut tops that people try to pass off as "trendy," though they really only appeal to teenagers or anyone desperately clinging to that feeling... Then there’s Peek & Clopenburg, which is more of a hit-or-miss situation where you can find pretty much anything if you look hard enough, provided the price point works for you... they have a decent variety, but honestly, if you aren't looking for something up to a size 14, you might come up empty-handed, as they rarely carry anything larger than a 16 or 18...

KATALOZI: This is my go-to spot for jeans, specifically those OTTO pairs... I usually end up ordering about five different styles at once since some always fit perfectly, and occasionally you strike gold with catalog clothes that are surprisingly high quality, though you really need a thick skin to deal with all the ordering, the waiting, and the inevitable returns...

Other stores: there’s basically a 0.001% chance of anything happening, so you're really just burning through your time, your nerves, and whatever little bit of self-confidence you had left...

Despair: swimwear—it’s nowhere to be found, but seriously, absolutely nowhere...
As for gym clothes and fitness gear—honestly, I haven't the slightest clue what I'm doing... I just end up ordering whatever looks decent in a catalog...

MAXY POKER — honestly, you might as well just wrap yourself in some colorful bedsheets at that point, because the result is exactly the same...

Has anyone else noticed how weird it is that a guy weighing 250 pounds can walk into Lacoste and find a shirt that actually fits him, while women are basically left out in the cold... like, if you aren't walking around looking paper-thin, good luck finding anything in their women's line... Is this just blatant discrimination or am I just overthinking things...?!

An absolutely stellar review!!!
Thank you for providing those additional insights regarding the local shops; however, I find myself in complete agreement with the vast majority of your observations and commentary! 😉

It is absolutely fantastic that this topic exists!! 😍

For quite some time now, I have been struggling to find clothing in "larger" sizes (US 14-16), sometimes even reaching a size 18 for pants. 🙄
I must admit, finding anything youthful in my home city is incredibly difficult when you are looking for my specific size. 😢 I have heard that girls facing the same dilemma often travel abroad to find better options, though I haven't ventured that far myself yet... even though I am convinced the selection there would be much more fashionable. I spent some time in Germany a couple of years ago and managed to find some truly lovely pieces at an ordinary Orsay—which, by comparison, carries absolutely nothing in larger sizes here. However, that was during the summer season... Regardless, I fully support this discussion and will certainly be contributing to the conversation moving forward. If you'll have me?! 😁 hehe
By the way, in the city, I used to shop at Peck & Clopenberg, but the quality is simply abysmal! I eventually moved on to brands like Marks & Spencer, Time Out, or Nama (specifically for their lingerie 👍). You can find a few decent blouses and tees at Centar, but for pants, Mustang is really my only reliable option. 😢 They absolutely fleece me with their prices, but they actually fit me and look great! 😉 I have also picked up some trousers from Neckermann, which were perfectly fine, though I rarely stumble upon something that fits just right. Most of the time, I just order everything online and then return what doesn't work.

Anyway, that is all from me for now... I am looking forward to seeing where this discussion goes. 🙂