Posts by Ryan Chase24

I’m looking to get rid of my double chin. It’s basically a combination of genetics and being overweight.
My weight issues are currently being managed by the endocrinology department over at Mount Sinai, so that part is under control—but the double chin was there even back when I was thin.
I’m curious to know if anyone here has gone through with liposuction specifically for the submental area, and what your overall experience was like.
I’m also interested in hearing from anyone who opted for non-surgical methods to remove it; if you did, which procedure did you choose and where did you go?
People keep trying to give me those "motivational" speeches about how I'm beautiful just the way I am and don't need to change, but honestly, I already know that myself.

My mother is 73 years old and has been battling COPD for 14 years. She is currently being planned for a transfer from her home in a small town in Iowa to a small town in Ohio, where she actually stayed back in 2003.
She’s incredibly frail right now and barely eating anything. To put it bluntly, I’m terrified that once she arrives there, things won't go well. She’s been staying at my house with me and my husband until this Friday, but her condition has deteriorated so much that I’m genuinely afraid we won't be able to care for her here anymore.
Does anyone have any personal experience—or perhaps stories about loved ones—regarding what the current standard of care and facility accommodations are like in that area?
I would truly appreciate any insight you can share. Thank you all in advance.

My mother (69 years old) is dealing with some pretty significant issues regarding internal hemorrhoids, so I was wondering if anyone here has any personal experience using Pilex ointment?

Thomas Fox67 said:Well, I didn't get any referrals for jack squat. They just asked about my family history, blood pressure, cholesterol—that was basically it. And now I'm hearing people praising Dr. Jelcica while others are saying the exact opposite... man, I don't even know what to believe anymore. I remember how my first checkup went, and look, I could always go back, but it's such a shame when people walk away from a place feeling totally screwed over...

To be perfectly honest, our very first encounter wasn't exactly wonderful in terms of human connection. I asked him (among other things) what he thought about food intolerances and the effectiveness of following a diet based on those results, and he told me, stone-faced, that it was all nonsense and that intolerance and weight have very little to do with one another 😁.
I thought to myself, "Good grief, what an arrogant man" 😁
But, as I mentioned, he was extremely thorough with me. I sat in there for over half an hour; he gave me referrals for every necessary test, and I ended up attending a lecture of his that actually earned my respect.
When I returned for my second visit, I decided to take the initiative a bit; I jokingly held up two fingers in the middle of his lecture and asked, "Can I?"
He laughed and said, "Fine, if you absolutely must" 😁
What I mean to say is, he isn't some charming conversationalist, and he might lack tact, but for heaven's sake, he is an endocrinologist, not a psychologist. He's probably frustrated by the sheer volume of patients, but he did readily offer me a referral to a psychologist on his team if I needed one.
If I were you, I would advise you to just bite the bullet and go back. Take the expertise you need from the doctor, and as for everything else, let it go in one ear and out the other.
And believe me, I have listened to people in the waiting room blatantly LYING about how they aren't eating anything at all, yet here they are—not only haven't they lost weight, but they've actually gained some, supposedly from nothing but water and fresh sea air 😁

Jamie Howard3 said:Look, let’s just leave the healthcare system to deal with people who are actually critically ill. They have limited resources, so they should be using them more effectively instead of wasting them on this. If you’re worried about your mental state, maybe try cutting back on the chips, the Bueno bars, and all that McDonald's junk. Spend less time glued to a computer screen and get outside for a walk more often; you won't need psychological counseling if you just fix your lifestyle.

It’s all mental. Stop overeating and you'll be fine.

omg 🙈

Up until 2008, I was quite slim (5'7"/132 lbs), but then I fell ill. I spent 13 months on medical leave, confined to my house undergoing treatment. I literally took about 1,500 pills during that time, without any exercise or a normal lifestyle, and I gained 66 pounds. I’ve tried various diets to lose it, but nothing worked.
I don't believe that overweight people are just undisciplined slackers who are draining the healthcare system. We have a legitimate issue, and we are trying to address it before our weight turns into something truly, SERIOUSLY life-threatening.

Thomas Fox67 said:Can you, like, expand on that a bit? Why exactly do you think he was being such a jerk and all that?...

And did they just hand you the tests and the meds right away, or did you have to fight them for it? How'd that whole thing go down?

It feels once again as though we are discussing two entirely different people.
Before starting the program, Jelčić gives a lecture to the patients, and the one I attended was excellent—witty, clear, and very thorough regarding the common pitfalls of dieting and weight loss. He explained in great detail why frequent smaller meals are vital, why reducing fats and carbohydrates is necessary, and why keeping a food diary is absolutely essential.
During my follow-up appointment, he discussed my specific challenges with calorie restriction and how my perimenopause might be impacting my weight fluctuations. He was incredibly polite when addressing my questions about potential hormone replacement therapy.
I came in for a check-up after the summer break having lost only one pound, which made me feel a bit self-conscious. Not only did he not scold me, but he actually commended me, noting that most patients typically gain two or three pounds over the summer, so my one-pound loss was, in his eyes, equivalent to losing three or four pounds.
Having spoken with other patients myself, I can tell you that you hear all sorts of things. It is rare to find anyone who admits they aren't following the rules; everyone claims to be perfectly disciplined, fasting regularly, exercising constantly, and yet, goodness knows, they barely lose any weight at all. I am not sure how he handles those cases, but personally, I tend to take those patients with a grain of salt. 🙂

And did you receive your lab results and treatment immediately, or was there a struggle to get everything sorted out? How did that process go?

There wasn't a struggle at all; in fact, his first step was to write me a referral for every possible blood test and lab work imaginable. He insisted that I come back with the results for a consultation *before* even considering entering the weight loss program. He even cautioned me that we would need to monitor for any signs of depression, as depressive symptoms are often a contraindication for this type of program.
To be honest, he can be a bit gruff, but my personal impression is that he is truly an expert who genuinely cares about his patients.

Thomas Fox67 said:Thanks, but I actually went there at the end and it was a total disaster....

First off, they shove this 1200 calorie diet down your throat. There’s zero concept of actual healthy eating or anything. Since I was still in college back then, the lady literally told me she didn't care if I lived on Kinder Bueno all day long, as long as I stuck to my 1200 calories. 😲

Then she goes, "If you don't drop a specific amount of weight by a certain date, you're going on pills..."

And all over their website, they brag about providing psychological support, checking your metabolism, hormone levels, blah blah blah... none of that happened. Not even close...

Physical activity? To them, it's like a foreign language. Seriously, whatever.

Mayo Clinic Obesity Center 👎 👎 👎 I’d honestly rather tell people to just Google stuff than ever step foot in that place. I have no clue why they even think they’re qualified to work with people struggling in this area, but I guess it's like everything else in America—if you aren't paying for a private doctor, don't expect much from them....

It’s truly unbelievable; it feels like we weren't even at the same hospital. My doctors were completely transparent with me, but their advice was essentially the polar opposite of yours. They insisted I eat five small, light meals a day and cut out as much sugar as possible—so, absolutely no Bueno for me—along with bread and heavy doughs. They also mandated at least half a pound of vegetables daily, either steamed or in a light stew, and emphasized that without at least a thirty-minute walk every single day, I wouldn't see any progress whatsoever.
I wasn't put on a rigid, restrictive diet, but they did suggest staying within the ballpark of roughly 1,500 calories a day, paired with those walks.
I had my follow-up appointment yesterday, and I haven't lost any weight because I've been going through such a high-stress period lately. The doctor simply advised me to stay the course, be patient, and that the results will eventually manifest. She actually went as far as asking if I felt I needed psychological counseling, as she was prepared to refer me to a specialist.
Right from the beginning, I made sure to get all my tests done (including hormone panels) before we ever started the actual program.
It is quite staggering how different these experiences can be; what you're describing sounds frankly disgraceful.

Thomas Fox67 said:So, I’m wondering if anyone here has actually dealt with an endocrinologist over at the Mayo Clinic... like, what was the whole vibe? Has anyone actually managed to get their weight issues under control through them, or is it just a massive waste of time?

Well, here is my experience: I decided to see Dr. Jelčić back on July 1st, 2011, and without following any strict diet, I have already lost five pounds.
He has an incredibly interesting approach that really resonates with me, and so far, things are going exceptionally well.
If you are interested, I would be more than happy to provide you with some more detailed information. 🙂

Frank Hughes56 said:Hey there! So, I actually just put my order in. I’m set to head out there on December 18th, so we’ll see how it all plays out... honestly, I’ve been waiting for this for over six months now. I am seriously counting down the days until I can finally get there and see how everything goes!

I realize quite a significant amount of time has passed since this was originally posted, but I have reached the point where I would love to secure an appointment myself. However, I am feeling uncertain as to whether there is any actual logic in doing so, so I would truly appreciate hearing from anyone who might have some firsthand experience to share. 🙂

Douglas Hayes6 said:How comforting.

It isn't exactly comforting that she had to endure something like that in her lifetime, though there is some solace in seeing those characters portrayed in a truly accurate light.
This feels like her ultimate dress rehearsal; everything is hitting her at once, a true trial by fire. Yet, perhaps it is better this way—to face the storm all at once rather than having misfortune trickle in constantly, never allowing for a moment of peace. 🙂

Try looking at it from this perspective:
1. This "friend" was never actually your friend to begin with, and honestly, it's better that her true colors have finally surfaced. Just pour some water down the stairs to ensure she never shows her face around here again—it's an old superstition, but it works.
2. As for that guy, he clearly isn't the right one if this is how he conducts himself; you might as well pour water down those same stairs for him too.
3. Regarding your job: sit down and polish your resume, list out all your previous roles, and start sending it out blindly to companies, even those that haven't posted any openings. Reach out to all the big names in the industry and let it be known that you're on the hunt.
4. Lean on your family and your real friends. Give them a call; they will be there for you.

Sometimes life just hits us all at once with a string of terrible events... and right now, that's where you find yourself. But life moves forward, and if you put in the work to reclaim your quality of life, things truly will improve!
I sincerely wish you the courage to fight through this and the luck to find your way back! 👍