NancySmiles

Hi everyone:

Just wanted to let you know that I attended the "Making the Journey Together 2005" event which was held in Troy, Michigan yesterday, June 4th, 2005, at the Embassy Suites Troy. It was sponsored by ObesityHelp.com; with speakers in all bariatric surgery areas such as Dietitian, Psychologist, Plastic Surgeon, Bariatric Medicine, Bariatric Surgeons, Motivational Patient Speakers, Authors, Counselors/Therapists, and so much more!!!

What an AWESOME event!!! Motivational, Inspiring, Informative...and loads of information, tips, vendors, ideas, etc.; and even prizes!

I would HIGHLY recommend this event to ANYONE interested in keeping up with news in the bariatric surgery spectrum!

I will report on this event at our Support Group Meeting on June 15th! Still pumped up and motivated after yesterday!!!

Here is the link in case you are interested to see what you missed! Shocked

banana

Check out this link...there are several in your area!!! Good Luck!!

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/bariatric+surgeons+in+michigan.html

Nancy

awwwwwwwww and I wanted to be the FIRST to congratulate you!!! Anyway....Congrats and hope you are doing well!!! We'll talk when you're up to it!!!

WAY TO GO GIRL!!!

Hugs from

Nancy*

Holy cow!!! I just found out last night that I have to have my gallbladder removed too!!! Been having lots of pain ...... but the diagnosis was "sludge and sludgeballs"....yikes....!!! I aksed if it's like when cats get fur balls.....if I cough really hard will it come up???

LOL....waiting for a date....need a fill too ...badly....so life is on hold at the moment!

Where was your pain and when did it hurt most?

Good luck!! I may be having it that same week!

Nancy

I know exactly how you feel!!!

Whenever I would start a "new diet" his first question would be "so how long will it take you to gain it back this time???" Infuriated me!!! I have to say his support through all this has SURPRISED me to say the least....although some days...............grrrrrrrrrr

ROFLMAO!!!! You are AWESOME!!! And remind me so much of my son!!! Now I feel old!!! He is also a really great writier...because he is not afraid to say what he really feels....and I see that in you too! AND you're open to new things...!!! He took a couple classes online from the Gotham Writing School of New York and loved it. He does stand up comedy and improv in State College, PA and Open Mike sessions with his music. Bravo for having the (excuse the expression and no pun intended) "balls" to do it!!! The universe is yours!!!

Nancy*

Good idea Trish!!! I was thinking the exact same thing. Is there a certain procedure you will need to go to for the ID part? Are they copyrighted or can anyone buy them. I would love to wear one but till LaurensHope they were all so horrid looking. I would want a few to change with outfits....but they have to be durable, strong, maybe sterling silver or 14K gold. Maybe that is why the price is so high. Let me know ....maybe you can start your own LBT Bracelet business...made to order by Trish!!!

Nancy

I would LOVE to wear one; but so many, until Lauren's Hope, were horrid looking. If I could afford it, I would have one for every outfit. Something tasteful...something durable like sterling silver and 14K gold, and oh yes...has to have some PURPLE in it!!! I am a PURPLE-holic!!! Does that help at all?

Thanks Sherita!

The ONLY thing that worked for me was going "back to the basics"....kind of a "cleansing" period. I went back on my pre-surgery liquid diet for a week, then the mushy stage for a few days, and so on.....This happened to me at Christmas and it was the ONLY way I could get back on track. And you are all right....the cravings DO go away! I am starting this today again, to get back on track....good luck!

Nancy

Ummm, is this site run by lap-band surgeons? I was expecting people's personal websites and journals. If this site is mostly surfed by those promoting the surgery...ummm nevermind. Are their bandsters here that don't work for a lap-band promoter?? Please don't be offended by this!! I guess I just figured everyone on this site was just like me...a regular ol' bandster. Not working for a surgeon...

I'm a regular old bandster too....what made you think I wasn't??? I am always surfing for different input and ideas and info from other band support groups or websites; personal, hospital, surgeon, etc. It doesn't matter if it's your personal blog or journal or your group's or surgeon's site; I just thought it would be fun to see what others are doing to keep motivated...

Nancy

Wow...people are just so cruel.....glad to hear everyone has the same issues going on...that's why I love this place!!

Please add to this list the website links for your surgeon's, hospital's, lap band support group, lap band groups, post-op info, resources, food, etc. There are so many out there and we can get an ongoing list started which would help us all tremendously! Help keep the list growing. TIA!!!

www.macombbariatrics.com (St. John Hospital - Office in St. Clair Shores, MI)

We are excited to announce that the "Making the Journey Together 2005" tour will arrive in Troy, Michigan on June 4th, 2005, at the Embassy Suites Troy 850 Tower Drive Troy, Michigan 48098 Just off I-75. The cost of the event is $40 per person early registration and $60 per person at the door.

Here is the link in case you are interested:

http://www.obesityhelpevents.com/june2005-michigan.html

Nancy

Any new Lap-Band websites out there?

Sounds great!!! How are you doing on your weight loss journey???

Sounds like you're doing all the right things....I was going to suggest more Water cuz that brings it up...but you're already doing that.

GOOD LUCK!!! We're here for you! You are NEVER alone in your journey!!!

Nancy

My family has been VERY supportive also....but I DO know several who are having a really hard time with theirs...like the ones at the support group....hence the reason for my question here.....

As I said.....if those people had a weight problem...they would know better than to say those things...

It's been our lifestyle all these years.....so the lap-band is a tool for our new lifestyle....

Welcome Krystal!!! and good luck with yoru surgery June 2nd!!!

It doesn't matter HOW you got here....just that you ARE here and taking control of your life!!! You're only 22 and have the rest of your life to live!! You have to be happy, healthy, and strong and able to keep up with your daughter!

We'ra all here for the same reason and we're all hear for each other.....you are NEVER alone in this journey.....

Good luck on the 2nd...it's the BEST thing I ever did for myself....and it's the BEST thing you can do for yourself too!!! ...... I wish they had this surgery when I was your age.....it would have saved me lots of health problems and social issues.....but they didn't and they do now...so on to a healthier life!!!

Take care

Nancy*

i agree totally.....like the doc always reminds us...it's just a "tool"...the rest is up to us!!! We still need to follow some sort of diet program, calories, etc.....

People who have never had a weight problem just DO NOT understand......

At our last support group meeting, which I am co-leader of, several members had a common problem. So many of their relatives are making negative comments about their surgery...saying they "took the easy way out", "you'll just gain it back again", etc etc. I am sure we've all heard them.

What do I tell them? How do YOU deal with negative comments from yoru relatives and friends before and after surgery???

This negative energy can destroy our efforts if we let it....but how do we stop it??? I know it's all in the attitude...our attitude...but relatives and friends can be a powerful influence on us...both positively and negatively....

Need your ideas.....I am trying to help them/us through this.

Thanks!

Nancy*

It's not as bad as it sounds.....believe it or not...you will NOT be hungry!!! I NEVER thought I would EVER say that!!!

the key is in the CHEWING and EATING SLOW!!! I have been learning this ALOT lately...even after 7.5 months!!

I hear that God doesn't give you more than you can handle....and it's true. H truly knows how strong you are and it's only a test.....sounds to me like you are passing with flying colors!!! Even though it doesn't seem so right now...there is an end in sight!!! And you have definitely earned your angel wings!!! Not many can do what you are doing without going totally insane!!! And to lose 6 pounds after quitting smoking, driving 1200 miles with your mother in law, and going through a funeral and taking care of all that!!?!!?!? HOLY COW!!! You actually really deserve sainthood!!! The 6 pounds will go away PLUS more after all this stress is gone....and you will be much better for it!!!

Your mother-in-law is going through all the typical stages of grief and once she is back on her own and with people her own age, she will start to do for herself again....and will feel better about herself.... She needed someone to take it out on and unfortunately...we only hurt the ones we love....she WILL remember all you've done for you....may not be right now...but she will!

hang in there Babs....you can do this and WILL!!!

Hugs....

Nancy

Hi Everyone,

I have been gone for a while. Last Tuesday morning, I found out that my father in law died. I flew to FL with my kids and my hubby. I arranged the funeral, service and also the "at sea" ashes distribution. My father in law was cremated and this was his wish. I also organized a service at the ELks llodge in St. Augustine FL. I packed up my mother in law last Saturday. My husband flew home with the kids and I stayed and finished packing. My mother in law did not want to throw anything out and it took me two days to pack up a one bedroom apartment. We donated the furniture to charity.

I drove the two of us back in her minivan with all her worldly belongings. It was a 12oo mile drive and it took me three days to complete it.

As you know I quit smoking in preparation for my upcoming plastic surgery in June. Surprisingly enough, I have remained cigarette free since May 4th, even though I was sure a few times from the stress that I would start again.

I did gain 6 pounds from eating buffets and restaurant food for the last two weeks.

My mother in law is staying with us until Tuesday next week. We found her a great place in a retirement community that she really likes. She is not accustomed to cooking since

I do understand that she is going through a tough time. She was married for 46 years and this cant be easy for her. She keeps making me feel guilty though. She threatens to jump off a pier, she slaps herself when she makes a mistake or talks too much and constantly tells me how guilty she feels that she is a burden to us. The truth is she is a burden, but I understand that this is temporary. She can be quite demanding and the demands start at 7:00 am until 9:00 pm in the evening. She wont even get herself a cup of coffee or attempt to do anything for herself. I did her laundry yesterday, made all her meals, cleaned up after her , bought her new furniture and household goods, took her to a dozen different retirement communities and wheeled her around in a wheelchair even though she has never needed assistance in her life to walk.

I am really frustrated.

Babs in TX

OMG!!! You are hilarious!!! You should be a writer!!! how about for the Slim Fast or Atkins commercials??? Then Blue Bell would not stand a chance!!!

I am with you too..ice cream is only ONE of the many things I absolutely CANNOT bring into the house.....!!! And won't....ask me in a year....see if I feel the same...if I do....then I consider this surgery a total success!!!....which i feel it is anyway!!!

N*

Who in their right mind at the grocery store came up with this stupid 10 for 10 sale on half the things in the store????? That person ought to be drawn and quartered.......demonic concoction ....... This stuff is addicting. ........ "we eat all we can and sell the rest." ....... just say no to singing cows.