NancySmiles

I missed the "action" of eating during the weeks before the mushy stage....I found that if I froze my Protein Drink in a small container.....then I could eat it like a frozen kinda treat...even though it was my meal...but it seemed to satisfy me more by freezing it....at least i could eat it with a spoon instead of drinking it! N*

That is the one thing I NEED the most but DO the least!!! I need to JUMP START my exercises and I know I will continue!!! I am the co-leader of our Support Group and I just coordinated a once a week one-hour exercise session at the Powerhouse Gym in our area. The gal and guy have worked with me to set up a class tailored for people who have had the lap-band surgery and are at all different stages. Very low-impact exercises that anyone can do!! We meet every Wednesday at 7pm and tomorrow is the second class....we'll see how it goes. It's in addition to whatever other program the patients are on, since we need 30 minutes a day! I'll keep you posted! WE had ELEVEN members at the first class!!! Nancy

"The Powerhouse Bandsters" Exercise Class designed specially for Lap-Band Clients Only Wednesday Nights: 7:00 PM Powerhouse Gym - 25212 Harper (just N of 10 Mile) St. Clair Shores Group Training - $10/class - $40/month for an hour of personal instruction by Rebecca and Barry. These classes are tailored for people at all different stages of their weight loss journey and will incorporate the mechanics as well as instruction on various low-impact exercises that ANYONE can do. Join Us and See for yourself! Call Rebecca @ 586-771-5898 for more info OR e-mail Nancy McLuckie - nancysmiles@gmail.com

CONGRATULATIONS Greg - aka Lapbander - on your new and very first granddaughter!!! She was born yesterday...and I'll let Greg give you all the details so I don't steal ALL his thunder! Let's just say he is on cloud nine and it may take him a LONG time to come down....but he is the happiest and proudest Grandpa alive!! And I wish him all the best and long happy years of bouncing her on his knee....since he now has lots of room to share!!! She is the luckiest little girl around and could not have picked a better Grandpa if she picked one herself. And he is going to spoil her rotten.....hope she inherits Grandpa's wit, charm, intelligence, caring, personality, conviction, and all those things about him that we all love most!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so happy for you!!! Sincerely.....Nancy* (((((((HUGGGGSSS))))))) :banana :banana :banana :banana

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Wow Christina!!! 19.5 lbs already!!! that is soo cool!!! Hope you are well!!! Nancy :banana

why would he need to remove it? Can't he just slide it back where it should be???? Would you then have to be re-banded?

Same here...actually...no fasting at all....

Greg, you are truly a wonderful friend indeed....thank you for your kind words and for this posting. You are amazing and always putting everyone first before yourself. I know you have never met my Dad; but I know he would have thought the same thing! Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and prayers. I am comforted knowing he did not suffer...and is together again with my Mom and smiling as I have always remembered him, smiling down on me! Thank you again...for all your kindness and friendship.... Hugs from Nancy...

Hey! don't I know you??? Aren't you with the Support Group at Dr. Hawasli's office? This is Nancy....hello! I have had terrible hair loss.....i had thin hair to begin with; but mine is a combination of some recent medications, since they take 1-2 yrs to cause hair loss; and also the anesthesia, and lower Protein and fast weight loss. I am currently seeing a Dermatologist for scalp injections and it is helping. But he tells me that anyone he has seen with haior loss after weight loss surgery gets the hair back after a while. He also suggested taking Folic Acid and Biotin to help. People have also said to kick in more protein, etc. Nancy

Still makes me sad when I think today would have been the "First Annual Michigan Bandstock 2005" ..... We had high expectations...and that's not a bad thing....but we were so excited about it, we thought it would catch on. But we learned ...and that's what's important... But what's MOST important is that we each made 2 new friends....awesome friends with the same passion and drive to do great things!!! Greg and Lyle have become like brothers to me....and I know that if I ever needed anything, no matter how big or how small, I could ALWAYS count on them!!! And they know that it works both ways and they can count on me too!!! So all is not lost.....in fact, we are all stronger for it!!! Take care....and we'll see you at the next Almost-Bandstock event!!! Nancy

I am totally confused. I have been waking up in the middle of the night with a geyser in my throat. It just comes up and sometimes enough that it comes out of my nose!!! I recently was told my Hiday Scan was abnormal and I need to have my gallbladder removed. It has sludge and sludgeballs (which later turn to stones). Is this the reflux or the gallbladder or both??? Does sleeping on an incline really help? Along with not eating 3 hrs before you go to bed, etc.??? Nancy

that is EXACTLY what I had in mind....!!! Sounds like we're om the right track!!!!

I know EXACTLY how you feel....having lost two of my "best friends".....it's so hard to lose them.....because they are totally at our mercy.....for everything....to feed them, take care of them....just as you said...just like a child.....and they are so loyal to us.....I am sure he is running around happy and healthy with all his buddies who have gone before him.......... hugs from Nancy

Any ideas or tips on what you do at your support group meetings? Ours are ok but lately have been scattered in different directions. HOw do we gain back control? Nancy

I had my surgery and was supposed to return to my water aerobics class afterwards. The doctor would not allow me back till all the scabs fell off. It drove me nuts but I waited. After all I went through to have the surgery I was not going to jeopardize my healing progress!!! I am diabetic so it took me a little longer to heal totally.....but it forced me to try a different type of exercize I had never done in my life!!! I did Strength/Weight Training while i waited...it was awesome!!! Never thought I could do it!!! It was worth the wait to me! Hang in there!

when were you banded???

All of the above!!! Yikes!!! I should be losing even quicker since I can hardly eat anything!!! Resorting to Protein powder and Hi-Protein foods lately.... Nancy

I remember all this very well....adn each day IS different - You need to remember to take small sips. Your surgery area and around your port and band are still swollen, and you will be very restricted for a couple weeks. When you feel you are full.....just stop...it's hard...but learned my lesson. If you need to go back an hour or 2 later, then have more then...but don't force it. and Water will just make it even worse! It won't push it down....quite the contrary...it just comes up even more.....the chest pain is typical....it's trying to go thru the band....just stand up and walk around and in a couple minutes it will.....hang in there....trust me....it DOES get better ...hence the reason for liquids >>>> strained >>>> mushies >>>> then gradually getting into solids.... :-)

Me too.....about 3-4 weeks after surgery....but I did as Bubba dod.....put a pillow under my tummy as I lay on the side...to help prop me up...it worked.....slept like a baby...but no more snoring!!!

Hey Christina!!! So happy for you!!! Glad surgery went successfully!!! I was thinking of you all day!!! I had the right shoulder pain too....which was the ONLY bad pain I had....and it was gone after about 2 days....so hang in there!!! Put that scale away and set a date once a week to weight yourself!! Otherwise you will go crazy!!! GOOD LUCK AND TAKE CARE OF YOU!!! Nancy

I'll keep watching both posts, so wherever you post it, I'll find it!!! Thanks! Here is what "giveyouthemoon" had so far....is this too much duplication? I hope I am not stepping on anyone's toes.....at least it won't hurt as much as it would have when I was 75 lbs heavier!!! Sorry....bad joke! :ermm popsicles (any recommended brands. Should I go sugar free?) crystal light Jello (sugar free?) gatorade ensure chicken/beef/veggie broths (any good brands? should I get low sodium?) Protein powder for shakes frozen fruits for Protein Shakes Soups (tomato? Other good flavors I should consider?) liquid tylenol liquid gasx heating pad Look for a line of soups by "Imagine". They come in cartons. They have a great selection of interesting soups....ie. Potato Leek, Butternut Squash, Corn, Creamy Tomato....and more. They are considerably lower in sodium than Campbells Soup. One thing I would recommend is to cook a chicken before surgery, and save the broth from the chicken and freeze it in very small containers. I know after my surgery I had bought the can stuff, and to tell you the truth I didn't like it. My friend had cooked a chicken and she brought me over some of the broth and I was in heaven!! So that is one thing you could do to prepare.

Need all of your help here - I am composing a list, just as "giveyouthemoon" had started, for the pre-op patients in our support group. Can anyone think of ANYTHING else you wished you would have had on hand when you got home from surgery??? With the help of my DH, I was VERY prepared before I went in; but there were still a few things I had to send him out to the store to buy. Any ideas??? Thanks!!! Nancy* :cry :think

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