Louisiana Girl

Kelly has a class, so we have to go at 12:15. Other than that, no schedules. We will go anywhere. Lol. So do we want to go to Byronz Bistro at 12:15? I'm txting with Kelly. She can't get on the website right now. Ginger, Meghan - are ya'll ok with that?

Hey ya'll. Beth - since you're limited on time, how about you select a place for lunch. We are very flexible.

Ok, it's time for another lunch. When and where? Miss ya'll. Also, anyone who is interested in coming to our support group lunches, please join us. We laugh and give support, discuss our successes and our setbacks.

FindingMyself - You are defintely NOT crazy to consider having the surgery. I thought the same thing. Why can't I just lose on my on. I tried, lost 15 lbs, just to gain it back. I just don't have the will power. I was sleeved on 1/18/12, with 60 lbs to lose. I don't post my weight loss until I go to the doctor. But at this point, three months out, I have lost about 35 lbs. Maybe a little more. I love the sleeve! At this point, I can pretty much eat what I want (a LOT less of it), although I am never hungry (thanks to the sleeve). Of course, you have to follow the doctor's plan and make sure you get in your protein, fluids, and vitamins. It feels good to have friends tell you how great you look, and of course there are a few that are concerned that I'm losing too much. He He! I love it!

Lynn tyre - Please do try and make our lunches. We have a good time and offer support and experiences. And laugh alot.

I am also 5'4" and felt every extra pound. I think anybody who has put on 60-100 extra pounds, will certainly not think it's crazy. Only those who can't understand the ups and downs of being overweight. How we feel about ourselves. How we, whether right or wrong, compare ourselves to others. Since my surgery, I have made so many changes; in my health and in how I feel about myself. Drastic - yes; Crazy - No! I am also to the age (59) where I feel it is time I did more than just want to be thinner and healthier. More than just exercise. More than just watching what I eat. Because just that didn't work for me. It took drastic! But happy about my decision. Good luck to all who decide to go this route. I believe you will not regret it either.

I had my surgery on January 18, 2012. So, I am about three months out now. I do remember thinking that I must have been crazy to do this. It does require a little work, but the sleeve is a tool, not the whole answer. Because they remove the fundus gland that produces a hormone that tells you when you are hungry, I am never hungry. When you get the protein in, it helps you feel satisfied, and makes this journey easier. Granted, I still head crave certain foods that use to be my comfort food, but then I think about this gift I have given myself, and what got me here in the first place. I don't weigh myself at home, but have probably lost close to 30 lbs. So, it is working for me. And believe me, I absolutely never thought I could do this.

So glad to have met ya'll! Can't wait til our next lunch. Ginger, let us know how it goes tomorrow!

Good luck tomorrow F4M. I'll be thinking about you! Good luck to all who are preparing for surgery!

Got my coupon!!

Sooo sorry... I "ass-u-me-d" ya'll went to the one in Mandeville. My bad!!! I said Mandeville on the address... :tongue2: Noon Monday is good for me. I can't wait to meet ya'll. And.. I will definitely need the break. Been working my fingers to the bone getting ready for this move. Went to the closing Monday, and have been getting stuff done at the new house, and packing. We are moving Friday. Yeah!! See ya'll then!

F4M - It's right across the street from Coffee Rani, where ya'll went last week. It's on Highway 190, right in front of TJ Maxx, Bath and Body Works, Hallmark store, and Albertsons. The address is 3434 Highway 190, Mandeville 70471.

Yes it is in Mandeville by Old Navy. Monday would be good. Is everyone in? Any time is good. I look forward to meeting you next time Meg.

Monday or Tuesday of next week is good for me. Not this week because of the closing (it better happen Monday) and the people I have coming to hook up and set up stuff at the new house. As far as a place, we could go to Le Madeleine which is right across the street from Coffee Rani. Anyplace ya'll like is fine with me. I can always find something to eat.

I was sleeved 1/18/12. I am 5'3" and weighed 193 at surgery. I've lost 18 lbs. My goal set by the doctor is 130. I'm really looking forward to getting to that weight again. It's been 15 years.

I found ya'll... So sorry I had to miss lunch. I can tell ya'll had a great time! Let's plan the next one now, so I can leave that day open. I'm in week 6 and can now eat fish and cooked veggies! I'm excited and kind of scared. Yesterday I drank a Myoplex Lite vanilla Protein drink and got a bloated sleeve. I then took a Gas-X (thanks Kelly) and felt better almost immediately. Haven't had any problems since my surgery, except for this one time. Won't drink that flavor again! I did fine with the chocolate a couple of weeks ago. Went to doctor today. Lost 9 more lbs, in three weeks.

Hey ya'll. I'm back. Well, the closing on our new house was changed until Monday. I've been so busy these last two days. How did our support group go yesterday? I looked for NOLA Northshore and couldn't find it. Where am I looking?

I wish I could go Thursday! KB - now I'm jealous! Lol. KB - I have friends that live in Carriere MS. They live in Hide-a-way Lake. He has a flooring business - City Carpets. It's so tough right now to sell houses. I would hope that it will pick up soon. Ya'll have a great time Thursday.. you all seem like such nice people. Next time!

Just got back home from spending two nights in the French Quarter. Not easy being around the alcohol and food, and drinking my caff free tea and Protein drinks. I did take a couple forks of baked potato (plain). It tasted sooo good. It's almost like taking a baby somewhere. I had my little food bag. Lol. By the way, my name is Pam. I have the act of sale on our house Thursday at 1pm in Ponchatoula, so I won't be able to make this one. But I'm looking forward to meeting ya'll. Keep me posted on the next Support group meeting! I am in my 5th week and can eat egg now, and Protein Bars. But I feel like I am drinking something all day, and don't seem to be able to get in much actual food. Although I have eaten Blue Runner red Beans, canned pears, smashed broccoli and carrots. So, I'm getting there, but trying to follow the plan and get in all of my protein and Fluid. I have been out to eat a couple of times and pretty much ate Soup. F4M - Congrats on another 5 lbs! KB - You said you can pretty much eat anything you want now.... Is there anything that you find you can't eat?

First time I am coming to this thread that you created KB. I live in Covington at the moment. Will be closing next Thursday on a new house in Bedico (Villages at Bocage, which is close to Highway 1085) on Highway 22. Bedico is between Ponchatoula and Madisonville. I posted a reply on Louisiana Sleevers. We should really try and get together before F4M has surgery. How did the office visit go?

F4M - Would love to meet. When is your surgery? Also, anyone else interested. We can meet during the day at a Starbucks or someplace like that. Any ideas?

I'm not sure if this is where I start the posts. This is my first time starting a group. My BMI was 34 when I had my surgery. How did I get to this point? I never had to worry about my weight when I was younger. And I'm talking 15 years ago. At 44 yrs old. Then, I started paying less attention to what I was putting in my mouth, and not exercising. I knew that I was putting on weight, but never really saw myself as big as I was. Clothes got tighter, but I kept saying "I'll start my diet Monday". Then Monday came, and I felt deprived if I couldn't eat the foods I wanted. My comforting friend. I couldn't lose that friend. I could lose 20 lbs, but only to put them back on. My motivation faded whenever there was an opportunity to go out and eat and drink with friends. We are social people. So here I am now -----needing to lose 60 lbs. But I decided to do something for myself, for me! I know this is drastic, but necessary.

I don't work either! Retired from the Postal Service in May! So, I think our own little Northshore support group sounds like a great idea! finaly4me - I would also be willing to ride together to go to a support group in either Metaire or Slidell after you have your surgery. I think it not only keeps you on track, but if you have had success and have some info to share, it helps the newbies. I'm not hungry either, I get in about 70 grams Protein, 60 oz Fluid and average about 600 calories a day. It's tough getting in the protein and the fluids. I was never one to drink a lot of anything, so that has been a challenge. I'm drinking all day long!

I went to the Metairie Support Group. Lots of nice people. Haven't been to the Slidell one, although I'm sure I will make that one too soon. I need all of the support I can get! Keep posting your progress, so we can see how you're doing. Good luck!

Hi, I had my sleeve on 1/18/12 by Dr Thomas Lavin with Surgical Specialists of Louisiana in Covington LA. No problems at all. I have 60 lbs to lose, so I don't think I will be losing as quickly, but I just want it to be a steady loss. @finaly4me - There is a Support Group in Metairie at the Medical Bldg next to Tulane-Lakeside Hospital on the I-10 Service Rd by Clearview. It is every Wednesday at 6pm. There is also one in Slidell. Not sure when those are. Nobody said anything to me about the size of my sleeve. I assumed they were all pretty much the same size. I will have to speak to the office personnel the next time I go. Good to see some locals on here!