SpecialK

Courtenay - by the Macy's store entrance that faces Hayden Run Rd. versus the other side of Macy's faces I-270. The time is 2-4pm. Glad to have you join us.

We're up to 174 now!!! WOW... we have lots of bandster brothers and sisters!!

I just realized I should have suggested you calling Melissa Webb,RN and bariatric coordinator for Mt. Carmel and share your concerns with her too. I found her very good at listening to my concerns. I got her voicemail when I called but she did call me back the same day or next day and spent time talking with me and then had the office manager from Mid Ohio Surgical Associates call me to talk with me the next day when I was trying to get through all the insurance approvals process.

I wonder if some of what we are feeling is a post-surgery let down emotionally that we all want results FAST and each bump in the road is so hard to ride over. My best advice is to talk to your own surgeon in person and be very honest with them about how you feel. I don't see Dr. Price until next Friday but I will share the concerns I have been hearing. I'm doing fine but I really feel for those who are struggling. I will begin praying daily for peace and healing for all of us. Take care. Kathy

I'm a user of the Unflavored Unjury and I don't think it alters the taste and consistency of what I've added it to.

What I was told was that the Fashion Show is bariatric patients who have achieved their goal or substantial weight loss and the Mall stores, maybe Macy's since the show is outside there? - help dress the folks in stylish clothing and do their hair/makeup to really accent how nice they look now and that they have a slide show or a presenter, maybe Melissa Webb, the bariatric coordinator for Mt. Carmel, that tells the person's story of their weight loss, motivation, etc. I was told by a couple who attended last year it was very touching to see. So, I'll plan to head to Tuttle but if you all want to still have a group at Polaris I'm cool with that too. Directions to Tuttle aren't that much harder than Polaris IMHO... I-270 West to the Tuttle Crossing Exit. You can see the mall on the left from the freeway. If they are coming from the South, like Cincinnati, they'd take the west leg of 270North and again, they'll see an exit for Tuttle Crossing. If they are taking I-71 like coming to Polaris, they just continue south on 71 until 270 and go West until you get to the Tuttle Crossing exit.

I got the Bio Oil at CVS pharmacy in the hand/body lotions section. They also had Vitamin E cream which I hear helps heal skin too.

Just updating that the Mt. Carmel Bariatric Style Show is at TUTTLE MALL not Polaris mall on April 12th from 2-4pm in front of the Macy's entrance at the Hayden Run side. I've posted under the Central Ohio Get Together the same info so we hopefully don't leave anyone stranded sitting at Polaris that day. Thanks and hope you'll enjoy it. I was told last year's show was really inspirational to see how far those patients have come - the mall stores help dress and do makeup on the 'new' looks for the patients.

Sue - sorry to hear you're having a port incision problem. Have you tried cleaning with an antibacterial soap like Dial and/or using Neosporin on it? I wouldn't wait until they get you in. By the way, I'm trying a product called Bio Oil I found discussed under the scars thread and I think its helping - my incisions look really good. On the eating front, I tried about 1/2C of some baked beans yesterday and just mashed them with my spoon and they were real tasty. Just another mushies idea for folks.

Just a quick update here for the Mt. Carmel bandsters -- the Bariatric Patients Style Show is at Tuttle Mall not at Polaris Mall. It is April 12th from 2-4 pm in front of the Macy's Hayden Rd entrance. I've posted under the Central Ohio get together that was planned for April 12th for us to shift and meet at Tuttle Mall instead. Hope we can see each other there.

Well I have a little wringer to throw into the mix -- can we switch to meet at TUTTLE MALL off I-270 and Tuttle Crossing as I just found out today that the Style Show for bariatric patients is at Tuttle Mall, by the Hayden Run area of Macy's store from 2-4 pm!! We could just switch locations and see each other there instead of Polaris. Sound okay???

BrandNewLisa - are you home from the hospital yet? Let us know how you're doing!

On the mushies - I thought that very refined foods that take minimal chewing qualified for the mushies - I didn't think it had to be liquid-y! I'm doing cottage cheese, mashed potato, applesauce, and ham salad! Anything that has any texture I chew, chew, chew to be sure. Doing fine on very small quantities eating about a baby spoon bite at a time.

If some of you haven't found it yet, I made a new thread and put all the March Bandsters surgery dates in it. 80+ and counting!! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f114/march-2008-bandster-dates-57036/

Michael185 - March 1 Amhancock – March 3 – Dallas, TX Evansmom - March 3 - San Francisco, CA Hitman1644 - March 3 Hungry4help – March 3 - NYC Jkck660 - March 3 Julietj1970 - March 3 - Houston, TX Ladybugsmom - March 3 LD0008 - March 3 Ronwifey – March 3 Sadie11 - March 3 - Denver, CO Terrisioux - March 3 - KS TheMomKid - March 3 Whimsy – March 3 - North Dallas, Texas 2AHealthierMe - March 3 4Myhealth - March 3 - MT Ajoneen – March 4 Bamaforever - March 4 - AL Cocolossel – March 4 Elsie – March 4 LiseSeattle - March 4 - Everett, WA Luvlonis - March 4 Nana811 - March 4 - St. Petersburg, FL Ohiogirl - March 4 - Dayton, OH Regeanaf - March 4 Ssdown - March 4 Texgirly - March 4 Girlie2shooz – March 5 – Reno, NV Hastings - March 5 Kcispy4 – March 5 Mariduke4 - March 5 MichelleinCA – March 5 Mscathyl – March 5 Thebonbon - March 5 - Everett, WA Xray1028 - March 5 Fenton – March 6 - NYU, NYC Anniedub – March 6 Brisbane, Australia FrancesMP – March 6 Hope4Jen - March 6 (rebanded) Msboss08 – March 6 Rosiered - March 6 - NYC Camrynsmommy - March 7 - Houston, TX Egnebs – March 7 – Conroe, TX Ggb64 – March 7 Innertube - March 7th Mexico JessyCA - March 7 - Harrisburg, PA Kerry3 - March 7 KW372008 - March 7 MeltobeFabulous - March 7 - Houston, TX Nikaweez - March 7 - Augusta, GA NewHope4Me - March 7 PaulsWife - March 7 Pippinje - March 7 - Dallas, TX Sapphire904 - March 7 Shaylavee - March 7 Siemers17 - March 7 Texgirl – March 7 – Houston, TX Zetagal - March 7 Kzintak - March 8 Lafsalot - March 8 - Houston, TX EAbadie - March 10 - Slidell, LA Jocarojo - March 10 - Mexico StephieNana – March 10 Sobrien32 - March 10 Chica – March 10 Bigmills - March 11 Dossy - March 11 LeapingLizard - March 11 - OH O2BThinAgain - March 11- Richmond, VA Prekteacher – March 11 Louisa, KY Sanlortut - March 11 Boadicea - March 12 Bossstar - March 12 - LaFayette, LA Ellie619 - March 12 - Mexico ICU_Nurse - March 12 Justbanded - March 12 - Houston, TX Lattedah - March 12 - Reston, VA Mom007 – March 12 - Lewisville, TX NurseNiki – March 12 Columbus, OH Sams46 - March 12 - PA Sharona - March 12 Jennaj221 - March 13 K2K07 - March 13 Littleannie - March 13 MikeBceo - March 13 Momof321 – March 13 RB99JABB - March 13 Robyn12 – March 13 CarlaG - March 14 Gisellehuet - March 14 Lottolose - March 14 - Tuscaloosa, AL Luv10nis - March 14 Nicole_031408 – March 14 – Houston, TX Sdeckhoff – March 14 Wisshi - March 14 AmyMarie679 - March 17 Aus_girl_1289 - March 17 - Mandurah, West Austrailia Butterflylady – March 17 - Fort Worth, TX Gages62 - March 17 - Hershey, PA GregW – March 17 - Columbus, OH Irideaqh - March 17 - OK Lglenn3000 - March 17 Mergatroy - March 17 Mikala365 – March 17 – San Jose, CA My2Parrots - March 17 Nthomas – March 17 NYTrink - March 17 - NY Okitsme – March 17 Ronnfia - March 17 - Fremont, CA Scrappy_Friend – March 17 SharonCrist1955 - March 17 SisterC - March 17 SpecialK - March 17, Columbus,OH Spicegrrrl - March 17 Suecasb – March 17 - Columbus, OH Sweat_Pea_2 – March 17 - Shreveport, La UniqueZeke - March 17 - Beloit, WI WendyS81963 - March 17 - NH Emmersglue - March 18 Harleygirl – March 18 - Salt Lake City, UT Jalilsauntie - March 18 JCT001 - March 18 Jtorie - March 18 Lafsalot - March 18 - Houston, TX Paula08 – March 18 Pipes0000 - March 18th - Toronto Ontario Rkilbury - March 18 - WA Sorlminah - March 18 Stepoffaith – March 18 – El Paso, TX Manda_T - March 18 - OR CBK - March 19 Jdub0414 – March 19 K_podski – March 19 Lbs2go - March 19 - Houston, TX Losingit08 - March 19 Lynnt1215 – March 19 - Newark, DE Nat36 - March 19 Nurselori73 – March 19 - Parkersburg, WV MsHansy – March 19 – San Francisco, CA Rugmanforever – March 19 Tenten - March 19 Teebutterfly - March 19 Busy – March 20 Ginny1 - March 20 Ilandgurl - March 20 - Chattanooga, TN Lauryn - March 20 Lrhishere – March 20 Nava - March 20 - Tel Aviv, Israel Patriciafrance - March 20 Rose_Steavie - March 20 - Austin, TX Sahmof3 – March 20 AZnikki - March 21 - AZ Egomec - March 21 Foolsrushin772 - March 21 Graycie - March 21 HopefulinTx - March 21 Jennifer 44 - March 21 Nlarusch - March 21 - Cleveland, OH Sueangel – March 21 TexasT – March 20 Bratz98363 – March 21 Thin2bme - March 21 -Kansas City Blondbander - March 24 Cleach - March 24 DebbieKy - March 24 Ellise24 - March 24 Enjoylife - March 24 - MD Gee80 - March 24 Jktbnelson – March 24 – Mexico Karenintx – March 24 Lbhar101688 - March 24 MarilynK - March 24 - Nashville, TN Nymc00 - March 24th - NYU PTinUtah - March 27 Renee74 - March 24 - Portage, IN Sammey1 - March 24 Sugarbean - March 24 Beehawk - March 25 NJRichie - March 25 - NJ Tarrn13 - March 25 - Seattle, WA Duke – March 25 Emme - March 25 Evelas5000 – March 25 Hopeinapril - March 25 - Newark, DE Katcap13 - March 25 Kljared – March 25 – Pasadena, CA Khrystah - March 25 Michelle88 – March 25 – Sacramento, CA Miki - March 25 Mmh498 - March 25 Mylah - March 25 - Newfoundland, Canada Soriminah - March 25 - Brisbane, Austrailia StarbuxQueen - March 25 Bill'swife - March 26 - Gallipolis, OH Bluekygirl – March 26 Chubbychecker – March 26 Charity – March 26 Gwyllgi - March 26 - Stevens Point, WI LynnM – March 26 Midwest Carol – March 26 - Springfield, IL Mrodr41 – March 26 Playfairy - March 26 Richcris01 - March 26 Sherry319 - March 26 Stellabella – March 26 Wishin4 – March 26 - Eugene, OR Christina29 - March 26 - Eugene, OR CMJ - March 27 Dragonflygirl - March 27 Ima_sundevil - March 27 - AZ Kettering1973 – March 27 – Cincinnati, OH Lifechange82 - March 27 Lori0307 - March 27 Pkoponen - March 27 Potatie – March 27 Skminnie - March 27 Sunshynne - March 27 TigerMomma - March 27 Alicatcyclist - March 28 Cpintx - March 28 Jencys – March 28 Lori_NC – March 28 – Charlotte, NC Msmommy - March 28 - Mexico P_Nut - March 28 Neveragain - March 28 - Phoenix, AZ Sgtswife – March 28 – Wichita Falls, TX Tntexas - March 28 Yourowndestiney – March 28 P_Nut – March 28 Slikchik10 - March 30 AnnP - March 31 - ARK BrandNewLisa – March 31 - Columbus, OH ErikMesa - March 31 - AZ Hope2bhealthy - March 31 - San Antonio, TX Heidismiles - March 31 H8thew8 - March 31 jbperry21 - March 31 Mojo479 - March 31 Mom2bbb - March 31 - Boston, MA Newbeginnings - March 31 PamD - March 31 - Dallas, TX Raedelicious - March 31 - San Antonio, TX Rachrach - March 31 - Seattle, WA Roster - March 31 - Chicago, IL Sophiekitty - March 31 Spal66 - March 31 - IL Tjveggie - March 31

I'd like to hear any Mushies recipes or things that you guys have tried that really hit the taste buds. I'm a little worried about starting to eat real food again and see a temporary gain but I know that others have said that's just part of the adjustment phase. See you all on the 12th!

Is Chillicothe closer to Columbus or Cincinnati for you to travel to? There are support groups at the different Columbus programs like Mt. Carmel West (downtown Columbus) and we have an informal group we've put together to meet at the Polaris Mall to meet all the different Lapband patients from Riverside, Mt. Carmel, OSU and Barix. On the other hand, I think there are some Cincinnati lapband doctors that have support groups in that area. See the thread about the Central Ohio April 12th meeting at the mall. Good luck.

Palarin - Absolutely discuss your concerns with your doctor and let her know you want her to do your fill. She should understand given you have other experiences to back up your concerns. I definitely want them to do fills with fluroscopy until they have a good track record of hitting the port on the first try! All the best. K

They make SlimFast powder that might be lighter in your suitcase and you could mix it with the water and ice there after you get to Vegas. Love that city. I celebrated my 40th birthday there too!

Good Luck Lisa and all you March 31st Bandsters!

I was wondering what any of you on Mushies thought about Ham salad as something that would be processed real fine but Protein and tasty. Do you think it would be okay? I was thinking of maybe trying some refried Beans with hot sauce and lite sour cream as a mexican food option for mushies. Does that sound okay? I'm ready to go with mashed potato flakes, cottage cheese, and looking forward to having something semi-soft to eat instead of drinking everything or spooning it like Soup.

Scrappy - I'm trying to stay off the scale and weigh once a week on Mondays since that was my surgery day as I was warned about getting down if I get on the scale one day and find I'm up 3 lbs like you experienced. I figure our bodies are going to fluctuate some up and down with the unusual changes its going through so I'd just stay focused on being healthy, stay at 800-1000 calories if you can, and hang in there. I did tell all my direct family and closest friends about my surgery and they have been wonderful support. I only told a limited amount of people at my church - primarily my ladies Bible study group I'm most close to - because I didn't want to feel any judgment but I have to tell you, for everyone I have told, they've been totally good about it. Now for work, I work with probably 80% men and 20% women, and I told just my boss, former boss and one female coworker that I'm close to for now. Didn't tell the guys that I have to sit in an open pit style seating arrangement. We'll see if they notice I'm losing and ask or just keep quiet. I found some sugar free Tang at the store in a recent shopping trip and its quite good. Reminded me of my childhood. I am amazed at how completely I gave up Diet Pepsi and Diet Coke now for almost a month - so it doesn't look like I'm missing carbonated beverages like I wondered about.

Yes, me too, I was scrubbing the steri strips glue gunk with alcohol and not having much luck getting it off --- I was even tempted to get my all time favorite product out "Goo Gone" and use it but I didn't want to put chemicals near my incision...just kidding I know not to do this really. I'll be heading to CVS tomorrow for liquid bandage. Thanks.

Sue - I was counting Monday as the start of Week 3 - I wasn't planning to go hog wild on mushies but I've stocked up on some cottage cheese, instant mashed potatoes, and am looking forward to that instead of only soups and shakes, juices.

No I find the Unjury dissolves very well and isn't gritty at all.