*******SPECIAL NOTICE********

This month we're changing our location from Polaris to Tuttle Mall due to a bariatric fashion show that is being put on by Mt. Carmel Hospital's bariatric team. The fashion show will feature successful WLS patients as the models.

This invitation is for anyone in Ohio that would like to join us! Whether you are pre-band, newly banded or an old band pro. Everyone is welcome!

Look for the helium balloon to mark our group!

Where: Tuttle Mall - (Inside the Macy's store entrance that faces Hayden Run Rd.)

When: Saturday April 12, 2008

Time: 1:45 p.m.

All you have to bring is your smile... but, if you want to, you are welcome to bring outgrown clothes to share with those that might need/want them as well as a "before" picture to add to our group photo album.

I hope to see you there!!!!

Edited April 5, 200818 yr by HeatherA
Location/Time Change

I agree, Heather! I am praying the weather is going to be great from here on out, so everyone can join us!

Niki - so glad you are banded. Can't wait to see you in April. You will probably start feeling the loss by then.

Courtenay, Welcome to the group. I'm probably bringing Sonya who is considering the band and options right now. You will like the people. It is a good group.

Susan

SEEBS

who doesn't use the fancy colors.

Thank you Susan. I will be bringing my husband (for moral support, and because he is freaking-out about me getting any kind of surgery) so I am hopeful that after meeting some fellow "banders" both of our minds will be at ease.

I just want to say that I think it's great that you guys have developed this support system and continued aftercare/support for one another. It's a LIFETIME commitment and one that does not end after getting banded, but just begins the healthy journey we are all striving to start and continue.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome.

For our new folks who are considering coming, the value I immediately found from meeting the gang was I had been to one of my hospital's monthly support group meetings and it was predominantly RNY or GB patients and while I sat and chatted with a couple people around me each time, I didn't make the connection I have to our group. Plus for the newbies, we decided to have the meeting in a public place so it wasn't threatening to anyone to come to the mall food court area that they could come and go as they wanted to.

SpecialK,

That's a great explanation of our group... I never imagined at our first meeting that I would love this group of people the way I do! Our meetings are truly the highlight of my month. The fact that we have two gatherings in April just thrills me to no end!

Speaking of which, do you happen to know what time the fashion show is on the 7th?

Glad to hear you are doing well!

Hi All

It is so great to see all is doing well. I'm looking forward to 4/7 so I can meet everyone I miss the monthly meetings I go to church on Sat. so this meeting is going to be great for me I cann't wait. so please fine out the time. After the rice problem it whould be good to go to the hospital for some fun. Hope to see all of you guys there is a lot of love on the site God Bless you all Welcome to the new banders good luck on your road to good health.

LadyRoz

banded 1/7/08 lost 45lbs so far

Ladyroz - Congratulations on the 45 lbs. That is Fantastic!

All -- I'll try to find out the details of the April 7th fashion show at Polaris being sponsored by Mt. Carmel's Bariatric group and post when I have it.

SpecialK and Heather,

I'm like you. Our group is wonderful.

The support group at the Mount Carmel East was worthless to me, except as a diversity lesson. Most were people who were there for the one required meeting. It was a fashon show too. Last April at Mt. Carmel. Interesting to see the "after" but I was way to interested in finding out what was ins and outs long before the "after".

Our group actually is people who are like me. Wow, there are people like me going through the weight loss and banding. Plus the other normal issues in life. Great support.

Susan

Just a little over 2 weeks until our next get together... and my clothing box is growing full! I just finished going through my pants/capris and was amazed at how many were too big. I can't wait to share them with you all next month. I also have at least one pair of shorts to get someone started with summer. I'm going to have to dig out my summer things before then and see if I can add to the box. I just love it!

Today I hit the 45 pounds lost mark... I hope to be celebrating 50 pounds gone at our next meeting... fingers crossed!

Heather,

Congrats on the 45lbs! That is amazing...and I have complete faith in you to hit the 50lb mark by the next meeting...Way to go girlie!

n.

It is so nice to see the bandsters moving along at about 10 lbs lost a month - Heather banded at late December and here it is about 4 months and she's at 45 lbs down! WOW! Same with OHJuli is about 1 year exactly out and I think her last ticker had her down 110 lbs in a year! And DebbieK's ticker is showing her down 80 lbs and I think her banding was late September.

I'm so glad I chose LB over the RNY because I think the results of those who are committed to it are showing they can be great! Keep up the good work everyone. I'm inspired by ya!

I agree, Kathy! These guys ROCK, and we are lucky to have them be our mentors!

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!

K,

I would take cottage cheese and pizza sauce and whip them together in my Magic Bullet, and microwave it.

Also, I mushed up soft meatloaf with chicken broth to where it was an oatmeal texture. That saved my life! Again, I microwaved it. I liked my food warm when doing mushies, I think because the look of it was gross.

HTH.

Kathy,

I take a 1/2 cup ff refried bean, 2 TBS ff sour cream, and 2 TBS salsa and sprinkle ff cheese on top and zap it in the microwave...yummy!

I also take what meat and veggie I make the family (pork chop, chicken, ect) put it in my majic bullet with ff chicken broth and pour it on 1/2 cup instant mashed potatoes.

I totally understant about your worries...I gain 1.5 lbs this week from the stuff in mushies...I have still been under 1000 cals, so I don't know how it is possible...I guess the sodium?? Good luck

n.