Hi everyone!

My name is Jennifer and I live in Traverse City, MI. I'm really not sure what to say, but here goes. I had my surgery on Sept 25th, 2008. At the time of this post is not quite 2 weeks ago and have lost 10lbs. I have lost 21 since I started with the pre-surgery diet.

Along with my many past efforts to loose weight I have been a member of a weightloss support group. Besides the extra support of those who have the same issues I do with weight, I am to able to keep track of my weight on a weekly basis.

I heard about this resource after many, many hours spent online trying to sift through all the info on lapbanding I am hoping that I cannot only find support but bring some back as well.

Also I started a blog at my friends urging at http://jenniebear2002.blogspot.com

I am looking forward to interacting with other banders.:tt1:

Hey Jennifer, welcome to LBT and congrats on getting banded. It sounds like you are doing quite well thus far. Let us know if you have any questions.

On another note, I am very familiar with Traverse City! We used to spend our summers in a little park on Crystal Lake in Beulah. It was so beautiful there. And, I remember going to the cherry festival in Traverse City, which was always fun.

Welcome Jennifer, I too am from Michigan, but on the other side of the state. I live in East Tawas and I'm getting banded on October 20th at Hurley in Flint. I think that you will find that this site is very helpful and everyone on here is always more than willing to answer any questions or share their experiences. It really is quite the family we have on here. I have not attented any support meetings yet, but I feel like this is definately a support site. Sounds like you are off to a great start with your lap band adventure. Congrats!! and welcome!

Jennie - I live in Kinglsey and work in Traverse City! Cool!! I was banded 1/17/07 and have lost 122 pounds. If there is anything I can do or questions to answer let me know. I am going to check out your blog site. Who did your surgery?

Hi Jennie! I also live in Michigan in a small town close to Kalamazoo. I lived in Traverse City for many years prior to moving here. My husband and I both worked for the State Hospital at the time and it closed so we transferred down here. He is now retired and I work at Bronson. Anyhow, I was just banded myself on Sept. 18th and am doing well. I am not scheduled for my first fill until Oct. 31st and am a little nervous about that. I will check out your blog site!

Take care,

LouAnn

Hey Jennifer, welcome to LBT and congrats on getting banded. It sounds like you are doing quite well thus far. Let us know if you have any questions.

On another note, I am very familiar with Traverse City! We used to spend our summers in a little park on Crystal Lake in Beulah. It was so beautiful there. And, I remember going to the cherry festival in Traverse City, which was always fun.

Thanks for the encouragement! I had to get back to tell you, I love, love Crystal Lake. I have great memories of going there with my grandparents when I would come up for the summers.

Jennie - I live in Kinglsey and work in Traverse City! Cool!! I was banded 1/17/07 and have lost 122 pounds. If there is anything I can do or questions to answer let me know. I am going to check out your blog site. Who did your surgery?

WOW! a 122lbs. Congrats. Do you ever go to the monthly support groups at Munson? There was one the monday after my surgery. It was interesting.

Dr Kam did my surgery. He joined Grand Traverese Surgery in January from Lansing. He is really nice. I see him tomorrow for my 2 week post op appt.

I have to say I was surprised how many things in common I had with everyone and all the support and encouragement I have gotten already. Thank you!

Has anyone ever had problems with itching around their incision sites? I'm kinda freaked out because I am worried about my post op appt tomorrow. I must have scratched in my sleep and so they aren't completely healed up and little red.

I think it is from the tape & steri-strips they used. My hand itched too from where my IV site was taped up.

Hi Jennie! I also live in Michigan in a small town close to Kalamazoo. I lived in Traverse City for many years prior to moving here. My husband and I both worked for the State Hospital at the time and it closed so we transferred down here. He is now retired and I work at Bronson. Anyhow, I was just banded myself on Sept. 18th and am doing well. I am not scheduled for my first fill until Oct. 31st and am a little nervous about that. I will check out your blog site!

Take care,

LouAnn

I just realized your surgery was exactly a week before mine. I'm curious to hear how your first fill goes.

When did the State Hospital close? I wasn't up here yet. Ironically, I work at Munson. Did you know they are re-modeling those buildings?

Thanks for the encouragement! I had to get back to tell you, I love, love Crystal Lake. I have great memories of going there with my grandparents when I would come up for the summers.

I hear ya, I have amazing memories of spending our summers there when we were kids. The Water was as crystal clear as its name and it was just an amazing place. I had a sister who had many physical disabilities, and that was the one place where everyone in the park just loved and accepted her for the beautiful kid she was. My best memories of her were the times we spent at Crystal Lake. I really need to take my kids there one of these days.

I had that happen (the itching around the incision) they said it was a reaction to the latex. Have your doc check it out at your appointment. - I have been to some of the support group meetings, but I never have anyone to go with - we could car pool sometime if your cool with that. I hate going alone.

skinnyme2be ---- Just read your post. This may be bold of me, but I too was banded at Hurley in Flint (May 2007) It's such a trip down there for fills. I live in Hillman. If there's ever a chance that you'd want to meet, and maybe some day ride together, I'd love the company and to share gas expenses! Let me know! And, good luck to you in your new journey.

Stephanie Hopp

Edited October 9, 200817 yr by skhopp

I had that happen (the itching around the incision) they said it was a reaction to the latex. Have your doc check it out at your appointment. - I have been to some of the support group meetings, but I never have anyone to go with - we could car pool sometime if your cool with that. I hate going alone.

I had my appt today and my surgeon said that it was caused by the tape (ha, I was right!). He said to use benadryl cream and hydrocortisone cream. And that should take care of it.

Carpooling would be great. I haven't checked yet to see if I work the day of the next seminar. But maybe they will be nice enough to let me leave early. (They are going to let me leave for my appt for my 1st fill I have on the 30th) Let me know what you think.

I'm behind you a bit, but would like to lend an ear if you need one. I live down in Oakland County...been to the Cherry Festival a time or two. Good Luck...keep in touch, Debbie

I'm behind you a bit, but would like to lend an ear if you need one. I live down in Oakland County...been to the Cherry Festival a time or two. Good Luck...keep in touch, Debbie

Thanks! I definately will.

When was your surgery?