Weight loss

I've got a date - December 23. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME!!!

Support Group.... I need your help. I have BCBSIL insurance and they
have denied my first request for approval. What do I need to do next.
Please give me your advice.
Thanks yall,
Gary

Hi everyone,
So how long does this hair loss last? Mine started falling out right
on schedule and seems like it is coming out by the handful. Does it
continue to fall out until that 9th month? If so, I WILL be the
first person in the history of weight loss surgery to go totally
bald. Mine has been falling out steadily for about 3 weeks and I
have lost probably half my hair. It is getting very very thin. I
keep hoping the loss will at least slack up but so far it hasn't.
Thanks!
Selina

I am scedule for surgey Jan. 23rd and i was wondering if i should go
ahead and start any of the vitamins or protein or anything... will
it help with anything like the hairloss or anyproblems i might have
post op??
thanks alot,Sheila

Hey group just wanted to let you know that I put another pic into the
photo album. Of course it was one Mom snuck in so I wasn't looking at
the camera and then she fusses, lol. Oh well. Its there. God Bless
and Skinny Wishes to you all.

Hi everyone! Just wanted to let yall know Monday is my surgery day.
Thank you all for the questions I had. And for the support you all
gave. I hope to see you all soon with a new shape!! God bless and
Merry Christmas!!
Sarah (Evelyn Brannon)
Pre-op Dec.8th (Monday)
Dr. Schmitt

Hi!!!
I'm looking for an a friend that we havent heard from in FOREVER.. She's probaly so skinny she's forgotten us by now... Chris Thomason if your out there please get in touch with me.. I've got some Pictures that I found that I took when you had your WLS... I'd like to hear from you ... If anyone knows how to get in touch with her please e-mail me .... Thanks Kristy

Hi Friends,
I am not a fan of reality television (so you must ask, How can Lisa
Robbins be one of your best friends - ha ha ha ha). Anyway, it was
brought to my attention recently that on the reality program Average
Joe that the lovely bachelorette deselected a contestant because he
was insensitive about obesity. I say "YOU GO GIRL!" As vocal as I
am about negative media attention regarding surgical weight loss, I
would like to be equally as vocal about positive media attention.
Average Joe is an NBC program. I pulled up their website but there
was no contact information. I guess I will have to contact the local
NBC affiliate to get contact information to write a letter. If
anyone knows how to directly contact the producers/directors/etc. of
Average Joe please let me know so I can send them our kindest
regards. Those of you who are advocates - please send a letter in
support of the television show regarding the way they portrayed
obesity. It had nothing to do with obesity surgery - just being
sensitive about being obese.
Oh yeah, and I tend to get wrapped up in things and forget to give
you updates on past topics. In case I forgot to tell
you......Remember the Ms. Fatso article in Birmingham Weekly where I
demanded an apology on the 2nd or 3rd page?? Well, they not only
apologized but they printed my whole letter. Hopefully if just one
person is helped from this then we have made a difference.
Love to all,
Rona
Your Bari-Godmother

how do iget approval after being denied by bcbs of il?

Hi All,
I thought these dates would be helpful. The December meetings are on
the 20th at 3:00 and the 29th at 6:00.
No special speaker for the Saturday meeting in December. We will
have finger foods and simply do introductions, take a few questions
from the floor and then enjoy some holiday time together. No dirty
Santa this year but watch out next year.........we're hoping to have
a great party then. I apologize that I just couldn't work in all the
Fashion Show tasks for November and plan a big Christmas party too.
Next year we'll make it all work. However, I think this year will be
fun - it will be more intimate and on a smaller scale and we'll enjoy
ourselves. I hope you'll all come.
Let me put a bug in your ear too (ouch!) Each year Medical Center
East donates a Christmas tree to any department that wants one and
then they decorate it any way they want to and the finished tree is
donated to a non-profit organization. Well, I've always wanted to do
a surgical weight loss tree but never could figure out how to do it.
NOW I KNOW! I'm going to get the tree and take some wire cutters and
cut the tree into the shape of a shapely woman. How funny is that??
To decorate the tree I would love to come up with as many miniatures
of appropriate bariatric foods that I can and I'll make ornaments out
of them - mini jello boxes, etc. I may have to contact some
manufacturers to get the stuff but I think it would be hillarious and
then we can have the tree donated to F.A.C.E.S. to have at all our
holiday time meetings. I figured we could use cheerios for garland
and all sorts of fun stuff. If you can think of decorations and have
some that would be great. We have a whole year to plan. I also want
to cover it in before and after pictures. Everything just needs to
be miniature. Even though it's silly I want it to end up pretty. So
be thinking, ok?
Can't wait to see you all on the 20th.
Merry Christmas.
Love,
Rona
Your Bari-Godmother

This Saturday and Sunday, December 6th and 7th, CNN is airing a show called
Weekend House Call. The topic for the show is:
OBESITY SURGERY DANGERS
They have asked for my contact information and for my comments on the dangers.
I'm not sure if I will be called or if it will be used on the show or if they
just wanted some info or "fuel for the fire". Anyway, this is what I wrote
them. I thought some of you might want to watch the show. I am preparing
myself to be angered by this show as I expect it will be biased against the
surgery. We'll see what happens.
Thanks,
Rona
Speaking both as an obesity surgery patient, the Coordinator of a program that
has done 1000 obesity surgeries, editorial advisory board member of a national
weight loss surgery magazine and national speaker on the topic I am compelled to
say that obesity surgery mortalities are vastly over sensationalized by the
media. Obesity is the last socially acceptable bastion of public
discrimination. It is viewed as the result of a lack of self control rather
than the genetically based disease it actually is. Certainly poor nutritional
choices are a factor in obesity but to insinuate that this is the ONLY reason
people are obese is totally false as many credible studies reflect. Obesity
surgery is saving hundreds of thousands of lives - including mine - yet instead
of the public being pleased that so many citizens are being given a second
chance at life they are outraged. As a very vocal advocate of obesity surgery I
am simply amazed by this. Are the obese not worthy of a 2nd chance at a
healthy, productive life? I can tell you that every surgeon, every hospital
employee, every individual associated with the loss of a surgical weight loss
patient feels that loss to the depth of their soul. To sensationalize patient
deaths in the media only injures the patient and their families further. A
father of a patient who died was recently quoted in national media as saying "I
never want any other family to have to go through this". Rest assured that NO
ONE in the bariatric field wants a family to go through that either. I have to
ask...."Who is responsibily reporting on the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE who
have had wonderful positive outcomes? I can tell you, speaking as a patient, I
would rather have died during surgery while trying to live rather than dying
from comorbidities of obesity while doing nothing. "Let me go down swinging
rather than simply standing at the plate". The International Bariatric Surgery
Registry reports a mortality rate as low as 1 in 1000. Most benchmarks suggest
the mortality rate is 1 in 200. A person with a body mass index of over 40 is
2.5 times more likely to simply die on the spot than a person of average weight.
Thus, one can only conclude that it is far more dangerous to exist as a morbidly
obese person than it is to choose to help oneself by having obesity surgery.
Our society has accepted alcoholism, drug addiction, sex addiction, gambling
addiction, kleptomania and more as diseases worthy of empathy and treatment.
People die every day from complications of chemotherapy yet no one suggests that
cancer patients not treat themselves. If you have chemotherapy you are striving
to live! It is EXACTLY the same with obesity surgery patient - not similar but
EXACTLY the same. It's time to move into the new millennium and realize that
obesity surgery is the only hope, in spite of the low risk, for a group of
people who are already dying. I urge you to step up to the plate and report
this issue without bias thereby prompting public support for this deserving
segment of the world's population.

In a message dated 12/3/2003 7:30:40 PM Central Standard Time, dbowers1969@... writes:

Words of encouragement
are always welcome!
Deanna Bowers

Sorry about misspelling your name Deanna. My bad.

Wolfie
Leeds, Alabama
"Keep It Real & Off the Top"
Lap Rny & Choly
Dr. Lee Schmitt
Medical Center East
August 27,2003
336/271/200

In a message dated 12/3/2003 7:30:40 PM Central Standard Time, dbowers1969@... writes:

Rona said but could have
misunderstood her. I have down on paper to take "5 Children's chewable
vitamins per day." But I will check on it to be sure. The nurse at Dr.
Miles' office told me I could go ahead and start the Calcium Citrate by
doing what I was doing (crushing it and putting it into apple sauce)

Dianna when you find out about those vitamins please let me know. I went to Rona's nutrition classes also and I only remember taking two Flintstone vitamins every day. One in the morning and one at night. As far as the citrate you are taking...I am assuming it is a hard type caplet? I had bought some like that and after having taken the class Rona told us about the made especially for bariatric patients calcium citrate capsules our group sells. They are more absorbed. I don't know about you but I went that route of crushing pills and I only did it for about a couple of weeks. It was horrid! I will take my applesauce plain girl, lol. God Bless and Skinny Wishes and let me know what Rona says about those vitamins. Thanks.

Wolfie
Leeds, Alabama
"Keep It Real & Off the Top"
Lap Rny & Choly
Dr. Lee Schmitt
Medical Center East
August 27,2003
336/271/200

HI all calling on the support team..
Well, I had my surgery two weeks ago today and I am feeling pretty
good besides the cold I have caught. I was able to go on solid or I
should say mushy solid after day 5 and now I can eat like chicken,
mashed potatoes, veggies. My wieght has already come to a stand
still. I have lost some about 15 lbs but I thought it would come off
faster. The last three days I have only lost about 1 lb. I am
drinking about 50 grm of protien and drinking water. I am walking and
trying to stay active. I really feel I am being good. I have not had
too many bowel movements and when I do it is small. Any Ideas or
hints on how to get the bowels moving that we as bariatric patients
can take?
Thanks for your alls help
Clem

Hi, folks!
I am still in the early looking-into-possibilities
stage. My primary-care physician is all for the idea
of my having WLS, in fact he's the one who suggested
it. However (as I posted recently) the surgeon he was
going to set up a consultation for me with wouldn't
talk to me because I'm over 50. (And by the way,
thank you again for your encouragement.) He's now
looking into surgeons in Birmingham and/or Mobile. I
live in the southeast corner of Alabama, near Dothan.
Mobile is maybe 50 miles closer, but Birmingham is
more familiar to me (and to my sister, who has spent
*a lot* of time around UAB Medical Center with a
chronically-ill child).
What I'm thinking about at the moment is that both of
those cities are a good distance away. I don't know
what would be necessary after I got out of the
hospital, but immediately jumping into a car and
driving 150 to 200 miles home (or even *riding* those
distances; I'm assuming that, as after my gall bladder
surgery eight years ago, I wouldn't be driving
immediately) does not sound like a great idea. Would
I need to stay around the city for a few days? If so,
I'm wondering if there is something like the Ronald
McDonald House for adults. I am disabled and on an
extremely limited income, so even one day -- much less
several -- in a motel would be a huge expense for me.
I realize it may seem like way too soon to be thinking
about "details" like this, but I'm trying to start to
get the shape of a plan in my head. This is actually
something important that would have to be dealt with
eventually, so it would be useful to me to know what
the needs would be and what the options might be for
meeting them.
Thanks for any information you might be able to
provide.
Morgan
=====
"... the greatest glory of living
lies not in never falling,
but in rising every time you fall."
___ Nelson Mandela

My day is getting closer and I am getting cold feet or am I? I am
soo scared, everyone has gotten me confused and depressed. I dont
know what to do. Some folks was trying to talk me out of it and
telling me these horror stories. I have a few people supporting my
decison and they have added me to a prayer list at their church. I
was so pleased to hear that. I have so much negative around me, that
I am scared. Please will you all pray for me Dec. 8th? I need some
positive for a while. Thank you all and good luck to those thinking
of this surgery. God bless.
Sarah
pre-op Dec 8th
Dr. Schmitt

What are the dates for the support meetings in Dec.?

Another timid new member.
I have an appointment with Dr. Azrin. His receptionist says it takes
about three hours for the visit. I was wondering... why, what and how?
I could probably scare anyone if they knew what goes on in my pea-
brain.
Thanks,
Tim

Hi Guys,
I forgot to ask everyone about how much weight we should be loosing
from Day one after surgery amd then a month after then two etc . Can
anyone give me ideas.
Please also give me some hints on getting the weight moving off
Thanks
Clem

It took almost 6 months, but I finally have a date!! Jan. 15, 2004.
Now if I can just keep those 20 pounds off through the holidays....
Laurie

Hello! My surgery is scheduled for Dec 4th and we have plans to
travel from here, California, to Birmingham, AL for Christmas on the
23rd of Dec. Is it safe for me to be traveling by plane so soon
after surgery? My main concern is blood clots. Its about 5 hours
from LAX to Atlanta and then another hour or so to Birmingham after
a short plane switch. Should I be requesting a blood thinner or
compression stockings? What should I do? I could stay home but then
I would spend Christmas and a week by myself. Im not sure if thats a
dumber thing to do.
Any ideas? My sister has deep vein thrombosis and I see the problems it
has caused her- I would prefer NOT to go through that!
Please advise!!!
Greer

First let me introduce myself, my name is Stacy and i'm beginning my
journey to the wls. I went to the seminar Nov. 21st, and have chosen
Dr. Schmitt for my surgeon. In the packet i received it stated...
"If you do not have a pcp, you will need to choose a physician from
this sheet to see you pre operatively and send us a clearance letter
for your surgery. If you already have a pcp, you will need to contact
your physician and get them to send us your medical history for the
last three years. This physician will also need to send us a
clearance letter"
My problem...I do not have a pcp, nor have i had one for years.Except
my ob/gyn. (had a baby 11 months ago) No doctor has seen my through
my dieting or struggles. I have bcbs(preferred care) and was told i
will have to have proof of attempts at weightloss. What should I do?
Also, the only doctors listed in the packet are the sleep study doc,
and the psychological doc...no pcp. So can i go to any family doctor
and have him say im okay for the surgery? Any suggestions on doc's? I
hear alot are against it. Thanks in advance, hope to meet alot of new
people in meeting.
stacy.

Hi all, below is a post from a new member, her e-mail address is
dbowers1969@... and she has been added to the e-group so you
can respond here. Thanks, Wes
===========================================================
I had my surgery on Friday, November 21, 2003 at MCE. Dr. Miles
performed
my surgery. I have been doing super so far (no complications, no
pains).
As a matter of fact, I have been doing so well that I am scared I am
doing
something wrong. I expected to be able to tell when I had eaten
enough but
do have enough sense to know that I am not supposed to eat an entire
plate
of food (and no, I didn't try to), however, my worries are that I am
eating
too much. How much weight am I supposed to lose 1 week post op? I
have not
had any bad experiences since I have been eating soft foods but I
would like
to know how often am I supposed to be eating? I try to stick to just
eating
4 tbsp. of food and have had to focus on slowing down when eating but
I find
that I am eating about every 3 hours and the bad thing is that I have
not
felt hunger pains. I just eat because it seems like I am supposed
to.
Please help me so that I don't end up stretching my pouch. It almost
seems
as if I never had the surgery at all except for the scabs on my
stomach. I
mean, this is going too good, or is it? My typical schedule has been
as
follows. If there is something that I am doing wrong or need to be
doing
differently, please tell me.
6 a.m. Drink water (4 oz.) and get dressed.
7 a.m. Take 2 tsp. of Carafate, 2 Flintstone's chewable vitamins, 1
B-12
under the tongue, 1 pepcid
tablet.
8 a.m. Drink 1 Carnation Instant Breakfast or eat 3 tbs scrambled
eggs
8:30 a.m. Sip water
9:30 a.m. Eat 3 tbs applesauce with 1 ground up calcium citrate
(1000) added
to it. Yuck!
10:00 a.m. Sip water until about 10:30 a.m.
11:30 - 12:00 Eat 3-4 tbs beans with 2 crackers
1:00 p.m. Take 1 Flintstone chewable vitamin, 2 tsp. Carafate, Sip
unsweetened Nestea for an hour
2:00 p.m. Try to drink 4 oz. protein drink mixed with skim milk or
water.
Yuck!!!
3:00 p.m. Eat 3-4 tbs. instant grits as slowly as I can. Hard to do!
3:45 p.m. Sip water or more tea
5:00 p.m. Drink chicken broth (1 cup)
6:00 p.m. EXERCISE - Walk 1 mile on treadmill at health club
6:30 p.m. Drink protein drink (4 oz.) Yuck!
7:30 p.m. Eat 2 tbs. Blue Bunney Vanilla yogurt and take 2
Flintstone
vitamins
8:30 p.m. Sip water
10:30 p.m. Bedtime
It may seem that I have too much time on my hands. I am a student at
University of North Alabama (U.N.A.). We were in school Monday and
Tuesday
of this past week and then out for Thanksgiving holidays. Tomorrow I
will
resume classes and will be busier but I still would like to know if I
am
eating too much or if I should be doing something differently. I
also have
3 children (ages 16, 7, and 3) and am married to a policeman for
U.N.A. who
works quite a bit lately due to holidays and ball games. Thanks for
any
help!

Hey everyone! Please have a safe Happy Thanksgiving. God Bless you
all.
Sarah-pre-op Dec 8
Dr.Schmitt

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. The road to
success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop
called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called
Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called
Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called
Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will
make it to a place called Success.
Sending love and greetings from my heart to yours, God bless You!
Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!
Norm Reynolds

Hi there. I thought I would introduce myself!
My name is Marlene (pronounced Marlaynuh), I am 35, a hairstylist and
I live in Birmingham. I have had my consult with Dr. Schmitt and am
doing everything I am supposed to do as far as testing, etc... so that
I can hopefully be one of the lucky ones to have WLS.
I can't BELIEVE I missed the support group meeting on Monday... I
suppose the next one is in December, eh? OH well, that's ok because I
am sure I won't have all the testing done yet anyway so I guess
there's no big hurry. I've been fat for 27 years, so a few more
months won't make too much difference I suppose! ;-)
I do look forward to reading your posts and getting info and tips from
all of you who have already had surgery. I also look forward to a
support group meeting to see what it's like!
Hope everyone has a great day...
M

My scanner is broke but here it goes!!! Please excuse any typos's. It took me a whole 6-7 minutes to type this and wasnt going back to look for errors...LOL Hope this helps someone. I found it VERY interesting!!

Walking as a Primary Form of Exercise

by Richard Betcher, M.D.

ObesityHelp July 2003

The goal of going through surgery for weight loss is to become healthy and to lose the morbid porblems caused by your obesity. This can only be reached by losing the excessive fat that you carry and improving the quantity and quality of your lean tissue, primarily muscle.

The determination of your weight is a simple formula: (volume/type) minus calories out (basel metabolic rate and activity).

The surgical bariatric procedure is a means of input control only. Voume that you are able to take in is decreased and certain types of food are not tolerated any further. The result is a forced reduction in total calorie intake if you utilize this took appropriately.

Just as much emphasis needs to be placed on the calorie output part of thie equation. If you only do one or the other part of this equation, you will always fail. Therfor, emphasis need to be placed in your ability to consistently perform activity that maintains adequate basel metabolic levels and overall activity. What does all this mean?

When you decrease caloric intake for the body, it has to find other sources of calories to make the engine work. If this is not supplied externally by eating, then the body will respond in two ways to decrease its metabolic rate. First, it will decrease its muscle mass, primarily by convertinc much of that protein into glucose, which is then unitlized as a fuel source by the body. The second thing is that the remaining muscle that you have will end up with less activity because there is no longer a fuel source to drive it. Think of your muscle mass as an engine. If it is only running on one or two cylinders, it will hardly move down the street and there will not be enought heat generated to keep the inside of the car warm. The same thing happens with your body.

So, how do you make your body go after only your body fat? This is accomplished by the use of muscle in an adequate aerobic activity on a daily basis. Muscle is made up of muscle fibers that can be separated into slow, intermittent and fast-twitch fibers. The slow-twitch fibers are the primary ones that we are concerned about. When adequate size and enzymes are present, the slow-twitch will very aggressively go agter fas as a fuel source. The other muscle fibers are less likely to do that. The location you find these slow-twitch fibers are primarily in your weight-bearing, walking muscles in your leg and gluteal areas. NASA, in an effort to determine how to maintain normal muscles mass for its astronauts in space, found that the single best excercise for the lease amount of time was approximately a two mile non-stop walk, at earth's gravity. No other exercise can come close to doing that. This is not a surprise when you consider that the act of walking is
basically lifting a weight of 250 pounds or more, depending on what you weight and continueing the exercise for the time period it would take to cover two miles. No other muscle grou pin the body can maintain that level of activity. Try taking a bar bell of 200 pounds and doing a curl for a solid hour, most of us would not get through the first repetition.

What we find happening with this two-mile walk is that the slow-twitch muscle fibers of the biggest muscle groups we have, start to thicken, to develop more mitochondria. The mitochondria is the furnace that converts fat into something the muscle can use and develop the enzymes that make fat metabolism occur more easily. It is then just a matter of turning it on every day.

Unfortunately, every morning you wake up , fat metabolism is again shut off. It requires a daily, effor to get it turned back on and that is accomplished again by a tw0-mile walk. Also, covering less distance does not get it started. Your body needs to sense enough continuous stress activity that the walk produces to finally turn on that part ofthe metablolism. In other words, if you only walk one mile, you are only burning glucose. By the time you get to two miles, your body starts to change its metabolism and it starts to consume fat. That fat metabolism continues on after the walk is finished from anywhere from four to eight hours. Much of the other activity you have during the day will continue to have fat metabolism tied with it and you will continue burning the one material you most desperately need to get rid of.

In following the lead body mass of our patients over many many years we have found that many people preent themselves with thirty to fourty pounds of muscle deficiendy from becoming very sedentary because of the obesity and other problems associated with it. The only way to get the muscle back is to do an adequate amount of excercise to replenish those thirty to fourty pounds. Our bodies have a basel rate of metabolism that occurs daily. This is your muscle contracting in what we call fasciculations, which are miniscule contractions that produce body heat. Without these fasciculations, you could not maintain a body temperature of 98.6. The amount of calories consumed and the maount of body heat produced is directly proportional to the amount of muscle.

Are you a one-cylinder engine? If you are thirty to fourty punds of muscle deficient, you are obviously running on one cylinder. By getting all the cylinders working, you will be able to burn more calories, even at rest, than someone who refuses to do any activity and maintains a very low lean body mass.

We have found that a daily two-mile leisurely, continuouswalk will usually lead to between thirty and fourty pounds of muscle gain and over 100 pounds of fat loss in one year. We use electrical impedance to determine the amount of lean body mass and find it very sensitive for this measurement. If we see muscle mass dropping in the later months and years of follow-up, it is clear indication that this person has slowed down the frequency or even stopped his walking. Our patients have become accustomed to knowing that we already know if they are keeping up their excercise by looking at this body tissue analysis even before we come in the room and ask them if they are maintaining activity. It is also a great tool to visually show people what happens when they again become sedentary. What these patients find is that any drop of activity from walking two-miles a day, seven days a week will lead to very quick loss of muscle mass and even stopping of the burning of any
fat. Weight loss of your lead body mass tissue is not what you want to see.

In summary, your final weight is not determined by just having the surgery but also combining it with a daily exercise program. Walking, when is is done at a two-mile distance at any pace you are comfortable with, accomplishes significant muscle gain, daily burningof just fat, preservation of other lean tissue and in the end, helps you accomplish the goal that you are really after.

I am the 67 yof who wondered if I would be accepted for the surgery.
Saw Dr. Miles yesterday and he said "ok, lets go for it".I was one of
several who attended last Sat. seminar and was called to replace a
cancellation.So, I have 10lbs. to lose which I will begin right away!
Clem good luck to you,and God bless.I am retired from the nursing
field,so I know how extra wt.can interfere with your duties.I wonder
why there is no one in the chat room? Have tried to go there but no
one else is there.What is the problem?So, I am waiting from further
word from the doctor and will remain faithful to this site which I
find so supportive,Irene Love to all!

I have 3 little girls and I was wondering if I will get to see them
while I am in the hospital? Thanks so much.
Sarah
pre-op Dec 8th
Dr. Schmitt

Have any of you guys had any complications? If so, what kind?
Also, Have any of you had a baby after WLS? I will hopefully have
surgery in Feb 04, and I want a baby ASAP following. Thanks for any
thoughts!
Carrie
Hueytown

HI GANG,
IF YOU DRINK THE CHOCOLATE EXTREME SMOOTHIE PROTEIN, AND LOVE THEM AS MUCH AS I DO, AND ARE A KLUTZ AND SPILL THEM ON YOUR CLOTHING, MAKE SURE YOU RINSE IN COLD WATER ASAP.
I SPILLED ONE ALL DOWN A SUIT, SINCE IT HAD TO BE DRY CLEANED, I TOSSED IT IN A BAG FOR THE CLEANERS.
IT WAS A DARK EGG PLANT SUIT AND CHOC. PROTEIN, AND IT RUINED IT. I HAD NOTHING TO LOSE, SO I PUT IT IN WASHER ON GENTLE CYCLE, AND IT STILL DID NOT COME OUT.
WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT. LOL
RITA

I had to share with you guys. I weighed today at work and I've lost
a total of 69.5 lbs since my surgery 9-22. I'm so excited I could
burst. I'm noticing bones I've never felt before. hehe
By the way, does anyone have any suggestions to help loose in the
abdominal area? I've lost most everywhere but there. I've lost a
little but not much.
Thanks,
Donna

Hi My name is Greer, I am new to the group. My surgery is scheduled
for Dec. 4th, (10 days time!)and Im really excited. I live in
California right now but Im working on the plans to move to
Birmingham. My sister lives there now and I want to be closer to
her. I will be out that way around christmas time so maybe I will
drop in on a meeting, if one is on. I am having Lap Rny. Im 23,
female, +/-290 pounds, BMI 43. Ive always been a little plump but
the past 8 yrs I have ballooned up. At my heaviest, 340 lbs. I am so
excited to have surgery and Im already starting to feel quite
liberated already. I know I wont be able to for a long time but I
cannot WAIT to go shopping for smaller clothes! (and hopefully for
sizes without an X before the number!)
Ive posted my before photos and I will be updating them as I go.
Greer (lunarfishgirl)
297/160

DEC. 12TH.. CAN'T WAIT THIS WILL BE THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER..CAN ANYONE
TELL ME MORE OF WHAT TO EXPECT..IN HAIR LOSS, WEIGHT LOSS, ETC.

My surgery is December 16, and I am having the HARDEST time losing
the required 20lbs. I'm 19, and everyone says that it should come
of easy...but its not. I have tried Phenteramine, and Atkins, and
also calorie counting...and i've lost the weight, but cant keep it
off. I lost 17lbs, and gained it right back. I need advice! I
can't have my surgery date postponed because i'm doing it during my
winter break from college and only have so much time in between
everything. I am at the end of my rope trying to find a way to lose
20lbs. I am open to any suggestions. THANK YOU!
--Karol Ann

Hello and greetings to all! My names is Angela and I am from Moody,
AL. First I must say that this board has been a continued source of
inspiration and information for me for several months. Thank
goodness for wonderful people like yourselves!
Just wanted to post to everyone who might be interested in my WLS
surgery journey...I started in January 2002 searching for an answer
to my weight problem. I was tired of being tired. I found FACES and
began my transformation there. My surgery was July 31, 2002, at MCE
with Dr. Lee Schmitt. My weight nailed my poor scale down at 276
pounds the day of my surgery and I struggled into my size 22 clothes
that morning. The surgery was a breeze on a Thursday and I was back
to work at my desk job that next Monday. My weight loss (and hair
loss) was very rapid and I dropped ten pounds a month for eight
months. I stalled around nine and ten months and finally, after
fourteen months post-op, I am now 165 pounds (that is minus 111
pounds from surgery) and wear a size 10. I would do it again and
again and again. I am very fortunate that I did not dump or actually
throw up any. I did get the nauseau and hair loss, but both have
gone away now.
The only post op problems I have had is I have been diagnoised with
functional hypoglycemia. Which, is being controlled with all
protein, dairy and egg diet. Lots of water and milk and my blood
sugars stay pretty normal.
I am here to answer any questions that I can and I wish everyone the
absolute best in their own WLS journey!
Angela

In a message dated 11/19/2003 1:49:25 PM Central Standard Time, sheilaannodom@... writes:

My surgery is December 4 and I'm feeling kind of
depressed or apprehensive. Did anyone else have these
feelings just prior to surgery? Or is this normal for
any kind of surgery (especially life-changing
surgery)? I've been waiting 6 months for the time to
come and I have thought about it constantly every day
until I think I've lost some enthusiasm. I know I'm
doing the right thing for my health, and when I bend
over to tie my shoes, roll over in the bed, or even
get in my car after rushing around to get dressed, I
remember why I'm doing it. I think I'm mourning the
loss of food already, too. Any suggestions from those
who are post-op?

If you did not feel these things you wouldn't be normal. Believe me they are natural feelings. And it is life changing but you have to remember you are not living to eat after surgery you are eating to live. You will still be able to have all the foods you use to have just in smaller amounts and in certain passage of time. You will only be eating smaller and getting smaller and healthier. You will do just fine. Everytime you get on that scale and the needle moves downward and everytime you go into your closet and say let me see how much more I have to lose before I can wear this and you are able to wear it now...you will be so happy and will wonder why you didn't do it sooner...just like I have wondered.

Wolfie
Leeds, Alabama
"Keep It Real & Off the Top"
Lap Rny & Choly
Dr. Lee Schmitt
Medical Center East
August 27,2003
336/271/200

Hey everyone, I am at home and doing great. Hospital stay was longer
than normal due to the distance I live from B'ham and Dr not wanting
to take any unnecessary chances due to my size.
Thanks to all of you for your posts and well wishes and visits.
Especially to Chan and Felicia and his grandmother, Wes and Lisa,
Tim, Kim, Terri and anyone else that came that I don't remember for
the visits. Also Twila and Terri for the beautiful flowers; Chan for
the many gifts and being more than an angel; grandma Chan for her
gifts. Thanks to all of you who called to check on me. Due to the
after effects of the anethesia, I just don't remember everyone and
while my family tried to write everyone's name down, they know they
missed some.
Other than the bed (and the torture chair my sister slept in} I have
no major complaints on Carraway and Dr DeWitt was superb. I have the
first post-op appt Tue 11/25 and will try to post update on weight
loss on Wed.
Kathy

Hi everyone!
This is Amy, a soon to be big time LOSER!! Anyway, I got my
insurance approval letter last wed., that was very exciting, let me
tell you!! On the 20th I go for my psych eval, the on the 24th i am
going for not only my nutrtion class in the a.m., but also my first
support group that evening, and that will be everything! Woo-hoo!!
Man, it feels good to say that. I just feel so close to it, I can
hardly stand it. Anyhow, I just wanted to wish everyone out there
well tonight and I hope I will make some new friends Monday night at
the support group.
Bye Y'all,
Amy

Well everyone I got on the scale this morning and low and behold I lost yet another five pounds. Making a total of 65 pounds lost now. I was elated to say the least. This is the most wonderful thing I have ever done for myself and I thank God for the surgery and the surgeons that are trained to do this for us. Every passing day just keeps getting better and better. It is hard sometimes when the plateaus hit but like we talked about in other post, when we think we are standing still...the inches are still moving. It all goes hand in hand. Ain't life grand?!!!!! You BETCHA!!!!! I am so so happy. Love to all and God Bless and Skinny Wishes!

Wolfie
Leeds, Alabama
"Keep It Real & Off the Top"
Lap Rny & Choly
Dr. Lee Schmitt
Medical Center East
August 27,2003
336/271/200

My surgery is December 4 and I'm feeling kind of
depressed or apprehensive. Did anyone else have these
feelings just prior to surgery? Or is this normal for
any kind of surgery (especially life-changing
surgery)? I've been waiting 6 months for the time to
come and I have thought about it constantly every day
until I think I've lost some enthusiasm. I know I'm
doing the right thing for my health, and when I bend
over to tie my shoes, roll over in the bed, or even
get in my car after rushing around to get dressed, I
remember why I'm doing it. I think I'm mourning the
loss of food already, too. Any suggestions from those
who are post-op?

In a message dated 11/17/2003 4:11:39 PM Central Standard Time, mandiks@... writes:

Amanda

Hi Amanda,
I missed getting to talk to you at the meeting Saturday. Missed that cheery smile and hug from ya. You were so busy when I came in I didn't even see ya flitting around behind the tables. Someone pointed you out to me after the meeting. I missed talking to Jill to. Hello to both of you and sorry I missed talking to you both. Oh yeah added some more pics to the site. Down 60 pounds now!!!!!

Wolfie
Leeds, Alabama
"Keep It Real & Off the Top"
Lap Rny & Choly
Dr. Lee Schmitt
Medical Center East
August 27,2003
336/276/200

In a message dated 11/17/2003 4:20:57 PM Central Standard Time, carriearmstrong114@... writes:

Hello, I'm a lost new member, trying to figure out if I know how to
post a message?!? HUH Did it work?
Carrie C
Hueytown

LOL yes Carrie, it posted! Glad to have you in the group. Its a great group!

Wolfie
Leeds, Alabama
"Keep It Real & Off the Top"
Lap Rny & Choly
Dr. Lee Schmitt
Medical Center East
August 27,2003
336/276/200

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.
Support Group Meeting
Date: Monday, November 24, 2003
Time: 6:00PM CST (GMT-06:00)
This is the regular weeknight meeting at MCE. Doors open at
5:30, meeting starts at 6pm.

In a message dated 11/17/2003 11:33:33 AM Central Standard Time, chaag4@... writes:

Clem

Hi Clem,
Looked for you at the meeting saturday but never did see ya. Were you there? Are people going into the chat room AT ALL? I sure do wish we could get the chat rooms going. Oh well...Hope this finds you doing well. Wolfie...Oh yeah Don't know if I posted to the group, I can't remember but I have now lost 60 pounds. I was so excited when I got on the scale Sunday morning early.

Wolfie
Leeds, Alabama
"Keep It Real & Off the Top"
Lap Rny & Choly
Dr. Lee Schmitt
Medical Center East
August 27,2003
336/276/200

Hi,
I'm new to your group and just learning my way around. I missed the
meeting this weekend. Is their another meeting on Monday the 24th? I
am seeing Dr. Dewitt at Caraway on Dec 3rd for a consultation. This
is my second time to entertain the WLS idea. I'm a new mom and really
want to be around to see my baby grow into a man. I backed out a year
ago, but I now know this is for me. I've been visiting some of your
support group meetings but I don't know what the set schedule is I
just hit and miss.
Carrie C

HI, I go to my first consult Jan. 5th. I am very nervous about it and
excited about it too.I hope my insurance will pay. ritahargett2003

Hey gang! For those of you who missed Saturday's meeting, you missed
some valuable information from Dr. Eich. He showed us information and
photos regarding plastic surgery after WLS.
We also got to see our proofs of the Fashion Show. They were AWESOME
you guys. I bought several of my 'poses' and figured I would get some
nice frames and give them to some family members for Christmas. The
pictures are great and the prices are very reasonable, especially if
you think about the fact that Joe did this for us for nothing. Thanks
to Joe for being there and capturing 'OUR MOMENT OF FAME'....lol.
Just wanted to give an update on me: I am 8 months post op, down 122
lbs and 102 inches. My BMI has gone from a 57 to a ...... 39!!!! Do
you know what this means?? This means I am FINALLY no longer a
candidate for WLS (under some insurance companies without major co-
morbidities). This is so exciting. I have also gone from a 34 pants
to a 20 pants! Sometimes I look at myself in the mirror and don't
notice much of a change. Then I pull out my monthly comparison photos
and I realize where I have been and how far I have come. I recommend
everyone take photos, front and side, within a couple of days of your
surgery. I normally take one every month in the same place in the
same position in our house to make it more true to scale. These have
helped me realize that "Yes I am winning!!!"
Anyway, in case I have missed posting about someone getting approval,
a surgery date or having surgery- CONGRATS. You are on your way to
being part of an elite group of "LOSERS".
Area Code update: I am in "W Kentucky: Bowling Green, Paducah". I
think this is the first place in the area code game that I have
actually been to before...LOL. Now if I could only make it to
Birmingham, I would be happy!
Amanda

Hello to everyone! My name is Irene and I could be a grandmother to
all of you!I have battled my weight for the greatest part of my 67
years.On Sat.11/15/2003 I attended the seminar with Dr.Miles and am
so impressed . My appt. date with him is Jan.19,2004.I am told he
will evaluate someone over the age of 60 and I am so hopeful!!!On a
positive note I have made an appt for the sleep study and the psych
evaluation in early Dec.I want to attend the group meeting on the
24th so I will look forward to meeting some of you there. With love
and beat wishes to all, Irene

Does anyone have a progress report on Kathy? I am praying everyday
that things go well for her.

Hello everyone. My name is angel i live in phenix city al, and i go
for my first consult on nov 24th. Thats not to far away..Wish me
luck...thanks
Angel

In a message dated 11/13/2003 9:29:27 PM Central Standard Time, CRAZYBE1@... writes:

I hope to further my attempts to get the ball rolling on this
potentially not only life changing-but life saving procedure.
God Bless,
Kenny Taylor
Cullman, Alabama

Hi Kenny,
I was so scared when I first started this journey and doing all the research but I remember asking myself one day...Was I willing to live like this the rest of my life? The answer was a resounding NO! I had diabetes and my sugar would always be so so high, high blood pressure,terrible joint pain in my knees and hips. I had the surgery August 27, 2003 and am now 53 pounds lighter and feel absolutely wonderful. I sleep all through the night. I have normal ranges of sugar now and am into clothes that havent seen the light of day in forever! Matter of fact I put on some overalls that use to be so tight the button would fly off. I was terrified when it flew off it would strike someone and tko them. I tried to steer clear of people to avoid this. I remember once a button flew off at such a high rate of speed it flew across the bathroom at walmart. I was lucky that time. There was no one in the stall and it hit a petition wall and then the floor so I didn't have to worry about
giving someone mouth to mouth,lol. But I guess I just wanted to say that this surgery has given my life back. If I had gone on the way I was going I would have lost limbs, eyesight, or organs due to the diabetes, let alone what it could do to my heart. I am thankful to Dr. Lee Schmitt and his staff and would do it again and again as many times as I had to , to feel as good as I do now and I still have a long way to go but Oh what a wonderful journey it is and will be. I hope to meet you at the support group soon. Are you going to the one on Saturday? If so I hope to meet you there. God Bless and Skinny Wishes.

Wolfie
Leeds, Alabama
"Keep It Real & Off the Top"
Lap Rny & Choly
Dr. Lee Schmitt
Medical Center East
August 27,2003
336/287/200

The meeting was great. Thank you for the goodie bag!!! I can't wait
till I can stand up and say " I have lost so-so pounds"!! But I had
a great time at the meeting. Dr.Eich was so funny. Thanks also for
the protein (wes & lisa). Wes if you dont mind, would you please
send me a price list on 24 chocolate & 5-strawberry? Any how, Good
luck to all of us thats having the surgery!!
Sarah
Dr.Schmitt
Dec 8th 2003

Hi All!
First let me say that the Fashion Show was a HUGE success and I appreciate each
and every one of you for participating! I loved the setting - the church was so
pretty and comfortable. I can't wait to do it again next year!!
The speaker for this Saturday's meeting was supposed to be a 9 year post op
patient but she's had something come up and won't be able to be with us.
So...............Dr. Shelby Eich, the plastic surgeon, has offered to speak to
us about plastics following weight loss surgery. I know lots of you have heard
him speak before. He's great!
Kathy - I am so proud of you and so happy that things are going well for you. I
knew God had good things in store for you. Wade and I are going to try and get
by for a visit either today or tomorrow. Keep up the GREAT work!
I REGRET TO INFORM YOU.............(ugh - I hate to say this) the fashion show
video that was professionally shot did not turn out. The videographer is
stumped about this. Each time the power point presentation that had the before
pictures on it changed from one slide to the next the auto focus on the video
would go out. There is no good reason why this happened. The tape was taken
to Mr. Long who owns Long's Electronics and he said that since the camera was
plugged in the the church's power source it either experienced a power surge or
power deficit each time the slides advanced. Frankly he said he'd never seen
anything like it. *sigh* I know this just kills most of you because it just
kills me. Anyhoo....we have one video that an O.R. nurse shot but it doesn't
start until model #17. What we need are your videos. If you shot video and
could bring us your tape - we'll copy it and mail it back to you and then we'll
take all the tapes we get and edit them together for one video. If you have a
tape and wouldn't mind bringing it to the meeting tomorrow that would be
extremely helpful. We'll return it to you in safe condition.
That's it folks! I hope to see you all at the meeting tomorrow. We'll have
some special guests and it's going to be a ton of fun!
Love,
Rona
Your Bari-Godmother

Hi guys!
I miss all of you! I haven't weighed since the last time I attended a
meeting, but I do know that my pant size continues to go down, and
thats a GOOD thing! I had hopes of attending this Saturday's meeting,
only to have them dashed against the rocky shore of reality! But, I
hope to be able to work it in. Until then, keep up the good work!
Blessings,
Norm
It takes 21 days to develop a habit, 40 days to solidify new
behavior, and 90 days to change your life. Where are you?

Just wanted everyone to know that I am alive! We just was able to
find a phone jack that was acceptable to the laptop.
Surgery went fine Tue 11/11. We went back to the holding area around
6:15a and one family member at a time was allowed back with me.
About 9a, we went to the pre-op area and I was by myself then :)
The surgery began about 10a and started closing about 12p. The
doctor said everything went fine; he finally told my family that
there was greater than 50% chance of having to do the operation
open. But, thank God, it was done lap. I was in recovery until
about 2p when they to took me to ICU -- they did this as a
precaution especially with my sleep apnea.
I spent the night in ICU and they allowed me to get up around 12:30p
to get in my wheelchair and I was taken up to my room. HERE I AM --
rm 684. The staff has been great, even if they wouldn't give me the
water when I wanted it last night:)
So I am in the bed, recovering from getting in the bed :) I will
try getting up in a little while, after my head clears a little
bit. I am sipping my Minute Maid Light lemonade.
Thanks to everyone who has assisted me on my journey up to this
point. Will try to post later.
Kathy
(This was written by my sister in case it doesn't sound like me:)

Hi all,

If you will need the Extreme Smoothies (Choc, strawberry, Vanilla and Cappacino) or the NECTAR (Cherry, Apple, Caribbean Cooler, Kiwi Strawberry) please let us know by e-mailing dtpgoose@... or calling us at 205-663-2190.

This will be for the meeting on Saturday...

Thanks, see ya Saturday....

Wes and Lisa

Oh thank you God!!! I was on a emotional roller coaster Tuesday, I
cried all day because of some hurtful things my sister had said to
me. After I got off the phone with her I cried all day long, and I
prayed to God. He answered my prayers this morning at 9:00am with my
phone call I been waiting on. Brace
yourselfs.............DEC.8th!!!! So after I got off the phone I
started praying again!!!! This time I thanked him!! Then I started
crying AGAIN. Butterflys in my tummy!! I'm scared..I called my mom,
she said "but what about christmas"? And honestly, this is the best
gift i could possibly get....So please all you wonderful people
please pray for "Sarah" on (my) wonderful day. This means a lot to
me. The power of "prayer" is wonderful and TOday no one will bring
me down..I am soooo happy, its soo hard to put it in words. But
anyway, Thank you God in Heaven, and please watch over me!!! (he
reads emails too ya know)!!! :.)

Hello All,
I am Kimberly Jayne-(AKA Labrat). I have been having problems with
my labrat address, so I changed everthing.
I have tried to post many times and and haven't seem to have any luck.
I am pre-op,I have completed all my testing And I have insurance approval. I am
just waiting on a surgery date. Waiting for a date is getting very
frustrating. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Congrats on the Fashion show. Sounds like it was a great success.
Hate I had to miss it. I hope to participate next year.
Best wishes for all for all of you with up coming surgery dates.
I hope to hear something soon.
Thanks all the info from you Post-ops, It is sooo helpful. Hope to
see everyone Saturday.
Have a good day.
Kim ( a new me at 36)

Hello group members. My name is Kenny Taylor; I live in Cullman,
Alabama, just north of Birmingham about 45 minutes. I work as a
paramedic and I'm also a Firefighter for the city of Hanceville. I'm
32 years of age, and weigh in about 350 pounds. I have a waist size
of 52, but could more comfortably wear a 54 depending on who I want
to fool. I think my chest size is in the neighborhood of 56 or so. I
haven't worn any clothing that didn't have XXX on it in the last 10
years.
As a teenager, I didn't have any problems with weight-it just never
seemed to be an issue. I was raised on a farm and the farm work
itself kept it off. However, after marriage, and the discovery of
healthcare as my new career, I began to put on the pounds. It has
gotten to the point now that no diet seems to work, the hypertension
seems to be worsening, and I'm sure diabetes is just around the
corner. Buying clothes at Wall-mart is a joke, and with that, any
that I do find look like they came from a 1960 fashion show that
went to flop and back. Therefore, for now, gastric bypass in my
honest opinion may be what I need.
For the last year, I have often given gastric bypass many thoughts.
However, my family medical doctor is not in favor of it. Recently
however, I have been thinking more about it often-almost every day
actually. I was referred by a friend, a post-op patient whom had her
surgery there almost a year ago. She has now successfully lost over
125 pounds. As a paramedic, I often see the devastating effects of
obesity. Recently I coded a patient that pushed I'm sure 500 pounds.
Due to the size of this patient, and the inability to establish a
secure airway-this patient died because of his morbid obesity. One
would think this would be enough to cause me to lose weight. For
some reason, for me anyhow, nothing seems to work. Later, looking in
the mirror, I began to realize just what path I was beginning to
take.
For now, I will be investigating this more in-depth and trying to
somehow convince my family physician that this is what I need.
Emotionally, although now divorced and "very" single I'm ok.
Physically, something has to be done. I consider myself an active
outdoor person. I could not imagine what things would be like
trapped in my own world due to being overweight.
In closing, I would like to say thanks for the creators of this
group for making this discussion board possible. In the next few
days, I hope to further my attempts to get the ball rolling on this
potentially not only life changing-but life saving procedure.
God Bless,
Kenny Taylor
Cullman, Alabama

Amanda, the pictures are great. Can't wait to see the rest of them.
Melissa

Hey everyone, this is Melissa Bain, I just wanted everyone to know
that I have changed from AOL to Bellsouth. I hate it but it is
cheaper. You know how that goes. My new address is
melbain155@..., my old address was Melbain98@..., so
if you need to get in touch with me you can get me at my new address.
On to a brighter subject. The Fashion Show was a Wonderful
experience. I had the time of my life. It was more than I
expected. I got some really good pictures. None of the ones of me
on stage by myself came out but the rest of them were really good.
I hope the one from the Pro did better.
Rona, Wade, Wes and Lisa deserve a round of applause, they did a
WONDERFUL job.
Hope to talk to yall soon. I will not be able to be at the meeting
Sat. so I will talk to you as soon as I can.
Melissa

OMG!!! WOW!!!! I can't say enough about the Fashion Show!!! I had the
most AMAZING time!!!!!!! Watching all the supermodels and even being
one was the best feeling I have felt since surgery! To all of you who
didn't participate.......I encourage you to DO IT next year!!! It was
truly a great feeling to walk that stage knowing those "fat" photos
were behind you.......in more ways than one!!! I know when we left
the first thing my husband said was he couldn't wait to be in it with
me next year! Normally he hates that kind of stuff. WHen I looked out
into the crowd there he sat with our friends and everyone of them was
crying! It was such a special moment. Thanks to EVERYONE that made
that night possible......because for me I truly felt like a princess
and I am sure I was not the only one that did. I SO wish I didnt live
so far away so I could be more involved in the support group meetings
because I had a great time with all of you Sat night! You all looked
beautiful on the outside and I KNOW you are even more stunning on the
inside!!!!!! Congratulations to all of you.......email me sometime so
I can stay in touch with you! The email is leyann@.... Talk
to ya soon!
LeyAnn Bennett
266/125

who is the guest speaker going to be at Saturday's meeting?
tks for the infro.

This is my first time posting, but reading all of your messages has
been very helpful. I am scheduled for WLS on 12/15/03 w/ Dr. Miles
and was instructed by him to lose 10 lbs. prior to surgery. Well,
after quitting a 2-pack a day 20 year smoking habit, not only have I
not lost any weight but have gained 7 lbs. Help! Is Dr. Miles just
going to shoot me? I am trying desperately though.

I created a file under photos for everyone to post their photos of
the fashion show. I added a couple, and have many more to go but
haven't had time to scan or download everything to a disk.
I will post more about the event later!
Amanda

Hi all,

I haven't posted much but check the website/emails constantly and have learned so much. I finally had my wls surgery on 11/4/03. Back at work today (legal secretary w/very understanding attorneys and flexibility) and feel great! Thanks to such a wonderful support group (you all), I wasn't the least bit scared. I was more nervous of after surgery and doing the "right" things but, am now settling into the new foods, eating habits, etc.

Dr. Edward Facundus did my surgery at Crestwood Medical Center in Huntsville and I believe, from all that I have read and heard, that his diet plans, etc. are different than Dr. Miles and his staff's. (Dr. Miles did my sister's wls surgery almost 2 years ago and I use her as my sounding board). Anyway, Dr. F was very thorough and kind and so was his staff.

Just wanted to post and let you all help me celebrate this new beginning. THANKS for all you do!!!

Karen
WLS 11/04/03

Hi everybody! My name is Amy Barfield and I am just beginning my wls
journey. I am still in the process of getting all my materials in
and appointments taken care of. I would apreciate anyone's input,
advice or encouragement. Thanks a lot!
Amy

Hey everyone. I just wanted to say thank you for the beautiful
fashion show and all of the super models. You all looked great!!
Twila, Terri and Kim---I can't believe it. I didn't recognize any of
you. It's only been like 6 months or so and you all had changed that
much. You are beautiful and I'm so glad I got to see all of you.
Of course Chan was shining up there in his little tux. I couldn't
help but cry. He has been my best friend through all of this. Thank
you for always being there. Lisa, you had a glow about you that was
not from the lights. You all should be so proud of where you came
from to where you are now. Wes, you did a terrific job as usual.
The big day is less than 24 hours away so wish me well.
Kathy

How long after surgery do you have your first bowel movement??

Thanks

Crystal

PreOp

11/17/03

365/365/???

Hi guys. As of daylight tomorrow I am down to 7 days and counting! I have decided to go stay with my mom for a couple of days and I am trying to make a list of things I will need while there. I am only staying for 2-3 nights! I am having surgery on Monday and staying with her till sat. morning. Other than my suppliments, protein drinks and broth what else "eat or drink wise" do I need to bring to her? I dont want to have to haul it there just to haul it home..LOL Also I have read and researched RNY for 10 months but i have a MAJOR and SERIOUS case of CRS and sometimes I tend to ask things more than once so that I can make sure I am prepared..LOL The first week home while on the liquid diet what did you actually eat and drink and how much??

Thanks in advance,

Crystal

Preop

11/17/03

365/360/??? (Lost 5 pounds just by giving up diet sodas)

Just wanted to say if you missed the fashion show last night, you really
missed a wonderfully inspiring treat! It was well done from start to finish.
The super models, both male and female, were outstanding. Choice of clothing
to present their new selves was excellent. Such beauty and handsomeness. The
emcees were wonderful, and the music choices for both the background and for
each model were great.
Thanks to Wes for the fantastic computer work behind the scenes (I expect to
see you onstage next year!), to Rona and Wade and Wes and Lisa and all the
others involved in the production, setup, cleanup, planning, etc for the
whole show. I have to admit I had to coerce my husband into going with me,
somewhat, but he admitted afterward that he was very glad I pushed him,
because he was VERY impressed.
I hope there will be a fashion show next year because I want to be part of
it!!
One question -- who were the male escorts for the ladies, and who was the
female escort for the gentlemen? They also did a great job!
All in all, if you did not have a chance to be there, you missed a wonderful
time -- the pride, the accomplishments, the stories provided for the emcees
to read -- too fabulous for words. Even the emcees got wrapped up in the
feelings as well!
Good job, ALL of you.
Warm hugs,
Sherry
soprice@...

The show was TERRIFIC!!!!!!! I can't wait til next year when I can be
in it! It was great! Everyone looked so stunning and snazzy!
TAKE A BOW!!!
Lori

Hi all,
I am having my surgery next Monday,November 17. Is anyone else having
theirs on that day at Med center East? My surgeery is with Dr. Miles.
Let me know.
Thanks,
Clem

I am so sorry about your son. You were so supportive when my girls had
their accident and my 14 year old Amber died as a result.
You are truly a wonderful person and as you told me"God knows more than we
do, we just have to trust in him".
You now have your very own guradian angel, you always did but now he is in a
more heavenly place. No more pain or suffering only glory.
Again, I am soooo sorry and if there is anything I can do for you, please
contact me.
Tammy S. Lockley ^j^