Mindful

Hi Everybody: Sorry I kind of slipped off the face of the earth!. I had a lot going on. I'm doing great. I'm still losing regularly - I'm at a BMI of 33 now and I've lost 32 pounds since my surgery on January 10, 2007. I am now a size 14-down from 18! I am no longer living in Ohio. I moved out to Denver, Colorado about two weeks ago for graduate school - totally LOVING it! I transferred to a new fill doc named Dr. Tillquist in Denver. My first appointment is next week. I'm at 2cc for my band and really just doing great. I have done absolutely no exercise yet (still gearing up for that). I've been able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want (yes, and that includes all my sweets. So, life is good. I really don't do any support groups - the band was really all I needed. My big goal is to lose another 10 pounds before my cruise in June! So, I'm hoping to start exercising here soon. I've missed you all and I'll try and start posting again. That is, if you'll still welcome a Coloradan! See you, Paige (Mindful) Banded: 1/10/07 221/189/135 (start/now/goal) Kettering Bariatrics-Dr. Schumacher

Just wanted to encourage you Linadu. Don't claim to have the answer but know I'm right there with you rooting you on. Bad news....have to beg out of the lunch on 3/5. Just got a job and have to work on Mondays. I re-scheduled Dr. S on 3/15 at 11:45a. I could do lunch then. But, I think you should all still go and just tell me all about it later. I'm doing fine but REALLY tired today - had company all weekend so ready for a nap. See ya, Paige

Debbie: You didn't dream that. He told me full liquids - anything you can think of. I was on soft foods within a week after that. Take Care!

Extra Extra: What: Bandster Lunch When: March 5th, 12 noon Where: O'Charleys Okay, all. Lunch on March 5th to be at O'Charley's Restaurant. It's the one by Dayton Mall. See link below for a map. Also, here is the address/phone for directions: 2260 Miamisburg Centerville Road Dayton, OH (937) 434-7639 http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=Dayton&state=OH&address=2260+Miamisburg+Centerville+Road&country=us&zoom=7 This time since so many have expressed an interest, PLEASE email me at mindfulpea@yahoo.com and provide an RSVP along with a phone number so we can reach everyone should it get canceled or something. I also think I'll give O'Charley's a heads up if the number gets more than 8. I hope some come from other areas to join us. Okay, I'm looking forward to meeting more and more of you. Mindful

Hey Guys: I, and I'm sure I'm in the minority, LOVE the snow! I have a 4-wheel drive so it's been easy to get around here in Columbus anyway. We didn't get 15 inches like Dayton did though. Linadu: Enjoy your day off????? :notagree I'm so happy for you that you made your goal - you go! :mad: (what exactly does that #2 mean, shouldn't it be #1). Anyway, thanks for the info regarding the restriction and fills. So weird, I guess I ultimately did experience the norm. You feel that restriction big time for the healing phase and then boom, right back to normal eating. Thanks goodness I haven't gained anything back. I'm just sitting still. I know the band is keeping me from overeating by far but hopefully my next fill coming up in a couple weeks will get me on the way. RosieG: I feel so bad for you....:cry :cry I just want to encourage you to not to let yourself get too down. It WILL happen. I need some help, everyone. We're meeting for lunch on March 5th at 12noon. WHERE? What are the restaurants down there by Dr. Shu's office. I know Baby Boomer is really busy with Heart Month so let's go ahead and pick the place so everyone can make plans. Any ideas? Have a good night

Hey Debbie: Don't fret. Just drive carefully. Besides, I bet not too many will be up yet! Good luck and I'll be thinking of you!

Insurance companies, in large part, dictate where people can get their surgery. I happen to be familiar with nearly all the clinics in Central Ohio and they ALL offer good aftercare and support groups. The distinction I am making is that there is an area that is lacking that Cinci Wt Loss recognizes and provides support, unlike the rest of the clinics. They only do band; therefore they only provide aftercare for the band. Many of the other clinics are still not large enough yet and therefore combine the support groups to RNY's and the band. This is unfortunate. I wouldn't say that this is an underserved population. I would just think that if a clinic is already offering a band-only support group, why not allow others to come, especially once the post-op period is passed and the diet is really the same. And, if you will be there to serve this need, when is this going to happen?

I am very happy with where I went and I'm not upset with the product that Cinci Wt Loss delivers - I think Cinci is a great clinic and is doing good things. Unfortunately, other clinics aren't large enough yet to offer band-only support. The clinic I went to offers a huge after-care approach but it's not local for me nor is it band-only. Cinci Wt Loss has an opportunity to be there for all as JohnnyMobs says. So, why wouldn't it offer a band-only support group for all. I agree that doctors do prescribe VERY different pre-op and post-op diets for the initial phases. But, once the post-op period is over, it's all the same. Exercise, low-calorie and the band is only a tool. Again, just my opinion - it's the way I would feel if ANY clinic were doing this - nothing personal against Cinci (they just happen to be the only clinic in Central Ohio that offers band-only support that restricts access to non-patients).

Hey All! RosieG: I am SO sorry for you. Just know that you are thought of and it WILL work out. You've waited a while and this will be the last hurdle. I'm sure you'll have it before long; besides this way you can enjoy the snow we're in. I LOVE IT! Disco & Daughter: I just wanted to wish you good luck and god speed. It will be a breeze. The hospital staff (in addition to Dr. Shu) is EXTREMELY helpful and SUPER nice. When I did a search, Sycamore was the only hospital that had -0- complaints about customer service. So, my thoughts will be with you and DRIVE SAFELY in the morning. They say the snow will stop around 6a. Please post and let us all know how you are doing. Oh and don't forget to WALK. OH RAIN...Yeah, back to normal - so glad to hear it. Please do come for lunch on the 5th. Baby Boom Barbara is picking the restaurant so as soon as she gets back to me, I'll post the location. She's busy with Heart Month right now as a volunteer. Well, guys - I'm down this week because I didn't lose in the last 5 days and I don't feel that restricted. In fact, I don't feel any more restricted than I did before the 1cc. I'm definitely restricted more than I was before the band and can only eat small amounts. But, I didn't lose this week and I'm hanging around 199. Course, I could be exercising by now. Dr. Shu did release me to start last week. So, I'm probably griping and not working too hard this week. I need some veteran encouragement. Well, enjoy the snow everyone! Mindful

Glad to hear Juli got her date. I had the pleasure of meeting her in person and we got to swap stories. Congrats. How bout this weather? I love it - I know I'm probably in the minority but snow is my best friend - he he he! Thanks for introducing yourself, Juli

Perhaps you could start by addressing why Cinci Wt Loss refuses to open the doors on its support groups. Band-only support groups are in great need in the Columbus and Dayton areas. There are many many people out there that have banded by other doctors and it would seem that you could ultimately get MORE business by opening your doors. To say that the groups are closed because of the differences in diet seems a smaller problem to deal with than to contribute to the lack of live bandster support. I think it's great that you are a new surgeon to the clinic and that you are banded. What a great and valuable resource, especially in an arena where the RNY is still pushed by so many surgeons still. I know your expertise will be valued by many many people. But, as you said, you'll give your professional opinions despite that people should listen "officially" to their own surgeons - couldn't the support groups be the same way?

I would be cautious before choosing Cinci Wt Loss, IMHO

I respectfully disagree regarding Cinci Wt Loss. They never returned my call. They refuse to allow other bandsters in their support groups. It makes no sense to "close" out others from getting support. They "say" it's because they tell their patients to do things different but that's bogus - the diet and exercise is all the same for everyone after the banding is done. Doctors and clinics should work together to ensure overall health and support for all, and not be so snobbish, IMHO. The clinic I went to is completely open for its support groups.

Hey Debbie: Okay, don't know about the filters but I can tell you the anesthesia is a breeze. I've been put under more than a 1/2 dozen times and it's just going to sleep. You just take a breath and then you wake up in a different place (your post-op bed). I ate taco bell the night before and stopped eating around 9p altogether. I was STARVING by the time I went in to surgery because my procedure was delayed and we didn't start until 2p the next day. I didn't buy protein powder or popcicles. I only bought a little soup, oatmeal and pudding. I did buy glucerna and slim-fast supplements. Quite honestly, what I bought I didn't even use except for the pudding. I gave away all the supplements and I still have the broth and soup. When you leave the hospital you're on full liquids. So, I got away with milk, pudding, oatmeal. I ended up back in the hospital (as you know) and spent mostly the next two weeks NPO (nothing by mouth) entirely. But, when I left hospital after my gall bladder surgery, I had graduated to soft foods and was on real food within three days after that. So, have fun and don't sweat it. It should be a breeze. The gas pain hurts like hell (in my opinion) and the Gas-X did nothing. I just kept using my pain killer and burped/*&*(& as often as possible!! Oh, and walk, walk, walk. The walking is ESSENTIAL and REALLY makes a difference. I walked at least 20 laps in the hospital after both surgeries. I start working out next week and my weight loss has slowed to only 1.5 pounds per week which is exactly what I want - I want it to go slow for a number of reasons. Well, take care and stay in touch. As far as I know, I'll be coming still in March. Depends on whether I'm still losing - I may not need the next fill. Talk to you later and good luck.