julialois

Most appear to be in your age group, altho EVERYONE looks young to me. The support group is okay. They try to have a speaker each month, altho sometimes that doesn't happen. Try it, you might like it. Since there's no charge, what the heck. I'll be gone out of town so I won't be coming until October. Just timing.

The meetings are the 1st Wednesday of the Month. Next one is July2.

WAY TO GO!!!!! Congrats. Keep up the good work.

My Doc's nutritionist wanted me to use Boost. Yuck!!! But I've been using "Essentia Natural" 100% Protein with Micellar Casein. It's by Iron-Tek. It has 120 Calories, 2g fat,30mg cholesterol, 4g carbs and 22 grams of protein. I mix it w/skimmed milk and sometimes put in 1/2 banana and ice cubes. It makes a nice smoothie and comes in several flavors. Alternatively, I also use "Profect" protein beverage which has 0 fat & 0 carbs but 25 g protein. Ive had to get it via internet, however. The vitamin/healthfood store I use didn't have any. It comes in a bullet-type vial and is @3 oz. Good for travel. By the way, I was 69 when I had my banding. So far, down 60, but about at least another 100 to go. Keep your chin up.

Shirley, I believe the meeting starts @ 6:30 PM. I've not gone to the 50+ thread, but I have gone to the 70.

Laura, Just think, if you hadn't had the band, what weight would have been gained in the 6 months since banding? Keep plugging along. It'll come. I just had my 2nd fill (had some health issues), had to go back next day---too full. What pain!!!! :thumbup: But this one is seeming to work, but for how long I don't know. All I DO know is that I've put my dear hubby of almost 50 years through a lot of anxiety with the banding and I don't want him to go thru his angst for nothing. I've got at least 100 more to lose, in fact to hit "onederland" , I've got more than 50 to lose. Even at my age (70), I'm just keepin' on. That's it. Keep plugging. :thumbup: :smile:

Just a reminder, all you southeast Metro Detroit bandsters, there's a support meeting this coming Wednesday, May 7.

JUST A REMINDER, ALL YOU METRO DETROIT BANDSTERS. THERE'S A MEETING OF THE SUPPORT GROUP ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 2. IT'S AT 6:30 PM AT THE BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH ON THE SE CORNER OF LITTLE MACK & FRAZHO IN ST CLAIR SHORES. HOPE IT'S BETTER THAN LAST MONTH'S, WHICH WAS MY FIRST. I'M GOING TO GIVE IT A FEW MEETINGS BEFORE I DECIDE.

All I get back is "invalid file". I've tried both boxes to enter the URL. Guess I'm not as sharp as I thought I was. Julia

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I agree with Shirley S. Don't know how long most of these folks have been banded, and the meeting seemed a little lame to me. But I'm game to try it for another couple of times and then make a decision. At this time, I don't know how they'll help me. The next meeting will be April 2. Maybe I'll see you there? Julia

HI ALL, JUST A QUICK NOTE TO LET THE METRO DETROITERS WHO ARE EAST SIDERS KNOW THAT I'VE FOUND A SUPPORT GROUP. IT MEETS THE 1ST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH (THAT'S THIS COMING WEDNESDAY) AT 6:30 PM. IT'S AT THE BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF LITTLE MACK AND FRAZHO IN ST. CLAIR SHORES. I THINK I'LL ATTEND, AT LEAST THE FIRST TIME, ANYWAY. THAT'S IT. EXCEPT THAT I'M ENVIOUS OF THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TICKERS. I'VE DONE MINE, BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO TRANSFER IT TO MY RESPONSES. I'M NOT TOO LITERATE ON THE COMPUTER, BUT I'M NO DUMMY, EITHER. OH WELL...IF ANYONE OUT THERE HAS ANY SUGGESTIONS, I'LL BE GLAD TO TRY THEM OUT. JULIA

Hello All, I'm new to this thread. Thank you Sharon. I was 69 when I was banded in October '07. Had some difficulties with clots, so just had my 1st fill on Valentine's Day. It seems to be working most days, but today, for some reason, I could eat everything in the house. Oh well. I'm relieved to see that I'm NOT the oldest bandster. I work out at our local pool at least 3 x week, but I just started that last month. Up until then, I just didn't have the strength nor stamina. Something about me: married almost 50 yrs to my junior high school/high school pal. 4 adult (sometimes) kids, 6 "grands" ranging in age from 24 to 11-yr-old twins. no "greats" yet. The 24-yr old lives in NYC doing graduate work of some type for film. His sister is attending EMT classes in Ann Arbor, MI and working. The next two are also college students, one a Junior at SUNY Geneseo, also studying film production, although after graduation, she'll take some night classes for physics (go figure). She wants to be an astrophysicist, but found that taking those classes was too much in a chunk. Her sister goes to Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. She's studying engineering. The twins are 5th graders. We live in Michigan, have a log cabin in the Upper Peninsula which we don't get to enough. I'M A PACKER-BACKER, which causes all kinds of problems, since we live in a suburb of Detroit. That's it. I'll check this t hread often, now. Julia

IHERSTINE, wHAT DID YOU THINK OF DR. MEGUID? I SAW HIS PARTNER (?) DR. HAWASLI. MORE ESPECIALLY, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF HIS NUTRITIONIST? I'VE REALLY HAD A PERSONALITY CLASH WITH HER, AND THAT'S NOT REALLY LIKE ME. SO I'M LOOKING FOR ANOTHER NUTRITIONIST ON THE EAST SIDE, BUT PREFER NOT TO GO TO DETROIT. JULIA

THANKS, MARY. YES, THE FILL IS WORKING. I GOT 3 CCs AND WOW! WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MADE. BUT STILL ANOTHER PROBLEM HAS REARED ITS UGLY HEAD. NOW I'M LOSING hair REALLY FAST. I'VE BEEN TO THE HAIR LOSS THREADS BUT THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE THAT HELPFUL. I USED TO HAVE SHORT, THICK HAIR, BUT NOW IT'S SHORT AND THIN. OH WELL, THIS TOO SHALL PASS. (I HOPE) I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THE TICKER, BUT SO FAR SINCE I STARTED liquids PRIOR TO SURGERY, I'VE LOST 49 LBS. STILL A LOT TO GO, BUT IT'S A GOOD START. JULIA

KEEP YOUR CHIN UP, BLUND. I WAITED FROM FEB 1, 2007 UNTIL OCTOBER 24 TO FINALLY GET MY BAND. THE WAIT IS WORTH IT. I CAN SAY THAT NOW, BUT HAD MY DOUBTS AT TIMES. JULIA

HI ALL-- JUST A QUICK NOTE TO SAY I'VE HAD MY FIRST FILL ON THURSDAY AND IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED. I GO TO SEE DR. HAWASLI (WHO IS GREAT, BY THE WAY) AGAIN ON THE 28TH. HE'S THE ONE WHO DOES THE FILLS, NOT A NURSE. DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, (PAINWISE), BUT I'VE HAD SHOTS WHICH HURT MORE THAN THAT. SEEING THE PULMONOLOGIST TOMORROW TO BE (I HOPE) TAKEN OFF THE OXYGEN. GETTING IN AT LEAST 3 DAYS/WEEK AT THE WARREN POOL FOR WALKING AND AEROBICS. JULIA

HI CHERYL, YES, THEY DO DO FILLS AT HIS OFFICE. IN FACT, I'M HAVING MY FIRST (FINALLY) ON THURSDAY. I'VE HAD TO WAIT SINCE I'VE BEEN ON COUMADIN AND WAS TRAVELLING, SO INSTEAD OF RUSHING THE FILL AND TAKING (MAYBE) A CHANCE, WE WAITED. THE OFFICE STAFF IS OKAY. THE DOC IS VERY BUSY WITH ALL KINDS OF SURGERIES, NOT JUST BARIATRIC, SO OCCASIONALLY ONE WAITS & WAITS. I'M FEELING OKAY, BUT HUNGRY. HOPEFULLY THAT'LL GO AWAY AFTER THURSDAY. I'VE LOST @ 40 LBS SINCE I STARTED THE 2-WEEK PRE OP LIQUIDS. IN MY CASE, I DON'T KNOW IF I'D DO IT AGAIN WITHOUT HAVING A "GREENFIELD SCREEN" PUT IN TO PREVENT CLOTS. I'M AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE AND WILL NOT PUT MY HUSBAND AND FAMILY THROUGH THE SCARE OF PULMONARY EMBOLI AGAIN. ONE PIECE OF ADVICE...KEEP WALKING. THAT SHOULD HELP PREVENT CLOTS,TOO

HI CHERYL, YES, THEY DO DO FILLS AT HIS OFFICE. IN FACT, I'M HAVING MY FIRST (FINALLY) ON THURSDAY. I'VE HAD TO WAIT SINCE I'VE BEEN ON COUMADIN AND WAS TRAVELLING, SO INSTEAD OF RUSHING THE FILL AND TAKING (MAYBE) A CHANCE, WE WAITED. THE OFFICE STAFF IS OKAY. THE DOC IS VERY BUSY WITH ALL KINDS OF SURGERIES, NOT JUST BARIATRIC, SO OCCASIONALLY ONE WAITS & WAITS. I'M FEELING OKAY, BUT HUNGRY. HOPEFULLY THAT'LL GO AWAY AFTER THURSDAY. I'VE LOST @ 40 LBS SINCE I STARTED THE 2-WEEK PRE OP LIQUIDS. IN MY CASE, I DON'T KNOW IF I'D DO IT AGAIN WITHOUT HAVING A "GREENFIELD SCREEN" PUT IN TO PREVENT CLOTS. I'M AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE AND WILL NOT PUT MY HUSBAND AND FAMILY THROUGH THE SCARE OF PULMONARY EMBOLI AGAIN. ONE PIECE OF ADVICE...KEEP WALKING. THAT SHOULD HELP PREVENT CLOTS,TOO.

I'M AN EASTSIDER, TOO. MY DOC IS HEAD OF THE LAPROSCOPIC DEPT. AT ST JOHN IN DETROIT, BUT BECAUSE I'M ON MEDICARE, HE HAD TO DO IT AT HARPER IN THE DMC. HE WAS RECOMMENDED BY MY GENERAL DOC. HIS NAME IS A. HAWASLI, AND HIS OFFICE IS ON LITTLE MACK JUST SOUTH OF 10 MILE ROAD. I HAD COMPLICATIONS, BUT THAT WAS DUE TO PRIOR CONDITIONS. HE SEEMS OKAY, AND HE HAS SEMINARS REGULARLY @ SJH. JULIA

This is my first post for this forum. I was banded in Detroit on October 24. Have had no fills due to complications of pulmonary emboli (rushed to hospital 11-1). My first fill is coming up on Valentine's day. We've put it off because I'm on blood thinners. My dietary restrictions have doubled, since the thinner also puts on restrictions. I have really down days. I'm hungry all the time, and to make matters worse, I have personality conflicts with the dr's nutritionist. Since I started the pre-op liquids, til now, I've lost 40 pounds, with the majority pre-op. I'm no longer a "spring chicken" and wonder if I've made a big mistake, having this done. I guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself today. Anyhoo...thanks for listening. Julia

Hello all, I was banded in Detroit at Harper Hospital by Dr Hawasli on Oct 24. On Nov 1 I was taken via ambulance to my local hospital where I was diagnosed with pulmonary embolii. Big ones in both lungs. So I'm on blood thinners. My doc says no fills til I'm off the thinners, which MIGHT be in May or later, or possibly never. I'm older than most bandsters. I'M HUNGRY ALL THE TIME!!!!! Originally, I lost @ 40 lbs, with the liquid pre-op diet and all, but these past 2 weeks have been absolutely AWFUL!!!!! It also doesn't help that I REALLY don't like the dietician who works with the doc. She's single minded and doesn't take into effect the dietary limitations I have taking the Coumadin. Any one out there from the Metro Detroit area have any suggestions for a nutritionist I can see for further assistance? :help: Anyway, Happy New Year to all. Julia

----Thanx for the good word, Cinaberry. I'm getting stronger every day, even tho I can't do much exercise yet. My Lung doc wants me to take it easy & get my oxygen back. So does my surgeon. so no exercise, and I can't say that breaks my heart. I know I'm going to have to do it sometime, but I'll hold my peace until that time comes. ----Shirley, I'm practically a neighbor of yours. I live in Warren. So, yeah, let's chat sometimes. ----All--Have a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year. Julia

Hi all, Haven't been keeping up with my e-mails. :ranger: Not really strong enuf after all my doc visits and blood tests with the thinner. But I've lost 30 lbs since I started my liquids 2 wks prior to the surgery. The hunger is there, but with 6 small meals I can make it. Anyway, what choice do I have? And I'm no longer feeling sorry for myself. That was just an aberration. I'm sorry if I bummed anyone out. --Kimmi, congrats, and keep up the good work. --Happy Thanksgiving to all. :hungry: Julia

Thank you all for your well-wishes. I was really feeling sorry for myself. I DO thank God every day for the extra time He's given me. This was not my first go-round with clots in my lungs, although obviously I was younger. The surgery was done at Harper Hospital in Detroit. Had one Heparin shot prior to the surgery and 4 or 5 after. The oxygen's a pain in the butt, but it's only temporary, I hope. I'm losing weight without even thinking of fills. I CAN DOTHIS!!!!!!!! Now, if only I could convince my dear hubby to take off some of the cotton he's wrapped me in. Maybe in a week or two, I hope. Again thank you all. Julia

Hi all, Well, what a revoltin' mess I'm in!!!!. Had my Surgery as planned on Oct 24, went home 25th with no problems. WALKED!!!! about the house. On Thursday 11-1, I started to get short of breath, but my surgeon just blew me off. On Friday night EMS took me to the hospital where I was diagnosed with 2 large pulmonary emboli, one in each lung. Yech!!!! Just got out of the hospital today, Sunday 11-11. Here's the corker....Can't get fills till I'm off blood thinners, which could be 6-9 months OR FOREVER. Am now on oxygen. I could just spit!!!! I really feel this whole episode has been nothing but a waste of time and insurance $$. Maybe I'll feel better in the AM. Am now seeing: Blood DR, Respiratory DR, Vascular DR (still have clots in my legs), surgeon and pcp. Julia