WLSResources/ClothingExch

Sorry about that and for the delay in responding; I hadn't "followed" the topic, so just saw your question by sheer luck. It is indeed Thursday, October 22 (I just now edited my earlier post). For convenience, here's the flyer link again. Thanks for catching my error, briefs199. Laurie Clothing Exch Master PATIENTS.docx

If you plan on being at Saturday's meeting and travel Manhattan streets (bus, taxi, bike or other), give yourself some extra travel time. There will be street closings for the Avon Walk. The Walk's website probably provides details on the street closings and times.

You don't sound pervy, Pirate. You sound like a seaman too long at sea. Just keep both hands in full view and you'll survive intact. "Sascrotch" -- good pun. Refers to anatomy before reconstructive surgery, yes?

Sorry about my message above. I didn't see your note about having broken up with him, so I wrote only based on your initial note.

BellaBloom, you ask "Why am I still here?" You're the one who has the answer. You're the one who has to do the work. Pen and paper, two columns: What makes this relationship worthwhile? What makes it not worthwhile? Sit down, keep your entries very brief and specific (e.g., his breath stinks; I can't understand slurred speech; he falls over, et al.). When you run out of things to write, put the pad down and pick it up any time later as new things come to mind. In the end, see which column is longer. You begin by implying that you've been here before, but not with an alcoholic. Here's something I discovered. If you care to roll it around in your mind, you may find that it has meaning for you, too: I don't believe in the practice of human sacrifice, especially if I'm the one to be sacrificed. You say you like his company. An alcoholic is not company. The non-alcoholic in the pair finds that she either (a) drinks more than she ordinarily does or would for lack of someone to talk to and for a false sense of company, or doesn't drink in order to be caretaker/chauffeur to the drinker. Neither makes for a fun evening. I know this because, long ago, I had a quasi-relationship of the type. A man who worked in another city for my company came in every few weeks for a few days. I'd see him once during each trip, which was fine, but the time together was crummy. It took me a while to figure it out. [sorry about the yellow face. It should be lower case "b" in parentheses, but it automatically turns into the yellow blob. So does "b)."] You like his company, yet he's boring and shows no interest in you? Ask yourself how that works. At the same time he shows no interest, he professes love and desire. For him this relationship is about sex. Stay there if it's what you want, but if so, be aware that you can't complain. If convenient sex isn't what you want, leave. If you have a history of sticking with dead-end guys, therapy. Above all, SOMETIMES ALONE IS BETTER. Laurie

Victory!

Plenty of times I'd like to use accent marks, but don't know if they work in BariatricPal. I have Windows 7 and use Firefox. It never occurred to me before just to try. Here goes using alt codes: La pièce de la résistance Ç'est la vie If it worked, please ignore the question. If not, can you help? Thanks.

Too many entries and too little time to read thoroughly, so I'll make a couple of comments, throw in something unrelated but useful, and then end with la pièce de la résistance. A lapband woman lost lots of weight. She had a few reconstructive procedures in whatever order/combinations. She described the result of her mons lift (that's what I'll call it) as "perky." She was very happy. Lose enough weight and your feet will get smaller, as will your fingers (smaller ring size, y'know), et al. The fat comes off everywhere. If you're in the NYC area, come to the free, semi-annual Greater New York Bariatric Surgery Clothing Exchange on Thursday, October 22, in midtown. See the attachment for details. The exchange is five and a half years old. The email address near the end is my own. I don't make your email addresses or anything else available to others. Finale: If that Pirate character is touching himself as he types, may he feel the blade of a cutlass cross his neck. (You expected a different body part? Stop that.) Laurie Clothing Exch Master PATIENTS.docx

The Greater New York Bariatric Surgery Clothing Exchange began five and one-half years ago as a volunteer/participant-arranged adjunct of the lapband support group of NYU Langone Medical Center. Logistics matters soon proved that new quarters were needed. The move made it possible to invite people from other hospitals in the area. The clothing exchange welcomes those who've had any of the weight-loss procedures or are scheduled for one. It's free! It's semi-annual. Details for the October 22, 2015, event follow. I'll be happy to answer any questions about it here in the forum. If you'd like to receive notices of future exchanges via direct email, shoot a note to me at bandsterswap@yahoo.com. I like to have an idea of where potential participants had surgery and how they learn of the exchange, so please mention your WLS hospital and BariatricPal. The Yahoo address is my own; I do not make anyone's information or email address available to others. If you've attended before or receive notices from your surgery practice, you'll see a new address for our wonderful, non-profit host. We've also switched to a weekday evening from the Saturdays at their previous quarters. Hope to see you! Laurie ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GREATER NEW YORK BARIATRIC SURGERY CLOTHING EXCHANGE [For Men and Women Who Have Had or Are Scheduled for WLS] Join us at our host's NEW, MIDTOWN MANHATTAN LOCATION THURSDAY * OCTOBER 22, 2015 * 6 P.M.– 8 P.M. Where: BOTTOMLESS CLOSET 16 East 52nd Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10022 (between Fifth and Madison Avenues) Everything must be clean, intact and ready for wearing. Intimates (e.g., workout clothes, leggings, underwear, swimwear, sleepwear, socks, hosiery) must be new/unused/unworn. Accessories in good condition are great (belts, jewelry, scarves, neckties, purses, shoes, etc.). Dressing rooms are available. Need nothing now? Feel free to bring items you're no longer using and stay for the conversation. Bottomless Closet, our host, helps disadvantaged NYC women enter and succeed in the workforce and improve the quality of their lives. All items not adopted during our event are donated to BC. Documents will be available for tax purposes. Contact bandsterswap@yahoo.com if you have any questions about the exchange. If you'd like to help set up, come at 5:30. If you're able to stay a little past 8:00 to straighten up, great.

Finally Fit, we're speaking of midtown Manhattan: . Two blocks from St. Patrick's; just off Rockefeller Center; and a few blocks from the theater district. There is a bit of street parking, but I wouldn't chance it myself unless I were willing to drive 'round and 'round in midtown rush hour traffic. There are garages nearby; I don't have lists, but you can find them by searching online. That said -- and despite the fun it would be to have you, although we don't have prizes for the "alumna who traveled farthest to the reunion" -- be aware that the selection, quantity and sizes of the clothes that will be available depend on what people bring in and how many people attend. If you'll be in the area for other purposes as well, by all means join us. If the exchange would be your only reason for making the trip from Mass., let meeting some good people be your chief goal. Laurie

Thank you, Miz Bufflehead. I'm online with my laptop, so it's straightforward. If I can't figure out how to find my posts, you know I don't do those app-y, phone and tablet things. I've had an iPod Touch about 5 years and only took some photos in the past few months. Now I have to figure out how to download them for emailing. I look foward to joining the century and may see you there. Happy weekend to you.

Is there a way to see a list of my posts? I want to find something I wrote when I first joined, but have no idea where I wrote it. Thank you.

Is this where I answer you? I can't figure out much of this site's tech stuff. Never mind that. You know that as long as you do the right things, the weight loss will catch up with you. And, as you say, seeing your clothing sizes decrease goes a long way. 'nuf said. I feel guilty about hijacking the fish topic.

I've been organizing a free bariatric surgery clothing exchange for men and women in the NYC area for five and a half years. It's an in-person* event held at a non-profit that serves underprivileged women who are preparing to enter the workforce. All of the clothes that the exchange participants bring that are not adopted within our group are donated to the non-profit for their clients. One of the best things is that we have the use of dressing rooms! Just as good is knowing that we help solve our host's perpetual shortage of larger sizes. The next clothing exchange is set for Thursday evening, October 22. The link below will take you to the detailed flier I send to individuals and bariatric practices in the area. I'll be glad to answer any questions. If you'd like to receive notices of future exchanges by email, shoot me a note at bandsterswap.com so that I can add you to my list. I never make contact information available. Please mention your bariatric hospital and BariatricPal (I like to have an idea of where potential participants had surgery and learned of the event). Hope to see some of you! Laurie * No packing/shipping/size-guessing/expense. Be there or be square. Clothing Exch Master PATIENTS.docx

Thank you, too, Vanessa. If my note was any help to you, I'm way ahead of the game. I noticed that you had surgery not even four weeks ago. You're had an amazing start and I wish you joy and success all the way. Laurie

Oop, sorry. After posting what I'd written here, I noticed the button for editing. Did so above.

Tink, I get the impression from reading between the lines of your note that fish has not yet passed your lips. If this is correct, why not have a few fish meals at a restaurant before you run around buying and cooking? Beyond that, I see others have made so many suggestions for dipping your toes in the Water, so to speak. It seems to me that you might make your first forays with the "meatier, more solid" (my quotation marks) types, e.g., fresh tuna, salmon, swordfish, halibut. Red snapper, too. The simpler the preparation, the better. Baked or broiled with some simple seasoning and wedges of fresh lemon to taste. In the end, though, you'll have to choose yourself. So many suggestions of so many dissimilar varieties will only make you dizzy. There are countless recipes available online or in books and magazines. An old, excellent, basic book by a late, beloved, revered star/champ that will teach you much so that you'll be able to improvise your own recipes is "The New James Beard Book of Fish Cookery." That's not the exact title, but you'll find it by searching parts of it. It should be available at Amazon, Powells or any of the used-book sites, some of which specialize in cookbooks. Here's a cool tip: The Canadian theory of fish cookery, which I learned of from Jimmy. It's the work of the Canadian dept. of fisheries or some such. Cooking time is essentially 10 minutes per inch of thickness, but read the book (or search online?). I'd spell it out more clearly for you, but all my cookbooks are packed away and out of reach. Best wishes as you move ahead. Laurie

How about a lovely moving van?

Mom26, I'm so glad you stopped by so that I can congratulate you on your very recent surgery. Or maybe it's still a few days off? In any case I wish you the greatest pleasure and success and hope you'll be able to take part in the clothing exchange. Laurie

Going strong for five and one-half years, the Greater New York Bariatric Clothing Exchange invites men and women who have had any of the weight-loss procedures or are scheduled for surgery. It's free, it's fun, and the next event is coming up Thursday evening, October 22, 2015. For full information, follow this BariatricPal link... ...http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/351620-greater-new-york-bariatric-surgery-clothing-exchange-free-10222015/ Laurie

My visits to BariatricPal are very rare, as I'm a poor navigator. I just posted, however, a notice of the next Greater New York Bariatric Surgery Clothing Exchange (October 22). I'm so glad I did, or I wouldn't have made my way to this notice for the October 17 Face to Face meeting. It's now engraved on my calendar. Since the Face to Face is for our area, I hope I'm not out of bounds with the following link to the clothing exchange info? Laurie http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/351620-greater-new-york-bariatric-surgery-clothing-exchange-free-10222015/

To people who ask me whom to tell and when to tell, I always advise to tell no one whom you would not give your SSN or bank statement. It seems that Jerr Bear confided in someone who gossiped. Shame on that person. Someone here suggested a simple reply to the negative comments -- something like "That's nice." That's probably the best way to handle the all-knowing, judgmental bozos, but how many of us can really carry it off? Now and then I point out that those of us who have surgery do the same that others do: Change our eating patterns, exercise, et al. On top of that we have surgery which is far from magical, so who's taking the easy way? Other times I say somewhat icily, "I requested neither your opinion nor your advice on a personal matter. Your negativity is out of line and I expect to hear no more about it." In any case I respond as I think suits the person and occasion. Fiddle-dee-dee to all of 'em.

I joined BP yesterday. My first official action was to inadvertently block (I think that's what the little option window said) the signature on a forum post I was read. My search for help failed. Here's hoping someone can tell me how to restore that nice member's signature block. She didn't know and suggested I write to Alex, the founder, but I can't even find a way to contact him. Thank you.

I just joined Bariatric Pal and am so happy to find the post about the clothing exchange. The only thing missing due to my own error is that next week's event marks the fifth anniversary of this free, semi-annual program. I'm proud that it's the longest-running show of its kind by far. Anyone wanting more information or to receive notices of future exchanges, contact me at bandsterswap@yahoo.com, the email I use only for the exchange. Please mention Bariatric Pal and the hospital/practice at which you had surgery. I'll keep your contact information private. To introduce myself: I had surgery at Columbia UMC and began attending the NYUMC support group. A few months post-op and in need of new clothes, I dove in to organize an exchange to coincide with a meeting. After a second exchange, I partnered with Bottomless Closet to open for us on weekends. The venue not only gives us a cozy space and dressing rooms, but also leeway to include patients all over the area who've had any of the bariatric procedures. The interest that the staff have in spreading the word is gratifying. I'm also grateful to the NYU practice for having been a friendly nesting ground for this endeavor. Go Walking, It sounds as though you'll be there on the 21st. I'm looking forward to seeing you. Laurie