Melissa Lea

Hello Heather, My philosophy is the old saying, "If you can dream it, you can achieve it." Remember, it is your personal goal and no one elses. If you want to be a size 8 then be a size 8. The number on the scale doesn't matter so much. You can be 150 pounds over lean muscle from working out, and be a size 8. Or you can be 120 pounds and size 8. Hope that makes sense. Melissa Lea :hippie: Pre-bandster Spivak (6/9/06) self-pay

Hi Jillia -- I have my procedure scheduled for June 9th as well:clap2: I'm not sure about swimming after surgery. They may need your wounds to heal first to prevent any bacteria from infecting them. Ask your doc. As for the liquid diet --I am sure you will do just fine! Besides, from what I've read, most people do not have much of an appetite right after surgery. Melissa Lea

Hi Paulax -- I know how you feel. My date is June 9th. I wished I could have gotten it sooner but my personal schedule would not permit it. It almost feels like I am a kid on Christmas Eve --just waiting to open presents. We can wait together Melissa Lea

This sounds like a blast!! I put my vote in. I can't wait to meet you all. Melissa Lea

Hi Melissa -- Your immune system is not compromised because of the band. Your immune system is compromised because of the low calorie intake needed for weight loss. Let's face it, most people need more than 1000-1200 calories a day to sustain life. Anything less than that depletes our nutritent stores, promotes weight loss, and decreases (weaker) immune system. I would suggest that you make sure you are getting your multi-Vitamin every day. You might want to take some chewable Vitamin C as well. You may also want to consider some natural remedies like echinacea. That's my 2 cents! Melissa Lea

Hi Nancy M. I do not know of a support group on the Pearland area. I know that on the yahoo, Houston Area Bandster Group that they are trying to get a Galleria area support group going. I'm not sure if there is a SW group or not. You might want to check out that web group and see. Melissa Lea

Hey there BiggestLoser -- I am a memeber of the yahoo group .....Houston Area Bandsters. I know that there are several groups that meet on a regular basis through out the city. You might want to check them out. If you need to link let me know. Melissa Lea

Hey Barbara -- I'm excited for you! Can't wait to meet you next Thursday. Melissa Lea

Hi Barbara -- Can't wait to meet you at our meeting. I am scheduled for the procedure in June as well. Who's your surgeon? I've chosen Spivak. I'm also self-pay. That bites a little but it's almost worth not having to go through all the red tape of insurance companies. See You April 6. Again --ALL are welcome to join our group. Melissa Lea

Hi there! I have a support group for the Spring/Woodlands/Conroe & Surrounding areas. Our next meeting is April 6, 2006. North Bandster Meeting Thursday April 6, 2006 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Event Location: Cafe Express (The Woodlands Market Street) Address: 9595 Six Pines Dr., Suite 150 The Woodlands, TX 77380 ALL are welcome! Hope to see some new faces there. Melissa

Saliva contains digestive enzymes that helps to break foods down --typically in the mouth. I assume when something gets stuck at the stoma (cardiac sphincter muscle leading into the stomach), a signal is triggered to produce more saliva for the digestive enzymes. That's my 2 cents anyway. Melissa Lea

Congrats Lynne!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Let us know how it all goes once your on the banded side of life. Melissa Lea :hippie:

Hi Barbara-- Keep in touch for the next meeting time. You can also join the Houston Area Bandster yahoo group for meeting times/support/etc. Enjoy your company! Melissa

Hi there! We have a support group for the Spring/Woodlands/Conroe & Surrounding areas. Our next meeting is tomorrow night. North Bandster Meeting Thursday March 23, 2006 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Event Location: Cafe Express (The Woodlands Market Street) Notes: 9595 Six Pines Dr., Suite 150 The Woodlands, TX 77380 All are welcome! Hope to see you there! Melissa

Hi Lynne -- The Houston Area Bandster yahoo group does have a Cypress group. In fact, I think that they are meeting tonight (3/22). All are welcome to join the yahoo group and attend any of the support meetings. You do not have to be banded to be a memeber. There are many, like myself, in the pre-bandster stage. Best wishes to you! Melissa

Hi Mary B -- We are a new group that is meeting every other Thursday. So far we have been meeting at Cafe Express at Market Street Center in The Woodlands. However, the group feel is to change things up. If you want, you can keep up to date on our support group meetings by viewing the calendar and/or post at Houston Area Bandsters Yahoo Group http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HoustonAreaBandsters/ , Just like the community here, HAB is another great support system and offers a variety of support group locations. You are always welcome to email me for further details. Hope to meet you soon! Melissa Lea

Hi Mary B. -- I'm from The Woodlands also. I'm not banded yet. I have a tenative date set for June 9th. Will get that date finalized in the next 2 weeks. MD is planning vacation so they wanted to know date I was looking for. Hope you can make it to the North Bandster Support Group! Melissa Lea

Hi Phyllis -- Yes there are bandsters in your area. In fact, we will have our North Bandster Support Group meeting this Thrusday, March 23, 2006 at Cafe Express in the Woodlands Market Street Center,across from the Woodlands Mall (9595 Six Pines Dr., Suite 150 The Woodlands, TX 77380) All are welcome to attend. Hope to see you there! Melissa

Hello Everyone! I'm new to this site. My friend KarenJ told me about it at our support meeting. Finally have an opportunity to check it out. Actually, I'm not in the mood to work :hat: . Cool site. I work in healthcare in outpatient education. I'm a pre-bandster:hungry: with a tenative date of June 9th :clap2: . See at the next meeting KarenJ, same place/same time. Next time we bowl :heh: Melissa Lea