Mrs. P

SLOW COOKER TURKEY AND DRESSING from Southern Living 1 (8 oz) package herb-seasoned stuffing mix (we tested with Pepperidge Farm) 1 onion, chopped 2 celery ribs, chopped 1 cup dried cranberries 3/4 cup chicken broth 3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 1 (3 pound) frozen boneless turkey breast, thawed 1/4 teaspon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1 (0.88 ounce) package turkey gravy mix Coat inside of a 4 quart electric slow cooker with cooking spray. Add stuffing mix, onion, celery and cranberries. Combine broth and melted butter. Pour over stuffing and stir gently. Remove string from turkey breast. Rinse turkey breast. Place turkey in slow cooker on top of stuffing. Combine salt, pepper, and thyme; sprinkle over turkey. Cover and cook on HIGH 1 hour. Reduce to LOW and cook 5 to 6 hours or until a meat thermometer inserted in turkey registers 170 degrees. Remove turkey to a serving platter. Stir stuffing gently in slow cooker; cover and let stand 3 to 4 minutes. Prepare gravy. Spoon stuffing around turkey on platter. I have not tried this recipe so can't say how good it is but it sounds good and easy.

Did you thaw the turkey before you cooked it? I've found a recipe from Southern Living for crockpot turkey and stuffing that I was going to fix for Thanksgiving. The recipe calls for a 3 lb turkey breast, thawed. I'm extra paranoid about meat being done and wasn't going to try it if there's a chance it doesn't get to 170 degrees. I'll post the recipe in case anyone is interested...it sounds yummy and easy.

Sounds fun....we can encourage each other and get psyched up for the holidays :peep: All of our surgery dates are pretty close to each other so we all should be dealing with a lot of the same things.

Alicia, I'm from Chattanooga and work downtown also. Don't post very much but always read. I know of one other person on the boards from Chattanooga (Surby). There are a few postings under the Tennessee thread. I wouldn't mind some sort of get-together. I go to the support group meetings at Dr. Ponce's office but it would be nice to get to know others and really talk about all the nitty-gritty lapband stuff

Thank you very much!! My thoughts exactly. If I could drop 50 lbs. I wouldn't have been looking in to having surgery. Bad thing about it, I had approval from my insurance for the surgery then when I went to see the new surgeon (during a new year) they denied my surgery:angry I wanted the surgery so bad I self payed and then appealed to my insurance. I found out just last week they are going to pay for my surgery:clap2: :clap2: I'm so thankful I didn't let it go when they said they wouldn't cover it and appealed. I am now a happy camper. Just got to get that perfect restriction.

Dr. Ponce performed my surgery. I go to his Chattanooga office and had my surgery at Memorial Hospital. Like Surby said he is one of the most experienced doctors performing lapband. Everytime I'm in for a visit there is someone there who has come from out of state...even places like Atlanta where you know there are plenty of doctors. I went to another surgeon in town first who would not do the surgery because my BMI was too high. I struggled for a year trying to lose 50 lbs with no luck. I finally decided to go see Dr. Ponce and he said no problem!! He's my hero

I've thought about this also and would love to hear what the more experienced folks have to say. Sometimes I start to get that golf ball feeling after just three or four bites and I've wondered does this mean I'm full or I just need to slow down, take smaller bites and chew more.:noidea:

Hi Brenda What an inspiration you are. You look fantastic! I live in Chattanooga and had my surgery performed by Dr. Ponce. Have you tried the support group meetings at Memorial? I was originally seeing Dr. Rose and last time I was there (first of the year) they were having monthly meetings. I need to jog my memory...somewhere I saw a list of support group meetings listed by state. They say the first thing that goes is your memory:) If I remember where I saw it I'll let you know.

Welcome Huberslave!! I had my surgery with Dr. Ponce so I've heard of Dr. Fromm since they're in the same office. Don't have any personal experiance with Dr. Fromm but everyone else in the office is great. Every time I'm at the office there is someone else waiting who has come from out of town or even out of state...some places out of state like the Atlanta area where you know there are surgeons who perform lapband surgery. To me that speaks volumes if someone is willing to drive two or three hours when they have surgeons in the home city. When is your surgery??

Larry, Congrats on your surgery!! Glad everything went well and your recovery continues to go smoothly.

Dr. Ponce did my surgery at Memorial and it was $18,500 self pay. I had a higher BMI so I was not able to go to the surgery center in Dalton. Too bad...it would have saved me about $5,000 I love everyone at Dr. Ponce's office. They are SO nice, helpful and supportive!!

Larry, Best of luck with your surgery on the 29th. I know everything will go well!! You've probably found it by now but I found the butter pecan glucerna at Walmart....never saw the banana. Sounds good!! Keep us posted on how your surgery goes.

I live in Chattanooga. My surgery was performed by Dr. Jaime Ponce at the Gastric Band Institute. He is one of the most experienced surgeons in the country with the lapband, was in on the trials and is certified to train other surgeons. You can check out their website: www.gastricbandinstitute.com. There are also other doctors in Chattanooga who perform the lapband. You can contact them through Memorial Hospital Weight Management. Good luck!! You'll love Tennessee

This was one of the topics of discussion at my support group meeting last week. The nurse said the liquid diet was because of the swelling after the fill, which is a natural reaction of our body. They do not want you to get in the vicious cycle of throwing up which will cause more swelling and more problems that could potentially cause you to have to be unfilled.

I was told by the nurse at my surgeon's office that your bites should be the size of half of the first joint of your pinky finger. Being a new bandster I'm sure my mouth dropped open when she said that. :omg: This is definately a whole new learning process for me.

WOW Sandy!! 142 lbs lost :clap2: What an inspiration you are for those of us just beginning. One of these days I hope to see that big of a loss in my signature line. Don't you just love Dr. Ponce? I started out with Dr. Rose and switched to Dr. Ponce and I'm so glad I did. Congrats again!!:clap2: :clap2:

Hi Lisa! I live in Chattanooga and was banded on 6/8/06 by Dr. Ponce. I haven't had any hair loss but I'm still new to being banded. I've been told as long as you get your 50-60 grams of Protein a day you shouldn't have a problem with hair loss. Good luck with your surgery!!!!

I had to do a two week liquid diet (Glucerna, two servings juice, two servings yougurt per day) prior to surgery. I have a much higher BMI. The diet was to shrink my liver and make the surgery safer and easier. They said it would also cut down on nausea, sickness after surgery and make the recovery easier. From what I've been told my surgery went really well and I've had no nausea, vomitting or gas pains whatsoever. I contribute doing so well to the pre-op diet preparing my body...plus I lost 15 lbs in the process

I'm another one of those who "has issues" with books. The other day I mentioned to my DH that I had stopped in the used bookstore to waste some time. His immediate response was "where are they?" He knows me well I'll read just about anything...cereal boxes, phone books.... I just finished The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd and I'm currently reading The Rescuer by Dee Henderson. This is the last book in a series about six siblings who are all in public service type jobs...fireman, hostage negotiator, U.S. Marshal, etc. I'm waiting for the sixth Harry Potter book to come out in paperback this month.

I used Dr. Ponce in Chattanooga. You might check out his website also: gastricbandinstitute.com He is very experienced with the lapband (over 1000) and also trains other doctors. Good luck!!

Hello TN foks!! I live in Chattanooga and was banded on 6/8/06 by Dr. Jaime Ponce. It's nice to see others who live close by and also others who have seen Dr. Ponce. I don't know anyone pesonally who has had the lapband so I'll come here for a lot of my support and questions.

Tina, I'm just four weeks post-op myself and know exactly what you're going through. I was able to start solids Thursday and all I seem to think about is what can I eat!! I've noticed some foods I used to really enjoy don't seem as appealing after they've been chewed to mush. Guess it's for the best cause it's things I really shouldn't eat anyway. I've not lost any more weight since I started mushies and I'm scared I'll gain since I'm now eating solids. Next week I call to schedule my first fill (they want to make sure you're handling solids). I'm excited about the fill and can't wait to get restriction!! Sounds like you're making positive changes by starting to sew and cooking more healthy. Hang in there!! We'll make it!!

Wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I was banded 6/8/06 in Chattanooga, TN by Dr. Jaime Ponce (my hero).:cheer2: I started the process a year and a half ago. It has been a very long journey getting my band. You know the old saying...what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I've learned patience. I've learned to take a more active roll in my health care and not hestitate to seek out a second opinion from another physician. I've learned that what is so one day may not be so the next day. I've learned if you want something bad enough and are determined to get it you will eventually find a way. During my journey to being banded I have read this board regularly and have found the answer to many of my questions both before and after surgery and all sorts of information to help me with my decision. The success you all have had has given me the inspiration to continue on the roller coaster road to being banded when I would hit another obstacle and feel like giving up. Thanks to everyone for all the encourgement you have unknowingly given. :clap2: Maybe I'll be able to return the favor one day.