Roll Call

Hello Everyone, Even though this board has been very very active of late I thought it would be a good time for everyone to check in with an update. There are a few people especially you guys who have been kind of quiet. I hope that many of you will be able to make the June 12th get together. Don't forget to email me and let me know you are coming and how many you are bringing, ages of any kids and what you are bringing for the pot luck. We would also like recipes so we can compile them afterwards and send them out to all of you. Well now that that public service announcement is over........Lets see where am I these days. Things are going pretty well. I am going to the gym 5-6 days a week doing different kinds of exercise but alot of water aerobics. Just love the water!! I had bought two dresses (on sale mind you) for my nieces wedding in July. I bought both of them in a size 16, one runs a bit smaller than the other. I figured that by July one or both should fit. Of course being the shopaholic that I have become I also got matching shoes for both dresses Well the other night I tried on the pink dress to check out the neckline with a necklace that I made to match it. Lo and behold the dress fits perfectly right now!!!!! Don't think it will fit so well in 2 months The smaller size 16 is still snug but I couldn't even get it on when I bought it. Hmmm......maybe be taking them to the tailor in July but hey.......that's a good thing!!! I can't believe that 6 months ago I was a 26-28 (or higher) and now some 16s are fitting. I still struggle everyday not to eat too much. I really have to work on that as my capacity seems unlimited at times. I also think I will try and fit some counseling in soon. I think that my emotional eating or my boardem (sp?) eating is getting a bit out of hand. I find it most difficult in the evenings. So I slap my own hand and try to do better the next day. Hope everyone is having a great weekend and good luck to all you having surgery this week!! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Linda

Good Morning: What a great weekend it has been so far. I patiently awaiting 6/10 for my group meeting with Dr.Bell. So far I know of 1 other person who will be there. Anyone else????? I have been reading Susan Maria's book. It is very good. I have 2 more books on order. I think I can start my own WLS library!!! I am looking forward to the get together on 6/12. I attended the 1st on back in March and that was great. It was a really good experience for me. I got to hear 1st hand info from post ops, meet other pre-ops, see what post ops really ate and let me tell you it was all yummy and healthy foods. Everyone should try to make it to the get together. I will be there with my 4 year old. My DH may have to work we are not sure yet. Anyway....best of luck to anyone having surgery this week. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. I am hoping to do some yard work today and plant some flowers. Chryssie

Good Morning Chryssie, Glad this has turned out to be such a nice weekend. June 10th will be here before you know it and then the real countdown begins! I know how hard this waiting is but it is worth it. You are so ready and you will do just great. Keep breathing and know that the time will pass. I had a hard time with the waiting as lots of people will tell you so I know what you are feeling!! Talk to you soon. Linda

Hello. I have been lurking for about 6 months and thought this would be a good time to finally say hello. I am pre-op. I have already met with my doc and am in the process of getting all of my clearances. For 3 months I have been going to the gym 4-5x/week for an hour. at 5:30 in the morning-mind you. I do cardio for 35 minutes getting my heart rate up there in the 60-75% range the entire time. Then I do weight training and another 5 minutes of cardio. And guess what. I gained 10 lbs even though I am trying to watch what I eat. All this is in preperation for the surgery and my new life. Since I feel as if I know a lot of you already I am really looking forward to this get together. Thanx for all of your sharing. Linnie

Hi Linnie, Welcome to the CT Board!! We have a great bunch here and I hope that you won't be a stranger. The more the merrier You are truly motivated going to the gym now. Don't worry it will pay off. Muscle is heavier than fat, keep telling yourself that. Having a good routine will help for after surgery. Don't expect to get your present workouts in immediately after surgery but it won't take that long. Just do a bit more each day or couple of days and before you know it you will be on a roll. I hope to get to meet you on the 12th. Please email me and let me know if you are coming etc.... Have a great day!! Linda

Hi Linda, Chryssie and Linnie! With the weight training, Linnie, it looks like you are putting on some serious muscle mass now. That will help you as a post-op, recovering from the surgery. I don't know if I've officially introduced myself on the CT board, but have posted just a couple of times and heard from some very nice people thus far. I am 31 years old, have 3 kids, a husband and so many pets in my house, I could probably charge admission! I've been researching this for some time now and it was really a good friend that convinced me, this is the right choice for me. I have a consult with Dr. Tran next Wednesday. I have all of my other appointments done. I am nervous - very nervous! I feel my blood pressure rise when I think of complications and I know I shouldn't do this! I would love to attend the get-together, but being pre-op, I have no idea what to bring for pot luck! I would hope that my husband and 4 year old could come as well.

Tara Lynn: Welcome !!! We would love for you & your family to attend the get together. Being pre-op (like me) it would be great if you could bring water, Crystal Light or paper goods. We let the post ops bring the food since they know best what they can eat. My 4 year old will be there also. Good luck next wednesday with Dr. Tran I am sure things will go great. See you 6/12. Chryssie

Hi Tara, Of course you must come to the get together and bring your family!! As Chryssie said we are asking the pre-ops to bring paper goods...ie napkins, plates, cups, plastic silverware etc. or beverages (non-sugar and non carbonated if you please ). Just drop me an email and let me know what you want to bring and how many people etc. I am trying to keep track so we are sure we have enough of the essentials. It should be a blast. I am so excited about getting to meet all my new friends in person and to check in with some old ones. Good luck with your appointment and let us know what is going on with you....... Linda

Tara -- Welcome aboard! Just wanted to tell you that I had Dr. Tran do my second surgery when I had some complications, and he was really very good. He's very talented & a nice guy. Best of luck! Kathy F.

Hi Everyone, Things are very busy for me these days. I go to Curves 3-4 times a week, and run around with my kids regularly. I don't always get to read the posts on a daily basis anymore - but I do my best to catch up when I can sit and read! I'm stuck at a plateau, and like Linda, I'm able to eat lots of food. I'd appreciate any prayers - I'd really like to get out of this cycle. I'm going to try to minimize my food intake, even though I know I can eat more. It almost feels like old habits are coming back, and I don't want that to happen. I hope EVERYONE comes to the get-together. It was a wonderful time in March, and I know it will be even better this time. If you are pre-op, don't worry about what food to bring, we'll have you bring the paper goods, stuff like that! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! God Bless, Kathy Bilodeau Lap RNY 12/3/03 -85 lbs.