WHATS HAPPENING-----------TUESDAY

I was finally able to attend last nights support meeting and rode to Springfield with Mel and her hubby, Terry-what a blast I had. Those 2 are the most comfortable people I have ever been around. The meeting was so awesome-I loved everyone there and I must say-it was the FIRST time I have been in a group of people that werent sitting around looking at me like I was a circus freak. Everyone was so nice and so open....I am already looking forward to next months meeting and what I can contribute!! It was so great to meet people I have seen on the board-Claudette, Jan, Lana-you guys all are so beautiful and wonderful and thanks for all the tips from food to shakes and thanks Jan for the sample of the protein bar-and then the recipe for the protein balls-which looks simple enough for even me to attempt it-and if I mess it up, I will have Mel make some up....(haha-shes the one who LOVES to cook and bake!) I am not sure that Glenna will see this or not. but thanks so much for the advice you gave me and knowing that it was normal to hit a plateua and that my thoughts of "what if I am the ONLY person that this surgery doesnt work for?" was normal? It sure feels good to be accepted with warm hugs and smiles and from people who know the struggles you have gone through. I loved that. I cant say enough about this meeting and the people-so if anyone is reading this who has been thinking of going, please come-you will NOT regret it!! Have a wonderful Tues everybody and keep our fellow OH peep, Jan in your prayers today as she goes for testing on her shoulder. We love you Jan and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Jan

Hi Missouri OH board peeps, What a great Circle of Friends meeting last night. We rocked the fire station. It is so great to meet all the folks we visit with on here. I definitely think a live support group is very important. We get support here from those we live far from but we also need to get together and support our friends face to face too. I wouldn't give up either one. Today is four weeks from surgery for me and I've lost 18 pounds. Since I first decided to have WLS I've lost 43 pounds so that's significant. I am feeling wonderful and starting to feel better in my clothes. I so recommend this surgery. It is a small price to pay, food, for having a healthier life. I love you all, and appreciate your caring, loving support. Hugs and love, Lana

Good morning all, Last nights meeting was soooooo good. It was great to meet everyone. I learned so much, next month I will have to remember to bring pen and paper....I thought of several points or questions and of course forgot them when I could ask. Thank you for the samples and recipes, I appreciate that very much. Have a good day everyone. Tara.

Good Morning Everyone: Wow last night was so much fun. Between the ride there, the meeting and the trip home. It was so good to see some of you again. It had been several months since I had been to a support meeting. And to finally put body's to face from off the board. Claudette, Glenda thank you for the daily/hourly/by the minute prayers when I had my surgery. I thank God we have so many wonderful Prayer Warriors here on our board!!! Today is going to be laundry, maybe get a few things packed. Go thro some of my tapes that I recorded. And get some things done on the net. I need to get my movies/dvd listed for sale and update my profile. Try and add a few pic's ect. Like I said it was so good to see some of you again. Vesta: You sure was missed sweetie. Hopefully you can make it next month. Andrew: I am keeping both fingers crossed that you can come to March's meeting!!! Lana: You look so wonderful. But of course I always thought you was a beatiful lady to begin with. Jan: Thanks for the recepies & the sample of the protein bars. You will be in my thoughts and prayers today for your MRI. Please let us know how your doing. Sugar: Sweetie pie it wont be long now until you get your surgery date. It was so good to see you again!! Tami: As always it was so good to see you again. I remember you from the other support meetings. I pray you all have a wonderful day. God Bless Melissa

ONG Melissa!! I forgot we HAVE met at the other meetings! I'm sorry! You've just changed SOOOO much!! And that REALLY was quite a while back! Please excuse my memory loss! I'm too young for "oldtimers" disease but Jim swears I have it!!! LOL YOU LOOK GREAT!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing more of your story with us last night. AMAZING what all you and your family went through. We are so gald you are here to share it!!! Hugs!Tami

Well Praise the Lord, What a beautiful day it is today. Still kind of cold but it sure is nice to see the sun shining so bright. This morning we had a couple errands to run plus do our cardio workout at the gym. I think I'm finally seeing some results, I lost a couple pounds this week so hopefully it'll get to moving off now. I been at a stand still for awhile but thats to be expected. Sounds like ya'll had a great meeting last night, thats awesome. I can't wait til march when we can stop by and see everyone, it'll be really great! Deb M. You mention about having to transfer from chair to bed to surgery table with your back feelin like it is, once your get on the bed for them to take you to the holding area for surgery you wont have to get off of it. On the bed will be what I call a hover craft air mattress. Once you get into the surgery room they'll plug that thing up and it will fill up with air, once it's full they'll just slide you right on over to the surgery table, its like it floats on air, I told the one doing it to keep a good hold on me I didnt wanna go floating around the room LoL I was kind of doped up by then lol. And as for the surgery table, the one I was on was like it was filled with gel, once they let down on it and unplugged the hover craft the mattress on the table just formed around my body, it was kind of neat lol more comfortable then I expected. Well anyway, I've got a couple things to get done, sure hope everyone is having a great day. Jan do let us know when ya find out how you tests went, we're prayin for ya. Andrew

HI jAN, I really enjoyed the meeting last night and was nice meeting you . Everyone was so nice. Lana and I got to finally meet , over chilli at Wendys. Jan thanks for the samples of the protein bars and the web site. Melissa I havn't tried the strawberry powder yet but maybe tonight, I am terrible with names, it takes me a while to remember names, but It was a pleasure meeting everyone there. Lana thanks for the protein sample of Unjury. I have been wanting to try that. I have lost ONLY 13 lbs since my surgery but a total o****ince I started the jounery to WLS. I have been working on it for a while, I am doing everything right and following the rules so sooner or later it will come off. I still have a problem of things getting stuck, and wont go down, even water, then I start spitting up yucky stuff, only thing that helps me is gas x. I am barely eating two or three tablespoons . I am hoping to go back to the pool at Ozark fittness next week. Lana I got the recipies for the cookies and protein balls, I am going to make them tonight. I have been sewing all day on a christiing dress for a doll I made last month, I love to sew. Have a great day. Glenda

What a great meeting! Last night at the firestation we again were one big "Circle of Friends!!" Thanks sis for the recipe and I just had a thought of using the choc. mint flavor protien powder and making pb and mint balls!??? Maybe? It is worth a try Tara, was so great to see you there and we will definately get together for lunch.. Melissa, I cant believe how wonderful you looked last night, I thought you were as pretty as could be the first time we met (when you were excited because you could fit behind the steering wheel) remember? Oh what stories ever one has to share! Lana, your'e a hoot and looking really great. Thanks Claudette for keeping us going and making me laugh...Of course Chris has something to do with that last night! What a fun guy! I am so hoping that I too will be able to add to the great wisdom gathered in the firehouse walls! I suppose I will know Thursday if the surgery will be a "GO"

Jan, I checked out the link for the protein bars. They look awesome. The mint ones for example have 10 carbs and 7 sugars. Have you tried them with success. I was just curious if the carbs and sugars set well with you - anyone else?? Marilyn