Recent Posts
I had my RNY at Presby which is under the Penn umbrella, but all of my post op appointments are at Penn or rather at the Perelman Center. The whole experience from the beginning has gone off without a hitch. The support is awesome. As far as materials, they give you a binder that has all kind of useful information and you can call the nutritionist anytime with questions. Both Presby and Penn alternate the location of the support groups.
{{{Lou}}} thanks for coming back to share and encourage. It certainly is a daily challenge to stay the course. This site is a lot less active than when I first came on board, but you are right that it stays in your heart!
Congratulations on 7 years of successing!
Blessings, Jill
WLS 5/31/07. Maintaining a weight loss of 141 pounds and feeling amazing!
Congratulations and Happy Surgiversary, 
That is awesome. Being self-aware, and acknowledging changes that need to be made to get back on track is fantastic.
God bless.
Hugs,
Trish
Albert Schweitzer
I'm looking for more information about the support in the programs at Penn and Jeff. Particularly the types of support materials they provide and how well organized things are.
Thanks!
I had my surgery @ Jeanes Temple
Hubby had his surgery @ Temple
All our physicians are @ Temple
I needed to have my surgery in a "real" hospital where if something were to happen all the equipment/departments/physicians were right there. Barix has a good program however they are not a full hospital, if they had been I probably would have chosen that route.
I work in the insurance end of healthcare and hear good things about all the programs you mentioned. It is all personal choice and the surgeon you click with.
I did not click with the surgeon who did my hubby's surgery, so I used a different surgeon same surgical practice.
I have friends that have used Abington and Penn and have nothing but great things to say about the programs. So like I said it all comes down to who you click with and feel comfortable with.
Good luck in your journey - it is an amazing one!!!!
Welcome to the PA board...
Ida
IdaMae
Wow, it's great to hear from a 7 year veteran! And yes, it's a reality check. Donna and I had surgery in the same time frame - I will be 4 yrs in July - and I too am dealing with a few extra pounds. On one shoulder, I hear the "old" voice saying, "Oh, I don't know what to do!"
But my WLS reality check kick-in-the-ass voice says, "You know EXACTLY what to do you are just being too lazy to DO it!" It's all the usual stuff - lack of exercise (laziness is a habit that lurks around the next corner, just waiting for me), careless eating (what's a couple of crackers, after all?), and the slow and steady creeping of sugars back into my diet. Not in crazy amounts, not like the old days, but too much for this still-new anatomy.
I wouldn't go back to where I was five years ago for anything in the world. But we all do indeed have to be diligent. Appreciate your words of wisdom!
Lou,
Congratulations on your 7 year surgiversary. I will be 4 years out next month and know that I will always need to be vigilant about the pounds slowly creeping on. I have been maintaining for the past 8 months after a 30 pound regain. I am slowly (very slowly) starting back down the scale again. I have stopped beating myself up for the regain and am trying to focus in on the here and now and being positive. Thanks for stopping back in - I remember from my early days seeing you post a little more often. I always liked your avatar. Continued successing. Take care.
Donna
Hey All,
Many of you don't know me, but I had my GB surgery 7 years ago today and this site was a lifesaver for me throughout the first many years of my journey. I promised myself that I would check in at least once a year to be sure that people knew what happened in the long run - so here I am... it's sort of like an annual pilgrimage :)
As I peruse the site and the PA forum - many of the names have changed, but the questions, the fears, and the triumphs have remained the same. I have no sage advice... I lost about 120 lbs in the course of about a year - I exercised daily and now teach exercise to include Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, Group Fitness and Spinning. I hike, bike and try to spend as much time away from the television as possible.
I still struggle - about two years ago, I began to slowly put some weight back on and when I reached 15 lbs gained - I did a big re-evaluation and I had gotten sloppy with my habits... wasn't exercising enough... a little too much sugar... a little too much snacking. I know what works, I just have to do it - FOREVER!!! I know that, but it's easier said than done and it can sneak up on me if I am not diligent.
Best of everything to all of you regardless of what part of the journey you are on - this group and the support you received will continue to stay in your heart - trust me.
Love,
Lou
