Hello Fellow Wyomingites,  I don't even know if that is considered a word.  LOL.  All is well in Northeastern Wyoming.  We have survived another "winter storm/blizzard" in which I had to learn just how "out of shape" I am by digging my car out of 18 inches of snow--and I drive a VW Bug.  Thank goodness I didn't have to dig out around a full-size car.  And also thank goodness my BUG gets around in the snow better than most 4-wheel drives.

It's a difficult time of year for those of us who must enjoy the outdoors from our living room picture window as opposed to actually being out there walking, hiking, camping, gardening, etc.  I could go to the gym, but I don't know of any that are truly FREE and my financial situation at the moment does not include gym membership.  I have put on weight, especially over the past few months due to major stress in my life.  The "Art of Grazing" should be a best-selling novel since it is already a cardinal sin to those of us who have undergone gastric bypass surgery.  I lie in bed every single night and vow that tomorrow will be different.  How many of you do the same thing?  I will just start over with the basic fundamentals I learned right after surgery.  I will eat 5 small meals per day, I will exercise for at least 15 minutes each day, I will write/journal/blog my frustrations, I will read something inspirational, I will learn to BE HAPPY and JUST LIVE MY LIFE.  Yet, every morning when I wake, I trudge to the coffee pot and start the day out with a caffeine buzz.  I eat cheese and crackers--just one small package is all I can stand.  I watch the birds and the turkeys and/or deer frolic over the frozen tundra that used to be my backyard.  Then I sit down to check the daily news and read my email.  All of this is over in less than 2 hours and I'm left with deciding how to spend the rest of my day.  I get out the Yoga mat and do a few stretches just to keep myself limber.  I could go all out and get out my Tara Stiles DVD and do an actual Yaga routine, but I'd hate to deter from my mundane daily routine of feeling sorry for myself and wishing the fat or the number on the scale would just magically go down by itself.

It has been 5 years since my gastric bypass surgery and although I did lose 120 pounds in my first year post op, I have gained 35 pounds of that back and I just can't work up the ambition to do something about it.  I lead the Weight Loss Surgery Support Group in Sheridan on the first Monday of every month.  I read and research every month for a program to present to my attendees, and it is always spectacular.  I am not a good public speaker due to short term memory problems that stem from a brain injury years ago--I cannot remember the details that I want to talk about.  And then there is the self-image problems that I experience from weight gain.  Who wants to attend a meeting led by a woman that cannot even keep her own program going?  I have shed tears over this negative thinking and have vowed to just stop and smell the roses.  Mostly I just keep on keeping on.  What more can I say?

 

Our January meeting here in Sheridan highlighting "Just Start Over" based upon the strategies you already know.  In other words, throw out those New Year's resolutions and just start over.  If you've put weight back on---this is for you.  I would be happy to share a written copy of my program and handouts to anyone interested.  You may contact me by leaving a personal message on my blog, or call me at 307-655-5329.  Hope everyone is doing well!!!

Thanksgiving is the first of the EATING holidays of winter celebrations.  I can't believe it is less than 2 weeks away.  I have decided that the best route for me is "being a guest."  I have been invited to spend the holiday with an old girlfriend and her husband and I've decided to take them up on it.  This means that my family:  my two sons, their spouses, and children will have to fend for themselves for the first time EVER.  Mom/Grandma won't be available to do all the cooking and clean-up--including all the meal planning  and grocery shopping.  This LESS STRESS approach will be new and different for me, but I am looking forward to it. And I think it will allow me to enjoy the meal and the celebration more than I have in years.  I have heard some "not very nice" words about my decision and I'm a little upset about that, but I think this is the right choice for me and I'm proud to be posting that I AM MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR ME for the first time in a very long while.  Stay tuned and I will let you know how it all worked out.  In the meantime, I pray that everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving celebration and don't forget to GIVE THANKS for the good things in life--be it people, possessions, or even cir****tances.  Gina

It has come to my attention that there is no longer a support group available in the Gillette area.  I invite any individuals who have had any type of weight loss surgery or those who are interested in having weight loss surgery to come to our meetings in Sheridan OR to CALL ME with any questions/difficulties you might be having.  I would so love to help you.  I am attaching our meeting notice below and I hope to see you there.  FYI:  I am a certified Obesity Help Support Group Leader plus I am studying to become a Health/Nutrition Coach.  I had the Roux-en-Y bypass surgery done in January 2007.  I initially lost 128 pounds (in my first year.)   Unfortunately I am struggling with weight regain like many of our members due to the fact that I have mastered the art of grazing.  I need your help and support as much as you need mine.

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SUPPORT GROUP MEETING

WHEN: Monday -- November 5, 2012 -- 7 PM

WHERE: Sheridan Memorial Hospital Cafeteria -- Use rear basement entrance

TOPIC: With the holiday season fast approaching I feel we all need to address strategies to get through those huge Holiday feasts as well as all the baking everyone seems to do at this festive time of year. I have a presentation on HOLIDAY STRESS and loving yourself no matter what choices you make.

CONTACT: Gina Stephens 307-655-5329 OR 307-752-5754

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at our meeting this month. As usual I will have wonderful handouts available of low calorie recipes for Thanksgiving Dinner, as well as new thoughts regarding the new “natural no calorie” sweeteners, dieting tips, and exerts from Louise Hays’ Heal Your Life Workbook

 

                       Save the dates: October 5th and 6th!

Come to Atlanta, GA and ask our panel of experts the questions you want answers to!  If you are unable to atend the event, email your questions to:  [email protected] and we will ask the experts to answer your questions and then we will post them on the message boards after the OH event!

Click here to reserve your tickets today!  We hope to see you there!

Mixed Q & A Panel,  Grads & Professionals	Friday  2:00pm - 4:30pm
Dr.  Paul E. Macik Performing operations laparoscopically since 1991.  His practice offers Gastric Bypass, LapBand and Sleeve Gastrectomy options.  Also an Instructor for Quarterly In-Service Program of Bariatric Surgery at Emory Dunwoody Medical Center and Northside Hospital.	Jim Blackburn Jim lost 215 pounds and found a love for running.  With 58,038 Race finishers at an avg time of 01:17:35, Jim finished the 2012 Peachtree Road Race (10k) in 1:07:57, a goal he's worked towards since having Gastric Bypass.
Dr.  Michael Williams  Dr. Williams principal clinical and research interest include minimally invasive techniques, and the surgical therapy of morbid obesity.  He has been involved in training surgeons in laparocopic techniques in the United States and the Caribbean.	Beth Sheldon-Badore Blogger, & Founder of Bariatric Bad Girls. "Melting Mama" as she's known through her blog has been blogging about life since her WLS in 2004.  Her witty, honest approach to life after WLS has inspired and supported thousands.
Dr. Sheldon Lincenberg Double-board certified, plastic and reconstructive surgeon and a board-certified general surgeon.  In 1995, he created and began sponsoring Pink Ribbons, an annual October event during Breast Cancer Month to benefit breast cancer organizations.	Courtney aka tripmom02 An active OH member for 5 years and a frequent poster on the VSG forum! She's bringing her post-op experience as a Lap Band to VSG Revision. Courtney has lost 170 lbs and is training for her 1st half marathon in October. Her goal is to complete an Iron Man in 2014!

Professional Q & A Panel	Saturday  10:30am - 11:55am
Scott Steinberg, MD Fellow-ship trained advanced laparoscopic surgeon. A member of the American College of Surgeons and the ASMBS.	Qammar Rashid, MD Fellow-ship trained in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery.  A large part of her practice is breast and bariatric surgery.
Dr. Dennis C. Smith   The 3rd surgeon in the world to perform the totally laparoscopic DS and the 1st bariatric surgeon in the world to present the Hand-Sewn Duedenal-Ileal Anastomosis technique.	Connie Stapleton, Ph.D Dr. Stapleton is a licensed clinical psychologist, received her doctorol degree from Texas A&M University in Counseling Psychology.
Donna DeMild, LPBLC Post-Op and CEO of BodySmart, LLC. Donna works at NJ Bariatrics and is a licensed bariatric life coach. Her focus is lifestyle change after wls.	Jeremy Gentles A Ph.D Candidate in Sport Science at East Tennessee State University and for a number of years, served as ObesityHelp's Exercise Physiologist.