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Member Services
on 9/14/12 11:33 am - Irvine, CA
Topic: Meet Our Speakers: Ask The Experts!
                       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. 


Shravan Panyam
on 9/13/12 12:37 pm - Irvine, CA
Topic: Announcing Forum Upgrades!

Its been over six years since we've launched our forums. During this time it has seen thousands of fresh faces, greetings, meetings, partings, arguments, kind words, life transformations, cathartic rants, and simply happy time pass. It has been with us throughout this time, silently observing and facilitating. But like any wise old man, its bones were getting old. Its joints were aching, and it has been needing a new jolt of energy.

A Mobile World
Did you know that over 30% of you visit our website using a mobile device? For those who do visit us via mobile, we owe you a sincere apology, because our forums have been horrendous on a mobile browser. But the big news is that things are about to change! Our new forums are completely mobile friendly and compatible with iPhone, Android, and pretty much any other modern smart phone.

Each post, topic, and forum shows up beautifully, with the full set of features, and in nice large font. See the screenshots for yourself.

You dont have do anything different, just browse to the forums like you normally would. This means that you can finally put these away:



Not Just for Mobile
The interface on your desktop browser has also been cleaned up a great deal. There is now less clutter on the page, and the overall experience is a lot cleaner. Check out some more screenshots here!



You will notice that each post no longer has 400 buttons below it. Only the buttons that are relevant to each post show up, making your screen space a lot less cluttered. Also, when you reply to another person's post, the entire post is indented inside, making it a lot easier to figure out who has replied to whom.

Launching soon! Maybe as early as next week! Maybe.
And do remember that this is not in any way a be-all-end-all when it comes to the forums. We are in the process of constantly learning and improving upon what we have, and this is just one step along the way.

Stay tuned for the changes! We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

ObesityHelp Developer

trishashton
on 9/11/12 6:12 pm - PA
Topic: What is safe for arthritis after RNY.
I had the RNY surgery on 12/19/11.I was on Prednizone for very painful hands,back and shoulder area from arthritis. I have lost 80 lbs and I was told after bloodwork that there was high levels of something in my liver that the doctor didn't like.He said that prednizone was never meant to be taken for as long as I was on it.So In May of 2012 I started to be weaned off it.I have been completely off it since Mid June. I went from having no pain to being in constant pain. I have since lost the Cobra health insurance I had since the death of my husband 5/17/11. I need to know if there is something generic that I can  get that will stop the pain,and not cause some other health issues.I had the surgery in Langhorne,Pa.,I now live in Clearwater,Fl. Any information would be a big help.  
cavaughn
on 9/10/12 9:17 am - TX
Topic: Can't figure out what's wrong with me. HELP
Hello.  I am 38 years old and started having back and neck issues almost a year ago now.  Went to the doctor and he did an MRI and said you have some collapesed discs but nothing major.  It started hurting more now with arm envolvement too, and leg pain.  Went to the doctor he put me on steroids. It helped for a little while but than my hips started hurting and I feel some numbness in my left thigh from time to time.  Went to the doctor, he sent me to a rhematogist.  He said Fibromyalgia.  Gave me Lyrica.  It doesn't help, gave me neurotin, and it doesn't help.  I now have wrist pain and knee pain.  I can't go to work, and my husband is really frustrated at me.  I wish I could explain the pain I feel.  UGH.  HELP.  Anyone else feel sore all over like you've exercised too long and too much?  I am 270lbs and have my insurance approval for the Sleeve. 
Member Services
on 9/8/12 1:46 pm - Irvine, CA
Topic: Meet Our Speakers: Colleen M. Cook

Meet Our Speakers: Colleen M. Cook

 

Hope & Help for the Pain of Regain

Join 17 year WLS veteran Colleen M. Cook for both a shot in the arm and a kick in the seat as she shares lessons from long-term losers and imparts insight, inspiration, and hope for WLS patients struggling with extended plateaus or weight regain. Her thoughts, stories, and personal experiences will inspire and motivate you to reach and maintain your optimum weight loss.

Also, don't miss her Keynote on Friday: Nothing Succeeds Like Success

We hope to see you in Atlanta, GA October 5th and 6th! Click here to book your ticket today!

Fast Facts About Colleen

-Colleen is the author of The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients.
- She is the president or Bariatric Support Centers International, a company that specializes in providing education and support services for weight loss surgery patients and the professionals who serve them.
- Colleen currently serves on the National Advisory board for the Walk From Obesity.
-Known as Ms. Enthusiasm, Colleen helps men and women from all walks of life recognize their extraordinary potential and then inspires then to aspire.

jjm
on 9/3/12 8:34 am
Topic: RE: Spinal Stenosis and losing the weight.
I would certainly think losing weight would help.  My mom had spinal stenosis and it was very painful--every day.  You're so young, I would absolutely check into it.
infodiva808
on 8/28/12 12:59 am
Topic: RE: Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, and a Fused Ankle
Before my surgery I used a cane and if I had to walk more than 100 ft. I needed a wheelchair. I started with the physical therapy department at the hospital where I was going to have my surgery and learned exercises I could do on my bed. I also watched the TV program "Shimmy" that teaches belly dancing. I sat in a chair and did the belly dance moves which helped strengthen my core muscles. I was on my pre-surgery diet and lost 29 pounds before surgery. The PT department also started me on exercising in the heated pool at the YMCA. Today my preferred exercise program is in the water, aqua jogging, aerobics and aqua Pilate's, I work out in the deep end standing on pool noodles so I have resistance but no impact. The pool is the key for me to manage pain and get in my exercise. Believe it or not movement keeps the pain at bay.  Recently I started using the weight machines in the gym so I could build even more muscle. I love the rush of endorphins I get after just a few reps!

I had to lose about 100 pounds before I had significant pain relief and could put away my cane. I was highly motivated because I also did not want a life in a wheelchair. Today I am doing quite well. I still have arthritis but it is manageable. I have the freedom of being able to get around. Continue on your path. it will be a wonderful journey and you will be surprised.
            
lisa2job
on 8/18/12 10:14 pm - WA
VSG on 09/06/12
Topic: RE: Can you please share with me your stories on RA and the Sleeve
Hello

I also take methrtraxate and was wondering have you had any side effects with it in the VSG ?  surgery is scheduled sept 9th
lisa2job
on 8/18/12 12:41 pm - WA
VSG on 09/06/12
Topic: RE: NSAIDS
at this point I only take methotrexate and was told I could take this and any ibuprofen if needed  after the surgery,  on my stomach by my surgeon and that is the reason I am doing the VSG instead of RYN as recommended by her. 
lisa2job
on 8/18/12 12:30 pm - WA
VSG on 09/06/12
Topic: RE: RA and bypass
Hi Samantha

I have Psoraitc  Arthritis and  Osteo A.  and  at the beginngs for RA ..  I saw a  WSL surgeon and was told RYN would work best for my size  but he didnt know much about arthritis or the meds that I need to take after.  note one of the meds can not be crushed ,  so that leaves me with injections .....  In reading  and doiing some more research  on arthristis and WLS I was confused as to what would work best for me and if that was the best option.   so I went to see another surgeon that knew more about arthritis and WLS I  was told  to really consider the sleeve due to being able to take meds that I will have to take after the surgery for the arthrtis, I would not be able to take those meds/ pills into my pouch after RYN they would be too rough .      also  note that  loosing weight will help with some joint pain because we no longer have all that weight on our joints  but will not make arthristis go away  so being able to take my regular meds or even  ibuprofen  was important to me , so  i will do a sleeve instead of RYN as recommended by the second surgeon.   

I would check if you will be able to take steriods on the RYN pouch?    good luck hope this helps alittle 

my surgery is scheduled 9-6-12 .... 
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