Looking for support ! Please ???

Hi Cindy,

Maybe I will get the guts up to attend the next mtg, let me know if you go and maybe we could meet there. 

My surgery was 9/06 by Dr. Michael Nusbaum in Livingston.  I can say he saved my life in many different aspects.  He is a wonderful person.

Im just trying to get back on the wagon again.

Denise

Hello Denise,

I want to call your attention to the post sent to me with all the dates of support meetings.  Just follow our original thread.

I hope to attend the February 6th meeting in Toms River.  I'd love to meet you there if you can make it.  Please, let me know.  We could "get the guts" together !  lol !  I know what you mean.  Sometimes things like this are a little intimidating, right? 

Hope to hear from you, Denise.

xo,

Cindy

Hi,  I had lap band surgery on 12/4/08, I'm 7 weeks post op.  I was reading your post and I also live in Toms River and was looking for a support group close to home.  Can you tell me about the meeting in Toms River?  Thanks.

Hello,

I am so sorry it took me so long to get back to you. 

I have never been to a meeting but, I was told that meetings are held the first Friday of each month, the next one being February 6th.  They are held in the Community Medical Center, Auditorium A,     7 - 9 p.m.  (Route 37W and Hospital Drive, Toms River, NJ)

xo,

Cindy

Hi, My name is denise and I am from Bayville . I am having surgery 2/09/09. I would love to stop by the support group. Will it be ok even I haven't been your road yet? 
Thank you
Denise

Hello Denise,

I have never been to a meeting but I was invited to go to meetings before I had my surgery.  I am positive you would be welcomed with open arms !

I have heard that your doctor is the best !  He was listed as one of the top ten surgeons in the state.

Are you having lap band surgery?

Good luck, Denise ~  I'm sure you'll do GREAT !

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.  I'll do my best to help you.

xo,

Cindy

Hello Cindy:

I just went on line and saw your post ... tonight is the meeting in Lakewood at the Center for Healthy Living which is on Prospect St next to the Hospital (west of hospital) but attached by their parking lot. Meeting is 7pm tonight ... it is the 3rd Monday of each month in Lakewood. The same group meets at Toms River hospital in meeting room 1 off the main entry lobby on the 1st Friday of each month ... please feel free to join us there.

Michael Rosen

Thanks so much Michael.  I appreciate your reply and I am going to try and make the meeting on 2/6/09 in Toms River !

You are very kind.

,

Cindy

Sorry to hear of your experience.  Just for the record - chinese food doesn't work for most people, esepcially if you had rice with it.  Also with the band and fill, when going back to foods after a fill, you want to take each new food slow.  You may have been able to eat it before the fill, but after the next fill - not.  You always want to cut up food if you are a fast eater.  That way it is already in small pieces and chewing doesn't have to come in too much play.

 am surprised your doctor said take gulps of water.  That only makes it worse.  The water can't get passed the food blocking the band.  All you did was stretch the pouch causing more irritation.  When food gets stuck, sometimes all you can do is wait it out or try to cause it to come up.  Your constant vomiting just swelled the stomach more.  One doc had suggested when seriously stuck to sip on soda as the carbonization with cause the food to come up.  I have not tried this, but my friend does this and works for her. 

After an event like that, it is usually a good idea for at least 24 hours to follow a liquid diet to allow the swelling and irritation to go down.  Just remember to take eating slow and introduce all foods as you did right after surgery.

Good luck.  This band is a funny thing - some days you can eat something and other days it can be your worse night mare.  I have had my band a 1+ and I eat each meal very slowly to be safe.  I have been lucky and have had only 2 "sliming" experiences that lasted a few minutes or so.  Again, good luck.

Thank you so much.  You have given me such great information.  How true it is that some foods, at some times, you can eat just fine.  Then another day, forget it !  Some days I am so hungry and, as long as I go real slow, I can eat and eat and eat and other times, I just can't - I actually get full after half a sandwich.   What I do now is limit myself to 30 minutes to eat.  Whatever I have not gotten down by 30 minutes goes in the trash !  Wow, what an improvement that is for me.  I can't believe I am actually using discipline in that way.  I hope it lasts !  lol  ! 

Those gulps of water were sooooo painful for me.  I did feel like it made the pain worse.   BUT, I must say that into the 12th hour, when I forced myself to drink the water yet again, something happened because when I woke up something moved somewhere ! 

I was always afraid to drink soda because I was told that soda will stretch the pouch.  I know you are talking about using it in an emergency and GOD FORBID that ever happens to me again, I will try the soda - definitely !

I still am afraid to eat meat.  I am sticking to mushy and soft for now.  I don't know if I'll ever get over that experience !  lol !

How nice of you to take the time to write to me.  Thanks so much. 

Cindy