I am really going to try to be there. I will be 2 1/2 weeks post-op, so not sure if I'll be able to eat anything on the menu but would love to meet other "losers". I was supposed to have my surgery weeks ago but there were minor setbacks.

REASON: A few of you have mentioned you’d like to get together for a dinner. We can sit around, meet each other, share our trials and tribulations and maybe a few laughs. While we want to help each other lose, maybe we can also help each other gain  … a new friend or two (or 5).

 

EVERYONE is invited to come. It doesn’t matter which operation you had, or even if you haven’t had a procedure yet, or maybe you’re just “thinking" about it !! COME and have a good time !!

 

If your apprehensive in attending, let me assure you – you will have a good time. There is No judging !! We are tolerant of each other’s decisions. And if it means anything, the Food Police are banned from our gathering.

 

Each time we do this, I will try to “move" the location - since no one location will be convenient for everyone.

 

This time we’re in the “Southern" section of the Garden State !!

 

 

Place: Mastoris Diner

Location: 144 U.S. 130 Bordentown, NJ 08505-2218 (609) 298-4650

Time: 5:30 p.m.     it is understandable that not everyone can arrive at this time, so come WHENEVER. We probably won’t order until 6:30 p.m.

 

Menu / Website: http://www.mastoris.com/

 

 

In the meantime, for the “meeting newbies" here are some meeting request. I hope I don't offend anyone - it's not meant to be that. Just helpful. 

 

(1) If you want a separate check, please let the server know prior to taking the orders. It’s a hassle to ask the server to do this later on. And some places won’t do this if the crowd is too numerous.

 

(2) Usually when we do a group meeting, I like to divide check by the total number of folks at the table, instead of trying to figure out who had what. (If someone brings more than one person, they multiple the total owed by the number of people they have). Now I understand if you only order a coffee and someone else has a Filet Mignon with a 5 lbs Lobster – then we can address that more diplomatically.

 

(3) Please bring CASH (unless you want a separate check). And please make sure you have an assortment of bills. It’s really difficult to make change when everyone brings only 20’s.

 

(4) Bring a CAMERA!! Even if you are like me and camera shy, you’ll still want to take some photos of the folks who are there. I don’t have one or I would.

 

(5) Bring “proof" of your former self. Nothing says “how far you have come" like older photos. Even if you lost only 1 pound, bring your “before" pictures (and at the last meeting we all agree we hate that word only. Be proud of any amount of weight you lost).

 

(6) Please feel free to post and link this on any other forum you peruse (ex. Lapband, Rant and Rave, Realize band, RNY, VBG, VSB, etc). The more the merrier !!

Remember this is a GROUP effort. Please feel free to add your suggestion and/or voice your opinion on any suggestion. AND NO HARD FEELING – this is meant to be a pleasant experience.

 

(7) Print your Obesity Help “Membership" card so we hand them out. If you don’t know how to do this, send me an personal message, and I will send you the instructions.

 

And for those who haven’t had the operation yet – you too are more the welcome to come. In fact, you are encouraged to come!! This would be a ‘true-life’ learning experience to see “life after the operation". You will be able to hear what our ups-and-downs are, and you are encouraged to ask as many questions as you want. Other “up-comers" have come, and found it interesting and educational.

 

Significant others and/or kids are also welcomed (however you may want to leave them behind so you can really enjoy yourself  – it’s up to you)

 

Finally, since I cannot post on every board – please feel free to tell folks and/or copy and paste this on the boards you frequent.

 

Renee, You can ask me anything and everything...I do not mind at all! I had a million questions also and came here for the same things...don't worry!!!! The preop diet was not bad, the first 3 days was hard because you are going thru withdrawals...I ate so much salad and raw veggies and yogurt and sugar free pudding that really got me through it...We are lucky that  the Dr's at Soch give us the salad and the raw veggies because I needed to chew!!! LOL...anyway, after I found a protein shake I liked I was fine...they do fill you up...I went to Hardcore in Manahawkin and they let me sample them till I found one I liked which was great because they are costly and I had ordered a whole case of some online and ended up shipping them back..they were gross! I like the Dymatize ISO 100 gourmet chocolate...taste like yoohoo! If you go to Hardcore you get a discount  also if you tell them your from SOCH...The post op diet was not too bad, it was a week of liquids and than I moved to pureed...I lived on eggdrop soup and Miso soup from the Japanese restaurant...you will get through it...I lost 17lbs preop as I had to do the diet for 2 weeks...My BMI was 50! I can't even begin to tell you how this has changed my life...I was miserable...I had been on every diet! I would lose 40 gain 60...I am not fully restricted yet, I have only had 2 fills but I do find I get fuller faster...hopefully when I go for my 3rd adjustment I will finally feel restricted! I do eat about 1/2 - 1 cup of food at a time...I don't get sick from eating fast, sometimes I will throw up because I will keep eating...my head wants more than the stomach can hold now...but that only happened a few times since I am out of surgery...I am basically watching what I eat, I eat fast and than it stays there and it hurts and I get pain in my chest like something is stuck, it eventually passes but it is because I eat way to fast and to big bites.  I had no problem with my insurance..thank god...I did have to see all the specialist and also wait a 3 month waiting period...They did request a history of my weight for the last 5 years from my primary care...Kim in the office took care of everything for me.  I also wrote a letter that they hung up in the office in the waiting room at the wonderful care I received...Do not hesitate to ask me anything...Where do you live? I live in Toms River and I go to a support group at Community Hospital the first Friday of every month...It is a lot of gastric bypass but the people are great and so knowledgable...Heres my  private email if you ever want to talk or go...it is a great [email protected].

Tuesday would be good - I will send you a message on FB.

Hi all  :)

I will be using this group as well - my "hopeful" surgery date is January 18, 2011 and Gia, just like you, Dr Barbalinardo has to do the surgery because of my insurance.  Luckily, I was very impressed by him and how thorough he was.   I've heard great things about these doctors and have two friends that have gone to them. 

My BMI is under 40 but I have non insulin dependent diabetes, gerd, hypo-thyroidism, high triglicerides (over 450) and I'm not sure about sleep apnea although I don't think I do.  My BMI's for 2008 & 2009 were only 35 so I'm not sure what the insurance company is going to do with me.  I'm so afraid of not getting approved - and it scares the hell outta me to think of it.

Anyway - i loved reading all of your positive comments SandyToes --- because I also fell in love with the office staff upon meeting them.  Tina is a trip!  Really liked her!!!