Recent Posts
Topic: I'll be off the boards for about a week
I'll be in Las Vegas for business, and I am not bringing my computer. Since I am unsure if the hotel has a "shared" computer, I'll may not be able to check these boards.
If anyone is having trouble, or need to contact me for any reason, send an email to [email protected]. I'll be checking that via my phone, and can send a quick response or contact number.
If anyone is having trouble, or need to contact me for any reason, send an email to [email protected]. I'll be checking that via my phone, and can send a quick response or contact number.
Good Luck on your Journey !!
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Topic: RE: question about Support Group Meetings
I attend about 5 a month, and I recommend support groups strongly.
LOVE meeting with others who have been in our shoes and wore our clothing, and able to share common issues
HATE many who lead the groups never have been in our shores or wore our clothes, yet state they know how we feel because they were once "overweight" and come to find they gained 10 pounds.
CHANGES: I think many of these need to have a psych Doctor to address "non-eating" issues. I also feel many who run these groups think there is "exact" science to each operation. Some find it impossible that I can eat more then 4 ounces at a meal. They think there is something wrong, and when in reality there isn't. Each person is different, each result will be different, and each journey is different.
LOVE meeting with others who have been in our shoes and wore our clothing, and able to share common issues
HATE many who lead the groups never have been in our shores or wore our clothes, yet state they know how we feel because they were once "overweight" and come to find they gained 10 pounds.
CHANGES: I think many of these need to have a psych Doctor to address "non-eating" issues. I also feel many who run these groups think there is "exact" science to each operation. Some find it impossible that I can eat more then 4 ounces at a meal. They think there is something wrong, and when in reality there isn't. Each person is different, each result will be different, and each journey is different.
Good Luck on your Journey !!
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Topic: RE: question about Support Group Meetings
Chuck,
Saying I am floored is an understatement. Thanks for the kind words about the ICGT. It's a labor of love. And when I say that it's the LOVE everyone to attends them give.
Hope I wasn't one of those know it alls from the support group. That's my biggest fears.
Saying I am floored is an understatement. Thanks for the kind words about the ICGT. It's a labor of love. And when I say that it's the LOVE everyone to attends them give.
Hope I wasn't one of those know it alls from the support group. That's my biggest fears.
Good Luck on your Journey !!
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Topic: RE: walking group
Depending on where you want to meet, which night you are doing this, and if you don't mind someone floating in and out, I would love to do this. This would be a great thing to do on the days/nights I don't run.
Let me know.
Let me know.
Good Luck on your Journey !!
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Tom
“Nothing I will ever eat will give me the feeling I get as when I lose weight” The views expressed are based on my own experiences - and should NOT BE FOLLOWED IN LIEU OF DOCTOR’S ADVICE/INSTRUCTIONS. Only your Doctor knows your condition, and make sure you talk to them before making any changes to your diet
Topic: RE: question about Support Group Meetings
Hey Chuck...looks like you're doing really well. Congratulations and thanks for coming here to share. Keep up the great work...
Linda
Linda
Topic: RE: walking group
I am located in Byram. I would be interest in walking in a group with others from here. I am only a little over a week our from surgery, So 39+ miles are a bit much for me. 
State Parks are a great idea.
L8r,
Chuck :-)
State Parks are a great idea.
L8r,
Chuck :-)
341lbs start journey weight / 325 lbs surgery day weight 
Realize Band Surgery preformed on 6/1/2011
My sharing here on OH is from my own experience, strength, & hope. I am not a medical professional. Doctors and medical professional know best and their directions should be followed.
Realize Band Surgery preformed on 6/1/2011
My sharing here on OH is from my own experience, strength, & hope. I am not a medical professional. Doctors and medical professional know best and their directions should be followed.
Topic: Anyone from Joisey going? NYC Walk from Obesity 6/26/11
Hello all,
I am going to the Walk from Obesity in NYC at the end of the month. My wife and son will be coming with me. Is anyone from here going or interested in going?
New York City : Walk from Obesity : June 26, 2011
Hope to see you there
walkfromobesity.donordrive.com/participant/CJ
L8r,
Chuck :-)
I am going to the Walk from Obesity in NYC at the end of the month. My wife and son will be coming with me. Is anyone from here going or interested in going?
New York City : Walk from Obesity : June 26, 2011
Walk Location:
Riverside Park
97th St and Riverside Drive, Manhattan
On-site Registration Will Open At: 9:00 AM
Walk Will Begin At: 10:00 AM, finish approximately by noon
Walk Information: The Walk will be held rain or shine.
- Early registration is only $25
- On-site registration will be $30
- Children under the age of 12 are FREE
- All registrations include a Walk from Obesity t-shirt
Hope to see you there
walkfromobesity.donordrive.com/participant/CJ
L8r,
Chuck :-)
341lbs start journey weight / 325 lbs surgery day weight
Realize Band Surgery preformed on 6/1/2011
My sharing here on OH is from my own experience, strength, & hope. I am not a medical professional. Doctors and medical professional know best and their directions should be followed.
Realize Band Surgery preformed on 6/1/2011
My sharing here on OH is from my own experience, strength, & hope. I am not a medical professional. Doctors and medical professional know best and their directions should be followed.
Topic: RE: question about Support Group Meetings
I have only been around a short time.
The first meeting I ever went to was great. Everyone seemed to know one another, they were friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed that group. The group was run by the hospital. During the lecture part of the night, it was made very clear the group was for patients of the program only. I did switch hosptials. I wish I could go back and see this group again.
The other two groups I have attended, which are connected with the hospital I had my surgery at, were ok. One of the groups seems to have a 1/2 hour guest speaker, a proffesional in the field, and then 1/2 hour discussion. There were a few "know it alls" in the bunch. But, a have learned over my years in another program to take what I need and leave the rest. Both groups were run by proffesionals for the hosptial/office. I do agree, that a leader that has had WLS and our experience would be much better. I will still be attending these two groups. There are good people at them. And I need to meet more WLS people in my area for fellowship, support, and fun.
The most helpful get together was the "Inconvenient/Convenient get together". This was more of a fellowship than a meeting. Everyone was so helpful. They shared their experience, strength, and hope. They did not preach or judge. They are the people that have been checking in on me, since my surgery. They are the people asking if I have any questions or problems. It is not a job to them. It is a way of life. They truly do care.
These are my 2¢
L8r,
Chuck :-)
The first meeting I ever went to was great. Everyone seemed to know one another, they were friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed that group. The group was run by the hospital. During the lecture part of the night, it was made very clear the group was for patients of the program only. I did switch hosptials. I wish I could go back and see this group again.
The other two groups I have attended, which are connected with the hospital I had my surgery at, were ok. One of the groups seems to have a 1/2 hour guest speaker, a proffesional in the field, and then 1/2 hour discussion. There were a few "know it alls" in the bunch. But, a have learned over my years in another program to take what I need and leave the rest. Both groups were run by proffesionals for the hosptial/office. I do agree, that a leader that has had WLS and our experience would be much better. I will still be attending these two groups. There are good people at them. And I need to meet more WLS people in my area for fellowship, support, and fun.
The most helpful get together was the "Inconvenient/Convenient get together". This was more of a fellowship than a meeting. Everyone was so helpful. They shared their experience, strength, and hope. They did not preach or judge. They are the people that have been checking in on me, since my surgery. They are the people asking if I have any questions or problems. It is not a job to them. It is a way of life. They truly do care.
These are my 2¢
L8r,
Chuck :-)
341lbs start journey weight / 325 lbs surgery day weight
Realize Band Surgery preformed on 6/1/2011
My sharing here on OH is from my own experience, strength, & hope. I am not a medical professional. Doctors and medical professional know best and their directions should be followed.
Realize Band Surgery preformed on 6/1/2011
My sharing here on OH is from my own experience, strength, & hope. I am not a medical professional. Doctors and medical professional know best and their directions should be followed.
Topic: RE: question about Support Group Meetings
I agree with Linda. I did attend one or two when I had my band and then a couple when I had my RNY.
What I found disturbing is that the nutrtitionists who ran them, while very sweet and nice, never had a weight problem and to me, I think someone running a support group needs to have had the problem (be it food, alcohol, drugs, etc) to make it work. Does that make any sense?
I mean to have someone who never knew what it felt like to be fat tell me that I shouldn't be eating something or should be doing something else just doesn't work for me.
I remember one support group meeting had a Mary Kay rep there peddling her goods. It was under the guise of "taking care of yourself". It turned me off to the group permanently. It was awkward and stupid. If I wanted to buy Mary Kay (which I don't and wouldn't) I would do it on my own time, not time that I booked for support group time.
There was really no support at the formal meetings I have attended. Just didn't like the vibe the meetings gave off.
I too enjoy the dinners with Tom and the crew. It's nice to be with others who "get it".
What I found disturbing is that the nutrtitionists who ran them, while very sweet and nice, never had a weight problem and to me, I think someone running a support group needs to have had the problem (be it food, alcohol, drugs, etc) to make it work. Does that make any sense?
I mean to have someone who never knew what it felt like to be fat tell me that I shouldn't be eating something or should be doing something else just doesn't work for me.
I remember one support group meeting had a Mary Kay rep there peddling her goods. It was under the guise of "taking care of yourself". It turned me off to the group permanently. It was awkward and stupid. If I wanted to buy Mary Kay (which I don't and wouldn't) I would do it on my own time, not time that I booked for support group time.
There was really no support at the formal meetings I have attended. Just didn't like the vibe the meetings gave off.
I too enjoy the dinners with Tom and the crew. It's nice to be with others who "get it".
Topic: RE: question about Support Group Meetings
I am three years out, and I don't really attend meetings much. I found that people tended to seek the "support" in meetings when they were struggling, which makes perfect sense to me, but I wasn't having the same issues (or really any issues) so I couldn't relate.
It also bugged me when people would say: "You WILL experience this..." "Or this ALWAYS happens..." without taking into consideration that even though that's what happened to them, every person is different.
I also found people to be very judgmental.
I also found that the leaders of the groups weren't as well informed as I would have liked, and didn't really share my experience. I've met a few lovely and well-meaning nutritionists, but none of them had had the surgery, or were ever fat themselves.
When I was early out, and not "melting" like everyone said I was supposed to be, I went to the groups and found people were literally crying because they were "only" losing a pound a day. That only made me feel worse.
I have met some wonderful people and made some good friends at support groups; but my wls socializing happens more around the Inconvenient Dinners that Tom Casola runs. Those people are more enthusiastic, more supportive, and more encouraging overall. We don't judge each other, don'****ch or comment on what other people are eating, and we are truly happy to "be there" if anyone else needs us. It feels like we are "foxhole buddies" and that we really "get" each other and that's a really nice, relaxing, and rejuvenating place to be. I think that's what support groups should be about too, but I haven't really seen that.
It also bugged me when people would say: "You WILL experience this..." "Or this ALWAYS happens..." without taking into consideration that even though that's what happened to them, every person is different.
I also found people to be very judgmental.
I also found that the leaders of the groups weren't as well informed as I would have liked, and didn't really share my experience. I've met a few lovely and well-meaning nutritionists, but none of them had had the surgery, or were ever fat themselves.
When I was early out, and not "melting" like everyone said I was supposed to be, I went to the groups and found people were literally crying because they were "only" losing a pound a day. That only made me feel worse.
I have met some wonderful people and made some good friends at support groups; but my wls socializing happens more around the Inconvenient Dinners that Tom Casola runs. Those people are more enthusiastic, more supportive, and more encouraging overall. We don't judge each other, don'****ch or comment on what other people are eating, and we are truly happy to "be there" if anyone else needs us. It feels like we are "foxhole buddies" and that we really "get" each other and that's a really nice, relaxing, and rejuvenating place to be. I think that's what support groups should be about too, but I haven't really seen that.
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