The last time I attempted this was the week of the freak Snow storm (or was it the Hurricane)? Either way many were out of power, so I decided to cancel. How about we try it now the weather is a little nicer ? ;D

I know June could be a crazy month (with schools ending), so I will shoot some time frame dates out there, and let’s see who is game.

Week of June 18^th

Week of June 25^th

Week of July 9 (so I don’t infringe on the Independence Day  planners)

Now in case you have no idea what this is …

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. In addition, 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.

 

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

 

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, please feel free to tell ANYONE you think may be interested, and since I cannot post on every board, feel free to copy and paste this on the boards you frequent.

 

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

 
Don’t know about you, but I need this :D!!

Realize is very similar to Lapband, but there are a couple of differences that I felt could help avoid problems down the road. 

The actual band is wider and flatter than lapband and distributes the pressure on the stomach more evenly (at least this was the case 2 yrs ago when I got mine), thus reducing the chances of erosion or slippage.

The port is a flatter profile...my brother has a lapband (3 yrs out) and his port is very visible under his clothing.  The realize port has little claws that open up and grab the tissue where it is implanted, requiring no sutures.

Those are the two main differences...Realize also recommends no fill at time of surgery (some surgeons will do a "primer fill"  with lapband at the time of surgery.

Hope this answers your questions!

Steph

  Good Morning Everyone,

WOW Can't believe it is already wednesday.   This week is moving right along.   LOL  We ALL have so very much in our lives to be grateful for.    Even though life may be far from perfect for us all and trust me.....I personally know how far from perfect that life is.....I choose to be postive and grateful for what life has thrown my way.    It has truly made me a much stronger woman with all my life experiences.    Today I am SO grateful for my Faith.   I have LOTS OF FAITH !!!    I know many of you know that my middle son is in a program for drug addiction called Teen Challenge.    This program has totally saved my son and many other young man and women's lives.    My son is now 10 months sober from his heron-drug addiction.    Thank God for that.   Since he was 12 my life has been hell with him starting with pot and progressing to the harder more addictive drugs that finally totally consumed his life till he almost ended it.     Thank God for the Teen Challenge program ( it takes teens up to men and women up to 65 + yrs old for ANY substance addictions.    Just a plug for this wonderful program.   it is a faith based program so if anyone has a loved one or friend who is wanting to retake their life.....please tell them about Teen Challenge.    Sorry for the plug for them.....I don't work for them but totally believe in this program.   I know my son is a TOTALLY different man today due to TC and wanting to get free of this addiction.   So today I am grateful for my Faith and Teen Challenge.    Hope I didnt' offend anyone for being grateful for these 2 things today.   I don't want to ever offend anyone on purpose.    PLEASE share with us if you will what you are grateful for today.    Have a blessed day !!!


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

  Good Morning Everyone,

Hope you had a great Memorial Day.   Mine was very uneventful.    We don't do a big family gathering on Memorial Day.    Today I am grateful that my youngest son's girlfriend made it home safely from Australia.   She had been there 2 weeks visiting with a friend who she worked with at a YMCA camp for several years.    I am grateful that she is back in the USA and that she had a great time.    We ALL have so very much to be grateful for and I could sit here all day long and list one thing after another that I am grateful for.    PLEASE share is you would like what you are grateful for today.   Have a blessed day.

Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

  Happy Memorial Day,

We are such a blessed people here in the USA.   Very blessed !!!  Today I am grateful for the Freedom in which we live due to our military men and women who gave their lives so that we could have freedom.   Grateful for all the current military serving all over the world also.    We have SO very much in our lives to be grateful for but today I am grateful for our freedom.   PLEASE share if you will what you are grateful for today.   Have a blessed and safe holiday today.


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian