Attendees:
Sherry B., Sherry S., Toni, Kathy, Veronica, Mollie, Dr. Ellner

The meeting began by discussing the need to exercise.  We all agreed that we are more motivated when we have the company of others.  We organized 2 times to walk at the Big Dipper Arena.

Monday-Wednesday-Friday at 7:00 a.m. and Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m.  These times should meet the needs of both morning and afternoon exercisers.  Bring your walking shoes, some water and hand weights.  It was a pleasure to have Dr. Ellner join us and lend her support and answer our questions.  She emphasized the fact that walking is not good enough, we need to get those heart rates up to 145 (so no lolly-gagging).  Dr. Ellner suggested wearing a heart monitor as a gauge and that we may be able to buy them cheaper bulk on-line.  Some of the members agreed to look into this and report back.

Sherry S. and Dr. Ellner brought us up to speed regarding the Stomaphyx and answered many questions regarding why someone would need one as well as how it is different than bypass.

1.  Stomas can become stretched over time by over-eating and too many endoscopies (to fix strictures)
2.  Pouches too can become stretched by over-eating.
3.  Some bypass surgeons do not measure the pouch when they make them (made too big)
4.  Unlike that feeling of "Fullness" we had after bypass surgery, Stomaphx is much more difficult to determine when one is full....thus the importance of eating the meal within the allotted time and gauging when one is satisfied-remembering also not to drink with the meal.
5.  Dense protein is better than moist as it sits in the pouch longer and gives a sense of fullness that we want and need.  Examples of dense protein includes, chicken, steak, fish.
6.  Do NOT drink for 30 minutes after a meal.  Set a timer like Alice does!

Our next virtual meeting will be April 8, 2008.  Please remember the 3-D meetings held at TVC on Noble Street the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00.  Sherry S. will be the new leader of that group with Anita co-facilitating.  

Dr. Ellner will be back in Fairbanks in April and encourages everyone to come out for the meeting, attend the support group and have questions.