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My husband loves Dr. Melvin. He was great to work with and had a great bedside manner. That is saying alot because he is more particular than I am. Michael had diarrhea but also some vomitting and still does but to a lesser degree  if he tries to eat too much or too fast. I think he has learned his limits and tries to eat within them. He still has some problem with some things like chicken or pork. (It may be that it is too dry). His taste did change and he said that after the surgery he did not have the major cravings and at one point lost his interest in food. He used to love to eat. I eat for all sorts of reasons but he ate out of pure enjoyment with the food. Now he eats because he is hungry and needs the nutrition. He does not regret the surgery and would not hesitate to do it again. Within 3 months of the surgery he was able to stop all diabetes medications and his diabetes was out of control before the surgery. He was also disabled and is in a wheelchair. He now has more energy and gets out whereas before he hardly left the house. To help combat the lonliness, I found 2 great little toy poodles to keep him company. They give him something to do and company during the day. If you cannot keep a pet, then this support group or other groups can help you not be so lonely and take a focus from eating. Establishing a support group from family and friends before surgery is key. Just make sure it is someone supportive and reliable that will be helpful. We learned after Michael's surgery who we could count on and who was not helpful.  After surgery and losing the weight you may feel like doing things or getting involved in other interests that you are not able to do now which will help with the eating. I am planning on surgery now and I too am at my highest weight. I feel that if I do not take this step, I will not be able to be as active and may not be able to work for much longer. I value my independence too much and do not want this to happen. Also I have to be healthy in order to make sure that I can help Michael when he needs assistance. For whatever reason, you have made the choice for surgery and I think you will do fine. One thing we do not ever give ourselves credit for, is that we have to be strong to put up with the limitations and adversity from the obesity and to deal with others opinions and remarks to us. So I think as someone living with obesity we are stronger and tougher than we realize.

I just love cinnamon..... 



This is good to know....



I am like Bob, I like to sprinkle it on my oatmeal with raisins and walnuts.....YUM

YUMMY CINNAMON!

.I get this e-mail daily about nutritional finds. today was about cinnamon thought is sounded very interesting especially if you are still in process of loosing  or still such as me have Diabetes. Of course there are some things that must be prepared our way, or we can only have very little of. Of course for many of us it may be further down the line. But that time will come , I promise. Please give feedback? Hugz Barb
Aahhh….the spicy, sweet smell of cinnamon! Cinnamon not only smells and tastes good, adding wonderful flavor to many foods, it's also what we call a SuperSpice.

Cinnamon comes from the interior bark of evergreen trees native to Asia. Cassia cinnamon comes from Southeast Asia and has the flavor and aroma most of us are familiar with. However, there are many different kinds of cassia cinnamon, each with its own distinct flavor and strength, and in some cases, different grades. Ceylon cinnamon is complex, less sweet and has a bit of citrus flavor. English and Mexican foods are often made with this cinnamon. Cinnamon comes ground, in chunks and in sticks.

We're still learning about all the good things cinnamon has to offer our bodies but one exciting benefit is its effect on lowering blood glucose levels. In one study, patients with type II diabetes who took one-half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily found their "fasting" serum glucose levels were lowered by 18 to 29 percent. This study also found that triglyceride levels were lowered by 23 to 30 percent, LDL (bad) cholesterol levels were lowered by 7 to 27 percent and total cholesterol levels were lowered by 12 to 26 percent. What's really fascinating is that 20 days after the study period ended, the benefits were still in effect.

Cinnamon has antibacterial properties. The natural, essential oils in cinnamon have been clinically shown to stop or reduce the growth of bacteria and fungi.

And another study has demonstrated that just smelling cinnamon can increase your cognitive abilities.

It's fairly easy to add a little cinnamon to your life. I like to sprinkle it on my oatmeal and some cereals. It's also good on yogurt, mixed with some fruit and topped with granola. My kids like it on whole-wheat toast and waffles. Of course, it works very well with baked fruit desserts, muffins and loaf breads (i.e. pumpkin bread). You can also add cinnamon to savory dishes such as stews and chilies.

Simmer milk with a little vanilla and a cinnamon stick for a few minutes. You can either drink the milk with a little honey or pour some on your oatmeal. There are other great

Good Morning Barbara,  



Yea, tell me what you come up with and what you find out....  See I am getting you to venture out....  it is fun out here outside of the comfort zone... Scary.... but fun....



Okay sunshine, today is your Surgerybirthday....... My goodness look how far you have come in one year....  I am so very proud of you....  You are an inspiration to us all....  We luv ya sunshine...