Lancaster Support Group
Hi all how about a roll call?
Hi all. I wanted to try and get this forum a bit more active so I have decided to post a discussion point once per week. I think that you all have alot of offer one another, and the further out you get the more questions you can answer and support you can offer.
You all are the fore cunners of the WLS in Lancaster, you will be the ones people look to for advice and for courage. It would be great to get to know one another better.
So how about a roll call?
My name is Nicole Lewis
Dr Brader did my surgery Oct 3 2006. At Barix Langhorne.
I was 360 at my heighest and I have lost around 180 lbs.
I live in Lancater with my BF and our three cats.
I am a Mental Health Professional, I have a small private practice in lancaster where I see alot of post WLS patients.
I am 3 years out in this journey and learning new things every day.
Who are you? Tell us about yourself? You do not have to give as much detail as I did if you feel uncomfortable. Just give us a bit of info so we can get to know one another.
You all are the fore cunners of the WLS in Lancaster, you will be the ones people look to for advice and for courage. It would be great to get to know one another better.
So how about a roll call?
My name is Nicole Lewis
Dr Brader did my surgery Oct 3 2006. At Barix Langhorne.
I was 360 at my heighest and I have lost around 180 lbs.
I live in Lancater with my BF and our three cats.
I am a Mental Health Professional, I have a small private practice in lancaster where I see alot of post WLS patients.
I am 3 years out in this journey and learning new things every day.
Who are you? Tell us about yourself? You do not have to give as much detail as I did if you feel uncomfortable. Just give us a bit of info so we can get to know one another.
Hello:
My name is Sandra.
Dr. Brader was also my surgeon.
I had surgery 9/25/2009 (1 week ago).
I weighed in at 265 and hope to eventually make it to a healthy weight for myself.
I live just outside of Coatesville (board Thorndale). I live with my husband, my 3 year old son and my mother. I am a quality assurance lead for a large telecommunications company. (basically means I direct projects in the testing realm).
I am very excited about my new journey. I have a lot of faith in this 'tool' and hope it is finally the thing I need to get my weight managed. I turned 40 this year and being overweight is horrid for running around with a toddler.
I hope to meet some more local people and possibly get a 'get togehter' happening out this way also. (I'm in between support group meetings and they are both about an hour away. Lancaster and Phoenixville) I travel to them for now but that cannot last. (especially when it gets winter).
My name is Sandra.
Dr. Brader was also my surgeon.
I had surgery 9/25/2009 (1 week ago).
I weighed in at 265 and hope to eventually make it to a healthy weight for myself.
I live just outside of Coatesville (board Thorndale). I live with my husband, my 3 year old son and my mother. I am a quality assurance lead for a large telecommunications company. (basically means I direct projects in the testing realm).
I am very excited about my new journey. I have a lot of faith in this 'tool' and hope it is finally the thing I need to get my weight managed. I turned 40 this year and being overweight is horrid for running around with a toddler.
I hope to meet some more local people and possibly get a 'get togehter' happening out this way also. (I'm in between support group meetings and they are both about an hour away. Lancaster and Phoenixville) I travel to them for now but that cannot last. (especially when it gets winter).
Sandra 
Hi Everyone!
My name is Melissa Fitzgerald
Dr. Brader WILL be my surgeon, no surgery date scheduled yet - I'm still in the supervised weight loss phase. I have 3 months of that and hope to have that all wrapped up by the beginning-middle of December.
My highest weight on a scale ever was 344, but it may have been higher at some point and I just didn't weigh. I'm currently at 338 and working to lose 10 pounds from my initial consult weight of 341.
My husband and I are both originally from Iowa. We moved to the Lancaster area 2.5 years ago and now live in Mountville. We have a new puppy named Bentley (pictures are on my profile page!)
I started this process now (age 27) so my husband and I can take the next 2-3 years to focus on our health, learn new lifestyle habits and approach starting a family from a healthy place rather than having children first and worrying about health later. We want to be great examples for our kids.
My husband is my number one supporter and I don't know what I'd do without him. We go to all of the support group meetings at LG location on the first Thursday of every month.
We bought recipe books that are full of recipes that are GOOD for after WLS and have been trying those the last few weeks to get used to them and how to cook in this way. Let me know if you'd like some of our favorites!
I'm a career counselor and I work at Elizabethtown College. My masters specialized in young adult development (18-24 year olds!) so for anyone with college kids out there with questions... give me a try!
My go to phrase when I get frustrated or scared is "trust the process". With that attitude and following all the rules, I know I can do this and will be successful!
Looking forward to forming some great relationships with you all!!!
My name is Melissa Fitzgerald
Dr. Brader WILL be my surgeon, no surgery date scheduled yet - I'm still in the supervised weight loss phase. I have 3 months of that and hope to have that all wrapped up by the beginning-middle of December.
My highest weight on a scale ever was 344, but it may have been higher at some point and I just didn't weigh. I'm currently at 338 and working to lose 10 pounds from my initial consult weight of 341.
My husband and I are both originally from Iowa. We moved to the Lancaster area 2.5 years ago and now live in Mountville. We have a new puppy named Bentley (pictures are on my profile page!)
I started this process now (age 27) so my husband and I can take the next 2-3 years to focus on our health, learn new lifestyle habits and approach starting a family from a healthy place rather than having children first and worrying about health later. We want to be great examples for our kids.
My husband is my number one supporter and I don't know what I'd do without him. We go to all of the support group meetings at LG location on the first Thursday of every month.
We bought recipe books that are full of recipes that are GOOD for after WLS and have been trying those the last few weeks to get used to them and how to cook in this way. Let me know if you'd like some of our favorites!
I'm a career counselor and I work at Elizabethtown College. My masters specialized in young adult development (18-24 year olds!) so for anyone with college kids out there with questions... give me a try!
My go to phrase when I get frustrated or scared is "trust the process". With that attitude and following all the rules, I know I can do this and will be successful!
Looking forward to forming some great relationships with you all!!!
High Wt/Consult Wt/Surgery Wt/Current Wt
347 341 328 170
1st Goal Wt: 225 (met 9/13/10) / 2nd Goal Wt: 200 (met 12/13/10) / 3rd Goal Wt: 190 (met 1/30/2011) / 4th Goal Wt: 180 (met 4/25/11) / After baby: 170 and holding for 8 months!
Total Weight Lost: 177!
http://wlstrusttheprocess.blogspot.com/
Trust the process....
Melissa
347 341 328 170
1st Goal Wt: 225 (met 9/13/10) / 2nd Goal Wt: 200 (met 12/13/10) / 3rd Goal Wt: 190 (met 1/30/2011) / 4th Goal Wt: 180 (met 4/25/11) / After baby: 170 and holding for 8 months!
Total Weight Lost: 177!
http://wlstrusttheprocess.blogspot.com/
Trust the process....
Melissa
Hi Mel,
I think I've seen you and your husband at the support group meetings. I'll introduce myself next time I see you! :) I wanted to ask how the new recipes are working out? I've always enjoyed cooking, hence the reason I'm as heavy as I am...lol I've found quite a few recipes myself online. In case you haven't already done so check out the following website www.bariatriceating.com If you need any suggestions or ideas for cooking, let me know. I'm more than willing to share with anyone who asks.
Holly
I think I've seen you and your husband at the support group meetings. I'll introduce myself next time I see you! :) I wanted to ask how the new recipes are working out? I've always enjoyed cooking, hence the reason I'm as heavy as I am...lol I've found quite a few recipes myself online. In case you haven't already done so check out the following website www.bariatriceating.com If you need any suggestions or ideas for cooking, let me know. I'm more than willing to share with anyone who asks.
Holly
Hi all!!
I'm Dave.
Hoping to have surgery in December. I've got a little extra vacation time this year, so that time period would be perfect. I'm also a Brader pre-op. I liked his presentation at the seminar, and that feeling was confirmed at my initial consult.
I'm 51 and live in Willow Street.
I'm married, have a wonderful daughter, and 2 dogs who drive me nuts. The schnoodle was fine, but then my daughter got a Xmas gift ........ a teacup chihuahua. She had just gone through successful chemo, so I just couldn't say no more dogs.
Due to some rather unique family issues, I also have a grand-daughter, AND great grand-daughter living with us. Yes, I married the infamous "older woman". lol It gets a little hectic at times, but there is nothing better than coming home and seeing that 20 month old smile
I'm a restaurant consultant.
I'm a little worried about being successful with WLS ........... maybe because of sooooo many prior weight loss attempts. However, I need to do this for both health reasons and just for me.
Nicole,
Thanks for taking the lead, and also for answering all of my questions. Just understand ........ there WILL be more!! lol
I'm Dave.
Hoping to have surgery in December. I've got a little extra vacation time this year, so that time period would be perfect. I'm also a Brader pre-op. I liked his presentation at the seminar, and that feeling was confirmed at my initial consult.
I'm 51 and live in Willow Street.
I'm married, have a wonderful daughter, and 2 dogs who drive me nuts. The schnoodle was fine, but then my daughter got a Xmas gift ........ a teacup chihuahua. She had just gone through successful chemo, so I just couldn't say no more dogs.
Due to some rather unique family issues, I also have a grand-daughter, AND great grand-daughter living with us. Yes, I married the infamous "older woman". lol It gets a little hectic at times, but there is nothing better than coming home and seeing that 20 month old smile
I'm a restaurant consultant.
I'm a little worried about being successful with WLS ........... maybe because of sooooo many prior weight loss attempts. However, I need to do this for both health reasons and just for me.
Nicole,
Thanks for taking the lead, and also for answering all of my questions. Just understand ........ there WILL be more!! lol
Dave
Thanks for sharing. I am always open for questions. I really encourage you all to get involved on this board to help one another, and to also get on the PA Board. The people there are a wealth of information and willing to help in any way. Despite some of the drama this week that was very unusual, the PA board is one of the most active, supportive and helpful on OH.
Thanks for sharing. I am always open for questions. I really encourage you all to get involved on this board to help one another, and to also get on the PA Board. The people there are a wealth of information and willing to help in any way. Despite some of the drama this week that was very unusual, the PA board is one of the most active, supportive and helpful on OH.
My name is Liz Sangrey - 51 yrs old - live in Lancaster
I began my six month PCP visits 08/18/09 - per insurance requirement
280 lbs starting weight with a BMI of 48 - no comorbidities
I went to Dr. Brader's 08/20/09 seminar
Joined a fitness center 09/03/09
logged six workout visits already - I'm determined to change my lifestyle
I'll be married 30 years in Oct '09 to a wonderful man
We are raising our nine year old granddaughter (have been since she was 3 yrs old) - she is in need of this lifestyle change, too - she is one of my driving forces to get active & eat healthy.
We have three furry kids: Tucker (10 yr old Schipperke), Daisy (4 yr old long haired Chihuahua), and Reba (2 yr old Shiba Inu).
I work in the accounting office of a senior living organization - sit all day .......
Hopefully I'll be able to have surgery in the first quarter of 2010.
I am a Believer - and know this is the Lord's plan for my life - He's been there every step of the way so far.
I've told my husband and three of my closest friends - all have been supportive. My Dad is 89 yrs old and my mother-in-law is 84 - I don't know if I will even tell them. They'd be too concerned rather than supportive - I'll want til they asked why they are seeing less of me - then I'll tell them. I'll wait a few more months til I tell my coworkers.
My real concern is not the surgery or first several weeks post op - my main concern is what effect will the WLS have on my senior years. Has there been any studies done? Who has lived the longest post WLS and what quality of life did they have in there later years?
Nicole- I don't expect you to have the answers - they are just my concerns.
I began my six month PCP visits 08/18/09 - per insurance requirement
280 lbs starting weight with a BMI of 48 - no comorbidities
I went to Dr. Brader's 08/20/09 seminar
Joined a fitness center 09/03/09
logged six workout visits already - I'm determined to change my lifestyle
I'll be married 30 years in Oct '09 to a wonderful man
We are raising our nine year old granddaughter (have been since she was 3 yrs old) - she is in need of this lifestyle change, too - she is one of my driving forces to get active & eat healthy.
We have three furry kids: Tucker (10 yr old Schipperke), Daisy (4 yr old long haired Chihuahua), and Reba (2 yr old Shiba Inu).
I work in the accounting office of a senior living organization - sit all day .......
Hopefully I'll be able to have surgery in the first quarter of 2010.
I am a Believer - and know this is the Lord's plan for my life - He's been there every step of the way so far.
I've told my husband and three of my closest friends - all have been supportive. My Dad is 89 yrs old and my mother-in-law is 84 - I don't know if I will even tell them. They'd be too concerned rather than supportive - I'll want til they asked why they are seeing less of me - then I'll tell them. I'll wait a few more months til I tell my coworkers.
My real concern is not the surgery or first several weeks post op - my main concern is what effect will the WLS have on my senior years. Has there been any studies done? Who has lived the longest post WLS and what quality of life did they have in there later years?
Nicole- I don't expect you to have the answers - they are just my concerns.
~ Liz ~ 
Liz , welcome and thanks for sharing.
Those are very good questions. I do not know of any senior year studies. Dr. B would be a good person to ask. I asked myself the same questions but then decided it was not relevant because I was not going to live to be a senior anyway because of my weight and health. I guess I just took the risk. Luckily every day they have more and more information on the effects and maintenance of our pouches.
WELCOME
Those are very good questions. I do not know of any senior year studies. Dr. B would be a good person to ask. I asked myself the same questions but then decided it was not relevant because I was not going to live to be a senior anyway because of my weight and health. I guess I just took the risk. Luckily every day they have more and more information on the effects and maintenance of our pouches.
WELCOME
