Good Morning people! it's still morning let's rise and shine!
or at the very least rise- shining is optional...

But for now- let's try to find something to SMILE about!

I'm smiling because I'm 2 weeks post-op healing nicely.
I'm smiling because when I'm getting on the scale it is MOVING...
...in the right direction!
I'm smiling because I didn't step in cat puke first thing this morning-
-- what a nasty thing to do first thing in the morning--- SO very glad that didn't happen this morning!

Ok I'm sure you can find something to smile about....

Good morning JEllen.

I SHINE everymorning! lol PLUS I smile A LOT know a days too!
I smile today/because:

because GOD has given me ONE more day of LIFE!

its finally Friday AND payday!

for my job and the flexability it entails.

I am still slowly coming out of my shell.

I continue to receive NOTHING but SUPPORT from my co-workers and family.

for my fRYNDs on here whom I love so much!

Keep working your "tool" Take care and have a FABULOUS day and BETTER weekend!

Monica
on the border, by the sea...

monica, sounds like you will have a marvelous day. great!!  vick

To my beautiful Monica who I love more than she can never know.  I had the priviledge of spending the day with her and her family (and Ramon and Debra) when she had her surgery.  I did a great video that I would post here but the you tube powers to be saw it necessary to remove the music so I have to redo the video.  Monica I never think it's possible for you to become more beautiful each time I see you but you do.  I want you here in September and I'll do what I have to do make sure you are here!!  For those that don't know, OH is having a Dallas Texas event in September.  Here's the speakers.(including me)  We'll have a killer time and learn so much!!

Speakers / Topics

Keynote Speaker - Dr. Guillermo Alvarez

Dr. Guillermo Alvarez specializes in laparoscopic Bariatric surgery and has dedicated his life and practice to this most amazing and rewarding area of medicine. To him, there is nothing more rewarding than helping obese individuals change their lives forever both mentally as well as physically. The best compliments are those from his patients that say, "they have been given this tool that has forever changed their lives". The challenge and fulfillment from trading a busy general surgery practice to a bariatric practice has been nothing short of incredible satisfaction. Dr. Alvarez aims to give the highest level of surgical care both pre-op and post-op. We all know that in this day and age, the obese population is on the rise and if left untreated, obesity does kill!

Experience:
Dr. Alvarez has worked in several hospitals in the USA, France and Mexico during his residency and maintains his current practice in Piedras Negras, Mexico on the Texas/Mexico borders. He believes that a specialty practice is the key to quality procedures and does specialize in the Lap-band and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy only. He is currently one of the leading physicians doing VSG procedure. His main goal is the well being and success of each of his patients.

Learn more about Dr. Alvarez at http://www.endobariatric.com/


 

 

Yvonne McCarthy, aka "Bariatric Girl"

Yvonne McCarthy (Bariatric Girl)

Professional Photographer,
Musician and Artist, Public Speaker

WLS 2001 – 8 years

Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana Yvonne became an official Texan in 1987. After 15 minutes of research she decided to have open RNY gastric bypass at 260 pounds. Yvonne has lost 130 pounds and maintained that weight through what she considers to be a series of miracles.

After joining Obesity Help in 2001, she attended her first OH event in May of 2004. Since then she decided the weight loss surgery advocate was born.

Yvonne McCarthy, known by many as “Bariatric Girl", is a public speaker, co-founder of RYD Obesity as well as her website www.bariatricgirl.com. She is an active member of the WLS community. She joined the Weight Loss Surgery Channel as host of the talkshow WLS Journeys, speaking from the heart to guests who share how bariatric surgery has changed their life. Yvonne’s mission is to bring a message of hope to the millions of people who struggle with their weight, having experienced the challenges firsthand since childhood. She continued to battle the scale for close to three decades, losing hundreds of pounds through diet and exercise, only to gain back the weight and more. When her mother died of cancer in 2000, Yvonne gave up the fight. But, the following year, she discovered new hope when she underwent Roux en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Today, Yvonne is living the life she always envisioned. As of May 2009 she has joined the staff at The Feel Better Network. She is married to Texas radio personality Kevin McCarthy, her husband of seven years and host of the Car Guy Show on WBAP News/Talk 820, and is happily pursuing her other passion for animals as well.
 

 

John LoMonaco, MD, PA

Dr. LoMonaco is a board certified plastic surgeon in Houston, Texas and specializes in breast and body surgery. He has a dedicated interest in the care of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and have experienced massive weight loss.

Dr. LoMonaco will be speaking on a wide range of topics including the timings, planning, and performance of various procedures to remove excess skin after weight loss. He will also discuss obtaining insurance coverage after massive weight loss.

Private consultations with Dr. LoMonaco and his staff will also be available at the event, for a nominal fee. For more information, please call 877-897-4221. Please also be sure to bring your insurance information with you.

 

Jeremy Gentles, Fitness Expert

Jeremy Gentles, CSCS, is ObesityHelp's staff health and fitness expert. Jeremy studied Exercise Science at East Tennessee State University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

In his presentation, Jeremy will arm you with the knowledge to safely participate in a self-guided exercise program to assist you in achieving long-term success after weight loss surgery. He'll offer solutions for overcoming a multitude of obstacles that can get in the way of enjoying a full, active life. By helping you understand the why's and how's of exercise, Jeremy will empower you to knock down those obstacles, allowing you to become healthier through exercise. Come explore the benefits of having a healthy focus and learn how to properly and safely implement a weight/resistance training program.

It's your journey....Train for it!

 

Star of TLC's BIG MEDICINE, Dr. Garth Davis

Dr. Garth Davis is a leader in the field of bariatric medicine. Most recently, Dr. Davis was again recognized as a Texas Monthly Super Doc and stars with his father, Dr. Robert Davis, on TLC'**** show, BIG MEDICINE. His recently published bestseller, The Expert's Guide to Weight Loss Surgery is available now at bookstores nationwide.

Dr. Davis graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Texas in Austin where he was the Student Government President. He was also recognized as the most outstanding student at UT. Dr. Davis went on to attend medical school at Baylor College of Medicine and graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. In addition, he was inducted to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Dr. Davis completed his surgical residency at the prestigious University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he was elected to the position of Chief Administrative Resident. While in Michigan, Dr. Davis underwent extensive training in general surgical disciplines, specializing in laparoscopic procedures. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Davis is a recognized expert in initial bariatric procedures as well as revisional bariatric surgery, and is frequently asked to give lectures to both patient and physician audiences alike.

Both Dr. Garth Davis and his father, Dr. Robert Davis, head up The Davis Clinic, Texas' premier weight management clinic located in Houston, Texas. Information about The Davis Clinic may be found online at http:// www.thedavisclinic.com/


 

 

Star of TLC's BIG MEDICINE, Mary Jo Rapini, LPC

Mary Jo Rapini, MEd, LPC, is featured on TLC's new series, Big Medicine which completed season one and two. She is also a contributing expert for Seventeen magazine (referenced twice in their 9/08 issue). She was quoted in an article about body image in First magazine (7/21/08) and is a frequent expert for relationship articles in the Houston Chronicle. Mary Jo has her own column in the Houston Chronicle beginning in Jan. 09. She is an intimacy and sex counselor, and a certified anger management therapist. A mom with two daughters, her passion is helping all girls become strong women. She is a popular speaker across the nation, with multiple repeat requests to serve as key-note speaker for national conferences. Her dynamic style is particularly engaging for those dealing with intimacy issues and relationship challenges, or those simply hanging on to unasked questions about sex in relationships. She was recently a major participant in a symposium for young girls dealing with body image and helping girls become strong women. As host of The Mary Jo Show on a local cable access channel, Rapini interviewed adolescents and works to empower them to live life to the fullest. She has appeared on many television programs including Montel, Fox Morning News and various Houston area shows to discuss topics such as holiday stress, prayer and healing, divorce and kids, children and traumatic experiences, and children and cancer. Rapini is the author of Is God Pink? Dying to Heal and co-author of Start Talking: A Girl's Guide for You and Your Mom About Health, Sex or Whatever.

Visit Mary Jo at http://www.maryjorapini.com/

what is your name?  i would love to call you by your name.  i can smile because i am able to help my parents. i have spent the last two night over here.  dad is in pretty bad shape and mom is not much better.  i'm glad i have a prius so i get good gas mileage.  i'm glad i am sober 21 1/4 years so everything in my life today is possible.  you take care of yourself and i'm glad your scales are moving in the right direction. smooches, vick

Vickie-

here is how i came up with JEllen.  "gell-in" like the doc scholl gel insert for shoes commericials  - chillin out relaxed..

J for JUDY
Ellen for well for Ellen..

so I try to remain...under all cir****tances... Jellen- doesn't always work but I'm tryin.

Sorry you are dealing with such difficult issues with your folks.
My Mom had Alzheimer's on August 25 she will be gone 10 years- I can't believe it's been that long already. Must be my post-op state that I feel SOOOooooo emotional about it these past weeks.

Dad died a yr & half earlier- Aorta aneurysm.
I am grateful that both of them died peacefully.

ALSO congratulations on your 21+ years of sobriety! that is truly a wonderful accomplishment.

Awwwww.while I've been busy, my little family has been talking to each other!!! I'm sooooo happy.  Judy I'm laughing so hard because I misread your line about what you didn't step in this morning.  I thought it said "cake puke" and I was thinking ewwwwwwwwwwww.  Then when I saw cat puke....I thought..."Oh, that's nothing, I've done that more times than I want to count!"  I love my babies!!!  I have to show this one off... my best cat picture ever. Can you see his paw on his mom's chest?



The baby in the top picture is Boo Radley.  Now he looks like this below.



OK, one more and I'll stop.  This is Yoshi and me.



Anyway, as you might expect, I am intimately acquainted with cat puke. 

I'm also happy that I talked to an OH member for a couple of hours to help her through her newbie jitters today.  I'm happy to see so many good friends here and someday I'll have to tell you about the beautiful Monica that posted here too.  A more beautiful soul cannot be found and I love her with all my heart.  She's got a story that will bring tears to your eyes and every time I get to hear it, I cry like a baby.  I can't wait to see her again!!!  Thanks Judy for the post!!!

hugs Y

Yvonne- Boo RADLEY! To Kill a Mocking Bird Boo Radley???
Interesting name!  He is adorable!

anyway- my big boy is HAPPY HOOLIGAN- aka Happy!
as a kitten he was happiest being a Hooligan. he trapped me in the washing machine one day by sitting on my neck as I reached down to the bottom of the tub to remove the last pieces of clothing! He laid right on my neck curled up and started to purr.....

HAPPY IS  14 yr old  is.... well as the VET put it as he GLARED at me... "Your CAT is OBESE!"
hmmmm well yes he is - however he is also a VERY LARGE CAT!
and I'm not the one that over feeds him- everytime he sits by the frig- my hubby thinks he needs a spoonful of food...

If he were to stretch out His front feet would be on one side of a doorway and his back feet past the other side of the door. He is BIG Tall and Long.. there are a couple of pics of him on my page.

Lulu is a much smaller cat. sweet as can be. a polydactyl on front feet with THUMBS! She loves to knock things over and tries to hold things in her feet. She is 11.

they are typical KIDS... if both of us are home Lulu tails my hubby and Happy sits on me! only if I'm not home will the big boy pay any attention to Eric. if he isn't home- lulu doesn't leave me alone- if he is home i'm chopped liver!

I LOVE MY CATS!

I'm sorry I'm so late catching up!  Yes Boo Radley and I have a Scout too.  Dare I give you their links on catster??  As a matter of fact...the mom and kitten picture won best of show in their first big contest.  It is so precious to me and so rare because Kalli Cat had only one kitten.  We had rescued her and by calculation she was about 4 days pregnant.  She was so skinny I didn't know she was pregnant.  We went away for the weekend and came back and there was Boo.  He has never known anything but pure love....and WOW what a sweetheart he is.  He even turned by husband into a cat lover and he thought that was impossible.  OK, I have to do it.  If you wish, you can look but you sure don't have too.

First here's Kevin and Boo sleeping when Boo was just a baby.


So here's the individual pages
http://www.catster.com/cats/96614  Boo
http://www.catster.com/cats/96609   Yoshi
http://www.catster.com/cats/96619  Scout
http://www.catster.com/cats/97024  Kalli Cat
http://www.catster.com/cats/205191  Sammy (my reward for going to New Orleans by myself during Katrina.

and then of course Sundance on dogster
http://www.dogster.com/dogs/693939

OK, I'm soooooooo sick.  I LOVE MY CATS TOO!!!!!!!!!!