Congratulations and Happy Surgiversary,  

That is awesome.  Being self-aware, and acknowledging changes that need to be made to get back on track is fantastic.  

God bless.

Hugs,

Trish

Hi Bridget,

Welcome to the PA board, and to the life of pre=WLS.  I had mine done almost 7 years ago.  My first consultation was June 1, 2006.  I don't regret having had this surgery, and wouldn't change a thing.

I am also on Facebook, with my full name, Patricia Anne Reilly.  I'm originally from Bucks County, PA, but moved to Michigan in February, to live near my daughter, and her family.

I hope you'll feel free to ask questions, and the regulars will gladly reply.

Hugs,

Trish

Good Morning PA,

It's a rainy, April day, here in Michigan.  I have a few things on my agenda today, babysitting my youngest grandson, and some grocery shopping.  

Sunday, we had his first birthday party.  My daughter planned a theme party, based on a children's book, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," with all the decorations, and food, based on it.  The highlight was when Franklin got to taste, and eat a huge hunk of chocolate cake, with chocolate frosting.  By the time he was done, he had frosting all over his face, in his ears and hair.  It was priceless.

Yesterday, my son and his wife flew back to New York, and my sister flew home to Philadelphia.  She lives in Levittown.

I hope everyone has a terrific day.

Huggles,

Trish

Good for you!!!  That is awesome news.  I'm so happy for you.  You'll be fantastic.

Hugs,

Trish

Hi Laureen,
I loved your Facebook posts while you were in Florida. I am right there with you on the 'experiencing all life has to offer.' I had my surgery in '06. The next year, my daughter gave me my first grandchild, and my son got married. Now that I live near my grandchildren, I'm loving life like I never could have weighing over 300 pounds.

I am very grateful for Dr. Maymor, the staff at Barix, and all the people who used to post here then. I wish the PA forum were active like it once was.

Now that I live in Michigan, I am about 90 minutes from Ypsilanti where there is a Barix. I intend to go there for my annual visits. My sister asked me why I just don't find a bariatric surgeon closer. She doesn't understand us Barix Babies.

Hugs,
Trish

I am not familiar with either surgery either.  I was interested in the Lap Band or RNY, and after meeting with Dr. Marymor at Barix, I went with RNY.  I am very happy with it, and just love Dr. Marymor.  

Good Luck,

Trish

Good Morning PA,

Sorry I failed to post yesterday.  I'm having problems with my keyboard on my laptop has become tempermental, and sometimes I just give up and don't post at all.  

I am loving life here in Michigan.  I see my Munchkins several times a week.  Yesterday, I took my first real walk with Utley, and stopped by my daughter's to say "Hi," to the kids.  We took a 45 minute walk.  Colleen's house is a ten minute walk, or two minute drive.  Today, my new church is holding a huge Easter Egg Hunt for the whole community.  A month ago, they informed the congregation they had over 1000 plastic eggs to fill.  I bought twelve bags of candy for the youth group to fill the eggs with.  The congregation donates the eggs and candy. 

Tomorrow, my daughter is hosting a small, Easter dinner.   It will be her family, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, and me.  I'm making au gratin potatoes, sweet potatoes and a vegetable tray.  I bought Isabel and Lincoln craft projects for us to work on with me.  For Frankie, I bought some clothes.  Lincoln's hand-me-downs are the wrong season, so I got him some short sleeve outfits the next size up.  

I hope everyone has a blessed weekend, no matter what you celebrate.

Hugs,

Trish

 

Top of the Mornin' Donna and PA Friends,

I see Ida on Facebook.  She hasn't posted anything personal lately, but she does post.  

I don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day the way the rest of the U.S. does.  I wear the green, and buy stuff for my grandchildren though.  Given the fact that my name is Patricia Reilly, there's no denying I'm Irish.  Then, I named my daughter Colleen Patricia.  Very Irish name.  

I've been busy unpacking, and babysitting regularly since my arrival here in Michigan.  While my new drivers license says Michigan, my hometown is Levittown, Pennsylvania.  I just love living two blocks away from my grandchildren.

Today has me heading to the bank, and then an AA meeting.  I also need to stop at the grocery store, and pick up a few items.  

I finally signed up for MLB.TV.  Now, I can watch my Phillies games.  Plus, at the end of July, the Phillies are coming to Detroit for inter-league play.  My son, Chris, may fly in for that weekend.  I told my daughter that I'd buy tickets for my two older grandchildren, but she and her husband are on their own.  Frankie gets in for free, we think.

Gotta scoot.

Hugs,

Trish

'

Hi Lynn,

Everything Laureen said is true.  My sister had the lap band done a few years ago, but didn't attend support groups post-op, or make the necessary diet changes for a WLS patient.  Plus, she did zero exercise.  No noticeable weight loss happened, and now she's looking into the sleeve.  I still don't think she's ready for the lifestyle changes.  

My best suggestion, in answer to your question, is to suggest she consult a nutritionist connected with her surgery.  I appreciate the way Barix operates, because at every post-op appointment the nutritionist meets with me.  

I hope this all makes sense.

Hugs,

Trish

I could be mistaken, but I believe that Barix's support groups, in Langhorne, are open to anyone, just that the nutritional counseling offered at them is only for Barix patients.  Laureen posted about the post-op meeting on Wednesday.  I believe they are the third Wednesday of each month.  I'm not sure if they still have the support meetings on the first Saturday of each month.

Good luck.

Trish

Thanks Ida,

I'm thrilled to be here in Michigan.  I get to attend church with my daughter's family, and am over at her house, either babysitting or visiting several times a week.  Right now, I can't drive, so my daughter and the kids take me into town for appointments and shopping.  The town I'm in has a pricey grocery store, so we have to drive 30 minutes away for better prices, as well as any other shopping.  

Hugs,

Trish

Thanks Beth,

You know I'm happier near my daughter instead of at my sister's.  You probably saw my posts on Facebook about that ordeal.

I am thrilled to finally be here.

Hugs,

Trish

Hey Laureen,

Thanks for your encouragement.  I've been to meetings here before, so I know where they're at.  Unfortunately, I can't drive for two weeks, and my daughter has a nine month old, three year old, and five year old to keep her crazy busy, I feel horrible asking her to take me to doctor appointments.  Today is the end of the first week, so I have one more week of not driving.  If the meetings were closer, it would be different for me.  I used to live five minutes from the 12 Keys in Bristol, which has four or five meetings a day.  Now, the closest clubhouse is 30 minutes from here,and it has one meeting a day.  The closest meeting outside the clubhouse is a Mens meeting.  The rest are 30 minutes.

I still talk to my PA sponsor regularly.  I am grateful that the thought of a drink never comes to mind, as I haven't even had the desire for a drink since January 2010.  I'm praying a lot, and keeping in constant contact with God.

Hugs,

Trish