ObesityHelp

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Member Services
on 9/14/12 11:33 am - Irvine, CA

Topic: Meet Our Speakers: Ask The Experts!

Save the dates: October 5th and 6th!

Come to Atlanta, GA and ask our panel of experts the questions you want answers to! If you are unable to atend the event, email your questions to: Editor@ObesityHelp.com and we will ask the experts to answer your questions and then we will post them on the message boards after the OH event!

Click here to reserve your tickets today! We hope to see you there!

Mixed Q & A Panel,
Grads & Professionals

Friday 2:00pm - 4:30pm

Dr. Paul E. Macik

Performing operations laparoscopically since 1991. His practice offers Gastric Bypass, LapBand and Sleeve Gastrectomy options. Also an Instructor for Quarterly In-Service Program of Bariatric Surgery at Emory Dunwoody Medical Center and Northside Hospital.

Jim Blackburn

Jim lost 215 pounds and found a love for running. With 58,038 Race finishers at an avg time of 01:17:35, Jim finished the 2012 Peachtree Road Race (10k) in 1:07:57, a goal he's worked towards since having Gastric Bypass.

Dr. Michael Williams

Dr. Williams principal clinical and research interest include minimally invasive techniques, and the surgical therapy of morbid obesity. He has been involved in training surgeons in laparocopic techniques in the United States and the Caribbean.

Beth Sheldon-Badore

Blogger, & Founder of Bariatric Bad Girls. "Melting Mama" as she's known through her blog has been blogging about life since her WLS in 2004. Her witty, honest approach to life after WLS has inspired and supported thousands.

Dr. Sheldon Lincenberg

Double-board certified, plastic and reconstructive surgeon and a board-certified general surgeon. In 1995, he created and began sponsoring Pink Ribbons, an annual October event during Breast Cancer Month to benefit breast cancer organizations.

Courtney aka tripmom02

An active OH member for 5 years and a frequent poster on the VSG forum! She's bringing her post-op experience as a Lap Band to VSG Revision. Courtney has lost 170 lbs and is training for her 1st half marathon in October. Her goal is to complete an Iron Man in 2014!

Professional Q & A Panel

Saturday 10:30am - 11:55am

Scott Steinberg, MD

Fellow-ship trained advanced laparoscopic surgeon. A member of the American College of Surgeons and the ASMBS.

Qammar Rashid, MD

Fellow-ship trained in Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery. A large part of her practice is breast and bariatric surgery.

Dr. Dennis C. Smith

The 3rd surgeon in the world to perform the totally laparoscopic DS and the 1st bariatric surgeon in the world to present the Hand-Sewn Duedenal-Ileal Anastomosis technique.

Connie Stapleton, Ph.D

Dr. Stapleton is a licensed clinical psychologist, received her doctorol degree from Texas A&M University in Counseling Psychology.

Donna DeMild, LPBLC

Post-Op and CEO of BodySmart, LLC. Donna works at NJ Bariatrics and is a licensed bariatric life coach. Her focus is lifestyle change after wls.

Jeremy Gentles

A Ph.D Candidate in Sport Science at East Tennessee State University and for a number of years, served as ObesityHelp's Exercise Physiologist.

Shravan Panyam
on 9/13/12 12:37 pm - Irvine, CA

Topic: Announcing Forum Upgrades!

Its been over six years since we've launched our forums. During this time it has seen thousands of fresh faces, greetings, meetings, partings, arguments, kind words, life transformations, cathartic rants, and simply happy time pass. It has been with us throughout this time, silently observing and facilitating. But like any wise old man, its bones were getting old. Its joints were aching, and it has been needing a new jolt of energy.

A Mobile World
Did you know that over 30% of you visit our website using a mobile device? For those who do visit us via mobile, we owe you a sincere apology, because our forums have been horrendous on a mobile browser. But the big news is that things are about to change! Our new forums are completely mobile friendly and compatible with iPhone, Android, and pretty much any other modern smart phone.

Each post, topic, and forum shows up beautifully, with the full set of features, and in nice large font. See the screenshots for yourself.

You dont have do anything different, just browse to the forums like you normally would. This means that you can finally put these away:

Not Just for Mobile
The interface on your desktop browser has also been cleaned up a great deal. There is now less clutter on the page, and the overall experience is a lot cleaner. Check out some more screenshots here!

You will notice that each post no longer has 400 buttons below it. Only the buttons that are relevant to each post show up, making your screen space a lot less cluttered. Also, when you reply to another person's post, the entire post is indented inside, making it a lot easier to figure out who has replied to whom.

Launching soon! Maybe as early as next week! Maybe.
And do remember that this is not in any way a be-all-end-all when it comes to the forums. We are in the process of constantly learning and improving upon what we have, and this is just one step along the way.

Stay tuned for the changes! We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

ObesityHelp Developer

Member Services
on 9/8/12 1:46 pm - Irvine, CA

Topic: Meet Our Speakers: Colleen M. Cook

Meet Our Speakers: Colleen M. Cook

Hope & Help for the Pain of Regain

Join 17 year WLS veteran Colleen M. Cook for both a shot in the arm and a kick in the seat as she shares lessons from long-term losers and imparts insight, inspiration, and hope for WLS patients struggling with extended plateaus or weight regain. Her thoughts, stories, and personal experiences will inspire and motivate you to reach and maintain your optimum weight loss.

Also, don't miss her Keynote on Friday: Nothing Succeeds Like Success

We hope to see you in Atlanta, GA October 5^th and 6^th! Click here to book your ticket today!

Fast Facts About Colleen

-Colleen is the author of The Success Habits of Weight Loss Surgery Patients.
- She is the president or Bariatric Support Centers International, a company that specializes in providing education and support services for weight loss surgery patients and the professionals who serve them.
- Colleen currently serves on the National Advisory board for the Walk From Obesity.
-Known as Ms. Enthusiasm, Colleen helps men and women from all walks of life recognize their extraordinary potential and then inspires then to aspire.

njsmm0812
on 7/30/12 8:43 pm - Tucson, AZ

Topic: RE: Anti-depressants after gastric by-pass

I have been on anti depressants for many years now. Currently I take Zoloft, zyprexa, and lamictal. Some are mood stabilizers and some are anti-d. I had my surgery two weeks ago and when in the hospital they never gave me any of those meds. I got really depressed for a while. Then I took them and got back on track and I am fine. My doc didn't mention to get off any of them. They are not extend release either. I go this week to see my physchiatrist and I don't think we are gonna change anything. You might want to ask about those above mentioned drugs. Just because something is for bi polar disorder does not mean it doesn't helo depression.

Alyssa

justin2smart
on 7/16/12 4:41 pm - ME

Topic: RE: test

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justin2smart12q
on 7/16/12 4:35 pm - MA

Topic: test

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deactivated member
on 11/28/11 3:14 pm - Overland Park, KS

Topic: RE: Experience With Toddlers After WLS

Oh no :( I'm so sorry to read this!!! Being so early out, I don't know what the problem could be, but I hope your surgeon can help you out. Did you get any anti-nausea meds to take home? I still have some left, but still feel sick from time to time. I haven't vomited yet though, so that's something.

Drinking plain water is a no-go for me, so I always do Crystal Light and Edy's ice pops. I just worry about dehydration. Glad to see that your hubs is taking over child-delivery duty for a while - I hope you get all this behind you soon! I know it's got to be miserable. Try to keep your spirits up

~Micah

Jessica H.
on 11/28/11 2:00 pm - Ann Arbor, MI

Topic: RE: Experience With Toddlers After WLS

Thanks

Luckily me, DH is taking/picking him up from school. But it's always chaos here between them. Lots of yelling and fighting. I'm really sick at the moment so it's not helping. I'm starting to have regrets. My liquid lortab makes me throw up. I need to vomit but nothing comes up. Eating makes me sick. Drinking makes me sick. I've had about 5 grams of protein today and 6 oz of water. I'm completely fail. It's starting to take control over my moods. I need to call my surgeon tomorrow.

deactivated member
on 11/28/11 5:38 am - Overland Park, KS

Topic: RE: Experience With Toddlers After WLS

Hi there!

I totally just found this particular forum. Normally I hang out on the VSG forum and that's about it! I also have a 2.5 year old (girl) and my WLS was 11/18 so I feel ya. She is an only child but I am struggling with taking care of her on my own while her dad is working. I have a strained abdominal muscle that makes bending over impossible and I can't lift more than 10lbs, so carrying her is out of the question.

I am sure you have figured all of this out by now, but in case you haven't, maybe you can give your child's school a call and explain that you've had surgery and would they mind escorting him to and from the car for a week or so. Another option - and one that I have used when we travel - is to buy one of those child-leash things. They look like backpacks with a little leash attached. My daughter loves hers and it keeps her safe and near without me having to carry her.

I hope you are doing well after your surgery! That has got to be extra rough with two kiddos...I'm anxious with just the one very well-behaved one! She is so sweet and thoughtful, but I'm still nervous to care for her by myself.

Take care!

~Micah

speechless
on 11/19/11 5:00 pm

Topic: RE: Anti-depressants after gastric by-pass

what about celexa?

Jessica H.
on 11/10/11 11:57 am - Ann Arbor, MI

Topic: Experience With Toddlers After WLS

My surgery date has just been scheduled for 11/23/11. Yay!
I have a very energetic 2 1/2 year old. He is at this stage where he doesn't listen most of the time. I also have to drive my 5 year old to kindergarten Monday thru Friday. Getting in and out of the school is a nightmare with my little guy. I always end up carrying a kicking screaming scratching slapping toddler back to the car. I guess I just don't know what I'm going to do after I won't be able to pick him up.

I did get a hernia after a vertical cesarean in 2009 when I lifted my older child into a cart. I'm just scared of trying to restrain a crazy toddler without being able to carry him. I just imagine him laying in the middle of the parking lot screaming and not moving.

Any ideas or helpful hints if you had to recover with a toddler?

I'm trying to watch my son go in/out from the school from the outside my car while my youngest is still strapped in but I'm not sure if the school is going to allow that.

ANITAVACATION
on 8/7/11 1:07 am

Topic: RE: 4 Year old behavior problems!!!

hi there,

I have a 4 yr old too and I am having similar behavior problems with him. I took him to be tested and he is diagnosed with ADHD. Could be same with your child. I suggest having him tested. The doc that diagnosed my son also recommeded ABA therepy for the behavior issues. He is going Monday for a Psych evaluation. He may need to be put on meds. I am not sure how to feel about having a 4yr old on meds but I guess I will know more after talkking to the doc on Mon.

Good luck to you.

Anita

LatinCurves
on 6/18/11 11:22 pm - Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Topic: RE: breast feeding after weight loss surgery

I am so glad to find a positive story. My baby will be eight or nine months when I will be sleeved and I do want to continue breastfeeding him after my surgery. By then he will be on solids but I still want my milk to contain enough nutrients for him. Thanks for sharing!

FindingAndrea
on 3/28/11 10:22 am - Waterbury Center, VT

Topic: I Renamed My Blog. Please Check it Out

So I decided I would rename my blog to a title that is more reflective to where I am in my own journey of recovery. So I changed the title of my blog for Healing From Obesity: A Blog for All to Eat, Write, Move, Cook: How I recovered from Obesity. Please check it out and sign up to follow me if you like.

I will be offering book reviews on useful books I read during my recovery. Recpies and cooking tips. Talking about how to keep moving for fitness and sharing some of my writing.

Hope you will stop by!

Andrea

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Create Your Own Ticker

katzforever2002
on 3/16/11 12:22 pm

Topic: RE: Anti-depressants after gastric by-pass

OMG OMG OMG.....I just got off Cymbalta because I have experienced horrible depression. I am out about 1.5 year post op. I just went to a new Psychiatrist and he put me on Lexapro which I don't believe is extended release. I am doing okay on it. I would recommend it.

Winnie_the_Pooh
on 11/19/10 4:10 pm

Winnie_the_Pooh has deleted this message.

Winnie_the_Pooh
on 11/19/10 4:05 pm

Winnie_the_Pooh has deleted this message.

willi928
on 9/18/10 4:07 pm - North Brunswick, NJ

Topic: Singles WLS convention

Hi all

Would anyone be interested in attending a singles WLS weekend event or convention? The locations could maybe fluctuate between north, south, east and west coast each year. I would love to attend something like this with other singles but we would need enough interest before it could be planned. Not sure the exact events that would be involved until we know the around what the head count would be, but I'm thinking support groups, a singles dance, speakers, business expo maybe, etc. Please let me know. Thanks!

'nTycee

I stop worrying about where Ive been and Im looking to where I will be!!

Start weight: 297 (12/09), Day of surgery: 267.2 (7/6/10), Goal Weight: 187 (12/15/10?)

^^^^^^^^^^includes 30lbs lost pre-op^^^^^^^^^^^^

Sarah Z.
on 7/21/10 1:32 am - Devore, CA

Topic: RE: Reassuring Kids

Being the daughter of someone that has had surgery and now looking into it myself 6 years & 2 kids later I think I understand both sides of your dilemma... When my father had WLS in 2004 I was very apprehensive, I only being 18 and having weight problems my whole life I understood why my father whom was over 500 lbs would want the surgery however I was scared that something would happen to him, I didn't fully understand and yes I did resent him a little for taking the "easy" way out. But I've always tried to be supportive of him. Now that I am looking into having the surgery myself I understand how hard it is, and how hard everyday must be for him.

I think that the best way to comfort them is to explain everything to them, at 9 and 13 they probably understand a lot more then you might first assume, if your Dr will allow you may want to see if you can bring them with you. reassurance from a medical professional maybe helpful.

best of luck to you!!

That_816_Princess
on 6/28/10 11:24 pm - MO

Topic: RE: Reassuring Kids

I hate to say this because your child is just 11, but tell her, SHE WILL GET SICK AND TIRED. When she gets there she will make that change, just like us. Tell her that no matter what you love her and want the best for her. I would tell your ex that the 2 or 3(if he is re-married) need to work as a team for HER HEALTH.

I will take back my body and take back my health!

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