It's Been A While. . .

For those of you who were here 2 yrs ago - hello again!  For those of you who weren't - HELLO.  I am finding my way back to this board after a few life changes, most of them for the good.

Anyway, I will update on my life later (or check my profile), I was hoping for some up to date information on Lap Band Surgery.  My baby sister is almost done with the process, she is looking forward to a surgery date some time in January.  She is going thru Park Nicollet in St. Cloud (but of course I can't remember her surgeon's name right now).  Since I had RNY more than 4 yrs ago, I don't know much about lap band, or about the newest/latest news.

If you have a chance, please take a moment and leave your advice/tips.  She lives near Staples, MN and doesn't have a home computer, so I plan on letting her use mine while they are here for Thanksgiving, to check out this site and hopefully get some words of encouragement (our mom is against her surgery).

Thank you all in advance, I plan on being more of a regular at this site again.  I recognized a few friendly faces still in the mix - Hi Dayner Dee :-)

Kim

Hey Kim!!  So good to see you!!  I wish all the best to you sister!!

OMG  I was just thinking of you the other day!!   Soooo good to see you back.   Sounds like your life is going well.   How are those cute boys doing?    Sadie is doing wonderful...2 yrs old and getting sassy LOL.   Actually she's very good for a 2 yr old.   Sounds like you have a life similar to my own.   I am now working from home as well.   I work the same job I was in the office but have now been given the opportunity to work from home.   I love it.  I have lots of help with Sadie from grandparents and my oldest 2 so she's not going to daycare at the moment.   She was up until Aug when my mother in law offered to come help.....I'm sooo thankful for her.   I have to work much harder at keeping that extra weight off as well sitting here working.   I did slack for a bit and was eating all the wrong foods but have recently gotten my butt back in gear and lost 7 of the 8lbs I had gained back.   I sure hope to see posts from you again...I always liked keeping in touch with someone who has a young one close to Sadie's age!   Welcome back!

Oh Michelle, Kevin's girlfriend is just adorable!  Once I get some time, I will post pics of my boys as well.  Kevin just had his 2 yr checkup last night - he's in the terrible 2's for sure, but such a wonderful and smart boy!

I need some personal accountability here, which is one of the main reasons I came back.  I have gained 20 lbs from my "stable" weight, and I still have trouble believing it.  I'm working on it already.

We will have to stay in touch more often :-)

Kim

Kim:

My name is Rick and I live in Big lake Township (Elk River mailing address, though). I am about 5 months out.  I just wanted to say that I am glad to see another Big Laker here.

RP

Rick

It's nice to "meet" you as well!  Do you ever attend the Images meetings in Elk River?  I used to be a regular, but haven't been there for nearly a year.  I have school-related meetings on the same nights, so it's tough to make everything work out.  Marianne is the best though, her and I met very early on in our journeys.

We lived in Elk River for 8 yrs and moved to Big Lake 4 yrs ago - I love this area :-)

Take care!

Kim

Hi Kim,
I had lap band surgery a little over 2 years ago and couldn't be happier! I've lost a total of 116 pounds - slow, but steady. I saw my PCP a couple of weeks ago and she really couldn't tell me to do anything more to improve my overall health.
Your sister's experience will be different from yours, especially in the beginning. She'll probably experience hunger 2-3 weeks after surgery - after the swelling goes down - and it's really important that she sticks to her surgeon's eating instructions so that the band sets into place around the stomach and everything heals properly. She needs to have her mind wrapped around the idea that the weight loss is much slower than yours was. (Elena, who posts here often, has done a great job with the band and has lost a lot faster than most bandsters that I know!) But, if your sister follows the rules, it will work. It's a great tool.
If she ever has any questions, I love talking about it.
Jean B.

Jean

Thank you so much for your reply.  I am excited to share these tips with my sister, and to help her as much as I can - even though our paths aren't exactly the same.

Happy Friday!!

Hello Kim....you look wonderful. Congrats to your baby sister on her decision to have WLS. We know it is so worth it!!

I believe your sister must be going through Abbott Northwest in St. Cloud.....the surgeon would be Dr. Glass or Dr. Bettendorf. Both are equally as awesome!!

Hugs....connie d

Connie - you are right!  It's Abbot's program and her doctor is Dr. Bettendorf.  Thanks for helping me out with that.

Kim