Since Mother Nature wasn’t being cooperative and rained …errr rained, freezing rained, sleeted, snowed, on our get together, I rescheduled our soirée to Tuesday, February 15^th. The Omega Diner had another party scheduled for the 16^th .. so I hope to see you there !!

 

REASON: A few of you have mentioned you’d like to get together for a dinner. We can sit around, meet each other, share our trials and tribulations and maybe a few laughs. While we want to help each other lose, maybe we can also help each other gain  … a new friend or two (or 5).

 

EVERYONE is invited to come. It doesn’t matter which operation you had, or even if you haven’t had a procedure yet, or maybe you’re just “thinking" about it !! COME and have a good time !!

 

If your apprehensive in attending, let me assure you – you will have a good time. There is No judging !! We are tolerant of each other’s decisions. And if it means anything, the Food Police are banned from our gathering.

 

Each time we do this, I will try to “move" the location - since no one location will be convenient for everyone.

 

This time we’re in the “Central" section of the Garden State !!

 

Place: Omega Diner (we were here before and had a ball – especially with our waiter “CHICKIE")

Location: 1337 Route 1 South, North Brunswick, NJ 08902

Time: 5:30 p.m.   it is understandable that not everyone can arrive at this time, so come WHENEVER. We probably won’t order until 6:30 p.m.

Menu / Website: http://www.omegadiner.com/

 

In the meantime, for the “meeting newbies" here are some meeting request. I hope I don't offend anyone - it's not meant to be that. Just helpful. 

 

(1) If you want a separate check, please let the server know prior to taking the orders. It’s a hassle to ask the server to do this later on. And some places won’t do this if the crowd is too numerous.

 

(2) Usually when we do a group meeting, I like to divide check by the total number of folks at the table, instead of trying to figure out who had what. (If someone brings more than one person, they multiple the total owed by the number of people they have). Now I understand if you only order a coffee and someone else has a Filet Mignon with a 5 lbs Lobster – then we can address that more diplomatically.

 

(3) Please bring CASH (unless you want a separate check). And please make sure you have an assortment of bills. It’s really difficult to make change when everyone brings only 20’s.

 

(4) Bring a CAMERA!! Even if you are like me and camera shy, you’ll still want to take some photos of the folks who are there. I don’t have one or I would.

 

(5) Bring “proof" of your former self. Nothing says “how far you have come" like older photos. Even if you lost only 1 pound, bring your “before" pictures (and at the last meeting we all agree we hate that word only. Be proud of any amount of weight you lost).

 

(6) Please feel free to post and link this on any other forum you peruse (ex. Lapband, Rant and Rave, Realize band, RNY, VBG, VSB, etc). The more the merrier !!

Remember this is a GROUP effort. Please feel free to add your suggestion and/or voice your opinion on any suggestion. AND NO HARD FEELING – this is meant to be a pleasant experience.

 

(7) Print your Obesity Help “Membership" card so we hand them out. If you don’t know how to do this, send me an personal message, and I will send you the instructions.

 

And for those who haven’t had the operation yet – you too are more the welcome to come. In fact, you are encouraged to come!! This would be a ‘true-life’ learning experience to see “life after the operation". You will be able to hear what our ups-and-downs are, and you are encouraged to ask as many questions as you want. Other “up-comers" have come, and found it interesting and educational.

 

Significant others and/or kids are also welcomed (however you may want to leave them behind so you can really enjoy yourself  – it’s up to you)

 

Finally, since I cannot post on every board – please feel free to tell folks and/or copy and paste this on the boards you frequent.

 

Thanks, Nannette. I'm glad to hear that. I'll try to search for her and maybe send her a PM.

 I really appreciate your comments. it is nerve-wracking doing surgery so I am so happy to hear that you had a great experience with him. Congratulations on your phenomenal results and your hard work! 
Thank you,
Kelly

Hey Kelly,
May will be 5 years since I had Roux n y gastric by pass surgery with Dr. Nussbaum at St. Barnabus in Livingston....I think he now also works out of Morristown Memorial. I think he is a God in the medical field. His staff is also wonderful. Wanda helped me through the process and it went a lot smoother then anticipated. He treated me like a human being, friend then patient. I still see him from time to time. As you will when you attend support group meetings etc.
His nutrionist Karla is wonderful she has monthly meetings to talk about all types of health and eating questions.
I lost over 300 lbs and had two plastic surgeries with Dr. Lalla and he is a wonderful doctor along with his wife Gina that is a nurse and runs his practice for him.
I can't say enough wonderful things about both doctors only.....anyone that would need their assistance would be lucky enough to get an appointment with them. They are both truly caring, knowledgable, great doctors with great follow up care.
Hope this helps you calm any questions or fears you may have....if you are under Dr. Nussbaum's guidance....its just as good as it can be.
Ynot formerly Tony :)

I have heard great things about him. Try to talk to some of his other patients and see what their feelings are. There are certainly many surgeons around if you are having reservations. Keep doing your research.

There is a member here who used him and loves him. I'm going to send him an email and ask him to reach out to you. I'm not sure how often he checks these boards so I'll tell him to come find you.

Keep in mind, too, that bedside manner isn't always the best measure of a good surgeon. Although it does make a difference for this type of surgery, since you will need to maintain a relationship with the surgeon and support staff far into the future!

Good luck on your decision.