Online Peer-to-Peer Connections Key in Weight Loss Surgery Success

By Kaye Bailey

About 250,000 morbidly obese adult Americans will undergo Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) this year to have their intestines cut and rearranged in a drastic attempt to lose weight and put their obesity in remission. In addition to surgical intervention they will agree to follow a high protein, low carbohydrate diet, engage in daily physical activity, avoid snacking on empty calorie

Happy Anniversary Neighborhood!

My how time does fly! This month (March 10th to be exact) marks the 4th Anniversary of the LivingAfterWLS Neighborhood! Many of our Neighborhoods had not yet "Arrived" back in 2006 when the Neighborhood was born! And here we are today celebrating together in the common quest for health, wellness, friendship, knowledge and stewardship all sharing the common connection of weight loss surgery. The

Connections: Support Matters with Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss is never easy - with or without weight loss surgery - and it is more difficult when we try to go it alone. The Internet has provided us numerous opportunities to connect with others who are traveling this journey of weight loss surgery. Here are a few of my favorite destinations for support, encouragement, understanding and empowerment! I'll see you there!LivingAfterWLS

Neighborhood News: August 11, 2009

Greetings Neighbors! Are you looking for interesting conversation and great information from others who are just like you, LivingAfterWLS? Here are a few links over to the Neighborhood so you can follow and join in the conversation. Remember, the Neighborhood is YOUR safe haven community of friends who are LivingAfterWLS! Join us!Day 6 - Looking for Buddies"I am starting Day 6 today, and

Fun Friday has Me Scratching my Head

HAPPY FRIDAY NEIGHBORS!!!!What a long week it has been for me and I am certainly looking forward to a great weekend with a full To-Do list around home. What have you got planned?Fun Friday August 7, 2009While you are waiting for quitting time how 'bout jumping over to the Neighborhood and play our favorite quiz game: Fun Friday. Today's question, brought to us by the always charming and clever

Long Time, No See! I'm here -- Really I am!

Hey Blogging Neighbors! Long time no see - I have missed you guys! I never realized just how busy we are, as a family, between middle April through the end of May. We had four local birthdays, Jim and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary, one high school graduation, one high school graduation party, Memorial Day and Puppy Charvie's 1-year birthday! All within six weeks. And to make things

Have you played Question of the Day?

Our Neighborhood crazy girl ~Jane~ has introduced us to a fun new daily diversion: Question of the Day! In her usual "Hokey Fright" manner she tosses out a random question for discussion: sometimes weight loss related, sometimes simply random. There are no rules, no prizes, and the conversations can last for days. How fun is that?The Neighbors have picked up on this bit 'o fun and there is always

Shout-Out for Mel's Recovering Fatty Website

Hello Neighbors!One of our good Neighbors here, Melinda, has put together a beautiful website and she is enjoying a growing community over at Recovering Fatty. Like the Neighborhood, her site is a licensed IPB board (so it works just like the Neighborhood), it is secure from spammers and flamers, and it is advertising free. Melinda is a special person with a kind heart and giving spirit. She

It's all happening in the Neighborhood

Autumn has arrived in the Northern Hemi and for me that means cool morning walks, beautiful colors as the leaves change and late-night tea in front of the fireplace. How are things in your neck of the woods? Our little calico, KeepHerKitty, is quite interested in the big round pumpkins just waiting to be carved.In the LivingAfterWLS Neighborhood the weather is always just right for over-the-fence

Coddler Fever & Fun Friday

Greetings Neighbors!Coddler Fever? Have you caught it yet? Link HereHas Spring Sprung in your part of the world or perhaps a nip of fall is in the air for our Down'Under friends. Either way, the weather is always perfect at the LivingAfterWLS Neighborhood!Today is the final Fun Friday of March 2008 and it puts a song in my heart to invite you to participate in our weekly get-to-know-one-another

Introducing Celadon, Food Editor

It is my pleasure to introduce Celadon aka Barbara Gibbons as our LivingAfterWLS Food Editor. This fabulous female is burning the midnight oil editing our new cookbook and contributing recipes to our online recipe collection. She is smart about recipe makeovers and a gifted foodie who arrived in the weight loss surgery community July 31, 2007. Since that day she has worked her tool magnificently!

Word of Thanks

Dear LivingAfterWLS Friends:Just a word of thanks for all your support, prayers and kindness over the last few weeks. As many of you know my father has been critically ill and on Monday underwent open heart surgery to replace an artificial aortic heart valve which has given him life since 1969. Yes, 1969. Remarkable. He now has a new artificial valve and is responding well. Your thoughts and

Winner's Edge and Weight Loss Surgery

Hello Everyone!First let me say that I'm not a sports enthusiast and have only a vague understanding of professional sport strategy and politics. Even so, I enjoy the World Series of Baseball: have enjoyed it since I was a kid when we attended the LA Dodgers games in the early hay-day of record making manager Tommy Lasorda.So it has been with enthusiasm and wonderment that I've watched the first

Live Chat is Back

The Neighborhood Live Chat is back and better than ever!More secure.More user friendly.More fun!The live chat is open to three Neighborhood registered user groups: Foundation Members, Premier Citizens and Members. It is closed to guests and search engines: this is part of our "safe haven" policy.To become a registered member in the Neighborhood and connect with others who understand you please

The Neighborhood:Community Upgrades & Membership

Our LivingAfterWLS Neighborhood - the online community we call a safe haven circle of friends - is now a little over 16-months old. During this time weight loss surgery patients from around the world have connected and shared their living after weight loss surgery experiences. Pre-ops have come aboard, asked questions and shared their excitement. And old timers have shared the wisdom that comes