The Renew blog is "cleared" monthly to make communication easier. Please keep blogging! Check the "newsletter: section of the site for future support group dates and times.

Ok, can someone tell us when the next support meeting will be? I'm also disappointed that this isn't being used to tell us things to help us.

Dear Anonymous. The support group listings can be found under the "newsletter" section. Sorry for any confusion. The blog is a place for patients and staff to communicate and have questions answered. The blog is "swept" monthly due to the volume of information to sift through, so there may well have been something useful that has been removed. We can consider leaving blog notes for longer if requested. Please check out the newsletter section (from the home page). There is a nice group picture there.
--Heather Surcouf FNP-C

JUST A REMINDER. New Orleans Support Group Tommorrow night at 6:30 pm. Featuring Dr Katherine Macgregor. $10.00 fee. Hope to see you there. If you would like your photo added to our site, please bring a before and after to the group or email us at ruaryoconnellmd@bellsouth.net and we will be happy to add you. I will be adding King Tutt this week to the Newsletter section.
--H. Surcouf FNP-C

I was wondering about the Kashi cereals with the fruit. I have not tried them but they look good. Is that a natural sugar or a bad sugar. Let me know because I just do not understand. Thanks Michele

Kasi Cereal is a good choice. Natural sugar is a "fruit sugar"-fructose (NOT HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP). Sugars that can cause dumping or weight gain are sucrose (table sugar), corn syrup, etc. However, if the product contains these in very low amounts (4th ingredient or more down the line), then it is not likely to cause dumping. Hope this helps, if not I will ask Paula (RD) to add her expertise on Tuesday. I am glad you are watching your ingredients!
--Heather S. FNP

jUST A reminder- tuesday (tommorrow) is support group in N.O. Please Rsvp

I'm coming, and bringing along someone who is interested in the surgery.
--Greta
<mailto:gretafm@bellsouth.net>

ooooops! Nevermind! Just got my email telling me that everything has been cancelled. My bad....
--Greta

So Sorry, dr Macgregor is not available and has asked us to post pone until December. Feel free to call if you eed us- paula will be in today after 12 pm.
--Heather S

There is a support group scheduled for 6:30 Pm in New Orleans on 12/12/06. i have not received any RSVPs. Please call or email us if you plan to attend. If we do not get enough participation, the group will be cancelled. I know it is hard to get time away during the holidays!
--Heather S
<mailto:ruaryoconnellmd@bellsouth.net>

Due to lack of interest, the support group scheduled for 12/12/06 has been cancelled. The next one is planned for July
--Heather S

I really miss the once a month meeting in New Orleans. I'm still living in Grand Prairie, TX and have nob been able to find a group to accomodate the needs of a by-pass person. I have maintained my weight and had three years on December 8th. I continue to walk daily and watch what I eat. We spent Christmas with our son and his family in Baton Rouge and had a good time, but there is no place like New Orleans. It's New Year's Eve and it feel like a regular Sunday night here.
--Gail B. PSUL
<mailto:emanuelpaul@comcast.net>

H Contrary to the last comment the next group meeting will be held in February (2nd Tuesday).
Watch this space ! !
--RO&#39;Connell

Occassionally I will comment on new products that you all may have seen and thought about trying. See the Newsletter section of the website for an article on Special K Protein products.
--Paula

Paula, I was glad to read about the protein bars. I looked at them, read the sugar content, but still felt it was more a candy bar than a protein supplement. I will continue to use the blog for information
--Gail B. Paul
<mailto:emanuelpaul@tx.rr.com>

Just a reminder, there is a support group scheduled for February 13, 2007 (Tuesday) at 6:30 p.m. I so enjoyed lasts months and hope to have similar response.
--Heather S

Reminder: Support group tonight mARCH 20, 07 (rescheduled from last week)
--Heather S

Hi y'all
We're moving again. We have outgrown our present space and will be moving, effective June 1st 2007, to Suite 600A 4429 Clara Street New Orleans. This is in the Womens Pavilion next to Baptist (Memorial) Hospital We have free parking on site. Clara is directly off Napoleon Avenue.
The phone numbers and E-Mail addresses have not changed.
Ruary OConnell MD

Hi y'all
We're moving again. We have outgrown our present space and will be moving, effective June 1st 2007, to Suite 600A 4429 Clara Street New Orleans. This is in the Womens Pavilion next to Baptist (Memorial) Hospital We have free parking on site. Clara is directly off Napoleon Avenue.
The phone numbers and E-Mail addresses have not changed.
Ruary OConnell MD

Hi y'all
We're moving again. We have outgrown our present space and will be moving, effective June 1st 2007, to Suite 600A 4429 Clara Street New Orleans. This is in the Womens Pavilion next to Baptist (Memorial) Hospital We have free parking on site. Clara is directly off Napoleon Avenue.
The phone numbers and E-Mail addresses have not changed.
Ruary OConnell MD

Hello all, my name is J.C. My surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday 06/13/07. Of course I'm a little anxious, but the prospect of a RENEWed (no pun intended) life without insulin and other meds is a dream come true.

I'm 40 years old and have been an athlete all my life, except for the last 14 years when I began to gain weight. My primary sport was football which I played for 11 years into college. Football was also the factor that trained my body to intake 10,000 calories a day. <GASP> I hear some of you out there. 10K calories didn't seem like much when I was working out 2X a day, running every day, and also leading an active lifestyle. But this process trained me to eat large quantities and affected me later in life by making me always hungry. So today I find myself at 355 lbs, an insulin dependent diabetic, with high blood pressure, bad knees, and other weight related complications.

Over the past ten years I tried many diets and always failed as my weight crept increasingly higher. My journey into WLS began in February 2006. It has been very frustrating through two different insurances and many appeals and phone calls by myself and the RENEW Team. The good news finally came on May 18th. The past two weeks have been busy with pre-op testing and getting my personal affairs in order. Surprisingly, although I am somewhat anxious about the upcoming procedure, a calmness has overtaken me as the day of my surgery draws nearer. Wish me luck, and say a prayer for me. I can see a light on the horizon...and it gets brighter each day.

-j.c.
--J.C. Watts II
<mailto:jwatts39@yahoo.com>

Hello all, my name is J.C. My surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday 06/13/07. Of course I'm a little anxious, but the prospect of a RENEWed (no pun intended) life without insulin and other meds is a dream come true.

I'm 40 years old and have been an athlete all my life, except for the last 14 years when I began to gain weight. My primary sport was football which I played for 11 years into college. Football was also the factor that trained my body to intake 10,000 calories a day. <GASP> I hear some of you out there. 10K calories didn't seem like much when I was working out 2X a day, running every day, and also leading an active lifestyle. But this process trained me to eat large quantities and affected me later in life by making me always hungry. So today I find myself at 355 lbs, an insulin dependent diabetic, with high blood pressure, bad knees, and other weight related complications.

Over the past ten years I tried many diets and always failed as my weight crept increasingly higher. My journey into WLS began in February 2006. It has been very frustrating through two different insurances and many appeals and phone calls by myself and the RENEW Team. The good news finally came on May 18th. The past two weeks have been busy with pre-op testing and getting my personal affairs in order. Surprisingly, although I am somewhat anxious about the upcoming procedure, a calmness has overtaken me as the day of my surgery draws nearer. Wish me luck, and say a prayer for me. I can see a light on the horizon...and it gets brighter each day.

-j.c.
--J.C. Watts II
<mailto:jwatts39@yahoo.com>

Hi
I just wanted to remind everyone about support group in New Orleans next Tuesday at 6:30. Dr. O'Connell, Dr. McGregor, and I will be there.
Paula, RD

I was wondering about a couple of products.
The first is 50 GRAM SLAM... A 50 GRAM protein
drink by GNC. Calories is 270, fat 2g... sugars 4g... The ingredients are listed as : Water, Milk Protein Concentrate, Natural flavor, Cellulose Gel, Whey Protein Concen., Cocoa, Sucralose, Cellulose Gum, Acedultame Potassium, and Carragean. The Other Product: FUZE Slenderize low carb drink. Cal.10, fat o, surgars 1g. Ingredients: Filtered water, apple juice Con, Malic Acid, Garcinia Camboiga Rind Extract, Natural Strawberry Melon Flaor etc. Ascorbid Acid L-Carnitine, Veg. Juice. Sucralose, Chromiim Polynicotinate.
Are these OK???????????????? HELP... Thanks!!!

How many grams of Protein should you have a day? goal?

?? 6 months after surgery... How long should you wait before thinking about plastic surgery... tummy tuck ... boob lift :( etc. ???
and does the Doc have recommendation on Doctors to see for these procedures??? Thanks :) Mel
--Mel
<mailto:all4youxoxo@aol.com>

I have found a support group here in Arlington, TX. (Arlington Memorial Hospital) Meeting is the first Tuesday of the month. I have really enjoyed it, because I wanted to continue with a support group. I will have my forth anniversary on 8 December and I'm very proud to say I have maintained my weight loss. I work at it and try to do everything Dr O'Connel said to do. Still missing New Orleans and plan to be in the area during the Christmas Holidays.
Gail Paul 817-652-1713
--Gail B. Paul
<mailto:emanuelpaul@tx.rr.com>

Dr. Oconnell performed my surgery in 2000. I read the blog that the office had moved but you did not provide a telephone number. I need to provide this information so that I can purchase some life insurance.
--KEM
<mailto:millergj@bellsouth.net>

504-897-0700

I had rny surgery in 2002 with Dr. O'Connell. I have since had 2 kids and gained 50 pounds. Am I a candidate for revision and what types of revision does Dr. O'Connell do? Are you going to be doing the Stomaphyx procedure? I need some help..I'm miserable.
--Anonymous

In brief,candidates for revision are those who have massively dilated the gastric pouch, who have a dilated connection between the pouch and the small bowel.and who have FAITHFULLY adhered to the advice given that small meals exercise and avoidance of easy calories i.e. soft drinks candy etc. Pregnancy is associated with some weight gain but with application, this weight can be substantially reduced after childbirth. Again, Exercise and attention to proper diet will help. Remember that unless there is a structural reason for surgical revision the answer lies in YOUR efforts to regain your pre-pregnant weight. If you feel that there is something wrong with the Bypass then you shopuld seek consultation.
--Dr O&#39;ConnellXdAUJ

PLASTIC SURGERY:
For those considering "Nip and Tuck" procedures we strongly reccomend waiting at least a year after Gastric Bypass surgery and perhaps longer with the "BAND" placement
REASON: For the same reason that you will defer buying a good suit until you reach your goal or at least have stabilized your weight Call us at the office 504-897-0700 for recommendations.

--Dr O&#39;Connell

WE PROMISED THAT WE WOULD ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR SURGICAL PROCEDURES AND NUTRITIONAL NEEDS AND WE WILL ATTEMPT TO DO SO EVERY FRIDAY.
FOR URGENT ENQUIRIES CALL THE OFFICE AT 504-897-0700
--DR O&#39;Connell

I had surgery back in april of 2003. I was wondering if their was a way that i could get the photo's that were taken and put into my file. I have lost all my pic's and would like to have one's to show others. Also i never got my refund back after my last appointment, just wondering how to handle that?

Just to add to the above post....I have gone from 536 lbs. to 243lbs and holding steady, sometimes 10 lbs more sometimes 10 lbs less.

OK guys, I apologize for letting this blog slip my mind.
1. 60 - 80 gram daily protein goal
2. Fuze Slenderize is a good low calorie/sugar, noncarbonated, decaf beverage for hydration.
3. I will check on 50 gram slam

I promise to be more timely with responses!

Paula
--Paula Rangel, RD, LDN

To Anon of 2/13.
Congratulations on your excellent weight loss. I am sure your pictures are available in the file. Please call the office 504-897-0700 Leslie will be more than glad to help you with that issue and the refund from the hospital.

--Dr O&#39;Connell

To Anon of 2/13.
Congratulations on your excellent weight loss. I am sure your pictures are available in the file. Please call the office 504-897-0700 Leslie will be more than glad to help you with that issue and the refund from the hospital.

--Dr O&#39;Connell

Hi everyone - I'm back with the ok on GNC's Pro Performance 50 Gram Slam RTD (ready to drink). 1-2 g fat and 3-4 g sugar per can depending on flavor. This would be acceptable to drink if you are having trouble getting your 60-80 gram of protein daily, but I would not drink the entire can in one meal/snack. Try dividing into 2-4 servings. Remember the best way to get your protein, especially after the first 3 months is with foods - lean meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, beans, and low fat dairy.
--Paula Rangel, RD, LDN

I just tried to send Dr. O an email, and it bounced back. What's the new email address?

Thanks

ruaryoconnellmd@bellsouth.net

Just wanted to pass along some protein supplement information. Many people ask for a suggestion on unflavored protein powder that can be use in any type of food. Most unflavored powders contain only about 5g of protein. I have found a product called Unjury which contains 20g protein per scoop. It can be mixed in cold or warm foods and beverages. You can find this product at www.unjury.com
I also received some information in the mail about some more flavored protein products. I will research these and pass along the information soon.
--Paula Rangel, RD, LDN

I received a phone call this morning from a patient asking about The Biggest Loser Protein 2Go supplements. I checked into the product and wanted to pass along the information. It is a single serve fruit flavored packet that can be mixed in your water bottle. 0g fat, 1g sugar, 6g protein. This would not be appropriate for your sole protein supplementation during the first few months, but is a great addition to your regular nutrition plan. Instead of drinking sugar free Koolaid or Crystal Light, try this for an extra 6g protein per water bottle!
--Paula Rangel, RD, LDN

I attended a nutrition conference this past Sunday and Monday and wanted to pass along a easy sugar free, 0 Calorie beverage recipe that is delicious.

1 packet crystal light tea powder
1 packet crystal light lemonade powder
3 quarts water
1 Tablespoon almond extract

Try and let me know what you think!

--Paula Rangel, RD, LDN

I was wondering if anyone had blue cross blue shield of texas as their medical insurance. I have tried to have gastric bypass surgery about six years ago, they denied me due to i need to be on a pill form for a year or two. But I cant do that. I feel trap in a fat persons body and I need help. Sleep apnea, my legs swell, hard to get off of couch, and personal hygience is nuts. I am 43 feel 35 but due to my weight i look old. Can someone give me some pointers out there about insurance.
--cindy sunshine
<mailto:csaults@chabillstire.com>

I attended a Gastric ByPass support meeting, 16 Jun 09.Calcium was discussed,it was stated that we should take calcium citrate. I have been taking Viactive,3X a day for 5 1/2 years.Should I change?
--Gail B. Paul
<mailto:emanuelpaul@tx.rr.com>