Hi fellow Oct 03-ers. I haven't been around in awhile...I just got back four days ago from the 1st Annual WLS Cruise to the western Caribbean. Luckily the hurricane didn't get us...we were a little bit ahead of it and got back to Galveston on Sunday before it could threaten our ship. What a fabulous vacation! I can truly say that I had no idea what that word really meant before this cruise. True luxury and it didn't cost an arm and a leg. My husband, who wasn't so sure he would be able to "do nothing" for a week, absolutely loved it and is ready to go again. Me too. Fortunately, the travel agent who put this cruise together for us has planned another one for next year. (She is a fellow WLS post-op from my support group here in San Antonio.) I understand Obesity Help magazine will have a big write-up about the 2nd Annual WLS Cruise in their next issue. Iris Slack, the travel agent, already has booked over half of the cabins she was given by Carnival. WLS people from all over the country are coming...some Canadian folks too. The cruise next year leaves from New Orleans and that is a more convenient place for many people so it looks like we'll have a much bigger participation. (Had 76 people this year.) Some of us from Texas are planning to charter a bus so we can party-hardy on the 12 hr drive to New Orleans and then have a little sightseeing in town before we board the ship. Here's the details. We'll sail aboard Carnival's Conquest from the port of New Orleans to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel on September 11-18, 2005. The price is great...much cheaper than the "catalog" price. It's only $604.61 per person for the 7 day cruise. That not only includes the cruise, but also all taxes (!!!) AND all tips for the onboard personnel (WOW!!) This year we saved $262 by booking like this with the special WLS group rate. I know of several other WLS people who thought they got a better deal but found out that their price didn't include tax and they still had to come up with tip money for the waiter, asst. waiter, room steward, asst. maitre d, etc. which is about $15 per day. The best part for us was that it was only $25 deposit to book a cabin. Then additional payments of $112.50 were due in January and April, with the final payment by the end of June. Another cool thing was that the entire thing was fully refundable up until shortly before the cruise. For us, it felt like we were having a free vacation in September since we had already sent in the money a little at a time over the previous year. I'm so excited about this and hope to meet even more of my online friends on next year's cruise. We made good friends with another couple at our table - they were from Michigan - and several other people from Colorado. We've already e-mailed each other and have all booked for next year. In addition to the cruise, Iris put together a no-cost mini WLS conference. There were sessions scheduled on our at-sea days and several bariatric docs, nurses, a protein vendor and a nutritionist came on the cruise to speak. We had ****tail parties, two fashion shows, protein tastings, several make-over sessions, and plenty of WLS-specific break out sessions. So contact Iris Slack and get her to send you some info on the 2nd Annual WLS Cruise. Call her at 800-479-5006 or e-mail her [email protected]. She won't bug you or pressure you to book - she'll just send you the info so you can decide for yourself. Iris is a wonderful person and quite an example of how successful you can be after this surgery. She's lost 210 lbs in 16 months! I really enjoyed spending time with her last week as we floated around the Caribbean. I've got some pictures, of course, and will post them as soon as I figure out how to do it. (Old dog vs. new tricks) I haven't updated my picture on the OH board. It's my pre-op picture. I'll be 11 months out tomorrow and have lost 140 lbs so I don't look much like that old picture anymore. Excited and Counting the Days Until Cruise #2, Sandra in San Antonio

Holy cow... high of 38?? We're 63F and rainy here in Oregon. Fall has arrived I'm afraid

Okay, so how's your weather! Mine is currently 28 degrees with a high of 38 scheduled!

Hey Jane... Good Q! I guess I would have to say that the biggest change I've noticed is that I get my picture taken a lot. Before WLS and losing 82 lbs. I hid out every time I even thought there might be a camera around and I always did the picture taking. I find myself now bringing a camera and having people take MY picture... even asking strangers to take it... And I actually like what I'm seeing in the picture too. I don't think I've taken a bad one yet (blink, scowl, etc.). I guess I'm so happy that I always have a smile on my face. I have also learned how to smile for a picture... before I was sooo uncomfortable that I never smiled! Pam PS: I also FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!!! NO MORE DIABETES, HIGH B/P OR SLEEP APNEA!

Jane, I guess the thing that has changed most is my health. I also no longer have Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Another thing is how I feel about myself..........I was ashamed of myself and held a lot of pain and hurt inside. I know that everyone here can relate. I hated being the fat one! I wanted to be a hottie!! lol! Now I love the new me, and I love to go places and I am more outgoing and I don't feel like my family has to be embarrassed by me now. There is so much more..............but those are the most important. LaDena 10/13/03 259/154