Merry Ho-Ho from Miami Beach!- from a Newbie!

I had my my surgery at the end of October, However.. I just found out about this Message Board this morning! Boy, could you guys have saved me a LOT of boo-boo's! -*But of course, I would have probably eaten that one too many pieces of turkey ANYWAY! Hope to hear from (ANYONE) soon! Love, Peter Anthony Roland (pete) Miami Beach, Florida

Pete, I see we had our surgery on the same day. First of all welcome to October's Message Board. I check the message board everyday. I am alittle disappointed by the few postings that we get but none the less still excited. I just wish more October Babies would post here along with the main message boards. Because I love to see how everything is going for my fellow October Babies. We should be able to help one out with different ideas. Also to help one another over come problems and plateaus.....Yes, I had hit a bad plateau for almost 4 weeks. But I am now over that. In fact on Christmas i've hit the #50 point. I never thought I could or would ever loss 50# in 2 months....Hugs to myself. Well I hope your experience is also a successful one. It's not all easy but it's worth it in the long run. Good luck and have a Happy New Year!! Monice Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Dear Monice, Thank you so much for your warm welcome..! (Plus.. Congratulations on losing so much weight!) Wow 50lbs.. double hugs from me too Monice! I will try to check the board often.. if I can.. -Especially to see how my surgery-day girl is doing!- To tell you the truth, I don't know how much I have lost so far.. I haven't been to the doctor (or nutritionist) for a few weeks, but the last time I checked I lost 66 lbs. (I almost fainted when I saw it!) Talk to you soon I hope.. (STAY WARM UP THERE!) Pete Miami Beach, Florida

Hi Pete, This is a great board. It is never good to compare yourself to others, but this board allows us to know that we are right on track and not alone! It helps us to know that we are normal. I am glad you found us! Congrats on your surgery! I hope you had a wonderful holiday! Nice to meet you, Amber

Thank You Amber for the warm welcome, I am glad to have found you too! My best wishes to you and yours for a happy New Year. I will try to check back often. *Thanks for the good advice about not comparing myself to others..! I sure will keep that in mind. Talk to you soon I hope, Pete Miami Beach, Florida

Do you guys go to support meetings -- are there any in your areas? That is one thing that has really really really helped me along the way. Both pre-op and post-op. You can meet others - exchange/share ideas - ask questions - get answers to questions ..... they, to me, are a real "pick-me-up" too, if having a bad day or whatever. I go to 2 of them each month, and try to never miss one.

Hello Susan, thanks for the good advice! Support groups sounds like a great idea.. (that's how I found this board.. looking for support) You see Susan, I didn't sign-up for my doctors after-care program.. (It was WAY too much money) But since I had to have an after-care program.. I opted for a local nutritionist who is great.. and much cheaper. However, she doesn't have any support groups. But I am sure my Surgeon (Dr. Sosa) does.. I will check into it my next Doctors Check-up.. and if I can, I will surely give the group a try! I hope to hear from you again soon, Happy New Year to you and yours Pete Miami Beach, Florida

You are very welcome! I guess I didnt know if I could have opted out of my after-care program with the surgeon or not. I figured it was a "must do" thing, and everything is figured in with the total price of the surgery. Hmm .. well, at least you DO have an after-care program in place, thats the main thing. Yeah, I would check with your surgeon on if they have any support groups. If not, they may know of some others in your area. To me, they are a "must" just like the after-care programs or nutritionist, etc. Happy New Year to you and yours, as well! I have to say today, that I have now hit a total of 60 lbs down! I am soooo proud of myself!!!!!!!! Talk to ya later!

Hello again Susan, My surgeon also required after-care for at least a year! However, It wasn't covered by Medicare (who paid for all of my other bills) Moreover, "His" after care was VERY EXPENSIVE, and they wanted more then $700.00 up front! (If I remember correctly) That's why I had to look for someone else. By the way.. Congratulations on the 60 lbs down! I am very proud of you too! Happy New Year Talk to you soon... pete

Congrats on your weight loss. Good luck on your future weight loss. You are already on the healthy path. I also go to support meetings, but they are free. I went a couple of months before my surgery also. I am on the website almost every day.Maybe tooo much. It is a great support system. Any question you have if not answered by your October buddies, I am sure the main message board could answer( some of the older outs are always willing to give a helping hand). Hope you had a wonderful christmas! Hope you have a healthy, happy, and safe new year! Lisa 382/328