New to this message board

I my name is Lea Lewis and I am new to this message board. I live in Cusseta, GA right outside Fort Benning, GA. I had my surgery done on March 14, 2006. I am doing great and feeling wonderful. I have lost 28lbs.....YEA. I have a wonderful husband and three awesome dogs. I choice to do the gastric by pass for several reasons. But my main reason is because I was born with club feet and in 1999, I twisted my ankle and found out that the cartlidge in my left foot/ankle was almost completely gone due to the arthritis. In October 2000 I had my first of 7 surgeries on my ankle. I have had 2 triple arthodis fusion, 2 hardware removal and 3 complete fusions. My last fusion was September 2005 and I am happy to say, so far this one seems to be doing well. The dr wants to wait to see how losing weight will help the pain, before we go any further. BUT the pain has decreased tremendously. Do to the surgery my weight has been up and down these last five years do to the immobility. I really haven't had any problems with my gastric by pass surgery. Normal muscle pain but that is about it. I wish I had did this about 5 years ago. If you are in the Columbus, GA area and you need a support group, our support group meets the third thursday of each month. Next meeting is the April 20 at 6:30 and the St. Francis Health in the Rosemont Shopping Center. Well, I hope all is doing wonderful and I pray you have a great day. Lea Lewis Obesityhelp Support Group Leader

Hi Lea, My name is Lisa and I live in Columbus. I am in the process of getting all my requirements and paperwork out of the way so that I can have surgery. Does your support group accept people that haven't had surgery yet but are in the process? Feel free to email me if you want. Thanks

Lisa, Anyway can come to our meetings and you are more than welcome to come. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. I will try to help you as much as I can. Lea Lewis ObesityHelp.com Support Group Leader

Lisa, Hi, I live in Columbus and will be at that meeting at Health Matters on the 20th. I start a new job with St. Francis Womens Center on Mon. so I will be a part of those meetings each month. I'd be happy to help you anyway I can, meet you, etc. I will be 2 yrs out in May and have lost 126 pounds. I had breast lift and reduction in Oct. a hernia repair and paniculectomy (tummy tuck like) in Nov AND then back in Op Room on Christmas eve with small problem from TT. But would do it all again. I find I am struggleing now with what I have learned I can eat and being so inactive all the months with the surgeries I am looking forward to getting back to meetings and working with others as/for support. Who is your surgeon? It is a long process at every stage but so worth it, hope it continues to progress well for you. Just let me know if anything I can do. Dana Robertson Email me if like, I'd be happy to give you my number.

Thanks Lea and Dana. My surgeon is Dr. Proctor. He is in Gainesville. I can't attend the meeting on the 20th but I will definitely be there next month! I am looking forward to meeting others who have been through this or are starting on the journey. Dana, I will probably be sending you an email before the next meeting. Maybe, we can get together. I have lots of questions. Lisa

Lisa, There are a lot of people who have went to gainesville to have their surgery done at our group. So, they might able to help you too with how your dr will be. I went to Dr. Steinberg in Decatur. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Lea Lewis Obesityhelp.com support group leader