Lots of new folks! How about a mini-intro???

I've been noticing more & more new people on here. Isn't it terrific?!?! I just love how our family keeps growing as we all keep shrinking! Let's try this... I'm a 45 yr old grandma. My hubby is Bill. I have a 25 yr daughter (Tiffany), a 24 yr old son (Jay), and a 30 yr old step-daughter (Shelly). We have 4 grandchildren (Chance is 4, Myranda will be 3 in May, Shyanne will be 2 in September, and RJ just turned 1). We also have tropical fish and are looking into getting us a male shepard pup. Bill & I love Vegas, our hot tub, and are going to be exploring RV weekender life this summer. We also enjoy small track car racing (Kitley), PC's, electronic toys (my Blackberry's my latest one...lol). I also do plastic canvas as a hobby. Oh...to my OH friends, I'm knows as the sugar-free queen... I've been a member of OH since I think 2003 or the start of 2004. I didn't really become active on here though until a little over a year ago when I met Linda Kay, Deb, and Angie for the first time in person. Since then, my closest friends are ones I've met through here. I just love meeting everyone and developing lifelong friendships!! Total, I've lost ~170 lbs and have ~30 to go. I plan on having plastics this fall...gotta wait that long because of FMLA at work. I went from a size 26/28 to a size 10/12 (so far!). I won't say it's been an easy road for me. It hasn't. But it HAS been well worth it! I have the attitude that if I can share my exeriences and save one person from having concerns or doubts, then all my issues were for a purpose. So...step right up and tell us abit about yourself..... Sherri *As you post, add up the total lbs lost for the IN board..k? Let's see how many TONS lighter Indiana is!! My lost: 170 lb IN lost: 170 lb

Here's alittle about me- I am 58, married 41 yrs. to my "blind date"sweety, have 3 daughters- Wendy-40, works for USPS in Minn., Penny-38 works at Loche Reynolds in Indy, & Amy 35. I have 8 grandsons- Peter-24 (step),Rick 23(step),Nick 18, Greg 17, Travis 13, Quintin 12, Jax 7, Hunter 6, and 1 GRANDAUGHTER- Willow Rain 4.WHEW!!!I feel old! I had a Floral & Gift shop for 11 yrs. here in Thorntown, and help out my girlfriend at hers in Lebanon, when she needs an extra hand. I like-to Travel, to take long walks, sightsee, go shopping, antiques, sit by the water and read,( I pretend to fish while Hubby does- ssshhh) love camping/campfires,etc. Nascar racing,Colts, attending grandkids sports/school functions,spend time with my family & friends, play cards/games-especially with grandkids- they gotta win! I have 5 koi fish in our pond outdoors. I'd like an indoor pet- if I could take Hubby into it. How I came to OH- I went to a support group at Speedway, met Linda Kay & she told me about it. It wasn't long before I was making new Lifetime friends here.I love to make new friends,and give others support & ((((hugs)))). I met Sherri( my lil Sis), Angie, Leah, Linda Kay, & Deb at Sherri's tea & tub a few months after my surgery. They have become some of the best pals I have. I am here for anybody who needs a word of encouragement and friendship. I have had few ups and downs, mostly food related, but everything has been worth it and more!I had my surgery Oct. 25,2005 ( 5 days before my actual birthday) and have NEVER regretted it! I have gone from 271# & taking 16 meds. (some twice a day) to 155#( my PCP goal),5 meds. and wear a 14 instead of stretched out 24-26. Hoping to meet you at the next Clothing Exchange/activity! (((hugs))) Ellen tota weight loss-116# total In. loss-286#

My name is Linda Vicory. I am 30 years old. I am 5'4" and have lose 64 pounds to date. My surgery was 11/21/06 with Dr. Inman at St. Vincent Carmel. I have already gone down from a 26-28 to an 18-20. I love it. I have not really had any complications. I go in for my next check up on March 15. If anyone will be up at St. V's then, let me know so I can stop by and visit! I work two jobs: full-time for the state in the Terre Haute office of Vocational Rehabilitation, and part-time for CODA, a local domestic violence shelter. I am taking two online graduate school classes in Rehabilitation Counseling to work towards my master's degree in that field. I have been married for almost 10 years to Michael. We have a 9 year old son named Mikey, and a 3 year old daughter named Maggie. Michael and Mikey are involved in tae kwon do lessons, and Mikey also plays the drums. Maggie does preschool dance classes. I found OH when I did an internet search for info on weight loss surgery and obesity. I got a phone call at home from a rep from OH, and was really impressed that they were that interested in me. I found the Indiana board, and have been posting ever since. Linda Vicory Total Weight Loss = 64 pounds Total Indiana Weight Loss = 350 pounds

OOPS- forgot to say I am 5'3", and still am. I also am a crazy RED HAT gal- and love it. I have 8 hats to prove it! (((hugs))) Ellen

Hello: My name is Pamela an I have 4 beautiful kids one is Shannon she is 29 an Misty is 27 an my sons are Noah he is 25 an Jason is 23,I also have 5 grandbabies one is Richard he is 9 yrs old,my others has follows is Skylar he is 5,an Elly she is 4 an Meme is 3 an Alexis is 1. I am married to a wonderful man his name is Randy,I have been a paramedic for 28 yrs which I am 47,my hubby works for Chrysler. I have 3 cats an a choc full blooded lab he is my baby his name is Louie he was named after my father-in-law he weighs almost has much has me. I had my surgery in Aug of 20004 at St Vincent Hospital an spent that entire year in the hospital due to leaks an then abcesses an then I was put into a medically induced coma an was on a trach an kidney dial then went from St Vincent to Manor Care nursing home to spent out the entire year learning how to walk again because they didn't work with my feet while I was in a coma an all. I weighted 317 at my surgery an now I am down to 158 so I have lost 159 lbs an I am still having to go threw surgeries due to the abcess it caused a hernia so had to have that repaired then I keep getting sornoms in my stomach an having to have them removed around every other month. My lost :159 In lost:159

Sherri, what a wonderful idea! I am Claudette. Born and raised a Hoosier . I am 38 (soon to be 39 ). I will be celebrating my 16th wedding anniversary in April. Dennis is the "bunny" in the bunny*****in (email address). Can you guess who I am ha ha . I am the proud parent of two kids. Shelby is 11 1/2, tom boy through and through. She is the mini me in looks and has the temper of her grandma ha ha. John will be 10 in 20 days and is the "ladies man" of the family. Both play soccer and are involved in scouting. I had open RNY on 1-11-06. I have gone from 275+ to 156. I have been up and down by two pounds for the past three months and need to get back on track. I woul d have this surgery all over again in a heart beat!!! It truely has been a blessing. My family and I can be found at the soccer field during soccer season and the campground just about every weekend. We have a 5th wheel parked at a seasonal site somewhat close to home so we can run from the soccer field to the campground. With the kids being in sports we don't get a chance to take the camper oher places for now. The people on here are heaven sent! You will find that they truely are a wonderful group of people. Caring, understanding and supportive are just a few words to describe the people here. Personally, I think we need to do more together if we can. It's hard with our schedules but hopefully we can swing it.

Hello! I'm Darrah, and I had surgery 3/1/06, so just about a year ago. I got pregnant at about 4-5 months post op, so it slowed my loss down some until after the baby gets here, which at the latest will be April 13th. Even counting my "gain" from the baby, I've still lost 103 pounds from my surgery date, and 119 from my highest weight. I was told I was not to excersise or anything during my pregancy for a couple of reason, so that has slowed stuff down too. I can't wait til she gets here and I can get back to running again! I've been married to my wonderful hubby for a little over 3 years, and the baby will be the first human addition to our current family of 3 dogs and a turtle. My lbs lost: 119 IN lost: 747

Hi, my name is Regina. I am 40 years old and I have been in Columbus, Indiana all my life. I have been married to Shanon for 18 years and we have a daughter, Hayley who will be 11 in May. We have 3 mini dachshunds (2 females, Ripley & Heidi and 1 male, Fritz). I had RNY on 11/13/06 and have lost 56 lbs. so far. I went from wearing a size 24/26 to 16/18. My highest weight was 296 lbs. in 2005 and after being on insulin shots and Byetta for 4 months I decided to research more on having this surgery. I have not had too many problems related to my surgery. I have had to have 3 scopes to stretch my throat that was due to erosion of my esophagus from having GERD for so many years. But it seems to be doing fine now. I have not regretted having surgery one time. I feel much better and I am no longer taking my diabetes medication or blood pressure medication. We travel to the Clearwater/Indian Shores, Florida area for vacation and would like to retire in that area someday. I don't like the cold weather much, especially this year because I have been cold all winter, which is very strange to some of my family members since I was always burning up. I just love walking on the beach and I am really looking forward to going there this year because for once in my life I want to be included in the pictures that we take. We are going to Busch Gardens so I'm excited to see how I fit in the rides and how much my feet hurt at the end of the day. I also like decorating our house in anything primitive. I would have liked to been born in the 1800's (maybe I was in a past life). I like going to antique malls, craft shows, and shopping at Goodwill (I think I am addicted to the store). This website has been so helpful whenever I have had problems or questions. I don't know what I would do without everyone's info they've given my so far. I have learned so much from others and have met some very nice folks on here. Regina

Great idea Sherri, My name is Tania and I just had surgery almost 2 weeks ago. I had the Lap-Band which is quite a bit different than RNY, but hopefully will work for me. I have two small boys 5 and 6 years old. They keep me running ;) I expect to get them started in baseball this summer and then the running around really starts. My hobby is to show and breed Bengal cats. If you want to see them, you can check out my website at www.geocities.com/dazzlekatzbengal I show in TICA (The International Cat Association) and I also work the shows by keeping the scores in the ring. I usually show/work about 6 weekends a month. It's kind of an expensive hobby, but I love the little kittens. I work at Lilly as a Publication Assistant and I have been there 19 years....yes, I started as a baby , lol. During the summer, my family and I are usually hanging out at the pool in the backyard. Perahps I'll plan a pool party/cookout once warmer weather gets here. Tania

Hi all. I've posted quite a bit, but never met any of you, or really introduced myself. I'm married, and a mother of six children, four born to me, and two I married into I'm a criminal defense attorney working in Elkhart County way up north. I am 46 years old and had Lap-RNY on December 1, 2006. I've lost 62 pounds so far, and I hope, hope, hope it is only the beginning. I'm 5'1" tall, probably the shortest of all of us. The adding seemed to stop a few posts back, but by my calculations, the total is as follows: My Loss 62 lbs. Total 865