Hello everyone!

How are you all? Well first an update, I am still below my goal weight at 130 pounds. I am really struggling with eating lately. Have started eating much more than normal, got to watch those nasty carbs, they only make me hungrier! I think it has a lot to do with the stress. My youngest son is going to be going to New York City to school and my oldest will not be coming home to work on the weekends so I am facing that dreaded empty nest. I have a lot of plans and know I will be very busy but the process of getting everything ready for everyone and myself are taking a toll on my eating habits. Good news!--I have scheduled my surgery date for my lower body lift. I will be having it done on September 28 by Dr Jon Rast. I am scared and excited to go to the next phase of my journey. I had to refinance my home to have the surgery and to help my son get all he needs to go to school so far away. We closed today so that is one thing off my mind! Now I will get him going and then I will really start thinking more about my LBL. This web site has always helped me and continues to do so. I still go to my support group meetings at Olathe Medical Center with Dr Opie and that really helps me to maintain. So again, my friends, I look to you all for support, the hubby is supportive but also struggling with jealousy issues so doesn't really "get it". I hope you all had a wonderful day and Fran, even though I don't get the time to post often, you always bring a smile to my face whenever I see your positive and supportive posts for everyone. Thank you! Deanna and Sharon, we don't hear from you often (know how busy you have both been!) but I know you are all there if we need you. Thank You! Will try to get my after picture up, people don't believe me when they meet me after seeing my picture on here. Sorry, not so good at that sort of thing. Hope you all are doing well and have a wonderful week!!

BRENDA!!!!! It's sooo good to see you post!!! I've been thinking about you...glad to hear you're doing so well!!!! What's it like being under your goal???? I don't think I'll ever get to where I want to be...I get so close then all of a sudden things go NUTS!! (check out my post) I'm sooo excited for you for getting to get to the next step...I really need a LBL as well and was just starting to do some research on surgeons...you'll have to let me know what you think of Doc Rast. Sharon had him for her arms and Boobs...he had to redo some things, but I think that he expected her skin to bounce back more than it did...It's such a big step...I'm actually more afraid of the PS than I was of the WLS...GO FIGURE!!! I'm sorry you're feeling the empty nest thing...if we were closer I would loan ya a little something to fill the nest!!! YES...YOU DO NEED TO CHANGE YOUR PICTURE!!!!! How long have I been buggin' you about that!?!?! GREAT BIG HUGS SWEETIE!!!! Deanna K

OH my Gosh.. Brenda.. so good to hear from you.. wowee, was afraid you had shrunk down to nothing and couldn't reach the keyboard anymore.. ha ha ha ha ha ha this is wonderful news from you.. fantastic.. you are doing so great.. so very very great.. love this ... and now you are having the plastic surgery.. wowee.. woop woop woop.. And I see that Deanna has posted too.. fantastic.. so glad to see these posts.. stay on the line folks.. I am so darn happy that I am actually jumping up and down for joy.. ha ha ha okay okay so I am laying on the bed with my feet up in the air.. ha ha ha ha but you know what I mean.. love you guys .. these posts really help me alot.. eating is a problem and always will be.. hard to walk past the special things I have loved.. and now can't find an excuse to eat .. ha ha ha ha ha and I am able to hold alot more food fuel than was able to before so need to get control again.. but was happy to hear that I had dropped off another pound.. darn need to lose about 40 more pounds to be truly happy and at MY goal.. the surgeons are happy with what has already passed.. but I want more more more gone.. ha ha ha ha ha ha So empty nest syndrome eh.. now that is rough but later will seem so much more fun.. went thru that myself and it was rough rough.. so am here for you my friend.. Good luck with this surgery hon.. h m m m might consider the house paying for mine too.. h m m m m the surgeons refused to take my first born child in payment.. ha ha ha ha ha ha they want cash.. so guess I will have to work on this.. meanwhile, would love to drop off some more skin (or is that fat?) ha ha ha ha ha take care my friend and do keep on posting.. so good to see you again.. Hugs to you, Fran

Hi Brenda, I'm glad to hear you're set to get your LBL. I can relate to your financial situation, as I just closed on a surgery loan too. I can also relate to your "scared and excited" comment. I have been attending the OMC support group meetings for about six months, waiting for Dr. Opie to give me a surgery date. I finally lost enough weight to make him happy and now I am scheduled for RNY on Monday (08-15-3005). I went in yesterday to pay the hospital and Dr. Opie - so I guess I'm committed now. The closer it gets the more nervous I am, but I suppose that's "normal" and I'll get past it. I have thanked Marsha for all her help and that of the group. You all have done a lot for me. Sometimes I might seem to be just sitting there in a meeting, but I don't have to tell you what a big difference it makes just to listen and to be in contact with people who understand. Thanks for all your help and good luck with your upcoming events. I don't suppose I'll make it to this month's group meeting, since it's only three days after my surgery - but I hope to be there next month. see you soon, Steve

Congratulations Steve! I am doing the happy dance for you! You will do great and Dr Opie is awesome. I will be at the meeting so I am sure Marsha will update us on how you are doing if you let her know she can tell us. Don't let the nerves get to you. I know you will have them but just remember that you took your time and made the best decision for yourself and this will help you become the healthy you that you want and deserve to be! Good luck and God Bless. I should be at the September meeting so look forward to seeing less of you! Brenda

Thanks. I appreciate your kind words. My birthday is Sunday. Since I have to do the liquid-only diet tomorrow and Sunday, my wife and daughters were planning on taking me out to eat tonight to celebrate my birthday a couple of days early - but I'm too nervous. It's probably the last time in my life I will be ever able to eat as much as I want of whatever I want to eat - and I can't do it because my stomach is so upset. So much for "the last supper".

Just wanted to say.. good luck with this surgery hon and am so proud of the choice you have made.. this is such an amazing journey you are about to go on.. will be thinking of you and am so happy.. Know you are in good hands and have a terrific support group behind you 100%... Please keep us all posted on how you are doing and ask any questions you need.. we are all here for you.. Happy journey and Happy Birthday.. You are giving yourself the best present you possibly could.. the gift of life... Hugs, Fran

Hi Steve, good luck tomorrow!!! I see you have surgery! take care and we will be thinking of you! Bambi

I am just getting caught up on the Kansas board. By now you are 3 days post op. Welcome to losing side! Hope everything is going well for you! Joan open 11/2/04 430/286