I'm not MIA--update on me

Dear Friends, I have been MIA long enough. As many of you may know, I'm from the New Orleans area. My family and I evacuated due to Hurricane Katrina and have ended up in the Phoenix area. These last 3 months have been quite overwhelming. I am grateful for the love and support of my family, friends, and complete strangers who have come into our lives since August 29th. I have finally found a WLS doctor who will do my follow ups. I met Dr. Terry Simpson last week and will be attending support groups from his practice. Unfortunately, Dr. Simpson only performs the Lap Band now but still has many DS post-ops. When I first got to Phoenix I had to go to the ER due to dehyrdation but all that is fine now. Had bloodwork done on Friday so we will see how I am doing considering the cir****tances that I have had to deal with. I haven't been exactly compliant with all my vitamins, proteins, etc. but am trying to get back on track now. I have lost more weight than I had hoped for but the doctor doesn't seem worried. My original goal was 110 (which I thought was crazy when Dr. W first told me that). I am now at 103--mostly. I don't recommend the Hurricane Katrina diet! I was suppose to have PS in September by my surgeon in New Orleans but that didn't happen for obvious reasons. I have found a surgeon here in Scottsdale and am scheduled for hernia repair, panniculectomy and breast augmentation on 12/28. Since the hernia reapir and panniculectomy are covered by my insurance, cost for the augmentation is minimal due to the fact that there is additional procedures being performed and the hospital bill will be covered. I may incur an additional 1 hour for anesthesia (sp) but probably not. With all that has happened emotionally and financially in these past few months, it may seem frivilous to pursue the PS but I really think I need this mentally. I need some normalcy in my life and feel that my journey will be complete once I finsih up with the PS. I don't have any grand illusions that I will be wearing bikinis with a Baywatch body but I know that there can definitely be some improvements. I hope to get back to being more active again on the boards. It's been way to long since I've participated. I miss all of you. Rhonda DS on 7/7/04 225/103 Scheduled for hernia repair, panniculectomy & breast augmentation on 12/28/05

We miss you too Rhonda! I wish you could be here. Maybe you can plan ahead and come visit for the convention we'll be holding next summer HUGS Kat

Rhonda, After all that you have been through, you DO deserve to go ahead with the plastics. I am proud for you. I wish you well in the coming weeks and months. Take care, JC

Hi Rhonda, It is really good to hear from you. I'm sorry you are so far away, but happy to hear that you have found a good doctor and are on the road to recovery from Katrina. Be blessed and Merry Christmas! Frances

Hi, Rhonda! It's good to hear from you! So many of us are in new locations and it's good to hear that people are alive and coping as best as possible!!! I wish you all the best and more! ~Vanessa~

OH Rhonda, it's so good to hear from you. It was truly worrisome not knowing if things were going all right or if your SO won out (LOL) and you were going to move back to NO or exactly what was going to happen. I'll still always think of you as my angel! Denise in Ark