NEWBIE but an OLDIE

Hi, you are all probably wondering what NEWBIE but OLDIE means. Well I have been following this web site for close to 9 months. I feel like I know all of you personally. I am not very good at writing letters and what not so I told myself I would just read and not participate. Well.......I realized the people on this site are truly a "family" and care about one another and support each other more than anyone I could ever relate too so I thought I would let myself be known and I will do my best to participate and support as much as you all have supported me. I had a Lap RNY with Dr. Toder on Feb.2 and I am doing well. I have lost 24 pounds and would like to lose another 76. I feel privaleged(sp) to be a part of this team. I remember when Theresa first had her surgery and I have followed her progress (along with others) and kept thinking to myself "I want to do things like she did" like Kelley, I almost forgot she was one of us and would definitely have down times too. Theresa you have been a tremendous inspiration to me in my journey and I admire all that you have going on in your life. I am wondering if maybe as your body is adjusting, you are gaining muscle as you are so close to goal and that is why you have been on such a plateau. I bet by this time next week your are down enough that you have to get off the scale and weigh again just to make sure you are not dreaming. Well this is long enough, but I wanted to introduce myself to you all. feel free to read my profile. Val

Hi Val, I wanted to welcome you to this board and say congrats on your surgery. I was a "lurker" here for quite some time myself before I finally began to participate--and even now I don't always respond to posts because sometimes I have things I would love to write, but always feel like it sounds stupid once I get it all typed out--so I delete it and don't post. Everyone here is wonderful and supportive, and I really appreciate everyone here. Good luck on your journey and keep us posted on your progress! Jill

Well you brought tears to my eyes. Your post means so much to me. Everyones has but for you in your first post to write such nice things about me and give me so much encouragement means the world to me. Thank YOU! Of course my hub thinks I am nuts. I am glad you are "officially" joining us here on the message board. It is amazing how we can depend on one another when some of us have never even met. I plan on going to the next Friday support group, if you go I would enjoy meeting you. You sound like you are doing wonderful, Dr Toder is an amazing surgeon. Keep up the great job and keep posting!! Welcome to OUR Maine family! Theresa

Hi Val, Welcome Aboard!! I gotta ask.. are you Val as in my cousin Val?? everyone must be thinking "what a nut" but is it YOU???? Kell

Kelley, Yep that would be me. You are my husband Donald's cousin. I saw you at Mattie's funeral and was going to come tell how good you are doing and how good you looked, but before I could work a conversation out in my head to tell you how I knew so much about your surgery blah blah blah, you were gone. I tried to email you, but couldn't get your email address until I joined. sigh. Took me awhile to figure out how this board worked. I'm pretty computer illiterate. thanks to all for the welcome. I probably won't be going to this support group meeting cause I am meeting with Dayna today (thursday) and have plans for the weekend. Would love to meet you too Theresa. some day. Val

Hiya Val, Welcome to the board. I am so happy you decided to join us in the fun, lol. I hope we can all continue to provide some interesting reading and support. Not sure if you have read any of my postings but as I always say my inbox is open so feel free to write anytime with questions etc. Congratualtions on the surgery and your progress thus far I look forward to following along in your "journey" as I have followed others. Casey