Newby with Questions

Hello! This is my first day on this message board (it took me a little while to figure out how to post). I'm no different from most...Overweight for just-about-forever, scared but excited about the possibility of surgery, apprehensive about what life will be like after surgery, and how I will be regarded by family and others when changes start taking place in my body. I also worry about how much "the rest of the bill" will be after inusrance covers their portion. OK, I'll slow down. Mostly, I just wanted to say Hello to board members, and "get my feet wet". If any of you would like to comment or share thoughts, I will very much appereciate it. ~Mary

Hi Mary. My name is Lori and I am from harrison, MI however I live around the Kalamazoo area now with my husband and 4 children. I grew up in Harrison, graduated there and lived on Rogers road (off 61) my Micellli's topless bar. I know thats a disgusting local point but seems like people from even out of town know the place! Being a newbie is hard isn't it? There are so many questions and worries. I know. I haven't had surgery yet but am on the way. I am just waiting for approval from my ins. They made me do a 6 mo dr supervised diet first and of course all of the other tests...sleep study, psych eval, stress test, dietician visit. It will take time to get the know the site. Take your time and visit often. It seems like i learn a bunch every time i visit. write back and we'll visit.

Hi Lori, I know the road where you lived. Isn't it called Trout on the north end at M18? When I take the back way to Harrison, that's a road I take sometimes. I have my initial consultation first thing in the morning, down in Flint. I will be seeing Dr. Obeid. It will be interesting, jumping through the "hoops" on the way to the surgery. Sometimes I feel like I would like it done, yesterday. And then, I feel like I need time to adjust to such a life-altering venture. Every time I read something from from a happy patient who says they would do it again, "in a heartbeat", it gives me courage to move forward. (But there are still times I wonder what life will be like when I'm 80...ok, that's 30 years down the road...after having the surgery, and the long-range effects.) I have made this site a "favorite", so I'll be popping in as often as I can.

Hey Mary, Just wanted to give you a big OH welcome.! Hugs, Di

Mary...WELCOME....Come on in and look around...thats what I did and found some very nice people willing to help you out!! All you have to do is post and they are right there with help!! So come on back and feel free to ask anything you like. Hugs Judy

Hello Di and Judy, Gee, I'm so happily surprised at all the kindness on this board! You folks are just so sweet! Now, if I know anything about what's good for me, I'll hit the hay so I look fresh for my big day tomorrow. :)

Hello from one Wagner to another!! Welcome to the Board! Oh, a little tip...If you right click when you are on this message board, go to "create shortcut", an "obesity help" icon will appear on your desktop screen. That way all you have to do is click the icon when you want to visit and you're in! I live in Prudenville, which as you know is only a short way from you! Just wanted to let you know we have a support group that meets every 4th Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Stone Building of the Denton Township Complex. (Right at the corner of M-18 and M-55) It's open to everyone. Pre-ops and post-ops come and you are welcome to join us anytime! Just wanted to welcome you and good luck on your journey! Theresa

Theresa, thank you so much for the invite! After going down to Flint today and talking with the Dr and the dietitians, and sitting through the Q&A class, I drove home feeling more "questionable" than before I left the house. Of course I know I am not living a healthy life at the weight I am, but I am still in a quandary over whether I am making the right decision. I'll look for you the 4th Monday in July. :) ~Mary