all you newbies,,,

Find someone on this board that you think you can relate to and get that person to walk you through the process. Don't be shy. There are a lot of folks that have done this and can help you out. Even if it is just to be a sounding board. I know every postie on this board has something to offer and can be in your corner when you need them. They all helped me. If I didn't have them in the beginning I would have had a much rougher time - I know it. I had Connie, Susan, Theresa, Jon, Jen, Laurie, Kevin, James and Peggy ,,,,,and the list goes on who all gave me ideas and tricks. So do it. Look at a profile or search their posts and see who might be a match and ask them for their thoughts. DO IT. kp

Hello Kevin, I am one of those Newbies....but for now, I'm just giving you a wave. You see, I grew up in Oxford, so every time I see you post, your address triggers memories. (btw, I lived out on Lakeville Rd, and Oxford was still called a "Village" back then. Maybe it still is...but it sure has grown up in the 30 years that I have been gone.) ~Mary

I just want to say a big THANK YOU to you and all the other people here on the Michigan Board who have listened to me with all of the questions that I had (and still do)! I am 9 months post op and still have questions. Sometimes I just need to and then sometimes I get a in answer to something I asked about. You have and and with you with me ever step of the way! No one here thinks I'm and you and celebrate my accomplishments and WOW moments! I consider all of you my good and I you all!!! You gave some of the best advice and I hope that others will take it!

I was lucky. I found the board and then started reading the profiles. I read Tami's probably every night for a weak leading up to my surgery. She didn't know it then but she was a major influence in my success. kp

WOW! I would never have thought!!! You are to kind and you are my hero! You are always there for me and anyone else who wants to listen! It seems so long ago that we were post ops and pre ops. We have been through the battles of WLS and the battles of PS. You and I are among the LUCKY ones who have supportive spouses and family members. I hope that I can at least help someone once in awhile and be there to lend a shoulder when the going gets tough!! You are a pillar of understanding and have accomplished soooo much! We both have a problem with losing to much weight and it is nice to know that there is someone out there that understands when I COMPLAIN that I have to eat all the time. People look at me like I have lost my mind and tell me I am going to get FAT again because I am ALWAYS eating, they just don't understand and I am tired of trying to explain to them that if I don't eat all the time, I WILL drop 3-5 lbs overnight. If I forget to eat and only eat the essential three meals, then when I wake up I have dropped up to 5 lbs and I have to FIGHT to get it back. I just want people to know that there are not only struggles to lose weight but there are struggles to get your body to STOP losing weight. You ROCK Kevin and I know that I can count on you!!!!

Tami-how much do you exercise? hug

Is there were I ask you if you want me to lie to you or tell you the truth? I actually don't exercise as in going to the gym, working out, etc.... My husband and I do crafts for a side job so I am working power tools all the time, lifting heavy items all the time, standing for hours and I walk as much as I can even to the mailbox. I have really built my upper body, I really need to work on my legs!!

Great advice kp! I may have helped you when you began, but now you are MY mentor and cheerleader in many ways! Thank you! (Okay, now I'm having visions of you in a short skirt and pom poms! ) Hugs, Theresa

I have a set of pompoms you know,,, kp