IDEA! Let's Do a Re-Introduction to Everyone? Whatcha Say?

It sure is confusing Jan. I am getting a hang of it though , (I think) hehe Gretta

Well, well, well...you all have been busy since I've been gone! Glad to see everyone getting along! Hmmm, I think I have posted and reposted everything there is to know about me....but I will try! My name is Debbie, 48 years old, married 24 years, four children - 3 boys -1 girl. The girl and the baby boy (21) are mine bio, all 3 boys are my hubbys and I have raised the other two as my own as well as my hubby accepting my daughter as his! We also have 5 grandchildren - 3 girls, 2 boys! I now have 3 dogs. 2 golden retirevers, both boys, they are father and son and I'm looking for a home for the son. I also have one female yellow lab....she just came out of being in heat...Thank God, we survived that! She will be fixed before she comes in again! Then there is my little parakeet that is so new to the home that she doesn't really have a name...lol I recently told the story on here about her liking the music of Wynonna Judd and her music is the only music that my little bird dances and sings too....so we were trying to make up names from the name Wynonna and they were Wy, Nonna, Nona and the most recent is Wyno...lol The only problem with this is I'm a Christian or as least I'm trying real hard to be and I'm not to sure what some of my company may think if I name the bird this and she starts singing it to everyone that comes around! I might take a letter from each name and call her JO...we will see. I was at the July 4th seminar with my hubby...Andrew and Marilyn were at the same one...sorry if there were any others...I'm having trouble remembering! I am still pre-op, wanting Lap Band with Dr. Hornbostel like so many others on here. I seem to be having a little trouble getting a surgery date but as soon as I get one....you all will know! Co-morbid problems: diabetes, sleep apnea (not treated because I wouldn't be able to handle something on my face while sleeping, instead I have trained myself to sleep on stomach or sides, never on back). I also have borderline high blood pressure, signs of possible congestive heart failure, back problems: low back, have had 2 surgeries and looking to face more. I also have DDD and DJD in my back...discs and joints. Problems with knees, neck, shoulders, I have depression and anxiety attacks. I have intestinal issues....well, you get the idea! I pray that I get the wls and most of those problems go far, far away! Love & Prayers to all, as always...Deb M.

Good idea - but I think I'm too tired to go into much detail tonight. My name is Pat - I am disabled from a broken back. I've had two back surgeries in the last 11 months. Both rather Major. They fused my lower back with two ft of titanium and 4 of the 6 screws they screwed into my spastic back, backed out of where they were supposed to be and crushed a good portion of my spine. So they had to go back into my spine take out all the screws and plates put some kind of really expensive putty ($30,000.00 worth) on my spine bones to harden them up so they could re-screw the screws back in HOPING they wouldn't come out again... That was this past January and I'm still here. But I have real troubles doing much beyond sitting in my chair... but I walked into the Doc's office with my head held up high today. I have 4 kids, who have had 7 grandkids for me, but they moved all over the USA to do it... as far away as Alaska, Colorado and here in Mid-Missouri. They are all grown and I miss them desperately sometimes. I am 5 ft 5 in and weigh 243 right now - when I started this process last Sept. I weighed 265. Oh BTW Gretta WLS means Weight Loss Surgery. Didn't see if anyone else told you. I'm mostly a lurker on this board cause I'm usually on some pretty nasty narcotic's (legal) but it hurts my speech and memory - so I apoligize if I don't speak to everyone - I'd like too. I am pretty much a shut in here. I can't drive so I have to wait for someone to drive me anywhere I need to go - it's the pitts. I sure don't like asking for help all the time - but I am constantly amazed by strangers who are so willing to help me. Gotta go now - I've been in this position too long and I need to move it on.... see ya tomorrow God willing. Pat B.

I mainly lurk on here and occasionally answer some questions, mostly privately though, but want to share and get more involved. I had RNY surgery on 7/11/06 and have lost 135 pounds since 5/5/06 when I first saw the surgeon. 117 pounds since the actual surgery date. I had my surgery at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Shawnee Mission, KS. My surgeon is Dr. Thoma****ch**** In addition, I had two hip replacement surgeries in 2003. I actually work with Collette's son, John, who is the one that was in town last week that she had to drive to the airport to recover her car. We both sell yellow pages advertising for a living. I have been married to my wonderful wife, Lisa, for 22 years and have a high school junior, Andrew, who is 16 years old. In addition, I serve on the school board in the school district my son attends school in and am active in the PTA and Booster Club where he goes to school. My son plays soccer and wrestles and is a really wonderful kiddo. Also, I serve on the Missouri PTA Board of Managers as Resolutions Chairman. Since I had surgery in Kansas, I thought I should participate on the Kansas board, but there is hardly any activity on that site and enjoy getting to know you all. As a life-long Missourian, I feel that I have more things in common with you all even though I work in Kansas. Feel free to contact me at any time if you have any questions or need any encouragement. Scott

Sherr: What a great idea! My name is Debbie D. I live in about 5 miles south of Olathe, KS. I have been married for 17 years and have 4 children (two stepchildren, Josh age 25, Erin age 23 and my own boys with my hubby named Luke age 16 and Jake age 11). I also have an 19 month old grandson who is my Stepdaugther Erin's baby boy. We have two dogs. Ginger is half German shepherd and half golden retriever. She weighs about 90 lbs and is a gentle giant. We also have a black toy poodle named Precious, she weighs about 5.5 lbs. We call them the lion and the lamb. My husband is the local Scout Master in town. My oldest boy made Eagle Scout this summer and we had his Eagle Court of Honor in September. My youngest boy is working towards his Star Scout Rank. Needless to say, we are really busy. Between church, school and scouts it seems like most of our nights are full. My oldest boy got a new job a couple months ago. He mentors an 11 year old boy who has downs syndrome. We told Luke that this wouldn't be just a job but a commitment and one we expected him to keep. So far it has been really good for the child as well as for Luke. My hubby and I think it's good for Luke (age 16) to step outside of his world and to see things from another perspective. I started seriously considering wls in December of last year. Saw Dr. Hornbostel back in October. My insurance changed as of 11/1/06. My file is now in review and should have an answer within the next two weeks. I have given this over to the Lord and asked Him to prepare the way. I have several co-morbidities whi*****lude: High Cholesterol; Diabetes; High Blood Pressure; and Sleep Apnea. I'm about 120 lbs over weight and just want to feel good again. Would like to be able to enjoy the last few years my children will be at home with us. It's been great getting to know everyone on this Missouri Board. I have found everyone to be especially kind and always willing to lend an ear or a helping hand. I live about an hour and a half from Sedalia so I've never been able to make it to any of the support meetings. Yet, I feel like I know all of you. I don't always post but I always check the board a few times a day. Hope you all have a GREAT evening! Debbie D.

Super Idea ! I am Dannielle .I'm 36 with three kids Dante'-16,Dacian-13 and Nyeama-12. I also have my "other son" Damien who is half beagle and half heeler with one blue eye and one brown eye. They do keep me busy. I am pre-op waiting for insurance approval.My sleep study is next week. I live in Joplin,Mo but am having surgery in Tulsa Ok. My best friend had Dr.Gorospe and he has over 30years experience . It's about an 1 and half hour drive so it's closer for me . I lurk a lot but I am going to be more active now. I believe in the "get out of what you put in" theory. I hope we all get better acquainted and gain tons of new friendships! Dannielle

Hi all my MO friends. I was going to check in like Mama Jan likes us to do on occasion, and I saw this post from Sherr and figured I would jump right in. My name is Deanna. I had my RNY on April 4, 2006 with Dr. Richardson at St. Alexiius hospital in St. Louis. My starting weight was 458 and I had numerous co-morbidities (high blood pressure, depression/anxiety, arthritis, high cholesterol). As of today, my weight is down to 285 1/2. Before surgery my life was the computer and now I am constantly on the go so I don't always get time to check in but I promised Moma Jan I would check in every once in a while. I haven't really set an ending goal but I figure I will know it when I get there. LOL I live in the St. Louis area. I have a 9 year old son named Cody and we live with my mom since we left my husband (now ex-) back in 2003. It was a very abusive relationship for both Cody and I. I have been on disability due to my weight since right after Cody was born. By trade I am an early childhood special education teacher and hope to go back to working sometime in the next year. I am very active in Cody's educational process - I volunteer in his classroom 2 times a week and in the library once a week, I am on various PTO committees, and serve as an assistant den leader and pack awards chairperson for his cub scouts. Hope this helps you all get to know me a little better. Deanna P.S. Jan - keep a look out for my new picture which will include my son. We just had it taken.

Hi, my name is Cathy, live in Poplar Bluff, divorced, have 5 children and 2 ggrandchildren. My Mom lives next door to me and is almost 92. Have 2 dogs, a Shih-tzu and a Yorkie. Have a date next week with Dr. H., hope to have surgery soon, might as well do something else to my body, have had both knees replaced, last year had shoulder surgery and gallbladder, should be a new person soon.

Hi everyone. My name is Barb Studt, I live in St. Peters and had my surgery on 11/17/06. I have been married for 12 years to my wonderful husband Lester and we have 2 beautiful daughters, Mary is almost 9 and Becca just turned 4. Becca was my 40th birthday surprise Pregnancy. I am now 45. My starting weight the day of surgery was 242 and per my scale at home this morning I am down to 222. I haven't been this weight since I was pregnant with Becca! These first weeks are definately harder than I thought they would be, but I just try to keep plugging along one day at a time. I also have been trying to post more on here. I have been lurking since early summer, and I do know that when you post more, you get more out of the board. I appreciate all of you much more than you could ever know. Thanks for welcoming me into your little board family here. Oh yeah, my surgeon was Dr. Delatorre from the Weight Loss Institute in St. Louis MO at Depaul hospital.

O.M.G. DEANNA what a fantastic picture of you and Cody. WOW. will you all look at that beautiful girl and her handsome sone. NOw that is something to smile about. . Jan