Wanted to (re-)introduce myself

    Hi all!  I wanted to take this chance to say hi and introduce myself (though I do remember you Jan).  My name is Deanna but most people call me Dee.  I am almost 5 years out from surgery.  I had the RNY with Dr. Richardson at St. Alexius hospital in St. Louis on 4/4/06.  When I started I was very close to 500 pounds and in the first year I lost 200 pounds.  My total weight loss was 240 pounds.  Over time I managed to gain 75 pounds back before I knew what had happened.  I have been working hard to lose again and have lost 35 of that.  I am determined I will lose that other 40 plus some.  I was going to the support group at St. Alexius but unfortunately due to the fact that we don't have a car I'm not able to attend right now.  I really miss my group and the support that I got from them.  I still keep in touch with a couple of the members which is helpful.  With the new year upon me I have decided I need more support so that I stick to my goals and found my way back here to the Missouri forum.  This forum was a great help for me in the beginning and I kinda wondered away.  I noticed they have added some new things to the site which I plan on using to help keep me on track. 
   Now for a little personal info to let you know me a little better as a person.  I am the mother of a 13 year old boy.  We live with my significant other.  His name is Michael and he has been a blessing in my life.  We live in Maryland Heights, MO.  I have lived in the St. Louis area all my life.  I am a certified early childhood special education teacher by trade but have been on disability for years.  Initially it was because of my weight.  It kept me from being able to do my job.  Now it is because of the damage that the weight caused over the years.  My knees are completely shot and cause me great pain most days.  And of course there is the matter of the excess skin that I can't afford to have taken off.  That doesn't help my ability to be able to walk either.  If there is anything else you would like to know about me feel free to ask.  I am very open and honest and will answer anything you would like to know.  I look forward to getting to know everyone again and plan on being a daily fixture around here.  
Dee

WELCOME BACK DEE so glad to see your smiling face again...of course i remember you too. was but dering why you left seems i have heard from a lot of the old times lately. wish they would all stay as anyone that is new needs to hear from the ones that are a long time out....

anyway so glad that you are back and good luck with losing the excess weight you have gained back.
Keep us informed how you are doing with that. ok?

Thanks for the welcome back Jan.  I plan on sticking around this time and hope to help others avoid the pitfalls that I have fallen into.  I will certainly keep everyone updated.  I'm hoping by using this forum and obesityhelp.com in general, it will help me with being held accountable. 

If I have read right you are leaving soon for the winter.  We will hear from you still won't we?  It looks like you have been keeping the forum moving. 

Well I hope everyone is having a fantastic day!

yes i will have my laptop with me dont know what i would do with out my computer.

Welcome back Dee!!  I don't remember you, but you may have dropped out before I joined.  I live on the other side of Missouri.  I had RNY 7/8/08 and what a blessing.  I have lost about 70 lbs. and mainted that loss since August 2009.  I still need to lose 20 or 30 lbs., and I'm working on it.  Being able to shop for clothes anywhere is great and I have so much more energy.

Come here daily and we will keep you motivated.