OK.. EVERYONE HAS TO RESPOND!

Okay, this looks like some fun!!! My name is Kelli Dawn and I have lived in Missouri my entire life. I now live in Aurora but, grew up in Cabool. I grew up on a farm and in a very large family...I'm the youngest of 8 kids and we are a very close knit family. I'm married and have 2 teenage daughters that are 13 and 15. The main reason I decided to have WLS surgery is for many reasons. I'm diabetic, had high blood pressure problems, have orthopedic issues and was told to lose 100 pounds by about every doctor/surgeon that I went to. I'm off my BP meds, take a very small dose of diabetic medication *better than insulin* and I physically feel better. I had some orthopedic surgery almost 5 weeks ago and I can't wait to heal and be able to get back to my everyday life. My goal was to lose 100 pounds and maintain and I've acheived this goal but, want to lose a little more. I really envy people that say how much they walk or jog or whatever they do to maintain their weight...I hope to get to this point very soon. Kelli

Forgot to mention that I just turned 40!!!

My name is Barbara Amass (like Amos) most people just call me Barb. My mailing address is Brookline, but I actually live between Battlefield and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Park which is just southwest of Springfield. I am 48 years old and have been married for almost 30 years. Yes, we got married very young. I have 2 daughters and 3 grandkids. One daughter lives in Republic which is real close to me. She is a frist grade teacher in Clever. The other daughter lives in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Her husband is in the US Air Force. She has 2 kids. I work for the Missouri Department of Conservation in Springfield. I will be going back to work next Monday. I am 4 weeks post-op. I had surgery on December 8th at St. Johns in Springfield. My weight loss has been a little slow. But as of this morning I have lost 18 pounds since surgery and 32 before. That makes 50. I had the surgery for health reasons only. But looking better will be a plus. I wore a pair of jeans today that I had not worn is about a year. I hope to have many, many more WOW moments. Barb

Please list your name if so inclined or at least your first name My name is Connie Area of Missouri in which you live or city if you don't mind sharing I live in Carthage, Mo a very very very small town. Age if you don't mind and any other personal data... like married/kids/?? I don't mind telling my age. I am 58 but I don't feel like it. My daughter tells me that I will never get old. I hope she is right. I have been married for 28 years to a very good man. He is my rock. I have 2 children from a previous marriage. My son will be 40 in March. It just doesn't seem possible. My son and his wife adopted 3 children so I am finally a grandmother. Boy 13, girl 6 and another girl 4. My daughter is 38 and lives in another state. Main reason you had the surgery.. My health was just going down the tube. I found that I couldn't do a lot of things that I used to do and said this is it no more. Life is too short to spend it on the sidelines. What is the one UBER goal you want to achieve or HAVE achieved. I just wanted to feel good and I am feeling better everyday. I can't wait till spring and we go fishing. I will be able to get in and out of the boat without help. and get creative ... lets share so we can get to know one another... I am not a very creative person. I would rather watch and listen or should I say lurk. I think you are doing a good thing and I will post more. Connie