Best Support Meeting By Far

Tonight was the best support group meeting I have ever been to. Tonight I got to FINALLY meet Sandra Thompson and Elesha McCarty (we all thought she was our guest speaker on exercise--she is so tiny). I dont know if post ops realize how much we all NEED to see post ops and Elesha and GLenda Rowell are two amazing people. Elesha, Glenda, DeeDee and Melissa are my 4 new mentors. These 4 are amazing. They give me so much hope and faith. Tonight I got to see before pictures of 3 of them and I think they were so beautiful before and absolutly gorgeous after. I really needed to see them to keep faith in myself. I have been down that I stopped losing and I realize its just a plateau but it is so discouraging. After the meeting tonight I do not feel like I am failing--I feel normal. Sandra Thompson was such a pleasure. I have been anxiously waiting for our first meeting and it finally happened and I am so glad it did. I think I worship her already. I never EVER thought I would bond to people at these support meetings and even though some of them dont know what an inspiration they are --they are all inspiring in some way -even if its the way they have been fighting the battle to get the surgery--its the strength they have. I never really thought I would need this group after surgery and now it is something I would not trade for the world. I NEED THESE PEOPLE. We sat outside and chatted for awhile in the cold and I enjoyed it so much. If it werent so cold I think I could have spent the night talking to them. I dont know what I would do without this board and all the wonderful people on it and I know I could not do well with this surgery without my support group. I hope I get to come to the next Meridian meeting. I am turning into a support group junkie. Talk to you all soon.... Christine 275/266/203/160 43 to MY goal (and I WILL get there)

Well you little support group junkie, you just come right on with us !!! We would love to have you with us. I am glad that your spirits are lifted again. It does make a difference. Now, STOP CHEWING GUM !!! Tammy

Dont you worry--No more gum for me... I just cant help but to swallow it. Always have.. Always will (obviously)... When is the next Meridian Meeting?

I LOVE support group meetings! Someday, I am gonna hit the H'burg one too! CC you are an inspiritional to lots of folks - including me!!!! I love you to pieces and back again!!! Smoochers Arlies

I hope you do get to come to one of our meetings. I think you would absolutly love it. Glenda Rowell was asking about you last night. She wanted to make sure you were doing ok. She is such a treasure... I dont know about being inspirational to anyone.. I know yall are to me and I love you to peices and back too....

Christine, thank you for your kind words. I don't think of myself as inspiring, only the one who needs inspiring. I'm glad if I can be of any help. I met some truly wonderful people last night. Reconnecting with people who are going through the process helped me tremendously. For the rest of our lives, WLS patients are just that, and we need to take special care of ourselves. I had let WLS slip into my background and become lax with a few of the rules that have gotten me so far. Being at the meeting helped me to focus. I remember being at one support group as a pre-op and meeting a woman who encouraged me. I thought "If I could only be as thin as you (but not really believing I ever would)" I said to her, "You look like you were never heavy!" Well, at the meeting last night Christine said a similar thing TO ME! WOW! I couldn't believe what I was hearing and it made me feel great. Thank you Christine. Trust me, even 3 years out, I am still trying to adjust my mind to my new body. WLS is a journey of change and I'm glad I jumped on board...it's a wild ride and I'm now convinced it's never over! WoooHooo! I'm glad to be a part of this board and meet the inspiring folks here. I hope to participate more frequently. Elesha LapRNY 2/26/02 288/165

Hopefully one day a new person will come into the support group and look at me and say "Christine, you just dont look like you have even been heavy"--then I can say just what you did to me. It is truly a wild ride and so much different than I thought it would be. I am glad you touched on head hunger at the meeting last night because that has been my only problem. I am looking forward to a session with Dr. Carsons next month. I have asked Janet to set me up with him once a month. He is the nutritionist that will be speaking at the next meeting. You look great and I hope hope hope I am where you are now someday!!

Elesha --glad to see you on the board. Girl you ought to be a model. What was the website you told me about? I forgot it already.

Hey Elesha, I am glad you came to support group Monday night. It was very nice meeting you, and it was good to see someone so far out from surgery still doing so well and keeping the weight off. It is inspiring. I am now in maintenance myself and was a little scared at first because so many times I have lost and gained it back, so maintenance is new. But I feel I have really made the lifestyle changes necessary this time. I didn't just go on a diet I changed my entire life, and it feels great. I really hope you will continue to join us. I know I need to keep coming because it is easy to like you said let WLS fade into the background. The meetings seem to help me keep focused on things. So hope to see you next time. Lots of Hugs, Melissa Taylor LAP RNY 1/15/04 141 pounds gone 277 to 136 (and holding on tight)

Melissa-- It was great to meet you. You are one of the models present Monday. YOU are a perfect example of success. I hope to see you again in H'burg. Please consider posting your profile.