wow- so many new faces! Introduce yourselves!

Hi everyone.  My name is Pam, I am 57 years old  and I had a RNY with Dr. Gens on 10/07/08.  I weighted 192 at the start (I am only 5'1'' tall) and was suffering from sleep apnea, Type II diabetes (including the need for 4 insulin shots per day and pills) and high blood pressure.  I have been very fortunate with my results.  I am now down to 136 lbs and my goal is 120 - 115.  I am off all my medications and have my friends call me James Brown 'cuz " I FEEL GOOD" :0)   I no longer have sleep apnea and no longer needs pills for high blood pressure.
 I am a divorced mother of 2 wonderful kids.  Scott is 24 and working on his Masters of Education at PSU and my daughter Becca is 20 and a sophmore at PSU working on her degree in Elementary Education.  She is studying this semester in Florence Italy and Scott and I are going to see her in March.   I can't wait!!! I work as a nurse in long term care
 Everyone on this site is so pleasant and helpful and it is nice to know who people are when you go to the support groups. 
I would post my picture but have not figured out how to do that yet.  I guess I should find some 6 or 7 year old  to help me. They are so much better at this computer stuff!

Hi All,

I'm Grant Sanborn, and I'm with the Portsmouth Regional Hospital and Parkland Medical Center program (in communications/public affairs).  I've actually met a few a few of you in person (Hi again!), and I feel lucky to work with the surgeons, Nancy, Jacquie, Dr. Wagner, etc because I know firsthand how much they care about your health and well being.

Please know that I keep an eye on this board so I can help out with questions, complaints, suggestions and more -- so keep me in mind as a resource.  One of my biggest feelings of satisfaction came last year when many of you on ObesityHelp.com reached out to your local officials and the governor to help help get the insurance mandate passed.  I even had the priviledge of talking to the governor personally about this issue when he was deciding whether or not to veto it. It was cool to mention this community to him and relay the positive impact bariatric surgery has had on your lives!

In any case, thanks for letting me take part in your ongoing dialogue and I wish everyone the best of health.

Best regards,

Grant

HI! My name is Mandy. I started the program in Portsmouth sometime around November. I have My first appt with Dr. Paciulli on 3/9/09. My weight was 317 when I started, I am down to 300! I have one pound left to reach my surgery goal, that just won't budge, but I am pushing on. I work at a Dr's office doing referrals. I'm (uggghh) 32 years old and have been overweight since I was about 12. I have no idea what it's like to be thin, but I can't wait to wear normal clothes! I have to say I am nervous about having surgery because I have never had ANY surgery before. I am also nervous that my insurance isn't going to approve me for some reason. I probably think this way because I work with insurance companies everyday who try to find ways out of paying for services! But I hope to have surgery soon and see everyone on the other side!!!!!!

What a wonderful thread--thanks for starting it!

My name is Anne, and I live with my husband of 19 years, 4 kids (Addie 14, Jake 11, Dan 9, and Josh 7), 5 dogs, and 2 cats in Alexandria.  I just turned 42, and I'm a special ed teacher. 

I've been overweight forever, and hit my highest weight this summer (340).  I can't remember the last time I could shop in regular stores.  I'm so excited to be on this journey, and I'm so glad I found this site for support. 

Most people in my life have been very supportive of surgery, with the exception of my best friend of the last 25 years.  She is also obese, and I think she is sad that she will be losing a fat friend, and she doesn't yet understand that she won't be losing a friend.  That has to be the hardest part to deal with, so far. 

I'm most worried about regaining weight after the surgery honeymoon.  I'm trying my best to make lifestyle changes now and to get in good habits before the surgery, so that weight loss will be forever. 

I'm so excited for my new life to start on 4/14/09! 

Anne

Hi Everyone!  My name is Dawn and I had RNY surgery with Dr. Looser on 7/18/08.  I am 43 yrs young, 5'2.5", and currently weigh 123lbs.  I began at 223 and was 213 the day of surgery. I live in Northwood but work for the City of Portsmouth. I would love to tell you what I do but if I did, most of you would not speak to me again...lol.

I would love to say this have been an easy journey but it has not been.  I had 5 surgeries all together and spent 6 weeks in and out of the hospital. But I would do it again in a heartbeat. I had diabetes II, high blood pressure and high cholesteral when I started. I have not taken any medications since leaving the hospital.

My problem now is that I can't stop losing weight. I never thought I would be able to say that. My goal was 150, then 140 and then 130. I am a size 2 and small tops. We have started to add fat back into my diet to put weight back on but it is a struggle. If I gain 1/2 pound, I am estatic. 

I live with my husband of 8 months and two dogs. This summer I plan on enjoying life!

Hi Everyone-
My name is Carolyn and I live in Derry NH with my husband and two children ages 7 and 8.
I started my WLS surgery process at 306 lbs two years ago.
I had RNY on Nov 5th, 2007 and have lost 135 lbs.
I went through the Lowell General Center for Weight Management in Chelmsford, MA. (funny, but it seemed closer than Portsmouth to me)
My only comorbidity was Sleep Apnea
Having surgery was the BEST thing I have ever done! I was lucky, and did not have any complications. It has been a fairly smoothe road.
I feel like I am a better, more active, happier,  wife, mom, friend, business owner.....
I own a Medical Billing Service and work from home so that I can be "a stay at home Mom" when my kids are not at school.
I check in with the OH board and attend the Derry/Portsmouth Support group to keep me on track.
Nice to meet everyone!
Carolyn

I have been lurking here and getting lots of info but never posted until now. I had RNY with Dr. Gens (he was fantastic) at Portsmouth on 1/13/09, which went great with no problems at all since. I have lost about 30 lb since surgery and 90 lb from my highest weight!!!

Thanks to everyone for sharing your info, it helps a lot of us!

Wow, welcome and hope you post more often.  Congratulations on you success so far.  That is quite an accomplishment. 

Are you planning on coming to the meeting on March 9?

Hi There - My name is Teresa, 44 years old.  I got married to incredible man on Sept 24, 2005 in Brussels, Belgium.  My husband is European and so compassionate and supportive of this journey.  I've worked at Liberty Mutual Ins. Co. for the past 20 years in Portsmouth, NH as a Customer Support Analyst in IT.   We currently own a condo in Amesbury, MA.  We also have the most amazing kitty kat - Ms. Sedona (who is the child we never had..lol)

I too have been lurking on this forum and been scared to write (wrote one post on if we can bring clothes to the support mtgs and never heard any response so I deleted it and have been frightfully scared to write a post since), so I truly appreciate this post. Thanks for making us newbies feel welcome!

When I started this journey on April 1st, 2008 with my weigh-in with Nancy - I weighed 354 lbs!  I am 5' 5" tall.

I had RNY surgery with Dr. Looser (an amazing surgeon and person) on January 5, 2009.  I lost 31lbs prior to surgery and 35.5lbs at my last weigh-in with Dr. Looser on 2/27/09.  My total loss is 66.5lbs and I am now at 289.5 (Big WOW, hitting below 300)

I definitely need to start the exercise part.  Been faithful with protein, food choices, vitamins and water.  Now I need to get my butt moving.   

Everyone here seems so supportive and such an inspiration.  I'm so proud of everyone who is starting this journey, in this journey, maintaining this journey, as I can say this has been the most strict dietary guideline I've ever been on, but the best program I've ever been on.   PRH is an amazing team and without their support, I wouldn't be writing here today.