Shout Out to Oklahoma

I know this has kind of been done before, but why not again! 1.  Who are you? 2.  Where do you live? 3.  Are you pre or post op of what surgery? 4.  Who is your surgeon? 5.  Self Pay or Insurance? 6.  How close to goal are you? 7.  Do you attend support group regularly? 8.  What is the one thing that you look forward to doing or have achieved since having surgery? 9.  If you could do one thing differently, what would it be? 1.  I'm Tonja. 2.  I am in the Edmond area. 3.  I am post op - lap band - October 12, 2006. 4.  Russell Gornichec is my surgeon. 5.  I had CCN/First Health insurance through Chesapeake Energy. 6.  I am 30 pounds from goal - with having lost 76 pounds thus far. 7.  I do attend support group as regularly as I can. 8.  We've planned a cruise for next summer and I look forward to going and not being so  self concious of how I look. 9.  I wish I had known about the lap band years ago - lots of money wasted on diet pills! Come on - let's get to know each other! Tonja

1.  Who are you? Laurie Griffith 2.  Where do you live? Broken Arrow, OK 3.  Are you pre or post op of what surgery? post op open rny micro pouch (May 19, 2005) 4.  Who is your surgeon? well, I fired my surgeon so I don't really like to recommend him 5.  Self Pay or Insurance? Aetna insurance, approved after being denied once 6.  How close to goal are you? Hit goal at about 11 mths out. I've maintained for over a year now 7.  Do you attend support group regularly? nope 8.  What is the one thing that you look forward to doing or have achieved since having surgery? WALKING!!! I was very close to being in a wheelchair before wls. 9.  If you could do one thing differently, what would it be? don't really know. I don't think I'd NOT have surgery, because I LOVE the new me.... but I've almost died twice since surgery and I've fought tooth and nail to keep enough calories in me to maintain. I only can do it now by eatting things we "shouldn't"..... It's been a rough road, but I'm doing good now!!

Wow Laurie, It sounds like you do have a true appreciation for life.  I'm glad you are here.  It is awesome to meet you. Tonja

1.  Who are you? 2.  Where do you live? 3.  Are you pre or post op of what surgery? 4.  Who is your surgeon? 5.  Self Pay or Insurance? 6.  How close to goal are you? 7.  Do you attend support group regularly? 8.  What is the one thing that you look forward to doing or have achieved since having surgery? 9.  If you could do one thing differently, what would it be? 1.  Cathy 2.  Edmond 3.  Pre-op for LapBand, although truly a revision, since I had VBG 9 years ago 4.  Dr. Gornichec (will not mention my VBG Dr, as I fired him long ago) 5.  United Healthcare 6.  My goal is to actually have surgery.  I few cardio probs to work out, and I'll be on my way. 7.  I've been to one so far.  I plan to go to others 8.  I'd like to walk a marathon.  I only made it to the halfway mark the first time I tried. 9.  I would've listened to my mom when I was a child.  She tried to change my eating habits and I was just too damn stubborn. 

1.  Who are you? Carrie 2.  Where do you live? Broken Arrow, OK 3.  Are you pre or post op of what surgery? Lap RNY on July 25th 4.  Who is your surgeon? Dr. Gorospe 5.  Self Pay or Insurance? Aetna  6.  How close to goal are you? A long ways to go 7.  Do you attend support group regularly? Yes.. I attended one every month 8.  What is the one thing that you look forward to doing or have achieved since having surgery? I look forward to shopping when I loose all this weight

Start saving those pennies now Carrie - for the days of shopping will be upon you before you know it!!!!! I LOVED shopping for "new" sizes. lol  Each time I just couldn't believe that I really was that size. It's a great feeling.

.  Who are you? Debra 2.  Where do you live? Oklahoma City 3.  Are you pre or post op of what surgery? Post Op Lap Band 4.  Who is your surgeon? Betancourt 5.  Self Pay or Insurance? Self Pay-Tijuana! 6.  How close to goal are you? Only had the band two weeks or so and haven't weighed yet. 7.  Do you attend support group regularly? Don't know of any but I'd like to go to one for post bandsters. 8.  What is the one thing that you look forward to doing or have achieved since having surgery? Walking without pain-I just had foot surgery in February and I really thought this was the end for me. 9.  If you could do one thing differently, what would it be? Had the band put in 10 years ago-but maybe I needed those years to learn whatever it was I've learned.

Hey Cathy - Ruhereyet - did you used to Geocache? Tonja

 I used to geocache all the time.   Do we know each other?

Carebear - I'm looking forward to hearing about all your success.  I know you will do well! Tonja