Introductions

Hello all you Oregon WLSers! I'm relatively new to AMOS and just found this board today! I wanted to say hello and introduce myself! My name is Mary and I live in Hillsboro with my husband and my cat. I'm 35 and I just started the whole WLS process. It's been a little overwhelming some days...going back and forth between relief, reservation, elation, grief...etc. I'm sure it's a pretty typical process and I'm finding lots of good support on this web site! Anyway.... I'm wishing you all a splendid holiday season! I'm glad to have stumbled upon this board! Take Care! -Mary

Hello Mary!! :: Congratulations on your decision to have WLS. I am in Portland and am almost 10 weeks post-op. There is a vast array of information here. Enjoy your journey! Take Care! ~Shelley~

Thank you so much!! I've found an incredible amount of resources on this site...I can't believe the amount of support that is here as well. I feel truly blessed to have stumbled in! I wish you well in your journey too, Shelley! Be well!! -Mary

Hi Mary, Welcome!! There is a nice friendly group here... I am over in the Klamath Falls Basin. I had RNY on 10-14-03. I know things are on a roller coaster right now as you go through the process, but the results are SO worth it in the end (At least they are to me....) Best wishes on your weight loss journey... There is a question and answer section that is informative on this site, I have used it quite a bit. Hugs, Melissa C

Wow! It's soooooooo friggin cool to be in touch with people going through the same thing I am!! My husband, bless his skinny butt, is a great listener...but it's difficult for him to relate. I can't tell you what this message board is coming to mean to me already!! It's a great thing to have a common expereince...a common sort of bond with people you don't even know. It makes even simple introductions so much more meaningful!! Well....sorry if I'm getting over-the-top sappy here, but good grief....I've got years worth of suppressed feelings (how dramatic) just bubbling up and ready to come out. It's going to be a wild ride alright!! Melissa, I love your profile! Keep it up! You're an inspiration! Thanks for the welcome! Hugs right back atcha! -Mary

Hi Mary, Thank you for your comments about my page, Sharon Neva did a great job on it for me. If you would like yours personalized to your taste you can contact the volunteers via your menu under "your profile". I read your profile, we have some similarities. I have a brother and sister who had RNY Laproscopic Surgery and both are at a "normal" weight range now. I have one overweight sister struggling with her weight and using Medifast (again).... the others are "normal" weights. Also~~ I do enjoy cooking too. And like you I was happy before WLS, however I am hearing now from family, friends and co-workers that I was getting quite cranky before surgery... I didnt see it, but they say I was... My friend and neighbor had Dr. Flanagan do her Open RNY, and she LOVES him, and thinks he walks on water. He has written quite a bit of good information that I have read and is a very smart, experienced Surgeon. I remember the day I found this site.... I too stumbled on it while researching... the open emotions, sharing and expressing of feelings, concerns and experiences made me feel a "at home" feeling. But please remember to do your research and question what you read, as sometimes mis-information does happen... Most have the warmest of hearts.... Melissa

Welcome Mary! My husband is scheduled for his RNY next Tuesday December 9th. I am scheduled for January 15th. I was initially scheduled first but have run into some health problems that need to be resolved before having my RNY. We are having ours done in Southern California. My sister, brother and sister in law have all had the procedure in SC and we are using the same surgeon. We're trying to keep it in the family I guess....or maybe we are all chipping in for the doctor's new vacation condo. 5 people from the same family, he should give us a great package deal but surgeons don't work that way. Anyway, my husband is really laid back about his surgery and I'm 6 weeks away from mine and "getting a little freeked". I find a lot of support on this board and I especially enjoy reading the daily Q & A. I have learned so much. Take care and good luck with your WLS journey. Kathy

Welcome Mary! I too am relatively new here. Because my husband's insurance will no longer cover WLS after the first of the year, I have been put into overdrive to give my best effort and see if I can have this surgery. I read your profile, you sound a lot like me! I think that's what draws me to this board, because many of us have a lot of things in common, the first being a problem with our weight. Also, my surgeon is Dr. Flanagan too. He is well worth the wait, I'm sure you'll agree. I go to my nutrition eval. tomorrow morning, then I'm off to waiting for insurance approval. My tentative surgery date is December 18. I'm crossing my fingers and toes. I look forward to hearing about your progress. Take care, and talk soon! ~Lynn

Hi everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself. I am a native Eugenian, although I have lived a large portion of my life in Salem and attended PSU in Portland. I am 43 yrs old and remarried since last December. I was divorced three years before I met Dwight. I have one biological son, Erik, who is 19 and out on his own. Dwight's three kids, ages 9, 11 and 13 yrs. live primarily with us, so I keep busy with a hectic schedule. I am the co-director of a child care resource and referral agency that is a part of the community college here at Lane. I love my family, my job, my life...except my weight. I have been overweight since I had my son 20 years ago. I gained over 90 lbs with my pregnancy. I have lost 85 lbs at one point, but have gained that and more since. I have been on every diet you can imagine and have only had that one success...but it was very hard to sustain because I was eating about 800 calories a day and exercising 2-3 times EVERY DAY in order to lose and maintain the weight loss. Finally, after 2 years, I couldn't do it anymore and gave up. My biggest fear, besides living the rest of my life this overweight, is not being able to convince my insurance companies to approve of my surgery. I am covered by OEA Choice Trust through my job, and through Pacific Source through my husband's. I am seriously considering having this surgery. I would love to offer and receive support from this website. Take care all...talk with you soon. Vena

Good Morning Vena Welcome to the site and to your new jounery of WLS. There are lots of friendly people here on the site...and lots of people in the Eugene area. I live in Portland. No matter where we are, we try and be supportive for everyone. I have met wonderful people here that I know will be life long friends. I think the biggest thing to remember in your journey is that EVERYONE is different and you can't compare yourself. We are all unique in our journeys. Let me know if you have any questions, or I can help in anyway. Take care, ~Shelley~