Hello All, I'm just wondering if you chose to tell your co-workers prior to WLS. I work in a small office with me being the largest by 150lbs. They are nice ladies but I don't want to feel that I need their approval. What did the rest of you do? Kadie

I have been using the Walking Forum as my own personal space to log my walking goals. I have decided to expand a little and issue a challenge to all the walkers in OH land. HOW IT WORKS Set a goal in minutes or miles for the month of February. Every time you walk, go to the walking forum and log it. At the end of the month see if you reached your goal. It is that simple! EXAMPLE I will walk 10 hours in the month of February. or I will walk 25 miles in the month of February. These can be any type of walks - around the neighborhood, the track, treadmill, mall walks, Walk Away the Pound videos, what ever. But they do need to be walks, not exercise in general. Come on, let's get out there and walk! http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/walking/ Seven

Boston Gathering of Friends of WLS Friday, March 24, 2006 - Sunday, March 26, 2006 Adults Only Registration Deadline is February 10, 2006 Late Registration Deadline is March 3, 2006 This weekend is about connecting with people that can understand the journey we have taken and having some fun with fellow WLSers and support people. I have finalized the Hotel information for the Boston Gathering. The cost of the hotel is $79.00/per night, this is per room. You can call the hotel to make your reservations at 1-800-325-3535 or (781) 848-0600 by March 3, 2006: Sheraton Braintree Hotel 37 Forbes Road Braintree, MA 02184 (Exit 6 off Interstate 93/state Route 128 ) We have been very fortunate to secure the $79.00 room rate again this year. The hotel has a good size pool, hot tub and saunas. They also have a full gym (Braintree Athletic Club) they offer daily memberships at $7.00 a day. If nothing else, it's a great get away for the dreary end of winter... As a lot of us did at past gatherings, I recommend doubling, tripling and quadrupling up. Saturday during the day you will be free to go sightseeing in Boston or do whatever you like. There is a wonderful shopping mall across the street from the Hotel. It is a very reasonable car ride from PA, NJ, NY, CT, NH, VT, ME, MD, RI If you are interested in flying into Boston you have three airports to choose from. The first one is Boston''''s Logan International Airport, the other two are located about an hour away from Boston. They are in Manchester, New Hampshire and Providence, Rhode Island (TF Green). There is a shuttle to the hotel from Boston''''s Logan Airport. Braintree is also on the T''''s red line (the T is Boston's rapid transit). The red line is accessible to South Station (where most Amtrak''s come into from the South.) The Tara (as it's known in the area) will gladly pick you up from the Quincy Adams T station. Please feel free to bring your Significant Other, but children will not be allowed at the Friday night or Saturday night events.In addition the Boston area has a WEALTH of nearby attractions. In late March you're looking at doable weather for walking trips in Boston. Also historic Plymouth is only a 40 minute drive (the Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower are there) And Quincy, the next town over is historically rich as well. Here is a brief overview of the weekend festivities: Friday, March 24, 2006 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Mix and Mingle 10:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. - Private Pool Party Saturday, March 25, 2006 5:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. - Dinner/Dancing - Keynote Speaker being arranged Sunday, March 26, 2006 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Farewell Breakfast Here are the costs associated with the weekend. COSTS: Deadline: February 10, 2006 Post-op = $67.00 Pre-op/Support = $80.00 This includes the following Registration Fee = $25.00 Saturday Night Meal = $32.00 (4oz - post-op) = $37.00 (8oz - pre-op and support) Sunday Breakfast = $10.00 (4oz - post-op) = $18.00 (8oz - pre-op and support) COSTS: Deadline: March 3, 2006 - LATE REGISTRATION - Money Orders Only will be accepted Post-op = $92.00 Pre-op/Support = $105.00 This includes the following Registration Fee = $50.00 Saturday Night Meal = $32.00 (4oz - post-op) = $37.00 (8oz - pre-op and support) Sunday Breakfast = $10.00 (4oz - post-op) = $18.00 (8oz - pre-op and support) I am still working on getting a charter sightseeing tour similar to the duck tours we did last year, so more information on that to follow. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at [email protected]. Hope to see you all there!!!! Marie Friends of WLS

Hola Evette, I sorry I cant write that well in Spanish. I wanted to let you know soy boriqua de Puerto Rico pero nacida en New York. I am post op since 11/2/05. I need to speak to spanish people too! cause I miss my arroz and abichuela. Wow you lost so much I hope I can to so far I lost 45lbs but I am having difficulty eating solid foods and the protiens ni me lo mensiones Don't know what other protien I can take can you advise me..

hello Cecilia yes i speak english. I live here in Southern California in Corona. I've lost a total of 152lbs in a year and a half and am getting referred to plastic surgery. Cross your fingers that that one goes through for me , easier than the WLS. Even though I am 5 lbs below goal, i hope to lose more after plastic surgery. This surgery is absolutely great, but the first 5 weeks , i had buyers remorse. I never thought I was gonna lose 50 lbs, let alone 152lbs. But I do work at it every day. I walk 3 miles every morning and drink my protein shakes and am careful of what i put into my pouch. Funny how people tell me NOT to lose any more weight.especially my grandmother, who said I should be 150lbs and saw me last week and said I was too darn skinny If you go to the boards in California there are alot of people in your area. We get together in almost every and any town. There is alot of support and people who have had this surgery. It would be nice to get together and meet you in person. Write me back i'll email you my tele # Evette