Lets liven things up around here......introductions

So last night at the support group a few of us were talking and we all agree that things need to liven up on here so I'm trying to think of a few posts to make and hopefully get all the regulars chatting more, the lurkers to post and say Hi and just generally liven things up so this is the first with more to come. If anyone has ideas please post them and lets get things going on here.  I thought introductions might be a good place to start so I'll begin and hopefully everyone will join in. Please only post what you feel comforable with, there are no guidelines.

My name is Angela, I'm a 36 year old southern girl who moved to Rhode Island just over a year and a half ago after several years carrying on a long distance relationship with my now husband who I met online. We were married in June and live in Bristol, which I LOVE. I have 3 children ages 3,5,and 7 who unfortunately live with their father at this moment, while we go through a pretty nasty custody battle.  I had gastric bypass and gall bladder removal at Roger Williams Hospital on 11-13-07  with Dr Dieter Pohl which went very smoothly and so far I am down 65 lbs, 18 of which was pre-surgery. I honestly believe this was the best thing that I've ever done for myself and for my husband and children.  I’ve always been relatively healthy , but during the testing phases found out that I am insulin resistant and which left untreated would definitely turn into diabetes. I wanted to do this surgery to become the person on the outside that I know I am inside and to be able to be the mother to my kids that they deserve. They need someone who can play with them and not get winded and be the one sitting around on the sidelines jus****ching. I want to be here to see them grow up and get married.  My husband was extremely reluctant of me having this surgery in the beginning but thanks to these boards, and meeting others who’ve gone through the surgery he became the best support I could ever ask for.

I started this journey in July officially at 331 lbs, at my pre-op testing I was 313 and currently I’m at 266 at 6 weeks out. My ultimate goal is to get to 160, but even if I just got below 200 I think I would be happy. I’ve been “big” my entire life and I’m looking forward to finally feeling like I belong when I go out in public and no longer feeling like everyone is staring at me or laughing under their breath.

So theres my story….anyone else want to share?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll share...  and by the way, we all need to all be going to some sort of support group.  It is what we need for the long term success. My name is Leslie.  I'm 48 years old and the mother of two lovely girls, Phoebe is 8 and Julia is 6.  I am the second of 4 girls in my family.  I've always been "chunky" but got full blown fat over the last few years.  I grew up in Mass, moved to GA in 1987 with my ex, dumped him there, found my husband Jim, had my two kids and moved to RI in 2004.  He's a Georgia peach, 13 years my junior, and an all around nice guy.  Having two kids in 2 years was very hard on my body.  Both were C-section.  The second child was a difficult delivery and I haven't really felt well since she was born.  I have had two surgeries on my back, bilateral carpal tunnel and various other little surgeries.  Having the gastric bypass surgery wasn't as much of a worry for me as it has been for others for that reason.  I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia this year, have had high blood pressure for over 20 years, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and just basically felt like crap all the time.  Time for a change.  I haven't worked in over a year because the pain has been unbearable.  Because of my broken back and all that goes with it, I have applied for SSDI and am waiting for a decision on that.  I don't know that I can ever work a 40 hour week again, unfortunately, but that's ok, my girls deserve a mom who can be here when they get home from school every day. Gastric bypass is something I have been interested in for many years.  I never thought about actually going through with it but as time has marched on, I realized that something has to change, and I don't have the will power to do this without a very big tool at my disposal. I'm looking forward to looking good. I want to be pretty.  I want to have my husband look at me with that "certain" look.  I want the girls to have pride in a mother who isn't fat.  My plan is to use this tool to its fullest capacity.  I am going to the support group as of last night.  I saw Dr. Pohl yesterday.  I take my vitamins daily and drink my Carnation breakfast drinks.  I'm looking forward to being a success! I love cats, I have 2, Tippy and Skippy.  I scrapbook, and really enjoy that craft.  I am a Brownie leader and love it.  I am a trained paralegal.  I have worked for the president of a chiropractic college and was the tour guide there and lost all shyness for public speaking I may have had.  I have toured people like Newt Gingrich, the Governor of Georgia, Miss America, Evander Holyfield, and the late Robert Goulet.  I have won awards for writing newsletters and was member of the year for the local Legal Secretaries association I belonged to.  I'm really smart, although my actions sometimes don't show it, (lol) and my IQ was once measured at 151.  Cool huh?  (not really but it is me).  My girls are my biggest accomplishment.  They are gorgeous, smart and funny.  Neither one of them has a self esteem issue thus far and I'm trying my best to be sure that they won't.  Julia has a few learning issues that require an IEP but we are on her side and are diligent with that process.  I'm open to any questions, and would love to meet you all and make new friends! So that's me,  who's next?

Great idea Angela My name is Pam, I'm 43 years old and I live in Middletown, RI with my husband Paul of 14 years and my 2 children - Daniel (age 12 1/2) and Heather (turning 9 in January).    My husband and my parents have been so supportive - I couldn't have asked for more.   I've lived here on Aquidneck Island my whole life.  I work at Newport Hospital as a Financial Counselor - if you're ever in the area - please stop and say hi :) I too have been overweight most of my life.  I've tried every diet I swear from WW to Atkins to South Beach....  all are pretty successful to a point - I'd lose about 40 of the 80 to 100 lbs I needed to lose then would get to a stand still.  Old habits die hard and I'd end up back where I was with another 10 - 20 lbs just for my efforts.  So I began this journey back in February by meeting with Dr. Roye.  He gave me information about lap band and gastric bypass.  During this time, my Uncle Tom was dying of cancer.  I have another uncle that came from Milwaukee, WI to visit - this uncle has had diabetes and seeing him completely convince me that this is what I need to do.  You see, Uncle John has lost one leg below the knee and also several fingers and finger tips.  He is also blind in one eye - all due to type II diabetes.  I don't want this to be my future.  Type II diabetes is on both sides of my family as well as a strong history of heart disease.  My father had his first heart attack at 46 years old... I am 43 now so that was a scary thought.   Dr. Roye's office submitted for auth and I began my process.  I found out that I have severe sleep apnea and had already known that I was also pre-diabetic (insulin resistance). I had my surgery 12/6/07 and so far have lost 27.5 lbs (from the morning of surgery - more than 30 if you go from my last weigh in at Dr. Roye's office).  I am no longer using my bi-pap machine for the sleep apnea - hubby says I am not snoring or having apnea episodes.  This was one of my goals that I can't believe happened so quickly.   I plan to go back to work next week - I can't believe how quickly I have recovered!!!  I'd do it again in a heartbeat!!! Can't wait to read all your stories.... Pam .

This is a great Idea! Hello, My name is Robin, I'm 44 years old (soon to be 45/January 23rd ), I live in Providence, RI with my daughter, Brittany (17 years), grandson, Amari (3 yrs) and granddaughter, Anaiah (14 months). My son, Wayne (20 years) attends University of South Florida and my daughter, Ciara (22 years) lives on the third floor above me.    I lived in Brandon, Florida for over ten years and moved back to RI in October of 2001 after being divorced from my first husband (we still keep the lines of communication open) .  I work for the State of Rhode Dept. of Human Services but I am currently on medical leave.   I love my job, but because of an autoimmune disease I've had some serious problems.    As a kid I was chunky but lost the weight once I turned 15.   Kept my weight down until my second child (son) and from their it was down hill.   I  to have tried all the diets out only to lose and gain back more weight than I started with.   I reached my highest weight earlier part of  2007 (255 lbs).   I was already diagnosed with sleep apnea,  weight has did severe damage on my knees (I have arthritis) and high cholestrol etc.   Because diabetes  and heart disease runs in my family I knew I had to do something.     Each time I went to my pulmanary Dr. he would talk to me about losing the weight  which in turn with cause me to live longer and be around for my children and grandchilren *****ally need me.  I would cry and those visists and he would mention my seeing Dr. Ryder just to become informed about weight loss surgery.    I spoke with my PCP and she thought it would be a great idea so here I am.    I have a wonderful support system: my youngest sister, my oldest daughter and my mom (who was reluctant at first and told me I could do without the surgery).  I have decided to tell only them because they have always supported me in my decisions even if they disagreed.   My daughter, Brittany, is not  very happy about the surgery, but I let her know I am doing this for me first and then you guys, because if I don't I may not be around to what you grow into a beautiful women.  I attended my first support group meeting in  early December and I plan attending the next one in January.   I understand the seriousness of this surgery and I am great to have you all to talk with. Robin 

Hey Y'all, (I am a RI'er but a Southern Girl at heart) My Name is Jen and I live in Tiverton with my hubby Tom of 7 years and my 3 kiddo's, Isabel 5 (turning 6 in Feb), Gabby 4 and Dylan 2.  My family is the reason I needed to have RNY.  I just could not keep up with all the demands of a house, wife and mother being 272lbs.  I lost my Dad on Feb 2, and it took a lot out of me.  At the time of his death, I was attending Curves and following there diet.  I was doing great, and then I quit and gave it all up.  It is amazing how depression can make you lose intrest in everything. I have always been "Fat", but always very popular.  I was the typical "fat" kid in school, but was never really made fun of.  I had ton's of friends, even a lot of Boyfriends.  My weight never was a huge concern for me until I went through a horrible breakup of a 5 year relationship.  We were suppose to get married and he called it all off.  He was SUPER athletic and I was not in the greatest shape, (although a lot slimmer than I am now).  I never got it out of my head that he dumped me because of my weight.  From that point on, my weight got higher and higher.  I met my hubby and he loved me the way I was.   I decided when my youngest turned 2 that I was done populating the USA, and my hubby went and ended out baby making days.  I decided then it was my turn to get fit and start a new life, a healthy life...  I met with Dr. Roye and had a great feeling about him from the start.  I had my Lap RNY done on Nov. 27 and am down about 25 lbs.  I had a great experience at the hospital and never had a complication.  I feel great and cant wait to get to the gym and get more of this weight off. Thanks for all the support this board gives me, you RI'ers are the BEST!!!!!!! Jen

Angela...what a great idea! Well, first of all, it was nice to see a few of you at the support group last night!

Ok, now onto ME! My name is Laura, I am 24 years old and I had gastric bypass on 10/23/2007. I have lived in RI my entire life and love it! I am an only child and I still live at home with my parents and my pets. I have a dog, 2 birds, bearded dragon and a guinea pig. My boyfriend, Joe, and I have been dating for 4 years and we have 3 cats, Shadow, Rocky and Toby. I work at Bank of America opening accounts over the phone...I like it, but I am beginning to think I need something more challenging!

I started researching about Gastric Bypass about 3 years ago, but officially started my journey in November of 2006. I was approved for surgery by my insurance company just before my birthday this year (what a great present) and finally had my surgery in October. Since my pre-op diet I have lost a total of 90 lbs! I love my choice and wouldnt change anything for the world.

One of my major goals is to go horseback riding again. When I was 13-15 I would ride every weekend for lessons, compete in shows and take trail rides and once my weight became an issue I stopped. I really miss it and cant wait to get back to it!

I am 10 lbs away from my 1st goal and plan to get a tattoo as a symbol in Feb. I want to get a 1/2 sun 1/2 moon with really feminine faces to symbolize my change as my mother tells me that the difference is "like night and day".

I am glad to have "met" all of you and hope to officially "meet" more of you in person in the future!

Good luck to everyone with thier respective tools!

LB

I think this is a great idea Angela!   My name is Marisa and I am 27 years old.  I am a single mom to two kids, ages 5 and 8.  I had been thin most of my life but began gaining weight with my first pregnancy.  I gained almost 80 pounds!!!  I lost a lot of it after he was born, but not the same with my daughter.  I gained weight with the pregnancy and then after she was born I just kept gaining and gaining.  I tried every diet under the sun, joined a gym, took water aerobics classes....but every time I lost a little weight it would came back..plus some.  I was so sick of this yo yo weight thing that I started thinking about surgery.  I need to be able to run around and play with my kids, and not get tired and short of breath.  My feet and back hurt all the time and its just a matter of time before I start having other health issues.        I was really clueless at the beginning.  I thought there was only one type of surgery and thats it..  I had never even heard of the lap band.  I learned so much when I went to Dr. Pohl's and Dr. Giovanni's seminar. They were both so informative and caring.  I knew this was what I needed to do to loose the weight.   I decided the lap band was the best option for me.  At the seminar they gave us a packet that included a list of all the pre-op testing that needed to be done. The day after the seminar I made all of the nessissary appointments.  I had all of the testing done in October and November and I saw Dr. Giovanni at the beginning of December.  The only test I needed to repeat was the endoscopy (because of inflamation in my stomach).   The insurance approval was simple also.  I feel so bad for the people who have horror stories about insurance approval.  It must be a nightmare to have to deal with them.  Today I went back for my 2nd appointment with Dr. Giovanni and she said everything was a go!!!  I got my date Feb. 8, 2008!!!!  I am so nervous and excited!!        Most people have been supportive of me having the surgery.  There are a few people at work who are leery, but they are warming up to it.       I really need to get my butt to the support group meetings, though. Each month I have planned on going, but it is hard trying to find a babysitter. I need you guys to really NAG me about going next month ...and maybe I'll actualy get there.   SO HERES TO THE START OF A VERY HAPPY 2008!!!!

Angela, What a great way to “meet” you J    You may be sorry that I added mine to this. lol.

My name is Melissa and I'm 36 years old. Born in VT, I've lived in a lot of different places. Most recently MA, until I moved to RI in July. For the last 6½ years I’ve worked at a RI credit union, with the last 2 years training new branch employees. Like most of you I feel like I've struggled my whole life with extra weight. I've always been a chubby baby, child, and teenager and then went on to become an obese adult. Because we moved around a lot I never felt very comfortable trying to fit in with the new kids. Now with the job I have, I’ve become more comfortable talking to people, but still feel like I want to blend into the wallpaper when I get into social situations. Seems like I’ve always been either on a diet or going to start one “tomorrow”. I’d get off some of the weight and then before I could be happy about it, the lbs would creep back on and bring along some “friends”.

I’ve been really resistant to look at WLS because I knew someone who fell into that 1-2% margin and didn’t make it home after surgery. But the last few years the weight has only gotten worse and I’ve started to develop other health issues – high blood pressure, high cholesterol, just was diagnosed with type II diabetes and have been having a lot of joint pain in my hips and knees for the last few months. I decided that 36 is WAY to young to feel this old! So with the encouragement of some ladies I work with, who’ve had WLS, I decided to go to the seminar. I figured at this point and with the health issues I’m developing, if I don’t do something soon I won’t be around to see my nephews grow older or find someone and start a family of my own.  Thanks to all of you that have been so welcoming on this board and at the RW support group (which I plan to start attending regularly this month).  You make me feel motivated and proud that I'm making this step towards being healthier.

 So ok, now that I’ve wound down… Sorry I’ve been rambling on so long. It just felt good to put it down somewhere why I’m doing this. Thanks, again, for “listening”!

My name is Danielle and I am 36 years old.  I have lived in RI all of my life.  Grew up in Lincoln and am now on the other side of Providence in Cranston with my husband and cat.  I had Lap-Band surgery done in Nov 2005.  I am down 98lbs and have about 30 more lbs to go.  I work in IT, but have recently received my masters in HR (now looking if you know of any jobs).  I am also a Stampin Up demonstrator (scrapbooking and card making), which I love. I have been obese my whole life and lost 100lbs on Weigh****chers several years ago only to gain approx 70lbs back.  I  had never really felt like the fat girl until I started dating my husband and spent time with his family (toothpicks the lot of them!!!).  I then realized that I just avoided situations that would make me feel fat.  Didn't really travel - go to the movies  - or sit on lawn furniture.  My mom had RNY and after seeing her results decided that I needed to investigate an option for me.  So here I am.....

Ok...so my turn! I'm T! Just turned 35 2 weeks ago.  I have 3 kids. Divorced and remarried to a wonderful guy. Born and raised in MA and now reside in RI for the past 4 yrs.  I work part time and coach sports for my kids (both my husband and I coach) I was only a chubby pre-teen, went through high school ranging from 115-130 at 5 feet tall.  Got married at 19, then pregnant and the fat years started then. Been struggling since then. In the summer I saw a Lap Band commercial and decided to research it.  A friend from FL was looking into the RYN and told me about this website. After some research I discussed my interest with my PCP and from there I started making the steps toward sugery.   I have one more appointment left and that is my sleep study follow-up next week. I'm hoping and keeping everything crossed that I won't have to repeat the study or that will set me back weeks, more likely months. Noone knows that I am seeking surgery other then my husband and parents. I plan to keep it that way due to negative comments, reactions and just for those people that like something to talk about. Because of that I may never post pictures of myself but I am open to sharing...I can email pictures if anyone is interested.   That's about it!