New to this Journey

Hi Everyone! I am thrilled to have found this website.  Just since last night- I have had alot of my questions answered by reading the posts and blogs. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself.  My name is Melanie and I am waiting for surgery.  Right now I have only 3 things left that I need to do pre-op.  I have to go for my gallbladder ultrasound and for my psych evaluation and I need to lose a total of 50lbs.  I have lost 20 so far- hoping the last 30 fall off pretty quickly.  I am also waiting for approval from my insurance company (United Healthcars POS). I have been through alot in the past year and last fall I made the decision to start putting myself first- something that I have never done.  I left a job that I hated, found a job that I love- doing what I want to be doing (I'm a legal assistant), I applied to school and started in March at Johnson & Wales to finish my degree and I began the process to having WLS.  I don't know much about the WLS community in RI- but by reading some of the posts here it seems like a great group of people.  I'm looking forward to meeting new friends who are on the same journey as I am. Have a wonderful day!  

Hi Melanie! Nice to meet you, thanks for introducing yourself. The RI WLS community is pretty tight knit, I must say. Most of the people here on the board all go to the support group at Roger Williams on the 4th Thursday of each month. We also have unofficial get togethers at Angela's house...we were there last night actually! We had a great time!

I am planning a bowling event for us soon, trying to get everyone together is kind of tough...

Good luck on your journey, if you have any questions feel free to message me! I had Dr Giovanni as well, she is great!

Will you be having the band or the bypass?

Talk to you soon.

Laura

Hi Melanie and welcome!  I am pre-op, hoping to have the surgery and have all my tests done except the endoscopy at this point.  I will be seeing Dr Pohl in April for my first consult.  Finding this board has been a wonderful experience for me.  I, like you, have learned a lot from the posts and the folks I have met here on the RI forum are extremely supportive and very giving of their friendship and infomation.   I'm sure you will agree after hanging out here a while.  Please come to the RW support group mtgs, as LB mentioned.  It is the perfect place to get questions answered and learn from the other peoples' experiences. 

Welcome Melanie- this is a great group to have found!  The most informative and supportive people!  I just had surgery last week, and was so blessed to have my strength come from this group. Welcome!

Hiya Melanie!!! Like Cara, I too have all my pre-op appts done except the endoscopy. I have my first consult appt with Dr. Pohl TOMORROW!!!! Woo Hoo!!!               Welcome to your new home! Please don't be shy about any questions you may have. If we haven't asked them ourselves, we might be wondering about them ourselves! Even if you think the questions have already been asked a couple hundred times, ask away! That's what our little RIOH (Rhode Island Obesity Help) friends are all about! Support, fun and caring people! There are three 'main' support groups....1st Wednesday = RIH (Rhode Island Hospital), Gerry House 6pm - 7:30pm.......4th Tuesday=Miriam Hospital (banders @ 5:30) 6pm - 7:30pm.......And of course, 4th Thursday=RW (Kay Auditorium) PROMPLTY 6pm - 7:30pm. Looking forward to getting to know you!!! Jules

Hi Melanie! Welcome aboard!! I'm Lauren and I'm a Lap Band post op with Dr. Giovanni. She's so wonderful! Good for you for putting yourself first!! The RI board is great, everyone is super nice and uber supportive! As LB Mentioned most everyone attends the support groups at Roger Williams. I pop in here and there, more now that hockey is just about over for the season, but any questions you might have, ask away because there are a lot of people around that you can get help from on here! Enjoy and welcome as you take the steps to change yourself and enter your new more beautiful life!
~Lauren

Hi Melanie and Welcome,

My name is Robin and I had my surger 3/12/2008.   Like everyone said you will find a wonderful bunch of people who are supportive and very informative.  Good luck on your journey.

Robin

Hi Melanie, Welcome to the board! Feel free to ask any questions or just stop by to say "hi"! There is a fabulous group of people here. Hope to see you at the RW support group one of these days... Krista

Hi Melanie,  I'm a bit late in answering, but WELCOME! I'm Angela and I had bypass with Dr Pohl on Nov 13. There isnt a better group around anywhere, so ask any questions, vent if needed and chat when you feel like it.  We're all here to help and support one another!

Thanks Everyone for your warm welcome!  I look forward to getting to know you all better.  I am planning to be at the next support group meeting at RWH. Have a wonderful April 1st!!!