Getting to know......

Hey guys, Each day we share our experiences with our one shared common life change. So, let's step out of the norm for a moment and share alittle about ourselves. ~Are you married? ~Children? ~What do you do for a living? ~What's the one food you adore you knew you would have to give up after banding? Anything you want to share, share. Okay, I'll start this thing. My name is Renee. I am not married I have 2 absolutely, wonderful, loving, spoiled, silly girls, 17 and 11. They are my joy and make me laugh on a daily basis. I do not work outside the home but love doing web design. Did I menton I have wonderful girls?....Oh wait, I did. Not really sure what food I adore, but haven't had Taco Bell and crave it here and there. I love a strong Coke Zero, miss that. Ok family, it's your turn.

I am married...33 years in September. We got engaged on our third date & were married 5 months after we met. I have 2 grown children. My son will be 35 Tuesday and my daughter just turned 30. Both are married to wonderful people. I could not have hand picked a better son-in-law or daughter-in-law. DIL brought 2 wonderful boys into the marriage with her so I have 2 grandsons. I also have a grandson in heaven who would now be 3 years old had he lived beyond 19 hours. I work at a christian university. I am half of the human resources department. Biscuits & gravy! This is the only food I haven't been able to figure any way to fit it into my eating plan. It's probably a good thing too, that's one of the things that helped me get to 287 pounds. I'm interested to see some others responses. This should be fun. Susan

Hey Everyone, I am Lori. I am married to Greg. We have an interesting history. We were married for 15yrs.,divorced and remarried last year. I am blessed to be the adopted Mom of 3 great children. Jasmine-13,Chasity-11 and Grant-8. My kids are extra special to me, as I had cervical cancer at age 25 and was unable to have children but I always felt like God wanted me to be a Mom. He placed these 3 kids with us.Jasmine has bi-polar disorder and slight mental retardation. Grant is autisic. Each day is a challenge and never a dull moment! I am a RN. I am currently staying home with my kids this summer. The food I miss...nothing in particular. I just miss not being able to really enjoy food anymore. Nice topic, Renee! Hugs, Lori

Let's see: Not Married I have two grown sons, Phillip will be 30 in Oct. Scott will be 28 in October. Both are married, Phillip has a 19 month old son, Philip Elias will be 2 on his day's birthday, Scott has a son, Waylon will be 4 in August. I have so special daughter-n-loves. Siliva is married to Phillip, she's beautiful inside and out, Karen is married to Scott and can be mean when she is angry. Food that I miss: Zero sprite, gravy and bisuits, pizza. (I did buy a small one the other day, and every time I would eat some, I would throw it up.) I think I'll pass. As for Tacos I ask for the refried beans instead of the hamburger mix. Plus I have shredded chicken I bought at Wal-marts that is made with the taco mix, that way I can have a taco without having the hamburger. I'm not able to work as I can't handle any forms of stress or pressure. Social Security pays me to stay out of the work force, plus I receive a disability check from the VA for my service connection.

Hi Renee, these kinds of posts are so fun I am happily married with no children...yet. We have 15 more months until we start trying! I work for the State of Tennessee... your tax dollars pay my salary! I have an incredibly boring job and am thinking about taking a class or two at volstate to keep from dying of boredom. I already have my bachelor's degree in History and Business Administration and so far it hasn't gotten me very far. As for my weight loss surgery, I'm tired of eating the same things. I eat chicken, turkey, cottage cheese, low fat cheese, boca burgers, eggs..and that's about it. I need to find some creative things to do with these items. The thing I miss the most that I will NEVER be able to ever have again is my favorite dish from my favorite chinese restaurant in Springfield...sweet n sour chicken, fried rice, eggroll, and lo mein noodles...greasy, wholesome goodness lol April

Hi April, I am now able to eat my favorite food, sweet-n-sour chicken, egg rolls, I buy the chicken ones at the store, that's a meal with one egg roll. I can't handle the rice or noodles. Dentures can't chew them well enough. I buy ground chicken in Knoxville Krogers so I can enjoy a burger, meatloaf, spaghetti now. Tastes like hamburger without the fat, makes a great burger and meatloaf. Turkey doesn't. You can eat eggs, some one told me they scramble their egg like an omelet and add lowfat cottage cheese to it. Lots of protein there. I love boiled shrimp, just peal, dip in ****tail sauce, after three I am full, protein. I don't take any protein supplements because I get it from the meat I eat, the veggies like pea salad. It calls for a can of peas, but I make it with frozen peas, cook them up chill, add low fat ranch dressing and shredded mild cheddar cheese. It is so good. My son got me using lowfat ranch dressing instead of salad dressing or mayo as most call it. Gives a whole new meaning of great taste. I buy chicken wings, one is all I need. I am now able to eat my protein, a small serving of green beans, german potatoe salad or my own potatoe salad. As for tacos, I go to Wal-marts, and buy the shredded chicken mixed with taco seasoning. Refried beans with a little cheese, high in protein, so when I go to Taco bell, I ask for a taco instead of the hamburger mix, I get refried beans. Pinto and white northern beans are high in protein and easy to eat at your stage. Little variety. Boneless skinless chicken breast soaked in Light Italian dressing then put on a grill or a George Foreman grill, very juicy and high in protein. Fish is also high in protein. I take boiled shrimp after I peel them saute them with the garlic/butter that comes with a papa John's pizza. You can buy them separately for .25 and add some parsley to the shrimp. Variety. Use your imagination when it comes to this stage of soft foods. I am almost 5 months out and can eat just about anything. I went to the Dollar Store and bought a box of 40 mini bags of popcorn. One cereal bowl full, better then having to buy a big bag and most of it going to waist. Best of luck, Kathy

I am 26 and married. We have a 9 year old daughter named Brooklyn Nicole. She is a spoiled brat I work for SunTrust Bank. In the call center.... I too have a boring job To be honest... I still try to include some of my favorite foods like pizza and pasta... the only difference is, I eat about 2 bites of pizza and 1/2 cup of pasta (instead of the whole pizza)!!!! I absolutely love this website. It has helped through some horrible times and I want to thank everybody again for your support!!!!

HI RENEE and everyone- Im married....to a wonderful guy named ---TOM---for 11 years...together for 13~ We have a wonderful family brought together by the miracle of adoption... we adopted 5 kids.....( 1 son 15yrs) and 4 daughters ages ,3,5,7,13---and I have a grown daughter/niece that I have raised since the age of 4 --she is now 20 and on her own.(( also my mother lives with us)) so we have a HOUSE FULL!! Righ tnow- I am a SAHM............but in the past have worked with develpmentlly disabled adults.....owned and ran a a day care...and I also am a spansih interpertor... 2 of our daughters...( the 3 and 7 year old have been diagnosed with MDS--- which is "pre luekemia"....and we have had to endure all the obsticles of that//////treatment and recovery....if you would like to read some of theri story you can visit theri site at www.caringbridge.org/stefanywilliams well that's the jest of it............ ((WAVES---BYE BYE!!))) MARIA RNY-3/30/06 257/216/137

Hey Maria, The link you posted doesn't work. It says the page is not available. Susan

sorry - here it is www.caringbridge.org/tn/stefanywilliams