Hello everyone

This is my first time to this site. I just went to my first Dr.s appointment on saturday. So i'm just getting into all of this. I would love to meet and get to know more people from utah that have been through this or that are going to go through this. So if there are any of you out. let me know. Valerie

Hi Valerie! Welcome to the board! Which WLS are you having? I'm a bander. I had the Adjustable Gastric Lap Band. I was banded on August 11, 2003. I started at 274 and am now down to 212. I am sooooo happy with my weightloss so far! It is so fun seeing a body I haven't seen for years and really don't remember! I'm getting down to the sizes when my mother still bought my clothes for me! It's great! Here are my 2 most important advices.... WATER and EXERCISE! Make a plan now to get in your water and your exercising! You will reach a point when the weight loss starts to slow and the only way to continue it is to WORK at it through exercise! Good Luck...and enjoy your new journey! Tash 274/212/160

Hey Tahsa, Thanks for the response. i was begining to think i was the only one from Utah doing this. I will be having RNY- Open towards the end of May. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Thanks for the advice. I'm having a hard time getting in all the water i need. however, i continue to work on it. I've been walking everyday and have blisteres on my feet to prove it I think i need to get me some better shoes. I'm glad to hear your doing so well. I can't wait till i'm on the losing side of life. Have a great day Valerie

Hi Valerie, Welcome aboard and congratulations on your decision to have the surgery. I had open RYN on 11/5/02 at St. Marks Hospital with Dr. Sherman Smith. I started out at 304 lbs and have lost 158 lbs. I reached goal at 8 months out. The surgery was the best thing that I have ever done. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Where are you having the surgery at and which doctor. The key to success is following the plan and make sure you utilize the support groups. They are essential to being successful. I am a member of BSCI in Salt Lake. They have a wonderful support group. Check out their site at: bariatricsupportcenter.com If you would like to have volunteers from the group come and visit you in the hospital, let me know and I will arrange that. It is always nice to have someone come in to cheer you up and support you. Keep us updated and good luck. Lisette

Hello Lisette. I will be having open RNY in about a month. I am going through the wish center with Dr. Hanafy and i'm very excited. I'm curently reading everything i can and try new things for exercise. Today i went to water aerobics for the first time and loved it. I was so scared and was afraid of what others would think. however i went and enjoyed it and everyone was very nice. I can't wait to lose enough weight that i won't feel so uncomfortable. I have been walking but i keep getting blisters on my feet so i knew i had to give up my fears and just go swimming. Thanks for responding to my post. I think that it's really sad that more of us from Utah don't post here. We could all use the support of each other. I appreciate your thought and ideas. I will keep you posted on what i do. Valerie

Valerie, Keep up the good work. The more exercise you get before the surgery, the easier it will be on you. You will be on the losing side in no time at all. I think alot of people from Utah post on the BSCI website and also the Rocky Mountain website. You can go to either site and sign up as a guest. the website is: BARIATRICSUPPORTCENTER.COM and UTAHBARIATRICS.COM Keep me posted on your surgery date and be sure to let me know if you want vistors during your hospital stay. Lisette