Intro Time: It's been a while, folks!

Okay, Newbies and Lurkers time to come out.

Name: Patti

Hometown: Mojave Desert

Greatest challenge: Consistent exercise

Favorite WLS-friendly food: Tie between greek yogurt with blueberries and Almond Roca SF syrup or ricotta with spaghetti sauce and mozz cheese (WLS lasagna) in a custard cup/ramekin

Best NSV so far (if you're preop what do you think it will be?): having the energy for a trip to the beach/shopping/taking my kid to Griffith Park all in one day 

If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?: George Jetson ("Jaaaaane, get me off this crazy thing!")

Name- Margaret

Hometown- Cairo Ga but live in Sumner Ga

Greatest challenge- Will always be food that talks to you to come and try me lol.

Fav WLS food- That would be a hard one but I guess on a scale of being the best it would be this tuna patties I make with a can of tuna, one egg, tbs of bread crumbs and seasonings of choice and make patties out of it... VERY high in protein and dont have to eat alot at one sitting to get protein in... Doesn't sound appealing to everyone I know.. My grown kids say it makes them want to throw up lol..

Best place after WLS- Two cruises.Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, Key West

Cartoon Character- Mighty B!

Name: Erica

Hometown: Baltimore

Greatest challenge: right now? It's getting in all of my fluids :(

Favorite WLS-friendly food: well since I'm only 6 days post op I was VERY happy to be told I could go full liquid instead of clear liquids today - who knew Cream of Chicken soup tasted so good!

Best NSV so far (if you're preop what do you think it will be?):shopping with out getting tired and winded

If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?: The Cheshire Cat

Name: Chakara

Hometown: Dayton, Ohio living in Springfield, Ohio

Greatest challenge: eating slowly enough to stop when I am satisfied as opposed to FULL

Favorite WLS friendly food- Tie between a parmesian crusted tilapia and a rice-less jumbalaya

Best NSV so far: Buying a pair of pants (24W) out of a store. I had resorted to mail order and sweat pants b/c I couldn't find much/anything at retailers. (I look forward to the amusement park next year)

If you were a cartoon character. . .: Velma, for sure!!!! (used to wish I was a daphne, but now proudly a velma! lol)

I was torn between Velma and George. She definitely had more brains than the rest of that bunch put together.

Yeah, Velma is way cool. Jinkies!

Name: Michelle

Hometown: Northern Michigan
Current location:  Central New York

Greatest challenge: Staying out of the kitchen when my emotions are out of whack

Favorite WLS-friendly food: Salted edamame

Best NSV so far (if you're preop what do you think it will be?):  I couldn't say what the best is - so many I catagorize as "amazing."  Buying L's and XL's at the store always blows me away.  Going roller skating was so freaking awesome.  This Fri we're going to Cedar Point and just knowing my body can DO it makes me happy. 

If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?:  Chippette Eleanor

Name: Kim

Hometown: Winchester, KY

Greatest challenge: Oh so many...Carb addiction and excercise are on the same level of difficulty for me

Favorite WLS-friendly food: Wendy's chili

Best NSV so far - so many to choose from.  I guess going to Disney World with my family without worrying about the swelling feet, the hurting back, and having to sit down every so often.  Also, being able to ride the kiddie rides with my toddler.

If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?: Lois from Family Guy...that show cracks me up!

Name: Patty

Hometown: State College, PA - now living in Oregon's Willamette Valley

Greatest challenge: Quitting smoking so I can have surgery / Regular swimming

Favorite WLS-friendly food: MF Choc Appetite Suppressant Chakes

Best NSV so far - getting under 400 lbs so I could weigh myself on the health club scale

If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?: Peppermint Patty - I'm usually much more macho than the guys I have had crushes on (and the guy I married - LOL)

Name: Jenny

Hometown: DeWitt, MI

Greatest challenge: Maintaining self esteem

Favorite WLS-friendly food: Steak

Best NSV so far (if you're preop what do you think it will be?): Fitting on to roller coasters again!

If you were a cartoon character, who would you be? Katara from the Avatar (the cartoon not the stupid movie)