Moving to GA

Good Morning all! It is 6:19 am central time here in AR. I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Shelly and my family will be moving to GA as of July 1st (or somewhere around there). My husband is the sales rep for a company based in Sanford, FL. He will cover all of GA and the northern part of FL, down to Orlando. He sales mosquito control chemicals and machines, that sort of thing. Anyway, we looked in FL first, but there was just nothing we could afford, so we started looking in southern GA. We found a place in the tiny town of Ray City, close to Valdosta, that was within our budget. This will be our 8th move since we've been married (17 years). Anyway, I had surgery in 2002 and have lost 140 pounds. I started out at 317 and am down to 175. I am 5'10" tall, so that weight looks okay on me. We have two girls, ages 12 and 10 who will be going to the Berrien County Schools. Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello. I am kind of sad about the move since all of our families live in AR but know that the Lord will be with us. Oh, I had my surgery while living in Alabama. Dr. Les Miles performed my surgery, Lap RNY. I am so glad I had this surgery. I knew God was in all of it because insurance paid for everything except my psychological eval. He has truly taken care of me through all of this. Anyway, I wish you all well and have a God blessed day!!! Shelly E. 317/175 5'10"

Shelly, Welcome to Georgia! I too, am a transplant, we moved here in 2004 from Ohio, but we are origianlly from Arizona. I know what you mean about moving. All of my family is in Arizona. It will be so good to have someone else to talk to that had surgery in 02, mine was 10/22/02. How are you doing? Well, I hope that you have a safe move, and I think that you will really enjoy Georgia. Cathy Martin

Cathy, it is nice to hear from someone who also had surgery in 2002. I am doing good. I don't allow myself to gain more than 5 pounds. If I get up to 180, I know to start cutting back and being more careful about what I eat. I eat what I consider "normal" size meals. I haven't been exercising much but hope to start once we get moved. I know there is a Curves in Nashville as well as a gym I believe. I'm going to look into that. I take my vitamins religiously. I can tell if I have forgotten to take them because I just feel more tired, if that makes sense. We had our surgeries almost exactly one month apart. How are you doing? Thanks for the welcome and I look forward to getting to know you better. Shelly Efird

Shelly, I am not much into exercising, but I did join Curves and LOVED it, until I got another hernia..Don't worry about it, I'm prone to them, actually the one I have now is #6. That really is the only bad thing for me about my surgery. I am doing pretty good, still have major issues with food, like I tell everyone, food is my best friend and worst enemy. I hope to one day, win the war, but until then I fight every day. Some days are good, and some days are bad. I always tell pre-ops to deal with your food issues before your surgery, because it will come back to haunt you. Hope that you don't have these issues. I too, don't allow myself to gain, it just scares the you know what out of me, to see the posts from people as far out as us, or even newer, that have gained 10-30lbs....This would devastate me. I weigh myself about once a week (used to be more, but hubby took the scale away!) and I pretty much stay the same. I too take my vitamins every day, also I take b-12 sublingual every day. Since moving here, I have not seen a Bariatric Doctor, have a pretty good Internal Medicine Doc, but am thinking of just checking in with someone else. Not having any problems per say, but I just want to be checked on..You know? Well, I hope to have many more chats with you, this group has a monthly dinner/ lunch in a different place every month. Hope to meet you sometime! I must admit that I don't make alot of them, with my two boys, weekends get pretty busy! Talk to You Soon! Cathy

That sounds like fun. The monthly dinner/lunch thing. Hopefully I'll be able to go to a few. I have two girls. Ages 12 and 10. I am worried about finding a doc that will take care of me. I had surgery in AL just before moving to AR. I had already researched Dr. Miles and wanted to stick with him. When I get my blood work done, I fax him a copy. So far everything has been okay. I was a little anemic right after surgery but have been find since. I hope I can find a doctor to take care of me in Georgia. So many don't really know anything about WLS. I haven't really exercised much either. I did water aerobics right after my surgery for about a year but then moved to an area that didn't offer that and didn't have a Curves so I just haven't really exercised. But I've got to now. I need some muscle tone and strength and the older we get, the harder it is to put that muscle on. Oh well, I'll ttyl. I hope you have a great day!! Shelly E.

Welcome Shelly, We Southerners are freindly people . I understand your anxiety to move here but, do know, that near Augusta, will be Amy Williams, who has been featured here on MTV as well as is she is one of the main moderators of the boards. She could hook you up with some suppport buddies where you live. Just drop her a note and let her know where you will be and she will be sure to you. Glad to have you!! Crece

Hello there As a transplant myself to Georgia I can attest that the folks who live here are so friendly! I know you will find this a welcome new home. Kia 284/215/155 ish

Welcome to Georgia. You will soon learn the state bird is the SKEETER . I am about 2 hours away in Early County next to the Alabama line. Give me a holler

Welcome, Shelly! I live in North Ga.--so unfortunately, we won't be near each other. I will look forward, however, to seeing you on the Ga. board! As a new post-op (7weeks or so) I've found this to be a wonderful place for support and advice! You'll love the folks who frequent here! Best of luck with the move-- Michelle

welcome to ga,people in ga are the gradest.We are really down to earth and never hesitate to lend a helping hand.