Getting to know you

Hi everyone. I see quite a few new faces around lately. Why don't we all do a little intro about ourselves. I'll go first. I'm Rachelle. I have a home in New Jersey with my Partner of 16 years and our neurotic dog, Sunny. We are getting CU'd in 2 weeks. I work at a large accounting firm as an executive assistant and I love my job and the people I work with. The Partners that I work for treat me very well. I'm lucky that my Firm is a leader in diversity...I'm out at work and very comfortable there. I had RNY on 8/6/07 and I've lost 78.5 lbs. so far. I've gone from a size 22/24 to a 14/16. I haven't felt this good in years! I'm confident that I will reach my goal weight...whenever I figure out what that will really be...LOL...I've never been there, so I'm flying by the seat of my pants right now. OK...who's next. Tell me a little about yourself. Rachelle

I'm Connie and I live in northern Illinois about 10 miles from WI. I am a counselor in a practice at the Univ. of IL College of Medicine and I am also a faculty member in charge of a Behavioral Medicine course. I'm totally out at work and it's not a problem. My partner and I just celebrated our 22 years together. We love to travel and we're old enough to have earned it! LOL Now that we both have had the band, we will be able to travel even more! I've lost 70 lbs in four months and she has lost 55. We love the band! My partner is a retired teacher and a Master Gardener and has a garden design business. I'm the one online, but she lurks and reads. (I'm the talker in the relationship--can you tell?) Connie

Hi! I'm Shirley. I live in Southern NH with my husband and 12 year old son. I had RNY on 11/7/07 and have lost 42.5 pounds since surgery. In size I have gone from a 24 to 18 and those are loose. So, I'm ok with the slow weight loss. I'm a Mental Health Counselor on a secure psych unit. I work with kids ages 10-17, with challenges of all kinds. Where I work is also very supportive of diversity. Most gay people I work with are out, which is nice, because I like it when people can just be who they are. This message board is one of the best on this website. I love the fact that we can talk about nearly anything here.

I'm Lori, I'm turning 34 (gasp) this month, i live in Washington state with my partner of 6 years. We own a coffeehouse and make gourmet chocolates,wedding cakes,and other deserts and pastries. We have a 22 year old daughter and a 20 year old son and a 6 month old grandson named Jackson who i love to spoil rotten whenever possible! I had my WLS on 09/17/07 and have lost 106 lbs so far. i have gone from a size 30/32 jeans down to a size 18 and have never been happier! ~Lori

I'm Carolyn, and I live in east TN with my partner of 14 years, Anne, my disabled sister, and 4 dogs. The dogs outnumber us! I am a Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner and I work for Planned Parenthood, which is a great job--first one I've ever had where it was safe to be "out" at work (life is different here in the "Bible Belt"). I had the DS on 11/3/2003 and lost 170 lbs, then had a little regain, and then lost most of that again. I had a LBL this past Dec. and my journey is almost complete--all I still need is a breast lift and I'll be perfect--or as perfect as one can get at my age! I have pics on my profile of me pre-op and at 6 months, 9 months, one year, and after the LBL (in a leopard-skin bikini, lol). I believe strongly in the importance of exercise and work out 5 times a week--3 days of cardio and two of strength-building and flexibility. Sometimes I sound like a broken record encouraging everyone else to exercise, sorry about that. Honestly, I don't enjoy the sweaty breathing hard part, but the benefits are worth it so I do it anyway. I like having this board available especially for the relationship issues but I think I am the only regular poster with the DS, so I still post a lot on that board as well. My surgery date board has died a natural death, lol--no one ever posts there anymore.

I'm Barbara and live in NE Ohio with my partner of 10 years. We have 4 cats and one dog. I am a licensed clinical social worker and primarily do substance abuse counseling. I'm out at work and very comfortable with it. I had RNY on 8/28/07 and have lost 76 lbs since surgery and 60 during my 6 month pre-op nutritionist supervised diet, so a total of 136. I spend most of my time on QuixoticWLS.org but come over here to post on this board and my surgery month board. I just got my 6 month lab work back and for the first time in recorded history, my cholesterol is under 200. It is nice to see the lab work that shows that I am getting healthier as well as smaller.

Quick highjack - Babara, I have been meaning to tell you how fantastic you look in your new avatar. Great work! Z

Thank you so much! I have to look at my before pics to see what a difference there is! I think my stall has finally ended and I have lost 5 lbs this week! YAY!

Hi, I'm Alice. I'm 31. I live in NC with my partner of 8 Years, A spoiled Pug, Chow Mix and the spawn of satan reincarnated in a 13 year old Siamese cat. I'm the Staffing Coordinator for the world's largest retailer of China, Crystal, Silver and Collectibles- Replacements, Ltd. It's a super company...(one of only thirteen companies nationwide to receive a perfect score in two consecutive years from HRC's Corporate Equality Index). It is a little jarring because I am so used to being "out" in my work life and home life--I never even think of it really, but have found some of the WLS boards not so accepting. That is one reason I love this message board. I feel like there is a big ol' welcome mat. Anyway, right now I am NERVOUS as can be and wanting to eat everything in sight. (Hmmmm...what is that gelly substance in my wrist rest? Is it sweet? ) My surgery is scheduled for March 7th. I've lost 84 pounds since November 19th to prepare and I am ready for my tool to help me along. Rachelle, this was a great idea. I'm really enjoying reading all the intros. MORE MORE...C'mon boys--don't be shy now....!

Hi ALL !! This is Sean ! I live in Dracut Ma. able 35 miles North West of Boston. I have been with my Husband 13 years and coming up on 4 years legally married. We have a Roommate Kristal, her dog and our 6 cats living in our busy house. I am a Child Psychiatric Nurse at Childrens Hospital Boston. I am very out at work !! I love my job and where I work.....I met Shirley at my first job on a child psychiatric unit (AND SHE ROCKS !!!!). I had lap band surgery on August 29th .......I am down around 70 lbs.