Hi. I am Jaycee Nelson.

I want to start by apologizing to everyone in the interest group. Until I talked to Joni today, I had no idea I had caused so much confusion and unrest. First, let me say that Joni had absolutely no idea that I was Jaycee. Joni and I have been friends for over 25 years. I did not want anyone to know I was planning on WLS. Not being able to control my weight has been so humbling to me, and a lifetime of struggling. With dieting I will have up to a 30-pound weight loss, but when I stop dieting, I gain back the weight I lost, plus some. Joni was very open and upfront about her effort to have WLS and she had shared with me about the interest board and also problems with others on the other board. I needed to talk to someone about my quest for WLS and wanted somewhere to ask questions without letting people know whom I was. I observed the kindness and affection your group has for one another and I wanted to be a part of your group through this journey I am undertaking. Also, I was aware of the problems Joni was having with her insurance and it looks like I might have surgery before Joni does. I did not want her to become discouraged. I have apologized to Joni by phone and I am asking for your forgiveness. My real name is Jacquie. I have a BMI of 40.8 with a butt load of weight-related health problems. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fibromyalgia, and have a stent placed in my heart. My primary doctor is changing practices and is moving from Russellville to Muscle Shoals the first of July. She wants to wait until she moves to actively begin whatever it is that needs to be done for my WLS. She did schedule some tests for me to have during June. Monday I saw a pulmonary specialist and he has scheduled a lung test for me on June 22 (I have had pneumonia a lot). He will also be scheduling a sleep apnea test. On June 29th I have an EKG. I am so sorry I caused everyone to be so cautious. I honestly did not realize that you were concerned that someone else had found your 'safe haven'. Even though everyone was suspicious, everyone was still very nice to me and I appreciate that. I am hoping I can be a part of this group. If there is any problem or if anyone feels betrayed by me, I will be glad to try and find another place in order to have access to the knowledge accumulated by experience that is available in this group. As I said, I talked to Joni and, while she is still perplexed as to why I would feel the need to hide the surgery from her, she has forgiven me. I hope forgiveness is available here. I will be updating my profile and adding a picture of me. Jacquie (Jaycee Nelson)

Welcome Jacquie. We are indeed a loving and close-knit group even though many of us have never met face to face. In the quest for WLS, losing weight via diets, maintaining weight loss, we are varied in where we are on this journey. We've got preops, postops, undecided and damn determined among us. I am nine months post op, have lost 112 pounds and know that WLS is the best decision I ever made for ME. It is a very personal decision and like you, I was very secretive about it for a long time. My (blood) relatives don't know that I've had surgery, yet my SO's family DOES know and has been supportive of my decision. Now, I am more open about talking about my WLS, but I know people who aren't and you know what? That is their choice to make, just as it is yours. You are amongst friends here. Welcome sister Kim

Jacquie, Please do not feel that you have to leave the IG board. You may post here. You are not the one who caused us to be cautious. We were cautious before you got here. We came here, together, to be able to post as we saw fit, without having to hide our true emotions. I think all of us here have been hurt some way, some how, and we chose to be here in this 'afe haven' to seek refuge. You may join us here. We were just naturally curious as to how we were 'found'. This is NOT an easy place to find, by any means. When you told us that you had lurked here for about two weeks before posting that did peak our curiousity. We are here to help each other. Please feel free to ask any questions that you need answered. Just please, understand why we are VERY CAREFUL of what we say or who we talk to. Joni is a great friend of mine (of ours) and a friend of hers is a friend of mine. Welcome. Lindy

Again I wish to say welcome Jacquie. These are the best, most supportive people on the net! I for one will offer any support or guidance that you may need. Hope to see you posting more often. Paige

Hijack! Hey Paige! Good to see you back. kim

Thanks Kim...it's good to be back!

(((((((HUGZ PAIGE))))))) Its GREAT to have you back!

Jacquie, Sometimes we all make errors in judgement...the important thing is that you have talked to Joni about it and hopefully it will open the communication about WLS between the two of you. I'm sure she's confused and probably hurt some...I know I would be, but you have her forgiveness, there is no reason for you to ask mine. I think that you did what you felt you needed to at the time. I don't feel that there was any malice involved...you just didn't know what to do and you did the best you could under the cir****tances. Yes, there was some confusion and concern because certain things didn't add up...but we look forward to getting to know Jacquie...just be yourself! Get out and get involved with things going on in the area...in fact, come to Girl's Night at my place on Friday if you're able and would like to meet some members in person. Yes, you're right...there's a world of information and experience here. Just be honest with us from now on... realize that trust goes hand in hand with respect...they are both earned...and once they are lost, its hard to get them back. You are still welcome here! Stay involved and keep us posted...we do care! Becky

*HIJACK* Hey Becky!!! I sure wish that Lindy & I could make it to your house Friday night but we will be going to Gisellena's Friday night in Florida!!!!! We are so excited!!! We will be going to see Brad Cotter (last year's nashville star winner from Opelika) Saturday in the big metropolitan area of Slocomb Alabama at their Tomato Festival. I know that everyone will have a wonderful time and we will make it to the next one!!!!!! Love ya Dixie

See? I told you everyone was wonderful here. Ya'll, Jacquie is the one who said she's go to Wal-Mart for me....ya'll know my troubles with Wal-Mart... You have to be a VERY GOOD PERSON to offer to go to Wal-Mart for someone. I HATE that dayum place. If it weren't for my water, Wal-Mart could go straight down the I am just awesomely grateful I never said anything bad about my friend Jacquie on this board. Ok, so we go from here.... Love, Joni