Kind of a new guy.

I wanted to say howdy to y'all.  My name is Bear, and at home the family calls me Papa Bear.  There is Cherokee heritage in my name.  I am 60 years old and 6'4" tall and am as big as a bear with the winter fat still on.    I've been lurking for a few months and y'all have answered a lot of questions that I have had.  The Mens Forum is a godsend!  I tried the main board but was very disappointed.  I like the locker room type of honesty here.  Thanks! I have already been through the seminars and the initial consultations and I got my final approval today from all of my Doc's as well as my insurance company.  All thats left is setting the surgery date.  I have chosen the RNY procedure.  My official weigh in was 348 and today I was down to 333.  I have started working out on my bowflex again last week and I feel better for it although I do ache a bit! Again, thanks for being there for a past lurker and now a writing member.      

Welcome and thanks for comming out to play.  Good luck in all of this craziness. Scott

Welcome to the locker room, Skinny Bear. Glad to see you. Remember, home is where the F.A.R.T. is.

Glad to hear you are on your way! and congratulations on starting your exercise program there is no time like the present to start your new lifestyle changes. Seriously, though I have seen studies that show that modest weight loss before the surgery is a good indicator as to how well you will do post-op because it shows that you are going into it committed to make the lifestyle changes that will be required to fully utilize the tool that you are given in the form of the new plumbing. Good luck!

Welcome Bear, I read your brief discription and it rang a bell.  Did you live in southern California in the 80's?  I used to hang out in I think it was a country western club in Gardena and there was a fellow named Bear that was there often.  He also had Cherokee heritage in him.  At any rate, welcome.  You will find alot of information at this site.  I know exactly what you are saying in the main forum.  You will find your self much more comfortable here.  You will bo well if you remain active and take the wealth of information here, separate it, and find what works for you.

Good Luck on you life changing decision, Will 

Bear, Welcome to the Men's Forum.  These guys are great and your questions will not go unanswered.  Congratulations on your approval.  Let us know when you get your surgery date.  Good luck.

Floyd

Hey there Bear... Welcome! And nice to hear from you.... Glad that the locker room "feels" like home to you -- it sure resonated with me too and I hope you'll enjoy it for years to come too! So come on over here to the postOp side soon as you can..... And if you've questions, ask away. We've got some pretty good "locker mates" here that have been there and done that.....and know how to help! Jim

Thanks for the warm welcome. Will,   Funny that you should ask about Gardena.  In '85 I moved back to Canyon Country (now called Valencia) from the East Coast and then in '88 moved north to Stockton when they closed the last country western club in Newhall.  But I grew up in Torrance in the 50's & early 60's.  Could it have been me you saw?  Probally not, but maybe.  I was very active with the Boy Scout adult High Adventure training and met alot of people in the L.A. area.     

Sounds really familar.  Did you ever frequent the Golden West Club in Gardena?  For some reason or another looking through the fog of my younger days, this person tayed in my mind.  He udes to do an impressive imitation of John Wayne walking.  I know, kind of strange, but the straingest this come back. Anyway, again welcome. Will

Welcome to the locker room, feel free to stink up the place with plenty of FART's! Staying focussed, Al