5th Aniversay of WLS

Hi every body!!!

I knwow that you don't know me, I was part of the group that started the men's locker room. I am happy to verify that you are still FARTING...

In few days it's going to be my 5th surgyversary. These years have gone really fast.!!!

I have mantain my weight for over 4 years. I have had no problems after the surgery and I have never had any plastic surgery...

I have updated my profile... I hope it will be of service for you...

I only want to say hi to all the people that is walking the same path I started five years ago...

Best Regards

Alejandro from Guadalajara México

 I stink at using various aspects of a computer.  I tried to post onto your "map"  but I couldn't figure it out.  That doesn't mean much--I'm largely computer illiterate even though I am quite literate in English.  I just man that I got my BA back in 1972 --during the dark ages of computers.  I even started in college as an engineering major and did simple programmin using some sort of cards--I think it was called FORTRAN.  I wouldn't trust my memory on that.  

However,  Thank You for your Post.  I suggest that all the Men on this Forum save your name and maybe even your post so they will be able to find you profile.  I thank you for your detailed bio along with all of the pictures.  I have an especial interest in them today since my brother is going to Mexico on Mon 01-17-11 to work on a sabbatacal at a Mexican Univ.  in a town I'll never be able to pronounce--somethiong like johaca in south central Mexico about 100 miles from Guatemala (?)  I know that it is about equidistant between the Cribean and Pacific.

YOUR PROFILE IS RICH IN YOUR PERSONAL HISTORY, WEIGHT GAIN AND LOSS HISTORY, AND BEAUTIFUL PICTURES OF YOUR LIFE ALONG THE WAY.  i can't thank you enough.  It is very good to have all of this in your profile.  Please post at least once a year, or OH may erase it.  I don't know why.  

Congratulations and i wish you continued success in life as well as with your weight  loss.  Economic times are hard but you have a good attitude.  My wife has been trying to get work for 2 years now.  As others are praying for her success, so to will I pray for yours.  Bob

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your kind words. Your brother is probably going to visit OAXACA. The pronuciation of the name is very similar at the word you wrote. The visitor map in my profile is problably not working any more. In fact it is a surprise for me the the visitor counter is still working. My profile is as detailed as you verified because it was a tool I used in order to keep balance in my life as you can see reading it with all the struggling I had to deal with at that time, and for me it was a exhaust valve to my frustrations, fears and insecurities.

For me the toughest task was to deal with the changes in my mind, and soul rather than in my body. To deal with a drastic change without the proper specialist is really hard. We have to deal with our own demonds, I used to think that my main problem in my life was my overweight, but after the surgery my other problems were there expecting me to deal with them. In my personal situation I decided to take under control everything that was in caos. Saying it is easy, but believe me is a whole challenge. Looking back at my life, the WLS was the best decision I have ever taken...

I hope your brother will enjoy the best of my country although the press is nowadays doing its best to make it look like a war zone. I live here and accept that we are fighting a hard war to the drug capos but in general life is not as havoc as the news tend to show in T.V.

Best Regards

Alejandro from Guadalajara Mexico

 Yes, that is where my brother is going.  I saw him a couple weeks ago and was surprised to find out he was going there.  For almost a year, Rutgers Univ and a Mexican univ near the southern border had been arranging for financing his sabbatical .  But there was a problem there in which the dean wanted my brother to come there but his mother-in-law who has some sort of power in the Univ nixed it.  So, my bro had to scramble since Nov to find a different place to go.  But, I guess when you can get someone who is an expert in his field and it is not going to cost you anything, you do find a way to get things done.  My brother's expertise is in safely bringing meat to market, i.e., he' one of the world's foremost experts on botulism.  He usually gives courses on the proper handling of meat to governments around the world.  The job for his sabbatical will not be his usual field.  Rather it sounds like it has to do with keeping gathered rain water free from infections.  The area where the college is located has large rainwater collection facilities.

We're teasing him about how nice it is for him to go down there while there's snow on the ground and bitter cold in  NJ.  I told him not to spend too mush time on the beach, but he said that would have been a problem at the first univ but not at this one.  This one's kind of in a desert environment

I understand a lot about "head" issues and food problems.  They have ben my major problem for years.  I consider myself to be a food addict with white flour and sugar as my primary addictive substances.  My other mental problem is much more serious--I am manic-depressive and receive a Federal occupational disability.  I have been receiving monthly disability checks since Aug, 1992.  I do well on Meds as long as I'm not under pressure.  My wife says that I face so little pressure that I live in my own little world.  I hear bout people multi-tasking, but if my wife gives me a honey-do list with even 3 items on i, she has to put what priority she wants them done or none of them get done.  Thank God for my pension and for my wife.  I'm sure she'll find someway to get money if her unemployment benefits run out.  But, it's hard for me to deal with.  She "works" harder looking for work while she's on unemployment than she ever worked on a job.  Luckily, our house is paid off and we have some money in the bank.

I'm very lucky that she has a positive attitude.  I' tend to look at things in a negative way.  She says not to worry.  Easy for her to say.  But worrying does not do me any good.  I just have to hope and pray that she'll get a job soon.  Bob 

If I learned something in the past few years is that we are never alone. I kind of understand your problem having had issues with depression. It wasn't as bad to need any medication, but hard enough to get the idea that it is not at all funny. I am with you my friend. Your way is ahead and we have to go through it. It is our decisiotn how are we going to walk it...

My best wishes for you and your beloved wife which I already like for being supportive. Let me tell you that if I succeed in this challenge half of the merit is for my wife, her support and attitude were huge basement support for my new life.

My wishes for success for your brother.

Alejandro from Guadalajara Mexico

 props to the OG or in this case OBM (original board member)

AMEN my friend!!!!

I do remember you!!  I was pre op and you were one of the many who helped me along the way...The 1001 questions.  Back then it was harder to get the information about what was going on with RNY...plus before DSL, it was dial up...very frustrating.  I have posted a picture of me every year on my profile...Want the newcomers to see both the good and the bad each year (some weight gain...some sagging).  Just to keep it real for the new people.  It seems like you have kept off the weight really well.  Very good show and thanks for posting.  Cabin111 (Brian)