TGIF!

Hey all! It's been awhile since I posted but I have been checking in regularly, sending a few private messages and keeping up with everything. I've been doing a bunch of trips (and golfing) and have been limited to reading the board from other computers. I have missed jumping in and offering support or making a smart butt comment. Of course I planned to be at the summer jam in June but I'm scheduled to be in Fayettville NC that weekend with a group doing some national security stuff (golfing). I'll be thinking of you all while wasting away down there! It's a bummer because I'll miss all of the hugs and good looking women watching that you all provide me at our get togethers! Anyway, I've been contacted by so many people lately asking questions about WLS and asking my opinion on whether or not they should have it. I find myself making sure that I do NOT try to talk people into having the surgery! I give them all of the facts that I know of, list a bunch of the negatives too and make sure that they realize only they can make the final decision. There's allot more to WLS than losing the weight. The mental demands that WLS places on us makes it really difficult and is truly tough on people that have lived their lives relying on food for comfort. I think I'm lucky that I had reached the point of giving up before surgery and made the decision that this was my last resort. I'm also lucky because I found you guys and had a very supportive family to care for me. This board has been my lifeline before and after surgery. I have not attended one support group meeting but feel that with a minute at my computer, I can get as much support or chiding from you all as I could get at a meeting. Also, having a couple of friends that have had WLS has helped me a bunch. Even though I have been trouble free (thank God!) they have suffered a few serious and not so serious problems. It's made me realize that being a compliant patient is one of the keys to making this a success! OK, I've rambled and now you see why I don't post so often but I'm here everyday, reading, laughing and crying with you guys. Dave