Welcome!

Welcome, everyone!
I am so glad you have decided to check out SCALE--Second Chance At Life Everyday!

Here's where we can all introduce ourselves...so please, join in and tell us a bit about yourself!

I'm Heather. I'm 29 and had RNY on December 1, 2008. My highest weight was 340 and I was 325 the day I came home from surgery. Thus far, I have lost 161 pounds and have gotten my life back!

I named this group SCALE--Second Chance At Life Everyday because I believe that is what this surgery has done for me--given me a second chance at living! Before surgery, my diabetic neuropathy was so bad that I was taking up to 4 extra strength Vicodin pain pills a day just to dull the pain enough to go on. I suffered infections and blood clots in my legs and could not walk more than a few feet without needing to stop and sit, either because I was out of breath or just in too much pain. I wasn't living, I was just barely existing...

Now, everything has changed! My blood sugars are in the normal range and the pain in my hands, feet and legs has subsided significantly! I can breathe and walk and all those things that most people take for granted!

The best news recently is that I just went back to school to get my teaching degree-it's been my dream since I was a child and now, I will finally make it happen--I am finally ABLE to make it happen!

All I can say is....LIFE IS GOOD! I intend to make the most of this second chance!

I am so pleased to be leading this group! I love supporting other post-ops and I am so glad you are all a part of SCALE!

Now, please introduce yourself....=)

Greetings.
I wonder, what motivated you to want to start a group? Great to see this group here. Could be a lot of work.Or, was this a pre-exsting group that physically met anyway earlier?

This is actually the 2nd group I have started. Both groups are physical groups that meet twice a month and we use this space as a forum to go along with our physical group.

I decided to start leading so that I could give back to other post-ops. I have been given so much by having this surgery that I just want to help others. I guess it's just something inside that drives me. =)

Well, we're glad to have you, Eric!

Hugs, Heather =)

Thanks Heather for creating this group...you can never have enough support!

Glad to be a member....and willing to help anyway I can to make us successful!

Had my surgery 3/28/08 by Dr Adaniel at Good Samaritan Hospital. I walked into the hospital at 267lbs and am currently 150lbs.

I have had so many wow moments and still do and that is what is amazing.

My current goals are in Nov to run a mile race and in the Spring (Hopefully with some of my support group friends) run a 5K. I am doing the races because I can and to say that I achieved a goal that I wanted to. Currently, I am running 2.25 miles straight and by winter I hope to be at the 3 miles.

I love to also share in this wonderful experience and help others. I am walking with a great friend 2 times a week who was having a hard time getting started again with exercise. I am so proud of her for letting me show her the benefits of exercising and having a good time as we talk and enjoy each others company!

Good eating habits and exercise is the key to my success!

See you Saturday! 

Tonimarie

Hi Tonimarie!

Thanks so much for introducing yourself to anybody who does not know you in real life!

I am so in awe that you have committed to do that run! You are fabulous! Maybe I'll be able to do that one day...=)

Way to go for walking twice a week and for helping your friend to get motivated, too. I need to get back into my routine..I keep saying I will go on the way home from school, but have yet to do that! LOL

I committ that I will go this coming week. I will get my clothes together and go at least twice for at least an hour each! You need to kick my butt! LOL

Thanks for all your help and for being such a wonderful member of SCALE!

Hugs and love,
Heather =)

Hi Heather!

You are so welcome.

Thanks, I signed up for the run today so there is no turning back! Hey I have to check out what day of the week it is on...maybe I can have a cheering section as I cross the finish line! Would love for my Friends from SCALE/LIPO and GS to come and support me in my first race! : )

Well if you need any help with exercise let me know. I can meet you on the weekends and we can walk and when it gets cold we can go to the mall and be an official weekend mall walker. I may just start a SCALE/LIPO Mall Walking Group...I do not even mind what mall it is! : )

Keep up the good work and I am proud of all you have done. I just want to hear and see you say I am beautiful and love myself! : )

Love and Hugs
Tonimarie

Hiya!

I needed to take a 5 min break from reading...LOL

So, I will most DEFINITELY be there to cheer you on! You tell me the time and place and I'll be screaming for ya! Wahooooooo!

I would LOVE to get together to walk! I've been thinking--Sayville Commons has a small fitness room, plus it's a very large community--maybe after the meetings, we could go walking or working out or something...we could invite whoever...

But, we like to eat after....so, not sure how it'd work....

I need a routine....

So, as for my assignment--I do love things about myself. And, I do think I am more beautiful than when I was heavy! This is hard for me....I do love myself,,,I just always seek validation...Maybe I need therapy--all kidding aside! LOL

Well, thank you for bring such a good friend--you are an amazing person, Tonimarie...I don't think you even know how wonderful you are! =)

Hugs, Heather

i found this now you are in trouble i have been telling you you are beautiful but you do not listen to me  but you said it your self that you are

Hi Everyone!
My name is Marcia and I am proud to be Heather's Mom!  I started looking into weight loss surgery in 2005 when my pulmonologist told me that there was nothing else he could do for me unless I lost weight.  I could not walk out to the mailbox without getting out of breath.  I had the beginning of COPD and none of the medications did a thing for me. It took me over 20 minutes to climb the stairs in my house. I couldn't do grocery shopping without help.  I really thought that my life was over.  My pulmonologist gave me Dr. Cussatti's card and going to see him saved my life!  I had Lapband surgery on 1/23/06.  Unfortunately I started having complication in 2008. Dr. Cussatti had to remove my band on 8/20/08 - Heather's birthday.  I had a revision to RNY on 9/22/08 and just celebrated my one year surgiversary.  Heather planned a surprise dinner for me last night surrounded by our friends!  I love my RNY and I couldn't be happier that I had that life-changing surgery! I have lost a total of 120 pounds so far and have gone from a tight size 30-32 to a fitting 14/16.

Hi Heather,

Oh my..so sorry for missing your message!

So the run is in Lindenhurst I will get you more details and would love if you can get up that early on a Sat or Sun and root me on! 

As for exercise...yes I would love to use the fitness center after the meetings..maybe could keep me out of trouble...hehe. Really all kidding aside...maybe one meeting go to breakfast and the other do the gym. That seems fair. We can ask Angel and Dale too..if we are allowed that many people.

Glad you are feeling good about yourself and love yourself and feel beautiful. No we have been through so much that I understand the validation!

Thanks for the compliment of how good I am. These past few days...weeks I have questioned what my good is really doing!  Thank you for noticing and loving me for who I am .

So glad you are my friend and in my life. Love you!
Hugs
Tonimarie