Welcome!

Welcome to the group Nessa, you will have several friends from the group.  Just come post a thread below and see the responses.  Some days are very slow on the board, others more busy.  I try to get online several times a week for sharing the support.  The welcome thread is not read by many, do post more below. 

Sharing and caring is important to surviving and thriving this challenge called life.  Any specific things we can address?  I am 13 months out from my wls, chose RNY for myself.  There are more options available for wls each year.  Work with your surgical team to decide what is in your best interest.  Come join us for monday evening chat sessions.  Reminders with a shortcut to the chat area are sent out each monday.

Let's lose together, hugs.

Hi my name is Michelle and I had RNY in June. I had uncontrollable type II diabetes that was starting to affect my kidney and high blood pressure. I was on a lot of medication including insulin shots that I absolutely hated. I'm happy to report that my diabetes is in remission and controlled with my diet and my blood pressure has been normal. I feet absolutely wonderful, I have a lot of energy and I'm just loving life.

For all of that, believe it or not, I still feel I could go out of control at anytime with eating and I struggle every evening not to. I'm pretty depressed with how easy it could be reverting to my old habits, but I am firmly intent on not doing it!  I'm hoping spending some time with people who understand me will help with the struggle.

Thank you allowing me to join your group!

Hello Michelle! I want to welcome you to our group! Just FYI, many people do not notice the intro's in this section. I strongly encourage you to post your intro as a new topic in our message forum so people can see it and welcome you and help support you.

Congratulations on the improvements to your helath and wellbeing since surgery. How awesome is that! As far as your struggles with food.. thats a whole other world. It is too bad they can't find a way to fix our brain while they are in there working on the body for our weight loss surgery...but unfortunately, thats not possible.  And trust me when i tell you you are NOT the only one who deals with these challenges. The emotional part of this journey and our "food tude" is probably the hardest part of all. BUT with time, perseverance and dedication, you can get this whipped too.

Remember...this journey is not just about surgery. It is about making a lasting change in lifestyle. This includes eating and food choices, activity, finding peace with who and what we are, or coming out of our cloak of obesity and discovering the "me' that has been hiding behind that cloak. We have to gradually learn to embrace this journey and get all of the pieces to success in place during this early time, as it is much harder to do later on.

I am here for you, and many others will be too! So go post this intro where others will notice it and let us all be your cheering section!
Hugs!!!! Welcome!

Welcome to the family Michelle.  I too have type 2 diabates and am thrilled to no longer need the insulin.  I have had diabetes for about 10 years and will robably need oral meds, but that is way better than doing the shots.

We are here for your support, sounding board, come post instead of reverting to those old behaviors.  Taking this one bite at a time is the only way.  Congratulations on doing something good for your health.  Post often in the threads below, this welcome area is not read by many.

Chat is monday evenings, I send out a reminder earlier on monday's with a shortcut to the chat area and times for chat.  Come join the sharing and caring when you are able.  Hugs

My name is Arianne, I am 37 and on May 31st I am having RNY surgery here in Portland Oregon. I am a NICU nurse and mother of 7 kids. I am looking for support and advice and encouragement.

Arianne, I am not sure how you posted to the welcome thread, as it is locked, and I can't even reply to your post there! But glad you were able to post! (I just uinlocked it to reply real fast to you....but it is relocked now)

Hello and welcome Arianne! You may want to start a new post with this intro in the main section of the forum. The welcome section is locked as i said, so no one can reply to you.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery. Ask any questions you may have. There are lots of great people here to help you along. Our group has a lot of nurses in it. I am an LPN, in the process of going back for my RN (long road ahead on that, just starting back after 22 years). Kathy, our co-leader is also a nurse, an RN in labor and delivery. And several others are nurses too.

Wow girl, you have your hands full at home with the kiddo's! They are such a precious gift! My kids are grown and have kids of their own. I LOVE being a Grammy! (3 grandkids).

Again, introduce yourself with your own new topic post, so our members see it and can give you a proper welcome in!

Hi My name is Tammie. I am hoping for my surgery to happen at towards the end of next month. All my requirements are done except I am waiting on going back to the sleep center for a 2nd time. They said I have moderate sleep apnea. I just had my final consult with my surgeon yesterday and so just waiting on that to happen then going for my pre op stuff. I'm so glad I found you guys. I feel a little alone in this. For the last couple of weeks I've been letting family and friends know about what is happening and I've answered so many questions and listened to "why would you have unnecessary surgery? Can't you just try harder to diet?" Ughhhh....They don't understand that this decision isn't an overnight one or one that is taken lightly. For me, I started on this journey last July. Since then meeting with doctors, nutritionists and going to informational meetings and support groups. I have been a yo-yo dieter all my life and with every diet, came more weight...I now weigh 261 and I'm thrilled, scared and every other emotion I can think of about having this surgery. Mainly I can't wait to feel healthy again and being able to get off all my meds would be a dream come true!
So Thanks again for this wonderful site!!! I love reading how everyone is doing on their journeys to a more healthy life
~Tammie

Welcome to our group[! I am glad you found us too. People do not seem to notice posts in this area. Please make a new topic post and paste this entry into it so you will be seen and welcomed.

Maybe you should share with those who question your decision this: Unnecessary? Look at all of the comorbidities! And not all weight gain is associated with overeating! There are metabolic disorders, etc, that can cause it and no diet will help overcome these disordrs, but wls will help. Ask them, have they ever had a tooth pulled? a crown? a root canal? Why did they do it? It wasn't life sustaining, but due to the discomfort and problems they elected to have it done. Teeth do not threaten our lives, obesity does. And it strips us of quality of life. Maybe you will just have to tell them, this is for you and if they cannot understand you are sorry, but it is not open to debate. I had to take this approach with my MIL then she stopped challenging it and just asked questions about it in a neutral way to understand the surgery itsself.

Congrats to you. And best of luck!

Hello Everyone..My Name is Heavenly (yes, thats my real name) Im 24, from Upstate NY in the Albany Medical Bariatric Program- with hopes for a Vertical Sleeve. I am excited, nervous, anxious all in one. I have completed about 60% of my programs requirements and am currently working on losing the 5%, I meet with the doctor of Nutrition on the 10th where I hope he will make the referral to meet with a surgeon. I wish everyone the best of luck....I am open to any words of wisdom, thoughts of encouragements and new friends on this weight loss journey. Thank you

What an awesome name! Best of luck in your upcoming wls! Welcome to our group! Please post this in your own new post as many people do not ever notice the posts to this area. Just click on new topic and copy and paste this into it then post it. I want you to get a nice warm buddy welcome!