NEW MEMBERS! Help Introduce Yourself!

Hello New Members!!

I'm listening for your introduction!
Welcome to WLS Success!  We are a wonderful, warm and sometimes mushy bunch of the nicest people you'll ever hope to meet...and it's gonna stay that way.

If you feel like it, introduce yourself or just start posting! We're just happy you're here!

I'm new.  I'm Kathy.  I had RNY on 5/18/09, and I'm really seeing the benefits.  I feel so much better and others are really starting to see the physical changes, as well.  I have lost 65 pounds, as of last Monday (I only weigh on Mondays).  I still have a way to go, but keep watching!  I'll get there! 

I joined because I really need a nice, positive bunch of folks to support and be supported by.  Yvonne's group seems to exemplify that, from what I've seen.

I'm a bureaucrat by day, an artist by night!  I read and rank grant applications then oversee the administration of the same, then I go home and paint and create.  I have two fur-babies:  Punky, a slightly schizoid black kittygirl who freaks out at the drop of a feather, and her anathema, Max, an overly friendly, overly curious, oversized marmalade tabbyboy, who'd like to sit in your lap, even if you are allergic.  I have carefully organized my pets so that, no matter what I wear, cat hair will show up nicely.

So - HELLO, everyone!

 Congrats Kathy!  I'm so excited for you!  I love your description of yourself!  Nicely balanced!  & I LOVE the description of "organizing" your pets. LOL - I did that without realizing it!  :-)  Although, for me it's dog hair.  :-)  Thanks for sharing!  God Bless!

Welcome Kathy!! I am so glad you are here.  I know we became OH friends a long time ago and even though we hadn't communicated in a long while,you recently sent me one of the kindest PM's I've ever gotten.  As in most cases people most often speak because they have a complaint but you sent a kind PM thanking me for being positive, kind and for not judging others.  How rare....so I just had to thank you here.  I'm still kind of shocked because I've been doing this a long time and this group of people here have become so special to me so quickly.  Some I have known for years and some are brand new friends but WOW, this is awesome and I'm so hopeful that we can keep it small enough to be kind and good and large enough to make a difference.  Please know that I am more hopeful about this group than I have been in a long time. 

I love your cat speak!!! I too have so many as you've probably seen when I gave JEllen (Judy) all the links to my cats.  I did leave out some of their real names....
Sammy is really Sammy Sam or -  Sammy stop it!
Yoshi is really Yosh or -  yes, Yoshi, what Yoshi because he's a flamepoint Siamese and talks a lot, a lot, a lot.
Boo is Boo Boy and is the perfect angelic orange bubba tabby cat. (A lady once told me that orange tabby cats are the bubba best boys of the tabby world)
Kalli Cat...big fat Kalli Cat
Scout...Scout Kitty, evil demon tortoiseshell wired to the max butch girl that even the cat woman I am...cannot tame entirely.
And of course my boy Sundance (Bichon Frise Dog) that is the love of my life with 3 legs and a life that he would have traded that leg for in a minute.  He actually runs faster because he's a little lighter and I should get a discount at the groomer's but I don't.

And one more story about cat hair...when we got Sundance the angel foster mom Vicki told me that Bichon's are GREAT because they don't shed!  I told her that it wasn't an issue really....I have 5 cats....of all colors so no matter what I wear, cat hair WILL show.  Can we say "buy stock in sticky tape rollers while Yvonne's around"??

So happy we are all here!!
much love to all, Y

 Hi!  I am relatively new.  My surgery will be in a few weeks on Monday 8/31/09 at 8:30 am!!!  So very excited about that!  Went to my pre-op today and everything is perfect and ready to go!!  Praise God!

I am married to my best friend and soul mate.  We have 2 awesome kids, 15 yr old boy, and 6 yr old girl.  We joke that we have 2 "only" children. They get along great and are an absolute joy!  We have two huge and adorable dogs, Tucker and Roscoe.  Roscoe thinks he is a little dog.  Too funny.

I have recently found that I actually enjoy exercising which is a nice and utterly complete surprise!  I enjoy Tai Chi, Walking, and surprise of all surprises - Kickboxing!  I find it incredibly therapeutic  .  I recently started going on organized walks with the American Volkssport Association, and so far have completed 2 10k walks and a 5 k walk!  and more scheduled!  ME!  Who would've thought!  It is so fun it doesn't even seem like exercising!!  & it's FREE!  What a blessing it is!  Anyway, I could go on & on...

I thank God for this tool to help me get my life back, for my family and for each of you!  Thanks for sharing your stories and support!
God Bless you!
Stacey

Stacey I'm glad you introduced yourself anyway and anyone else that wants to can also.  I'll try not to respond too too much because I will end up making this thread forever long because you all know how I can um....run my mouth.

I love that you love your family and fur family and I am shocked that you've already participated in that much walking already!!! and kickboxing??? WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO  Girlfriend, I think you'll do very well because you've already beaten one of the "phantom demons" of WLS.   I call it a phantom demon because everything IS what you make of it.  If you don't make exercise a bad thing, it won't be a bad thing ya know?
Thank you for being here and thank you for your great addition to our family.
hugs, Y

WELCOME WELCOME!

Kathy it's so nice to see YOU here! yes this is a pleasant change and Yvonne keeps it that way! She is terrific- along with her pals making this little board a very nice place indeed. 

Stacey- Welcome !
I have 2 cats - no kids!  both wonderful furry friends.  By the time you have your surgery - I will be just out 5 weeks- the first week I was sore but each day IT GOT BETTER! and i'm losing.... YIPPEE!

Can't wait until you join us on the loser's bench- all of us will be happy to scootch over for you!


and all you other new folks just jump on in! Don't just be a lurker... come on in and post- even if it's just to say "HI!" on a regular basis... We'd like to know you are out there....

Well- it's time for me to go try and take my evening meds.
I AM TRYING to remember that I NEED to do this SLOWLY to avoid problems!

I am pleased to announce I am off of 1 blood pressure med and the NSAIDS of course. But I now am taking Ursodiol- to get rid of gallstones that may form, and some stuff to keep pouch happy.

Happy pouch= Happy Judy

It's all a learning experience and Yvonne is here to lead the way!
Woo hoo

night all!

Thank you my darling Judy.  So I want you guys to educate me on something!  Why don't they just go ahead and take the gallbladder anymore?  Is there a good reason to keep it?  I actually asked how much it weighed because I was hoping to add that to how much weight I would lose right after surgery....

Too funny!  I just asked my Dr yesterday how much the gallbladder weighed - he laughed & said it's a small lil thing.  I said, well, if it looks large, just take it.  He said they don't take them out anymore unless the patient is already having issues with gallstones.  Oh well.  I tried. :-)

Even though years ago, I had some gallbladder issues, my surgeon required that I have a gallbladder ultrasound before surgery.  Apparently the insurance will not pay unless there's a documented medical necessity for its removal.  So I still have mine - I'm refilling my Actigall today!