I'm Patti, new to this board but I have lurked for a long time

I had Gastric Bypass in 2001 and have lost and kept off 240 pounds since then..I'm always looking to make new friends..who have and those who haven't had surgery..I love to cook & bake (healthy food) of course and am always open to new ideas and suggestions for staying healthy and maintaining.

So I hope to get to know you guys better and make some awesome friends!

Amazing loss Patti well done

Good for you Patti on the weight loss! Has your surgery been a positive thing for you? I have a few customers and friends who had it done and some it has been wonderful and some a nightmare. Well tell us a little more about yourself. We are all here for you. God Bless.

Having this surgery by FAR..was the best thing I ever did for ME

Only regret I have..is not having done it sooner..but i'm a firm believer that I had it done when it was my time..I did have an ulcer problem for a bit..but i'm ok now..and that was a cake walk compared to being Morbidly Obese.

I'm 38..have a wonderful boyfriend and 16 year old son..recently moved to Michigan from NYC (Brooklyn born & bred) and I LOVE it!

It truly is Gods country

As far as postop life..it's been an amazing journey..Journey is really the only way I can describe it..because lord knows..it definitely has its up & downs just like life..you have good days..and then bad days if you eat something you shouldnt lol

Has it changed me? You bet..I always swore that i'd be the same person postop that I was preop..well that is an impossible task..it will change you no matter what..I was a ballsy, strong female prior to surgery..and it's just made me ballsier and even stronger lol..it really does help you to develop a thick skin..which isnt a bad thing!

I still watch what I eat..I am not a low carber really..but I do make it a point to eat my protein first, then my veggies, fruits and a bit of whole grain bread..I dont do rice, pasta, potatos or white flours or sugar..only because it's empty calories and it kinda swells up..oh and it makes me dump!..I try to avoid THAT as much as possible lol

Other than that..no regrets..life is GOOD..I feel wonderful..I'm more focused on me and what my goals are in life..not only in relation to weight loss..but this surgery has given me the ability to be an active participant in my life..and not sit on the sidelines and just "watch" my life evolve as it did before surgery.

I know some people dont do as well..or have a hard time with recovery and just the weight loss process itself..it just goes to show you that we're all different..I always encourage my angelettes to reasearch till you cant research anymore.and do lots & lots of soul searching before you take th plunge..because even though you can eat postop..there is a definite change..because we need to deal with those issues and demons that got us to be MO in the first place..and if we dont do that..they can and will come back with a vengence.

Sooo..now that i've written a nove..i'll sign off..hope ya'll have a great weekend!

Thanks for the warm welcomes