Hello,
I'm new to this site hope you dont mind if I introduce my self.
My name is Trisha I'm 27 and live in northern California.
I'm married and have a little girl named Taylor, who is 3 going on 13!
I just had weight loss surgey on monday 11-20,and today is my second day home.So far so good.I have lost quit a bit of weight.I went into the hospital at 277,came home and weighed myself....too much I.V.fluids I weight 289.
Today I weigh 272!! Yeppie!!
I would love to hear from anyone who has had weight loss surgery.I'm looking forward to making new friends,getting some in put,and to hear success stories.So please feel free to send me any advice my way.

Real name: Tiffany (this is my very first post..Hi Ya'll)

Geographical location: Brooklyn, NY

Age: 30

Marital Status: Married for almost 3 years

Children/Ages: 15 month old son-Daniel

Occupation: Early childhood teacher but currently a SAHM.

Pets: 1 cat/tiger named White Socks

Hobbies/Interests: Researching WLS has become my biggest hobbies.

Height: 5'4" and a half (can't forget about my half!)

Eye/Hair Color: Dk Brown, Dk Brown almost black

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: I've been doing research for 2+ years...finally found a doctor.

Starting Weight: 305

Present Weight: 301

Goal Weight: I have no clue...

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Eating to live and not living to eat

Following any specific plan: Trying not to eat everything in sight...more than likely will have a gastric bypass (crossing fingers)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: Well this time I think I'm hitting a "do or die" phase. I'm scared.

I have an appt. on Jan. 17th with the psychologist, doctor and nutritionist. We shall see what happens from there. I'm nervous but my weight has hit an all time high and my son needs his mommy.

Hi Pookie...thanks for the welcome.

Yup, I've been dieting for my entire adult life and with not that much success. It has taken me some serious thought and time to get to the point of going to consult with a doctor. Hopefully it all works out for the best.

Hello:
I thought I would take a second to introduce myself.I just had Weight loss surgery(rouxen- y) on 11-20-06.My Journey has been pretty good so far,just wishing for some real food,and some veggies.

Real name: Trisha

Geographical location: Northern California

Age: 27

Marital Status:Married for 1year

Children/Ages: Taylor Rose-3yrs old

Occupation: Stay at home mom

Pets: a cat named jake,and my daughters fish-Dorothy

Hobbies/Interests: Shopping,WLS,going to the movies.& lots more!!

Height: 5'10

Eye/Hair Color: Blue eyes, strawberry blonde hair

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: had weight loss sugery 11-20-2006

Starting Weight: 288

Present Weight: 260

Goal Weight: 170

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Head Hunger

Following any specific plan: soft protein,lots of water

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past:I have more than just myself to think about,and this has to be different! I have no other choice!

Real name: Karen

Geographical location: Florida

Age: 51

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: Grown and on their own

Occupation: Retired federal employee

Pets: 2 chihuahua's, 1 pomparian, 2 cats, 1 african gray bird

Hobbies/Interests: quilting, reading, doing reborn dolls,

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 10 Jan 07

Starting Weight: 225

Present Weight: 185

Goal Weight: 128-135

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Getting more exercise, joining a gym, facing it the rest of my life

Following any specific plan: for food the one my doctor gave me, to start walking at week 3 for 10 to 15 minutes, then move it up to 30 minutes, then at 6 weeks join a gym. And go at least 3 times a week

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I could diet before but always gained it back, then I found out I had Interstitial Cystitis (IC), and it turned not only my food upside down but me. Many foods that every one eats every day I can no longer eat.

Anything else you would like to share with us: Before findng out I had IC I had once again successfully dieted my way to a decent weight, then the IC hit and I had to change my whole life style. I gained very quickly and it scared me because diabetes is very strong in my family. I'd also had to quit smoking and the weight was just jumping on me. NOw that I've had the surgery I feel emotionally more healty and I am commited to being more healthy.
__________________

Real name: Stephanie

Geographical location: VA

Age: 32

Marital Status: Married

Children/Ages: 4 children. 2 girls (11,9) 2 boys (7,4)

Occupation: Business owner

Pets: German Shepherd, Mia

Hobbies/Interests: homeschool mom, crafts, hikinging, camping, meeting new people

Height: 6'0"

Eye/Hair Color: Red/ Hazel

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Sugery 04/12/06

Starting Weight: 421

Present Weight: 260

Goal Weight: 190

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Drinking the water and getting in enough protein. Taking all my vitamins.

Following any specific plan: Just sticking with my diet to keep healthy.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: So far this one actually works!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have had a hard experience, I have a Vitamin B 1 def. And Have to take Warafin (blood thinners) bc they found a clot in November. So far I am 50 lbs to go until my goal.


Stephanie

Real name: Angie

Geographical location: California

Age: 32

Marital Status: Married and loving it

Children/Ages: 1 son, 11 in August

Occupation: Bum

Pets: 5 snakes, 2 lizards and 2 cats (too many names, lol)

Hobbies/Interests: Gardening, cooking and being an organizational freak

Height: 5'4"

Eye/Hair Color: Auburn/Gray-Green

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Ummmm, birth?

Starting Weight: 293

Present Weight: 168

Goal Weight: 140-ish

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Fighting an auto-immune disorder that sucks the life out of it's sufferers

Following any specific plan: Roux-En-Y bypass

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: So this is what life is like when someone said "It isn't supposed to be this hard".

Anything else you would like to share with us: My ultimate goal is to be a stable size 11 or 12.

Real name: Annie

Geographical location: Indiana

Age: 46

Marital Status: Divorced

Children/Ages: Samantha 21; Jake 18

Occupation: Exec Asst

Pets: Jack Russell-Isabella Roxanne (Bella); Cat-Leila; Snake-MJ

Hobbies/Interests: gardening, movies, reading, walking

Height: 5'8"

Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Blonde

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Sugery 2/12/07

Starting Weight: 303

Present Weight: 252

Goal Weight: 165

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Drinking the water and getting in enough protein. Taking all my vitamins.

Following any specific plan: WLS rules and regulations-haha

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: So far this one actually works!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I have more energy and am happier.

Real name: Jeanette

Geographical location: New York

Age: 34

Marital Status: Single with Pets

Children/Ages: None

Occupation: Government Employee

Pets: 2 Yorkies: Jonah and Angel Mia

Hobbies/Interests: Reading, working out, Ebay

Height: 5'7

Eye/Hair Color: Dark brown/brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Surgery: 4/24/06

Starting Weight: 321

Present Weight: 153.4

Goal Weight: 150

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Getting in the protein.

Following any specific plan: WLS, South Beach, Weight Watchers, Vegetarian

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: The gastric bypass was the tool that I needed to get started and now I feel like nothing can stop me from having the life that I desire and dream of.

Anything else you would like to share with us: My journey has been interesting and hardly difficult. I'm glad that I had the surgery and feel like my life will be so different than what it was going to be. I feel like nothing can stop me. I live by the motto: Go Confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.__________________

Real name: Kristy

Geographical location: California

Age: 30

Marital Status: Happy and married

Children/Ages: 1 - female...10.5 months old

Occupation: HUC

Pets: Deogie & Rosie (dogs), Trixie, Oreo & Tony (cats) & 2 fish

Hobbies/Interests: crochet

Height: 5'3"

Eye/Hair Color: Green /Red

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: long time ago...but had WLS (RNY) on 8/3/04

Starting Weight: 254

Present Weight: 147

Goal Weight: 140

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: not eating all those carbs!!

Following any specific plan: WLS

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: So far this one actually works!

Anything else you would like to share with us: WLS allowed me to get pregnant after 8 years of failed fertility treatments due to PCOS. I also speak for my surgeon as a post op and have been doing it for 2.5 years now...

Kristy

Real name: Lori

Geographical location: Illinois

Age: 52

Marital Status: Married for 30 years on Sept. 10 of this year.

Children/Ages: Michael - 21, Abbi - 11, Chelsi - 11, AJ - 10, Christopher - 9

Occupation: Mom to the kids, 3 dogs and my hubby -

Pets: Frosty (big, beautiful mixed breed - mostly golden retriever), Lady (medium sized mixed breed with beagle in her - she HOWLS!), and Taz (a VERY spoiled Pug) - Frosty and Lady are 11 1/2 just like my girls and Taz will be 6 in September. They are my babies!

Hobbies/Interests: Kids, Animals, flowers, reading,

Height: 5'6"

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Brunette/Gray

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: Just starting for the millionth time!

Starting Weight: Somewhere around 320

Present Weight: Somewhere around 320

Goal Weight: 160 - 170

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Take one day at a time - stop being my own worst enemy.

Following any specific plan: Just started the paperwork for the WLS.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: It's my last chance - I'm too old to be this heavy - I want to live to see my kids' kids and travel with my hubby when he retired.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I'm excited to finally be starting this journey - been considering WLS for at least a year. My hubby initially was really scared for me to have it - he now realizes it will be worse if I DON'T have it.

I'm glad to be with all of you!

Lori

NAME: Sandy

AGE: 36

LOCATION: New Jersey

MARITAL STATUS:Married

CHILDREN: None

PETS: 6 yr old calico cat, 5yr old Shih Tzu mix

OCCUPATION: Data Entry Clerk and Massage Therapist

HEIGHT: 5'5

PREOP WEIGHT: 282

SURGERY DATE: 10/15/07

TYPE OF WLS: Gastric Bypass

PRESENT WEIGHT: 282

Real name: Melissa (Missy)

Geographical location: Valparaiso, IN

Age: 28

Marital Status: Happily married to Randy

Children/Ages: Two step-daughters...Jessica (14) and Jamie (13)

Occupation: 8th grade reading teacher

Pets: an outside cat named Oliver (he's a Russian Blue)

Hobbies/Interests: photography and scrapbooking

Height: 5'1"

Eye/Hair Color: brown/dark brown

Date of Surgery: July 18, 2005

Type of Surgery: Roux en Y gastric bypass

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: day of surgery

Starting Weight: highest weight ever recorded: 270 right before my surgery

Weight at surgery: 265

Present Weight: 145-150 (depends on which day of the month it is LOL)

Goal Weight: Currently I want to be at 120, but I will stop when I feel comfortable at my weight.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in managing after WLS: Food is not an issue. I haven't touched a piece of chocolate cake or a candy bar, etc. since before surgery. My biggest hurdle has been exercising. I love to do it, but it's hard to find the time. I have to MAKE the time.

Real name: Angela

Geographical location: Idaho

Age: 41

Marital Status: single

Children/Ages: 1 - girl - 18 and married in Nov. to her DH that is entering the marines; no grandkids

Occupation: artist, teacher and gallery owner

Pets: Rook, my 6 year old shelty...ladybug (AKA girlie or girliebug), my 4 year old miniture pincher and... Ginny who is 1 and a half, also a min pin but is actually my brother's in the paperwork, nights and weekends. LOL I care it her during the day.

Hobbies/Interests: Art (myspace.com/paintingsbyaks), music (myspace.com/silvansongs)

Height: 5'9.5"

Eye/Hair Color: hazel green and dark brown

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: when I was 16....in 1982 LOL but for surgery...6-04

Starting Weight: 326

Present Weight: 299

Goal Weight: 170-180

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: fighting with ins. and getting the surgery actually done

Following any specific plan: WLS

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: having a physiological tool to help me stay on track.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I hope to use the patience and determination I had to have to actually get this surgery to be able to make it work for me!

Real name: Carol

Geographical location: Texas

Age: 63

Marital Status: married 34+ years

Children/Ages: 3 grown - 3 granddaughters

Occupation: RN, retired teacher

Pets: Buster (wirehair), Oreo (1/2 Yorkie 1/2 Shih Tzu), Sport (Yorkie), Roxie (mini-dach). Roxie is 18 - the others are <2 years - all more or less "rescues"

Hobbies/Interests: reading, music, Red Hatters, crafts, retired DH

Height: 5'1" (I've shrunk!)

Eye/Hair Color: blue/grey, dark brown with grey

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This time - just recently really serious

Starting Weight: 250 (2 yrs ago); lost to 183 after surgery, gaining it back

Present Weight: 210

Goal Weight: around 130

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: making the decision to have LB surgery and making this permanent life change

Following any specific plan: WLS (probably in February '08)

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: finally realized I can't do it alone on a regular "diet" - need some serious help before it's too late to benefit

Anything else you would like to share with us: just want to regain at least part of my health so I can live pain-free (relatively speaking). My DH had RNY 2 years ago and lost 180 lbs - he's my greatest support and cheerleader