since we have a lot of new faces.... how about we do some intros

Yep.. Hellertown is near here.  The new casino is practically in Hellertown and Liz lives on the other side of Hellertown.

I didn't know there was another Whitehall near Pittsburgh.  I think I knew that there was another Allentown.  Gee, can we get creative so people don't get confused?! 

I live about 20 mins from Liz!

Yes, there is an Allentown that is probably 15 minutes from Whitehall.

How creative is that?

That's just sad.  The Whitehall/Allentown here are right next door to each other.  If I walked to the corner, I could see Allentown.  LOL!

there's another Easton too I believe out near Altoona. It's a mirrored state! lol

GREAT idea, Liz!

I'm Pam 28 years old!  Originally from Jersey I had surgery at Barix in Langhorne Pa w/ Dr. Pupkova on October 30, 2007 so that's about 1 1/2 years ago.  At the time I still lived in jersey and drove the 1 1/2 hours to barix for surgery and all my follow ups because I liked them and Dr. Pupkova soooo much!

I'm down about 105 pounds from heaviest weight.  I'm 5'3 and my high weight was 235  I range anywhere from 130 to 140.  I try to keep it around the 135 mark.  My life has been soooo much improved since surgery!

I've been a nurse since 2006 but in the medical profession for years and years before that (EMT, emergency room aide, emergency room secretary)  My job was one of the biggest reasons I had the surgery, beyond my health.  I was 26 was a pre diabetic, had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea.  My family history includes diabetes and strokes...so it was only a matter of time before the blood pressure went even further and caused a stroke and the diabetes went full force.  When I came home from work each shift I was in so much pain from my knees and back it was all I could do to keep from crying.  I had arthritic joint changes.  No way to live for a 26 year old!

I have a great husband, Brian who is my biggest supporter.  Anyway - we relocated to Pennsylvania in November of 2008 - something we had always talked about doing.  I live in Forks township of Easton, pa (15 mins from Liz and about 20 mins from Lisa) and work in regional trauma center, Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest in the ER.  I was very lucky to have gotten this position and would have never had the ambition to do such before surgery.  It certainly was a HUGE adjustment from the small community hospital I came from, but well worth it!  I do keep per diem status at my jersey job and work there 4 days a month....so I am pretty busy

I love cooking (and everyone is right...the cooking class at Liz's is AWESOME), family, hanging out with friends, have recently taken up rollerblading.    So much going on!

Pam

I'm Lisa and I live in Limerick, PA (just outside of King of Prussia).  I had surgery 2 weeks ago with Dr. Pupkova at Barix in Langhorne.  I started at 267 and I'm down 14 pounds since surgery.

I'm 39, soon to be 40...ughhh.  I'm not married, but I have a great boyfriend and hopefully someday soon I'll see a ring.

I'm a 20 year local government employee in the Purchasing division. I enjoy my job.  I also work part-time for a local family practice.  Don't enjoy it as much, but it's good money for a part-time gig.

That doesn't leave much time for fun, but I enjoy reading, shopping and NASCAR.

Lisa

Hi everyone - My name is Kathy and I'm obviously the old lady of the bunch since I just had my 52nd birthday. I had my surgery with the wonderful Dr Boe at Barix Clinics in Langhorne - BEST decision I have ever made - I am about 17 months post-op and loving life these days - I am down 169 lbs and feeling absolutely awesome! I am off all my pre-op meds, I work-out, I ride my recumbant bike and my brand new cruiser bicycle and am more active than I could ever imagine. Even at 52!!

I am an office administrator (glorified secretary) for GE in King of Prussia - love my job and the people I work with. I will be married 20 years on Nov 11 to a wonderful man named Len. We have no children together but between the two of us we have 6 daughters, 25 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way - don't even ask me names - I can't remember anymore!!

Oh wait, Len and I do have one 'child' together - our precious little dog Jude - and yes, he's treated like a child and member of the family - we're sick old people - LOL!!

My mother also lives with us and has for 18 years - right now she's fighting the good fight against lung cancer - and we're taking things one day at a time. She's just begun another round of chemo treatments so if I write that I'm a tad stressed at times, that's normally what is causing it.

My passion is interior decorating - drives my family nuts because I'm constantly moving and changing things, but its what I love to do.

Like Liz my life is an open book and I will talk to anyone at anytime about RNY and its ups and downs, but most importantly its life-changing benefits to anyone considering it. I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

Kathy

Hello everyone, my name is Nanette (Nan), I am 52 years old.  I had Open RNY with Dr. Neil Marymor at Barix on March 14, 2006.  I started out at the consult at 417, one year later after testing and caring for my mother I had the surgery at a pre-op weight of 421, After surgery I was discharged at 435.  My highest was 465.  Life was a daily struggle just to get out of bed.  I could hardly walk let alone care for my mother.   I have discovered alot of things about me during my journey, but I will say what so many before me have said, I wish I would have gotten this surgery when I was younger so I could have appreciated life more and had more memories of happier times.  Needless to say, I had a miserable existence.

Now I am fluctuating between 167 and 180.  I have extreme lymphedemia in my legs so the gain is fluids that decide when to come and go.  I look forward to another 50 years on this earth if god will allow. I am also so glad for the friendship of so many from this board and the support groups.  I am also happy for all the wow's that are to come.  I know they haven't stopped.

Hi. I am Nicole I had my surgery with Dr. Brader at Barix in Oct 2006. My heighest weight was 360. My surgery weight was 346. I have lost around 180 give or take depending on the day of the week. :) I like Liz also have PCOS and was suffering greatly prior to surgery I also had sleep apnea, insulin resistance, IBS, asthma, and other issues. I was on at least 8 medications and had a C-pap machine.

I am no longer on any medications. My IBS which was crippling is now resolved. No asthma.
no sleep apnea. I still have some symptoms of PCOS but they have greatly improved. I have since had PS for tummy tuck and breast lift. I will need more, but have no date set.

I am from NC lived in Philly for about 8 years and then moved to Lancaster where I live now.
I am divorced but in a great long term relationship with Jason whom many of you have met.
He has been a huge supporter of mine and I love him dearly for it. We have no kids and no intention of having any. 3 cats is good enough.

I have many jobs, I am a psychotherapist,,,i work with all kinds but it seems right not it is mostly WLS post ops. I am a clinical care manager at CBHNP in Harrisburg an I teach a class at HACC lancaster on occasion.

My life has changed in more ways than i can even say. This surgery saved my life. I have found a new way of living, i have accomplished things I never thought possible, and I have made friends that I love and know I can count on.  No complaints and no regrets

Good morning PA,

What a nice post. I really enjoy learning more about each of you, thanks for sharing.

I will be turning 47 years old next month and I have never been more fit in my entire life. I am loving life since having RNY in April 2008. My pre-op weight was 268 and this morning I weighed 162 and my size 14 pants are falling off of me. I am looking forward to some retail therapy this weekend to replace the bagging pants....again  :o)

I am an avid cyclist and I'm training for the Seagull Metric Century in Salisbury MD in October. I am also studying to become a personal trainer in hopes of working with bariatric clients in the future.

My career: I was a police officer for 15 years and retired as Chief of Police in 2006. I am currently working for Temple University's Law Enforcement Academy teaching and coordinating mandatory training for Constables.

My partner Marianne and I just celebrated our 3 year anniversary. We live in Phoenixville PA with our 2 dogs and 1 cat. We just lost my 15 y/o dog Jessie two weeks ago and are very much missing her.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me on this journey! I am planning to attend one of Liz's cooking classes real soon.

Hugs for all,
T