Let's introduce ourselves

Hi Everybody, Since I brought this up yesterday in a post...I guess I'd better start. I would sure like to get to know you all better. Let me give you the short version of me..then.....please add your intro! My name is Virginia Petry(Pee-tree) I go by Ginger..Virginia is just too formal for me. I am married to the same wonderful guy for 25 years now. We have two sons ages 16 and 23. We live in Chandler, AZ. which is South east of Phoenix. My dream as a little girl, was to live across the street from a candy store. When we got married, my hubby lived across the street from a little market..and thus, my dream came true!!! It wasn't till after I had my first child that the weight started to pile-up on me. I had open RNY on November 23, 2005. I am now 5 months out and continue to have "issues" I especially feel weird when people are seemingly paying more attention to me. I used to be in the background..and I was pretty comfy there. Now, I am approached more often...people I knew before treat me differently..I guess that is a good thing, but not a comfortable thing. I am working on being "gracious" when I am given a compliment or two about my weight-loss...I just don't see it when I look in the mirror. Sorry guys!! I got alittle carried away there. I didn't mean to sound like I need a shrink (not that there is anything wrong with that!) Come on guys, tell us about yourself. Hugs, Ginger

Hey It's just me.... I am in my late 30's and waiting for my surgeon to get his approval from Medicare and then I will get my surgery done LAP. I am excited about this and also very sick of waiting. I am completely done with all pre op testing except that last minute blood work.. all those hoops have been jumped! My BMI is 78- Married no kids... I have a very good support system and I love this board. It's truly the best place on the web!!

Hi All, I am mostly a lurker.My name is Dawn. I had robotic lap rny October 14th 2006.I am now down 139 lbs and am weighting in at 236 lbs now. I feel alot like Ginger. I am not keen on all the attention I am now getting because of my weight loss.I am still the same person inside I have always been I just look a lot different..I put it a little cruder I say that sometimes I feel like a side show act at the circus.The circus freak the shrinking woman.I was very happy melting into the wallpaper when I was large.I am not one who likes the spot light.I had gastric bypass because my health took an awful turn for the worse.It has been a blessing and I am off almost all my meds.I am getting use to my new body.Some times I look in the mirror and have no Idea who's body that is looking back at me.I have finally bought some new clothes I am down 10 sizes in pants and 5 sizes in tops.This surgery has saved my life and I will be forever greatful. I have been married to my bestfriend 20 year this coming May. We have no childern.We did 5 years of infertility and no baby. We are at peace with this after many year and are the proud parents to 4 schipperke's 2 are rescue pups and We have 2 rescue Kittys...Dawn 375/236/?

My name is Lurnia (Lean-e-a`), 42 years old. Married, currently living separately, but not really separated (he works in one city and I in another), that's a whole other story. My BMI is 67 (?). I've been big all my life. I was always the "fat kid". I just got approved for surgery and have a consult with the surgeon on 5/18. I've completed all of my pre-op stuff required before the surgeon would see me. This whole process has taught me patience and increased my faith in God. I'm very much looking forward to bending over and tying my shoes without it taking 20 minutes and me being winded. I'm looking forward to looking in the mirror and seeing a "sexy" person looking back at me (DH says I'm already sexy). Most of all, I'm looking forward to living the last half of my life better and healthier than the first half. Lurnia

Hi! My name is Linda and I live in south east Oklahoma. I am 42 years old and I am hoping to have wls someday. I have gone to a seminar for a surgeon and I am still waiting for something to happen next. I work in a hospital as a unit secretary/clerk. I have two children 22 and 21 that are living in Denver and Kansas City. I am twice divorced and I have a bf that is the greatest guy and is supportive with my wish to have wls. I am making an effort to take better care of myself, I have joined the local fitness center and I make an effort to go to water aerobics four to five days a week! Much love to all of you!

HI!! I am Jennifer and I am a semi-lurker I am 32 years old and married to my true bestfriend for 14 years. I have 2 little boys ( 4 and 6) after many years of my weight causeing all sorts of infertility problems. I am a stay at home mom but thinking of getting back into a career after the boys are both in school. I am a Christian and very devoted to my church. I live in Northeast Arkansas now but will be moving again soon. My hubby is in the AirForce so our address is a rotating thing. I started this journey at 361 pounds and felt no bigger than the next person ( I know I was living in my own world) the odd thing is that I have lost 100 pounds and now I feel so huge. I guess just because I ignored my weight before surgery and now I am always thinking about it. Who knows. Guess I might need Ginger's shrink Nice to meet you all, Jennifer

Hi Everybody, My name is Lori,I am from Canada, I am 39 (fast approaching forty), married with a big boxer baby. I don't have any children due to infertility from being overweight. This was really hard for me to accept but I think I am finally ok with it. My highest weight was 375 with a BMI of almost 60. I am now down to 347 and a BMI of 56. I am losing weight in preparation for my surgery. I have all the necessary approvals, I am just waiting for my surgery date. I am having my surgery in Michigan due to the extremely long waiting lists here at home. I work in a hospital in a management position and have always felt particularily guilty about my weight. Working in healthcare I have always felt I should be healthier (which equlas skinnier). I love this board in particular because I am with people that are around my size and that is something I have never been able to say. Most of my life I have been the biggest person I know. That is all about to change! Lori

Hello all, My name is Erica and I am 33 years old (will be 34 on 4/26). I am single no children and no prospects for a husband!!(But I guess that is okay for now). I live in NYS and am looking to move to the NYC area ASAP. I had my surgery on 10/12/04 with a weight of 451lbs. and have lost 150lbs. so far. At this point I feel like a failure since I have not been able to stick to what I need to do to get the rest of the weight that I would like to lose off. I am very much a emotional eater and that I really do not like. I know that I can do this but at times I fall and eventually get myself up again. The people in my life that knew me pre-op can definitely see the difference in how I look but others that do not know me still see me as the fat person and they feel they have the right to say and do things like I am not human. But as I always say..GOD does not like UGLY! Reaching goal is what I want and I know its within reach!!! Erica

Hello Everyone, My name is Diana. I am 36 years old. I am married to a wonderful man. We have been married for 12 years an we don't have any kids (not yet). He has a 17 year old son from a previous marriage. I had gastric bypass 12/29/04. I have lost 204 pounds and now weigh 175 pounds. I started out wearing tight tight 30/32's and now I'm in 12's. I am so happy. I do have a lot of sagging skin but it doesn't bother me. I wish I would have had my wls sooner. I am loving life and all the wow moments I am having. My favorite thing I can do now is cross my legs. I also love being able to fit in booths and chairs. If asked if I would do it again. YES, in a heartbeat. Best wishes to everyone on their journeys. (((Hugs))) Diana

greetings all! i'm deb -- 49 yrs old, starting bmi was 66.4. always been single, never had any children - never wanted to. i'm an animal fanatic...currently have 6 cats and 2 dogs. i live in the northeast corner of indiana. i've worked for the same company for 28 years. my job involves lots of travel...and my weight loss has made flying SO much easier and more pleasant! my employer used to have to purchase 2 seats on planes for me -- no more! i've been obese my entire life. i recall being weighed in the first grade -- all the other kids weighed 40-50 lbs...i weighed 80. i actually had an early version of WLS in 1980 - which resulted in a loss of 100+ lbs...then i promptly gained way more than the loss back. i've had multiple huge weight losses over my life, but always regained the loss and more. hopefully, this is the time that will turn out differently! at 15 months out, my loss is much, much slower than it was in the beginning...but i am still losing. i really want to get to "onederland" (16 lbs away). at first i was kind of freaked out by the attention and compliments i was getting from people. but by this stage, i guess i've adjusted to it, cause i just LOVE hearing people's comments of amazement when they see me. it's really fun now. i hope those of you who are bothered by the compliments will eventually come to enjoy hearing them too. anyhow, i'm going on too long here! great to meet everyone. deb -248