I was bored and searching through OH when I came across this message board. This is neat and glad I found it. It will be nice to talk with others that dispatch that also have had surgery. I have been dispatching since October 1985 and will be celebrating 20 years Oct 5th of this year. I love my job and started right out of high school. I am the dept TAC now and in charge of the communications center. I love the excitement. I had my surgery April 8th of this year and am down about 92 lbs. I just recently sent in new updated phots and they should post on my profile soon. I love e-mail. Anyone that wants to chat send me a line or two. Tami

Hello All! I am a police dispatcher in NJ. I just heard of this support site for fellow dispatchers and thought I would share it with you. I have registered as ThUnDeR (my usual nick) in case any of you would like to chat or just see a familiar. Best wishes all on your surgery. So far I have kept off 38 pounds and counting! It's slow for sure but so very worth all the health benefits! www.njcoa.org

Congrats! It is a long road for us all, but well worth it. Adrienne

I just wanted to say hello to all fellow dispatchers, especially any that are in Arizona! I have been researching this for about 2 1/2 years. I chickened out the 1st time before I could even get my info packet sent to the ins for approval. Now! however, I am too excited to do it and start living a new and improved life. I have been dispatching for the past 8 years in Yuma! I must say it was the best choice for a career I ever made. I am naturally nosey so I was able to put it to good use. lol. Anywho, I was doing research for the rny and came across this web site. I was so happy that it even exsisted. I have been able to find out much more info and access to links for products that have been very helpful. My scheduled surgery date is Feb. 9th, right around the corner! I have just completed my pre-op testing and pre-admission to St. Lukes. All is going well. I have only to have a pre-surgery exam with my doctor, the day before a series of classes and then go home and try to rest for my big day. In case you were asking "What was her reason for going through with it?" Well, I am at the point were things are will start to decline (medically) because I haven't been able lose weight on my own. I have a vibrant 3 year old boy who I want to enjoy every moment doing all the rigourous things he enjoys doing. I want to see him marry and have his own children. I also have a beautiful husband! He is wonderful to me and is a terrific father. Although, he has always loved me through all my changes and has always re-inforced that in many ways to me, I want to be able to stand next to him and feel confident that when I or others see us together as a couple they see a COUPLE! not wondering that I must really have a "nice personality" for him to be with me. I want to be able to look at me with him "Damn do we look good together" - If you took the time to read this, I thank you for listening to my babble since my husband has heard this many times before.

What happens to all of the excess skin after you lose weight? I don't want to lose a lot of weight only to have saggy loose skin all over my body (like Fat ******* in the third "Austin Powers" movie). From what I've heard, removal of skin after a massive weight loss is still considered cosmetic & most insurance companies won't cover it. Does anyone know?