update and checking in!

Hi LDS WLS Buds! I haven't posted for a while on here but try and peek in every now and then. It's good to see Melody and a few others still on here! I should hang out a bit more so I can get to know some of you newbies. I was just asked to speak next week in Sacrament mtg on "Preparing ourselves and our famlies for Conference". So, I thought I'd pop in and ask y'all for some help. Since everyone lives across the world and has different cir****tances, "How do YOU prepare for Conference"? Do you have a Conference Tradition? Are you able to get all of the sessions? Quick update on me: I had Rny open almost 5 years ago. Lost 143 pounds. Regained about 25. Worked for 2 Bariatric Surgical programs and am now working for a Plastic Surgeon who specializes in Post Bariatrics. I have recently helped a Bariatric surgeon get started in a new location. He will be in our building but is sharing our office space for a bit til construction is done. He specializes in Revisions and is certified to do the Stomaphyx. I am scheduled to have it done the first week of November! Yikes! Nervous and excited! Hoping to get satiety back since my stoma is wide open. Anyway......if you have a second and don't mind sharing your "Conference answers" with me; I would soooooooo appreciate it! Hope all are doing well! Best wishes to those of you "on deck" and congrats to all of you LOSER's! Joyce in AZ

Hi Joyce, Sorry for the slow reply. I obviously haven't checked the board for a few days. We are very fortunate to live in an area and a world where conference is available to us in many different medias. In our area we can get conference on our local television stations, over the internet, over the radio and over satelitte. We can also meet at the ward building and watch conference together over the satelitte feed there. Of all these modes my preference and the one I chose is to get dressed up in my Sunday best and go down to the ward house and sit in the pews and watch conference as if I were in Sacrament meeting. Because of all the modes available to the members in our area, sometimes there are only 7 of us in the ward house but that's okay with me. When I go to the ward house and watch conference I pay more attention, no distractions and I feel the spirit more abundantly. And Yes, I stand and sing out loud during the rest hymn. I feel like an active participant that way. Off the subject now, What is a Stomaphyx? I'm guessing that it is just making the stoma smaller. How do they do that? Is it done lap? Good luck and don't be nervous. Melody

Hi Joyce, Here's my 2 cents on traditions for general conference. My parents invite most of the family over for both days of conference. One day we have a big BBQ in between sessions, and the second day we have a family pot-luck in which left over BBQ is often also included in the menu. The men all go to the evening session together. It's a pretty good tradition. We also have discussions about the talks over the meals, and as we socialize afterwards. Family members living close together will sometimes watch conference at their own home, and then swing over for the BBQ in between. Hope this anwers your question, but we feel it's a pretty good family tradition around conference. --Dave

Dave you're a new name and face on this board. It's great to see more priesthood respond. My name is Melody and I live in Idaho. I would like to be one of the first to welcome you to this board. I had my surgery RNY 3 or 4 years ago. I'm well below my surgeon's goal but like the weight I leveled off at. I feel great and am told that I look good too. All said and done I lost 140 lbs. If I had this to do over again, I would do it in a heart beat. This has been life changing for me. I just wanted to welcome you to this board and encourage you to post here often and leave us with your comments or even any questions. Melody

Hi Melody, Nice to meet you! My wife and I both had RNY surgeries in March of this year. Since my highest weight, I've lost 142 lbs... from 350 to 208. I'm at goal, which I guess is a feat for the 6 month mark. I actually am at the point where I don't really want to lose any more weight, but am still losing a couple lbs a week. I'm hitting weights more, and increasing my protein intake with supplements, hoping to stop losing. My doctor isn't concerned, as I'm at the top of the "normal" range for 6'4". I just discovered this board, and recognized Joyce from the AZ board, so I put my 2 cents in! Dave 350/208/205

Hi Joyce - it's nice to meet you! Hello Dave - nice to meet you, as well! In regards to General Conference, I can't provide any suggestions. This will be my first experience with General Conference, and man, am I excited! I was baptized July 14, so this is an extremely exciting year for me. We also have our Relief Society stake conference this Saturday, and with me being a Visiting Teacher Coordinator, I'll be meeting with the RS Leadership before the conference begins. What a joy... and again, this year is so tremendously exciting! I can't wait until Christmas, as it's been over 10 years since I've celebrated it for the REAL meaning behind it. Have a blessed day, everyone! Best wishes & beautiful blessings, Bela

Bela, Good to hear from you! I am so excited for you in your exciting year. Keep your excitement by feeding your spirit daily! Your excitement is an inspiration to me!! --Dave