Let's Introduce Ourselves!

Hello All! If you've checked this post then introduce yourself! Whether you're a regular poster or a lurker, a pre-op or post-op patient, an inactive member or the church or a "molly Mormon" . . . I think we could all use an introduction and benefit from each other's experiences. I'll start . . . My name is Hydi (Swapp) Hoeger. I'm 25, am married with 2 kids, live in Connecticut, and have been a member of the church since birth (BIC). I grew up in Washington (Quincy) and moved to Provo for school where I met my hubby, married in the Seattle Temple, and was relocated to our lovely Southington, CT (fall's on it's way!). My kids are; Noah who's 4 and is going to preschool and making his mamma proud and crazy all at once, and Abigail who's 2. Need I say more . . .? I had a RNY on March 12, 2004 and have lost 114 lbs. Like most of you, I'm sure, I'm so grateful to our Heavenly Father that I had this 2nd chance to take care of the body he gave me. He is truly merciful! I'm the Activities Committee Chairman in the Southington Ward and love my calling. I have a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, the promise and power of the scriptures, and our Savior and Heavenly Father's love for all of us. I also have a testimony of the priesthood, prayer, the restoration of the church, the prophet, and so many more things, but . . . am always working on strengthening it. Anyways, that's just a peek at me (I'll spare you the autobiography). Please share yourself with us.

Hi Hydi and everyone else, I am trying to be more active in this group because I love the support that groups like this can bring. Wether it be weight or just life, a support group like this is priceless sometimes. So I think we should make it the best we can! I grew up in Mesa, AZ, in a family of 10 children. I have lived with my husband and children for the past 8 years in Apple Valley which is technically in Southern CA, but a little north of what you would consider So. California, in the "High Desert". It is a cooler desert than Arizona where I grew up. We own a ServiceMaster franchise, we do carpet cleaning and (mostly) we restore water damaged homes. It is a good business. I have been a stay at home mom for the last year or so. Before that I have always worked either on my own or in our business. I actually just got a fill in job for an office of a friend of mine. I will only fill in a couple days a month. I like to be out associating with people and this gives me an opportunity with out taking me out of the home too much! We have 4 children, Kendahl (girl) 10, Carter (boy) 8, Clara Baillie 5 and Brodric 1. They are all wonderful, fun, funny, energetic kids! I enjoy them tremendously! Although at times it is really difficult to be a Mom! This summer I was released from being Primary President in our ward and now I am a Sunday School teacher for course 15. I am also a member of the activities committee! I miss Primary a ton! I loved it, but I am doing ok with the teenagers too. Before primary, that is the only place I wanted to work in the church. Now I am converted to the primary and it is tough! Years ago I went on a mission to Talahassee, Florida. (My whole mission was pretty much the area hit by the last big hurricane. Including Mobile Alabama, where I served quite a while.) It was there that I began gaining weight. I never had a problem with it while growing up. but year after year I gain more and more. I haven't had the bypass surgery yet, but I am working with my insurance company to get approval and hopefully I will know more soon! It is a very long process with Kaiser (my insurance company.) I'm sure it is with most. Right now I weigh 275. I just lost about 11 pounds on accident because I increased my walking from 3-4 days to 5-6 days. I really struggle with myself with wether or not to have the surgery (and if anyone has any thoughts or input on this I would really appreciate it!) One minute I am positive I want it, but then I start thinking, "well maybe if I just go on another diet I can loose it!" I have lost weight before, but never in the amount that I need to loose it now! I worry mostly about the aftermath of the surgery. I mean the LONG, LONG term. What will I be like in 40 years? Will I be a strong, healthy old lady like my gramma, or is this going to make me a sickly old person before my time? I want this surgery bad. When I think rationally about it I know it is the only way to get the results I want, but the concerns still run through my mind. I would appreciate anything anyone has to share about this and I know I have some questions that I will post at other times on here. I appreciate all the people on here who do post and I enjoy reading everyone's input. You are all so positive! Well, that will be all for now. Have a great Sunday tomorrow! (Sorry for the novel!) Billie

Hey Billie! I understand how you feel. I kept wondering if I had actually done everything that I could by myself, whether I was taking the 'easy way out' (there's nothing easy about it), whether I was being to drastic, how it would affect me in the future . . . I guess it came down to my praying about it and finally a blessing before my operation. It's a personal decision for everyone and I don't think any of us have the wisdom or perspective to say what's right for someone else. It's between you and The Lord. If you think you have another diet in you do it before the surgery but keep the ball rolling. Every pound you can take off before your operation helps! And you can be proud of yourself because of it. The sad truth of the matter is that when you diet it's just that . . . a diet. The bypass, when used as a tool and not a quick fix, will help you adjust your way of life. Well, good luck with the approval process. I didn't have any trouble but I'm in a small percentage. Hydi

Billie, My PCP has been trying for 22 years to help me loose weight and keep it off. All the diets worked for me - temporarily. Eventually I would always gain the weight back and then some. My PCP told me that it was worse to yo-yo diet and that I needed to stop that. He fully supported my choice in having WLS. Good luck and keep us posted if you decide to have surgery. Melody

Hi everyone! I'm Lexie. I live in Alaska. I was BIC also. I went on a mission to the Atlantic Provinces of Canada. I am very active in church. I am the Compassionate Srevice leader in the Relief Society. Our ward is getting split tomorrow, so there will be alot of changes. Its a rainy day in Alaska. It was snowing htis morning, so I won't complain about the rain.Ü I'm a cosmetologist and have a beauty shop in my home. I'm a mom of a 2 year old monster. We are hoping to start trying for another one soon. I had open rny on Nov 4 2003 and am down 135 pounds. I still have around 50 more to go to get to mypersonal goal and 6 more to go to my doctors goal. The lights keep flickering so I better sign off before I lose my post! Nice to meet you all!

Hey Lexie! I'm a cosmotologist, too! I'm not licensed here though. I'll probably have to go through school again to get certified here since it's been 6 years and it will probably been a good 8 years before I decided to use it again. I would love to do exactly what you're doing. As it is now I'm doing it for friends and family and am just happy to be keeping up on things as much as possible. I can't believe snow in September. That would be unbearable for me. I hear it's beautiful up there, though. Hydi

Hi my name is Sherrie and Im a Mormaholic. Sorry I couldnt resist. I am 8th generation Mormon. I was the youngest of 3 girls. I have 2 boys and a girl. The girl - 14 - is bipolar, dyslexic, and ADD. My 5 year old is mildly autistic. My 8 year old is dysgraphic and ADHD. And my husband has Aspergers syndrome. I feel like I live in a nuthouse sometimes. But, I guess that would just make me the head nut. My calling in church is the cub scout Bear pack assistant den leader. I am also the assistant music leader for relief society. I have lived in Texas since I was 8 - I wasn't born here but I got here as fast as I could. I was born in Salt Lake City in the Primary Childrens hospital. (just don't tell any Texans that) My husband and I have been married for 10 years. He was Jewish when we met, and I didnt want to date a non member, so we were friends for a LONG time first, but my daughter (who passionately dislikes him now) thought he was the greatest thing since popsicles, so we hung out a lot, then eventually fell in love. On our first REAL date Amber was tagging along - he asked if anyone wanted dessert, and she looked at him in her 4 year old innocence and declaired "you can be my mommy's dessert!" I guess she knew it was right even then. He agreed to take the missionary lessons before we got married - not to join, but because he believes children should be raised the religion of the mother, and he thought he should understand something about his future children's church. Well lo and behold, he had an unexpected answer while taking the missionary lessons, and he is a member of the church now. His mother will never (in this life anyway) forgive me for taking her son away from his Jewish roots and turning him into a common Goy. She barely speaks to me sometimes. She just says "Well, at least youre not a TRUE Christian." I would explain it to her, but you cant argue with a 76 year old Jewish woman about religion. You'll lose! Well, I need to run - I got a sunburn at my 8 year olds football game today, and I need to go get some aloe on my neck. (hmmmm I guess I really am a redneck, huh?) -Sherrie (-111 and stalled and frustrated!~)

I'm Tracey, I live near Tacoma Washington and have been a member since I was a child. Raised in a family that went inactive frequently and have had long spells of inactivity throughout my life. Served a mission in Taiwan 1979, and have been VERY active for 15 years. I plan to stay that way, as my life is much more organized and full of happiness when I am. I have a very wild spirit, and she goes crazy without the gospel guiding her. I have been married to Kevin 5 years and we are planning our sealing this fall. He has a 4 adult kids, I have 3 minors who live with us. We have 2 grandboys.....in all, there are 9 kids we worry about and help as much as possible. I am an RN, now teaching a Nursing Assistant course and giving inservices to the staff to maintain their certification requirements. I prefer long term care, and just can't get enough of the alzheimer victims...they are so precious to me, and really need love and support through their trial. I am part of the cub scout commitee, and I am the ward girls camp director. I am just starting to get involved in geneology, but I need a better computer. I have a firm testimony of the gospel, and don't tend to question things I don't understand. I figure I'll understand it when I'm more righteous, or in the next life. I have no problem with the polygamy issue....I'd love to have 15 other women to do some housework around here......and if they can get control of this mess, go for it!! haha My marriage is pretty good, but since surgery my hormones are a mess and I've been having more unhappiness than usual. I recognize it as hormone swings, because my frustration can change dramatically in a day, and yet nothing in life has really changed. Kevin is being very patient, but even he has suggested I get in to see my ob/gyn soon. OK....not real exciting, but I'm here often. Tracey

Tracey, I love it when you talk about your wild spirit. Don't ever let "her" get away, just keep it a little tame. I haven't had surgery, but have raging harmones. I didn't realize till a few months ago that I suffered from PMS. Now it makes so much more sense to me. I don't feel like I'm loosing my mind once a month! Anyway, good to hear from ya.

HI! I'm Nancy Jane Lewis ( Jane ) I was born in Ohio and have only lived for any extended period of time ( 6 1/2 Years) in Mesa AZ. I joined the church when I was 18 as a direct answer to prayer about direction in my life. A newly returned older missionary ( 27 or 28) was in a college class and took me to insitute class with him. I was ready to be baptized after the 3 discussion but those darn missionaries made me take all of them first. That was 2/26/76 . I was married in the AZ temple in 79 and divorced in 88 ( My husband had mental health issues he wa not willing to take care of) I am recently remarried 8/18/02, and sealed in the Columbus Ohio Temple 8/30/03. I have two children A daughter Star, 24 who has 3 children. ( yes I am a grandmother and I love it!) and a son, Ivan, 21 who just returned from his mission to Indiana in June. He is going to Dixie College in St. George. I have had many calling in the church. Right now I'm the primary President in my ward. This is the third time I have been Primary President, so I quess I still have some work to do to perfect it. I LOVE PRIMARY! I work full time for the state of Ohio in a residential facitlity for Adults with mental retardation. I also love my work. I get to be of service each day and feel truly blessed for that opportunity. I really enjoyed the women's conference last evening. Our stake was newly formed from two other stake's and it was great to get to mingle with those sister's. I spoke with Sister Nancy Schaffer who also had RNY last Fall. She is doing well and is already below her goal! We discussed how wonderful this surgery has been for both of us. But we are both adjusting to a totally different person looking back at us in the mirror. My head is still adjusting to that! I have about 10 pounds to get to my personal goal weight of 153#'s. I had surgery 10/31/04 Well siter's that is me in a very small nut shell! Have an awesome week!