New here...

I've been a long time chatter on WLS support sites as well as O.H. but never knew there was this delightful little corner tucked away. ... I've read many of your back posts and have been so touched. I had open Rny 3+ years ago. I"m from Chandler, AZ. I made it down to 130 lbs but have had regain up to 150. I'm tackling the regain much like I used to tackle the extra 100 of years gone by......doing the yo yo thing! I'm considering joining Weigh****chers so that I can have the accountability of being weighed once a week. I'll figure in my protein drinks with the points. I think I figured it once and they were 2 points? I facilitate an independent support group which is much like organizing Enrichment night twice a month. It becomes a little too consuming at times but it helps to keep me focused on health. I'm the ward music coordinator and choir director. I teach piano and voice lessons at home and am on leave for a time as the Bariatric Coordinator of Dr. Terry Simpson. I will consider returning to work for him after he has some future changes. He does lap band and was not my surgeon; but he's a fun man to work for and an amazing surgeon. I try to work out 3 to 5 times a week but have had some health issues (bad asthma for 2 months) and will be working hard to build my time back up at the gym. I'm hoping to get some funding so I can walk in the 3 day cancer walk. I'm excited to have found this site. I'm also on the [email protected] site but it isn't very chatty. Looking forward to peeking in here from time to time ..... Joyce

Welcome Joyce, My name is Melody and I live in Idaho. I'm so glad you found our little group. The more the merrier. Spring is a little slow showing up in our part of Idaho but we know it IS coming, eventually. I hope that you check back on this site often and give us your wisdom and insight. I'm looking forward to future posts with you. Melody

Melody, I grew up in Blackfoot, Idaho!!!! I LOVE Idaho. We have a cabin in Island Park and try to spend at least 1 week each summer up there out of our horendous heat! About April, I start dreaming of rafting, hiking and cool breezes! Two years ago, I decided I needed a few specific fun goals to go with my weight loss. So, I decided to do as many hikes to waterfalls in the balance of my lifetime as I could. To date, I've hiked to 9 beautiful waterfalls in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah and Arizona. Anyway...IDAHO thoughts just *****ed my memory and thought I'd share that! LOL! My daughter and I would like to do Havasupaii Falls hike this year! Amazing what you can do when you're minus 143 pounds!!! I have very little wisdom Melody but I'm happy to answer any research type questions people may have. I"ve worked for 2 Bariatric programs and some days think I 'know it alll'! Joyce

Yes welcome Joyce. I hope you love this site also. I am a newbie here myself (2 weeks). I live in Vancouver WA and the Enrichment counsler in the R/S. I work for a tax accountant during tax season so it is a busy time for me. I did hear from my Dr. office and they were going to submit my papers to the insurance company. I have nto had a chance to call them and ask how long it is that it usually takes for them to hear back from this insurance. I want to get a date set so I can plan my life. I am going to go to BYU Womens Conf. in Provo the 1st weekend in May and then I am ready. We were planning a cruise to Alaska this spring but have now put it off till later this fall. I know I will be missing all of the food on the cruise but I could show up in a smaller bathing suit also. I want this behind me. I had to say the opening prayer yesterday in Sacrament meeting. Just before I left home I had spilt ceral down the front of me and went in and washed it off. I figured it would dry before I got to the church. Then I forgot about it. As I got up to say the prayer I could see this spot and it took me a second or two to realize that it was the shadow of the mike. I was sure glad because I thought I was a little old to be "leaking milk". Well hope all have a good week. Barbara

Barbara, I'll bet you had a smile on your face while you were saying that prayer! LOL! Good luck on getting your insurance approval! It's an exciting journey once you get over THAT major hurdle! I might bump into you at the Women's Conference. I have to drive up and pick my duaghter up from Utah State for the summer. We thought we'd try and hit the Women's conference before driving home. I'll be the blonde with grey roots walking as quickly as possible like a mad woman to get to the class of choice before it is all filled up! LOL! Maybe we can exchange cell phone numbers before then and at least wave to each other as we run around! Joyce P.S. ...Do you live in the prettiest piece of real estate in the entire country or what? I LOVE Vancouver, Washington!

Hi Joyce, Its so nice to have you on this site. I too am new to this forum and am so excited it is here. I had surgery May 29,2005 and have not been as successful as most and am really struggling in my journey so maybe when you have some time you can perhaps give me a little insight. I had hoped to make it to womens conference myself.. My 3 oldest all graduated from BYU so always missed it but had hoped to make it this year. My oldest just finished getting her masters in counseling in Maryland and will be moving home at that time so will be going and driving back with her so will miss it once again. My 4th daughter is attending BYU Idaho and still have one at home. Maybe I'll make it one of these years. Again, welcome! Sharon

Hi Sharon, Your trip to Maryland sounds fantastic! I love Maryland! We lived in Washington D.C. for 5 years while my hubby was in the Air Force and our stake was on the Maryland side. It is soooooo pretty there! So, what's up with your weight loss struggle? Did you have a great hospital program with support groups and good follow-up? How much more would you like to lose? What are you doing right now in that effort? .....I've got my drill sergeant hat on and am ready to give you pointers and help if you really want it! ....There is weight loss after the honeymoon period but we have to learn how to work our tools. Keep in touch! Joyce

Hi Joyce My name is Alfreda...Alfie to my pals and I live in Azle Texas. This is about 20 miles west of Fort Worth. I had my surgery in April of 2004. Coming up on my 2 year mark and still have not made it to goal but I like to think of this as a true journey and I'm just not there yet !! haha good to hear from you and glad you found us. Currently I am the 3rd sunday teacher in Relief Society and love it. I'm really not one that likes to get up in front of a group to teach but I know this is for me more than anything and I have learned so much. My hubby is the assistant Ward Clerk. We were married in the Ogden temple and have been married 20 years. No children..3 from his first marriage so I do have grandbabies..6...and 1 more on the way. I am very much an outdoor person. My 2nd love is my animals..we sort of have a little zoo..haha Take care and please stay in touch. Have a great week!! Alfie

Welcome. Its good to see that this board is getting noticed more. I would like to start an LDS WLS support group, but just know how to get it going. I talk to one of the Stake Presidency counselor (who also has had WLS) and he was all for it. He told me to get it going. The thing is I feel totally unqualified and don't know how to get it going. I'm a teacher professionally and I'm YW president. I have been married 34 years and we have 5 children. The 4 olders ones are married and the youngest of the married ones is expecting in July. Our 5th and youngest is currently up in Barbra's neck of the woods in Vancouver. We have 6 grandchildren and like I said, one on the way. Welcome and spread the word that we have our own little support here. Christy

Christy, What a wonderful idea. You get that done and then when you move to Vancouver you will know all about how to get it done here too. You have inspired me to think about things I have not thougth about before. such as a tummy tuck later. Well, I guess that is getting ahead of myself. I am still waiting on Insurance coverage. I will be so glad when this years tax season is over. I am so tired. I get up tired in the morning. This week we had a death in the ward and soooooooooo being in the Relief Society Pres. I will be helping serve the dinner afterward. You know I am glad to serve and don't mind that part at all. It is just that my time is so shot during tax season. Well have a good weekend everyone. I check this boasrd daily to see what is going on. Barbara