Hello! Introducing myself

Hello Douglas, Welcome to the board!!! As you can see everyone here is just wonderful and full of encouragement and support. I am from the Southern Tier NY. I have been married to a great guy John for almost 23 years and I have 2 grown daughters, 18 and 21. I am a cosmetologist working as a full time nail tech in a great Spa in town. I also come from a family of hefty eaters. All of our gatherings revolved around food. The more the better, the sweeter the better, and so on. I had to come to the realization that, I need food to live instead of living for food. I used the same concept in my mind that I used for quitting smoking 3 1/2 years ago. I had to tell my "best friend" GOODBYE, my best friend being sugar. And I am able to substitute it with other things. I don't deprive myself of anything but when I have the craving for sweet, I have a package of sugar free cookies and only eat the serving size, there are many other goodies out there too. I started my journey for WLS at 257 pounds, my top weight that I know of was 263. I am 4 months out and am down approx. 64 pounds. I am half way to my goal. My ultimate goal is to be 130, my Doc's goal is 150. I would be happy anywhere within this range. I did not have any major comorbidities, but had a lot of weight related issues. Such as pain in my joints and knees, serious back problems, constant heartburn, snoring and possible sleep apnea never got checked for it, very high risk for diabetes (many family members with it). I am very happy I decided to have this surgery. I have been very fortunate to not have had any complications as of yet from the surgery. I can eat just about anything I want. I choose not to eat or not to eat much of breads, pasta, never eat anything with sugar in it, potatoes occasionally. I eat well. I concentrate on my proteins and vegies, and I eat a lot of dairy products for my calcium. Only occasionally do I have a nauseated feeling but have never thrown up. My heartburn is gone, my joint pain is getting much better, I am below 200 pounds, my energy is up, my back pain is better, I don't snore anymore. There are so many positives for me. I don't ever want to eat like I did before, it is not worth it to me. I have been given a second chance for a healthy life and I am going to make the best of it. I have before and current photos on my profile. I am keeping a more graphic photo album for myself. I wish you the best of luck on your journey. Shannon Arnold 257/193/130

Dear Shannon A! I knew I couldn't be alone out there growing up in a family where everything revolved around food! There are so many of us out there who don't care what we eat until the damage is done. Congratulations on your 64 lbs of loss! That will be me too one day I hope! I hope to have no complications after sugary also, Doug

Welcome Doug. I look forward to chatting with you on the boards. I like these NY boards...........I feel like I have a family here, even though I don't get on as much as I would like..........LOL.......someone has to work! Keep us posted with your progress. SH

Hello SH! Thank you for the welcome and I too look forward to chatting. I feel like I have many brothers and sisters here already. I sure will keep you posted! Doug

Thanks Doug, Yes it is important to remember why we celebrate this Glorious Day! It is my favorite time to attend church--I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday! And thanks for the compliment--from me and my kitties. They are my babies since I don't have any grandchildren yet! But I am praying for some --to spoil rotten!!! Be Blessed Marian S.C. 242.4/168.4/goal 125-130

Hey There Doug ! Welcome to the NY board ! As you can see we are a big happy and supportive family ! We are glad to have you here with us . I am a 40 yr. old wife of 21 yrs. and a mother of 3 great kid's , ages 21,18 and 15 . I have been heavy all my life with the exception of a few yrs. in my young teenage day's . I can remember sitting in the back seat of my parent's car and crying my eyes out b/c I wanted something sweet to eat and my parent's buying me a bag of candy and throwing it back to me just to shut me up ! Well , it shut me up all right until the bag was gone and I wanted more ! That is where I started my dangerous habit's of eating ! I since have managed to gain weight continually and even took off alot when I got love sick or so to speak , in high school. I gained that all back and ate and dieted my self to the weight of 328 lbs! It was then that I really had to stop & start facing the truth of what I was doing with my life ! I realized I was killing my self and had to find a way to start to live again ! I have found a way to save my life and that is WLS ! I researched for over a yr. and then it took another 8 months before I got to where I am right now which is surgery in just 4 more day's , that is counting today ! I have the same doc as Becca and have been on the Medifast shakes w/out any food for 12 weeks and have lost a total of 50 lbs. to date ! I am very nervous, excited and scared all at the same time ! I know that this is the best thing I have ever done for my self all ready and I have not even started the post op stages ! The people here are so supportive and have helped me through some very difficult times . They are the best ! Congratulation's on making the most important decision in your entire life ! You are a very important person and are very brave in taking this step for a better healthier you ! I wish you the very best with your first appt. with your surgeon in May ! You will soon be saying to everyone here ....."Hey Look , I have lost 100 + lbs.and I feel so good and healthy like I've added year's and year's to my life . I am living it to it's fullest ! No doubt about it !" I am going to be looking forward to that post , DOUG ! Again , Welcome and keep us posted on your amazing journey ! and Carol

Hello doug I had my surgery 3 weeks ago and and have no regrets. I was in a simular situation as you. I am 39 construction worker and at work we would eat roach coach food 4 times a day. Breakfast , 10 oclock break,lunch,burger for the commute home then dinner at home.I lost 23 lbs before surgery and 30 since a little over a pound a day.My wife has been really supportive threw it all and she is the biggest reason I got the surgery.Good luck with your goal. I used to live in watertown 16 years ago at fort drum