Let's get to know each other

Hi Stephanie from Dallas, I'm Jeannie from Arkansas.  We are practically neighbors.  I am a gastric bypass and have gone way below goal and want to have plastics but because of my general health being not so good, my pcp will not clear me for surgery until I do some things that are pretty hard for me to do.   Plus, my iron level has never been good; even before surgery it sucked.  So, I am working at moving the scales up a little and getting my blood thicker.  I'm also 54 and married.  I worked Labor and Deliver for years until I wa**** by a drunk driver and had to move off my feet.  I went back to school and got a BA in English, an MA in Comparative Lit, and am still in grad school putting off defending my dissertation because I have this huge fellowship that once I defend, I lose and I like living the life of Riley right now.  I plan on defending when the fellowship runs out, which is next year.  Then, I will add PhD in English to my list of official titles.  I also teach at the University and have been doing some teaching at one of the local colleges for them since they cannot, because of the budget, hire full time. 

I have two grown children and they both have filled my heart with grands.  So, for me, life is good.  Nice to meet you.

Hey there Jeannie from Arkansas!!  My Mom lives in Arkansas.  She lives about an hour North of Batesville in Cherokee Village.  Dad died about 5 years ago but she has lots of lady friends there so she doesn't want to leave.

What a great life of learning you've accomplished and now you're passing it on to others.  Good for you.  Hope your grandkids are close so you get to spend time with them often. 

Hang in there with your health issues and let us know if we can help in any way.  I'm a great cheerleader if nothing else.

Pleasure to meet you

I was born in Scotland and now live in Ontario Canada.
My cousin and I started this journy a couple of years ago, I was sidetracked with a few pulmonary embolisms and finally received cardiac clearance this spring. Surgery was a breeze,,, knocks on wood....and so far I have only had a few dumping episodes. I am down 64 pounds since starting this journey. 34 pounds pre surgery...I gained during hell week....and now another 30 in two months post op.

I have two sons who constantly amaze me, and I am pleased to say I have been replaced, as the center of their universe, by two fabulous women.
I have been married 32 years and but dated DH for over 39 years, ( high school sweet hearts)
My DH is self employed so I have been his book keeper for ever and was working on my certification as an accountant when I was side tracked. My real job is as a dental assistant and I am considering returning next week thought I do not know if i physically or emotionally can do it yet.

I am rapidly loosing right now and can't seem to keep my clothing on my bum. So I am trying to adjust myself to this new body I am discovering.
Weirdest part is is driving the car..............I cant see in the rear mirror ( lost that padding) or reach the peddles as well as I did before.

Ann, Scotland to Canada...what an adventure.  Congrats on your recent surgery.  Enjoy the honeymoon phase.  It seems like every month you're having to replace your wardrobe.  I became a big fan of thrift stores and clothing exchanges and I still am but at least my size has been stable for 6 months. 

I love the fact that your sons have 2 great women in their lives.  My DD manged to pick the one worthless guy in Oklahoma!!  I keep praying she will come to her senses.  In the meantime, I just keep my mouth shut.

I'll look forward to watching you "shrink" over time.  Keep posting and ask anything you need to, that's what we're here for.

My friend Joyce has a sister that lives in Canada and they were born in Scotland.  Her name is Moira and she's married to Raymond and they have two daughters Ann and Joyce.  You know them?  Canada's not all that big is it?
Jan

Hey, Steph!  Imagine meeting you here!!  This is a great group of folks.  I see some new faces and some familiar ones too!!  Here goes for the ones that don't know me!

I'm Terry and I live in Galveston; native Houstonian that had surgery in Alabama in Sept 2006.  Moved back to my home state in Dec 2006.  My highest weight before RNY was 330 # - that's a BMI of well over 65.  Surgery weigh in was 278 and I'm down around 170 -175; still battling that last 20-25 pounds my doc in Houston said he'd be happy with.

I went from a size 26/28 that was tight to a 10/12 depending on the cut and maker of the garment. 

I am a single mom of 2 fabulous daughters that are both still single with a wedding being planned for next Spring!!  I am 54 fabulous years old and my ONLY regret is I didn't do this in my 30's or 40's.

I find it's so much easier to walk my 3 dogs [2 shepherds and a terrier/beagle mutt], sit in an airplane seat, do the 3k and 5k walks in the fall and spring, eat healthy, be satisfied with a "bite" instead of the whole thing!  I can cross my legs, and reach behind my back all the way, see all the way around my legs to shave them and buy clothes from just about any store in town!!!

Thanks for starting this, Steph!!!!    And tell Clay I said, HEY!!!  

I am  Jo  from Owosso Mi.    I married Steve 28 years ago and still find new things to love about him!   We couldn't have kids   but have done foster care for 20 years.  Several of the children we finished raising consider us family so we are beginning to have grand children from them.   
I do a lot of  running  back and forth just now  to see my folks.  I make sure to get up there every week because they are in their mid 90s and not doing well so I never know if Ill have a next week with them or not so I make sure I go this week. 
At my highest weight I was 359,  I lost 100 of that before surgery  then  had the surgery to lose the the other 110. of course I have found a bit of that weight again but that is ok.    I went from a 26/28  To a 14.  If I could get rid of the excess tummy skin  I would be a size 10 I believe,  I am so much more active and healthy now!  
This post was a great idea.  I have been trying to get  acquainted here for a while and maybe this will help!  

Hey Jo good to hear from you.  Wow being a foster Mom is such hard but incredibly rewarding work.  I'm not strong enough to "give them back" but I'm so thankful people like you are out there. 

My Mom is 86 and lives alone so I know how you feel.  Unfortunately my Mom is an 8 hour car ride away with no airport closer.  That makes it very difficult for us to get to her quickly.

I'll look forward to visiting with you again.  Fantastic job on the weight loss.  Size 14 is awesome, afterall it's the "average" American woman.  Ain't it great to be average?

Hi Jo!

We are almost neighbors!  My folks took in foster kids.  I had 4 bio sisters but, we always had foster brothers living with us on the farm!  I started at a 26/28 too!  I bought my first 18's today and can't wait to get to be a 14 like you.  That is my goal size.

 Hi Gang
Mary here.  I am 49 (50 in Oct).  I am a transplant from the East Coast (Pgh) and now living in the PNW on and island SW of Seattle since 1986.  I came out here with my late husband - had twins in 1992 (they are now 17) - hubby passed from a long battle with a rare cancer in 2003.  I remarried in 2005. 

I work for a large University in Seattle.  

My boys are great - Jrs. in school.  They are identical twins and good friends.  

My surgery is scheduled for Sept. 22 - pending final approval from insurance.  BTW - they called me today but I could not talk - now I have to worry what that was about!!!

My husband just got laid off from his job in June and has since interviewed successfully with a company they deploys to Iraq for his profession.  He may be leaving for awhile this fall.  We hope Nov.  and not sooner.

I have been approved by my surgeon and met all his requirements.  I am in limbo right now.  I am now on 'my own' diet until Aug 30 when I start my 1000 cal diet.  I have lost 4 pounds so far and my feet ache from walking!!!  

I have not been overweight all my life - my weight started around age 30 and of course got worse with the twins then the hysterectomy in 2004.  My weight has go non stop since 2003.  I can see myself heading towards 250 soon if I do not stop this cycle.  I don't know what size I wear - I wear pants with elastic in the waist and shirts that are oversized.  I have not been shopping in years.  

My health is as expected.  Today they called me in for an echocardiogram from my sleep study.  I think they found my mild murmer.  Had it as long as I can remember so I am not too concerned.