pinksjo1

MO – St. Louis I am interested in being considered as the Group Leader for the St. Louis MO area. I have known since my surgery in July 2013 that I wanted to be in a more interactive role concerning WLS patients. This surgery has changed my life and I want to be able to help change the lives of people like me. I believe that there is a need for face-to-face meetings in making sure the right information is given and issues discussed. I would be available after 6pm on weekdays and anytime on weekends. Thank you for your consideration. Joan Pinkston

It happens to the best of us! The key is to never give up. I am also working on getting the gained weight off and getting to goal as I will be 4 years out in July. I never did get to goal, I got pretty close. But, I am back on track and looking forward to getting to goal. I am coming back to this community after a long hiatus and looking forward to everyone's stories. Good luck to all.

YIKES, as if the first episode of Penny's my 600 lb life was not upsetting enough. TLC, produced an additional episode that has expanded never before scenes...I could not be around this woman - I would be afraid I would scream and yell at her. Does anyone know of any updates on her, did she finally get her act together and follow the doctors guidelines??

I had my 1 year check-up/blood work yesterday. Officially down 108 lbs! My scale at home says I am down 105 lbs. So a slight difference. I can see ONEDERLAND...its just around the bend!

Due to lack of confirmed attendance, tonight's meeting is cancelled. I am not going to schedule another meeting until the end of summer - perhaps this is one of the reasons for the lack of attendance. We'll try this again in the fall. Have a great summer and stay healthy!

Please let me know if you are planning on attending the meeting for tomorrow, Wednesday. If low attendance again, I will cancel. Should we wait till summer is over to continue these meetings? Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

The next St. Louis Area Chapter Meeting is Wednesday, July 16 at 6:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the Lobby Conference Room at 231 South Bemiston Avenue (Between Shaw Park Drive and Bonhomme Avenue) The Bemiston Tower Building, Clayton, MO 63105. Parking is attached to the building. If the arm is down, please take a ticket. The arm will be up by the time the meeting ends. The agenda is: Welcome, Introductions, Icebreaker Activity, Local Ground Rules, Call for Volunteers, Your Turn and Closing. After the meeting there will be a clothing exchange. Some members will have clothing to give away, and some members will have clothing to sell. Looking forward to seeing you!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/BariatricPal-Local-Chapter-St-Louis-MO/710993432293340 I have created a Facebook page for our local chapter.

Good morning everyone! Yes, although our meeting was small, it was FUN! The next meeting is July 16 and we will spend the first 10 mins doing introductions and 10 mins on other administrative issues (vote on Rules, ask for volunteers for taking minutes, carpooling). The other 40 minutes will be a lesson (haven't decided which one I'll do first - but I have 5) and Q&A. A clothing swap has been proposed, so that will be after the meeting. Thanks!

Thanks for letting me know, hope you feel better soon.

Our meetings are scheduled for the 3rd Wednesday of each month so for 2014 that would be: June 18, July 16, Aug 20, Sept 17, Oct 15, Nov 19 and Dec 17.

Hi Tresmom - Sorry you can't make tonights meeting, the next one is scheduled for July 16. Hope you can make that one! Looking forward to seeing you.

Great question! I should have asked for RSVPs...can everyone let me know as I have prepared workbooks for everyone to keep and use at each meeting. I also have a give-away - we'll draw names. I'll have ice and Water available. Thanks!

YIKES!! She sees you as a THREAT! You are going to change your life, she wants you to not change your life, because SHE doesn't want to change her life! Does that make sense? Please STOP reading anything she is blogging/mailing, etc. It will just upset you. Maybe some day, she will see that surgery is a LIFESAVER and want to get it herself. Hopefully, she will come to you and apologize and ask for your support. You sound like a very caring person, and I would imagine you would be there for her. For now...KEEP YOUR DISTANCE!

I have been sleeved since July 26 2013 and I LOVE IT!! I had no issues, didn't lose any hair, or all the typical side effects you may read about. Of course, I am going to tell you to do the sleeve... I have read that revision people may have some issues because they are not "virgin" sleevers. You may want to hear from them. Good luck on whatever decision you make!

Congrats!! You look fantastic! I am also on the road to lose a total of 130 lbs. Isn't the sleeve the BEST thing in your life? I can't imagine not having it...LOVE IT!!

It got to a point with my sisters that I said "we are not discussing anything about my surgery". All my brothers were behind me 100%, but not the girls. Anyway, now they are more supported although my oldest sister thinks I am going to lose too much weight! I'm not even at goal yet...

I am so excited, our first local chapter meeting is this Wednesday, June 18 at 6:00 pm. This first meeting will consists of Welcome, Introductions, Icebreaker Activity, Local Ground Rules, Call for Volunteers, and Closing. Directly after the meeting we are having a clothing swap. Some members have clothes for FREE and some members have clothes for sale. Looking forward to meeting all of you! Joan

My co-workers sent me this Edible Arrangement today in honor of my 100 lb weight loss. They are the nicest people!

Kathy - Thank you!! Yes, I am very lucky that I have such a great group to work with each day!

Hi Alex - this is where the link needs to be corrected for St. Louis, MO. If you click on it, it takes you to Denver, CO. Thanks! Joan

WOW, I did it! I have reached my personal goal of 100 lbs gone by 1 year. I had my sleeve surgery on July 26, 2013. I still have 30 lbs to go, but this is the moment for me! I often get asked would I do the surgery again. OF COURSE, I would. If I had to do surgery every year I would do it. NO DIET WORKS. It has to be a lifestyle change (yes, we have heard that before, but did we every believe it?). I spent years thinking it was my fault I couldn't stay on a diet. It was my fault I couldn't keep the weight off. Well guess what? It isn't my fault. Without the surgery I can't even think where I would be right now, probably spending $100s of dollars on a diet plan that "works" for a short period and going off of it because I am too hungry. And then gaining more weight because my body is in "Feed Me" mode because I starved it. It is soooo wonderful to be off that roller coaster! When I tell people "I used to be hungry all the time" they just can't comprehend what that means. Unless you have been in my shoes, you don't understand. But you do! We are the only people that can understand what it means, how it makes you feel and what a struggle it is. So, my next goal is to take off the 30 to reach my total goal. However long that takes, is fine with me! Happy Friday! Joan

Thanks everyone for the well wishes!!

Bagonian74 - I have 30 lbs to go till I am at overall goal!

Sassypants92201 - sure, I'd be happy to explain a little more. I am using the term "Diet" to represent all the diet plans I have been on and off of for the last 40+ years. Given my experience, "diets" don't work in my case. If anything, I probably have gained more weight being on and off diets than I would if I had never "dieted" in my life. What I have now is a lifestyle change. I have guidelines I follow, but it not a typical "diet" plan. Does that make sense?