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[shawnakayspann 5]

Hello everyone my name is Shawna and I live in Ottawa, IL and I am in the process of having gastric bypass. I started this journey last year in August and did my 6 month supervised weight loss visits with my PCP and lost weight. I also got signed off for my pysch eval and did my nutritional eval too. I am waiting for papers to be sent for final approval and wait for a surgery date. I have struggled with my weight since I was 18 years old and tried many diets and pills and exercises and lost and gain weight. From the time I was 18 to 34 I was diagnosed with PCOS and Rheumatoid arthritis. Along with other medical issues. I thought about having surgery in the past and I finally made the decision to follow through with it in hoping to live a better life and get healthy and pain free. I decided to join the group to gain insight and to be inspired and get feedback.

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Welcome and best of luck with your journey. I had to give you a shout out because my parents used to live in Ottawa, IL!

[shawnakayspann 5]

Thank you! That's awesome. I moved here last year from California. Its so different. Ottawa is beautiful and I love the small town.

[Djmohr 6,965]

Welcome and the best of luck on your new life! Keep us posted on your surgery date. This is when it really starts to get exciting!

[shawnakayspann 5]

Oh I sure will. Thanks so much!

[anaxila 501]

Thank you! That's awesome. I moved here last year from California. Its so different. Ottawa is beautiful and I love the small town.

Oh, so does that mean this is your first big midwest winter? How are you faring? I'm just a couple of hours north of you, outside Milwaukee.

I'm on my 7th day post-surgery, and despite the pain and trauma and everything I am so unspeakably grateful for this chance to write a new second chapter. Welcome.

[shawnakayspann 5]

Yes this is my first big Midwest winter and I am always freezing. I can't believe how cold it gets and my poor dog hates it. We are such californians lol. The coldest it gets there is the 30s and that is very cold. I had no idea it would be in the negatives. Anyways its way different and we are adjusting. I'm so ready for spring! Haha I don't I think am too far from you. Its a small town and people are nice here. I'm super excited for you! I can't wait for mine. I'm so excited to start a new chapter as well and at the same time so nervous about so much. Thank you and good luck to you.