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[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

What an interesting thread!

Today is my 62nd Birthday!

I had my sleeve done exactly 4 years ago this month and have been at goal weight for 3 years.

This surgery changed my life, as it has done for so many others.

But unlike most of you, I do not have children or grandchildren (by choice...long story).

I have been happily married for 24 years, but my husband and I live a poly amorous life style and we have never been happier our my lives.

I have met really interesting people on this forum and have been grateful for all of the followers of my blog, some who have become friends.

I grew up in San Francisco, lived in Hawaii for 10 years and for the last 3 I have lived in Amsterdam and have no desire to return to the US at this point.

I have an unusual life, but I have an extraordinary life that works for me.

I am thankful every day to be living a healthy life and it would never have happened without the surgery, and maybe even without this forum, as it was here that I found the support I needed to make that first step.

Happy Belated, Birthday!

[goblue9280 481]

Hello, 35/male from Houston, TX. I've been in Houston for about 8 years now, originally from Michigan. My wife and I met in high school, both went to UofMichigan and have 4 kids (2 boys, 2 girls) ages 6,7,11 and 13.

I had gastric bypass on October 1st after decades of struggles with my weight. I have been doing well thus far. I decided to pay for a VIP membership as a way of giving back to this site. I found this site as I was still deciding on surgery. This site got me through all of my initial questions, got me through the pre-op diet and all my fears regarding surgery. I'm very optimistic that this site will also see me through the 200+ pounds I intend to lose. Safe to say I wouldn't be where I am without this site and all of the great people contributing!

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

Yes, @@Queen of Crop ... happy birthday to you!

[fernandfj 469]

hello all. I;m a 51 yr old male living in the Dominican Republic and I had sleeve surgery 7/29. I am married to a wonderful women that has supported me through this process and we have three adult kids (23, 22 and 20). I have been benefiting from everyone's collective wisdom for some time and hope to be able to help folks as I have been helped.

[JamieLogical 8,708]

@@fernandfj Welcome! I think family support makes a huge difference. My husband didn't want me to have the surgery. He didn't think I needed it. But he knew it was my decision and since the surgery, he has been nothing but wonderful through my healing process and dealing with my new ways of eating. He has had to adapt right along with me and I am so thankful he hasn't complained once!

[Babbs 14,681]

@@fernandfj Welcome! I think family support makes a huge difference. My husband didn't want me to have the surgery. He didn't think I needed it. But he knew it was my decision and since the surgery, he has been nothing, but wonderful through my healing process and dealing with my new ways of eating. He has had to adapt right along with me and I am so thankful he hasn't complained once!

@@JamieLogical

I'll bet he hasn't

[Julie norton 2,850]

Happy birthday queen

Hope it is all you wanted????????

I know I am thankful each day for my better life... Seems like you wouldn't change anything either!!

Aren't we so lucky!

Welcome to the new members...

Have faith, work your program and l hope your life goes well????

[MzB 297]

Hi all. I decided to go ahead and make my "membership" official and join the VIP club. ???? So far BP has been fantastic to read and to participate in(the good and the bad). I thought it was time to fully commit! ????While my program has a monthly in person meeting, it never seems to fall on a day I can go so BP has become my default support group.

I have been mostly quiet up to this point but I have been soaking up so much. I am now 5 months since VSG so things are settling down to be more routine. So many of my early questions were answered by reading the responses of the oh so patient veterans on other threads. I can't tell you how much it helped me!

I didn't panic after I didn't lose much immediately post op.

I didn't get upset when I hit the 3 week stall. (A little discouraged, but it helped to know it wasn't just me)

I was prepared for when my hair started to like the floor better than my head. (Not happy, but hopeful since everyone says it will come back!)

I learned about lots of new food options (Halo Top ice cream!) and recommendation on Vitamins.

And most importantly, I feel I am getting to know a group of individuals who on this "project" with me.

Don't get me wrong, I have

lots of support at home and from friends and family, but it isn't the same as talking to others who are in the same boat. At times I will admit to feeling a bit lonely in this journey. Just reading and sometimes responding on BP has helped feel more connected.

So I thought it was time to fully commit to BP and work on starting to give back. ????????

[JenniferVSG2011 16]

Hi All!

My name is Jennifer. I am 44 years old. I am a wife and mother of 2 boys (24 and 16). I live outside of Houston, Texas and help run our family owned trucking company where I am a bookkeeper, sales manager, and A/R supervisor (we are that small LOL!).

​I had my VGS in October of 2011. I went from my highest weight of 308 (as far as I know - I don't know many who want to check the scale regularly at that weight ) to my lowest post surgery weight of 213 in 2012. I had hit a plateau in between and began training with a former college running back. I was doing well. Around 2013 I ran into a series of health setbacks. I was able to maintain my wait or close to it (didn't for over 217) for well over a year, perhaps 2.

Within the past year I began gaining weight. I am currently struggling with this, and this is why I have come here. I am looking for advice, accountability, and to be a good WLS buddy to anyone who needs one!

I am really looking forward to getting to meet new people, and hear your stories! I love a good success story!! I plan to be one myself soon!

Thanks for listening...I have a feeling this would not be a great personal ad...but hopefully it wasn't too boring!

Jen

[JamieLogical 8,708]

@@JenniferVSG2011 Welcome! I think you have definitely come to the right place. A lot of vets on these forums have struggled with some weight regain in the years post-op or never quite reached goal. The good news is, you still have your sleeve and it will still work with you as the tool it was meant to be. It sounds like you already know a lot about what you need to do, but hearing from others and the accountability these forums offers really help with the process.

[JenniferVSG2011 16]

Thank you Jamie! That is what I am counting on. It's hard to go it alone when you don't know anyone personally who is or has been going through it.

[iamjohnbamber 150]

35, male, Austin TX (but New Jersey native) - got the Lap Band in 2006, lost about 112 lbs. Gained 52 back, lap band removed and converted to sleeve on June 27th 2016, feeling good so far.

Love this site and the great people on it!

[JamieLogical 8,708]

35, male, Austin TX (but New Jersey native) - got the Lap Band in 2006, lost about 112 lbs. Gained 52 back, lap band removed and converted to sleeve on June 27th 2016, feeling good so far.

Love this site and the great people on it!

Welcome! You are right. This is a great site!

[LisaMergs 2,854]

Well, I've never used this forum on anything other than my phone- until today. Discovered status bars and VIP membership. Who knew?

Most of you know who I am already, but my stats--

49, female, married for 20 years

3 kids -19, 16,15 boy girl boy.

Just got my oldest off to college for the first time.

I live in the suburbs of Chicago- and grew up in the city itself.

I practiced dentistry for almost 20 years before I became ill with an autoimmune disorder. My weight gain was directly related to this- high doses of prednisone combined with the inability to move around.

The catalyst for surgery came from my rheumatologist who was reading anecdotal reports of people with RA who had bypass going either into remission or having a dramatic drop in symptoms. I didn't respond to any traditional or experimental meds on the market, so my thought was- the WORST case scenario for me would be less pressure on my joints. Luckily, I've not had any flares or RA symptoms since surgery. I got my life back. I'm contemplating returning to work now. I won't go back to active dental practice- I'm too scared, quite frankly. Worry of a relapse happening, my hands literally freezing up while working on a patient- so many scenarios of bad. People don't realize that RA can actually be deadly. They equate it with osteo arthritis.

I'm an avid- maybe rabid?? Lol- hockey fan, and am thrilled beyond belief that my beloved Blackhawks are so Fricking amazing! Also- a huge college football fan (Go Wildcats!)

That's that.

I so appreciate the wisdom, wit and camaraderie here.

These are my kiddos-- just cause I'm proud of them! Oldest is studying Sports Management at Iowa and plans on law school after. My daughter has an amazing voice and has been studying opera since 12, but wants to be an anesthesiologist-go figure! Youngest guy is the funny one, football player.   

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Pescador 1,374]

Hello all, I joined the site in early 2013 when my husband and I were sleeved. It was the most wonderful learning experience, I was Linda from Florida then. Moved on to a lot of traveling, boating, hunting, cruising and loving my husband. I need the camaraderie of the group, the motivation, and am back with a vengeance as LoopyLulu. I worked 44 years in the Courts in Florida, and became too opinionated, too caring, too judgmental, and over involved with helping others. I have the best marriage for 25 years, and the previous one of 20 years recently sat by me sweetly as we watched our only grandson marry. Life is great, and I grew to really enjoy some great people on this forum.