Suzanne-photog4fun

Hi Everyone,
I wanted to thank everyone who came to the support group meeting last night in Poway and shared from their hearts. It helped me a lot. A place to share the good times & bad post bypass surgery is what it's all about....each supporting and learning from one another. Thank you!
Afterwards, at Outback restaurant, I think that we had our largest group ever for dinner, about 20 of us I think. We had a wonderful time. Our weight loss total for our group was over 2600 lbs.. Wow, that's like 15 more average weight people.....amazing! What a wonderful group of "losers".

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Suzanne-
Lap RNY 1-29-02 ...Pre-op 273+ lbs.
Kept off 120 lbs. for 2 yrs. then slowly
gained back 45 lbs. over next 4 1/2 yrs.
Stomaphyx revision surgery 6-10-08
I've dropped 28 lbs. since 5-24-08
Currently 173 lbs. as of 9-27-08
BMI -28 ... 5'6" tall

Christina

Suzanne,

You are right, the support group meeting was amazing!!! I learned so much, and because of the older post-ops I was more prepared for my surgery before I had it, now I am prepared for life after surgery or getting prepared I should say. It was so good with the other forum hearing the posties telling us not to worry when we don't lose for a week or so, had I not heard this time and time again I would have freaked out when the scale didn't move. However, knowing that that was normal I never have freaked out, I have just gone with it and it seems to work!!

Thanks you guys for being there for each other and for us. You're the greatest!!

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Christina
Open RNY 03/31/2004
274/128/137 (131 Per Dr. C)
BMI: 47 / 22

"There's nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility is being superior to your former self." - Ernest Miller Hemingway

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." - Henry Ford

bridgetgirl

I was moved to tears! This meeting was awesome! I am so glad that all of you 2 year post ops were there.... wow, I appreciated it alot! It was nice to meet you Suzanne and Dale, I look to you guys for so much.. you too Mary. You guys are a wealth of information! Thanks for keeping it real Suzanne, I think alot of preops could have benefited from the information shared last night. I feel like I am on the right track dealing with my "stuff" right now, you guys at the meeting reinforced that. Thanks again guys, I love you so very much! Next meeting I hope I can stick around for dinner afterwards.

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J.Bridget Fisher aka koi-pea
2/9/04 lap 5'11"
298/170-trying to lose another 10

www.myspace.com/caliclovercutie
What Sawyer would call me on LOST: ladybug

"People will argue with you that getting what you want in life isn’t something you can learn, if you’re destined to be one of the worlds winners as opposed to one of its perpetual whiners, its because you have been born with the right talents and temperament and have a big dose of self-esteem, ambition, and good judgment." Kate White

jmccabe

Wow, my first support group meeting (my wife too) and it was something!! We both enjoyed everyone's company and the info was amazing. I am impressed with the wealth of knowledge that was shared. I feel better informed about my progress and what to expect. Thank you all for your input. I wasn't expecting dinner afterwards but Jenniemae and I had a blast with you all. We are looking forward to next month's meeting and seeing the group again. Thank you...Jim

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Jim
Open 6-8-04 Dr C.
270/165/170

Jenniemae
Open 1-28-04 Dr. C
275/148/150

newthindale

I, too, felt that last night's meeting was very productive. Suzanne, you did a great job in leading us. A lot of feelings and fears about what it is like one or two years post-op came out to the forefront. It's not always easy once the honeymoon is over. For each and every one of us, it is a personal and daily battle with the old demons and behaviors which sneak in there. For me, I'm always amazed that I keep mucking up and causing myself terrible dumping episodes despite the fact that I know better! Yet, every now and then I just go ahead and eat something I know will not do well by me! Why? The question of the years for me, I guess. We all realize that we must dig deep within ourselves and find our own answers. Or, perhaps, learn from others before and with us? Hmmmmm......good thought.

We all have the ability to help ourselves in this journey while also helping others. Visiting the hospital, participating in this forum, calling on the phone, whatever, helps others and helps us in the process. It is a win/win everytime we interact with each other. We are all in the same dang boat to begin with, and go on similar journeys both before surgery and after it. Who else understands it all as well as we do? No one. Not our families, not our friends, not even our doctors. We know. We have "been there, done that". That is why the support that Dr. Callery has made available to us is so valuable. Take advantage of it all. Do whatever you can to help yourself succeed in the long term. I wish us all the best of luck and lots of success.

Dale 6/19/02 at goal

Karen Wright

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~Karen
Open RNY 04/13/04
313/230/158 (still pushing for that goal!)

"Don't take yourself so darn seriously!" Rule # 62