[chattykathy]

Hi, My name is Kathy and I was banded on July 15th in Tucson, AZ. I am an ER Nurse.
I have lost 25 pounds so far and am excited for my next fill. Hello everyone.

[SpecialK]

Love your userid -- that was a nickname of mine when I was young and loved the Chatty Cathy doll! Welcome and be sure to check out your Arizona section unser USA Local groups and I bet you'll find lots of folks right there in your backyard that are bandsters!

[Shrtnsweet8]

Hello all. I am 50 years old and was banded Wednesday, October 15 at Riverside by Dr. Myers. I have not attended any support meetings yet because my approval happened within weeks of surgery. I am interested in meeting people from the Columbus, Ohio area that have similar struggles and interests. I am also interested in corresponding with others outside the Ohio area. Would love some experienced mentors.

I have been married for 30 years, work full time, travel extensively and have two wonderful grown daughters, all of whom are very supportive. Thankfully neither of my girls have weight issues at this time. My goal is to lose 120 pounds.

[sailorChristy]

Hello! I am 38 and an e-commerce Product Design Manager and sailor in Columbus, Ohio. When I was younger and thought I knew everything, I thought that people used ‘thyroid problems’ as a convenient excuse for their size. Well, then I was diagnosed with the Graves Disease (overactive thyroid) 5.5 years ago, and I had a total thyroidectomy 2 years ago. I have gained 50 pounds since I was diagnosed, and having a screwed-up thyroid (aka ‘metabolism’) and now having *no* thyroid has definitely proven to be a serious strike against me in the weight management department.

I have a family history of all the horrible obesity-related diseases and am frightened to death. I don’t want all of that to be the only future I have ahead of me… and to be honest, I’d really love to have a tight little body again (like I did when I did, yep - you guessed it, the Atkins Diet) and the ability to run 5ks every weekend. And okay, I’d really love to snag me a husband, too, before these ovaries of mine wear out completely.

I am just starting the program at Fresh Start Bariatrics @ Riverside Methodist Hospital. I absolutely adore Dr. Stephan Myers and his team. I have plenty of hurdles to clear before my surgery is scheduled (sleep 'hypopnea,' counseling for anxiety/depression/head-hunger, and nailing this pre-op diet), but I am viewing this as my last chance to save my life.

I can't wait to really start living again!

[pddjmpr]

Hello Everyone. My name is Donna, I am in my 56th year. I live in Southeastern Ohio, Jackson County actually. I have not been heavy all my life. It went in spurts with me. But in early 2000, my body just went hay-wire. I developed hypothyroidism, cataracts, HB pressure, lite shingles, and I have a total rt knee replacement, and a couple rt ankle surgeries, and a messed up right side from a work accident in 1996. Have done an enormous amount of pt, but no weight loss success. So in 2007, July 3 to be precise, I went to Dr. Curry in Cincy and had LAP-BAND^® performed. It reversed my HP pressure, turned my insulin resistance around, had my cataracts removed myself, shingles were lite, lasted only a few days, but the knee, hip, ankle gives me alot of problems when it comes to exercise. Throughs everything out and then to the doctor for a series of shots just to be able to walk.
Would love to be able to do toning beds like Dr. C has, but it takes me 3 hrs to just travel one way there. I started at 313 lbs and am down 256 last time weighed in June 2008. Would be interested in hearing from others in area or out. Would be nice to start a support group for Vinton, Jackson, Gallia, etc or is there one I am unaware of? Happy Losing to all!