Welcome to the NAWLS Network! Introduce yourself here.

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Permalink Reply by Ory Brown on March 14, 2009 at 2:59pm

Hey everyone. I'm Ory. I'm a musician in NYC. I've attended 2 NAWLS retreats (including the most recent one in Dana Point, CA).

When I am not singing (and I do that A LOT), I enjoy photography, hiking, exercise (spinning especially), and reading. I am originally from Virginia, but moved up to NY 14 years ago for my career.

Every year I take a vacation to a new place. I like to get out into nature and hike. This summer will be southeastern Utah. I'm bringing my Dad along. He is recently retired and shares my love of photography.

I have family in Virginia, Maryland, and Illinois. I have 9 nieces and nephews! I am the BEST aunt ever.

I have worked very hard for the 2 years since my surgery. I am a work in progress. I never would have believed that I could learn so much about myself. I make exercise a large part of my life, and recently have joined a different gym. I am exploring new things: spinning, aerobics classes, and using a personal trainer.

I love good jokes, especially clever ones. Oh, and I do crossword puzzles (in pencil).

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Permalink Reply by Joni on March 16, 2009 at 10:31am

Hi Everyone,
I am 4 years and 3 months post-op gastric bypass. It is very exciting to be part of this Network. I am a RN, I work in the recovery room and am pursuing my BSN with a focus on bariatric surgery and obesity. My passion is to help people that suffer with obesity. I attended 1 NAWLS retreat (FL). I am new to blogging and I do not understand why my head is cut off my picture but I am working on that.
I love the beach, writing, and swimming.
I joined a gym recently and enjoy weight lifting, swimming, biking, and walking.
Looking forward to connecting with others in the Weightloss Surgery Community

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Permalink Reply by Katie Jay on March 16, 2009 at 10:38am

Welcome Ory and Joni! I am so glad you two are here :o)

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Permalink Reply by Sherly in NC on March 16, 2009 at 5:05pm

Hi I am Sherly,

I am a Registered Nurse, and I had lap RNY in Sep 2004. I initially lost 125 pounds, and have since regained 40 pounds. I have struggled with sticking with the program. I struggle with sugar and carb addiction. The WLS friends that I have made through NAWLS have been so instrumental in my not regaining any more weight. While a miracle has not occurred, I have learned that I have the tools and ability to be successful with maintaining my weight loss. I consider the information and friendships that I have received from attending NAWLS WLS retreat are an integral part of my success and I plan to attend at least one retreat a year. I am worth it.

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Permalink Reply by Kathy Stream on March 16, 2009 at 5:26pm

Hi, I'm Kathy. I am a freelance writer for NAWLS. Katie and I met when she needed an editor for her Small Bites book, and we immediately bonded! How could I help myself??! I have not had the surgery. So, I do research and try to learn all I can about WLS. I have been to two retreats to help Katie with logistics. Even though I am not obese, I have learned that I have a fat personality (I am about 30 pounds over weight). Challenges in my life have caused me to struggle with self esteem and emotional eating. I have found that I have a lot in common with many of the great ladies I met at the retreats! Love you, ladies!

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Permalink Reply by Robin Zinaman on March 16, 2009 at 6:40pm

Hi folks! Katie - wow what a great site! I am looking forward to checking out all of the different areas and posting some photos. When I have some time, I will introduce myself properly, but I really just wanted to congratulate Katie on this site. Robin

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Permalink Reply by Pam Leis on March 16, 2009 at 8:57pm

Hi! I am Pam, I am 4 yrs & 13 days post op.. I had Lap RNY Gastric Bypass on March 4th, 2005. I have initilly lost 212 lb's but I have gain 26 lbs back.. and Trying to get atleast part of that back off if not all. I Do Not work, I am a stay @ home wife, who is disable. I had polio as a child, had my left leg amputed and wear a Prosthetics. I also have back problems. I use both crutches and a wheelchair. so Exerise some time really do me in..My wls dr. said, I could use cleaning my house as my exerise..but when I can I enjoy getting out and doing stuff with my grandchildren age's 3, 2 and 8 months old. This past week end I went to the park with them and got on the twist slide and went down on it. (my daughter done a vidio of me coming down.) Plus I enjoyed swing with them - pumping my legs. until i got tired out.. From my wheelchair we played hide and seak with them too.. I had a ball and so did they..4 yrs ago I just would not been able to do any thing like that.. I seen my family dr. today and I told him and he smiled and said, I'm surprise you could do that.. he was proud I think. I looking forward to getting to know you all. If any Question just ask.

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Permalink Reply by Annie on March 17, 2009 at 8:00pm

Hi, this is Annie. I'm 54, married to a great guy for 5 years, Jim, 72. He has adult kids. I was never blessed with any. Was obesity the reason? Who knows...

I've lived in Wisconsin for 25 years, but I'm originally a Chicago transplant. I grew up fat in a "disfuctional" family (so what else is new). We all have our reasons. I had a sleeve gastrectomy in April 2008. I've lost 130# since my intro workshop at the hospital and 93# since surgery. Sometimes that seems slow to me, but it seems my body has set its own speed.

I have MS and am disabled enough to not work a regular job. My regular exercise is a water aerobics class (that I love), and I do some resistance exercises and walking when I don't get to worn out. I'm doing well with my diet, but have allowed myself to fall into a struggle with Pepsi. (Why would I wonder about being on a plateau?) I just decided today to quit stressing out so much about it. As the weather warms up here, I will be getting back with my 64 oz of water.

My husband, Jim, had surgery a couple of weeks ago. He had a cancerous tumor in his kidney. His kidney was removed. He's needing a bit more attention than usual right now, but he's normally fiercely independent. He's doing spectacularly well with his recuperation but still has lifting restrictions. He's itching to get going with yard work, and it's hard to get him to take it easy. Jim was supportive of my decision to have WLS and has been very, very supportive throughout the past year since surgery. He's loving and non-judgmental. Everyone should be so lucky. He's a recovering alcoholic, so he seems to be instinctively in tune with how hard changing is for me.

We just bought a truck camper on eBay for $600 (woohoo!), and we're picking it up in Schaumburg IL the end of this week. We hope to do a bit of travel this summer, and we love to sell at flea markets and craft fairs. I enjoy beading and decoupage. Jim weaves rugs (on a 100-year-old loom) using recycled jeans.

I know some of your names already and look forward to getting to know others. I haven't gotten involved with social network sites before, although I attempted some twittering today. This will be a new experience for me.

In time I will learn how all this works, and I'm sure we will have some veteran social networking people in the family. Have a great day... ~Annie

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Permalink Reply by Annie on March 17, 2009 at 10:31pm

Katie, what do you think about inviting Chef Dave? If anyone could convince him, it would be you! ~Annie

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Permalink Reply by Katie Jay on March 17, 2009 at 11:10pm

Annie said:

Katie, what do you think about inviting Chef Dave? If anyone could convince him, it would be you! ~Annie

Hi Annie. I do plan to invite him! It's be fun to have him here.

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Permalink Reply by Linda on March 20, 2009 at 10:28am

Hello I'm Linda, I'm a wife, mother of four, grandmother of fourteen and great grandmother of three. I have been married to my best friend for almost 49 years, and we enjoy being retired.
I had my surgery almost 3 1/2 years ago. When I started I was taking 9 different meds, three was for diabetes and now I'm on 2 and none for diabetes.
I was on another site that Katie was on and always enjoyed her input. so I'm happy to be a part of this one, and look forward to see it grow.

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Permalink Reply by Cathy 'tink' Wierman on March 20, 2009 at 11:11am

Hi I am PA Katie but some of my Sisters have taken to calling me Tinker or Tink. I am a survivor of Lap RNY 11/8/04. I have lost 125 lbs with about 60 more lbs to get to goal. My life journey has been very hard, but I am learning that through mutual support, caring and loving friends who have helped me along the way is what brings me to this new and wonderful network.

I have attened the first retreat last October and recommend that if the opportunity arises to attend future retreats, please consider attending. It was the best time of my life!

I am married, have 2 furbabies (cats), Angel and Peanut. My husband is not well, and I am his caregiver. When I do have time, I love walking in the various local parks...especially through Valley Forge National Park. I love taking photos while out on my walks and soon I will add some pictures taken on my hikes. I am also working on my website which includes lots of positive stories, poetry, quotes, etc that I have found helpful on my journey.


I am looking forward to meeting new friends and reaching out to you, as well as my WLS Sisters (you know who you are). Now that I am over the major hurdle, I am back and I am feeling much better and will not be hiding....that's a promise.!

Katie Jay...sending you warm, supportive huggs. Good luck with this new network!! I am glad to be a part of this!!!

Huggs,
Tinker
aka PA Katie

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