Happy anniversary can you believe 3 years. I too think I am a success not so sure everyone does though. I started at over 300 currently am at 127. I guess I followed most of the rules always drink my water take in higher amounts of protein before anything else and do some exercise mostly walk. There are still a lot of foods that do not agree with me most meats unless in Chili or something like that and eggs. I eat a lot of fish (gets boring some times) yogurt, cheese and the never very far away protein shake or bar. Pasta of any variety does not like me but other carbs- potatoes, most breads, crackers, cookies all seem to go down easily. I have had no reconstructive surgery at this point money saved for this went to first daughters wedding. No complaints about that though. I actually don't think I looked to bad as the mother of the bride. It has certainly been a physical as well as emotional roller coaster these past three years. My head still plays games with me and I never seem to stop being amazed that I am as small as I am and that I won't wake up to the very unhappy, low self esteemed person I used to be. I wish everyone a Happy, healthy and lighter New Year with continued success to those that have attained it and a renewed awareness of what we need to do to take it off, maintain but most of all be happy with ourselves.

Beth, Keep us posted. Let us know how you are doing. Good luck! The journey continues! Linda

Today, well since it is after midnight, yesterday, was my 3 yr WLS anniversary and I feel compelled to report in... Not to brag, but I was one of the one of those folks that "succeeded" with wls. On my 1 year anniversary I was well below my surgeon's goal and even a few lbs below my personal weight loss goal. I followed all the rules and even exercised some although I hate exercising. My doctor called me " the poster child for WLS". I spent most of 2006, my 2nd post-op year, having reconstructive plastic surgery. My 3 planned plastic surgeries became 5 due to complications but through it all I still managed to maintain my weight loss. With the plastic surgeries I traded skin for scars and even with the complications that required additional trips to the OR, I have no regrets about the plastic surgery. In Oct. 2007 I even lost another 8 lbs. during a time of severe family crisis. For the first time in my life I understood the concept of being too upset to eat. Whereas in the past, emotional upsets would have me eating the legs off the table this time I just couldn't eat a bite!! That weight loss put me way too low for my height so I eased up on my food restrictions so I could get back to a better weight. I began eating more carbs and gave in to my "sweet tooth", too. That was the beginning of my downhill slide. By the time I celebrated my 2nd wls anniversary on 1/25/07 I was back to my goal weight but was having severe shoulder (rotator cuff) and knee problems as well as complications from my last plastic surgery (Breast lift w/ augmentation). I was so tired of having surgery but knew I would need at least 3 more surgeries to correct the problems I was having. Between recovering from all the plastic surgeries and the knee & shoulder problems I had been unable to exercise, just able to do routine "life" activities for over a year but still holding close to my goal weight. In March 2007 I had knee surgery & shoulder surgery 2 weeks apart, then physcial therapy for 3 months. I completed my physical therapy, in June, just in time to have revision plastic surgery in July. Needless to say, I was unable to exercise for most of the 2007. I stopped keeping my food journal and continued to eat too many carbs and sweets. During that time I managed to gain another 30 lbs. I am so unhappy that I've allowed bad eating habits to creep back into my life. I worked so hard to have wls and to get to my weight loss goal but I seem unable or unwilling to do what it takes to get these re-gained pounds off. Don't get me wrong - I have absolutely no regrets about having weight loss surgery.... it was the best thing I could have done for my health, both physically and mentally. I lost over 140 lbs. and even with my re-gained weight, I'm proud of my accomplishment. I know that my post-op health problems are the results of the damage done by years of morbid obesity. So it really concerns me that I am not doing what I need to do to eat & live a healthy life. So as I begin another year in this wild, wonderful, wacky WLS journey I hope that by posting this I will feel that I am being held accountable by those who understand my struggle the best - YOU - my WLS buddies. Vickie J.

Are you starting on Tuesday Jan 29th??? I would love to try this with you

I haven't posted here in a looong time. I had surgery 1/13/05 I've since GAINED 25 lbs back. I STILL DUMP!!!!! I STILL cannot eat anything dairy (except cheese) I cannot drink regular mil**** cream, etc without falling asleep and feeling sluggish, drowsy, sick to my tummy. I know that I should lay off the soda. I drink Diet pepsi EVERYDAY, and coffee (with splenda only) and I drink while I eat. I know this is what's making me gain again. Anyways, I just need a bit of support and advice. I already know my downfalls so please I need encouragement.