you are able to see what not to do up close...that alone should keep you going. i think the pressure of "goal" can make a person depressed. i just want to be healthy and happy. weight loss after a plateau is cool, but if you step back and look at all that you've accomplished, the 20 pounds is a small thing. there were times when i thought..this is it, i'm not going to loose another pound, and then poof, the weight drops off again. during the plateau, i kept eating and drinking and walked..i did not want to starve my body and risk remaining on the plateau. i have found sometimes that what i think is a plateau is actually extra water...once it leaves my system i notice the weight loss begins again. i don't know if i'll ever get into the "onesies", but after being close to 500 pounds, i feel i will remain happy at whatever size i reach. i don't plan on getting a tummy tuck anytime soon, but someday will. i'm sure it will eliminate quite a bit of excess weight, and take lots of pressure off of my back. those around you should inspire you to keep going, and maybe someday you'll inspire them to get back on track. when the ultimate goal of wls is to save one's life, it is easy to keep working at it. there are those who's only goal is to "look cute"...i think that only leads to disapointment, depression, and "back-sliding"...i don't know if that's what your friends are experiencing, but i can imagine it would be happening to me if that were my only focus on loosing weight. well...better end it here..hope what i said helps in some way.

Elena Sometimes the pain felt like someone was holding a fist in me. I finally had bunches of tests done. It was my gallbladder. I had it removed on 2/23 and ...no more pain! Get it checked out. (((((HUGS)))) Dianne

Question for you guys. It's been a while that I have posted but you guys are probably the best source for info since you all have gone through what I have. Has anyone felt a pain underneath their breast on their right side? I have been feeling a mild pulsing pain for a couple of days now. It goes away but sometimes comes back after I have eaten. I am not sure it it's because I think I have not consumed enough water.

Does anyone have any stories of friends or family who have gained weight after WLS, please let me know. I have friends who gave up working at their goals and quit using their tool that they were blessed with. They eat alot and no longer take supplements, they look terrible, they are depressed, because of their lack of supplements, they are unable to work out lifes problems. I am only afraid of not being able to keep weight off, I dont know the first thing that I am supposed to eat or not eat. Do I eat more food, do I eat less, I am on a plateau that just wont go away, size ten and 185 lbs. and have twenty more to go. I look thin from the side view except for the little speed bump where all the excess skin is . I am looking for answers, I dont want to throw this gift away. I have no one to look toward for advice, because most all are not keeping their programs going.

I love making chicken dishes (Jamaican curry chicken is one of my faves). It's traditionally served with rice, and I eat just a little mixed with the curry sauce. I add hot pepper and other spices to my food as well..I really want to taste each bite! At school, I usually get a whole wheat wrap with lean roast beef and veggies, or chicken breast and veggies...that usually lasts me all day. I'm also addicted to black coffee..and I know it isn't advised, but I don't loose water..if anything I retain it :P My joy of cooking has not left me, and anything I cannot finish I just give to my boyfriend, or put away for next time. I don't like to pu****the sick feeling I'd experience has taught me well. I also love shrimp..something that was too difficult to eat last year. Canned clams are an excellent source of iron..better than liver and really low in fat. I don't like the grit, but put up with it for the benifit of boosting my iron levels. I usually spoon out some in a bowl with soup. I drink lots of kool-aid and splenda...bu****er makes me feel blech.