Please know that I am sending loving thoughts your way, Janie. It is horrible to lose a parent for any reason, and I hope that if she does pass soon that it is peaceful. Take care and know that we'll be thinking of you. As for your weight? Give it some time, silly! You just had major surgery...it's going to take some considerable time to go back to normal. I have heard that 6 months isn't an abnormal amount of time to pass before the swelling final subsides. Don't worry! You're still a skinny-minny .

OMG!! The cravings around the week of my period are out of control!! I literally ate an entire bag of dark chocolate Lindt truffles and an entire bag of Hershey's Bliss dark chocolates over the course of 6 days! I am shocked that I didn't gain 50 pounds...it sure felt like I ate enough to. But, so far...only 0.8...but we'll see how that pans out for the rest of the week . I have tried every pill out there pre-op to control super heavy periods and soon all they did was cause me to have a never ending lighter period. I am in no hurry to give that a go again! Let me know if it works for you and perhaps I'll get brave enough to try it again ;o).

Aw shucks, Steph. That is major stinky. I am sorry. Do you think that that huge loss you had a few weeks back after that liquid diet may have actually been dehydration and not real weightloss, so when you re-hydrated, it put some of it on? Just a thought. You'll get it done! I am certain of it. Hang in there, and avoid lemon flavored pastries!!!

I know how you feel, Beth...about the whole psychological thing. Sometimes just analyzing bit by bit what I have permanently done to myself, whether good or bad, freaks me out a little. I start worrying about the future in terms of my continued health...will I start having calcium issues later and break bones or lose my teeth? That kind of thing. I worry about the weight coming back, as well, but not as much as the vitamin and mineral problems. I can eat anything I choose to, just not in large amounts. I can't eat the volume that I used to and that's fine with me. I do tend to graze at times. But, I still try to stick to the sf or low sugar rules whenever I can...I figure that every bit helps. I rarely dump anymore, but when I do, it's on strange items like apples? I follow Melting Mama's blog religiously...I just adore her. Anyway, she's over 4 years out and still struggling everyday to eat right and move her butt. I think that she is gorgeous right where she's at, but she isn't happy here and is technically overweight by about 20-30 pounds. She still needs plastics. She has many medical issues caused by RNY surgery effects. She's doing the best that she can, and I think that in the end that's really all any of us can do. Beth (MM) shows me everyday that our struggle and need to control this stuff mentally and physically will NEVER end. We are constantly in a futile attempt to fix this "obesity" that we have...but I don't think that we can. We can only deal with it and treat it. Perhaps your counselor can help you sort out your individual issues and needs better than I could...sure couldn't hurt! I just wanted you to know that many, if not most, of us struggle with one issue or another so you aren't alone in this. Oh, and most of my pre-op cravings have come back, too. The weird thing is that they just don't taste the same...one bite and I don't even want them anymore. ~Suz

Steph- been wanting to ask you- how was OA? Did it help at all? SW- 250 LOWEST W- 126 CURRENT- 140 Yes- I have gained 14 pounds- it's do or die around here. I hate to be the one out here that gains all the weight back... My clothes aren't fitting and I'm really struggling. I'm going to change to an addictions therapist and see if that helps. I've also been thinking about seeing a nut- has that helped anyone? I'd like to say it's steroids, monthly or anything- but the truth is I am totally back to old habits and I have eaten these calories. I've tried eliminating things from the house- but I just find something else to eat. I WILL be down next week and checking in weekly!!! Good-luck everyone- Holly