Joanne, Oh my gosh, I'm so proud of you!!!! When you are driven, you are driven and look what you accomplished!!!!! WOW. My surgeon assured me I would get to 180. I am now at 178. So am 2 lbs below his goal for me. I'm 5'1" so to have a normal BMI I need to weigh between 100 and 130 lbs. He told me it was not impossible to get below 180 HOWEVER it was going to take lots of hard work (follow the rules with eating and exercise to the letter). He also said that once I hit 180, it would become much more difficult. Boy, was he right. HOWEVER sometimes I think I have let myself fall into his words that below 180 may not happen. I've been working on changing my mindset the last few weeks. I'm seeing some change, but not total. I haven't nor will I give up at this point. I'm rooting you on Joanne. You are my inspiration today. Please keep us posted on your progress. Mary

I'm going super slow, but part of it is my fault. I exercise daily, but have been doing too many carbs. Working to get back on track. Mary

Congratulations to you also. Mary

I had my one year check up today. Now I brought up the 10 lb gain and how I am not losing even though I have been very careful the last few weeks. Know what he said??? He said that I WON'T lose any more weight! I am at 197 (not according to his scale. His is never right.) I KNOW I CAN LOSE IT! Who the hell is he to say that I WON'T. I know I have been very depressed and stressed because my meds aren't working but.... I have ALWAYS been the type that if a man tells me I can't, won't, or don't, I WILL! Now it is a challenge. he didn't challenge me in any words but now I HAVE to prove he is wrong. He said that if I want to lose I can do a liquid diet for 2-3 weeks and that will help BUT...the dizziness and lightheadedness will come back. He said now my body wants to stay here since it "bounced" up to a different weight and that I should just accept it. WTF! It didn't "bounce" up because of my body settling. It 'bounced' up because on my honeymoon I was a total pig. I ate every pastry I could get my hands on. And bread, etc. Well, since I got home, no bread, pasta or pastries or sugar. That was a special occasion and it's over. Now I haven't lost since I got home but my body doesn't give up well. So he said that I would have to be on a 500-600 calorie a day diet to lose since now my body likes to be at 1200 calories. So today: B~ double protein shake L~ double protein shake D~ single protein shake About 450 cal, 0 carbs, 0 fat and 115 protein. Radical yes, but how far would you go to not gain the weight back? In between, tea and propel and a few pieces of sf Werthers candy and gum I haven't been hungry. When I am I drink. He said my idea of "goal" is unreal. That it will never happen. Those were his exact words. My goal is between 160-170. He also told me to go to a hypnotist. Anyone try that? Did it work? I just want to scream! Joanne -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have been on a liquid diet for 2 days. The day before I started I was weighed at the doctors office at 197. I weighed at home the same. Today I weigh 187! I have lost 10 lbs in 2 days! I am now at my lightest. Just wanted to share this. I am now on day 3 of a liquid diet. My surgeon said if I wanted to lose I could try a liquid diet for 2-3 weeks but I think that is way too long. By day 5, I am going to take away one protein drink and add in a measured meal. Joanne --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well today I lost more. I have lost 11-12 lbs in 5 days. I said before, that I only wanted to do the full liquid for 5 days then re-introduce food the right way, with measuring and better choices. So my one food meal was 3 oz of steak with 1/4 cup of mushrooms and onions. I think that is the right amount that I should be eating this far out. Joanne -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Day 2 on real food. This is kinda a log for my diet and the reason I put it here is in case anyone has any ideas or comments as to the food I am eating. I am trying to stick to high protein low carb. Today B~ double protein shake L~ double protein shake D~ 3 oz of chicken (measured) and almost 1/4 stir fry veggies. I didn't measure it but it is either 1/4 or less. Later I will have sf jello with ff whipped cream and a single protein shake to make up what I missed for dinner. I did cheat but hated it. I had two small pieces of sugar free chocolate it just wasn't good and two bites of a odyssey bar. I should have restrained from it until I can handle things better. I lost another pound or so. Today I was 183-184. Hard to see those little lines. I hate digital. Joanne

Hello, Tina. A lot of folks here have been talking (or at least thinking) of what the future holds. It scares me, too...to be honest. I never thought I could lose 150 pounds in 1 year. It happened so easily, too. I have changed my eating habits to a certain extent, but I still make choices that are not the best for me. I have this thing of depriving myself and then being haunted by what I want. It's my thing. I deal with it. I'm scared of what the next several years will bring. I never want to be at 350-370 again! It sure is possible, though. I've got a feeling that it will take a conscious effort on my part to not have my weight go back up. I knew going into surgery that the WLS was only as good as I was. It's only part of the solution. I agree. I'm a believer. I do not dump. I will have to be very careful. I love the lighter, smaller me. Good luck. Denise