Lisa, I'm truly happy for you. It's wonderful that you have such a tremendous support system, but don't forget that it was YOU who has done all the work and made the progress. Continued success to you, Linn

Denise, There's no real danger in getting too much protein, but your body can only use so much and the rest goes to waste. Linn

Well, today is my one year anniversary. My, how time flies, yet it still seems like the surgery was so long ago! I think back and realize that there seemed to be different phases in this journey. I wonder if there are still more to come. Thinking back, I think the first phase lasted about 3 months. I had no appetite at all. Zilch....nadda. This was the phase where I learned that I could in fact live a happy life without stuffing myself. I learned quick that I could not tolerate sweets and that I'd better chew everything to a pulp or it was going to come back up! This is also the phase in which I learned that my pouch was up there close to my heart. The first time I didn't chew my food as well as I should, I thought I was having a heart attack! I remember the first of these episodes happened about 5 weeks after my surgery. I had to travel to San Antonio for work. I was there with quite a few people from all over the country for a week long class. We all went to lunch together daily. I tried my best to get my protein in and one day had terryaki chicken. I apparently didn't chew enough! Throughout the rest of the day, something just wasn't right. That evening, we all went out to dinner together. I don't remember what I ordered, but I do remember I didn't touch it. The longer I looked at it, the more nauseated I got. I excused myself from the table and headed straight to the ladies room. This ladies room was the nastiest, dirtiest, filthiest restroom I had ever seen! There was no way I was going get sick there! I must have looked pretty bad (and believe me, I was miserable) when I came back to the table because one of the ladies I was with said she would walk with me back to the hotel. I really didn't want her to because I just didn't know if I was going to make it without getting sick to my stomach, but she insisted. We had almost made it back to the hotel before I got sick. There's a bush somewhere near the Riverwalk of San Antonio that, shall I say, is my special bu****he lady I was with just acted like that was an every day occurrence. Bless her!! She will always hold a special place in my heart! The second phase I went through probably lasted from 3 months to 8 months. I was finally getting comfortable with my new way of eating and really never got too hungry. I was losing weight at a pretty hefty pace.......life was GOOD. I started receiving compliments from everyone! By golly....this is the way to go! Then phase three happened. I hit a plateau. What in the devil was happening to my wonderful world? Reality check Wanda! Dr. McGrath-Weaver operated on your stomach, not your head! I think this is what everyone calls the end of the honeymoon period. Its also the phase in which, for me anyway, I had to back up and regroup. I had to, and I mean HAD TO start really fighting for what I wanted more than anything in this world....to be healthy and slim. It probably took me a good 2 months to get myself in order. I started exercising regularly and really paying attention to what I was eating. This is the phase in which I realized that I was going to have to make lifelong changes. This is where I "woke up". I think I'm now in phase four. I'm back to losing weight ever so slowly. I have about 30 pounds left to lose and you know what? I don't care if it takes me another year to get to my goal because I know I'm going to get there. I feel good inside and out. I know that I'm going to have to exercise and watch what I eat for the rest of my life. I know there are going to be days when I just don't want to do what I'm supposed to do... Lord knows, I've had plenty of those days here lately. But in the whole scheme of things, I'm doing darn good! Thanks to my loving husband and two daughters for being my cheerleaders. Thanks to Dr. McGrath-Weaver for caring enough about this disease's affect on people to go through many, many years of schooling just to make a difference for us. And last but definitely not least, thanks to all of you for your wisdom and kind words! Wanda

Congratulations to all of us! Can't believe it has been a whole year...I am enjoying life more and more. Here it goes! How much did you wiegh a year ago? 250 How much do you weigh today? 139 Is your weight from 1 year ago your heighest weight ever? excluding preganancy...yes. Do you plan to update your OH profile in the next week? yes What have you done with clothing that no longer fits you? Donated or given away. Are you planning to vacation this year? If so, where? Would love to try Disney this year with the kids...could never even think of keeping up a year ago. How do you feel about warmer weather approaching. I live in PA and have never been colder (no more insulation...lol)...can't wait for the warmer weather...not afraid of shedding a jacket! Do you have any regrets since surgery? Wish I had done it sooner! What would you tell someone who is contemplating WLS? It worked for me...investigate and make the choice thats right for you! Where do you live? Mountaintop, PA How old are you? Just turned 40 in January! (but people say I look 10 years younger I am the happiest I've ever been!

Happy anniversary, Patty, and congratulations on the 130 pound weight loss! Keep up the good work. Wanda