Thanks for sharing, Mary. I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of them. I'm also going tonight to get Barbara Thompson's "Weight Loss Surgery, Finding the Thin Person Hiding Inside You". Barnes and Noble, here I come! Wanda

Know what scares me Jody? I can eat the WHOLE bag of microwave popcorn!!!!! I hate myself for this. I want to be like others and only be able to eat a little bit of food. I mean, I don't eat anywhere near what I used to...except for the popcorn. But I shouldn't be able to eat that much! It's not fair. But then again, neither is life. Go through your house and throw away everything that is bad. If it isn't in the house, you can't eat it. I graze a lot. But what I graze on is things like popcorn, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sf chocolate, protein bars, etc. So my choices are a little better than before but not much. I can't seem to help myself sometimes. Lately, food is all I have been thinking of. First thought of the day is what am I going to have for breakfast, then lunch and so on. I seem to be looking for comfort right now and food is that comfort. Don't stop whining and moaning. We, well some of us, are feeling the same way. I just feel better knowing that I am not the odd man out. That others feel like I do. Joanne

I loved this book and read it about 3 times prior to surgery and even more after surgery. Unfortunately, I gave mine away to another friend considering surgery and haven't gotten it back yet.

Some updates, since I haven't posted on here in forever!! This morning I jumped on the scale and I finally got below 200 this morning! 199!!! I can't even remember when I was below 200, if memory serves me correctly it was in the 8th grade! Like many of you I have been on a bit of plateau, while I haven't gained, I had been snacking and eating more carbs than I should be. I've upped my water and protein and now that I'm finally below 200, I'm not going up above it! What a great motivator! I've also made some changes to my schedule to make sure that I'm getting my exercise in again. My schedule went to hell in the fall (I started as a Mary Kay consultant, I found out I had to move, I was trying to get ready for Christmas and I beceame involved in a relationship, all while working full time!) I have given away all of my clothes from before my surgery, but I did save one pair of jeans. Well last night I pulled them up and held them up next to a pair of jeans that I currently wear (although they're a bit too big now as well) and I was crying when I saw how big my old jeans were. Talk about an enlightening opportunity though, I NEVER want to get that way again. What a powerful moment. The man I'm seeing was there when I did it and it was such an intimate moment to share with him. He didn't know me before my surgery, we met in August, but he knows all about it and has seen many pictures of me, we've talked extensively about my life before surgery and he's an amazing man. I'm very fortunate! Hope everyone's doing well! Michelle

Just be careful Mary. I ordered Exodus from Amazon a month ago and I kept getting emails saying it was back ordered, then last week I got an email saying they were unable to obtain a copy to ship. I really wanted to read it so now I am going to try to find it somewhere else. Lisa