Congratulations Joe, Happy Belated Anniversary, you've had one heck of a year . Dana

Hey John, Congrats on your first-year's loss. Say goodbye to that weight forever, man! I'm a year out today and have been reflecting on what I've lost and what I still want to do. Dx E got my mind going about a "year two goal" earlier today, so I've gotta come up with something there. For me, I know it's going to be related to exercise and discipline. Stop by the men's locker room (er, message board) some time. Always room for another brudder. Joe

Hey folks, Today's my one-year anniversary, the cause for a little reflection... Starting weight: 428 Starting BMI: 50.7 Today's weight: 231.5 Today's BMI: 27.4 Total loss: 196 pounds I never wanna see again! Plusses: + Feel great, look better + Blessed with awesome close-family support (wife/son) through the whole process + Weighing less than my "little" brothers + No more meds for arthritis or cholesterol + Tremendous amount of energy I hadn't had in years + Enjoy clothes shopping, and NOT at fat-boy shops + Finding a variety of clothing that fits! + Still enjoy eating a variety of food--just less of it + Love eating protein + Adapting to the WLS lifestyle wasn't as hard as I thought it was gonna be (or made it out to be in my head!) + Compliments from people, esp. coming from people who were genuinely concerned I was eating my way to an early grave + Enjoy walking (esp., hiking and backpacking) again + New experiences, like going to a rock-climbing gym with my son (never imagined I'd do that a year ago!). Minuses: - Still taking meds for blood pressure (my PCP says I might be one of the lucky people who could weigh 110 lbs. and still have high BP). - Worried about back-sliding, esp. w/sweets - Exercising, but not often enough - Job stress still is a food trigger; gotta work like hell to keep it under control. Would I do it again? Heck, yeah, in a heartbeat! So, to you newbies and pre-ops out there, I guess that makes me a veteran now The wait is worth it, the insurance hassles are worth it, the pre-op jitters are worth it. When your turn comes, git 'er done! Joe

hi dana: i try really hard to stay with no more than half a cup of protein, then maybe two or three forks of veggie. no liquids after you've eaten. and if you drink water about 30 minutes before you eat, you will fill up more easily. hope that helps. good luck dorthe

Thanks Sherry, I do feel blessed that we had surgery the same year, we are enjoying our new lives. Happy Rebirthday, sorry I'm a day late. Dana