That's right. One year ago, my life changed, all for the better. I know that if I hadn't had the courage to change my life, and have the DS, I wouldn't be sitting here today, enjoying normal, everyday occurrences - I wouldn't be able to cross my legs, run up a flight of steps, shop like a maniac, play with my niece and nephew, and still have energy to do more. When I came out of surgery with a complication, I was happy to be alive, but did have some buyer's remorse...what the hell did I do to myself? What I did was save my own life. I chose to live with a surgery that would give me normalcy, and complication or not, I was going to push through the initial weeks of bewilderment, and work it to the fullest. I had my one year checkup today with my surgeon, and he's in awe of my progress. I was his third DS patient, and he calls me the poster child for the DS for the rest of his patients. I've been lucky enough to meet some amazing women and men who've had the same surgery, and are all doing so well. I love getting together with the group, and I think we have a blast and enjoy every minute of our gabfests. Even though my vitamin D level was low (taking 50,000 IU 2Xs/day), and so was my fasting glucose, he still thinks I'm doing wonderfully. He told me I have maybe another 25 lbs to lose, to 178 lbs, but to be honest, I'm not sure where I should end up. I just want to feel healthy, look healthy, and I haven't felt this great since I was a young teen (many moons ago). Every day I read these boards, and I still learn something new. I'm in awe of the progress the post-ops have made, and I can hear the excitement in the posts of the pre-ops. It's great because I get to live it all over again, and hear little pieces of myself in every post, good or bad, happy or sad. But one thing always comes to my mind. The DS has given me a NORMAL life, and I can't say that I work my tool. I think my tool's working me...LOL I eat normal, I drink normal, and I'm just NORMAL. No one stares at me if I'm in a buffet line, getting a few things on my plate or two, or three. I always save room for dessert when I go out, and pre-op, I'd be mortified to order a dessert, and actually enjoy it, but now, I may have a bite or two, but it's so nice to still be able to have dessert, and not feel any guilt. An ex-bf told me I looked like a skinny girl. I still can't grasp that. It's amazing, wonderful, and just plain fan-f*$(ing-tastic. Looking in that mirror has proven difficult, but I certainly like what I see (most days!)...LOL To those pre-ops, still researching, or in the process of getting approved, keep at it. It's worth every ounce of energy you put into it. You won't be disappointed. To those post-ops...you're MY ROCK. You teach me things, you listen to my problems (even if someone else has posted a similar question), and you know me....cause you are me. And now I get to be me, only HEALTHIER, and sometimes, better and sexier (thank god for bottle blondeness). I love my DS, and I couldn't be happier. I wish everyone success in their quest. I've posted pictures on my profile if anyone cares to look.

I appreciate all of your comments.. I did beat my Plateau. I am down to 167 and i feel wonderful. I only need 17 more pounds till my goal. I have noticed that i lose most of my weight for the month right after my period, i hate that but i will take it... I have not been working out at all since January and i need to get back on track. I know that i will be able to get to goal if i work out.. I am still not perfect at all, but i have changed alot.. Thank you everyone for your support and Happy Surgiversary to all of you... What a difference a year makes... Love April

Hey Diane Congrats on your weight loss and Yes it is true like some others said that you are not alone--I too get down sometimes thinking that i am never gonna get to my goal--i have lost 103 lbs since my RNY on 2/6/07 and a grand total of 171lbs--But i still have 79 lbs to go to my goal --as i have a total of 250 lbs to lose --PHEW!!! I see others too--who have gotten to their goal faster and are taking a size 6 or whatever and here i am at size 22w/24w--but i used to take a size 34w-so I try to think positively most of the time--but still suffer from depression/anxiety (taking meds) But i have diabetic kidney disease and i keep fluctuating between 275-283lbs--so one week i am over 100 lbs mark and the next week i am only down like 95lbs it gers depressing.. I often wonder if this is it for me too--But i know my pouch is working as i get so full fast--I had an excellent surgeon and I know that he did a great job.. I have been going to Physical therapy 3 times per week--as i have spent most of the past several yrs mostly in a wheel chair because of my neuropathy--now i am building up muscle and i feel it and i am losing inches i see as some clothes that did not fit me last week now fit--so if you are exercising than it could be that you are building up muscles and that is good as muscle kicks fat out--LOL Add me to your friends list and i am gonna add you to mine so we can keep in touch and encourage each other.. Oh i am 45 and going thru menapause--this does not help with my weight loss-- You asked if the not losing was cause of your age--but you did not say how old youare--but i am sure it does have something to do with our ages--as the younger someone is--the easier it is for them to stay active and lose faster-- Well just remember that you are not alone and email me if you need someone to vent to--OK God Bless SUSIEQ from NE PA

I want to say Happy Anniversary to all my Feb 2007 Gastric Bypass Buddies!! It is hard to believe that 1 year has passed by already isn't it?? I have lost 103 lbs in the past year and a grand total of 171 lbs--I have 79 lbs to go to goal and the weight loss has slowed down alot and i am having trouble with fluid retention--Because i have kidney disease and my kidneys are not doing so well. I am still on insulin--tho not as much as i was a year ago--and keep praying that i will be off of it soon--My diabetes is under control--so is my cholesterol--Bp is up and down.. Alot of meds were taken away and now in the past few months my docs have added more so i am taking alot of meds once again.. I still have a Vit C deficeiency and am taking 4 citracal citrate chews per day and 1 vit D pill per week.. I go for my blood work at the end of this month--so I will see if i am doing better.. I have no regrets about having the Weight Loss surgery at all--I feel better in alot of ways and am going to Physical Therapy 3 times per week and am able to walk alot more and am happy about that--still need the wheel chair sometimes tho--but there is a saying I keep telling myself it goes like this--"I MAY NOT BE EXACTLY WHERE I WANT TO BE RIGHT NOW--BUT I SURE AM GLAD THAT I AM NOT WHERE I USED TO BE." Amen to that--I am sure glad that i am not 448 lbs still..Thank God for this surgery.. May God Bless you all always on your Weight Loss Journey wherever you may be. SUSIE Smith from PA

So I celebrated by eating a big chunk of dead bovine flesh and loved every bite of it!!! Seriously.... My wife treated me to lunch today and I enjoyed about 4 oz of center cut sirloin cooked medium rare and I must say....it was wonderful!!! So I guess I could go in to a long drawn out song and dance about how much things have changed for me in the last year, but I really can't think of anything original or unique unto myself that noone else ever posted before. For me, the biggest change has been in the way I feel. Both physically and emotionally I am stronger and healthier than I ever have been. Having finally succeeded with getting my tool and learning how to use it, I truly believe I can accomplish anything I set myself to. I guess more than tooting my own horn about what has been accomplished in the last year, I'd really just like to take the opportunity to once again thank everyone who has been a part of this magnificent journey and to wish the best of luck to anyone just beginning. This is certainly a trip that can't be taken alone! So here's to one hell of a year behind me and many many more ahead of me! Cheers!