I am here!!!!! I stay on the AL boards though. Glad to see you! Yo look fabulous!!!!!!!!! Lindybelowgoal

Yolanda, Don't be afraid to ask for help and support that's what this board is for assurance from those that have been through the surgery and can offer their opinions and their viewpoint. I don't regret having the surgery at all, I had Lap RNY March 11, 2003 and have lost 136 lbs to date and 130 inches all over I even lost an inch in my head?? I feel so much better I weighed 290 lbs and was 46 years old when I had the surgery. I'm really not a good example I guess on the pain thing, because I had a shot when I came out of the recovery room and I never took any other pain medications at all. The worst thing was the gas you have when they do any type of surgery like that. But it helps tremendously to walk my Dr. had me up walking within 3 hours after surgery so the more you can get up and walk the hall it will help. I also didn't have any health problems YET. The only advice I can give is to check your Dr. out thouroughly make sure he does after care, talk to other patients of his, look him up on this board and do your research you want someone that's going to take care of you if you did happen to have a problem afterwards and someone that will be there for you no matter how minor it may be to him but for you he will calm your nerves because he cares. Take care and will keep you in our prayers.

Hey Ann! First let me tell you how fabulous you look!!! I also have stopped losing as much weight as I was but I am losing inches all over and I know it's because of the work-outs. Isn't it weird how we are so uneasy about receiving compliments, I never know what to say. I was told to just say Thank you and leave it at that. LOL We have come a long way baby!! I'm also in the before and after section of the ObesityHelp Magazine Summer 2004 issue on pg 47, It's in my profile. I was so surprised!! Keep in touch Ann, it's been a long time I havent seen you!! Love Marilyn

Ann, I don't think the window is ever closed for us, as long as we eat right and keep up the exersize we will always look better and better. I know several people who have had surgery years ago and still drop weight when they go back to the basics, in fact one lady was almost 500lbs and three years out she is still losing, she is below 190lbs and is having plastics this week, on her pani and her lower body. don't ever give up! Chris in NE 305/150

GOOD LUCK!!!! MARCH 26 2003 I HAD OPEN RNY..I WEIGHED 445 LBS & WAS 55 YRS OLD SO I COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SCARED CONSIDERING MY HIGH WEIGHT & MY AGE...TODAY I WEIGH 300 LBS & ALTHOUGH I AM A SLOW LOSER COMPARED TO OTHER POST OPS I FEEL LIKE A NEW PERSON & I KNOW I CAN LOSE THE REST OF THIS WEIGHT AS I WOULD LOVE TO WEIGH 150 LBS & MAYBE ONE DAY I WILL BUT FOR NOW I AM SATISFIED TO BE OUT OF THE WHEEL CHAIR I HAD TO BE IN EVERY WHERE I HAD TO DO ANY WALKING & THEN I HAD TO USE A WALKER AS I GOT LITTLER & NOW I USE A CANE BECAUSE I NEED KNEE REPLACMENTS..LIFE HAS CHANGED IMMENSELY FOR ME & I KNOW YOU'LL NEVER REGRET THIS SURGERY...