APOLOGIES ALL AROUND
Wanted to say g'night but before I do so, wanted to apologize for my most recent postings, both in response to Joanie and Marilyn, and my individual one, realizing my thoughts may have been interpretedly negatively. I don't wish to take back anything I said because I meant every word; but what it is very important for you to understand is that what I'm thinking, and therefore saying, is grounded in the very real fear I feel for all of us, including myself -- concerning regaining the weight. I don't want to hide under the bed or in the closet about this; have never been a very good dancer, so can't skirt around this issue even if I wanted to. If I have recently sounded rather shrill in my posts, it's because I am very concerned about this issue, as much for you as I am for me. I talked to my surgeon while in the hospital - the one who did my WL surgery and most recently, the hernia repairs. He shared a bit of himself with me in our conversations and Dr. Aranow is not a man of a lot of extra, flowery words about anything. Remember way back when, during my 6th month visit with him, I asked if he thought it would be possible for me to reach my personal goal of 150 lbs. and he basicially laughed at me and said, "Absolutely not." Remember my reaction - I was stunned and hurt and so afraid that he would be right. Well, while in the hospital this past week I had the opportunity to ask him about this. He came to see me just before I went into surgery to congratulate me on my weight loss and success (weighed in at 152 that morning, although I have seen my goal of 150 even if only for 5 minutes!) He said, "Maureen, no one in my practice has ever done this well. You have lost more weight in the shortest amount of time of anyone I've ever seen." He was beaming. I was overjoyed. And then I got serious and said, "Hey, wait a minute. If that's true, then can you please explain to me why you said this to me not so long ago -- that I would never get to my personal goal weight of 150?" He answered me very frankly, and I would expect nothing less from him. He said, "So few people, so very few people actually meet with this kind of success that I don't want my patients to set themselves up for disappointment. I sincerely want you all to be happy with your accomplishments, no matter if you lost 50 or 500 lbs." He went on to say that he does see a significant number of his patients begin to regain the weight! And of course it will happen to us if we do not do what needs to be done - for the rest of our lives - healthy eating, lots of exercise, both for the fun of it and to kick ass. This commitment will guarantee our continued success, nothing else will. If we let our lives get so out of control that these kinds of healthy choices become impossible for us, then we lose. And we will regain the weight. Now maybe some of us don't want to have this discussion and I respect that. We are all at different places and for different reasons. But we can all end up right back where we started from, and that will break my heart -- for each and every one of us, it will break my heart. I hope you have a better understanding where I'm coming from. Fear. It's a good thing. It's what you do with it that counts. I will not go back there, not ever again. And the only way for me to insure that I will continue struggling with food and moving my body every single day for the rest of my life is to live a passionate and truthful life, every single day for the rest of my life. If I hurt anyone or offended anyone in any way, I am so sorry. I hope you know me well enough by now to understand that was not my intent. Now then, g'night, my dear, dear friends. Love, Reenie
Reenie, Reenie, Reenie,
You did not offend me & I am sure not anyone for that matter. We love
your input & Great wit. I am trying very hard to get back to that way of
thinking. The depression has taken over & until I can get further assistance with ti, I won't be able to get that back. I should be feeling
wonderful about life as well, but, don't like much of anything right now.
So maybe next week will look better to me., But don't ever think you have
hurt or offended anyone on this board. Just isn't so!!!
Marilyn, the Bearlady 
Relax, my friend;
I don't believe for a minute that you have offended anyone. Anyone who has been on this board for more than 5 minutes knows that you don't have a mean bone in your body. You are one of the kindest, most caring people I've ever encountered and I'm sure that everyone else here feels the same way. You just keep on writing from the heart, Maureen.....we all need your wit wisdom and strength.
Mike
281/168/150
BMI: 49.8/29.8 
Reenie we all know you care so much about everyone thats why we all understand. I know there've been times you've written replys to my postings that are eye openers. thats just what i've needed. I thank you for your honesty and wouldn't want you to do anything differently. Your a teacher to each of us. Thank you.
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