cruisin'

Tonight after reading all the different posts here I decided to go crusin' through some other areas. Different message boards. It was interesing to read some from older march areas. Like March 1999 and up. I read one that was 4 years out and it worried me abit. Also reminded me that this isn't a cure it is a life change. I'm sure that for everyone one person on that board who had regained their weight back there was 3 or 4 who hadn't. They did talk about having their surgery redone. That surprised me. One of the women said they'd gained almost all of the weight that they'd originally lost and were again back at the 400 pound mark. Yikes Horrors I don't want that to happen to me! I know how upset I get when I fight with the one pound of mine that goes away then returns. I've read others here who have had similar problems or gained a good portion of their weight back. I know we need to follow the rules of the pouch but I also noticed that the older message boards didn't have the postings like the newer ones do. That has got to be some kind of key. Keeping in touch with others in the same boat and how they've taken care of business. The support is big. Lets make a pack all of us to be sure to keep in touch here. REad the postings Help when we can even if its just a pat on the keyboard to say we know where you are we are willing to listen and comment help if we can. And also let us all know how the other is doing. It helps me when I read about how someone has done well. If they have lost again or stayed the same. A new dress size. A new discovery of something they can do now that couldn't before. I also read some postings from people who had just had their surgery 5 months ago. Reading about their discoverys and the happiness of their words reminded me of how I felt back when I was 5 months out. I could feel their pleasure and happiness! I remembered all of that tingling feeling of being able to sit in a booth, not having the steering wheel hit my tummy, new dream sizes, all of that happiness, wonder, joy of being set free from the wrapping that I had had around me for so many years. Anyone else ready to make that pack?

We have been through a lot together. And the key to that is TOGETHER. I don't think many boards acheive the togetherness that we have. Like you, I hope that makes the difference for us as we face the future together. Count me in Marchers... Joy

Hey, we are so blessed to have an active board. Don't anyone go away, but if you are seeking a bigger participation in answering a question, I just learned there is a board for over one year out of surgery post-ops: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/member-interests/wls_grads/posts.html It looks very active... Joy

Yup, This board is very special & yes very active in keeping contacted through the good & the Bad. I am also on the grad board, But, that boad also has a lot of klicks in it & tend to stick together. I think we will be all just fine with this fight as long as we stay together. I have gained a few pounds recently myself & know exactly why. So. those that have gained back all theri weight. They stopped doing what got them here. & started letting those old habits take over. You can't go back to the old ways or yes you will gain the weight back. I do not ever want to go vack to that ever again. So my plan is to get back to exercising & following those 9 rules that work & will keep this weight from getting any further out of control. I will stick around, I hope you all will too!! Marilyn, the Bearlady

Pam, THANKS FOR THIS POST! A great kick in the butt as we move through our incredibly busy lives...I tell everyone I meet who is contemplating this surgery, or who has just gone through it, about our board. I tell them to do whatever it takes to find this kind of support. I tell them about how remarkable it is to have such strong feelings of friendship...family really...for a group of people that I have never met face-to-face. I tell them that you have been my lifeline and I could not have achieved my level of success without you. Thank you, Pam -- I'm here now and for as long as you all will have me...Love to you -- make it a really good, special day. Do ONE thing today, a little out of the ordinary, that you could not have done pre-March, 2004. Reenie

Hi Pam; I have cruised the boards from previous years myself and have come away worried. I will do all that I can to stick with this board as long as there is activity here. This community of ours is very special and well worth keeping alive. Count me in!! Mike

Hi Pam, Thanks for the post. I try to check in about once a week and keep up on everyone's postings but usually don't have time to answer any. Want to take time today to thank everyone on this board for being here. There are those of us who gain strength from the board even if we don't participate a lot. Gaining the weight back is a fear I know we all have. I think that keeping in touch with others, continuing to follow the pouch rules, and not letting up on our vigilance takes us a long way to ensuring long term success. Good luck to all of us and I'm sure we'll continue to keep this bord going for a long time. Gail

I'm in for the duration. Sometimes when the board is slow, I worry that we are dying out. I'm always glad to see lots of activity. Connie