Hi March people! I have lost 117 pounds. I started at 351 and am currently 234. I am 5'5" and my BMI has gone from 60.1 to 40. Size 4-5X to reg XL tops, and 34 bottoms to 22. Changes in quality of life? IMMEASURABLE. (in a good way!) So far I have experienced a few plateaus of several weeks' duration, with some small gains at times (1-2 lbs). I am still having some weeks when I lose a what feels like a whopping 4-5 pounds. So I just assume I am going to keep losing and act accordingly Happy thoughts! Happy thoughts! I would like to lose another 70-80 pounds. Thus I will not be reaching my original 200 pounds in a year goal. That was ambitious, I thing. Nothing wrong with ambition! But reason prevails. I do believe I can reach my goal in TWO years, so I'm adjusting (need to go do that on my profile!). It's great to see how everybody's doing! Congrats to everybody on getting where you are!!! Kathy

Hi, Michelle. I've been depressed myself the last few months and I used to be a regular poster on here last year but have been MIA for a while (sorry guys). I'm so sorry that you are going through all that. It's no fun when you are in dire pain and even the pros can't figure it out. How frustrating. Are you taking a muscle relaxer at night when you go to bed? When I have done that - I wake up in the middle of the night sweating as well. And I've deduced it to the muscle releaxer. Not sure why it does that but nights when I don't take it I don't wake up in the middle of night sweating and out of breath. Did they check your pancreas? I was hospitalized for pancreatitis in October for similar pains, but I also had a 103+ fever, vomitting, the runs, loss of appetite, etc. They check your pancreas through your blood levels (pancreatic level should be around 300) and through an EGD and CT scan - which it looks like they did. I'm adding you to my prayer list as well. I know what you mean about not regretting the surgery. My gosh, you've come a long way and are pretty much at goal. So it's no longer about the weight it's about your health and it's no fun being in pain, missing work, etc. I'm praying that the Lord heals you, the drs find out what it is and know how to cure it and that your job is safe and secure. Keep us posted!! Trisha

My blood panels are all normal, but I haven't lost any weight since October. I have lost about 115 lbs or so since my surgery last March, but then I kind of hit a halt. However, for some odd reason, it doesn't bother me or freak me out because I had come so far from my pre-op weight of 376. I still have over 90 lbs to lose, but for some reason I know I'll get there even though I'm not even trying. I'm drinking sodas again, eating out alot and just not making healthy food choices or exercising. It's like I have NO motivation to do so. So sad. I was SOOOOO motivated initially and now it's like - eh,,,,whatever . And I HATE that!! I want that passion and drive and motivation back and I want to lose more weight. I didn't have this surgery so I could weigh 260. LOL I at least want to get under 200 but looks like now the effort has to come from ME, which I knew all along and ahve been doing, but have been very lax during the holiday season but it's Feb now and I can no longer blame the holidays. LOL So regarding your deficiencies, are you getting in enough protein? Are you eating healthy foods? What's your water intake? I'm not sure what else it could be if you are doing all the above. Maybe it's a fluke and your next blood tests will come out normal. Hang in there!! Trisha

I went 2 weeks ago to my PCP and he ran a complete panel on me... My results are definately odd.... My hemoglobin is high, total & bad cholesterol is about 22 points to high, and my Vitamin B12 and Folic Acids are both too low. I am now on a B12 shot everyday for 5 days, then weekly for a month, and then monthly for who knows how long. My once beautiful hair is atrocious, it is fine and brittle and looks like I cut about 3 inches off.... What use to come to the small of my back now comes to the top of my bra..... this is bugging me just because I have tried everything and just dont know how to make it better. Still wanting to loose about 50 lbs, scale seems to staled thoughout the holidays and is just now barely moving again...... now all that said and done, Im still happier than I have ever been and STILL do not regret having this procedure done. I love my surgeon because I feel he has saved my life. Anyone else having similar problems?????

I started at 386 and was 356 at surgery. I am 240 now as I have been for a solid month. I have been frustrated as I have added exercise and still have not moved. I really did not have a clue as to a goal and wonder how much all this extra skin weighs. I am thrilled at the change in my life and am enjoying it. But I am not ready to accept 240 as my "normal" weight. I would really love to at least be under 200. I have my yearly appt March 15 and wonder what the surgeon will say about a reasonable goal and skin weight. It helped to read that a lot of you are going through the same wish to get off the plateau. We have all come a long way and I, like you, am so grateful. Besides, not gaining is really losing (or winning the battle) as I see it. Cath 386/356/240/???