now the honeymoons really over........

First year goes by we're all doing well, year 2 hits and our message board responses fall faster than the weight we lost I ralize everyones busy, just wanted to say I miss our group of Marchers! I had my 2 year update and had great news all around. Overall I've lost another 7 lbs from my 1 year follow up. blood work looks great and my dr (and primary) said they've never seen cholesterol levels that low on any of their patients before, she said it was in the 1 percentile nutritionist said food choices are still good (other than my peanut butter addiction) and if i could find a pb with 2 saturated grams of fat instead of 2.5 or 3 she would be ok with me eating a jar in a little over a week, so far I haven't found a shelf stable one, but I continue to look (the natural ones with oil on top taste great in the fridge, but not so great on the counter). I also decided to meet with a trainer and metabolic type nutritionist to fine tune my foods (food plan is based off the test I posted a while back, broken into 3 types protein, carbohydrate and mixed depending on your metabolism). My new goal is to lose 6 more lbs and regain them as muscle! I've been back to the gym for 2 weeks now and started Fat Smash again 2 days ago for 9 days of detox and feel great! Energy levels are ok, still drinking the morning cup of coffee to help with that and have been trying to get my calcium in more and more, the other vitamins (multi, b-complex and chromium picolinate) are taken every day. I havent taken b-12 since shortly after surgery. everytime they check my b-12 level its high so until it becomes a lower number on the spectrum the Dr. said I didnt have to take it (even though it still puzzles me that I dont have crazy energy, but my b-12 level is high ) guess thats the way it goes. anyway thats my update, hope our Marchers come back and post on occasion, you're all missed

congrats on the great check-up. I don't have my 2 yr check-up until the 9th of April. Which is kindof funny since it will be one year ago on 4/9 that I got sick. I can't wait until I am able to actually exercise like I used to. Oh well I guess I should be happy when I look back on where I used to be. Have a good evening

thanks MJ! good luck with your check up, hope all is well with you!

Thanks for starting this thread Stylz, Great news on your two year check up I guess we are all too busy or don't want to go back to the pain we have left long behind us. I wonder how many of us have really left the pain behind? I find myself going back to old habits of eating more than I need or finding excuses for not going to the gym. I recently made a phone call to a friend who is two weeks post op and listened to her cry asking why did she do this surgery. I listened to myself tell her this is just a phase and completely normal for her to question her decision. After my phone conversation I did some internal evaluation as to why I did the surgery and why I have let myself revert back to old habits? I don't have all the answers but I do know that this surgery helped me shed the physical weight but not the emotional weight. I have to keep on myself to continue to be active or the numbers on the scale will greep up. If anyone could post a meal plan that has worked for them to get back on track it would be appreciated. Hope all the other Marchers are doing well and will check in on our month and give a update. We all still need support form time to time. I admit I'm a lurker , so thought it was time to post something since it's been a while. Heather 358/180/147

Heather, It always amazes me when a "lurker" checks in. I guess there really are people out there in the shadows. I'm so glad you stopped by. I think we all have things we struggle with along our journey. The head issues are harder for me to deal with then the physical aspects of this surgery. I guess we all do our best to work through them. It does help to talk to others that share your expierences. This is a unique path we have chosen and I'm glad we are here for each other. Take care, Rick

hi Heather, thanks for stopping in! What flashbacks we get when talking to a new post op! I too have talked to a post op who is a few weeks out and she is going through the same thing. Crying, mourning the loss of foods, will i ever be normal, etc. Interstingly enough how fast we ovecome that when the scale starts missing incriments of more than 2 stop in when you can! take care

hey there Stylz...I know I have not been on the boards in a long time...it seems like forever....my daughter was sick with the flu for 2 weeks and then hubby got it and yes you guessed it...I have it...fortunately for me I went to the doctors within 24 hours of the first symptoms....so I was able to go on the tamiflu so I am not as bad as hubby...my son is also having some issues with school...his school has had two bomb scares in 3 months and he is dealing with some major anxioity (sp) my 84 year old grandmother has a mass on her lung and they seem to think it is cancer...so I have been taking her to appointments as well...so I have been pretty crazy.... as far as my wls journey...I have been bouncing from 157-167 I have not set up an appointment for my 2 year yet..I know I have to ....it just seems that I am in more doctor offices and just need a break....sorry don't mean to vent...it has been a long two months....ok....gonna run.....take my medicine and hit the pillow..... Jannine 357/162/157/TT

Jannine, I hope you and the family are feeling better. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate (pun intended). Please do make your two year checkup appointment. I know it is a pain to go to one more doctor, but we all want you to be reassured you are in good physical health so that you can continue to take care of yourself and your family. Take care, Rick

Hey there Rick just to let you know I did make it to my 2yr finally on the 25th of June....the day before my birthday...and he said that everything is wonderful and we have started the process to get rid of the excess skin...so that is where I am right now....we did find out that my grandmother does indeed have lung cancer so she has in the last couple of week started a form of chemo...we shall see.... I do have to say that I really miss the participation on the boards...I stop in every day and there is verrrrrry little activity...I miss the motivational posts and the general sense of family here...sometimes I think I may have said something to run everyone away...I miss you, and barbara, stylz all of the marchers....well I hope that everything gets back to normal in here...really miss everyone... Jannine 357/169/TT

Janine, Glad to hear you are doing well. Sorry to hear about your grandma I, also miss all of the old regulars. I peek in almost everyday and no one is peeking back. I feel kind of at a loss with everyone dropping off the board. We were such a great support to each other. Oh well, I guess life goes on and we must also. It was nice to hear from you. I wish you continued success and happiness. Life is great, Rick