Role call!! All Marchers, speak and be heard!!!

Hey Marchers! This month we will all be 5 months out of surgery. I keep checking into this page, and no-one is posting... Hopefully that means everyone is doing great, and not just seeking support elsewhere!! Feel free to post how you're doing, how much you've lost, or any other information about your journey so far!!! (In other words, if you don't want to put down all you're numbers we'd still love to hear from you!! Here's my stats: Highest weight: 350+ lbs (Late 2006 before last dance with Weigh****chers) Date of Surgery: 322 lbs (15 lbs lost in 2 week pre-surgery diet) Today's weight: 229 lbs Total lost: 121 lbs BMI changes: 42.6 to 27.9, current body fat % 19.2 Feeling great, and getting my body in motion!!! My life is changing dramatically in a positively healthy way!! I'm enjoying my time off more and more, as the world seems a new place even I know it's me who's changed! --Dave 350/229/205

Hey - I don't post too often - but read religiously. I'm still trying to figure out where the best support is for me. I had my surgery through Kaiser on 3/27/07. Starting weight 227 (5'2") -- surgery weight 194 - today 142. I'm very happy with my results --- just need to lose 11 more to be in the normal range -- Personal goal is to lose 20 more to be right in the middle of the normal range. I'm struggling with portions right now. I don't eat much --- but more than I should in a sitting and then feel like I swallowed a turkey whole. Anyone have any tips on keeping within 1/2 cup, without breaking out measuring spoons? I eat out quite a bit -- make good choices, but take 4 bites too many or something. -- Don't drink with meals. --- Any tips? Thanks, Julie

Julie-- Just a couple items that might help you with portion control. First, they make snack size zip lock baggies. These can be helpful for portion control. You then just have to limit yourself to the number of snack baggies you eat. At our house, we like the 1 oz string cheese (colby jack is my favorite). These are a small portion. They are low fat, but some don't do so well with dairy. Second, they make very small tupperware dishes that are pretty small. I use them to plan lunches I take to work. Then I limit myself to eating what is in the lunch bag. All that said, it sounds like you're doing fabulous to be only 11#'s from the normal range. I'm 4 pounds from BMI normal, but already in normal range for body fat%. --Dave

Hi! I read religiously, even if I don't post often. I have moved since my surgery, and things are a little stressful around my house because my husband can't find a job. Anyhow, my weight loss is doing well. I was 280 pre surgery, and now I am 216. I have hit a bit of a plateau over the last month, so I am stressing a little about that. I am going to start dance classes at the end of the month. I am really excited about that. Anyhow, I hope everyone is doing well, and though I am not always vocal, I am always here. Cynthia

Wow, dance classes sound fun. Definately a sign of how much better you're feeling now that you've dropped so mmuch weight! --Dave

Ok, I haven't been posting anywhere because I have been jealous, depressed and generally wondering when this will all end. Dave I know you have read my profile, so none of this is new to you except the depression has really been bad this past couple of weeks. Yes dr and I have rearranged meds in hopes of helping things. The new skin on my wound is not wanting to stay healed. The swelling...basket ball sized that I thought would go away is actually my hernia (Babbette) and she will be with me for at least another 8 months if not longer. Babbette has a smaller hernia which I will not name sooooo. My weight loss has slowed down because I can not exercise anymore then walking, because of Babbette. It has not stopped thank goodness but it has slowed down. I am averaging a loss of 1 1/2 lbs a week. I think I have been a trooper during all this but lately it is just a bit more then I can handle gracefully. I have missed spring and summer. My hubby is going on vacation without me because I can not go that far for that long and if he doesn't go we lose money and points. I want the wound totally healed. I do not want an infection in spine that will remain with me forever! This is NOT what I signed up for when I went to surgery but I knew there were risks...I just didn't know it would be my own body to betray me. I want to congratulate all of you on your losses. You are all looking great! I will look great too eventually Highest 360 Preop 333 today 246

Carilyn, Don't be depressed. I am absolutely amazed at how far you've come, especially considering all you've been through over the past few months. I think you need to break your arm patting yourself on the back!! Since your highest weight, you've lost 114 lbs!!!! That is no small feat!!! The number of people who can say they've lost over 100 lbs is few and far between. You've done alot of this while you've been on bedrest. Your weight loss should pick up as you become more and more mobile. Don't forget, you get ALL of that credit. There are probably many here who are jelalous of how much you've lost. As for vacations, I think you should look forward to the time on your own w/out your husband (funny coming from another husband, but I know my DW would look forward to that!!). Time to yourself will allow you to focus more on yourself, and less on others. Plus, once you get through this, you'll enjoy your vacations even more. Chin up!! --Dave

282/216 BMI 42.2/32.4 feeling great.

Hi. I started out on this board and ended up on my state board, though I do check in from time to time. Had surgery March 19th at 230lbs.****** 5ft. 3in. Now 172lbs. ****** Total 58lbs.****** SLOW AND STEADY. Diane~~

Hey Dave, Thanks for getting the ball rolling here - I always check this board but, like you, don't see much activity. Things are moving along pretty steadily for me. My stats: Pre-op weight: 335lbs Current weight: 229lbs Total lost: 106lbs Life has been busy! I bought my first home and moved in last weekend. Work has me swamped with all kinds of interesting projects and I will be traveling quite a bit at the end of the month. It's an effort to get in all my water each day, but I try try try. I notice I'm feeling a little hungrier and I'm able to eat more than I used to. I feel fabulous and only regret not having done this sooner in life. That's it for now - I'll try to post more regularly here. It's nice to talk to others who are traveling this path alongside me! Nicole