Starting weight= 343 surgery weight= 318 current weight= 185 goal weight= 189 starting sizes= Waist 46 Shirt Size 4XL Tall current sizes=Waist 34 Shirt Size XL loss in inches?= Did not do inches. Your biggest WOW moment? When I held the door of my office building for manager that I worked for almost 5 years. She had not seen me since before the surgery. She had no idea who I was until I spoke. Goals you haven't reached yet, BUT WILL!?!?!?!? To complete a marathon. I am running a 1/2 marathon in May and am scheduled for a full in October. Things that you can do now that you couldn't a year ago? Run. Put my shoes on without being out of breath. Get into the drivers seat of my wifes car. Take my wedding ring off without using hand cream. Smile! Reward when you reach your goal weight? Reached it about 4 months ago. Bought a George Foreman Grill. Do you have any regrets since your surgery? That I did not do this 5 years ago. What has been the easiest and hardest thing since surgery? Hardest - Head Hunger. Easiest - Staying motivated. Any complications you've had? Knee and hip injuries due to running! Medical issues that have resolved since surgery? Sleep Apnea, Diabetes, High blood pressure. Bad habit you've reverted back to since surgery? Snacking - But I will say the snacks I use are all healthy...so it may not be THAT Bad! Any thing you wish you would have done differently during your post-op journey? I have had a great ride so far...nothing I would have done differently. How has your weight loss affected your relationships with friends, family, spouse or significant other? My Brother is not happy that he is now the heaviest in the family. He has a type A personality and constantly puts me down for not being able to do this without surgery. I just smile and rub his bald head and big belly. He hates that! My kids and my wife like being around me again. The kids especially love the hiking and the outdoor things that Dad is now willing to do. Favorite post op recipe (please share with us)- Coffee Protein Shake - 1 and 1/2 scoop of EAS Chocolate Whey Protein Powder (or you favorite), 1 big tablespoon of decaf instant coffee, Splenda to taste (I use 4 but I like mine sweet), about 16oz of water and ice mixed. I also put in about 1 table spoon of no fat non-dairy creamer (makes it a little thicker). I also put in a small shot of sugar free hazelnut. I put it all in a shaker bottle and get it mixed. Let is stand for about 10-30 minutes. I put mine in the freezer. Give it another good shake and drink. If you can't get the 16oz in, cut the recipe in half. If you could only recommend 3 things, products, foods, etc. That you have found since starting your "Journey," What would they be? Magic Bullet Blender, Wendy's Chili, and NASCOBAL Nasal B12. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Listen to your surgeon, start exercising as soon as you can and make it part of your life, convince yourself that the unhealthy snack that is your favorite will make you sick. YOU must change as a result of the surgery. The new pouch will not do the work for you. Use the surgery to make the changes you need to make. You are about to take the big step of surgery. Don't risk it by not chaning other things that are holding you back.

got it out of the book by Susan Marie Leach before &after great book! 2 pancakes 98 cal this makes about 8 1 half onion chopped up 2 tablespoons butter low cal salt and peper 2 eggs 1 cup cottage cheese 3 tablespoons all purpose flour cooking spray saute onion in butter add salt and pepper in a small bowl mix eggs cottage cheese flour and the cooked onion. spray your pan and drop in the size of pancakes you are wanting. turn over after about 3 min and cook on other side about 3 min and remove start again for next pancake ... no need for any topping great the way they are!!!! Oh yeah and 8 gr of PROTEIN!!!! in 2

looking forward to spending time with my daughter... so i probably wont be on all of this weekend. PEACE, LOVE, JOY, HOPE, AND SUCCESSFUL WEIGHTLOSS TO you all!! Misty

Ooh I like this! Change in numbers... Starting weight, 278 surgery weight, 271 current weight, 160ish (157 was my lowest) goal weight, 137 starting sizes, 26 current sizes, 10 loss in inches? a gazillion Your biggest WOW moment? My parents didn't recognize me at the airport. They said it sort of looked like me but they weren't sure until I was nearly next to them. Also, crossing my legs! Goals you haven't reached yet, BUT WILL!?!?!?!? I want to jog. I walk a lot, but running is something I would like to do. Things that you can do now that you couldn't a year ago? I joined a women's ice hockey team. I walk upstairs without getting winded. I slip past people. Reward when you reach your goal weight? I'd like to go someplace. The tattoo idea is a good one! Do you have any regrets since your surgery? Sometimes I miss eating "big food", but mostly I don't regret anything. What has been the easiest and hardest thing since surgery? The easiest is getting in vitamins and working out. The hardest is missing sugar stuff, which I don't eat at all. Any complications you've had? Not a one. Medical issues that have resolved since surgery? Hyoertension Bad habit you've reverted back to since surgery? SNACKING! It is my worst enemy. Also, eating to the point of feeling really full instead of just sated. Any thing you wish you would have done differently during your post-op journey? I wish I would have kept better records. I would have taken more photos and documented inches. How has your weight loss affected your relationships with friends, family, spouse or significant other? Well, I broke up with who I was with when I had my surgery, and I'm in a much better relationship now. My friends are amazing--they threw me a party on my surgiversary. If you could only recommend 3 things, products, foods, etc. That you have found since starting your "Journey," What would they be? 1. Crystal Light! 2. South Beach Diet products, specifically Chocolate Peanut Butter Meal Replacement bars 3. Sugar Free Cool Whip and Jell-O If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Document. Get yourself a good support system. Therapy is your friend.

water is so important, thanks for making note of it! its so easy to fall behind in it! what are cottage cheese pancakes? sounds tasty!