I'm gonna have to try some of these recipes according to Eggface! I've heard so many people rave about her creations, thanks for posting the link

Starting weight: 220.6 Surgery weight: 220.6 (wasn't required to lose any before surgery) Current weight: 127 Goal weight: 120 Starting sizes: Pants: 18/20, shirts 1X/2X Current sizes: Pants: 4/6 (size 28 in Luckys and Silvers), shirts S/M Loss in inches? 67 (I think). As an example, my waist started at 43.25 and is now 29; my hips were 52 inches and are now 35 or 36. Your biggest WOW moment? Definitely putting on size 4 pants for first time!!! Goals you haven't reached yet, BUT WILL!?!?!?!? My goal weight is 120 pounds. I seemed to have reached a stand still, but I will get there! Things that you can do now that you couldn't a year ago? Run 3 miles and say NO to cake! Reward when you reach your goal weight? A donut. (Just kidding!!) I think I am going to buy myself a pair of fancy jeans - Seven for All Mankind or something like that! Do you have any regrets since your surgery? NONE! What has been the easiest and hardest thing since surgery? Easiest - just losing the weight. It just fell off for the first 6 or 7 months. Hardest: Learning not to snack. I still struggle. Any complications you've had? Oh lordy - I had a bowel blockage right after my surgery. I had to have another surgery, during which I contracted Aspiration pneumonia and ended up in the ICU for 5 days. Medical issues that have resolved since surgery? Plantar fasciitis, acid reflux Bad habit you've reverted back to since surgery? Snacking between meals Any thing you wish you would have done differently during your post-op journey? I wish I had eaten a little healthier after the first six months. How has your weight loss affected your relationships with friends, family, spouse or significant other? Yes, but hopefully we can work it out. Favorite post op recipe (please share with us): I still don't cook that much. If you could only recommend 3 things, products, foods, etc. That you have found since starting your "Journey," What would they be? Protein bullets, LOTS of water and no sugar added hot chocolate. Yup, you heard me - its low in calories and helps with sweet cravings. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Follow the rules and EXERCISE!!!

What an awesome idea! I've been away from the board awhile so this is a good re-intro. Here goes... Change in numbers... Starting weight: 335 Surgery weight: 327 Current weight: 199 Goal weight: 170 Starting sizes: 28 Current sizes: 14 Loss in inches? Don't have these numbers on hand but "a lot" will suffice! lol Your biggest WOW moment? When my boyfriend said I was the skinniest girl he's ever dated. Me? Skinny? WHAT!? Goals you haven't reached yet, BUT WILL!?!?!?!? Exercising more regularly and drinking 64 oz of water every single day. Things that you can do now that you couldn't a year ago? Cross my legs, fit in a booth, walk stairs (or walk in general) without getting winded, the list goes on! Reward when you reach your goal weight? I rewarded myself with a tattoo at my 100lb mark - not sure yet what I'll do once I reach 170. Do you have any regrets since your surgery? None whatsoever. What has been the easiest and hardest thing since surgery? Easiest has been feeling more comfortable with myself and hardest has been keeping my appetite in check. Any complications you've had? None Medical issues that have resolved since surgery? Diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, asthma Bad habit you've reverted back to since surgery? Not exercising regularly Any thing you wish you would have done differently during your post-op journey? I'm still journeying! How has your weight loss affected your relationships with friends, family, spouse or significant other? All relationships have been improved. My family is happy that I now feel and see myself as the beautiful girl they always thought I was, my friends are WOW'd by my success and enjoy me being more myself, and my boyfriend couldn't be any sweeter about the whole thing, though he met me after I lost the bulk of my weight. Favorite post op recipe (please share with us): Eggface's chicken chili relleno! http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2008/03/chili-relleno-casserole.html If you could only recommend 3 things, products, foods, etc. That you have found since starting your "Journey," What would they be? George Foreman, Muscle Milk Light, and B12 If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Follow the rules, be patient, and enjoy the days early on known as the honeymoon period because the mental strength needed to continue and maintain are the hardest part!

I had my surgery in March of 06, but wanted to stop in and wish you all the best! When we hit our 1 year mark, we answered a poll so the other Marchers would know how we've been. Cut and paste this into a new message to give your update congrats to you all on your continued success Change in numbers... Starting weight, surgery weight, current weight, goal weight, starting sizes, current sizes, loss in inches? Your biggest WOW moment? Goals you haven't reached yet, BUT WILL!?!?!?!? Things that you can do now that you couldn't a year ago? Reward when you reach your goal weight? Do you have any regrets since your surgery? What has been the easiest and hardest thing since surgery? Any complications you've had? Medical issues that have resolved since surgery? Bad habit you've reverted back to since surgery? Any thing you wish you would have done differently during your post-op journey? How has your weight loss affected your relationships with friends, family, spouse or significant other? Favorite post op recipe (please share with us) If you could only recommend 3 things, products, foods, etc. That you have found since starting your "Journey," What would they be? If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be?

My "low end" goal is 140... that's 45.6 lbs away for me today. BUT... even though my surgeon never set a goal weight for me, per se, I know that they consider 70% of excess weight lost to be "successful." At my 1-year follow-up last week, I logged in at 77% of my excess weight lost. I am at 185.6 this morning. I would be happy to get into the 160s - I have a thing about wanting to be able to say I'm half the person I used to be! LOL Slow and steady for me, at this point. In January I lost only 5 lbs for the whole month. In February, it was 2.4 for the whole month. I can't tell you how discouraging it was getting, but I also knew that I was making some not-so-smart food choices by letting more carbs into my daily diet. So far for March, I am down another 4.4 lbs. I was down more, but I was away for the weekend, and made some not-so-smart choices again! LOL I wish much success for everyone... just remember that the power lies within us to make this journey successful for ourselves! Wendy