Panda, one thing I love is that there are so many different weight-loss-surgery options... each can choose the one that is most right for lifestyle and future plans. What's funny is that I feel like I am losing slowly most of the time.... but then when I look at the totals, I'm shocked. I'm three pounds away from my 50% EWL point, and it feels darn good. If I ignore all the hanging skin, I actually am starting to see a sexy thin woman emerging!

Nice also to meet another "local" ... I considered Blackstone but the waiting time for her would not fit in with my needs, and Dr. J. had a very good reputation too.

I think the most notable difference for me is how it has altered my own job performance. I prefer to stand rather than sit, and I'm more interactive with my students now than ever before. (I teach high school math)

I'm only just moving into a size 18 myself, so can't help you. Have you tried any goodwill or second hand stores?

Hello All... Just wanted to ask if anyone out in OH land may have any size 18 clothes that you are ready to get rid of?  I'm looking for some fall/winter clothes for work or just plain everyday clothes. 

I'm 27 years old and I had my RNY 5 months ago today. I started inquiring about gastric bypass a year ago. It took me a while to start my 6 month supervised diet and I finished it in February. I had RNY the first day of spring break. I went back to work the next week 1/2 days and then by the 2nd week I was back full time, but taking it very easy. My highest weight was 325 and I was 306 day of surgery. I currently weigh 230, so about 95 lbs. total (since Jan. 2008) and about 74 total since surgery. I'm mostly happy about the loss, but wi**** was a little bit faster. I lost a lot of weight real fast, but the past 3 months I've only lost 15 lbs. I think once school starts and I'm back to work I'll lose more. I hope to be onederland by my birthday for sure (mid-December). I've been married for 3 years. to my high school sweetheart (who met me when I weighed 110, yes the man def. loves me). I'm a special education teacher at the elementary level and I just moved to Spring, Texas from Arlington, Texas. I'm living with my mom right now while my hubby is looking for work in the area. We moved here to be near family since my family lives in the area and so does his. We're hoping to have children in the next few years. I injured my knee badly at work in early Nov. I had knee surgery in Jan. and it's still hurting me, esp. now that I'm being more active with the weight loss. I'm still seeking treatment, so that part has been hard. I'm also losing hair right now, but I hope that goes away soon. Otherwise, no complications and no problems.

I am the height you used to be, so going off that, let me tell you how I chose my own goal weight. According to the charts I should be 134... a number too ridiculous to contemplate. However I have two things going against me... I'm big boned and genetically my butt will ALWAYS be big. I found a chart somewhere that suggested that if you are very large boned (I am, there's an inch and a half gap between thumb and forefinger when I try to put my fingers around my wrist). So using an insurance chart I found somewhere on the net, I set my goal weight at a realistic 154. Very likely weight for me to reach as optimal. My BMI will be in the overweight range at that point. Of course I stepped on a tanita scale with a full readout once (about 80 pounds ago) and according to the Tanita, if I weigh 174 that's the smallest I can expect to get without lopping off some extra skin and things. For now what I do is make mini goals. I often don't make them, but they're fun anyway. For example, I made a goal of losing 50% of my excess weight by my six month surgiversary. (based on my personal ideal of 154), and I've still got a month to go and I'm within 8 pounds of my goal! Congratulations on your weight loss.... sounds like you're doing great!!!