I received an email from Obesity Help, and it prompted me to come back and see how everyone is doing. It has been THREE years since my first surgery, and I'm still here! I thank God every day for another day. Each one is a bonus. I am well. I have color in my face and my lips again. What a blessing! I had my yearly CAT scan last week along with blood work etc. My very kind doctor called the following day to tell me that everything checked out fine. Whew! What a relief! I had been feeling pretty tense about this upcoming anniversary...especially since I knew I would need to once again have a CAT scan to make sure that the stomach cancer had not returned. Now I can relax and get back to "normal" living. There are alot of adjustments to make after surgery, and even three years later, I still am aware of some of them. I realize that my surgery was pretty extreme due to having to have all of my stomach removed during my second surgery, but it is amazing how much the body can adapt. I am so grateful. My "TWO-YEAR anniversary" for my second surgery will be August 12th. It is pretty wonderful to now be measuring the time in years instead of months. I am also grateful to this OH website. I haven't been posting for several months because I am no longer "new" to the process. However, this is an extremely valuable website. I still have it listed in my favorites, and I always know that I can come back here for encouragement/information/sharing. God bless each of you on your journey. Peg

I had my 3 years on 4/15/07. I thought about it briefly but then forgot. It's amazing. I would still like to have my skin removed, but don't think I will ever have the money, time or courage to risk the surgery. Oh well, if I ever get a guy he will have to accept it. Dianne

My family and friends were shocked when I told them it was 3 yr already yet sometimes it seems so "normal" to be thin again. Congrats to all! Laurie

Linda, I find myself in the same shoes as you, well almost. I have gained back roughly 10-15 lbs from my lowest weigth but I can not kick the carbs....I have this strong attachment ot rice cakes of all things. But at times I find it is the only thing my stomache can handle..... Don't get me wrong, 148 lbs is still healthy for me, but I really need to exercise more and the weather here has been too crappy to walk and frankly I do not have any exercise DVD's I like.... I see my thighs are getting bigger and my pants getting smaller. I am scared, very scared. I am very happy in my life except one thing but I am working on that, I do not think my eating relates. I am just too tired and bored.......Loading up with protein is not helping to keep me from grazing on crackers and rice cakes. Lori 258/148

me too...I am feeling SO guilty. I was 270 before surgery, got down to 140 and am now about 160. I SWORE I would NEVER let myself get past 150. But here I am. I haven't been back on this site since right after my surgery- but I am here because I know I need to get back on track and this is the place where others understand what i am going through. Linda, hang in there. If you want a "buddy" let me know. Deana