8 months, 82lbs, ONDERLAND

Yay.. I finally made it! First time in 15 years and it feels great. All this hard work is paying off and so worth it. I am more confident and healthier then I've ever been. A hell of a lot poorer too since I traded compulsive eating for compulsive shopping.. lol Well so far it has been at least 3 weeks since I have bought anything new. I decided until I am in all 12's and the 14's are falling off me I won't by another thing. I have a mix of both but more 14's. Start Weight : 281 Start Bodyfat: 49% Today: 199 Height 5'4 Size: 12/14 Bodyfat: 32 - 34% My only complication has been assorted gyn issues which may have happened despite WLS. I had the worst period that lasted a month and a half and heavy/extremely painful periods since about month 2. I am having a D&C and hystescopy on the 29th to get cleaned out. I have a couple small fibroids but they also think I might have endo as well. I'm on Lupron Depot as of last week and that stopped my period and put me in a temporary state of menopause. So far the side effects are minimal. A handful of hot flashes and some headaches but much better then the heavy bleeding that just broke down my immune system, made me have low iron, and caused so much pain. Weight gain is also a side effect of Lupron but so far the scale is still creeping down in the right direction. I drop at least 1 - 2 lbs a week still. I am hoping to eventually get between 135 and 150 as my maintenance weight and 16 - 22%bodyfat. My surgeon expects me to be around 170 by my 1 year follow up in April.

Congrats to you. 12 DEC was my 8th month. Down 114 pounds. Start weight 292, present weight 178. Dr. goal, 150 by 12 APR. My goal 180 by christmas, i'm 5'3". I've reached my goal and if its in the cards I'll reach Doc's goal. I relate to the shopping, but I was a shopaholic before weight loss. Often I buy two of every thing, my present size and the next smaller size. I expect everything I eat taste like a size 10. If it's in the cards thats where I would like to be by 12 APR. Again, CONGRATS ON YOUR SUCCESS. I know your pain with the GYN problems, I was there 24 years ago. A total HYS was the answer. It was wonderful being free of the constant pain and bleeding. I wish you well. Tina

Congrats to you Tina. Wow.. you have done amazing. I'm 34 and recently married (2nd marriage). We are hoping to start trying to get pregnant in 18 months or when my weight is at least stable for 6 months so the total hysterectomy is not an option for me unless they say I have no other choice due to cancer or some other reason. I have no children now.. well my two 3 yr old shetland sheepdogs are my kids but we were hoping to have more then just the fur babies =) I've kind of been at the point now that when I get there I get there as far as the weight loss goes. I'm not too stressed about reaching scale weight goals at specific times anymore because I feel like it sets me up for failure when I don't reach them. For some people that works really well but for me it is the reverse. I do set other kinds of goals but they have been more fitness or nutritionally based. I actually write out daily goals like getting in 100 grams of protein. I do short term/near future goals too.. I plan to do a sprint triathlon in October next fall in Snow Hill, Maryland. As long as I keep the weight off long term and remain healthy I'll be happy. If I get a healthy pregnancy out of deal .. well that would just be the sugar free icing on the sugar free cake!!!!! haha!

Congrats are in order! It sounds like you're doing fantastic, you should be so proud of yourself. On the 21st, I'll be 8 months out. I was 255# when I got on the table, am currently 160, and would love to lose another 10 pounds. But it's the way I FEEL that's the most important. I feel ten years younger (I'm 35), I can up stairs and not lose my breath, I can walk for miles and miles, I have so much energy and the best part is that my husband notices everything now. He's only 155 pounds, fully clothes, but he's lost a bit because I'm cooking healthier foods. When I say my prayers at night, I include my surgeon and his team, because I truly feel that he's added many, many years to my life. So keep up the good work, folks, life can only get better!!! L*

Congrats Laura. My husband is gaining weight because he is eating everything I can't finish.. hahahha

I LOVE TO SHOP FOR CLOTHES NOW TOO. I WENT TO THE SALVATION ARMY AND GOODWILL. THEY HAD A GREAT SALE. EVERYTHING WAS A DOLLAR. SO I SSTOCKED UP ON MY NEXT SIZE TOO. I HAD GOTTE NABOUT 6 SWEATERS. NOW I HAVE SOME CHOICES OF CLOTHES. AND YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WERE BRAND NEW. I EVN BOUGHT SKIRTS , HAVEN'T DONE THAT IN FOREVER. CONGRATS ON THE WEIGHT LOSS!!!!!!!!!!!

Stacye, Congrats on reaching ONDERLAND! Isn't it a wonderful feeling!?! It's like an epiphany. The best is yet to come for you. Keep it up. Gina