Hi all !!!!!! I have new pics up if you care view!

I am a little over a year out. I had RNY and I have never had dumping (sometimes wish I'd had). I eat about the same at a time as most here. I know I can eat either two crisp tacos at once or one taco and a few nachos (chips and cheese or salsa only). Or two pieces of a thin crust pizza. I don't really measure my foods. My biggest problem is grazing. I lost 65 pounds in the first 6 months out then I platued and then started gaining slightly again (10 pounds) I have not gone back to my surgeon cause I don't want him to think I'm not trying or that I haven't made my lifestyle change. I would like to know how big my pouch is now, seems like sometimes I can eat a lot and then other times I can't. I don't know! But I am having a really tough time with my head battles to take off this 10 pounds plus the 30 more I needed off to reach my goal. I would love suggestions! Good luck to you. Julie~

Hey there Laura! I'm in about the same boat as you are. I can eat about 4-5 ounces of protein with 1/3 cup of veggies or brown rice. Or about 3/4 of a burger w/ cheese and only about a 1/4 of the bun. Like today I've had a Pure Protein Peanut Butter Protein bar for breakfast, about a palm full of sunflower seeds around 11, and I'm going to have half of the chicken enchilada's I ordered from the local mexican place (I try to not eat the shell... but sometimes I do anyway). I'll probably have one of those Tuna on the go packs (minus the crackers and the mint) with a couple of soy crisps for dinner. Then I'll have either a granola bar or an ounce or so of beef jerkey for a late snack. It's a lot more than I ate in the beginning, but still not quite what most would consider a "normal" portion. I'm having problems with grazing though. I've been trying to stick w/ peanuts... but sometimes my head tells me that m&m's w/ peanuts is still on the right track I don't dump on much. I really wish I still did. But now's the hard part. I've lost 150 since surgery, but I still have another 40 I'd like to loose. I'm having an endoscopy on monday and I want him to tell me how big my stomach is... but I'm really petrified to find out Keep up the good work everyone! Michelle (400) 388/237/199

Hello all, I'm extremely upset. I had my surgery on 4/18/05. My start weight was 287 and I now weigh 193. My doctors says I should be weigh at least 160. As of yesterday I started doing the Atkins diet. I'm mad because I had major surgery to lose weight and if I wanted to do a diet I would not of even had the surgery. Yes I'm glad I have lost weight but I'm upset because I should have lost more weight than I have. Is there anybody out there who did the Atkins diet for a month straight without cheating and didn't lose any weight. I just want to make sure if I cut out carbs as my doctor told me to do for 1 month I will start losing again. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!.

June 22, 2006 Just a note to let everyone know I had my surgery yesterday and things went GREAT!! I'm a little sore in my underarm area, but overall everything is fine, and the doctor and staff said I did excellent! They removed a LOT of skin from my arms and I can't wait to see the end results!!! A very special THANK YOU to my friend Mary and her family for bringing me home yesterday. You went above and beyond and I really appreciate it! Thanks to everyone for the well-wishes as well. June 23, 2006 I had a very good day yesterday - very little pain. This morning I was feeling pretty good, and hadn't had any Vicodin since last night, so I went to Dominick's this morning to get a newspaper and a Tall Mocha Frapp Light from the Starbucks in the store. Thought it would be a nice treat. I drove just fine, and the store is less than a mile from my house. The doctor's office is about the same distance, so as long as I don't need to take any pain meds today before my 4:15pm appointment, I will plan on driving there. Several neighbors have stopped by to check on me, and I thought that was very nice. I'm just mostly kicking back in the recliner, with pillows under my arms for support. I have taken a few walks each day and am keeping active, but not "too" active. Overall, I'm feeling really good and can't wait till the bandages come off this afternoon so I can get a look at what was done. I will update later today after my doc appt. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MAN! I Feel Like A Woman! Yes, I changed the video on my site - I was SO excited at what I saw in the mirror when Dr. Johnson removed the bandages from my arms and breasts this afternoon. Mere words cannot describe how I am feeling -- INCREDIBLE is a start..... Both areas are EXCELLENT - and I couldn't have asked for a better outcome! There isn't a lot of swelling thanks to using Arnica Montana, and no bruising that I could see. I am extremely pleased! I will still be wearing bandages and "stockingettes" on my arms for a week to protect the incisions, as well as a support bra. I see Dr. Johnson again a week from today. THANKS to Dr. Johnson and all his staff for the incredible job they did!!!! WOW!!! I am truly amazed! I couldn't be happier! I will take photos over the weekend and post them soon. www.geocities.com/thedawnofanewdayna