Hi Joan, Thank you for doing this. I just love reading the update on our april surgerys. Im not much of a breakfast person, so usually just a coffee and a piece of fruit. Lunch is usually a couple different kinds of cold cuts and a piece of cheese and more fruit. If I do a sandwich, its just a half sandwich. Dinner varies, I dont cook much but usually a piece of lean meat, chicken or fish, and some vegetables. My snacks are usually fruit. I have been eating lots of watermelon, strawberries, blueberries and peaches, and I mean LOTS. My wow moments come almost on a daily basis, like everyone else that has responded, its the people that havent seen me for a year or so and dont know who I am, that totally amazes me and the sizes of my clothing. I look at a pair of pants, shirt or whatever and think, thats not going to fit ME, and then it does and I am so amazed. My highest weight was 301, day of surgery was 291 and today I weigh 140. I have been told by 3 different doctors to NOT lose any more weight. I am 5 ft 6 inches tall and 156 put me at a normal bmi. My surgeon guesses that I have at least 20 lbs of excess skin, mostly on my legs to be removed but that would put me underweight according to his chart so he wants me to wait. I am wearing size 7 or 8 pants, and small or medium shirts, totally amazing. I am so thrilled. I am so happy for all of us april buddies, everyone has done so well and I am proud to be part of such a successful bunch of people. Thank you Carol

Julia...isn't it amazing how even our feet change? My shoes are too big too...really loose. My 8/10 pants from last winter are soooo big...never thought I would say an 8 was too big!! You are doing great and you will get to that number that is right for you. Thanks for sharing with us. Joan M

I have measured since the day of surgery and am amazed at how our bodies change monthly. When we do not lose pounds the inches come off or redistribute. You have done incredibly well. Just look at that beginning weight...and smile Girl you did it!!! Thanks for stoppoing in Sarah...hope to see more of you...BTW where is your picture? Joan

Hi Joan and April-lites! 1. Most memorable/WOW moment: Every day is a WOW moment for me. I still can't believe that I am in the land of the "normal"! Today I am wearing size 4 pants and boots that go up to my knees. The boots zip up OVER my jeans! I remember barely being able to zip up boots past my ankles. I am tentatively scheduled for surgery in Jan. for my arms and stomach. I am working with my surgeon and my bosses on how I am paying. Insurance and self pay. I am excited because my arms are very embarrassing. Other parts too, but I can deal better with them. 2. Menu: I usually do bacon or luncheon meat and cheese for breakfast, peanuts or 100 calorie things for snack, ham, turkey and cheese for lunch, and something similar for dinner. I do vary, but I am pretty much a creature of habit. 3. Highest weight: 326, Surgery weight: 326, Current Weight: 141, Goal weight: 145. I wanted to get down to a normal BMI and I fluctuate between 140 and 145 which is normal BMI for my height. I rejoined the gym and walk a lot and feel like a teenager sometimes! Thanks for the post! Sue

Hi Joan and all the rest of you April buddies. I have had many wow moments, but what continues to amaze me is running into someone I haven't seen in a while(pre wls). Most don't recognize who I am, and it is not until I say hello and start talking that they realize who they are talking to. It is hard to believe they can't recognize me. I am still the same person. Now I do things without asking myself, can I do that? Everyday activities are no longer a chore to perform. I just do them without thinking and am no longer exhausted from the effort. My health has improved tremendously and can now hope to live a longer and more fullfilling life. starting weight 269 (highest weight a few years before was 350) goal weight? never received one, but my personal goal would be to carry 140-145 lbs on my 5'3 1/2" frame. current weight 154 daily food usual breakfast is a protien smoothy made with yogurt and ff milk and a scoop of unflavored protien powder. lunch is maybe some soup or salad with protien dinner is a protien (either chicken, beef, pork, fish, occasional pasta) vegetable, and maybe 1/2 potato or 1/4 cup rice snacks could be either a protien bar. homemade muffin or froz fruit bar. Once every other week or so I have some chocolate (one serving) I do not dump on a normal portion of sugar, have more problem with fats. I track my food each day on spark people average daily totals 1100-1300 calories, 64 oz water, 80-100grams protien. My body has still been changing. In the last six months I have gone down almost two sizes in clothes and have lost about another 20 lbs. I will make my goal in time. All the best to you all. Sher