Hi,

I had surgery on April 27, 2007.  At my highest I weighed 300lbs. On my day of surgery I weighed 281lbs.  By Oct. of 2007 I weighed about 190lbs. After the one year mark the weight loss slowed down A LOT!  I have to be more careful now about what I eat now.  It's been too easy to slip into some bad habits.  Unfortunately, I do not dump.  I wish I had never eaten that first sugary thing. I had gotten used to no sugar and that opened the flood gates.  Also, I have to stay away from carbs. With all that said, this has been the best decision of my life. I weigh 152lbs. now and I am controlling the bad stuff. 
Good Luck on you continued success.

Joni

I had to leave not long after that...and I couldn't hear my phone from down in my purse.  Maybe there'll be another time to get together.  I really enjoyed Chicago - it's a nice town.  The buildings and the things that the town offers (operas, Broadway shows, sports) remind me of New York, but the Midwestern folks remind me more of Southerners - very nice and friendly.   Not that individual New Yorkers aren't, but I felt more at home in Chicago than I ever have in New York, if you know what I mean.  (ok, now I'm going to get in trouble with people from NYC...)

Marcia

I am so very proud of you. Once we lost our connection on the phone, I couldn't reach you,then I had to leave. I wish I was prepared so I could have set some real tine aside to see you. You are truly an inspiration to all of us!

Shar

Ok, A-Team! I finished the marathon.  Shar; I'm sorry we weren't able to see each other, but I enjoyed talking to you.  Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.  I had no issues as far as breathing or endurance or anything like that, but I will tell you I walked (when I walked which wasn't much) kind of funny for the next couple of days. 

I finished 31,215 out of 31,405.  I WAS NOT LAST!!!  :)  When I get pictures, I'll post them at my blog.

This was for  you all, A-Team.  You have been my support and encouragement for the past 18 months, and I thank you.

Ain't nothing that can stop us, Gang, if we put our minds to it.

Marcia