Hi, I had my surgery 5/29/03 and started out weighing around 360-364. I just got out of hospital again on 6/25/03 after being in for 4 days because of the bacterial skin infection cellulitis. It was nasty. I could not eat nor drink, not even water, so I was even dehydrated. Thanks to the IV's I gained weight. Just what I did not need. So, I am working to get that off now. My weight loss had been at a standstill, but before the infection, I was starting to finally be passed the bad back spasms and able to walk farther. Then the celluliti**** Now, I am trying to regain my strength and fighting the back pain again. This too shall pass!! I weighed in today at 321.1. My scales are always 3 pounds lower than my surgeons, but I figure that is because of my clodhopper sandals and the clothes I wear!! Hey, I have to give myself a fighting chance here!! LOL...I refuse to give up and I refuse to grow up. It is what keeps me going. I am 52, and I have been given a new lease on life, I am newly single(legally) and I am going to live life to it's fullest pain, Miss Priss Grouchy Pouchy and all. She can argue with me all she wants, I will still argue back with her. It makes life interesting. Besides, I am learning how full to fill her. What an adventure this is!! I am now no longer regretting what I have done. Pain and all. I know it can only get better. And my troubles are NOTHING compared to what others have gone thru. God has truely blessed me abundantly!! And I am forever grateful! And thanks to Dr. Timothy Bailey and St. Mary's Hospital and staff in Decatur, IL, I am still here today. Remember, we all lose at the pace our body wants us to lose at.

Well here I am feelin like not much of a loser! I am 12 weeks out tmw, lap rny on 5-9-03 starting at 264 the am of surgery and am hovering at 211 with a loss of 53# and holding for the past 2 weeks. I get most of my h2o in and focus on eating protein protein protein. I have not touched much in the lines of sugar as I dumped a couple times on bread and things like that, so the dumping is keeping me clean. I start a fitness program tomorrow, and was walking M-Th at least 1/2 mile each day. Not much luck with protein shakes or suppliments. I continue to try though! I wish we could say exactly how the weight was going to come off for each of us but that is the mystery! I really need to increase exercise and protein, those are the key things, by what I have learned! Good luck and I hope this helps! Jeanette

Hi, I had my surgery on 5/1/03, started at 348 lbs and am now 260 for a total of 88 lbs lost. I am sure it is due to the fact that I had some complications and I still cannot eat much. I drink water, well, as much as I can manage and I walk. Just hang in there it will come off!

Hi Lori, I started my journey on 5/27 at 5'10" and 306 lbs. I am currently (by my scale) at 265. Making my 9 week after surgery weight loss 41 lbs. I still have problems drinking water (20 - 40 oz daily), I still have problems getting in enough protein (30 - 40 oz) and forget to take my vitamins. The only exercise I get is walking to and from the bus and work (2 - 3 blocks).

HI Deborah, How did your surgery go? You should be almost 2 months post-op now. Are you feeling well? Good Luck Lori