Hi Kathy! What GREAT pics on your web site! I love them! I had my surgery 5-9-03 so am a few weeks further out than you. I had the same problem feeling like the weight was not coming off, and it wasn't. I think there is a natural pleatu close to 2 months out, then give it a couple weeks and it will come off again. 35-40# 2 months out is GREAT! Think about it. REALLY think about it. I went to everyone's site that had surgery the same day as I did and did the comparison thing. I was really upset. I had only lost 37# after 2 months and felt the same way you do. It WILL come off, although we want it faster then this, I agree. Think of some positives to this; -you will not look like Java the Hut because your skin will have time to react to the loss of padding behind it, -you could be gaining, not losing, -it took years to put on all the weight, it will take months to take it off -swimsuit season is almost over and next swimsuit season you will be HOT!! Keep up the good work! Remember water, protein, and exercies are the most important things to keep the weight coming off! Jeanette 264/211 RNY 5-9-03

Looking for a support group in central New Jersey

Kathy - My surgery was a day before yours ... you've lost about the same as I have. I started at 260 and am at 223-224 ... ONE day I was even at 221. BUT ... this is another day! Back at my plateau of 223-224. I feel like it is going slowly too - but then I realize that my SKIN was tight, my CLOTHES were tight ... everything was TIGHT. And now, I don't know that I look that much different to MY eyes - but I do know my skin isn't so tight and my clothes aren't so tight. I look like the same old me - except things are just a little looser. It is kind of discouraging - because we are SO ANXIOUS to get to where we look and feel different. I"m just DYING to have people start commenting on my weight loss. But only ONE person has said anything. BAH HUMBUG!!! But I"m not going to give up - just like I know YOU aren't going to give up ... and we're gonna make it. I may not be the most shapely body in the world when I'm done - but I will be a more healthy and happy me!! ... that said, a little shapelier will be nice too! *smile*

Thank you both for your words! I know that the protein thing must work. I have been (holding my nose and swallowing -- okay it's not THAT bad ... *smile*) drinking the protein for 2 days now and unbelievably the scale did go down about a pound and 1/2 ... so that is exciting. My husband took pictures of me about 5 hours before I left for the hospital. And each month on my 'anniversary' he is taking the same four poses (right now in the same outfit) ... we'll keep 'em in a scrapbook! I'm anxious for Tuesday to come this week - because that will be 8 weeks and it will be interesting to look at the pictures. My best to ALL of YOU too!

Hi! My surgery was on May 16th, 2003. I am just over 9 weeks post-op. So far I have lost 53 lbs. and many inches off my body. (10 inches just in my waist!) I started out at 5'2" and 295 lbs. Are you taking pictures of yourself as you lose? I found that helps me see the real differences. Otherwise, sometimes I feel like it's "not working". Please keep your chin up! You are less than 2 months post op and have lost a significant amount of weight! Have we EVER been able to lose 40-50 lbs. in two months before?!? Believe me, I know that it feels like it's been a lot longer since my surgery too. You are righ****er is getting very boring and I haven't been getting enough lately. I am trying to drink more iced tea and flavored waters to make it easier. Do you belong to a support group of any kind? My surgeon wants me to start going to one so that I have someone to talk to about some of the same things you write about (the boredom, the discouragement in feeling like we're not losing enough fast enough, etc.) Well, I am going to try it. It can't hurt! Anyway, hang in there! Really, you are doing very well!! Take care.