Thanks for this wonderful post and much needed reminders! It was very helpful! Janet in KC

Hey its me Rafaella, I am having my tummy tuck on 1/29/2007. I had gastric bypass 0n 6/02/2004 pray for me, I will update.

Wow! Congrats on the wonderful weight loss! I'm so sorry that I didn't check June bugs board earlier than this. I'm still not at goal, but plan on definately having plastics at some point. I began my journey at 400 pounds and am now down to 279. I have more to go, but keep working towards my goal! You have done very well! It is hard to tell someone not to worry! You have come this far and to trade in the melted skin for scars is hard, but doable! You will do just fine! That is why they give you good drugs so you will be very relaxed! Hang in there and keep us all updated on how you are doing okay? When is your surgery date? Janet in Kc 368/279/199 June 2004 post op

Lyn, I see I am really late on an update here.... Thanks for starting the thread. Life has been hard the last 6 months and there is a gain going on that I am going to stop right now....Alcohol is not my friend. I see with the little I have the scale just goes up and up....not good. So its going away for a long time...maybe forever. I am going to try and avoid it as much as possible. I like the taste and the feeling after one drink....not good. My exercise is picking up again. I am almost lifting 100lbs with the arms.....amazing when I started it was only 20 lbs if that. I like life...do I want more of a loss...hell yes. I wish I could get to the ones.....Maybe 2007 will be my year! Happy New Year to all you June Bugs.....and remember we can do it...Be Healthy!!!! Debbie

I understand where you're coming from! Do you have a support group where you are? That helps me to stay accountable for my actions. My surgeon here insists that we only eat 3 meals and no snacking....ever! That helps me stay on track. I still try to eat protein first and supplement it with other stuff like salads, lots of veggies that have few calories. Eating denser proteins that are more filling helps me too. I love cottage cheese but since it's got a high water content it's not as filling to me as a few slices of deli turkey breast. I avoid bad carbs like breads also. And how about exercise? Don't stop doing that just because you think you're eating more. On days when I eat lousy I try to do more exercise. I still exercise for 60-90 minutes, 4-5 days a week and some days I go at night and pick up a cycling class for an extra workout which I enjoy. Try writing down everything that you eat and see exactly how many calories you're getting. Include everything....like those little mints, candies, gum that we pop in our mouths throughout the day. And how about your fluid intake? Are you drinking enough? Are you not drinking with meals? That's important and I really see a difference when I do sip with meals....I can eat so much more. Don't get into that bad habit. I also find it helpful to keep my food about the same everyday. I find that if I have too many choices I eat more. Anyway, hope this helps. It does get to be a struggle and I always tell people looking into this process that it's only a tool and the food demons and old habits never go away. I struggle with it everyday too. Good luck, Terry Coles