Congrats on you "Victory". I wish you every success !! There was a time ..I couldn't take care of some personal hygene issues. I don't know about you. But for me ..That was the most degrading thing !! Thank God..That part is in the past !!

Does anyone have this problem? When I sit on a soft chair or soft seat in a booth and eat I get pains in my stomach and the dry heaves. If I sit in a stright chair or hard chair I'm fine. I had my surgery (by-pass) in October of 2007 and have lost 103 lbs. and heading for another one hundred. I have to spell that out because if I put the numbers in I 'm afraid it looks impossible to loose one hundred more! Also, I have lost LOTS of my hair, will it grow back and if so how long will it take and is there anything to aid this growth?

What a difference a year makes! It was just one year ago that I was in Monterrey Mexico for my RNY Surgery with Dr Rumbaut. I can not believe how my life has changed in that year. I had my Surgery on June 18th, 2007. The day BEFORE my 40th birthday. I know...who wants to spend their birthday in the hospital, away from family and friends. For me it was worth it. I spent the first year of my 40's becoming a new me. My husband has a new wife, my kids have a new Mom. I am a different person. - I have lost 178 lbs.... more than I currently weigh - I weigh less than my husband, my 18 yr old son, both my sisters, my mother, my mother In law, my best friend and many other people in my life. - My daughters arms can fit all the way around me now when she hugs me. - I can bend over to tie my shoes and actually prefer to wear tie up shoes now. - I have made a couple hundred dollars selling my big clothes at the consignment store. - I have spent a couple hundred dollars buying new clothes, especially in the beginning when the weight was coming off so fast things I bought would only fit me for a few weeks. - I am on my 6th swim suit since last September ****ep shrinking out of them) - I got "checked out" in Extra foods. - A woman actually made the comment to me "We can't ALL be as slim as YOU!" - Old friends are walking right by me, not recognizing me. - Mother in law cried when she saw me for the first time in 6 months. - There are at least 10 inches between me and the steering wheel in my truck. (it used to rub on my belly. - I can cross my legs - I can shave my legs, in the shower! - I went for my 12 month post op blood work, there was room for both me and my purse in the seat....with room to spare. The arm rest that they bring down in front of you was no where near me...a year ago they couldn't close it. - None of my clothing tags have an X on them, in fact I own two pairs of capris that are size S...as in SMALL!!. - I own a pair of real jeans with a zipper.  - I do aqua fit, walk and work out every day of the week and actually invent places to go so I can walk there. I realized recently that I will NEVER be able to just Eat...unchecked. I see myself slipping back into old habits and we all know that wrong choices, grazing etc will lead to weight gain. I'm not afraid....or at least not living in fear of weight gain because I plan to continue my exercise routine, and making healthy choices. Going to continue weighing myself at least weekly...so if any weight starts attaching itself to me, I can kick myself in the butt and take it back off again. I know I have entered into a life long commitment, to take care of myself. I haven't for one moment kidded myself into believing that the RNY was my miracle cure and after the weight came off I could do whatever I wanted because I would never be fat again. I am a recovering food addict....so just like a recovering alcoholic who can't have even one drink.....or an ex smoker who can't have even one smoke....I have to be vigilant and take care of myself. The silliest question that almost EVERYONE asks me..."Do you feel better?" ROFLMAO You bet your ass I do!!! LIFE IS GOOD!

Elizabeth, Congrats! Way to go! I to had RNY June 5, 2007, down 110 and scheduled for a tummy tuck this Thursday. I have to pay out of pocket for it, but feel its worth it. My arms aren't too bad, I can live wtih them. My boobs, are next on the list, but of course out of pocket, so will have to save my pennies for that. I am scheduled for outpatient surgery. I will stay in a hotel overnight then go see my PS for post op on Friday, then drive (ride) for 2 1/2 hours home. Hope that I will be ok for the ride. He called in my RX's early so should be able to medicate myself for the ride home. How is the incision for you? When do you get the drains out? My PS told me 5-8 days, which means a 5 hour round trip drive. I know it will be worth it. Looking forward to not having to tuck my stomach into my pants when I get ready in the AM. Any words of advice will be much appreciated. Congrats again. Lisa

Hi there. The volume I can eat seems to depend on what I am eating. Today I had a half portion of the california shrimp salad at Applebee's and finished it, but did not have any discomfort after. Other times, I'll eat half a wrap (high protein, high fiber tortilla) and be stuffed. I've almost never had that feeling of "if I eat one more bite I'll lose it" I honestly don't know if that's because I stiop myself before getting to that point, or if it's because I've stretched everything to the point of no return. I do know that if I eat something like soup or salad, I can eat a lot. I don't count calories everyday, but when I do, I seem to be averaging between 900 and 1200 calories. My one year was 6/13, but I don't have my one year with the nut until 7/13. I hope she can help. I try to keep meals to about 1 cup total. I do find it funny that the days that i let myself "cheat" and eat more than I think that I should, are usually the days that i'll go down a tad in weight. Hang in there!! Good luck, Jeannie