I had my surgery July 28, 2003. I was 295.5 and now weigh 174.5. My surgeon put my goal weight at 171. I exercise like crazy, drink water and seem to be on track with the food and when I got weighed last week in 1 month I lost only 2 and 1/2 lbs. It's frustrating that at the beginning of this journey the lbs. just seemed to melt away without trying. I know it's "just a tool" that my surgeon keeps telling me, but I feel like everybody else lost weight faster than me. I am looking into a tummy tuck and breast augmentation, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking maybe after surgery I'll be in the 160's. Am I being crazy??? Am I alone??

I had my surgery 7/22/2003. Currently, I have lost more than I weigh. I started at 240 Lbs (I am 5'3'') I now weigh........ 115 Lbs. I have energy now, I can chase my kids and BREATH!! Thank you Dr. Irgau and Dr. Wynn!!!!!

Rob, I just wanted to take a minute and congradulate you on an awesome weight loss. May each day get better for you. Keep up the great work! Dee

Hi Amy, You are NOT the only one. I'm far from goal. I started at 497 and have lost 195#'s, but the weight loss has slowed way down. When I hit my 1 year anniversary, I decided to relax the rules a bit. People are always saying sometimes upping the carbs will help, going with too few isn't good. In two weeks I managed to put on 20#'s and that wasn't eating chocolates. Just plain old food. I can tolerate anything and don't dump. I joined Curves and got back on the protien train. Within 3 weeks the excess weight was off...but it hit a major plateau there. It's been a hard fought pound or two here or there. I'll drop 2#'s one day, gain back 3 then next, down two and gain back one. Over time the scale is going down...but very slowly. I have lost 20#'s I think over the past 3 months. I know that's a lot for some...but realize, I still weigh over 300#'s. Many people starting their quest for WLS weigh far less than I am now...15 months after surgery. I'm thrilled with my progress to date...but fear it will end here. I would be thrilled to be withing 20-30#'s of goal at this point. I realize I have far more to lose than most and that it won't happen overnight either. I have my fears, but continue to plug away, following my surgeons program. I have come to several conclusions. I will never have to fear "stopping" the weight loss. I am carb intolerant and most carbs will not be a part of my food plan...at least on a daily basis. One guy in our group told of eating cereal with a banana for breakfast every day. He's lost 190#'s in 10 months. If I ate that every day, I'd be right back up to 500#'s. I don't touch cereal and have had maybe 5 banana's in the past year. It's been sobering to realize that I will NEVER be able to eat anything close to "normal". Not because I can't tolerate it...but because if I do...I will gain weight and quickly at that. Hang in there, keep following your surgeon's program...and don't give up without a fight! Lori Ann

Hi Amy. I had my surgery 7/14 and I am down to 163 from 284. I am wanting to get to 150 but have not lost anything since May. I am however, happy with where I am and if I don't lose another pound, I'll be ok with that. I am in a size 10(would like to get to a size 8) so I'm not that bad off. I am more concerned about how much I can eat, and I don't dump on anything unless I eat too much of it, which can be a whole lot. I am scared to death of gaining but so far I have maintained so that's where my focus is going to be. I joined Curves last month and I try to go at least 3 days a week. I'm hoping this will help me either jump-start my weight loss again, or at least help me maintain my weight since I have some really bad habits that have creeped back into my lifestyle. Good luck, and just keep focused on where you came from.