Hi there, I just went for my first surgeon consult, and I am in the midist of making my psych appt. I know I'm a bing eater, so I'm curious to what has transpired since you wrote this message...... Thanks, Debi

My surgery was 7/11/03 (231/145) and I've lost 86 lbs. In my opinion I'm a slow loser but according to the following chart I'm not! Check out the site, just put in your info. and see where you are: http://www.thinnerself.com/files/Expect_Chart.htm I had a proximal (75 cm bypassed) lap RNY with only minimal problems in the beginning with meat coming back but now find I can eat pretty much anything. My problem is too much grazing... But with the Lord's help I'll conquer that too! I'm wearing a size 10 and wouldn't change what I've accomplished with this surgery for anything in the world! Congratulations on you loss!

Persistence pays off, and after QUITE the battle with her insurance company, Melissa "Misty" Reed is FINALLY going to be having her WLS on Wednesday, March 24th. Could you take a quick moment out of your day and wish Misty well on her upcoming journey to the Losing Side? Thanx so VERY much!! http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/status.phtml?N=R1049774463 Kimmer

Hi RoseAnne, May I suggest you consider the amount of your carb intake. I know that is what slowed my weight loss down. I had my surgery on 7-8-03 and have lost 110 Lbs so far and have another 30 to go. I exercise 4-5 days a week and drink 64 oz of water, but I know my weight loss slowed down because I consumed far too many carbs. Sometimes a plataue is normal, but to speed up the process again, we really need to watch our carb intake and amount of food, period! I just want to encourage you that you WILL make your goal and you have come a long way from where you started. We sometimes let the scales dictate to us, but what about the inches we are loosing, what are our size clothing saying, what is our mirror saying when we look into it and see a more slender image facing back at us that wasn't there 8 mos. ago? I know it isn't easy letting go of old habits such as the scales, but we are gastric patients now and we will weigh differently than others. Remember that we also have excess skin and that weighs approx. 15 lbs. So don't be hard on yourself and be patient my dear. I know what you are feeling, trust me, but we must not let our emotions get in our way, because they are what have gotten us into trouble in the past. We ate out of emotions most of the time. Cheer up and be glad that you aren't where you were before your WLS! And thank God that you are on your way to meeting your GOAL!!!! Keep us informed when you reach your 100 goal. Congrats! on your achievement so far. Take care and keep it one day at a time. Your Gastric Buddy, Jeannie

Brandi: Thanks for the response. I've been taking biotin for about a month and have ordered the Nioxin products already from my hair dresser,they will be in on tuesday. ( HA, my hair dresser, he's had nothing to cut or fix for the last 2 1/2 months.) I really should not have anything to complain about. I have lost 170 since my surg. 07/07/03. I did not have any of the pain and problems some seem to have had post-op,other than the side effects from massive amounts of steriods for my breathing. But that did not last but a few days. Other than living on gas-x, which I know I should not do,it's really been quite easy. I hope the last 120 goes as well. Thanks