ATTENTION: EVERYONE!

Name: Niesha Age: 22 Current Weight: 223 been here for weeks now!! How much weight have you lost since surgery?: 55, 62 since June Are you happy with the amount of weight you've lost?: Yes, but i kow I could have lost more by now If I got off my flabby butt...litterally, I hate skin!! How much more do you want to lose?: 55 Has everything gone as you thought it would, or has it been easier or harder?: Everything has been great. I lost fast in the first two months, like 43 lbs, 19 of which was the first week after surgery, so I think my body is just catching up What are THREE POSITIVE thing in your life that has changed (maybe a goal you reached, or something like that?: I am in Walmart size 17's, Lane Bryant 18's and Fashion Bug 16's. Sex is so much better, not that it was bad before. Its just more comfortable and less is in the way!! My diabetes has disapeared and my Asthma is very dormant What is ONE NEGATIVE thing in your life that has changed?: IM FREEZING!! But I do NOT miss the fat that kept me warm....Time to hit Bob's for a new coat, never had to wear a thin one before, a fleece was enough, not anymore, lol Do you go to support groups?: I talk freely on my hospitals support group forum. But I have not been to a meeting since before surgery. School, Work and I Volunteer at a Shelter. I hope to change that soon Do you have a goal you want to reach by Christmas (12 days away!)?: 215....8 lbs... But at this point and the stall i am in, I will be happy to preak 220...so I say 219 is good enough How are you planning to handle the holiday eating? Are you worried?: Not worried at all, My gag reflex is back so i now when enough is enough, but i never really get that far Are you a much happier person now, than you were 4-5 months ago?: MOST DEFINATLEY Niesha 285/278/223/175 .............^........

Name: Tina Age: 31 Current Weight: 275 How much weight have you lost since surgery?: 97 Are you happy with the amount of weight you've lost?: Yes! and no. I really wanted to lose 100 at 5 months. I was a little down by that but 97 in 5 months is nothing to sneeze at! How much more do you want to lose?: 90-100 Has everything gone as you thought it would, or has it been easier or harder?: Earlier out I would say harder but now it's pretty smooth. I thought I would have problems with meats but can handle all of them fine which makes getting in protein easier. What are THREE POSITIVE thing in your life that has changed (maybe a goal you reached, or something like that?: 1. I feel better about myself 2. I'm excited about my future 3. Looking better in clothes What is ONE NEGATIVE thing in your life that has changed?: Umm..I guess it would be the back and leg pain that I had for a while Do you go to support groups?: every month Do you have a goal you want to reach by Christmas (12 days away!)?: I only weigh monthly so my next weigh in is January 6th. I'm just hoping to be over 100 pounds lost then. How are you planning to handle the holiday eating? Are you worried?: My key is moderation with protein first. Not really worried, I will just monitor myself closely. Are you a much happier person now, than you were 4-5 months ago?: I would say maybe but I think everyone around me would say YES!

Name: Rachael Age: 20 Current Weight: 259ish How much weight have you lost since surgery?: 108ish Are you happy with the amount of weight you've lost?: Indeed How much more do you want to lose?: Not sure... IM going with the flow... I think I would be happy at 200... I would be super excited at 180... I would look emaciated at less than that Has everything gone as you thought it would, or has it been easier or harder?: Easier actually.... well I dont know... I never thought of the reality of it actually happening. What are THREE POSITIVE thing in your life that has changed (maybe a goal you reached, or something like that?: I feel sexy now... I can buy the clothes I want Im getting lots of positive attention What is ONE NEGATIVE thing in your life that has changed?: Im completly and totally obsessive... years of bulimia have manifested themselves as a bit of anorexia from time to time Do you go to support groups?: When im home... Ive been living abroad for a bit... Do you have a goal you want to reach by Christmas (12 days away!)?: 255 would be nice How are you planning to handle the holiday eating? Are you worried?: Seeing as Im staying in an Irish castle where everything will be about food... yeah, im a bit worried.... Are you a much happier person now, than you were 4-5 months ago?: Im a much more positive person.... I think im happier, im just stressed and obsessive

Name: Deanna Age: 33 Current Weight:183 How much weight have you lost since surgery?: 82 wow, I actually had to use a calculator, thats a good thing right? hehe Are you happy with the amount of weight you've lost?: extremely happy How much more do you want to lose?: roughly 27, that would put me at 155 and I would be "normal" BMI. Once I hit that we'll see Has everything gone as you thought it would, or has it been easier or harder?: You know the first six weeks were so horrible. I thought I was going to die, I cursed my self for what I had done to myself and then magically at six weeks and two days I felt better. Now of course I don't regret a thing. It is hard not to be able to eat whatever I want but that is the whole reason for this surgery right!! I'm a dork. Once i get over this head hunger thing I'm sure things will be almost perfect. What are THREE POSITIVE thing in your life that has changed (maybe a goal you reached, or something like that?: wearing a normal size (16) having self confidence again being able to work out What is ONE NEGATIVE thing in your life that has changed?: not sure how to deal with all the attention I get, not having clothes to fit (thats not really a bad thing) my hair falling out(thats not to bad either, I see it as getting rid of the old and in with the new) Do you go to support groups?: no, you know I have great intentions but life gets in the way. I just lurk on hear Do you have a goal you want to reach by Christmas (12 days away!)?: not to gain weight How are you planning to handle the holiday eating? Are you worried?: no not really worried. I go in moderation, sugars and carbs really bother me. I can have a bite but more than that will kill me. Are you a much happier person now, than you were 4-5 months ago?: I am so much happier, my family is happier, its just great to be alive

Name: Becky Age:33 Current Weight:219 and 5'9 How much weight have you lost since surgery?: 69 pds started at 288 Are you happy with the amount of weight you've lost?: yes How much more do you want to lose?:another 60 pds Has everything gone as you thought it would, or has it been easier or harder?: easier. I've had no complications and can eat just about anything, unfortunately I don't dump What are THREE POSITIVE thing in your life that has changed (maybe a goal you reached, or something like that?: More energy, more confidence, better s e x What is ONE NEGATIVE thing in your life that has changed?: I can't think of a negative Do you go to support groups?: yes once a mth Do you have a goal you want to reach by Christmas (12 days away!)?: I was hoping to be under 200 by New Years but that is not going to happen been on a stall here for 2 weeks. . . How are you planning to handle the holiday eating? Are you worried?:nope not worried at all, i'll eat in moderation and always eat my protein first Are you a much happier person now, than you were 4-5 months ago?: I think so . . . Ask me again in 6 mts.

Name:Heather Age:35 Current Weight:257 How much weight have you lost since surgery?: 80 total 91 Are you happy with the amount of weight you've lost?: Yes, I seem to be middle of the road. How much more do you want to lose?:around 100 not quite sure yet Has everything gone as you thought it would, or has it been easier or harder?:At first much harder, but I was very sick and complications. Now it is going well. What are THREE POSITIVE thing in your life that has changed (maybe a goal you reached, or something like that?: 1. less pain from old injuries... 2.sticking to something 3.Feeling more confident. What is ONE NEGATIVE thing in your life that has changed?:hair loss Do you go to support groups?:no, but should. Do you have a goal you want to reach by Christmas (12 days away!)?:No but another 7 by end of year. How are you planning to handle the holiday eating? Are you worried?:No I haven't tried sugar yet, so that isn't an issue. Just good portion size. Are you a much happier person now, than you were 4-5 months ago?:Yes, finally. At first no I regretted it, but now yes very happy...

Name: Tammy Age: 35 Current Weight: 215 How much weight have you lost since surgery?: 68 Are you happy with the amount of weight you've lost?: Yes, but I wi**** would come off faster How much more do you want to lose?: 65 Has everything gone as you thought it would, or has it been easier or harder?: It's been fairly easy, but wi**** would come off faster. What are THREE POSITIVE thing in your life that has changed (maybe a goal you reached, or something like that?: I'm in a size Med/Lrg shirt, and size 16 (even though they are a little tight) What is ONE NEGATIVE thing in your life that has changed?: People are aways watching me eat! Do you go to support groups?: Yes Do you have a goal you want to reach by Christmas (12 days away!)?: 199 How are you planning to handle the holiday eating? Are you worried?: Yes, I'm worried but I have in my mind that I can taste things. Are you a much happier person now, than you were 4-5 months ago?: YES

Name:Vernay aka Vee Age: 42 Current Weight: 310 How much weight have you lost since surgery?: 97 lbs Are you happy with the amount of weight you've lost?: Not really a friend of mine had her surgery one week after me and she has lost 126 lbs I guess I am jealous. How much more do you want to lose?:150 lbs Has everything gone as you thought it would, or has it been easier or harder?: The actual surgery was easier but the new lifestyle is a challenge. Remembering my vitamins and protein requires dedication. What are THREE POSITIVE thing in your life that has changed (maybe a goal you reached, or something like that?: I feel better I am exercising regularly. I am able to do more e.g. shopping, cleaning and running errands. What is ONE NEGATIVE thing in your life that has changed?: I feel optimistic about my ability to lose weight. Do you go to support groups?: yes every month Do you have a goal you want to reach by Christmas (12 days away!)?: I want to losse 100 lbs. (I only have 3 lbs to go) How are you planning to handle the holiday eating? Are you worried?: no Are you a much happier person now, than you were 4-5 months ago?: yes Pat yourself on the back, for a job well done guys and gals! Have a great week!!