OMGoodness Sondra....are you reading my emails?! I just emailed my support group leader about this yesterday! My mind's eye still says I'm that pre-op girl...even though I KNOW I'm smaller. I even still do somethings as if I'm that large girl (you know the planning ahead stuff, like where to sit, what route to take so that I won't have to squeeze through anything, etc....) My leader said that she's going to look into having someone come into our group to speak, but didn't really offer any other suggestions. Others I've heard are to look daily in the mirror and mentally say to yourself that you're smaller now. (Of course, I get fixated on the saggy skin when I do this!) SO...not much help here other than to say....yeah, I'm there with ya. Christina S

hello

I just had my one year with my doc. and I had been having pain on my lower right side 2 weeks ago. This pain was sharp and would go away if I layed down for a few hours. I mention that to him and he was VERY concerned, I told him I assumed it was gas pains because it would go away after I layed down but he told me that it could be more serious, that when and if it happend again to feel were it hurt and see if there was a "small ball or lump" and if moved and "rubbed" away, I was to get a hold of him immediatly, that it was an ulcer. He felt around there at my appointment and found nothing but he was still concerned. I don't know if it would be the same on the left side or not but I just wanted you to know. Lynette

1. What types of food did you eat this week? chicken, prunes, pears, brocolli, cauliflower, steak, tuna, yougurt, cheese, coffee (lots) 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? kayaking, gym 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? -5 (same 5 I gained a month ago) still -80 lbs 4. What was your biggest challenge? eating enough at meals and snacking 5. How are you with carbs at this point? Do you eat any pasta? Tried rice? What's your experience? some carbs like white potatoes, and fruits I am ok with Pasta I don't tolerate, and rice I have had a couple bites here and there but and get sick everytime so no more rice. *Fun bonus question: Do you have any pets????? If yes, what are their names/why? If not, what would you have if you could? I have/had 3 dogs Baby - Rott - 12 yrs old, Rajah - English Bulldog - 10 (died recently). Sky - Pittbull - 3 years old...I rescued all three dogs from being put to sleep the owners didn't want them anymore, except the pitt the owner was going to Iraq and no one wanted her, so I took her.

1. What types of food did you eat this week? Beef, Filet (medium rare), green beans, mac & cheese (very few bites), protein drinks, coffee, dried fruit, LS NF Key Lime Pie, Fruit Salad, turkey, ham, cheese, yogurt, etc. It was my birthday yesterday so there were alot of sweets involved. 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? I went to the gym on Friday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Lots of eliptical and treadmill time with some weights. 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? I think 2 pounds, I'm down 108 now, woohoo! 23 more to go. 4. What was your biggest challenge? Haven't ate that much. Been really busy. 5. How are you with carbs at this point? Do you eat any pasta? Tried rice? What's your experience? I eat more carbs than I probably should but they are mostly from fruit and veggies. I can barely tolerate pasta. Sometimes I have a few bites here and there. I haven't eaten rice nor will I try, I've heard terrible things about it blowing up in your stomach and I don't want to find out. I'll have a very small piece of bread when we go to Outback on occassion but that's about it. *Fun bonus question: Do you have any pets????? If yes, what are their names/why? If not, what would you have if you could? I don't have any pets. I haven't for quite a while because we live in an apartment. I did buy LeeLu by betta when I first came to work at Bldg Mnt, but she died after about 6 months. I still haven't touched her tank, it broke my heart. I haven't replaced her yet. I plan to get my son a dog once I buy a house.