1. What types of food did you eat this week? I went on a cruise and ate very rich foods such as chicken with creamy sauces, lobster, lamb, beef wellington, I even tried escargot (yuck). Unfortunately, I also tried a lot of the desserts. My pouch tolerates small amounts so I can eat some, but not large quantities. I also ate a lot of fruit. It was a tough week food wise. I'm back on track now that I'm at home. 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? Oh my gosh, TONS... I jogged (my normal form of exercise), worked on my abs (crunchies/ab machine), snorkeled (swimming), kayaked and walked, walked and walked around the islands of the Caribbean 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? I gained weight this week. Since I haven't been home yet (at the boyfriend's house) I dont know what my scale says, but my boyfriends scale says I've gained about 5-6 lbs in the last week and a half or so. Not good at all. 4. What was your biggest challenge? The food on the cruise ship and the whole lifestyle of cruises being centered on food. I gained weight, my boyfriend is also working on an extra 10 lbs he's gained over the last few months. It came to a head this morning for both of us. I ended up in tears and we resolved that we both need to get a routine down for exercise, eating better, etc. He put on a new suit he just bought a month or so ago and it's too tight. I gained weight on the cruise and it scares me to think I could gain weight again. THe hard thing is balancing work, family, friends, time with him and working out. How do you all do it???? 5. Can you do something different exercise-wise that you couldn't do before? [i.e. push-ups, run, etc.] I can jog 2-3 miles no problem. I couldn't even have gone 1/4 mile before without having to stop and walk. I can do sit-ups until the cows come home. My arms are still pretty weak, need to work on those. I snorkeled, kayaked and walked so much this last week and it was sooo easy. I never got winded or anything!!! *Fun bonus question: If you had to pick a movie title to describe the last year of your life, what would it be????? "A Walk to Remember" - It's been quite a walk over this past year, definitely a pivotal, life-altering year. "Its a Wonderful Life" - Life is good!!! "Finding Neverland" - This last year has been about finding MY neverland in terms of my health, happiness, even love "Love's Enduring Promise" - God's promise endures "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it" (Phillipians 1:6) He fulfilled his promises in me this past year and I've never been happier!!

Yeah, how did you get the insurance to agree to pay for it? I would love to have a breast lift/augmentation but don't think an insurance company would agree to paying for it!!

Sundra- I have pain on the left side occasionally...it's more of a dull pain than a sharp one. It also doesn't seem to be related to eating or anything either...very random. My PA said that it's probably either gas or something moving through the intestines (there's a "corner" on the left side apparently!). She told me it probably wasn't anything to worry about either, but that if it got much worse or more consistent to contact her again. Does that sound like what you're experiencing? Christina S

I was a year out on July 10th. I have done very well. No problems. Now I am having some pain off and on. I did mention it in my year check up. But The NP did not seem to think it was a problem. Anyone else have any pain in left side? Thanks Sundra

I weighed 335+ pounds before I started this process. I was still over the 300 mark when I got the surgery(July 24th). I now weigh in at 177 (as of today's check) That means I've lost a little over 150 pounds! In a year! I'm still losing, though much slower (thank goodness) and I'm very happy with my new shape. I'm starting to consider plastic surgery to get rid of all this extra skin that weighs me down and slows me up, but heck even if I had to live for good with the skin issues I look awesome with my clothes on. Plus! * I can walk again, without pain without struggle *I can RUN! Pretty far without getting out of breath. *I don't snore anymore, apparently I had the beginnings of sleep apnea and I didn't even know it, my husband only brought up my snoring once it was gone! Oh my! *I have ridden on a horse, I've never tried it before for fear of killing the poor beast! *I have been called a "pretty little thing" multiple times, and heck I haven't heard that since puberty! SO much more! I'm so happy for all of us that have seen good results from this surgery! YAY!