Almost 1yr and a bit discouraged

I'm coming up on my one year anniversary on Aug. 31. I've lost about 135 so far - I say _about_ because I keep gaining and losing about 3 pounds over and over and over. I started at 365 and am now somewhere between 230 and 235, depending upon the week. I DO feel better, and I guess I look better (although I genuinely feel like I look the same) but I'm discouraged about this yo-yo-ing over the last few months. I had HOPED to be at about 200lbs or even at my goal of 180 at a year out but I'm a LONG way from there. I know I need to change my eating habits (etc.) but this is ME we're talking about here - I didn't get myself into this mess because I had great eating habits and having surgery has not changed what is in my mind (has it?). I keep asking myself if this is "all I'm going to get" out of the surgery and if the rest is entirely up to me "being on a diet" again and for the rest of my life. Does anyone else feel this way? You all look so wonderful - Sunny, Norma, Marianne, Tracey, Barbara... I've forgotten some names but have looked at your profiles and pix. Congratulations! Anyone else approaching a year and still have such a big chunk left to lose? Anyone else in the same boat as I am?

Kim, I am sorry you feel discouraged but let me tell you..........................girl, you have done an amazing job 135 lbs.................WOW I honestly don't think you are finished. You have the tool and you can work it. You only have 50 pounds left til goal (50 pounds is nothing compared to the 185 that you started out having to lose). You can do it most patients continue to lose until 18 months out. Please keep up the good work and be happy with how far you have come along. Congratulations BTW-Thank you for the compliment! --Marianne 5'0 256/133/120

Thanks, Marianne - I sure hope so. I am feeling a bit down about the whole thing lately. People say "oh, you look like you've lost more weight" and I'm thinking, "no, I've stayed basically the same for the last 2 months" and it makes me question all of their OTHER comments to me about it... I'm just a terrible "second guesser", I guess!

Thank you so much for the compliment. I too sometimes feel like i LOOK the same eventhough i'm -117. You lost 135lbs...don't u dare undermind that !!!!! Like you've heard before, we had surgery on our stomachs, not our heads! If you are seriously jojo'ing, u gotta do something about it asap. I've lost the same 2lbs and gained them back here and there the last few months, thats what happens when we just let things be and let our bodies get too comfortable. Get back to the basics..high protein, lots of water, take all your vitamins, etc. I've steadily been doing that and been seeing results.

You're right, I know... it's hard though, isn't it! I feel like even WITH the surgery, I'm still going to "be on a diet" for the rest of my life. I know I'm better of than I was before, but geez, I want to look like you! LOL

You want to look like me...and I'll want to look like someone else, someone smaller, someone thinner, someone prettier...it's all a cycle Be happy with yourself and improve on it every chance you can. We're almost out 1 year, and I still am not "happy" with myself and still feel like I'm not using my TOOL properly. Most of the time is because i really am not and just diverge so much from what we KNOW is good and right for us. All a vicious cycle...but, again, thank you for wanting to look like me hehehe

I totally agree with Norma. Look where you would be without this surgery, we would all be in the same boat (and it would sink) because we would still be fat. We all have done so great. Everyone has times when they turtle, I have mainly turtled the whole year, but I have gotten to my goal slowly but surely. You will keep losing, your body just has to adjust. And even if you don't see it on the scale I am sure you are losing lots of inches. I don't know about yall but with this surgery I can tell I am losing real fat, not jus****er weight.My Dr. always says this surgery is just a tool. I kinda look at it as if my Dr. gave me a paint bru**** is up to me how great the picture looks. Good Luck to all! Keep your eye on the prize.

You're right, Lisa - without the surgery, I KNOW I wouldn't have been able to lose 135 lbs... and the boat WOULD HAVE crashed down to the sea floor with me in it. Thanks for your encouragement.

Kim, Hang in there!! You are doing great! It is not over. They say we continue to lose up until 2 years out. So you still have a whole nother year left. I know you can do it. Take care, Christie

Today is my 1 year anniversary and I was hoping to be at -100#s but I've only made it to -85. I am not going to let that get me down. Like you know, many people contiune to loose 18-24 months out. I am concentrating on getting those last 15-20 off! High protien and low carbs, lots of water, vitamins etc. We can do it! We came this far and we will finish the journey and keep it fresh in our minds so that we will never return to the place we where before! (((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))) Vanessa