HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US! I am also an August 3rd re-birth! I so totally cannot believe how wonderful my life is now! I love going shopping, I love being in public, I love being outside, going to events, and I'm even looking forward to my dear husband's family reunion this summer! (The last one we skipped out on mostly b/c I was so ashamed of how I looked). Things have changed GREATLY since my surgery! My husband was pointing out to me the other day that I never even get jealous when a pretty girl talks to him anymore... I laughed and said that's b/c I know I'm just as pretty! HA! I would NEVER have felt that way before!!!! I'm almost 10 weeks pregnant right now, a little early for being post-op, but I'm doing everything I should so it should be okay. Not that I'm really concerned with weight loss right now, but I've actually lost 5 pounds since finding out I was pregnant. In my pre-WLS pregnancy I think I had already gained 10 by now!!! So here are my stats: I'm 5'6". I started out at a weight of 260 pounds, and a BMI of 42.1 (MORBIDLY OBESE), wearing a size 24 or 3X, and a size 9 shoe. Now..... I weigh 150 pounds, I have a BMI of 24.2 (NORMAL WEIGHT), I wear a size 8 or a medium, and a shoe size of 8-8.5. I would like to lose another 10-15 pounds after I have the baby... that would put me right around 140. I plan on having a tummy tuck, thigh sculpting, arm sculpting, and a boob job... hopefully within a year of having my baby, as long as I've gotten down to 140. I've been told I'll probably lose another 10-15 pounds in excess skin... putting me at 125-130! That's smack in the middle of a healthy weight range for me! But for now, I'm focused on eating healthy and exercising. I want to keep my weight gain to a minimum this time (last time I gained 40 but was already considered obese when I got pregnant). I'd like to gain a healthy 20 pounds (or less) during this pregnancy, whatever will be healthy for my baby!!!! Anyways, thanks to all of you for all of your support during the past 11 months! We've come a loooooooooooooooooooooooooong way baby!!! Keep up the good work you guys! You're all looking soooo beautiful! Lots of love, Dawn

HI Leslie, I am so glad you posted this. I am also encourged to read the others in the same boat... I am still very far away from goal.. I need to lose another 95lbs. to be at the high end of a normal bmi. I dont know if I will get to it at the rate I am going... I am only losing about 5 lbs a month now. Dont get me wrong.. I am happy for that 5 lbs...

Thanks slender. I needed that. How are things going other than your hair?

Hi Alicia, For weeks I was staying at 144...... and the Blammo I lost 5 pounds in a day! (last weekend) then last night I was up by 4! This is the first time I have gained weight, but I think it has a lot to do with the humidity and heat here. As for treating myself... YEAP, but I did not go overboard. I hate taking the vitiams ... and have always had a hard time with eating protiens. The bed spins may have been from a high blood glucose level. ( carb overload) Try to let the GUILTS stay in yesturday... TODAY is a new day and all you can do is start from here. So put that CarbCount down in a blender with some ICE and pretend it is a milkshake! Lisa

Thanks for the reply Marcy! Good luck on the TT! My MD won't clear me until at least 6 months at goal and I have about 20 pounds to go. I have had ulcers for a LONG LONG TIME sometimes I think I was born with them! Carafate, 4 x a day (YUCK ) that and three other meds and still not healing quite right. I also have a pre-op condition called gastroparahisis ( paralysed stomache) a complication from diabeties. I can't wait to see MY SURGEON The MD (a gastro MD) in this new state is OK but I am not sure he really understands GB, sometimes I need to remind him that my pouch is tiny. He thinks I should be eating MORE! I have agreed to meet with the nutritionist in his office, and he is going to cal my surgeon so I guess it just takes time. Again GOOD LUCK withthe TT! How exciting! Lisa