I reached goal at 12 months post op going from 254 to 140 but then continued to loose a few more lbs and got to an all time low of 135 shortly after I got pregnant. I've gained 27 lbs so far with this pregnancy and it's killing me. I can't wait to have her and get to loosing my weight again so that I can be back at goal. Good luck on that last pound!! Kristy EDD 8/6/06 - 18 more days 37w3d It's a girl - Alice Kay

hi K I am totally at my goal. When i started my journey my goal was to be 200 pounds. My surgeons goal was 180, and said it would be impossible to lose more than half my body weight, i was 360 the day of surgery. Well i have proved him wrong, today i am 158 pounds and have lost 202 pounds. Unbelievable !! I am in a size 12 or 13, but am big boned and am literally skin and bones. I am sure i have at least 20 pounds of skin to be removed. I do pick up 4-5 pounds once in a while, but it is only water weight and goes back down. Hope every has a great day!! Hugs Linda

What a very good question. It made me think. I only told people who were closest to me about the surgery and they were all very supportive. Thank God! I have really tried to concentrate on the health aspect rather than looks and I think that helps. I have noticed from time to time a little awkwardness but we usually were about to work it through when they realized that I am still me. I read or heard somewhere that for every 20 pounds you loose you have to renegotiate your relationships. It may be true, but fortunately my friends were my friends regardless of what I looked like and still are. Family has been pretty good too. I have had to negotiate around men a little differently. That has been good for me because I think I used my weight to keep men away. Now I don't have that and I have had to learn different social skills. All good. I hope to some day be married but I'm trying to be selective. Anyway, I don't know if that actually answered your question but it gave me great food for thought. K Reed

Ok i know i have read a lot of horror stories on relationships post op on my state board. How has wls helped or hurt your relationships with friends and family. I have seen a very high divorce rate lately. As for me, it's ok, just going through hard times right now that i am unemployed (and the money hasn't kicked in yet from unemployment). As for friends, i don't have any of my old friends now, but i have gotten a lot of new friends and lots of great friends from the board. I know our attitudes have changed, but more seems to be of jealousy and control. What do you all think? Are your husbands or wives crowding you now? Are they jealous more now than before? I think my husband has gotten a little insecure, but he seems to be getting better. Hugs Linda

Louis: I was never against the surgery. My own mother had a similar surgery (Intestinal Bypass) to lose weight in 1980 and she did really well...and is still alive today because of it. Naturally, I tried everything in the world to avoid the surgery, but after getting so big that my bones were snapping and breaking....I knew that I would have to explore seriously my surgical options. I got the nerve to finally talk with my husband about it. He was surprisingly supportive! It took a few years to get an insurance that would cover it, but when that happened, I had already done my "homework" and I jumped on the process train and got it done within weeks. Last week, while serving as a volunteer counselor at an elementary age church camp, I found myself running....I was actually RUNNING! I was so surprised. When I arrived at the group of girls that was walking together, I wasn't winded. It's like I'm living in a different body! Never in a million years would I want to go back to my "old life" of obesity. I am thrilled with my new body. I love the way I feel---the way I look---the way I enjoy eating again (just less food and better choices.) ~Laura