I bet it was so cool to visit your pen pal.....but what is haggis? I agree with louis, we need to go too. Hugs Linda

See a couple of snapshots from my recent vacation in Scotland. I was already on business in Europe and took a week to visit my pen pal of 30+ years in Edinburgh. She and her family made me feel like I was coming home! I even tried haggis, if you can believe it! Don't believe everything you hear....it was actually pretty good. Photos are at this link. Enjoy! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/lauraj64/LaurainScotland.jpg I am LOVING travel since surgery! ~Laura

Hello fellow 8/04'ers! I have not been here in many, many months. Between school and family life, things have been pretty hectic. At 14 months post-op I hit my all time low with a loss of 156 pounds. Of course I gained a little back with the holidays, but I was still pleased with my weight. Shortly after the holidays, our lives were turned upside-down. Before having the WLS, we'd tried for 4 years for our 3rd child. I had taken fertility pills for 6 months and we had tried 3 artificial inseminations (IUI's). When we finally reached the realization that it just wasn't in the cards for us, we decided to be thankful for the 2 children we have and I pursued the WLS. The summer after the WLS I then had a total hip replacment - which was the reason I had the gastric bypass to begin with. The replacement was rough and besides being in a full brace for 6 weeks, I also spent the summer hooked on liquid Vicodin. I went through a pint in 10 days for 3 months! I weened myself off of that stuff and thankfully didn't turn to any other drug. The next big plan was a joint birthday party (A BIG ONE) with my sister-in-law for February of this year. We worked on this thing since September! I vowed that nothing would stop the party except me getting pregnant which obviously wasn't going to happen since we had tried so hard for 4 years. Ironically, 13 days before the ba****ested positive! We are thrilled beyond words to be expecting our 3rd blessing in October. The only issue that is related to the WLS is that I have developed hypoglycemia. I have been told by one surgeon's assistant that over 90% of their WLS patients who got pregnant have dealt with this. This has lead to a craving for sugar and I'm trying to get a hold on it and it's going pretty well. As for the hip, the surgeon is very concerned and has demanded that I have a c-section. Getting pregnant so soon after a hip replacement is definitely NOT a good thing and my risks of needing a revision are greatly increased due to the pregnancy. One thing I must mention is that many folks have said that either we got pregnant because A) "of the weight loss from the WLS" or B) "we were no longer actively 'trying' ". I know these are said in a well-meaning manner, but I have to correct them anyway. We couldn't get pregnant because we both have issues. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with the 2 "reasons" I quoted above. As for what contributing factors the WLS has on this pregnancy, the only one that comes to mind is that it will be a healthier pregnancy. ************************************* I am glad to see that so many of my fellow 8/04'ers are doing as well as I am. I will try to pop in more often to see how everyone is doing. ~Shelly

(((LINDA))) Thanks so much for the support and wake up call. After I read and posted to this, I back tracked and read some of your other posts about what you do now. I did get away from starting my day with protien, and just do coffee and oatmeal. I have since been doing what you suggested. Since I posted, I start my day with the shake again . I ALWAYS did protien first, then fruit & veg, the "bad" carbs. I dont eat bread or pasta yet. I have been doing trail mix which has m & m's candy in it, and I cant seem to stop. I promise that tomorrow I will start the walking again regularly, and try to cut back to half of what I have been eating for my meals, and have grapes or a protien bar in between and see if that helps. Im glad you told me about the dumping thing, that will put the fear of God in me now . I really appreciate your support and I will use you as my go to person to keep on track. Thanks so much. Please feel free to email me anytime. My email is [email protected]. Thanks and I am glad we have the same rebirth date. Hugs, Soos

that doesn't sound vain at all, it's actually a very smart plan. Congratulations on your baby!! You are doing a great job with your weight, and this surgery has given you the miracles you wanted. i'm glad to hear you've done so well, i'm so happy to hear from you. Keep in touch. Hugs Linda