Please note that I have added a message board and pregnancy info to the Road To Thin website. I have the messageboard just in case anyone feels like posting/chatting somewhere else besides here. I know the OH site and all it's info cannot be replaced or compared to... but sometimes folks just want somewhere else to talk. So if that is you and a few friends, feel free to head over. www.TheRoadToThin.com

today's my surgiversary! i''ve been reflecting all day on the changes i've gone through. first of all i've lost 85 pounds and i'm pretty much at goal. if i look on the charts i weigh more than i "should" but my bmi is 26 and i'm pretty thin. i have lots of muscle so i can get away with weighing more than i look. i'm wearing 4's and 6's for i think the first time EVER! i work out with a trainer 3x a week and am in the best shape i've ever been in. i realized today that for 5 years my lower back and hips hurt constantly and i just got used to the pain. now nothing hurts unless i work out too hard! i was tired every afternoon and had to take a nap and now i only do if i go to bed too late! i have more energy than i know what to do with! even though i had more than my share of complications and just had hernia repair surgery 2 weeks ago, i'd do this again in a heartbeat. i'm just sorry i didn't do it sooner. i'm still losing weight very slowly. i eat very small amounts of food and really don't enjoy eating. i just do it cuz i have to! i can't eat everything, but do have a little bit of whatever i want. i've only dumped once the whole year and that was on a protein shake that i added banana and peanut butter to! my husband, kids, parents and friends have been so supportive, and although they were really scared about the surgery and the complications, they're so happy for me now! i do need to thank all my OH family because without you guys i never would have had this much success! you understand what i go through and that really helps a lot! i also need to thank dr. murphy who did my initial surgery and dr. tanaka who's now doing my follow-up. i'm lucky in that i don't have too many "skin issues" but i do definitely need implants and am hoping to get them in the next six months! thanks again for all your support!

Hi and welcome to the board! Its about time we had some testosterone around here! Congratulations on your weight loss so far- I know you are still working on it- albeit it from another hospital bed..but imagine this if you will - what shape would you be in without that weight loss- and going into surgery - what would those odds look like? You are very impressive with # 266lbs lost to date- but remember this- you are more than a number on a scale..your health and fitness are your keys to living life.. So I to your success and wish you all the best in your continued journey.. May God continue to bless you in abundance. Hugs, Donna

Everyone Been kind of a tough week..I was MIA from my workouts a week, then worked out one day-then began TOM, and this week was really bad - food wise... ASIDE from the fact that my son , who is now 21, wants to move and live out in Illinois, with this girl and her family. He wants to continue his EMT career out there, and I was thinking by Christmas, and he told me by Oct. 31 he wants to relocate. I think he just feels fulfilled and the fact that he has been corresponding and talking, over the last 2 yrs- since his last visit there, I told him I'm not going to hold him back. Its just the suddenness of how quickly he wants to leave.. So between feeling conflicted, over feeling OLD, and the advent of his departure, has made me depressed, along with my monthly PMS issues. In my heart I know - he thinks he'll be happy, and he needs to launch off and discover life. I'm good with that. It's the anticipation of loneliness that I dislike. I did miss him while he was gone- but at the same time- I felt like I was getting part of my life back- But I'm also afraid- that left to my own devices, I will eat myself back to 300 again. I notice I eat when I'm depressed. Plus the other thing- has anyone noticed- a natural incline in eating- when its TOM with their hormones running rampant? It's something I can't explain..I know NORMALLY, how much I eat- I workout- etc and stick to vitamins and supplements etc. And I thought Im supposed to be hitting menopause sometime soon at 50 (?), but my TOM has slightly decreased- but my HORMONES have tricked me! They first made me super horny- and now- they have me with a raging hunger..It's NOT me- I even tried controlling what I eat- or picking safe foods- I just ate MORE of them - from the minute I went to work- till Lunch and then when I got home- till bedtime. I didnt get sick- but it was a good case of indigestion. I just ate and ate and ATE! Like an all day party! I ate fruit , salad, skittles , pretzels with pb, more fruit, s/f ice pops and drank a lot of fluids. Wed- we did a BBQ- and I overate chicken, hot dog & 1/2 hamburger with cheese.. I felt like this since Tuesday- THREE DAYS!..It upset me because I was really beginning to think I was "out of control" with my eating, you know? That bad habits had returned- despite all my hard work, so I began feeling guilty and concerned. I thought I was on a spiral of eating my way back to being big and fat. PLUS I think I watched way too much TV-more than I normally do. TODAY, I feel more like myself- more calm. Usually becuz of my anemia, I don't workout this week, but I will attempt some light workouts and stretching this weekend. I don't have the venomous appetite I've had, nor do I feel compelled to stuff myself like a tomato... I really thought it was my old behavior and appetite returning. I feel more confident that I can return to my "normal" lifestyle, but hope I have not outstretched my tummy in one endless parade of grazing.Do you think I DID? It was like I had no self control and really twisted myself, and yet I really think it was hormonal. Comments anyone?? SO I am NOT one to allow "feeling sorry" for myself, I just refuse it..good thing I'm stubborn in some ways I think this was a combination of things..I want my son to be grown and independent, but I also thought he would always be around, you know? I worry that something might happen to me- and no one's around. I trust him to aid me if anything happened..then I worry - what happens if something happens to him out of state? It would hurt me too much... NOW is a different 360 degree turn from where I was last year- just recovering. This REALLY IS Life Altering Surgery, and my journey continues. P.S. - Is anyone using Seasonale or another BC Pill now that they are a year out? Donna

Sheree... Happy 1 year to you ................ This has been an amazing journey. I know I could not have done it without all of you. I'm so happy for you and your sons growing relationship. I know it's wonderful to be able to do so much with my girls... Keep up the great work & remember I'll always be here. You all keep me motivated as much as I motivate you. Tammy