Hey Carrie, It is amazing that you've lost almost 20 inches in just your waist! Why don't you start measuring now that you're smaller and your weight may be slowing down. Like Tammy noted, a stall is only if both your weight & inches stop going down for 4 weeks in a row. Dawn 258/131/135

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to write you all a quick note about birth control and being extra careful. Pre-op I was taking Ortho-Tricyclin Lo. I stopped the pill when I had surgery, and then went back on it after about 6 months being post-op. WELL about a three weeks ago, I found out that I was pregnant... which to say the least was quite a surprise. I hadn't missed a pill or anything. I hadn't decided what I wanted to do but about a week and a half ago, I had a misscarriage. I am doing fine since this was not planned anyway... I had a WLS support group meeting today, and spoke to the bariatric coordinator about the situation.... I just wanted to let you all know, to be really careful, if you are not already... the LOW levels of hormones, don't get absorbed properly with our bypass and often times OB-GYNs don't know that. The nurse said that the best option for us is to use the patch, the ring or use an IUD. The nurse also mentioned that since hormones are stored in fat, when we are losing weight, all those hormones are released and that can over power the hormones in the pill that stop you from ovulating. SO, I just thought I would let you all know about what I happened to me and what I found out... Please let me know if anyone has any questions... This was a bad situation for me to be in, and i just wanted to put the warning out there... Bridget 286/166/140

Dawn, That is awesome! I wish I would've taken some measurements, but I was so horrified by the idea of actually putting a number with my enormous weight I never did. But, judging my sizing charts, at a size 32, I probably had a 54" waist, and now I am about a 37" so that is pretty amazing. I am a foot and a half smaller around the waist! And, the best thing of all, I can buy great designer clothes! Congratulations on your great success! Carrie

Dawn..... PHEW....made me tired reading all that exercise..... OF COURSE that all counts.... Just think, would you even have imagined you'd be asking a question like that this time last year????? Good suggestion... I was thinking about asking someone to do the July prize. However everyone wants to work it is fine with me. I was thinking to keep it around $10 because of shipping..... Sound good???? Hey I got this really neat form at the convention that shows how much we burn by our weight. I am going to get it scanned into the computer & can send you a copy if you want. It won't be today, but it's on my "to do" list. Tammy

Hi Tammy, GREAT IDEA!!! I'm in as I need to tone, tone, tone, tone, tone!!!! Quick question for what counts as exercise. I'm heading to the Grand Canyon for 5 days, back for a week, and camping for another 4 days. Does hiking around the rim, swimming in the lake, and rock climbing count? I hope so. LOL May I also make a suggestion? Why doesn't the winner of June be in charge of buying/shipping the reward to July, and the July winner does Aug., etc.? Makes it a more community thing and doesn't place the monetary part on your plate. We could even set a prize price window. Unfortunately, thunderstorms rained out my tennis today. Dawn 258/131/135