Gina THANK YOU!! That was so great - you should post more often. We all posted so regularly when we were baby postops (thats what I call everyone under a year) and I wish you had been posting back then- but NO MATTER!! It's what we make of TODAY that counts! And I have to say Im jealous! I would love to move down another 20lbs..to 173 God knows-its not as easy done than said...GRRR.. I'll write more about what Im doing in my next board post.. I wish I could say I never remembered how good sugar tasted- but you are right-THAT is the of the surgery.. As Lori says- give it to me straight and a good kick in the butt! We HAVE come a very far distance in less than 2yrs..I guess we are dealing more and more with the psychological issues now and PS stuff and I have to learn to stop looking at my body like an auto parts store.. need bigger boobs- need a lift- go here! I'm going to do another post- and you'll find out more about what Im up to. Please keep posting- we love to know more about you and we learn from your struggles as well as your success..so keep us updated! hugs, Donna

Thank you for all your posts. It has been far too long since I've been checking these boards regularly. Reading about your struggles and success reminds me I'm not alone, and I can get back on track. (Despite the Resese PB cup filled chocolate drawer at my office.) Since I developed anemia, a direct result of the surgery, I've been in a funk. I've felt guilt for not loosing on my own. Now I have to remind myself, the anemia should be an even better reason for keeping the weight off and continuing to lose. I've gained 10lbs since my lowest. 7lbs in the last two months or so. Again, all your posts are really helping me remember why I did this and the need to stay on track. Torrey (281/186/160)

To my dear Message Board August '05 friends: I love you all and read this message board pretty regularly so I feel I know all of you. I had my surgery in Richmond, VA. My surgeon's office very strict about post-surgery lifestyle. I was told I could never drink anything carbonated the rest of my life because it would stretch out my pouch thinning the lining of my pouch (which could possibly then burst) or pop some staples from the stretching done by compressed air from carbonation. (Beer, soda, wine) I haven't had a sip of diet soda or beer since August of '05. I can never have it the rest of my life. That's the deal. I can never eat sugar the rest of my life. That's the deal of the surgery. Vitamins, water, being a little bit active and we're given our health back. The possibility of a longer life and some self-confidence by being a regular size. We're all people who have major stress in our lives sometimes. Please be good to yourself and remember that you are loved and supported. We have this opportunity that so many other people couldn't - due to insurance or financial reasons. But we got to have this surgery to get healthy. I've stayed at 169 to 173. A size 10. I'm 47. I was 260 lbs for twenty years and I'm so damn happy that I can move again, look damn good and have normal blood pressure and not have any co-morbidities. I love you all and wish for you to feel blessed and know that you are fortunate for this gift and not self-destruct. Just remember the YOU BEFORE and how uncomfortable that was and be joyous in the new you! No matter what weight you currently are at. I hope you don't mind me speaking my mind but I'm walking this path with you and we need to be strong for each other. Love ya, Gina

Post Date: 5/28/07 4:52 pm OK....I had surgery August 2005 at 386 pounds. I lost about 150 in the first year, and pretty nothing since then (although I still get people asking me if I have lost weight in the last few months). Right now I am about 230. No matter what I do, I don't lose. I was eating 1,000 calories for months, no loss. The nutritionist said it wasn't enough, and I should go to 2,000. I did and lost like 11 pounds in 4 days, then it came right back plus a few. I exercise, don't lose weight. I don't exercise, don't lose weight. I go to 6 Flags and eat fried dough and onion rings all day and lose 6 pounds. Then I eat salad and grilled chicken and Lean Cuisine meals for a week and play raquetball every day for a week and gain 8 pounds. I go out for Chinese food and waaaaaaay too many ****tails and lose 4 pounds overnight. I have no idea what I should be doing. Is it possible I am supposed to be 230-240 lbs? I am still huge!!! My arms are disgusting. My belly is gross. I had considered going to a water park this summer, but I can't find a long-sleeved bathing suit. I am still a size 16. I am 6' tall. My BMI is still 32, so I am still obese. I had my body fat tested, and it is 26%, which is normal, they say. What am I doing wrong? I can't see that 230 pounds can be normal and reasonable for a woman. we had a dieting contest at work (of course, I did not join because it involved weigh-ins), and almost everyone was around 140-150. How depressing is that? I am 100 pounds bigger than everyone at work after all of this. Why am I just stuck for almost a year?? Arrrrrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!! I give up! By the way, I cannot figure out how to add picture, but here are my most recent photos, last week at brother's wedding. I am totally disgusted!!! Last summer, I was the same size and I felt awesome. This summer, I feel like a big, fat, slimy, horrible greasy pig and even worse than before surgery. I feel like I don't even want to go in public sometimes. Like I go and have surgery, which is pretty much a guarantee to lose weight and I still can't do it right. Any ideas? Carrie

Thanks Dawn! I appreciate your support more than you know! You always know the right things to say! Lori