Oh Kim! I hope they figure out what is bothering your body! Glad to hear the tummy looks good though! Do they think it could be in infection in your incision?? I will be sending good thoughts and well wishes your way darlin! Lori PS I can't wait to see the pics!!

Oh, Kim! I'm so sorry to hear you're having complications! Please keep us updated, you're in my thoughts sweetie. Love ya, Connie

I passed with flying colors! My doc said that I am doing great and am a model patient! Of course I didn't tell him that I haven't exercised in a lonnnnnng time! But my blood work came back perfect. My weight was 158 on their scale. The nurse told me that it weighs everyone about 5 lbs heavy since we have to weigh with our shoes and clothes on! So with the difference, I was 153! I have to admit that I have been grazing alot more. Sometimes I feel like I have eaten my way through the entire day. But when I actually sit down and remember all that I have eaten, it's really not alot. I might have a couple pieces of fruit, or a couple of handfuls of nuts in between my meals. I tend to eat breakfast really late. My usual breakfast is a 24oz nonfat sugarfree hazelnut latte every morning. I eat around 10:30 or so. I have been having scrambled eggs (2) topped with cheese and chopped ham. Lots of protein! Then I have a Lean Cuisine for lunch. In the afternoon is when I graze it seems. And that dreaded time in between dinner and bedtime. I know it's bad but I actually do get hungry. I am still averaging less than 1000 calories a day so I don't think I am doing too terribly bad. How are you all doing? Seems like our board has died a little bit. I know how it is being busy with our lives and just not having the time to post anymore. I do read daily and try and answer some of the posts. Take care everyone. I hope we are all doing fantastic! Lori

Hi Georgia- glad to see you posted ..Congrats on your new life and lifestyle..as for me~ I never really got close to my goal~ 145 . As it is Im still 50lbs away from that- but I began at 325 & just broke into Onederland at 18mos~ so Im still working on my program and learning balance. I had hit a plateau- for several mos- gaining and losing and re-gaining the same 5-10lbs. I realized I needed a change- so I changed gyms- going where they offer 140 classes weekly + personal training dynamics + a great environment. I figured if they can offer 140 a week- I should be able to get my butt in there- at least 3-4times a week. I was already doing 2-3 days/wk at my old gym- but under challenged.. The result? I began working out every day- beginning with 30mins to as much as 2hrs..and trying to hit one class a day.I have taken beginning- intermed and advanced classes - in kickboxing-stability ball- classic aerobic- hip hop funk aerobic-rebounding with a mini trampoline -body sculpting. I haven't gotten to spinning, yoga or pilates yet either. My point is - I made it a priority- and lost 10lbs in 3 weeks & cracked Onderland! The first time in 25yrs. I have lost 130lbs and am not entirely happy. I thought I would be further along ( on the scale) Yes with my fitness success and ability to keep off the weight- even at 18mos ~ YES I am What I hear on this board- and see in my bi-monthly support meetings- is that everyone has changed their focus while increasing their lifestyle. Before surgery- everyrone worked hard to be disciplined and stick to the Four Rules: Protein, Water, Exercise & Vitamin/Supplements. Everyone had a busy life Before surgery- whats changed is your level of committment - it got lower. You forgot about keeping the idea- that the lifestyle change wasn't "until you lost all your weight" and revert back to old behaviors- this was a "mode of living change- a lifestyle change" One that had to be accepted beyond your weight loss goals. So- if you are having problems sticking with your lifestyle- take the time to review what you are doing- that is different from what you know you should do - and make the corrections- one at a time- just like you did before surgery. 30mins a day is not a lot to put aside for exercise. Keep this in mind- its about your health- not just your weight. Also know this- (from someone who has exercised in my 20s,30s, 40s & now 50) you can have 2 people- one weighs 150 and one weighs 200. The person@200 exercises regularly and is in better health- than the person who weighs 150 & does nothing. It's your health- where do you want to be? How do you plan on staying there? I am 50- I exercise 6-7 days a week and know how good I feel when I leave the gym and can't put a price on that. Im glad Im around to see my 22yrld son begin to fulfill his career ambitions. I'm not happy with my weight number- but I started at 325 & BMI= 56% and now am 198 with a BMI=34%. My surgeon said for me to be considered successful- I have to be 30-35% BMI. I would like to be between 25-30%, so that is my level of committment. To keep going- even though I am already successful. So I hope I have helped encourage you & others on this board- to keep diligent and appreciate what you have- and to keep it-so that you don't have to worry about numbers on a scale. We are all worth more than mere numbers. Donna 325/198/145

Hey Georgia, Life is great and I am so happy I had this surgery!! I have lost 110 to 115 pounds...giving the time of month. I am wanting to do plastics, but I have a trip to Hawaii scheduled and that took away some of my funds for getting arm done, so I'll wait for 6 months. Although, if someone were to give me three wishes (magic genie, where are you?) I would have my arms (batwings) gone! Tummy tucked and thighs done...then if they were really generous, I might have the girls fixed up a bit. I'm small but "saggy" baby!! I have people ask me all the time if I would do it again and the answer is a huge YYYYEEEESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IN A HEARTBEAT SECOND! I feel amazing, although I'm not happy with my body at times, I have never felt better in my life. Even as a child, I got winded and tired because I was fat! Now, life is so enjoyable. Like you, I have problems with old habits and I need to watch it carefully...we all do. Life is wonderful though. I guess the biggest struggle for me is seeing what everyone else sees when they look at me. I had a man say to me the other day that I was beautiful and another one say I looked sexy...that just doesn't compute for me. I don't feel like I look beautiful or sexy. I see myself as pretty, but beautiful is for someone like my bosses wife or Jennifer Love Hewitt. That's beautiful. And sexy, well, I know I wear sexier clothing, but if they saw the clothes off, whew, would they run screaming or laughing...not sure which! Anyway, my issues come from how I see myself, but they always have. Maybe one day, I'll understand who the real me is and like her inside (which I already do) and outside (which I am desperately working on!). Take care, Lori 293/180/150