Yes Carol, I feel the same way, I've lost nothing since around July or August. I want to lose another 20 or so lbs, but.......I am so much healthier than I was prior to the surgery, and of course I can do so much more than I could before. I also still see that 300 lb woman, not the 196 lb woman I am now. I'd like to be that 175 lb woman, or even 150 lb woman (my ideal at 5'7") but it may never happen for me. I knew going into this that I'd never be a "skinny minnie", but I am uncomfortable being so close to 200 lbs. Obesity Help magazine has an article in the current issue about finding one's "sweet spot"--recognizing that you have come as far as you are likely to, and finding happiness and satisfaction in that understanding. I'm not sure if I'm ready to accept that, but it just may be the way I am supposed to live this life. A lot of "it" is up to me, but not everything. Some things are beyond my control. Read that article. connie

I havent checked in here in ages. I started a new job back in August and have been so very busy. So busy that I havent taken the time to pout until today. I havent lost an ounce in over 5 months. I have lost 108 lbs and I am 13 months post op. I feel fabulous and I know I look better but I still and still look fat! I am down to 150 from 258. I am 5'2 inches tall and you know with us short gals and guys, all that weight just looks like a whole bunch more. According to my surgeon, I have a really big frame and he doesnt expect me to lose more than about 5 -8 more lbs. This is so very disheartening. I wanted so much to be 130 and I know in my heart I will never make it. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever be satisfied. I have worked so very hard, stuck to my guns religiously about my eating but 5 months ago I quit losing. I have all this horrible loose skin and my surgeon says I have to wait until I am a year and a half out to talk to the ps. I want to stick to doing it his way but its so hard to not want to go on now. I guess im scared that if i jump the gun, the insurance will turn me down. Eating........I still dont eat a whole heck of a lot. Sample menu ... yesterday I had a banana for breakfast (6 am) (doc said I had to eat a piece of fruit a day for the sugar because I dont eat any at any other time), lunch (11 am) a half of a pimento cheese sandwich, mid afternoon (2:30) the rest of that sandwich, supper (7 pm) 1/2 cup lettuce with sprinkle cheese and italian dressing and about 1/4 ounce of pork loin. This morning so far I have had a banana and two saltines. When I eat more which is rare, I feel so bad, stuffed & sick feeling not to mention the guilty feeling. I take my vitamins and b12 tabs regularly. My bp is outstanding, I feel amazing but I cant shake the failure feeling. And I have this bad habit of comparing to others. I read a post from someone who said they looked anorexic at a year post op. I would love to have to say that! fact is, I still look fat! I know its the loose skin issue that is really my main problem but I also am so very terrified that I am going to gain some of this back. If I were to gain just 3 pounds Id be mortified! I know I am whining and I shouldnt, I know i should be more thankful for this tool I have been given and I know I should be celebrating but I still cant loose this down in the dumps. Been going on like this for 2 months. I wont even weigh anymore. I quit weighing myself after the surgeons visit a month ago and he said i hadnt lost any since I was there in june. i know I havent lost because Im still wearing the same clothes. Which is another issue all together. I hear of so many wearing size 6's or size 8's.....I can still (thanks to that damn loose skin) wear some 14's, mainly 12's and an occasional 10, depending on wether or not I want to breath! I guess what I am asking is, Am I the only one feeling this way or is this normal? Any advice on diet? help me out here guys.....im to the point of plain ole tears and I never cry!

Hi Mary, You sound like you are eating fine to me. I can eat as much as you and I am only 9 weeks out. Saw nutritionist yesterday. Only down 32lbs in 9 weeks. We readjusted my whole eating plan. I can eat anything, I stay away from sugars only because I was diabetic prior to surg. Now down to only

Hi Everyone: It's time again for another weekly story from the WLS front. I am now beginning my 14th month since surgery and I am noticing a enjoyable trend. More and more people are now stoping by my cube at work to say hello with a smile. Before my surgery this was not always the case. I guess the "new & improved" me is having some sort of joyus effect on people. Not that I'm going to complain about the increased attention and the positive comments (especially from the ladies) but sometimes it really makes you wonder what everyone sees in me that they didn't see 13 months ago. Like I have said in the past, I feel that I'm the same person I was before surgery but now it's in a different package. I see myself as a healthier person first and the secondary results are just icing on the cake. I no longer see myself as being fat and I'm enjoying my lifestyle at this moment. I'm eating healthier, I enjoy buying smaller size clothes. In fact, I had to buy some long sleeved shirts this week because last year's shirts are now too big. I want to encourage everyone to enjoy your "new & improved" life. Even if you're losing slowly you are still losing so don't get discouraged. Till next time, Jesse 373/190/-183

Hi Everyone: It's a cloudy Friday here in New Jersey but even the clouds will not deter me from enjoying my new, healthier life. I had my appointment with my primary care doctor today and for the 13th consectutive month, he could find nothing wrong with me. He keeps trying and trying to find a reason to say to me that the surgery (which he does not believe in) was a wrong choice but I am giving him no cause to debunk what has occoured in my life since WLS. I am happy, healthy and determined to live free of any medications. I am happy when I get noticed as a "stud" by the ladies and when the guys at my gym are impressed by the way I work to maintain my body. My advice for today is to stay focused, work hard at not only improving your health but your body by getting in your protein, water and exercise. Till next time, Jesse