I'm having a tough time not snacking since I only work part-time now! In the last 6mos. I have gained 10 lbs. and am at my wits end. Don't get out of your routine, whatever that is, because it's so much harder to get back on track. I'm not giving up, for sure!!!

I know that I am! I had gotten lax and started drifting back into some of my old habits, and 5 pounds have creeped back on. So, right now, I am snapping back to attention and am going on the protein train from now until Christmas!

Congrats on your success! I am coming up on my two year anniversary and have at least another 20 pounds to lose but keep fighting the same five pounds up and down. I need to exercise like you! I understand the skin thing. It's like the "frosting on the cake" so to speak.. Ha Ha... bad analogy for us formerly MO patients huh? Anyway congrats and keep up the good work. Lucy

Amy, I had a bowel obstruction that had to be operated on 8/7/05 because of scar tissue from my surgery, but since I had the bowel obstruction I have heard of so many women who have had them after surgery for a hysterectomy. I myself was also on a plateau of about 6-8 months fluctuating between 234-239. Then when I got out of the hospital I lost 10 pounds --- but sadly as I have gone back to work I have also gone back to some of my bad eating habits and have put that 10 pounds back on -- yuck! I hope you are doing well after the obstruction -- Kim

9/11/05 As I sat today remembering 9/11/01 watching a show about that day I sat and cried for that loss of life. I could not imagine living in a tragedy that immense. I did not know anyone who died that day. I would guess I would have to say I was a lucky one. But there were many that were not. I also thought about my life in the last few years, and this is what I found. Sept 16th will be two years. I am down 170 lbs which is "INCREDIBLE" and I will be always grateful for the surgery. Some things I have encountered have been so odd for a woman who had no teenage years from thinking she was a huge balloon... and no social life. It has been odd to adjust to having one. I love that I feel so free to do things and that I can move about, fit on airplanes, don't have to use the handicap stalls in the public restroom, can fit into movie seats and the booth at the restaurant. I can wear an XL shirt and size 18 pants. Two years ago I could only fit into STRECHY cotton size 32 and was close to size 34. I have a good job that I physically could not do two years ago. Because of that job I was able to buy my first home (condo really, but it is mine) and I got the keys just this last Friday. While I have struggled with a few medical issues, the last month especially, if I was told what the last two years would hold for me before I had the surgery I would still jump at the chance to have this change in my life. I also do not love the bathroom issues I have but you take the bad with the good!! I still want to loose about 65 pounds. I have been at this same weight for the last 8 months or so and so I am worried that I will never loose that last bit. Any tips to jump start my weight loss again would be happily accepted!! I just wanted people to know that this can really change your life -- It made me really step back and see what I wanted and where I wanted to go. It literally saved my life, and in retrospect gave me a life. A life I can be happy in and proud to say "I LIVE THIS LIFE" and I can only say to that is that God is good to give me this 2nd chance at life.