Because I had so many complications and was vomiting everything for almost a year, I could not take the protien shakes or vitamins either, but since my last reconstruction I am doing better... I have also found a vitamin called Viactive chewables that taste like tootsie rolls - they are wonderful and have saved my life!

Congrats and Happy Anniversary. WTG on the amazing weight loss. Also congrats on being off disability and back to work. You must feel a million times better. If you find a good way to make that $100,000 let me know. I could sure use some of it too. I know in time I will have that surgery but until then I plan on living life and just having fun in my new body. I wish you the best and continued success. Shannon

Hello Victoria, this is your "new birthday" roommate from Heidelberg. Remember me? I can't believe you've lost 147 lbs. Feels great, doesn't it? I have lost 106 lbs, so now I weigh 135 lbs (my personal goal was to get to 130 lbs). I can't believe it. I've had a few problems along the way. I had to go back to the hospital a few weeks ago for some tests. I had a lot of problems with gas and bloating. Dr. Weiner had me come in for 2 days for tests. They checked me from both ends! Luckily, they couldn't find anything wrong. I think it had something to do with my diet. I was using Splenda, and I had started eating lots of carbs. I've changed my diet since then and I'm eating more protein and using Equal. This seems to help. Dr. Weiner told me not to lose any more weight. He wants me just to maintain. I asked him how? He said to eat more meals. I only eat about 2-3 oz of food at one time. I get full very quickly (which is good). Also, I can't eat sugar (I dump everytime). I am very happy about the surgery, and I would do it all over again. Good luck to you in your weight loss. Have you reached your goal yet?

Wow, I am very happy for you. Sounds like your getting things done. What a great gift your parent's are giving you. They gave you life and are now helping to contribute to the "new you". You have to make sure you get plenty of before and after's. Is all this taking place on the same day like in 2 weeks????? I wish you all the best and I will be thinking about you. I konw it will be painful but I have a friend who had plastic's after surgery and she said it wasn't all that horrible. Perky boob's, What's that?????? LOL Shannon

I've never actually "posted" before, although I have "responded" to a lot of posts! I just had to write and say "What a difference a year makes!!" I feel MUCH better today than I did a year ago today at this time. Although I was "pretty much" still unconscious a year ago at this time!!! I've lost 115 lbs. and am only 35 lbs. from my goal. I NEVER thought I'd be saying that!!! I am wearing size 14-16 clothes down from a 30-32 or 4x. I could not even walk up one flight of stairs a year ago, and today I walked across campus, up 4 flights of stairs and back down, all the way to the "other side" of campus and back (including several other flights of stairs) and back to my office and was really not even winded. It's an absolute MIRACLE!!! Please celebrate with me!! Thanks. Pamela