Just wanted to post and thank everyone for their support!! I'm one year and One day post op. I weighed in at 292 on my 5'3" frame and currently weigh in at 152. I've lost 10 dress sizes, and just completed my first mini tri-athalon. I feel terrific, no more blood pressure meds and I run 4 miles a day at least 3 times a week. My husband and family are so proud, I'M PROUD!!! This was the best thing I've ever done for myself!! If you are considering and not sure, I can attest to the wonderful opportunity!! I still struggle daily with my diet, but I understand what I need to do, and never want to go back to being the weigh (LOL) I was. God bless all of you. Karen

Hi Amy As you have noticed lots of us are in the same boat as you. If you read the post by Grace Stein the first one titled: Protein Push - Day 1 Original Post by Grace Stein at 8:01 AM PST on 09/07/2005 You will see that she has started a weekly weigh in. We will be weighing in on Mondays. This is our attempt to get back on track and say no to undermining foods. Just this past week from following the protein, water, etc I lost 5 lbs after a weight standstill since June 1. In fact you and I have both lost the exact amount of weight -115. You have done a wonderful job, and I feel the same way as you do about detoxing. I am trying! I am hoping to lose another 5 to 10 lbs to get to MY personal goal before my anniv date of September 21. I am now below Dr's goal and really don't intend to gain so I am trying to refoucus myself to just say NO! Hope to see you on Grace's weigh in post on Monday! Hugs Marianne

Today is my one year WLS anniversary.....and what a year it's been. So many things have happened. So many things have changed. I've discovered some good things about myself and some bad things. I definately have been on a journey of self-discovery for the last 365 days. For the first time in my life, I love myself. I still have way too high expectations of myself. I still kick my own butt from time to time (and way harder than anyone else every could). I still struggle at times with that old 'stinkin thinkin' and reach for that bag of potatoe chips to comfort me.......sometimes I eat a few and sometimes I realize WHY I'm doing it and make the right choice and don't eat them. Physically speaking, I feel better than I did when I was 20. I've been stuck at 143 pounds for three months now (18 pounds from MY goal of 125).....but I've decided that it's ok if I never get to 125. I will continue to TRY to make good food choices and get my water in and if it happens, fine......if not, I'm still a success. Most days I am successful in making healthy food choices but I learned early out that I cannot deprieve myself and if anyone were to ask me the most important thing I've learned in this year, that would be it. If I've craved something, I've had it......a wise lady told me about 11 months ago, "kim, if it's that important, have it. It will either a). make you sick b). satisfy the craving or c). make you realize that you don't like it anymore. And that has been very true for me. I made the decision to have WLS to be healthier and live like a normal person and normal people eat birthday cake.....but thankfully now, I just eat a few bites and not the entire cake! My Rheumatoid Arthritis has flared up three times in the past year - as opposed to the monthly flare ups prior to WLS. My blood pressure is perfect. My sugar levels are stable. I don't have acid reflux. My skin is clear. My back and hips don't hurt constantly. I FEEL GOOD. I'd forgotten what that was like. I'm so thankful to all of you that have traveled along beside me on this journey and I'm sure the continuing journey ahead will lead us down many more roads - some with twists and turns - but because of all of you and the support that I receive here with you, I know that I will make it through whatever life throws my way. I am a strong woman and pretty proud of me today. Peace and blessings to you all, Kim

Shannon! Thanks for sharing. It is really something, isn't it? I was the same way---I usually snuck off to the bathroom when cameras came out! Happy one year anniversary! Beth 280/138

Hello everyone, I hope all is well and that everyone is feeling great. I have to share something with all of you. This past Sunday we had my big sis' baby shower. I threw a whopper of a great time, if I do say so myself. Any who, my old neighbor came and unbeknownst to me she had been passing a picture of me around the whole place. When it got to me I was in shock. About 5-6 years ago I was over her house with my mother and we were decorating Easter egg's with her, her step son and her little girl. I wasn't even at my heaviest then but OMG I couldn't believe it was me in that picture. I just stared at it in disbelief. I knew and have always known I was a big girl. However when a camera went off I was either hiding or the one taking the picture so honestly I never really had to look back at myself. It just amazes me when I look at myself now and see a picture of before (that I didn't burn). It is just insane how I precieved myself to be something far less then what I was. I feel like I see myself then through different eyes now. If that even makes sence. Well that's all, thanks for reading.... Shannon