Hello :0) My surgery date was September 8, 2005 surgery weight: 328 current weight: 169 loss: 159 tomorrow is my anniversary and I am hoping to be at -160 When people ask me about the surgery, all I can say is that I am very, very blessed. This surgery gave me a life I never knew before. I weigh now less than I did in high school and actually less than I did in junior high. The biggest bit of advice that I can give other than follow the eating rules--which I do very religiously--is to measure your inches. I have measured my inches each month on the 8th. I have lost 137.5 inches. The great thing about measuring is that when you aren't losing pounds you are probably losing inches. So, when I would be discouraged because I wasn't losing pounds I would check inches and sure enough I would have lost some. It seems for me that I lose pounds for about 2 weeks and then for 2 weeks my body has to readjust and shed the inches. The one thing I wish I knew before the surgery--that when I came home from the hospital I would gain weight. I gained 9 pounds from the day of surgery to the day I came home. I was utterly disgusted to think I was the only person in the world to go to have WLS and come home and gain flippin' 9 pounds. That would be fluids....and they do go away... And they didn't go away in a 2 hour frame of time... I was chronic about weighing...like 10 times a day LOL It will come off! good luck and God bless! You will be GREAT! Tracy

Hey Everyone!!! I just wanted to add my story and encouragement for all of you. My surgery was Sept 22 of last year and I had Open RNY. I was 241 pounds on a 5'4" frame, with a BMI of about 41. Today I'm 145 and have a NORMAL BMI. Its amazing!! Before surgery I wish I knew that losing slows down alot at 6 months out. I didn't know this til I was at the 6 mo. mark and wondering why all the sudden I'm only losing a few pounds a week. I also wish I would have been more prepared for the change in my lifestyle. I did hit a small rough patch with my boyfriend since he was used to sitting around not doing much. Now I want to go out and do everything...he was not used to that. Luckily we have worked through that pretty well so far. Even though I wish I had been more prepared for it, I don't know that I could have been. You never know how somone else in your life will react when you make such a big change. So I guess just be prepared that some things won't be easy (not just the food or YOUR emotions). Be understanding to those around you during this transition. I am sooo grateful for the care I received at the hospital where I had my surgery. My surgeon was great and the nurses were even better. Everyone was soo nice. I big part of the care was the teaching. I felt really prepared to go home and be on my own. They were very good at explaining all of my instructions. I'm also thankful that I ollowed all of their instructions to a T. I had a very good recovery and I give all the credit to the instructions I was given at the hospital. Don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand or if you have questions. Your health is on the line, so don't take that chance. I honestly don't think I would change anything about my surgery....ok I lie. I would have joined a gym sooner. I waited til I was 6 months out to start working out on a regular basis. I did some DVDs at home but I noticed such a difference once I started going to a gym. Oh I know, who wants to go to a gym bu****chout! you may even like it! I do, and I hated going before. If you want to know anything else, feel free to email me or check out my profile. I hope you all do well with your upcoming surgeries!! Good Luck!!

Congrats to everyone and hold on tight what a super ride your in for!!!! My surg date was sept 13th, 2006. I weighed 308 the morning of surg. Today I weigh 158. My BMI has gone from 54 to 27 im almost in the normal weight range in less than a year. Im not sure there is anything i wish i knew then that i know now unless it was how quickly i would lose i wouldnt have bought a few pairs of pants in odd sized that i passed right by and never wore. The thing im most thankful for is that my severe hight blood pressure 185/124 without meds is now lower than its ever been 108/68 pulse in the 60's. I was lucky i have had no complications. Yes food is so different eating certain things just arent in the game plan and probably never will be but thats ok. Some days i eat so normal its almost frightening then there are those weeks i cant eat much at all and i have to be careful, thats ok too the results are worth it. Once again GOOD LUCK TO YOU !!!! Tammy O

First - congratulations on your upcomming surgery. My starting weight was 288, current weight 168. For me the first few months were tough, I mourned my old friend - food. Just remember it does get better. My one piece of advice is NEVER be afraid to call your surgeon if you have questions or problems. I hate to see postops with pain or questions and they don't want to "bother" their surgeon. They've been paid very well for this - let em earn their money . I wish you all the best on your journey, we'll be watching! Micha 288/168/150

Hi all you new upcoming September babies!! First, congratulations to you for making it this far!! This is without a doubt the most awesome journey/ride you will ever, ever take!! It is the best thing you can do for yoruself. My story, I had surgery on September 16, 2005, open RYN. My preop weight was starting at 289, but I had to lose weight prior to surgery per insurance instructions, so got to 269 day of surgery. My current weight is 164. Woo hoo!! Who would have thought!! When I started this journey I was 62, and now I'm 63. Age does not matter, for any that are my age out there. The one thing that might play into it is I don't think, even after losing weight, that I am as active as the young ones, and my skin hasn't tightened up like some of the young ones. Other than that -- no complications. I do yoga, pilates, salsa dancing, water aerobics -- all the things I wasn't able to do prior to surgery. I am completely off of blood pressure meds, and just having the time of my life!! I guess one of the things that I wish I had knew preop, or had realized more, was how I would definitely not enjoy food to the extent that I had before surgery. To me it was more or less 'medicine'! I hope that doesn't disappoint anyone, but that would be frustrating, to go to our (the overweights best place to go) favorite buffet and eat two or three bites and be done. It's like 'no, I want to keep eating'!! That was a surprise even though I knew the size of my pouch, etc. I enjoy it more now, but it is not the 'friend' to me it was before! Now, it is food, protein, something to have to keep going. That's a funny thought cause like I said, it was my best friend before (anyone out there know what I mean?>) I continue to be totally thankful to my surgeon, for the fantastic job he did, and for in fact I believe, giving me my life back. Of course I am also thankful for my family and the support I continue to get from this board. I am thankful that I am going to go into old(er) age much more healthier than I was, and that I can enjoy this time of my life. If I were in your place now, the one thing I would change -- I would defintely not buy any more clothes in your current size!! I remember they had a sale at Target just before my surgery and I saw some jeans that were a size 18 (I was a 24-26), and I thought, hmm, should I buy them and hope I'll get into them!! Well it pays to dream big!! Yes, I got into them, for a brief minute, and then went on to smaller. Today I wear a size 10!! So let me give you a little wisdom/advice -- been there done that got the tee shirt thoughts!! I was so much in hurry to go through this process, after surgery. Weighing myself, comparing myself to others, what do you weigh, all that good stuff, that I didn't take it nice and slow and enjoy the process. It is a day by day, maybe hour by hour, minute by minute, process. It is going to happen, you are going to lose weight, a ton of weight, and you are going to have your ups and your downs. Some days you will weigh and be down 5 pounds, other days, nothing. You will learn along the way. Slow down and enjoy it. Write in your journal/profile, and go back every few weeks and read it. I was always so amazed at the changes that happened to me so quickly. And take pictures of yourself, take one on the day of your surgery, and the every surgery'versary month thereafter. You will be shocked. I think by November, I looked at my picture and thought, wow, yeah, this is totally working for me. Oh, and take measurements!! Eat slow, chew your food, drink your water, take your protein, your vitamins, do your exercise -- and follow your surgeons instructions. And, like my dad always told, have fun!! And like I said, hang on for the ride of your life!! If anyone wants to email me, or post on our September board we would love to hear from you!! love donna