I'm DONE!

SO I met with my surgeon yesterday and he told me I could stop now. I don't have to go any further. I can if I want, but he cautioned me strongly to not go more than 5 more. So...I guess at just a few days over 9 months PO - I'm AT GOAL!!! RNY 10/31/03 257/140!!!! - GOAL!!!

WTG!!! How exciting!!! Great job! It's so good to see someone reach goal so soon....you rock! Kari

Thanks Kari - I'm pretty darn jazzed about it! I'd of never DREAMED making it this soon in my journey! Now I just have to figure out how to KEEP it on!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am also at goal...well actually below goal. My biggest problem now is keeping my weight up. I refuse to snack or eat more than 3 meals a day. My dietician asked me to add more 'good' fats each meal, like avocado, seeds, nuts, olive oil (a little extra salad dressing). I lost 124 pounds (I'm at 139). I'll update if the extra fat works. (Twighlight Zone, I swear, I never thought ANYONE would tell me to eat more FAT!!) Patty

WE HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON, MY NAME IS ANGEL I WAS 236 PRE-OP GOT DOWN TO 136 6MONTHS POST OP NOW AT 11 MONTHS OUT IM FROM 118-122. I WAS TOLD TO STOP AND MAINTAIN AT 134 THEY SAID A TUMMY TUCK WOULD TAKE OFF ANOTHER 10IBS. AND THEN I WOULD BE JUST RIGHT. BUT THE WT. COMES OFF SO EASY. IM A STAY AT HOME MOM W/3 KIDS I ONLY EXCERCISED THE FIRST 5 MONTHS, AT 6 MONTHS OUT I QUIT BECAUSE I WOULD LOOSE 5 IBS. DOING IT AND I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE STOPPING. I DO HAVE ALOT OF ENERGY. ONE TIME A WEEK I MOW OUR GRASS,AND THAT ALWAYS TAKES OFF ABOUT 3IBS. I AM EATING 8OZ. MEALS W/2-3 SNACKS A DAY. I CAN PUT BACK ON THE WEIGHT I LOST FROM CUTTING THE YARD BUT I WILL LOOSE IT IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. NOW ALSO I MUST SAY I REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SEEING THE #'S ON THE SCALE GO UP. FOR 11 MONTHS IT HAS BROUGHT HAPPINESS TO SEE THEM GO DOWN AND EVEN NOW WHEN I GET THE 2-3 IBLS. BACK ON I FEEL DEPRESSED,DO U? I AM HAPPY AT THIS WT.,BUT MY DR. SAYS WE NEED TO GET MY WT. UP AND MAKE IT STAY THERE AND ME TO EXCERCISE W/OUT LOOSING,BECAUSE IT IS GOOD FOR YOUR BODY. I AM SERIOUS I EAT ALL I WAS TOLD TOO BUT I MAKE GOOD FOOD DECISSIONS. IM SO SCARED THAT THIS THINESS WONT LAST ALMOST SO SCARED I WONT LET MYSELF GAIN ANY BACK. ANY THING YOU COULD SAY MIGHT SHOW ME IM NOT ALONE. FOR MOST PEOPLE THEY LOOK AT ME LIKE AN ALLEIN WITH A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. THANK YOU ANGEL

Angel, I feel exactly the same way - depressed if I gain a pound, worried that I'll undo all the good things I've done in the past year. I lost 5 more pounds, but it seems to be a stable weight for me. I don't think the plastic surgery will take that much more off for me. I decided to just make sure I stay at my current weight (within 3 - 5 pounds) and not worry about the dietician's weight for me. I think the key is to eat smart (we've done that for a year, right?), exercise (that might actually put a few pounds on you over time, muscle weighs more than fat!) and weigh ONCE A WEEK. If you've lost, add a handful of peanuts to your diet every day - that seems to be working for me. My husband promised to take pictures for me, I'll try to get an after posted soon. Patty

Well, congratulations to you! How great that you are already at goal. I am no where near it yet. I am struggling just to get 100 lbs off by my year. I checked on fitday.com today and i have to lose almost 3 lbs. a week to get there. What is your secret? What do you think is the main thing (or things) that made you so successful? Just wondering... i think that is something that should be a question of the day or something.. lol. Pam

Woo Hoo!!! Congratulations... Now the hard part starts, I've been at goal for 2 months and I'm finally realizing (slowly) that this tool works and it's not like before were I always gained the weight back (quickly) which is my biggest fear , the tool helps control our portions and our appetite. Now all I have to deal with is my emotions and "head" hunger vs "real" hunger... it's a challenge for me, please let me know how you coping. It's a brave new world... Lucie

Cheeze & Crackers - I posted a reply to how I did it yesterday. Now it's gone. Hmmm... Anyway, protein always first, vitamins (even though I'm not as good at it as I SHOULD be), veggies, fruit, minimal carbs (which didn't happen until just recently), not a bite of potatoes, rice or pasta has passed these lips since October. Exercise. I walk about 5 miles a day and am trying for 6 now. I do water aerobics in the winter. Water - a gallon a day at least! I have great support from my family and friends. Congrats on your goal 2 months ago! WOW! I don't know how to cope yet as this is all too new. I'm afraid to venture out and try new things. I so don't want to get back to where I was but I also don't want to look like a twig with skin.

Patty - you need to post a new picture of your afterself! I know I know - pot calling kettle black - I do too!