AM I THE ONLY ONE???

I am seeing everyone on here and it seems I am the only one that is still "heavy". I wear 14 and L. Dont get me wrong I am so happy and I actually like being full figured I have NEVER wanted to be skinny but I am wondering if I am the only one nearly 2 years post and like this. I work out and eat right and I totally feel great! My hubby seems to think I work out with too much weight but I like it, it feels good being strong and healthy. I do have tons of extra skin (hope to have body lift soon) but I was hoping to have someone out there to talk to who is in the same boat as me. TTFN Sabrina 5'8'' 220lbs

Sabrina, I'm not in your situation right now, but I have been in the past. I glanced at your profile and checked your beginning weight. I started out at 396 with my first WLS. I was considered "super morbidly obese". I don't know if the medical industry has noticed the trends that I have noticed, but I will tell you what I have seen (only from belonging to lots of revision groups)... it seems that the heavier a person is when they have WLS... the less likely they are to achieve a "normal" body weight with only one procedure. I have seen lots of combinations... banding to RNY; RNY add a band; RNY proximal to RNY distal; Banding to RNY to DS... etc. I'm not in anyway telling you to run out and have another surgery. It sounds like you are perfectly happy where you are at. The other consideration is that you are tall. I have heard in the past to allow 5lbs per inch in height when comparing your body weight to someone elses. For example, I have a friend that is 4'11"... I'm 5'5" that's 6" difference. So, If I weigh 155 and she weighs 125 we should theoretically be the same size. The other consideration is your level of physical strength. You know that muscle weighs much more than fat. So, if you are working out with weights and I think that's what I understood you to say... of course your scale is going to have a higher number than if you were composed of mostly fat. I only got to 255 with my first surgery so, that would look like 270 for you.... of course I didn't work out and mine was FAT. I'm sure that after your body lift, especially with the contoured muscles you've been building... you will be absolutely perfect!! Good Luck, Jackie

Sabrina, Dear G*D what is wrong with a 14 or a L You are 5'8 for goodness sake! I am trying to accept the fact that my "BMI" will never be "Normal" though I wear a size 6- at 5'3. Heck I look good and I bet you do too! Stay with the program, just don't gain- it sounds like you are happy with your strength, and you feel wonderful, what makes you think you are a failure? I would be willing to bet you lose a lot with the LBL. Morgan 10/27/03 RNY 305/144 6/17/04 Obstruction/resection lost 2 more feet of bowel 6/9/05 TT w/MR & Hernia repai

I too along with the other responders am not in your same boat. However, it sounds like you're happy, healthy and satisfied. Now you just need to "get over" the number thing. The numbers in your clothes and the numbers on the scale shouldn't bother you. The things you need to remind yourself of are the things that make you feel and look great and just remember HOW you are feeling. Don't you feel so much better than you use to? I am sure of it. No worries dearie - you're doing and looking fabulous. I personally haven't worked out in over a year. The most thing / activity I do is walking and even then, it's not to get a sweat up. But I stay the same (if I do exercise I crash weight off) so I guess I'm fortunate in that way. Although I love the high I get from exercise, I just hate the end result for me! I like where I am at. I was freaking out for a while I was losing too much, but now life is GRAND!! Keep up the excellent work and positive attitude!!!

Hi there! Ok...well, I think I AM in the same boat. I will be two years out this October. I am 5'9" and I started out at 369#. To date I have lost about 139#, but I am still in a size 18-20. My energy level is sooo much greater than it was, but some days it could be better....I am really feeling saggy.....my arms...legs...belly....can't wait to find a PS. Anywho...just wanted to let you know you aren't alone....I totally feel ya....hang in there...email me if ya like...until then...take care, you.... PS: Disregard my pic..I need to update something fierce....check out my profile on yahoo....the pic posted on here is about 5 mos out...the one on yahoo was this January, 2005 http://profiles.yahoo.com/inocntheart73 -Shelley Oh, and my clothing pre-op was greater than a 32...I was bustin out of a sz 32 and that was the biggest I could find, so I was probably more like a 36 or so...., so I have lost a wee bit.....

You are NOT the only one. I started out at 330 and made it ALL THE WAY down to 256 before the rebound and now fluid retention has pushed me to 270. I know I have a scar, but did they DO anything in there??? I admit I have been a bad girl the last couple of months because I have been (still am?) depressed about the whole thing, but I am trying to bend over far enough to pull myself up by the boot straps. I am 5' 3" tall and started in a 26-28 am now in a 24-26. Most days I think why did I go thru all that? Any of this sound familiar? I am guessing it does. Hang in there, there has to be a solution somewhere. Elizabeth

Sabrina, No, you aren't the only one. I started out at 320 and am now at 195, which at 5'5" makes me still 50 lbs overweight. I have been gaining and losing the same 5 lbs for about a year now. Everyone tells me I look great, but I know that I need to lose at least 30 more lbs before I will feel like a success. I do feel wonderful, though, and am amazed at the difference in my balance, stamina and agility. If I stay at this weight, I will be OK with it because life is so much better now!

You certainly are not alone!! I started at 427 and I'm 222 now. If I were in a 14 and a large I'd be jumping for joy. lol I think you are doing just fine. We all lose at different rates..don't compare yourself to anyone! Best wishes to you on the rest of your journey!!

I'm new at this site. I had my surgery Oct 1 2003 and I to am having trouble keeping my weight off. I started out at 252 and lost down to 152 in the last 6 months I have gained 10 lbs back. I am getting ready to join a Back On Track group and hope to do that exactly. Hang in there we are all in this together. It is very frustrating! Sherry I have been trying to do some exercising and walking.

You are NOT the only one. I feel like you do often, especially when I see someone who started at near my height and weight and are now at or near goal. I'm 5'5" and started at 295. Today I'm 195. I got as low as 188 and now bounce around. I feel much better and life is overall easier, but I will always be bummed that I never quite got to "normal" with this surgery. I'm also back in therapy for food addiction issues. I did this prior to surgery as well. So, please know you're not alone. I tend not to post much here because I feel like a failure when I type up my stats. Again, I'm happy when I look back at where I came from, but sad when I realize I'm not where I expected to be. Good luck to you! Jeannie lap rny 10-28-03 295/195/188