I too struggle with it. I have found that if I eat carbs I am ravenous continously. Especially those new Twists (double Cheese) from Cheeze its. They are so good! and so very addicitive. I just cannot have them in the house, cause 1 is not enough. Anyway, I am eating protein, protein, protein, and more protein, if I get hungry. I know alot of people have lost a lot more than me, so I struggle along a few lbs at a time. Keep workin on it, as I read somewhere, the weight will come off whether we have a scale or not! What a relief huh? Have a great day! LeeAnn 10/13/03 300/198/150

What has changed? My whole life and my outlook on same! 1. I can tie my shoes, pickup toys from the floor, bend over without fainting from lack of oxygen. 2. I can cross my legs comfortably! 3. Went from a 26/28, 3x to 16 and XL. 4. Can buy clothes at Sams Club on sale! 5. Have shipped off 3/4 of my closet to Goodwill, etc. 6. Enjoy having sex with my spouse even more, if that is possible, and am working on not being embarrassed by how I look. 7. Receive compliments all the time on how I look, I am finally starting to think maybe they could be right sometimes! 8. Notice that others greet me often and men I don't know smile at me and hold doors open! Either I am really pathetic or I look better than before! 9. I can eat anything but don't want to! Weight loss has gone from 300 to 198 and still losing. My weight loss has slowed! I lose 3 lbs than gain back 2 for a few days, then lose 5 and gain back 2. Like my body is fighting with itself over this and losing often. HA! I feel really good and can move without pain! This is the best thing I have ever done! LeeAnn 10/14/03 300/198/150

Hello October Buddies! What has changed since surgery??????? EVERYTHING! I have lost 95lbs. Gone from a size 20-22 to a 10-12. Health Problems are GONE!! No Medications!!! I can cross my legs like a lady and I feel sexy. I walk with my head held high and don't let people walk all over me! I get compliments ALL the time and LOVE it! Who knew the sex life could get any better!!! We exercise as a family and even go bike riding!! (ME.....on a bike!) I feel like a get more respect from people. Guys hold doors open for me! My SIL is jealous as Hell.......oh well.....not gonna let it bother me! Remember all those jugs of cooking oil we used to go through.........now it is FF Cooking spray and FF Butter spray.....Who knew food cooked in these things could be just as tasty!! I bought my new swim suit the other day....NOT A Bikini, But so cute! I wear sleeveless tops now......you would never catch me in a sleeveless before! My Brothers call me skinny! I am smaller than my Mom.....who used to harp on me about my weight! I could go on and on.... Life is great! I am proud of all of you! Ladena lap rny 10/13/03 259/164

Kathy, LOVED your post! Funny and so inspirational. Here's what's changed in my life since Oct. 17th, 2003...other than the fact that I've lost 124 lbs. 1. I'm alive. (I actually died -no heartbeat, no breathing - three times from obesity related problems in the months before surgery.) 2. I don't take any medicine anymore and don't need a c-pap. Sleep apnea is gone. Diabetes is gone. Deathly high blood pressure is a thing of the past. Cholesterol and triglycerides are completely normal, etc, etc. etc!!! 3. No longer on oxygen. Don't have to worry every night that I might not wake up. 4. No longer walk with a cane. No longer need handicapped plates. 5. Go to the gym every day. 6. I can run! On purpose...not cause somebody is chasing me. 7. People who've known me for years don't recognize me. 8. I have the "awful" problem of being chased around the house all the time by my husband of 34 years who tells me I'm "hot." (Hot? Me? Geesh, I'm a senior citizen! This is so cool.) 9. I am the smallest person in my family. 10. Someone picked me up the other day. Love it! Sandra in San Antonio Open RNY 317/193/185 5'7", 55 yrs old

Hello all..Well I ahve lost 94 lbs and 104 inches. Though I have not lost any weight in a while and I am hungry all the time. I have gone from a 30 to 16 in pants 5/4 XL 32 to a Large Blonde hair Got to meet Trace Adkins and he told me I look hot!!! Ride bikes with my Daughters Sit at the pool (no t getting in nor in a bathing suit) Cross my legs Not the "Fat person" anymore in the room that makes the jokes.. Ate steak for the first time a week ago.. Having a formal Party in a week (have a dress ) for the first time Get compliaments from Hubby all the time, just calls to tell me how beautiful and proud he is of me!! I love him sooo.. Battling a lot of lower back pain and skin hanging problems.. Just frustrated on weight loss but am grateful for how far I have gotten. A little scared.. of new life and thinking this is all I am going to lose... Peace and Prayers... Ann in NC 10/6/03 Lap Ryn