Wow, I just popped in to see how the old group was doing. How exciting to see all the wonderful changes in everyone. I read Wonder Woman's post about weight gain and hon, you are not alone, so many of us go through that. I bounce back and forth with the same 10-15 lbs, but I refuse to let it get the best of me! Hang in there, you know what it took to get here and you know it's a struggle, especially now, being that we are almost 2 years out! Can you believe how much time has past and so quickly? I've been enjoying my new life tremendously and yes I'm guilty of indulging a bit too much at times too! I've had a lot of changes in my life since the surgery, most of them pretty wonderful and I'm so grateful to this new lease on life! I moved with my boys last Sept (after separating from my ex -- not surgery related and he and I are good friends now). I'm planning to go back to school next year for my MBA and I recently applied for a better job within my company and hopefully will be getting it next week. I've also been dating and things have been pretty terrific. I would have never had the confidence to do all that 2 years ago! So keep plugging away ladies, life is wonderful and we deserve to be happy. Don't let those food demons get ya!! Love, Violet

It is amazing how quickly you can gain some weight eh? I know for me, my lowest was 156lbs and I'm at 170 right now. I didn't feel well at 156, so I purposely gained some weight and feel good between 160-165. However, I'm struggling to maintain and struggling to eat right. I haven't been feeling very well either. I was in the ER twice during Memorial weekend. I was finally diagnosed with Sigmoid Diverticulosis (disease of the bowel) I was soooo sooo mad when the doctors..both doctors are saying that this was caused from the surgery. I eat my fiber everyday, take fish oil, flax seed oil... but I've had problems with going to the bathroom since day one. I guess it finally caught up to me eh? I know my mom called up crying and said we are so sorry we encouraged you to have this surgery..I said to her..I'm not. This has given me a taste of what a healthy person feels like..even if it was just for a short while. I'm still convinced that this has saved my life in the long run but I know as with anything, something can still go wrong or trading one problem for another. I'm trying to be optomistic. As far as the weight gain goes, and since I don't have support groups here that I can go to because of work, I re joined Weigh****chers. I need to be accountable to someone because being accountable to myself just isn't working. I'm not really going for major weight loss..maybe just a few pounds 6 or so but I'm going for 1)accountability 2)to get weekly support on my lifestyle and permanent changes with my attitude towards food3)to be part of a group who have the same issues that I do..I can't do this alone anymore. The online thing is good but I need the interaction with people face to face. I thought about it and I was tired of being on this rollercoaster and being in control of things one day and then totally out of control the next. I'm hoping that this helps me get back in touch with things and helps me to think with a skinny brain instead of a fat one. When I went to the meeting, the same group leader was there and she remembered me after almost 3 years! She remembered my name and my husband and his name. She said she thought she knew who I was but wasn't sure. I didn't share with her my bypass but I did share that I can't do this alone anymore. She said why do you think I'm still here? I can't do it alone either. I wish you luck and if you ever need to chat, I'm here Take care! Bridgett

ive been busy with kids and funerals and trying to gain some damn weight lol but i know what you mean everyone has vanished. Hope you all have a great summer ill check back from day to day yet and see whats new Kim in wisc

Hi, Lisa J. in Mass! The October 2005 board has been very quiet for a while now. I check the board every day, but there's just not much going on. I wonder how Deb P., Dennis, Kiki, and everyone else is doing. Me, I'm still plugging along - have lost 187 pounds so far, and have another 40-50 to lose before having plastic surgery to remove the excess skin. I lose very slowly now and my body "settles" in to a new routine very quickly, so I'm constantly having to change things up if I want to keep losing. That's annoying, but it's the way my body works. My health is 200% percent better; no more prescription meds, great blood pressure, very low resting pulse. Last round of blood work was good, but I'm due for another round to make sure all is still well. I'm exercising like a fiend; at this point, no exercise means no weight loss. Again, annoying but it's the way my body works. Anyway, that's my life in a nutshell. Hopefully we'll generate some activity from our fellow October 2005 losers! Kellie Lap RNY 10/25/2005 396/209/160-170?

Where is everyone? I remember there used to be lots of us on here nightly chatting, now it seems we've all disappeared, me included. But i'm back. We need to get others back and chat again. I miss that. I will do that at least 2 x's a week. Hope all is well with everyone. Happy June to all. Lisa J. in Mass