I was touching my stomach, along the incision line, between my breast and belly button, and low and behold, found a bump. feels like the size of a walnut, and actually feels like a nut in there, or a ball. I am freaking out. What could it be? Is it a hernia? Never knew it was there until I felt it.

Hello everyone. It has been forever since I have been on here but think of all of you quite often. I was going to post an update since we all did hit the 18 month mark and saw that the thread has already been started. One day before my anniversary I hit my goal of 150#. I started out at 339# and have lost 189#. It amazes me that I have lost that much considering my doctor told me that at 175# I would not lose anymore probably. But it is funny how since I have not been able to get the plastic surgery yet, I still am not content with my body. Don't get me wrong, it is so much better than before, that is with clothes on. But I sag EVERYWHERE, and I mean everywhere. I won't be able to wear shorts this summer as the knees look like wrinkled elephant knees, the arms are sagging real bad and of course the belly is unreal. But take that all aside and I am feeling wonderful. I have energy that I don't know what to do with and work full time and still take care of things here at home. Size wise, I have trouble fitting into proper sized pants since the belly is so flabby. It was funny the other day. I finally went to get some jeans and I fit into a size 12. But to put them on I had to grab the belly and "tuck" it into the pants. I usually just wear the knit pants with the elastic waist still. But I am from 5X pants to a 14 or small with the knit pants. Top, I am in a medium for the most part. It is so amazing to be able to go into a store and buy clothing now. To be out of the plus size clothing is so wonderful. I can eat everything imaginable and I really have to watch as I do eat whatever I want. I just know how wonderful I feel and never want to get back to where I was once so I have set the number of 155 in my head, promising myself that I will never get above that again. I have just played around with that number for months and just these past couple days have finally dropped the last couple pounds that I have wanted to. I have gotten turned down twice for the belly tuck,Panniectomy(sp). Even though I have a terrible rash and have submitted pictures and all, they still say that the surgery would be cosmetic, so now I am on an anti fungal cream to see if it will help. I just won't use it like I should, and come 3 months from now, hopefully they will approve the surgery. I know I am easily carrying around an extra 20# of skin. Maybe as time goes on I will have the surgeries I need to remove the excess. Funny though how hubby now calls me bony. Never in a million years would I have ever thought I would be at this point in my life being healthy and fit, being able to do all those things that I only dreampt of doing or envying other of doing. Life is wonderful and I could not have had an easier journey with this. I never dumped, never was unable to eat what I wanted, have not gotten sick since my surgery and need no medications anymore. All I can say is life is wonderful. Well, long enough here babbling, as I could go on forever singing the praises of this surgery and my journey, but I won't bore you any longer. You all know what I am talking about as we have shared this wonderful trip together. Love to all and continued good health and happiness. Gay

I've started working out again and Gatorade may be a good idea with the increased activity level. I didn't realize there was a low or no sugar version, but I'll try to find it this weekend. Thanks for the tip!

Haven't been on here for months, but like all of you I find it hard to believe it has been 1 1/2 years since surgery. I am down from 232 to 129 and wearing a size 4...never dreamed I would say I'm wearing a size 4. I do not have very much problem eating anything in particular just still eat very little. Energy wise I seem to be tired alot, but I have had nothing but allergy problems since November including having to have 2 rounds of antibiotics no sooner had I gotten over that than I had the stomach flu and could hardly eat anything for 3-4 days. This past year has been pretty stressful and one day I'll include you in on it, but not yet as things still aren't fully settled. PS isn't part of plans right now because I can't get my insurance to pay due to no skin problems, etc and other financial expenses won't allow me the opportunity, but maybe one day. I am so proud of each of you and how far you have come....keep up the good work.

Hi everyone, Evelyn, 5'9" ? Girl, I'm never going to stand next to you, I'd end up w/ a stiff neck, I'm only 5'2". Hope you're feeling better soon. I'm so sorry you're still not up to par. It seems as if any time there's a resp infection it takes so much out of you and takes so long to bounce back to "normal." and the older we get the longer it takes to heal. That sucks!!!!. It's hard to believe that in another six months it will be two years since we all had surgery. Which one of us would ever believe that we would all be at the great weights that we're at now. I know I never would have believed it this time almost two years ago. I also hope to be at or below my personal goal weight by our actual surgirversary date. I've lost 149 pounds, started out at 313 and down to 164 as of today at my pcp's visit. I'm only 5'2" and based on my height I should be around 122 - 125 #, no way on God's green earth. People are already telling me not to lose any more weight. I want to lose at least another 14#'s, for my goal of 150. I'm walking up and down 4 flights of stairs at work, working out in the yard all the time, I try to walk when I'm able. Haven't been able to join a gym yet, money is still really tight till we get mom's estate finalized. Food, oh my God!!!! Help!!!! I'm able to eat and tolerate anything and everything. Nothing seems to bother me. I've even, on really stressful days at the hospital (real sick babies) had 3, count them, 3 reese's peanut butter cups (full size) with out any cramping, diarrhea or foaming. Can you say big problem? Clothes, I'm in an large to extra large depending on the cut. And I can't believe it but I'm tired of going out and buying new stuff, tops, pants, uniforms every couple of months. To all my October sisters: keep up the great work you've all accomplished and be proud of who you are, where you've come from and where you're going. Donna, sfy