Hey, Here are my answers to your questions: 1. My life has changed dramatically. It has allowed me to do things that I would never have tried before. For example, last October, I got to ride in the Nascar Nextel Cup #29 Car for a ride along. Before I had the surgery, I would never had the courage to stuff my obese body into a car of that magnitude. Now I enjoy life instead of moping around the house feeling sorry for myself. 2. No regrets at all. I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to do the work it takes to achieve your goal. 3. I have gained a couple of pounds, but usually the weight gain is caused when I drink sodas instead of my flavored waters. When I don't drink sodas for about a week, the weight comes back off, which I can handle. 4. Well, my biggest addiction at this point in my weight loss has being able to get on the floor and wrestle with my nephew who is 4 years old. Also, when I get bored (usually when I would eat the most), I try to find a good book or puzzle book and lay on the couch on our patio to overcome the boredome. If that doesn't work, then I will do some form of exercise. I am doing great. I have a setback every now and then, but I would not change a thing about my WLS experience. Let's all try to keep in touch. Your buddy, Angela S. 305/143

Hope this works.

thanks for your post. since I posted that I have figured out how to have success doing protein trains on BAF I have lost 17 pounds since I posted this, my mini goal was to lose 20 pounds 08/22/06 so now I may try to push for 10 more pounds before that date thanks again way to go with the 100 pound loss way to work your tool!!! later Heather 237/222/173/125

Hello, I had surgery on November 22, 2004. I went into surgery 303lbs and now almost 2 years later I am exactly 203. SO I am 100lbs les sthan I was with 6 months to go. I am happy with that. What you have to remember is that they say the less you ahve to loose the slower you loose. So for a 300lb girl to loose 100lbs in a yeah and a half, a 200lbs girl may only loose 45-55lbs. It just works that way becasue it takes more energy and burns more calories to carry a 300lb body versus a 200lb body. Good luck and keep up the good work. I am going to read your profile now!

Wow! I came to the site today because I wanted some help in getting on track with my food intake and found your reply to this same question! I wondered if you would send me your meal planning guide. I think if I had something concrete I wouldn't play head games and eat poorly! I have just had an extended tummy tuck so I am eating a little bit more right now in order to heal. However soon I need to get moving with my exercise again and trim back the amount I am eating. I love your advice on this thread! You are right - we all get scared that the weight will come back. A lot of us are disapointed that we didn't make goal. (I still have 30 pounds to lose after having 16 removed!) We need reminders from each other that we all fall of the wagon - but we have to get ourselves in check and get back with the program. I am glad that we can support each other and just listen sometimes when one of us just needs to scream! Thanks for your advice, I needed to read it today! Virginia