hi everyone. I'm Amy and to date I'm stuck at 91lbs weight loss. I'm pretty sure I know why. I'm going back to my old eating habits. I'm not eating fast food anymore--thank god. But I am eating sweet junk food. A lot. I'm not getting hardly any protein--and I'm embarrassed to admit it. I'm not at all taking care of myself. I'm not taking vitamins. I'm so pissed at myself. I finally quit buying the junk. My husband used to hide it and I would go hunt the food down with a flashlight at night. I'm scared of the future. I've got to take care of myself. Ijust dont know how. Has anyone went through these old patterns? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Amy

Hello all... I had my surgery on 11/22/04 and I am currently down 78 pounds...I have 23 pounds left to get to my personal goal. My surgeon didn't give me after I told him that weighing 160 wasn't good enough, lol. Although the loss has slowed WAY down I am enjoying wearing size 8 jeans...I am still larger on top though and wear a L or size 14...it's that dang chest I guess, lol. Congrats to everyone...us November Babes are the best! Lori 231/153/130

I have lost 132 lbs so far, would like to lose 30-40 more. I think my goal weight is somewhere around 155-160, but since I seem to have shrunk some from my pre-op 5'8, to 5'6 1/2...my BMI calculated normal is prolly lower. Pftt who cares, I am sticking with 160 then plastics. I am finding the common statement on the main board to be true, the last 15-30 lbs is the hardest, and you gotta really work for it. I have been at 193-194 for almost 3 weeks, but today I am 192. I think it was a bit of body catching up, and me changing my foods to find ones with fiber in it, which ment adding wheat bread to my diet, and I got addicted to toast with sf jelly for about 2 weeks LOL. But I am cured now! Till I buy more, but last time I was at the store I talked myself out of it. I exercise atleast 5 days a week. An hour walk, bike ride, exercycle at home, or the treadmil and other machines at the gym. I found a trainer at the gym that does training in his home cheaper than the gym offers and a week from this monday I will be going to him for 3 days a week and see how I like it. I am struggling with the full feeling, I know we will be able to eat more over time, but it scares me sometimes even though I read other posts and I know I eatting normal amounts. I stay between 800-900 calories. I journal my exercise, my fluids, my protein, and my calories. I found a fiber solution to my cranky bowels, I got it at the Vitamin Shoppes its a Vitamin Shoppe brand called Fiber Force 6, it has 6 types of fiber in it and one is pysillium....makes ya gassy, but is worth it to me to get things moving. I finally read the "pouch rules for dummies" about 2 weeks ago, and have been practicing its philosophy, especially the water loading before meals, and waiting 1 1/2 - 2 hrs after a meal to drink. I dont recall any recent wow moments....aside from a co-worker pointing out I shrunk cause we used to eye to eye and now she looks down and I look up. Still wondering if my bones settled? or I lost fat in my feet? Maybe both who knows. I bought a bike and went riding for the first time in over 15 yrs last weeks, fun fun, even if I did fall..ouchy. I applied for the Bachelors in Health Science program at MUSC last week and am excited about going back to advance my degree and salary. Okay done rambling, I am tired, I did an hour on the treadmill and mowed and weed eatted the front yard, reward was a power crunch vanilla creme bar..yum! Michelle 324/192/150-160ish

1. 148lbs lost to date at 7.5 months out 2. 81-100lbs to go. My goal is 180 but would like to see if I can get down to between 160-170. 3. I am feeling great. I probably do not exercise as much as I should but love to walk around the mall till I am pooped even if I don't buy anything. 4. My latest two wow moments are as follows: a. My BF can pick me and carry me (short distances anyways) b. In a size 18 in most outfits. I have not been in an 18 since I was a freshman in High School. Almost 20 years ago and I am smaller now than when I graduated from HS. Lise Tulsa OK 409/261/180

Ahhh...an endoscopy with a dialation......yes, I have had 5 of them done. The procedure itself is very easy. They give you some drugs to sort of knock you out, you are not completely out but you can not feel anything going on, put the scope down your throat and check things out. If a dialation(stretching) is needed it will be done at that time. It does sound like that is what your problem is. This far out you should be able to eat most foods with no problems. (Or any problems arising should be caused by not chewing well enough or eating too much) It is a very common problem. It may have to be done a couple of times but once you have it opened and you can eat normally and not get sick, it will feel great.