Hi, How are you doing? I've been losing about 6 pounds a month. Will I reach my personal goal? YOU BET I WILL 26 POUNDS TO GO Would I do it again? YOU BET I WOULD I A HEARTBEAT What has been the hardest adjustment? WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THE EXTRA ENERGY AND NOT THINK OF MYSELF AS FAT. What was the easiest? SHOPPING I LOVE SHOPPING What will I do with all those extra years? LIVE I LOVE LIFE ITS GREAT. Kay

How are you all doing??? Oh my gosh what a roller coaster ride. Just recently got out of the hospital - so anemic needed to be rransfused!! YIKES!!! No wonder I have been feeling tired. The nurse in the ER told me that in all her years she had never seen someone with levels as low as mine walking and talking!!! DAYYYYMMMM! Are you still losing?? Yes - Is that amazing!!! and I am not even trying... matter of fact I am eating all the time!!! and ironic, the more I graze, the more I lose!!!! My surgeon was not surprised, and actully said that those with distals may need to eat this way... Go figure!!! If not losing, are you maintaining??? Looking forward to that day Do you think you will (or have you already) reach your personal goal?? I am not sure... My primary goal was to be in the onderfuls... and that has happened - I always said that anything after that was gravy... well, I am loving gravy!!!!! Would you do it again???? Oh yes What has been the hardest adjustment for you since surgery??? Dealing with the mental changes - adjustments in personal relationships - letting the fat girl go What was the easiest??? Shipping??!!!! Oh yeah baby... never knew there were so many sales -- a pair of pants for $8 ??? Never happened to me before - don't know how to control myself!!! What will you do with those extra years you have added to your life span??? I really want to do some more acting (gotta get back into the theatre) Want to go on a Mediterranean cruise - want to do some serious travelling and camping with my son! Perhaps get my doctorate??!!! B

Hi, B! I'm actually doing great and REALLY looking forward to the warmer seasons now that they're practically upon us.. (I never looked forward to summer before -- I was always too hot all the time!!) I am still losing, about 7 - 10 every two months (I say it that way because the way I lose is I have a big drop over about a week, then I bounce for about a month and a half..) I think I will eventually meet my personal goal -- it sure seems a lot more likely now than it did 215# ago!.. and would I do it again? YES.. only SOONER!! The hardest adjustment has been wrapping my head around how much space I take up in the universe anymore.. I am still the fat girl in my head. The easiest adjustment has been the mental adjustment.. and it was by no means easy.. but among the transformations I have gone through and am still experiencing, the mental adjustment to how people treat me and how society views me has been the most trouble free. Hmm.. the extra years.. Oh my.. I hope to have children (even though I'm pushing 40 here pretty soon..).. and I hope to spend my time enjoying the world around me.. not being afraid that I won't fit.. or that I'll break something if I sit or stand on it.. I guess just not being afraid. I've already started that and I'm really enjoying it! Stef

Hi Sphinxy! Very hard to believe that we're this far out already life is good! Doing ok for the most part here, Dr has me on restriction once again because of my back, no work.. no hard play until all the results from the testing is in. Are you still losing?? very slowly, but still losing yep.. 3-4 lbs a month If not losing, are you maintaining??? Do you think you will (or have you already) reach your personal goal?? Actually I am there! I'm 5'7" and 168 lbs.. size 7/8 jean S/M tops.. I like some fluff on me. Would you do it again???? In a NY minute! What has been the hardest adjustment for you since surgery??? the attention. What was the easiest??? living! What will you do with those extra years you have added to your life span??? enjoy every minute of them!

To get my protien in I have milk when I first get up and cottage cheese for breakfast. try to snack on cheese - ok my cholesterol did go up but my doc is so happy to see the weight loss she's not stressing over it. Tho the junk is easier to eat, I snack on cereal, crackers go down easy, nuts. Solid protien is the best choice but hardest on the pouch. I have ham or chicken salad most days for lunch. (I mince the meat up fine with low fat mayonaise) that sits well. with saltines, not in a sandwich, bread is not always my friend. From the start I've had no trouble with ground beef chili add the beans in for more protien & fiber. I've taken the Fiber Choice tablets, don't have a problem with them, but sometimes go back to the colace once or twice a week. Guess I've rambled on enough good luck diane