I had my one year anniversary on 11/2, and have not lost a pound since !! Actually, I did... I have lost 2 pounds in the past two months...but I have regained them on and off a couple of times. ANyone still losing out there? Is there hope for the last 10-15 pounds I would like to lose? My BMI is a little over 27.. I would love to be at 25. My surgeon said 27 is fine. Anyone else?

Hi Kristi! Know that you are NOT alone!! It seems from all the posts that I have read and personal experience, after the one year mark it is harder to NOT be hungry...it was so nice when I was never hungry!! Now I find that I too am always "wanting" something LOL It sounds as though you have done a marvelous job with your tool, and I don't think that it will let you down and your in the right direction with your exercising. I live in Buffalo Iowa...I wonder where Elgin is from here LOL I have a friend that says I am lost as soon as I leave my driveway! Where do you go for support meetings?? I have support meeting tonight at Genesis East, and I'm definately going hoping to see some old faces. Been busy through the holidays and missed one or two...gotta get back on track!!! I know what you mean about the clothes...I have had so much fun with the after christmas sales...30.00 dollar sweaters for 9.00 woohoo!! and boy do I need them now, I get so cold!!! Have you experienced any tail bone pain since losing weight? I have babbled on enough LOL Take Care, and email me anytime...sounds like you have lots of willing e-mail buddies!!!! [email protected]

Kristi... Looks like you got some great answers... hang in there... and don't beat yourself up... sometimes I think that's what got me where I was in the first place. I notice that most thin people around me don't beat themselves up for getting off track - they move on and resolve to do better. Isn't it wonderful to join the world of clothes again!!! I picked up a catalog tonight and for the first time realized I could order what I truly liked - not what came in my size - that was a first - it is somewhat of a journey to discover what I truly like?! Good luck - Hang in there B

Soooo November babies.... here I am checking in... it has been 14 months now... and the scale has started to move again?! I don't get it but I love it! I am 4 lbs away from going down another BMI point - which when I do will officially put me as overweight!!!! I can hardly wait!!! and I do believe it will happen now!!!! I am joining the fitness program at work - imagine me getting on a scale willingly in front of people I work with!!!! I am astounded at myself even!!! I am trying out for a national award program - will update you as that takes form. I find myself doing, saying, venturing where I never would have before! New doors are opening for me everyday!!!! 1. How much weight have you lost total from your highest weight??? I have lost 127 lbs..... amazing!!! BMI of 30 - can't even fathom it... lost 74% of my excess weight.... I am now considered a weight loss success!!!! Just have to keep it off!!! 2. How did you do during the holidays?? compare to your previous holidays and not some 'ideal' that has never been you. I did much better in my own environment where I could control what I ate much better! Compared to other holidays... it was great.... I actually got to sit around and socialize... I think before I just ate myself into a carb coma and found the nearest bed or couch to pass out on. I was exhausted but happy. 3. That window of opportunity is rapidly closing - What are your new goals for the next four months? I would like to be able to call myself overweight - that is my new goal... 4 lbs away!!! I would like to get more fitness oriented - looking to add a little more physical activity just for me - if I can stand it that is - the pain from lupus and fibromyalgia is kicking my butt these days. But you know, I think that window of opportunity might be open for longer than I think - I am losing more per month now than for the last 8 months... go figure?? and it seems like I am eating all the time! 4. Did you get a lot of compliments from those who hadn't seen you since last year??? What is really interesting is when I run across someone I haven't seen in a while - who knew me before - sometimes they walk right by me - ignore me, don't even recognize me - that is so crazy to me - and I don't think I have changed that much ... but I guess I have! 5. What is the one best piece of advice you could offer to pre-ops considering surgery??? You guys have all given great advice. My two cents: 1. Don't compare yourself with others - some lose a lot out front and slow down to a crawl - some seem to lose little by little consistently - and me personally I am all over the place - I lost 8 lbs during the holiday month -- go figure???!!!!! 2. Keep in touch with your docs - get your follow ups done - if i hadn't, I'm not so sure I would be walking this earth ... and if you don't feel good - follow up. Keep those appts - get those labs 3. Listen to your doc and your own body - my doc told me that I would probably have to eat more often and like a teenage football player at some point to maintain my weight - I thought that was ridiculous at first, but after following his advice and grazing (what he recommended) I have started losing again - not everything works the same way for everybody. 4. Keep feeling -- for some of us the insulation and avoidance of feeling by eating is what got us to this place, and it is distinctly uncomfortable to hurt again - but sometimes you gotta to be able to move beyond... and great things wait beyond! So glad to have shared this journey with you... At 48 I have finally begun to free myself of a prison that kept me from truly entering the world... oh how I wish sometimes I had done this sooner....(my iron must finallly be working eh?) I haven't been this free since I was fourteen years old... and i intend to get freer!!! Hang in there guys.... this was one of my better nights... thought I had better update quick before the picture changed!!! Good Luck B

Hi Kirsti, I know what you mean I think you have the same anniversay as me. I have lost about 115 lbs and need to lose 20 to 25 more. I have also been stuck the last couple of months. My ex was gone for a year to Iraq and we he came back and I had to deal with him again because we have a son together I noticed my emotional eating started back up. I am really trying not to snack and my support group has a class called "Back on track" that deals with deeper issues. You should see if there is any support classes like that were you are. Mine are through the hospital I got by surgery through. I have been a member of curves for a year now and I love it. It is a little pricey but this is the one thing for me I do for myself every month. Some ladies get there nails done. I do curves. I think you should try it for youself and see if you like it. I find the atmosphere there is very supporitve. I have found trying to work out in my home never worked for me. I didn't really have my space to do it in. I like to get away for the 1/2 hour and relieve stress. When I come back I am a better mom. Well take care and email me anytime!!. Hang in there we all have come along way and have done a great job!! Marie