I had lap RNY 18 months ago as of today. I am down 222 pounds, from a BMI of 66.2 to 29.3, and from a 5x to a misses 12/14. I didn't have any comorbidities and am still healthy as a horse--but just not as big as one! I was fortunate to not have any complications. I never stalled or plateaued without knowing it was becasue I ate unwisely. I still do my supplements regularly and get all my water in. Exercise is both easier to do but harder to be motivated to do. But I do go to my bi-monthly support group. I've bought a bicycle (first since high school) and am able to actually live my life without the pain and limitations of the excess weight. I've had one plastic surgery--breast reduction and arm lift--and am looking into a tummy tuck. My goal now is to maintain or lose a tad more. And to work on learning how to make food even less important to me. It has been as close to "waking up thin" as I think anything could be. This has been a great blessing. Sally 398/175.8/170

Exercise. I've been off my routine the last few months and gained 10lbs. I was away from home a lot. My step-dad died, my mom was in bad shape, two weeks later my mother-in-law had a brain bleed and has been going between the hospital and nursing home ever since and my father-in-law is blind and can't take care of himself. To top it off they are all a 5 - 6 hour drive from here. I tend to eat like crazy when I'm driving so it has been bad. We've also had a fierce winter and in fact we had snow today and a foot of snow predicted to hit the ground before Sunday. My usual exercise routine is swimming a mile 2 or 3 times a week. The last 3 months I've been lucky to get in one mile a week. Now that things have settled down a little I've been eating a lowfat yogurt with a scoop of protein powder (Any Whey) and 2 tablespoons of flax seed that I grind in a coffee grinder (never used for coffee). So in 4 days of the yogurt mixture and 2 miles of swimming I've taken off 7 of the 10 lbs. Good luck. Didi

SINCE NOVEMBER 2006 I HAVE NOW GAINED 20 LBS . I THOUGHT I WAS DOING THINGS BETTER WITH CALORIE COUNTS AND EATING THE RIGHT FOODS BUT NOW I HAVE GAINED ANOTHER 4 LBS. PLEAS GIVE ME ADVICE I WANT THE EXACT RULES WHAT I SHOULD BE DOING. THEY SADI I DIDNT EAT ENOUGH CAUSE I WAS LUCKY IF I ATE ONCE A DAY . NOW I HAVE STARTED EATING 2 TIMES A DAY LIKE A SALAD AND A NUTRIGRAIN BAR AND I AM GAINNG EVEN FASTER. I WENT ON THE HOLLYWOOD TAKE OFF LIQUID DIET FOR 48 HOURS AND HAD NOTHING BUT THAT AND WATER I JUST GOT ON THE SCALE AND NOW WENT FROM 247 TO 250 I STARTED AT 350 FOR SURGERY 321 WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 227 AND NOW I JUST KEEP GOING UP . PLEASE GIVE ME THE BREAKDOWN OF WHAT I HAVE TO CONSUME AND I WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you for helping me i do not want to be like i was before the surgery.....

I use Natures Plus Ultra Energy shaike. It has digestive enzymes. I stopped me from having gas pains. I have at least 2 bowel movements per day. I also use Stevia Plus with fiber for my coffee. I can only find this in the health food store. http://www.vitaminlady.com/NaturesPlus/ultra-energy-shake.asp#Energy

So I haven't posted here in a long time & was a very infrequent poster in the beginning so I am not sure who will remember me if anyone. I had open RNY Nov 30th, 2005. I hit my dr's goal last month for a total loss of 150 lbs. I bounce down a few but usually stay right at goal. I had to have my gall bladder out in Dec. and have struggled since then to get back into things. I still do all my viatmins & focus on eating my protein, fruits & veggies and getting in my water but I stopped my protein drinks. I laid back on the gym because of recovery and am just now really getting back into it. It is amazing how much better I feel to it just took that push to get myself back into it. I definitely am noticing a snacking problem and sugar issues since I don't dump. How do you all fight the snacking urges, what do you snack on? How is everyone else doing? Are you having the same problems? Courtney