Thanks for the replies, everone, especially Angela B. Sometimes it's discouraging. I know I shouldn't compare myself to other people - it's just hard sometimes. I feel completely different and so much lighter, and yet, still have so far to go. The good news is that I've been losing at the same pace since after the first month. The only rapid weight loss I had was in Month 1. However, I've already lost 130 lbs. I'm not disappointed. It's just hard to hear people who started at 275 talk about how great things are -- and I'm not even at 275 NOW. Patience. I need patience.

MEEEE TOOOOOOOOOO! I was 394 b4 surgery. Last weigh-in, 270. And I'm a HAPPY CAMPER!!! My loss has slowed quite a bit in the last 2 months, but I don't care, bc I'm still LOOSING!!!! I have had ppl try to tell me that I WILL gain some back. Simply be THEY have. But I don't let them get ME down! I KNOW I won't gain this back. I didn't go thru all this to put it back on! So, keep ur chin up and stay HAPPY!!! WE WILL SUCCEED!!!!! & 's, Janet~

I was 390 on my surgery date and 398 when I started. I both gained (last meal syndrome) and lost (liquid diet) between the two points. I have been overweight since early childhood, so I doubt that I will ever be at the "chart" weight. I have been consistent in lossing, but not at the rate that the calculator predicts. I was six months out before I hit the 200s. We all lose at different rates because of our metabolism, genetics, habits, etc. I found that I can't use most soy products without a slow down. I get most of my protein from "real" food and try to go organic at that. I exercise regularly--I love swimming but hate weight-trainning, but I do that anyway. I know the loss is slowing down, so every month I lose at least 10 lbs. is a great month. And every month I loss less than 10 lbs. is still great--I didn't gain. Because I can do the same things and get different results (isn't that the definition of crazy!), I don't set my goal by weight but by behavior. So my goal for this week is to swim four days, weight train two, and limit my starch carbs to one serving per day. And of course, the standard water, vitamin, and protein goals. If I do what I plan than I am a success regardless of the actual loss, because eventually, it will come off. I know it is frustrating, and we want this weight off NOW! So good luck with the steady if slow life, Sally

LC, I was 374 when I had my surgery November 15, 2006. I am now down to 228. I feel so much better.

I was sure getting close to the 300 lb mark before wls. You may have more to lose than many of us, but you are not alone and you will get into onederland in the future. Don't give up. The harder the task, the sweeter the victory. Good luck.