Hi everyone, I hope that you all had a nice weekend! I am sure that most of you heard the sad news that *Our Valorie* lost her home to a house fire. She and her family are all OK and in good spirits. Thank you to all of you who have said prayers and maybe even sent or are sending a little something or a PM to Valorie. I am sure she appreciates all of the thoughts and prayers!!!! So ... is the weather warming up where you are? Can you tell it is SPRING time? Are you excited that you can be out, active and enjoy the great weather? Are you planting flowers? What cha' doing to enjoy the great outdoors? I am out enjoying the weather with the princesses. We are playing in the backyard, at the park, play date ... lots of outdoor fun. People keep asking me where did I go on vacation because I am tan already from being outside some often. Question for the week ... When you started you probably thought about what life would be like after WLS. Now that you are living it and almost 18 months post op - how do what you *thought* and the *reality* compare? For me - 1) I thought that once I lost the weight, and wore a size "x" - that I would care less about food. How naïve of me. I have come to realize what a food addiction I have and what and emotional eater I am. When I get frustrated ... my first thought *food* ugh! I am aware and working on this. 2) I can't believe that I am a gym rat! 3) I cannot believe how tiny I really am I never thought I could be a size 4!!! 4) Even though I have come a long way - I still have lots to figure out! I am a work in progress and I remain determined to keep this weight off. Here we go ... Starting weight 250.5 Last week = 146 This week = 144 Loss this week = 2 Total loss = 106.5 Current BMI = 23.2 have a great week! Stay focused & keep your eyes on that prize Quotes- - "Good habits, once established are just as hard to break as are bad habits" Robert Puller quotes " First we make our habits, then our habits make us." Charles C. Noble quotes

I am feeling a bit down these days. Saw my PCP this past week for a retruning bulge in my abdomen and determined that my incisional hernia which was repaired in Oct 07 has returned. Had a CT done on Wed which showed not only my hernia but an enlarged gallbladder (no stones) and fluid in my abdomen. I am hoping the fluid is from a ruptured ovarian cyst which I have a history of but none in many years. I see my bariatric surgeon on Monday (who also did my hernia). I have been so amazed at how my first year went with no difficulties and loss of 140 lbs. I am at my goal weigh of 135. My biggest frustration in all of this is my first grand baby is due May 1st (in texas) and here I am in Michigan. I have a ticket to fly on May 7th for a week to help my daughter out, but it's looking like that may not happen. I guess I am a bit frightened about what is going on and if it is related to the bariatric surgery. I know I will find out more when I see the doc on Monday. Thanks for letting me vent. Karen

JJ, I go through times like that too. It is scary. When it happens to me, I try to change up my routine so drastically that my body doesn't know what to do. That's my plan for this week, because I'm right there with you! Try eating very dense protein sources--no soft or slider foods. Cut out the carbs and increase the protein and keep yourself so busy between meals that you won't have time to eat. Hopefully, I can do this this week and get back on track. Wanda

Would you mind sending me her address too? Today is my first day back home and I'm just learning of this terrible news. Thanks Wanda

Have any of you November '06 people had issues with constant hunger? I lost about 115 pounds and was actually below goal. I have now gained about 8 pounds and while I actually look a little bit better, I am scared to death! AND I AM HUNGRY ALL THE TIME! I can eat a good meal now, almost like a regular person and then thirty minutes later, I'm hungry again. I am starting to realize that the honeymoon is over, but I thought it would last longer than this! Any advice would be helpful! Thanks, J.J.