One year ago today I took action to change my life and boy has it! GBS 11/11/2009 staring stats: 350lbs BMI: 60.1 One year later stats: 205lbs BMI: 35.2 that's a loss of 145lbs and 24.9BMI points!!To goal: 60lbs and 11.2 more BMI points!! the first 6 months i spent in and out of the hospital but compared to being morbidly obese it was a small price to pay. i would do this again in a heart beat. the only regret i do have is not doing this sooner.  my next goal that i hope to hit within the next week i****ting ONEderland!!! i have NEVER in my teen/adult life been in ONEderland i am very much so looking forward to it :)

Fist I want to say..CONGRATS to you!  You have made it this far.  You made the first step, by wanting to make positive changes in your life and that right there, is wonderful and you should be very proud of yourself!

For me....I have lost over 100 pounds in less than a year.  I never thought that this would happen.  There are so many things that I could never do that we take for granted.  I can cross my legs( my husband loves that), I can get in an airplane seat without a flight attendant asking me if I need an extension.  I don't have to worry about if I sit in a chair if it is going to break.  I can shop in the misses sizes now.  My bones do not hurt when I walk up the stairs.  My feet have even shrunk.  I have big feet, so I really thought that would never happen! LOL! I still have a ways to go, but each day, I am closer to my goal.  I feel so blessed that I have gone through this journey.  I wish I had done it sooner.  I want to help people and I am working on doing some things at my job with our fitness group to motivate people.  I have some before and after pictures that I can not even believe its me!  But it is.  I am so thankful.  I looked in the mirror the other day and could not believe it was me.  I broke down crying.  I have not looked at myself like that in a long time.  My co-workers call me Crystal Lite! 

This site is amazing and I have made some truly good friends.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 

I have lost 185. I think I've finally come to a good habit with protein, where I can get it all in a day without thinking. I still have days where I don't want to drink very much, but I can usually force myself to get it all in.

I'm struggling with caffeine. I allow myself a sugar free cappuccino when I'm working at the hospital (one day a week) because they (strangely enough) have amazing coffee. The real problem is unsweet tea from McDonalds. I have to get myself off of it!!!

Good to hear you are doing so well - I am doing ok. I have lost 80 lbs, lost them all in the first 5 months and haven't lost a lb since. Very frustrating. I am hungry all the time, so usually eat more like 1500 cals, not the 1000 cals I am supposed to. I can't stand being hungry all the time! I still don't tolerate fresh veggies, but was never a salad eater anyway. I haven't had a protein shake since month 3, I think - I am totally on real food. I didn't like and didn't need the extra protein, and I was told to get off liquids all together. No soup, no shakes, not anything loose - just solid stuff. Hmm, different philosophy, right? I eat the vitamins and calcium, it was a bit of a shock for me to learn about all that at 6 months, but I have adjusted. I have no problem with the protein, usually getting 70-90 gms/day. Hair loss is down at least, I understand most of us have thinned out a lot, but at lest we didn't go bald, right? Also a shock to me to learn hair would thin. I have been told by some that the surgeon I worked with leaves a wider opening than some, probably why I haven't been as sucessful as you getting weight off. I go to the gym faithfully at least 3 times a week and feel great, but wish I could take off another 50 lbs. I am at about 200 or slightly under. I have my yearly follow-up on Nov 4, so will ask some questions then. I have a friend who is having sclero to tighten her opening, and I would like to ask about that - anyone heard anything? They say usually done 1-3 years after the initial procedure, done in endo and is very effective getting the "tool" back. I feel like I got gyped in some ways, because I was hungry at week 3, I never get "full", and I tolerate sugar really well. I tell myself I don't tolerate high fat stuff, and I haven't tested it, so I will keep believing that. I haven't tried bread or rice, but I tolerate pasta about once a month. Would be nice to get those things, it would help not to be so dang hungry all the time. Anyway, I am doing ok, but can't say I am a raving success. Anyone else not doing as well as they would like?  

Looking Good!!!! What a difference!