11 month check in!

Melinda, Hello my surgery sister! I started at 266, have lost 117 pounds. I have 9 pounds left to my personal goal. My doctor doesn't give us a goal. I feel great. I can eat anything - which is not necessarily good. I have finally found some will power and started to eat right again, after going through peanut m&m, reeces, and snicker hell after halloween. I'm at 149 and would like to get to 140. Congrats to the December crew! Candy 266/149/140

Hello Melinda, I have lost 185 pounds. woohoo!!!! I started out a tight tight 30/32 and now I'm wearing 14/16's. I don't have a goal weight. My doctor never gave me one. I would like to be a 12. I don't know what I will do on my one year anniversary. It's right after Christmas and before the new year. I will definetly be taking lots of pictures. (((hugs))) Diana 379/194/?

Hi Everyone, We should all be so proud. What an accomplishment in a years time. I started this journey at 294 pounds, and am currently 154 pounds. I am happy where I am. To celebrate my 1st birthday, my husband and kids and I are going to Maui. I am learning to Scuba dive this weekend and will be doing a lot of swimming, something I would not have even dreamt of 140 pounds ago. Congrats to everyone. Thanks for the support over the last year! Cheryl

I have lost 104 pounds since surgery and 114 from my highest weight. I am so THANKFUL for this surgery. It was my last hope. I see it as a diet aid and I work with it respectfully. I've learned to eat three meals, with two snacks, instead of grazing. Meats are still hard on my pouch but getting better. I ate my first chicken leg, without getting ill, last week. For me, I must do what I call the "magic three". "W-E-D", Watch what I eat (careful with the carbs and sweets), Exercise (5-6x/week) and Drink plenty of water. I simply won't lose weight unless I do them all! Darn it. The pants I wore at our last year's Christmas party were a size 30/32. I'm in a size 18/20 and still losing. I still have many pounds to go before reaching my goal weight, but I'm so sure I'll get there. My most recent accomplishment has been' entering and completing TWO local Fun RUN/WALKS. The first was a 5k(3.6 miles) and the second was 5 miles! A year ago I would not have considered something like that.. now I'm planning for the next one. I have so much energy. My doctor recently asked if I had a support group, I said yes ,the December 2004 group on Obesity Help. Thanks everyone for writing in, sharing your stories,your questions, your concerns. Your input has been priceless. I will celebrate my one year surgery anniversary December 23. Congratulations to you all! Renee'

WEll, i am the lurker of this board lol.. My surgery was on dec 27. I was 285 and maxed out on diabetes meds. 2 wekks post op I got pregnant.. its has been a VERY interesting journey to say the least. So, here i sit at almost 11 months post op. I have a beautiful HEALTHY baby girl who is 2 months old, i weight 190ish, i am a size 14 from a 26 ;). But just as importantly then all of that, I am no longer a diabetic and my mental state is SO different. I was always ok with my weight, or so i thought. I am such a different person now. My self esteem and self value are totally higher and I simply feel in control of my life. This has been one amazing journey! Would i do it again? In a heart beat, without a doubt.