Hi! My six month will be on 6/28 and I'm doing pretty darn good I think! I'm down 96 lbs since surgery, and I hope to lose another 65 or so by the time I finish. Things that I never read about when researching that really effected me... I began at a size 26/28 prior to surgery and have been up and down and up and down my whole life, so I had clothes from every size starting with 18 and going all the way to 28. I just now started realizing that I've never been (as an adult) any smaller than I am right now and I'm out of clothes that fit. In putting together boxes of clothes to send to my family in Missouri (all big gals), I realize that some of these clothes I had real emotional attachments to, the sweatshirt that fit me loosely no matter what size I ballooned to gave me comfort; the "skinny" jeans that are now too big and used to be such a boost when I could finally get "small" enough to wear. It's been challenging to let go of these things, and realize that I'm not going to go UP again, this is real loss. I'm losing much slower than before, but still losing a respectable 2-3 lbs a week, which I really can't complain about. But, it's weird to go from a lb a day to 2-3 a week. If the hair loss will stop soon, I think I'll be 20X better, it's a scary side effect that I told myself I could avoid if I made sure to get my protein in - wrong! The changes that we're going through on a daily basis are AMAZING and I'm so proud for all of us for making it through this journey!

Hi Everyone, Just wanted to update you on those stupid 18.5 pounds. I still have them but I am happy to report that I spoke to the nurse at my surgeons' office and was told that I was doing just great. She told me that I was only expected to lose 100 pound by 1 year out! she said that I should be extremely happy to have lost so much in such a short amount of time. I am happy about the loss. I am happy about my life as it is today. People look at me and say that I am getting too small. I can't beleive that but I like hearing it. I think that we all get caught up in the pounds loss game and we are not taking enough time to enjoy were we are now. I am going to try to relax a little more and enjoy being in a size 18 vs a size 26 tight. I know 18 won't last long 16 is coming soon and when I get to a 14 then I will start complaining that I need to stop lossing weight. Go figure! Never satisfied!

Hey ya'll, I feel like the straggler here, lol. I started at 269 lbs and am now at 205.5 so about a 63.5 lbs loss. Believe me I am thrilled. Biggest change for me has been taking care of myself first vs. everyone else. Ie., making sure I get my supplements in, protein etc. Biggest challenge is...WATER!! I have always been a water drinker- love it. But it's hard to make sure it's all getting in. I'm feeling great. Little itchy, hair loss but not bad at all! Kudos to us all!

April, I know how you feel. I never thought that fat person was me! I now feel like I have reconnected with ME. Normal is wonderful. My weight loss has slowed down considerably. Now only 1-2 pounds a week. That;s scary..I am always afraid that I have lost me last pound. I have a ton of energy and am enjoying life. I am down 70 with 40 more to go for my skinny skinny goal. I'd easily settle for 35 more, but I set the bar high (or low LOL!) Hitting the 150's felt wonderful. That happened this morning. The most difficult part is remembering to chew, chew, chew and to eat slowly. I still forget and pay dearly for it. It's a gorgeous sunny day here..I' going outside to do sme gardening. Sunny 227.5/158.5/118

Hi Erin.. thought I would answer your questions this fine Sunday mornin' How much have you lost?.. as of this AM 75 pounds since surgery (179 today.. finally).. 85 pounds since I started the WLS process.. and 110 pounds from my highest weight ever (289 in 2000).. How are you feeling?.. when weight loss slows down it feels super scary.. but I'm learning to trust the process and to focus on the healthier things in life .. like my new health.. exercise.. and recently my graduating from grad-school.. woo hoo.. On another note.. sometimes I can find myself just sittting and crying at myself from all the emotional flux shtuff that goes on with all this jazz. It's like I can't believe the denial I had/have in regards to my previous weight. I look at pictures and can't believe it was me.. I never identified with it and still don't.. but it was surely me in those pictures.. and now it's all starting to hit me.. weird.. how did I not get it? What has been the biggest change for you since surgery?.. I now know what it is like to feel 'normal' for the first time.. while it can be a bit scary.. it's nice to feel normal in my skin.. not necessarily a "fit in" normal, don't get me wrong.. this 'normal' is feeling like I take up a regular amount of space in the universe and it feels absolutely darling.. something like that. Is there anything else you would like to share with the rest of us?.. I feel like I've reconnected with my body.. like I have lived my whole life above the neck and now I am finally in tune with my body and its needs.. although I'm still kinda clumsy.. it's kinda neat and trippy all at the same time!! Thanks for your thoughtful questions.. we all need to remind ourselves to answer these types of questions on a regular basis.. have a great day.. April R. 289/264/254 (D.O.S.)/ 179 today