Hi everyone

I know it's been awhile since I have posted. I just wanted to let everyone know I am still around. I just went through my 8th surgery since my original gastric bypass. I was hoping this would be the last, but the surgeon has told me I will probably have one more to go through. I have gained some of my weight back, about 20 pounds from the lowest I was. Hopefully soon I will be able to start exercising. Seems like whenever I get to the point where I can start doing something, I end up having another surgery. At least it will be getting warmer, and I can start walking again. Hope everyone is doing well. Rita

Rita I was thinking about you and Bill the other day...nice to hear that you're doing alright. Hopefully all of your surgical adventures will be behind you very soon. You sure have had your share of ups and downs with this surgery. I too have gained a little of my weight back...10 pounds for me and, for people who think this surgery is a quick fix...they better think again. I struggle daily...with food, and excercising. Hugs! -Kelli

Rita.... It is so nice to see/hear from you again... it has been a long long time.. Not very keen on hearing that you had another surgery...that just bites *sigh*.... are you having problems with hernias?.... As for the weight regain... I think some folks battle that.... some of it might be from the weight our bodies want us to be vs. what we THINK we should be... and then you have the reality that once you are down to a more normal weight you are alot like others out there.... ...that now one has to work at staying that way... just like folks around us that haven't had WLS... they watch what they eat and they exercise. I can't speak for you or Kelli but I can understand this concept from my point of view. It is kinda hard to wrap my head around at times... that I am of a normal weight and I am now facing the trials just like other folks have to face them... (or deal with the consequences of gaining weight).... For me I don't know if it woke up the old competitive athlete in me or not... or all the changes I did with my eating preop as well as postop ... it just followed the normal progression of continuing on a health path. All I know is that I am a stubborn old cuss and that I am NOT going to fail myself. When it is all said and done I could care less if I weight less/more than so and so... I'm not in to comparison for comparison's sake... however I AM my own worst enemy and I keep myself motivated in that respect. I have battled through too much just in having this surgery to let myself fail (by my own standards)...and I am very goal oriented. Right now I am battling my left knee. It is not being a happy camper and the old me would of given up a long time ago... I would of hit the workouts and when it really started acting up I would of scaled back the workouts etc.... not now. I know just how hard to pu**** in a healthy way but I'm not stopping.... I have a tiny bit more weight to loose and I'm in the process of bulking right now... toning and increasing muscle mass.... I guess what I'm trying to say...(sorry it is early and I haven't even had 1 cup of coffee yet!) is that I understand where you are coming from. You are dedicated to yourself and you are facing some setbacks that are preventing you from forward progress (at least in your eyes)... Keep focused my dear.... you have come so far in such a short period of time... you have done a wonderful job and should be very proud of your accomplishments.... remember all that you have learned and make conscious good decisions on a daily basis. It isn't about deprivation, starvation or being a slave to exercise.... it is about relearning WHO we are and reinventing who we are.... We are all very proud of you! Elizabeth~

Rita Just saw your post. I don't get on much anymore. I have lost 150 lb but I would still like to loose about 80 more lbs. Right now, my problem is an abdominal hernia. I am scheduled to have it repaired on March 28. The surgeon I've scheudled it with will do it laproscopically. I guess that's good. It's just that I won't have any abdonioplasty with it. But since I have more weight to loose, I guess it's OK to have it lap. I know a few of your surgeries were hernia surgeries, weren't they? Any advice as I look forward to having surgery? Teresa

hi Rita . i am not on as much anymore sorry to hear of your problems i still send you occasinal emails and i get yours to at times . Hope you and Bill are doing ok and i am wishing you luck and get well soon you can shake that 20 pounds i know it is easier said than done . i ahve had 10 pounds to lose since i was a year1/2 out and still cant .. take care nice to see you post