Came to Share

 I completely agree.  I felt it necessary to share because getting discouraged can set us off on the wrong trail.  There were times I was heading down that trail and could have benefitted from hearing from someone who knew what it was like to be SMO.  And don't count yourself short, I lurk and I know you are a motivator on this board - you keep that up for yourself and the others - this board needs members like you!

Thanks for your post.  I think when we start as big as the ones on this board start, it is hard to think we can go all the way.  Thanks for letting us know it is possible!  And, great job!  Would love to hear from you, but also understand having a life outside of cyber world, so want you to enjoy that too!

 We think that way because unwittingly everyone around us conditions us to think that way so we are not disappointed when we don't get to a size 2.  Even my WLS, who is an expert in the field, told me not to expect dramatic results given where I started at.  If it wouldn't cost me an office visit, I would march right on into his office and say - look were WE got me.  I couldn't have done it without him, but even he didn't think I would have the success I have had - no one did!  However, it happened and it can happen for you too!

Thank you so, so, so much for posting about your experience.  Gosh, I find it so inspiring!  I started at 380 and am currently around 260 and it feels like I'll never be able to lose this next 80 lbs or so.  But reading about your experience reminded me that with diligence and committment, it will happen in time. 

Congratulations on all of your success!  You worked for every bit of it :)  

 You are welcomed.  I remember the days of watching the scale tick away....going through the pounds one set of 10s at a time.  Some weeks were torture and others were amazing.  Keep on keeping on and before you know it those lbs will turn into 10 lbs which then turns to 100 lbs and so forth.  Each pound lost is a pound closer to the new you that you are working towards!

Thanks for sharing your journey and for letting us know - -  good, bad, and ups and downs - - you'd do it again.  I feel the same way.  Started at 399 (original high wt was 427), I'm now 292 and it's such a relief!  I feel better and have something I was missing for a long time.  HOPE.

I post every so often but I lurk because in order to exercise, I have to do it after work and get home around 9 and by the time I eat a little bit, it is time for bed to get up and do it all over again.

You are a couple of months behind me (my 2 year anniversary is July 9th).  My heaviest weight was 407 and that was 3 weeks before surgery.  I got back down to my consult weight of 386 on surgery day after a 3 week liquid diet.  All my insurance company asked for was 5 years of history and my surgeon told me to try not to GAIN weight and in the end I didn't.  I wish I could have lost some pre-op but I had a few co-morbidities that affected my ability to think clearly (constant fatigue which I found out was a result of severe sleep apnea where I AVERAGED 67 episodes an hour).  As a result, caffeine and sugar kept me going and there were mornings that I would drive to work and not remember how I got there. 

My weight spiraled out of control after a complete hysterectomy in 2004.  I always battled my weight and in my younger days controlled it to a point of about 225.  By the time I hit 40, (I have been cleaning and found old WW books), I hit 275 and got down to 220.  From that point on, I gained and went up to a little over 300, lost some, the typical yo-yo syndrome.  By the time I got to the hysterectomy, I went into surgical menopause and hormones, depression, etc. took over.  I lost 50 pounds, gained 60, lost 50, gained another 60 until by the time I went to see my surgeon on January 31, 2008, I was almost back up to 400 again.  Edema didn't help this either.

Long story short, I have been in a stall for about 3 months where I have teetered between 5 pounds and can't break the 200 mark.   This is the first true stall I have had in these past 19 months and I am lucky but it truly isn't one because the exercise I have been doing has brought me down to a size 16-18 (depending on what it is-some jeans are 16 and some are 18) and tops can be 18-20 (I have a large bust which will be getting reduced on June 10th).

If anyone told me 2 years ago at this time that I would be where I am, I would have said they were nuts.  Nothing ever worked to get me under 350.  When I had surgery, I thought it's working at 350 so let's go for 300.  I hit 300 and let's go to the land of 200's.  I got to 299, et****il I have been holding at this 202.  Onederland has been illusive but I know I will get there. 

You are so right--dream big dreams of greater things and better health for yourself.  The emotional baggage is there because, I believe, food has medicated me for many years and when you can't use that prescription to feel better, the feelings haven't gone away and have to be dealt with.  That is the hard part but everyone should know that we are here to support all of you.

As Jupiter6 has told many of us -- "YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS".  We all can.

You are doing awesome--congratulations!

THANK U, I SO NEEDED THIS!
I am you, I keep saying if I can get to 250 lbs I'll be happy. If I can get to 200 even happier. My "Mission Impossible" dream is 180 to be under 200lbs. Reading your post has me believeing that it just might be an attainable goal and I thank you!

Thank you so much for this post! as a newbie who hasnt even gotten surgery yet, and being at 367 lbs i find it impossible to ever get under 200 lbs :o( but with work and post like these i know i can do it and it will be hard but rewarding!