Sorry been gone so long!

I know it takes me awhile to get back here to check the board. I have a hard time keeping up anymore - as it appears most of us do! We do have a lot of new pre and post ops that I hope will come in and liven things up for us! I am doing well. Trying to get the last 13 lbs off before my anniversary so I can finally hit ONEDERLAND! I am 212 right now and I really have to work at it right now to get the weight off, so this will be a challenge to make that goal! Then the next goal is to get to 175 - then 150!!! Woohoo! I am wearing a size 16 on most things right now. I can still wear 18's if they are snug, and one pair of 16's is way too sloppy and loose. Makes me a bit schitzo trying to figure out what to try on, that's for sure! LOL! I will try to get a picture updated soon. I haven't had one since the fall! Yikes! So what is new with all of you guys? Post ops, what have you lost? Where are you at? What size, etc? Pre-ops - where are you in the process? New post ops - how are you coping? Come on everyone - let's share a little! Dina

Dear Dina, I am a new post-op--2 weeks today and so far have lost 25 lbs.!!! Can't believe it! I'm so excited to finally be on the losing side! I am still struggling with getting exercise--been sick for so long and it's so cold outside right now!!! But if I could find an exercise/walking buddy in Springfield, I'd be one happy lady. I am familiar with Medford. Worked for Harry & David for several years in the employment center in Eugene and we would go down to headquarters every year for training. I really love Jacksonville and Ashland too but don't get down there very often these days. But good to meet other Oregon WLS people! Hugs, Stephanie

Thank you Dina! I was getting ready to put an A.P.B. out on you and some others. I love hearing from some new folks, and it is really nice to see your posts - always! Yes we need a new picture! I won't preach you to not get caught up on numbers, because for me it is all part of it. I am rooting you on to get into onderland. I think that was one of the biggest thrills for me. I have had so many, but that was a good one. I have found the clothes size thing is much more significant with each ten pounds, now that I am in the lower numbers, compared to about 20-30 pounds when I was up higher. I have found that the Faded Glory pull on elastic waist pants are still working best for me (WallMart) at this weight/shape. I am wearing a large, and I bet you could wear the X-large at this point. I am at 173, hoping that when I go for my check-up with Dr. Hong Feb. 17th that I will be down a total of 160 pounds. Pinch me! We never discussed a goal weight, and I don't think I thought beyond getting under 200 until now. I would like to make it to 150, but I can't believe it will keep going down. I am fitting into size 12s. I don't figure it counts, until I can zip up and be comfortable in a couple pairs of not elastic waist pants. As I mentioned though, until me and this stomach panni part ways, I think I look better in the above mentioned pants. The whole low rise trend is going to have to do without me. I tried on lots of pants last week, thinking maybe now I was ready for something maybe not low rise, but a little more hip. It was not a good dressing room moment. Thanks again, for getting us all talking! Patty

Hi dina, (and everyone else ) well, my biz is finnaly off and running.. I have my maximum amount of clients now and am getting ready for my renewal on my license.. things are busy busy for me. working 24/7, trying to date (still not going well), my kids, my family, my friends I am just swammped all the time. I'm still fighting the battle.. april is my 2 year anniversarry and I never seen "MY" goal weight.. I went way passed my doctors but that's never good enough. LOL I seen 145 lbs for about 2 weeks and that was that.. my body just seems to want to stay at 153 to 155. I am a size 10 in most pants although I do have quiet a few in a size 8.. my goal was a size "7".. LOL (but keep in mind that was a size "7" from 20 years ago. not the same as today's sizing) my problem area is my waist.. I seem to have grown a "tire" around my mid section.. or um, never got rid of it.. it wasn't so noticible when the rest of me was that big too... LOL all in all I am "HAPPY" where I am.. yes, I know I like to ***** about it all the time. but the fact is I would be satisfied and HAPPY AS HELL to stay here where I am the rest of my life than to ever go back to where I was. and that's why I keep the fight going.. I am always going to strive for my goal becuase if "I" get to comfortable then it will creep back on me in no time at all. so y'all gonna have to listen to me ***** about never seeing my goal LOL.. it keeps me in check!! I do have updated pic's but I don't know how to put them on OH with out sending them in.. and I havn't had enough time to update my web page.. bad me!! I will try to do that tonight.. no promises though! Theresa

Great news! Glad to hear you're clientele picked up! Almost called you regarding my SO's mom, but we really wanted her closer to us. We found a place she absolutely loves...just have to wait for her to finally make the decision. Michele

Hey girl! Right behind you at 222 at 6 months out! Down 93 lbs. since surgery, with a whopping total of 221 lost! Hooray for me! I'm wearing a 14/16 on top and 16/18 on the bottom, depending on the cut, etc. My biggest problem is buying pantyhose....can't seem to buy a pair small enough, so I end up with "elephant ankles"....you know...really wrinkly! lol I've been wanting to update my pic, but can't seem to find my camera. My oldest daughter has been obsessively taking pics of herself (she's definitely in the "it's all about me" stage at 15) and I think it's buried in her room somewhere. I think I look different from the pics on my profile now. I hit my first plateau right after the first of the year...I think it was due to a "carb fit". I started having cravings and succumbed for a bit. I'm back on track now and losing steadily again...whew! The strained abdominal muscle I found out I had, about 1 month post-op is pretty much gone. I was taking Bextra for it and didn't have any pain, but discontinued that med once it was tied to the Celebrex problems. Since then, at least the pain has been very manageable w/out anything but an occasional OTC pain reliever. Losing hair consistently, but I'm not bald......yet! My SO grooms me for strays before I leave for the office, lol. All in all, Absolutely no regrets....life is good! Michele