I can't believe  it's been 5 years already since my surgery! I went to the surgeon and all labs are great and I weigh exactly the same as I did last year  at my appointment.  He was thrilled.  So was I.  Still basically eatting the same way - three meals and a snack. Still working about 75 hours a  week  so no exercising.  But  feeling really good.  Still say it's the best thing I have ever done for myself.  Breakfast is instant  oatmeal. Lunch is a couple of slices of lunch meat, couple of slices of cheese and maybe a cup of soup or a spoonful of pasta salad.  Dinner is usually about 3-4 ounces of chicken or beef  with  maybe a 1/4 c of vegetables. Usually I have a nighttime snack of a package of those 100 calories cookies.  If you would have ever told me I would be satisfied with that five years ago, I would have told you you were nuts. But today there are days when even that is too much. It really is amazing.

I had my labs drawn for my yearly appointment. A copy went to my PCP. I went to see him this week and he said everything is looking fantastic! I'm really happy about that. I've got an appointment with a new surgeon on the 26th (mine isn't doing the surgery anymore)  and he is VERY thorough. He checks for everything.
Life is still getting busier and busier. I'm still working two jobs but trying to transition into a new second job as a drug and alcohol counselor in private practice. I'm working with a colleague who has her license (I'm still working on getting mine) So, now, as I am building up a practice, I am working two nights a week as well as 7 days a week. Once I get to the point that I have enough clients to put in a full day on Saturday and a couple of hours during the week, I'll be able to drop my second job. Hope it happens fast. I can see myself getting very tired But the private practice is what I really want to do "when I grow up".
For the first time since the surgery, I gained about 7 pounds over the holidays. I'm now doing Weight Watchers. I refuse to gain any more. I've lost 4 pounds of the 7 so far. I want to lose about an extra 10 as a safety net. Their core program is just the way we are supposed to eat, so it's relatively easy. And the meetings aren't bad.
Enough for now. Be back after my appointment with the surgeon on the 26th.

Life is just getting better and better. I actually love my first job and don't mind the second job. I hate working 7 days a week, but I do take days off here and there which makes it bearable. Weight is still the same. I find it amazing. I can still only eat relatively small amounts. I eat 3 meals a day and 1 snack. I'm hardly ever hungry. I just find this incredible.
XOXORobin did a great job updating my profile. It looks great. I am very happy with the results. Thank you!
Promise to update again sooner next time.

7/11/06 
Sorry it's been a while. So much has happened. First, I lost my job. That actually turned out to be a good thing since I wasn't all that happy there. Plus, the commute was costing me a fortune in gas. 

I was only out of work for 3 weeks,went on a ton of interviews and ended up with a job 15 minutes from home. I've been there about a month and I love it so far. Pay is a litle less, but no commuting cost and free health, dental, vision and life insurance. So, I break about even. I also found a much better second job. Much better paying, in my field and guaranteed hours. 

So, if I ever dig out of this financial mess, I should be much better off. Funny thing is, when I was interviewing, and getting depressed, I didn't turn to food. I actually turned away from food this time. And lost a couple of pounds. Life is amazing. I would still like to lose another 5 pounds, if I could. But, I'm not going to kill myself to do it. I'm mostly satisfied where I'm at. Actually, I'm still amazed the weight came off and is staying off. 

This surgery saved my life. Now, if I could just stop smoking.....

2/10/06 
Today is my 3rd anniversary, Time has just flown by. Still holding steady at between 125-130. I am just amazed at how well this surgery has worked. I went for my checkup and all my labs are great. I'm finally going back to work full time from hurting my back - turns out I had a hairline fracture of my sacrum and a lot of soft tissue bruising. Still hurts some, but nothing like it did. Physical therapy helped a lot. I'm looking forward to the next year - life is great now!