And I am SO LOVING it... and loving LIFE!
This surgery  was the best decision I have ever made. 

Today is  my anniversary and I am down 130 lbs. I have a little ways to go - another 20 lbs or so, but I am not sweating it.  I am enjoying the "normalcy" of my new life and am losing ever so slowly now. And it feels comfortable.  I don't feel rushed... all my medical problems are gone,

>I can eat anything, but I don't. I eat small amounts of a healthy diet and I don't feel deprived.
>I am within normal sizes (10-14 depending on cut) from my previously 26-28 size.
>My husband still tells me how happy HE is that I did this.
>I am not morbidly obese for the first time in 40 years- it is still NEW to me!
>I don't feel like I am going to die young, anymore.
>My doctor's office used me in an article. Twice!
>It still freaks me out to see my jeans in the laundry - they are so SMALL! I don't recognize them - I think they are my sons' or husband's.

I try to plan my meals around protein first, veggies next and carbs/fats last. I try to make it a lifestyle rather than a "diet". Doesn't always work - but it does most of the time. I don't count anymore - I just try to "feel". If I think I haven't had enough protein I'll add a shake into my meals.If I find I am not losing (or, gasp, gain a lb or so) I get back to a more vigilant eating pattern (and count protein/calories)

I was asked what I found difficult during my first year...Emotionally, it was the learning to trust myself and this tool. It took me 6 months or so to start trusting this tool. I felt that even though the weight was coming off, I would gain it all back - plus some more. Especially, if I didn't keep constant vigil over carb counts.  It has been a long haul (and I still have issues) but I have had to learn to trust this tool and myself. I am finally getting comfortable that I can act/feel normal and I will not mushroom back up to 300+ lbs.

Functionally, it is hard to learn new habits - not inhaling my food (I still do sometimes...just can't inhale as MUCH anymore)... taking the time to sit and savor my meal is still difficult - I was used to scarf & go.  Also, It is hard to phase in  "bad" (carbs, sweets, fats) foods.. the indulging in an occasional dessert or bread -without feeling guilty or like a failure. Oops... I ventured into the emotional again... I guess they are closely linked.

What did help during the early days after surgery, was visualizing where I would be in 6 months, in 12 months... what it would feel like to shop in the regular woman's section, what size I would be in the summer.... motivation and realization are wonderful.

So all you newbies, take heart.. It works!
>I feel an abundance of good HEALTH!

Stick to the plan, have patience, you will reach a new and improved "normal" lifestyle and YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE IT!!!!

I'm in ONE-derland! for the first time in 30 years... (since before I met my husband). (this means I am under 200 lbs)

WOW... this is getting fun. I haven't been weighing myself that often, perhaps every 10 days or so and was surprised to find that I lost 5 lbs. I am at 196.5 lbs. And my BMI is 30.8 - ALMOST out of obese range - perhaps next week I'll get there.

I was driving myself mad weighing in twice a day and tracking every 1/2 lb. up and down. So instead, I have been trying to "live life", to enjoy this new lifestyle rather than act like I am in re-hab or on a "diet". And it is still working. I love it.

My weight loss has slowed some (not the usual 2-3 lbs per week) but I think that is a result of exercise or perhaps a natural progression. It seems that when you get closer to your goal, you body comes to a natural slowing & halt.  I have 26.5 lbs to goal. 

Well, it has been 7 months and I am officially down 100 Lbs!...I can't say enough good things about this surgery and the changes in my life. 

Thank goodness for medical technology - My life has been saved.

I have not been the fastest loser but it has been steady and comfortable - no problems to date.  

I did go thru a 2 week stall, but I had just started back at the gym at a rigorous exercise level and figure I was gaining muscle.  I have more energy than I have had in my entire life... am at pre- surgery exercise levels (they used to call me a "warrior" at the gym).

 All my physical issues have disappeared (except high cholesterol which we now know is genetic).

Another 40 lbs to go... and it is now more of a lifestyle than a procedure. I still have to make the right choices and lead a healthy life... but it is so much easier now.   "40 lbs." sounds so do-able now, no longer a huge moutnainto climb - almost normal.

I love this tool.

         50 lbs. GONE- FOREVER!  I am down to the lowest weight that I can remember for 10 years or longer. Anything less than 260 was so far back I can’t remember what it was like. I was 230 at age 25 – that was 25 years ago! It is like entering a strange but beautiful park … I proceed slowly but an anxious to get there.

          I FEEL GREAT! I don’t hurt anymore. I can walk freely – no huffing & puffing.  We sometimes walk for an hour on the beach and it feels good. Even with 600-800 calories per day, I have more energy. I walk tall and straight – my sister says “strutting”. Well, OK. 
          OBESITY – it sounds almost like” Oh, Beast”. I am running away from it, actually, more like limping,  with my ruined knee, sore back and sensitive feet – all due to enduring heavy weight. I feel better than I look. I feel like I am glowing, but when I see pictures of myself I am devastated – self image is so deceiving. Maybe that is how I survive 40+ years of obesity. The best numbers I have ever seen… My blood pressure: 128/70. I love this tool. 
           EATING – hmmm, I feel liberated. Last night I didn’t feel like cooking, having a meal… my body did not require it… I had yogurt & nuts. While traveling I order what I WANT, without guilt, because I only have a few bites. I want to qualify that with the fact that I do order “good” foods. That is how my tastes have turned. I do not crave the heavy, fatty foods anymore – they do not give me pleasure. I hope this is forever.
          DINING Out – is a pleasure now. I will always order a meal, and give away what I don’t eat  (or ring it home) and I RELAX… no angst about what I should order, or that it is not enough, or that I am “cheating” – The sitting around the table is more for socialization than for shoveling food.

          SHOPPING – what fun! Whether it is clearance rack shopping, sorting clothes given to me by my sister  or just going thru my own closet, it is a wonderful feeling… purging and not having that nagging thought of “Should I keep it? In case I gain weight?” And  all those clothes I bought for “when I finally lose weight”, have come and gone. When I can get it on, it doesn’t fit right, or is just not my taste anymore or is TOO BIG!! My favorite purchases so far (clearance rack finds):

Long sleeve T shirt - $.60

Shorts = $.49

Pants - $1.49

Bathing suits - $2.99/ea. (I bought 7 all different sizes, from 18 to 12 – some were originally $49.95)

       I bought a pair of boots (not x-large calf, but regular old Doc Martens slouch boots – I’ve always wanted them – Oh, an clearance on the internet $49)

       Oh, and I have discovered, Dress for Success – and am donating all my appropriate clothing to this organization. They have a special request out for plus size clothing and I hope to organize my support group folks into doing the same.

          FEAR is everpresent. When I wake up, the first thing I do is feel my new hip bones and realize it is not a dream. I weigh myself first thing in the  morning and despair if I have gained a lb and celebrate if I have lost another pound. I know it is wrong – I spend too much time on the scale … but I cannot help it yet. I have yet to relax and trust this tool fully. And to trust myself fully to make the right choices, to continue losing weight and to remain healthy. What if I hit a stall? – permanently. What if my body adapts and just stops responding? What  if I lose control and start eating the wrong choices?  I had / have a problem with obesity. Time will tell.

          HONEYMOON PHASE is still present. I am giddy with happiness (just about every day). I am not at all timid about telling anybody about my surgery and I find that friends and acquaintances want to know about it, ask many questions and more often than not have thought about surgery. I try to educate, offer resources and share my experience. It takes the mystique away  - brings the reality of WLS from the television screen into their lives.

         And I tell everyone the best part about this surgery is my husband’s huge SMILE, every time he looks at me. And the plans we are making for the future which will be better because of this.