We are surgery sisters - and I know how you feel. I signed on today to post myself and read your post first. It feels as if a year has just flown by - but with all the changes WOW what a difference. I wheeled into surgery weighing 291 pounds and 5'4, now exactly 1 year later I weigh 140. I have lost 151 pounds, more than I weigh now. My mind is still trying to comprehend - but it will catch up. Congratulations to you - hope you have another wonderful year. Heather 4-11-05 291-140 (-151)

WOW! My heart is full with sadness and excitement today. One year ago today I topped the scales at a whopping 282 lbs on a 5'2" body. I was rounder then I was tall. Today I top the scales at a mere 128 lbs with a total loss of 140 + inches. A part of me is sad today because life as I knew it is no longer. It's hard to tell that old person and those old habits good bye. I am happy today because I look at far I have came in a measly 12 month's. I never imagined my life could be what it is as I sit and type this. There are so many things I can do now I can't even begin to put into words what I'm feeling. I simply thought if I can into a size 14 I would be happy. 14 came and went and I am now in a size 8 hoping to get into a size 6. I reached my surgeon's goal in 9 short months and am 8lbs away from my personal goal of 120 lbs. I know I will get there. Has this journey been easy? Physically yes, emotionally no. Everyday I deal with self image issues and still have to remind myself that I can fit in that booth or I can bend over and tie my shoe, I know eventually those thing will come. As they wheeled me into surgery a year ago, I can remember my Mother's sweet face and her saying bye my little fat girl. What I didn't realize at the time is she was telling the obese person good bye. If it weren't for my sister and her husband I would have never been able to have this life saving surgery, as I was self pay. I owe them a lot. I am so grateful to be a part of OH and have the support of each and every one of you. It has truly been a pleasure watching your journeys and watching you all emerge. Whenever I was in doubt, felt like I couldn't go through this journey, or felt lonely all I had to do was look up and all of my OH family was there encouraging me. You all inspire me. Some of you I have followed in your footsteps and some of you have followed in mine. Know that no matter where you are in your journey pre-op or post-op there is a huge crowd cheering you on. Thank you all for welcoming into your life and your journey, it has been a pleasure. I am grateful to my surgeon and his staff for giving me this wonderful tool. Above all, I am grateful to God for helping me get my life back. I used to sit and watch life go by and now I am out there enjoying it and not just existing. Today I will see my surgeon, almost to the hour of my surgery. I'm sentimental like that. I can't wait to see his face when I walk in. Then I think I will just have some quiet time to reflect back on me. Wherever you are in your journey never lose sight of your hopes and dreams they can come true as long as you believe in yourself. Thank you all for being a part of my journey and welcoming me into your life with open arms, it has meant more to me then you will ever know. New picture towards the bottom of my profile. Gina

Yo Alice! Take a step back and look at the big picture. You've lost 124 pounds in less than a year... helloooooooo... can we say FABULOUS ACCOMPLISHMENT!! I've been stuck for about four months but I've lost 100 pounds and believe my body is simply taking a break and adjusting to this weight. I want to lose 30 pounds too but I surely won't consider myself a failure if I don't reach an arbitrary number on my scale. Enjoy your success and don't make yourself crazy. Lynda

My year anniversary is on Easter ...I am glad I made it this far with no health problems. I started at 285lbs now I am at 159lbs but I have been this weight forever!!!! I would like to loose 30-25lbs but dam it seems inpossiable. Am I a failure , I am scared I dont wanna be fat again..Has anyone ever been stuck for along period of time? At my 9mo check up my doc said I should beable to loose 30 more pounds in 9mos.. HELP!!!!!!!!!! Alice

Good Morning Everyone, I hope you all had a successful week! My WOW moment this week was one of my co-workers telling me that I was little. That just made my day because I think she is soooooo tiny! And my second WOW moment was realizing I have hip bones and ankle bones. After all this time, who wouldathunk!?! What were your WOW moment(s) this week? Gina