Hi Holly, OK, scratch all that you wrote and start over. * You LOOK great! * Do you feel as good as you now look? I think so! * You can fit into a size what now? Cool! * You medical complications are drastically reduced and in most cases gone! So please explain to me how this adds up to any kind of failure? The 100 lb mark is not a goal - it is merely a milestone and only one of so very many. You are on a journey and in it for the long haul. Relax and enjoy the journey! So you are not as "fast" as the next person? That's because you stopped to smell the roses along the way. But it didn't end your journey, just made it more leisurely. Here in the South we just call that...a way of life. I'll betcha a million dollars (in Monopoly money of course) that if you stop worrying about it, relax and focus on other things, that you will remember to weigh yourself one day and realize you've started losing weight again and passed that 100 lb mark. Kind of like when you are in bed and become aware of your breathing or heartbeat. Then you can't think about anything else because trying not to think about it only makes you think about it more. But eventually you get distracted and fall asleep. Same principle at work here. As long as you obsess over the 100 lb mark it will be a difficult target. Stop racing to the goal and enjoy the scenery for a bit and see what happens. There's a lot to enjoy now and, what the hell, you've earned it! -- T.Rob

Kristy, Small but gaining? You are going the wrong way! You should all be big and losing! Sorry, couldn't resist. I went and posted a "hello" over in May '08. Not advice so much as waxing nostalgic. My first few weeks were pretty uneventful. Worst problem was my blood pressure actually went a little too low and I quit all meds for a while. Then it went up a little and I went back on some meds but just 1/2 a pill a day instead of the 4 I had been taking. Other than that it was just walk, walk, walk. The food was interesting. Seemed like some things that I liked at first I couldn't stand later. And the reverse was also true. Now I'm settled down to being able to eat anything I want and just not wanting all the bad stuff. For example, my daughter bought some of those French-fried onions for a green bean casserole and I munched a few. Made me sick as a dog, as does most any brown food these days. Tried a couple of my son's French Fries at the restaurant a week ago - same effect. The nice thing is that I wasn't craving these foods at the time, I was just curious. Once the curiosity is satisfied, the nausea gives me an incentive to NOT DO THAT AGAIN. On the other hand, most colorful foods are great! I have no problem with things that are green, red, orange, yellow and come from a farm. Also no problems eating most meats or fish except that steaks can be a little challenging if I don't cut them into teeny, tiny pieces. I had a piece of chicken get stuck in my pouch and had to go to the ER. Now everything gets cut up real small and chewed practically to paste. I travel for my job and need a week's worth of clothes that fit so I ended up buying new clothes every 3-4 weeks after surgery. Didn't make sense to buy a lot of clothes for yard work and chores after spending all that on dress clothes and a few times I ended up out in the yard in dress clothes mowing the lawn or pulling weeds. My neighbors joked that I was the best dressed gardener they'd ever seen! So my first weeks and months post-op were a little bumpy but in hindsight were nothing compared to the accumulated pain of day-to-day life before the surgery. You will find a lot of variations on this story here and I encourage you to connect with some of the other May '07 folks. They are a great bunch. Although I'm a bit of a prodigal son and don't post as often as I should, the folks here are truly my second family. Best wishes for your journey. I'll have to check in on you in the May08 board from time to time. -- T.Rob

Pre-op May 30 2007 highest 240 Now 140 I actually have been around there for a few months. Seems like the "mal absorption" part of my RNY resolved quickly! Luckily I still have the little tummy part and the hormone change so I don't crave sweets. My goal: 139 just for the heck of it! (and 139 at a DOCTOR's office! Not just at home! LOL!) Melanie g.

What is the five day pouch thing you are talking about?

Hey all...congrats on the great work.....I'm still in this huge stall that seems to be never ending......my starting weight was 348...and I am currently at 227.8, which is a total weight loss of 120.2lbs.....I've lost nothing since the beginning of January and am currently doing the shake diet again.....I'm hoping I can do the two weeks of it again to see if that helps........it's going to be hard but I did it before I can certainly do it again......I have a few weddings coming up this summer and would love to be in Onderland before then.........funny but my surgeon never set a goal for me.....and since I no longer have contact with him, as he lives in the states....I can't really ask him........People tell me that I look great and that I'm not big.....but some people start this journey at the weight I am now.....I'd say thats still too big..........I need more and I am trying......I am going in full force starting today again......and one of my first steps is to get back on here more often with the Obesity Help family.......you guys have always been so inpirational and I know having that support is key..........well good luck to you all...talk to you real soon....