I haven't posted in a year or so. I went into surgery weighing 360 and only got down to 283, then gained back 20lbs. I considered myself a failure. I am now back on track in the last 8 weeks and am down to 281. I was never able to eat what I could before, but there were times I could definately finish 2 helpings. And, I was choosing the wrong foods. My co-worker, who happens to have turned out to be a very good friend, has a lot of equipment at her house and said one day we should work out 3 times a week. I have never been so motivated, even to loose the 10% before surgery. It's amazing how the surgery kicks back in, I really beleive my stomache went back down to right after surgery size. When I don't work out, I am doing a 3.1 mile walk. It is up steep hills and down, and takes me about 50-60 mins. to do. I hope everyone is doing well. My BMI goal according to my height is 164, but I am shooting for 200-197, which at 197 I am no longer qualified to get surgery even with co-morbidities. I just thought I would update. More on family updates later! I hope to hear from a lot of you. Your friend and "July Sister" Lisa

Hi July 04 folks. I don't frequent the July 04 forum very often, but thought I would share some thoughts with you all. I have maintained for a long time that I would continue to lose after that 18 month period. I figured that if I kept on with my food plan along with regular exercise... it would keep coming off. AND IT HAS. Much much slower than the first 6 months, but still I am losing at 26 months+. I thought I would share that with anyone who feels that it is not possible to continue to lose after that cutoff time we are warned about. In recent months I have worked really hard at making exercise a part of my life. I do believe this is the main reason I continue to lose and a factor that will help me long-term keep the weight off. Towanda Strong

I went for my well woman visit yesterday and during that visit we discussed my mammogram results and my bone density test results that I had done last month. I have an appointment for October 18th with the ST Louis Breast Cancer Center to have my mammogram results read by them. There is something on there that I want a second opinion on. Then my bone density test shows that I have osteoporosis. My doctor isn't 100% sure why I have it, but the fact that I'm in menopause AND a WLS post-op is probably contributing factors. I will be doing the IV Boniva treatments every 3 months for the rest of my life to treat this. I will admit, that for the past several months, I've not been good about taking my supplements at all. So I'm not sure if just a few short months could do this much damage so quickly, or if I wasn't taking enough even before that or what. I just wanted to post to remind everyone to TAKE THEIR SUPPLEMENTS!! It's very important!!!! I've heard some reports that our bodies adjust and we start absorbing more nutrients - I don't believe we do!! I just ordered some Baratric Advantage chewable vitamins. I want to make as sure as I can that the vitamins I take in are more readily absorbed and chewables make it easier for our bodies to absorb them than to try and get it from a pill that may or may not get dissolved completely.

Congratulations, Mary!!! You go.. girl!!! Denise

Hi everyone i don't come out that much but karen i know how you feel i do the same the protien trains and excerise i even do jump rope 2 til 3 days a week 500 times i drink my water and the scale do NOT! move in fact i goes up 184 185 186 it even hit 187.6 last week i like a baby as i did last night i just dont understand and i have been like this for a year and some months i just feel like i have fail i am always depress and i'm always back to basic so i know what you feeling thanks for letting me vent too!