TODAY is the 2 year anniversary of my WLS. I'm maintaing my weight pretty well, I did put back on about 5 lbs, but have been holding there and I'm good with that. I hope you all are doing well. I'm so tired and so busy, I don't get over here much at all. I pop in sometimes and read. I had my bloodwork done recently and some things came back off. Most of my nutrient levels are fine, protein, B12, etc... - all normal. However, my iron was a little low (low-end of normal), so I'm back to taking supplements for that; my liver levels are high and my white cell count is low. I also had trace amounts of protein in my urine and I'm super tired all the time. My doctor is concerned, and quite frankly, so am I. I had fatty liver disease before surgery. I thought WLS would resolve that. Guess what I discovered, WLS can trigger NASH, which is basically fatty liver dsease with scarring and liver damage. This is due to the rapid weight loss. Another couple possible reasons for my low white cell count/high liver levels is Lupus and some type of leukemia. None of it sounds good, quite frankly. I'm going back to retesting at the end of August and those results will determine what, if anything, we need to do. I sure could use some prayers that nothing serious is wrong! How is everyone else's bloodwork coming back? Good I hope! Traci

Don't worry Pam - yesterday must have been Screw Up Tuesday - I had a bad day too... I'm planning on doing better today. So far I haven't had anything ~ my stomach is kind of rumbly from overdoing it yesterday, so I'm sticking to tea and lemonade. I'm going to put a scoop of Unjury in the lemonade so at least I'm getting some protein. I think I'll wait until dinner time and just have a turkey burger (without buns) and some squash. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow (and remember what I do to myself when I eat JUNK! ) Hey, where is everyone???? Denise? Teah? Michelle? YOO-HOO..... Hugs, Nancy

Well, I screwed up big time yesterday. I suppose I could chalk it up to PMS or stress, but I'm kind of annoyed with myself for not having three good days in a row. I'm doing better today...at least, so far. B: oatmeal L: microwave meal D: making that spaghetti I didn't make yesterday S: had some leftover chicken from dinner last night (about 100 cals), but who knows what else? Exercise: I HAVE to do this today!!!! Cheers! Pamela

Hello everyone.... Well I have been coasting for too long and I really need to get going and get these last 14 pounds off. I was 163 today and need to be 149....I am going to try to weigh each day and see how it goes. Thanks to those of you who put your weigh at the bottom of your posts because it does encourage me when I see your success. Sometimes I forget what you started at and what your great success really is so it is nice to remind me how well everyone is doing...even if it is just maintaining ....I need to exercise...that is the key....I don't do enough....some of you do more than an hour a day and I am just in amazement....way to go....I not it is possible.. Hugs Karen 299 highest ever- 163 today - 149 goal...

Yes, skin can be an issue. There are so many factors involved in whether or not you will be left with a lot of extra skin, that it's almost impossible to imagine what you might end up with. A) Your age plays a big role...the younger you are, the more elastic your skin. B) The longer you've been overweight, the more likely you are to have hanging skin. C) The more overweight you are, the more your skin has been stretched and has a harder time snapping back. D) Genetics...is your skin naturally elastic? E) Losing weight very fast...sometimes slower gives the skin a chance to recover. As you can see, there is no clear-cut answer. If you're looking for an excuse to back out, then maybe you really aren't ready for this surgery. Most people who choose this surgery realize that having extra skin and being healthy is much better than staying fat. Until you are in the mindset that this is about living a long and healthy life and NOT about looking good, you might want to put surgery on hold. Good luck! Pamela 352/218/150