Two years ago I weighed 415 lbs, BMI 65, Fat Percentage 53.9 and I wore size 36 clothes 5-6 X and suffered with constant pain in my joints, swelling of my feet and hands, sleep apnea, urinary incontinence, and lets face it immobility. This surgery was my last ditch effort to fight my personal war on obesity. I had said many years ago that I would never have this surgery and was going to beat this ugly monster by myself. However, every time I lost weight the vicious cycle of regaining the weight and then some. In my two-year journey, I learned that this surgery was a means to an end. With the help of my bariatric group, I was blessed to learn that this was not a magic bullet rather a tool that I needed to learn to use. I became the eager student to learn how to master my tool and my body. I work closely with my nutritionist to control my food and became a gym rat. At the time of my surgery, it was anticipated that I would have a new body weight between 187 to 269 lbs. I have exceeded my surgeons goals my current weight of 160 lbs is 27 lbs below what was anticipated. I am currently wearing a size 8, which equates to a small - medium. I look forward to my future with the knowledge I have gained. The newest phase of my life is beginning I will have completed my master's degree in August, I am well below my doctors goal weight and will begin plastic surgery to correct the damage I have inflicted on my poor body. I have much to be grateful for health being the foremost. Happy Re-Birthday to All July Babies!!!! Mary M.

I'm a little late but wanted to post my thoughts too. Two years ago I was a miserable woman. Although, I'm not at goal.........I've come a long way. I too used to dread going anywhere that the chairs had arms or booths. I couldn't sit in a movie theatre seat without cramming myself into it. Or getting on a ride at a theme park praying the bar will go down..........Today I'm happier than I've ever been. My kids are happy. The past two years have been nothing but change, from this life altering surgery, divorcing, losing my mother to cancer, and relocating from Missouri to California. But a journey I would repeat without a second thought because I'm happy. I still very much struggle with my food demons, but nothing like I used to. I'm like everyone else, wish I had done it so much sooner. So cheers to us!!!!!! Michelle No longer 388 pounds!

Nancy: I was just thinking the same thing......sorta feel like I've lost touch with a family member. This board used to be so active!!!! Michelle

Hi Denise - Glad to see you back!! I'm back on the train today too. Here's my plan for the day: B: Carb Countdown milk with Isopure protein powder L: Unjury in lemonade D: lean turkey burger with some low fat cheese, two slices of turkey bacon and a green salad Snacks: Happy Herb kamut grain pretzels Power Crunch Bar Totals: Calories: 836 Carbs: 29 Protein: 97 I also hope to get down on the treadmill at work today. It's like a ghost town here - everyone took the long holiday, but someone had to be here and it's me.... Hope everyoen has a great day!! Hugs, Nancy

Hi Irene!! What a great post... It focuses on the victories, and when I think about it I've got a lot of them... Let's see 2 years ago... I remember going to a funeral and standing at a gravesite wishing the minister would shut up because I could stand no more. My back and my knees were killing me. Fortunately, I found a tree to hold on to while the minister continued. A year ago, I lived in a colonial style house and hated going to bed because it meant climbing the steps. I would literally have to slide up the wall holding on to the rail one step at a time. The process was repeated in coming down the steps too. The wall adjacent to the steps had my body print in it. A year ago I could not find a comfortable spot in my bed to sleep. I snored like two trains coming, no one wanted to sleep on the same floor as me. I had a hard time getting out of bed once I got there. I was like a weeble... You know "weebles wobble, but they don't fall down." I literally had to push myself up by the elbows to get out of bed. A year ago I would have to strategically plan what chair I would sit in for any occasion. In most of the conference rooms at work, all the chairs had arms on them, so I would sit on the edge of the chair, strategically holding on to the table, hoping I would not fall. I was not nervous about the surgery, for some reason, I just knew it would be all right.. and it was.. I would do it again it a heartbeat. 100 lbs later (and still more to come)... I'm thrilled with where I am today, compared to where I was. I have a life now, I don't try to hide anymore (like I ever could!). I'm front and center, sometimes ahead of the pack!!! Have a great day July babies!!! Denise