Even though I haven't been a regular poster for a while....I've been a lurker for some time. No one understands like you guys do. Even though my husband had his surgery 2 years before me there are still some things that are very different for us post-op. I think we tell it like it is here, too. I like that. Deeno

I know I used to post frequently, and not so much any more, but this is my major support system other than my family. I gain so much support and encouragement reading everyone's posts. It really lets me know that I am not alone and a lot of my issues are faced by many of you. Nancy, you have been a bedrock of support and encouragement from the very beginning. You are an amazing woman. I wish I could meet you face to face some day. When I have been down, I have reread some of your posts and been uplifted and felt supported through the miles. Everyone on this board has faced his or her own challenges and have survived, even succeeded. What a blessing we are for each other. Monna 389/203/159

I was just checking out the surgery date forums on the other sides of ours: May and June, 2004 and August and September 2004, and they are nearly empty! There is very little posting going on with big gaps in between the posts. I feel so blessed that I have the support and friendship of all of you here. You are my support system and really - you're the best!!! Let's make sure this forum never goes by the wayside!! Hugs, Nancy

Hi July Family, Pam, I am so sorry you are having so much trouble conceiving. My younger sister went through agony 30 years ago trying to get pregnant. The problem was eventually corrected. I pray thing work out for you. Nancy, hang in there with your therapy. Diane, wonderful to see you on the board again. Can't believe your little guy is one already. I am still having great results from m WLS. It has been exactly one month since my heart surgery and I am feeling so wonderful. I do have a little problem with pericardial effusion, but it is correcting itself. My cardiologist said I would continue to lose weight after my heart surgery and she was definitely right. I am down to 204--the onederfuls are within sight. I tried on clothes the other day at the store just for the heck of it. I could wear a size 14 blouse, but my hips still require an 18. I have no clothes at the moment that fit. Things I bought just a couple of months ago hang on me now. My grand-daughter and I can sit in the same chair--what an experience!!! I was never able to do that with my own children. I still have an umbilical hernia that I need to have fixed. When I fully recover from my heart surgery, I'll see about it. Then maybe I can wear a size 16 pant. Hope everyone is staying warm. It has not been above freezing in over a week here. No snow, lots of sunshine, but cold as can be. Monna 389/204/159

Thanks everyone for your open and candid remarks. I really think some of us are predisposed - Pamela, you said it runs in your family. I am really the only one in my family who could be catagorized as obese. There are certainly some overweights, but no one else that I would consider obese, so I have to believe a lot of it is caused by emotional issues. Pam - I also was a 'sneak' eater. I still have that tendency, so I try hard to not act on those behaviors. I think being aware of what we're doing is half the battle. Monna - thank you for sharing a very personal part of your past. I often wonder about being abused as a child - I do have some 'uncomfortable' memories, but nothing specific. I'm so glad you were able to work through those issues and come out shining! Deeno - I can relate to the idea of eating because it tastes and feels good. But somehow, after I eat the wrong things or too much, I feel disgusted with myself. So it's brief pleasure followed by guilt. I'm excited to continue on with therapy, but it sure seems like a daunting process. All in all, I do believe we have to take care of our emotional selves as well as our physical selves. Hugs, Nancy