OK, Friends. Before WLS, just one year ago, I wore a size 28 and today I went to Wal-Mart and tried on a size 8 pants, and they fit! Wow!!! Now, they are the stretchy kind of pants, but the good news is that I tried on some button-fly Levi's jeans, and wore a 12. The junior size 13 made my long legs look really sexy, but they were low-waisted, and my middle is still kind of "fluffy," so even though the legs looked awesome, I would still have to wear a long shirt over the waist. (sigh) The great news is that I really am shrinking! The clothes that I bought to "get me through" are all too big....and once again, I have a closet full of clothes I cannot wear. Am I complaining? Not really. But I do have a question. I'm at 192 pounds currently, and when I was in high school and a slim 135 pounds, I wore a size 10. Never a size 8. What's with all this "Vanity Sizing?" Have any of you noticed this trend too? I have a really hard time believing I am this small. I just don't "feel" small. Tell me what you guys are experiencing with sizes? ~Laura

Kathryn, Happy one year anniversary! Can you believe its been a year? Congrats on your wonderful loss Keep up the good work --Marianne 5'0 256/134/120, 14lbs to goal WOOHOO!

Hi everyone, One year ago this morning I was at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas awaiting surgery. I was excited about the future, not nervous about the surgery at all, and eager to get on with things! I had an uneventful surgery and recovery, courtesy of Dr. James Davidson and his amazing care team. I have been blessed not to have complications. My weight is 118 pounds less than before surgery, and 130 less than when I began my journey. I still have 30-40 pounds left to lose, but I know they'll come off. My loss has been slightly different than textbook, in that I did not lose wildly quickly at the beginning, but certainly quickly enough and more quickly than I would have on my own. The loss has slowed for sure, but I have yet to hit a plateau (KNOCK ON WOOD), so I'll take what I can get. It's been steady and for that, I'm most grateful. It was important to me to keep up my end of the deal, so I take care each day to get in lots of water, to exercise, to get in my protein and to take my vitamins. It's mostly habit at this point, the exercise too, which astonishes me! I was a card-carrying exercise hater, pre-op! It's been quite a ride - I wouldn't change a thing about it. Many people say that their only regret is not having had the surgery sooner. And while I certainly echo that in terms of wishing I'd gotten the weight off sooner, I believe that I had THIS surgery with THIS surgeon at THIS time for a reason, so I trust that all the time I spend as a M.O. person will have been for a purpose. I don't even question it, actually...I am just so grateful to have survived and thrived! Thanks to all of you for your daily support, wisdom, compassion and care. We are all so fortunate to have each other as surgery buddies. Have a great weekend, wherever you are on your journey! Love, Kathryn ONE YEAR POST-OP!

Barbara, I am sorry to hear about your frustration. Are we talking 2 pounds or 10 pounds? the reason I ask is that I have been tossing the same 3 pounds back and forth for about 2 months now. Thye just won't go away! Have you made any other changes - i.e. working out more and increasing muscle? You definitely need some type of support system. I have several and would be lost without them. Let me know how you're doing and how I can help. Jen

i am having problems with weight gain! after all of my hard work - the pounds are creeping back up and i am frightened. i have no support system and i am falling back into the old habits. i cant be the only one? can I?