I don't think of you as being a "sad sack." I think in discouraging and upsetting moments we NEED to air our feelings. That's why this forum is soooo wonderful. I know I love coming here and reading posts from my fellow surgery sisters (and Noble Ward, our only man ....he seems to have disapeared ). I eat more than two ounces now...I'm able to eat up to 3/4 of a cup depending on what it is. I just now know when my body's had enough. It's hard to put into words, but my body lets me know when I'm done. It's almost like my throat says, "nope, no more" I can be in the middle of chewing a bite of food and get "that feeling" and I have to spit it into my napkin and be done. Sometimes I feel that "full feeling" and sometimes I don't. But the feeling I feel about a half hour later is the same. I feel completely satisfied. Exercise, ugh. I was in a half-semester weight training and conditioning class and now it's over. I haven't gotten myself into a regular routine again since. I do walk, but it's not enough. I have to get back into a real routine, it's driving me crazy. Tara, you hang in there and just KNOW you're doing great! I'm glad you're back. You are an amazing woman and I've missed you! Everyone have a blessed day! Brenda

Hi Tara! Long time no see! It's great to see you back! (((((((((Tara))))))))) I'm so sorry you're suffering the humiliation and then the let down of not being able to do the surgeries. Remember, you've lost a lot of weight, you're healthier now, and you aren't finished yet! To be 20 lbs from goal is amazing! Look how far you've come! There is no need to feel badly about the progress you've made. One thing I have discovered in all of this is, that my portion of this journey is just for me and me alone. If I compare myself with where others are on their journey, it can be discouraging indeed. It's much more fulfilling if I compare myself to where I was a year ago, nine months ago, six months ago, three months ago and to think where I'll be in 3,6,9 months, two years, etc. That's such a hard thing to do sometimes, though, to remind ourselves this is a lifelong journey and there is no destination other than better health. Tara, you're an incredible woman who has accomplished SOOOOOO MUCH! Think back to where you were a year ago. We were all in the planning stages, or at least in the thinking stages of this whole process. Now, here we are 8 months out from surgery and soooooo much healthier than we were a year ago. It's exciting to me to think, "omg a year ago I weighed more than 250 lbs and I couldn't walk more than 50 feet without feeling tired and drained. I couldn't tie my shoes without help, I couldn't BEGIN to like what I saw in the mirror, so I just didn't look." etc etc...the progress we've all made is FABULOUS! I'm celebrating TODAY my one year anniversary of being smoke free. I quit smoking one year ago today. As for saying anything derrogatory, what could any of us possibly have to say? You're a sister in this with us. You're one of us. I can't speak for everyone here, but this is how I feel: We are all on this journey together, we're sisters, and sometimes sisters aren't always nice to each other, but we take the good with the bad and love each other anyway. I love each and every single one of you from deep in my heart. WE ARE ALL AWESOME!! You keep up the fantastic work! If you'd like to try something to jump start your weight loss ...take a look at the five day pouch test and consider trying it. It worked for me and I'm going to do it once in awhile to keep myself reminded of what I need to be doing. Here's the link: http://www.5daypouchtest.com/ You're doing GREAT, Tara! Try not to be so hard on yourself, ok? Hugsssssssssss Brenda

I will do the same. It is a great idea!

Hi everyone! It's been 8 months, or close to it, since most of us have had surgery. The weight loss is DEFINITELY showing. I'm in favor of seeing some more new pictures, how about you? This coming weekend I'm going to have my husband take some new pictures of me and I'll post them next week. The picture I have up there now is pretty close to what I look like but I've lost about another 25 lbs since that picture. We're looking great! Let's show off our new look to each other! Anyone else agree?

Starting weight 336 today 216 total weight loss 120 surgery date 8/6/07 I have really been working out hard. I can work out for an hour and not feel like I am going to die. I couldn't go 10 minutes before the weightloss. I have been averaging a pound or two a week. I am happy with that. Way to go everyone!