I got this in my email from a support group on line and it really hit me hard... bc i have found that i do this ... i keep trying to run from the FAT MONSTER... Running from the Fat Monster after Gastric Bypass By Kaye Bailey Many patients of gastric bypass report feeling fearful of succeeding at weight loss after a lifetime of failed diet attempts. In most cases, the fear of success subsides as a patient reaches goal weight and becomes comfortable in their new body. About that time the Fat Monster shows up to scare the hell out of patients. I thought the fear of success was scary - that is until I met the Fat Monster. The Fat Monster came into my life one night shortly after I achieved my weight loss goal. The Fat Monster terrified me with illusion - in the darkness of night he convinced me that the weight loss was just a dream, that by morning the Little Fat Girl would be back. He convinced me that being thin was too good to be true. I was terrified. The Fat Monster scared the hell out of me and I believed his frightening stories. Even on days when my behavior was stellar - I followed the four rules - I was convinced he could catch me. Many restless nights I woke frequently to run my hands over my body confirming he hadn't caught me that night. I needed to know that I was still thin. Many patients are acquainted with the Fat Monster - after years of dieting failure it is common to believe this weight loss is too good to be true. To this day the Fat Monster keeps me honest. Aloud I can say that looking and feeling great is my motivation to follow the rules, to exercise and maintain my weight. But deep down inside I'm on a dead run trying to get away from the Fat Monster. I don't ever want to return to being morbidly obese, I hated that life. So when I get on the treadmill I am literally running from the Fat Monster. When I eat my protein and take my supplements I'm building my strength to battle the Fat Monster. I am at war with the Fat Monster and I will never surrender; I am winning! Other patients are battling their own Fat Monster. One woman believed the Fat Monster had occupied her bathroom scale - she began weighing compulsively around the clock. She had a before work weight, an after work weight, before work-out weight, after work-out weight and on and on. Any fluctuation from normal caused immediate panic and self-loathing. Her husband locked away the scale and she nearly lost her mind! So, they came to a compromise. He would keep the scale - and the Fat Monster - locked away except for the once a week weigh-in. The physical act of locking-up the Fat Monster worked for her. She no longer weighed herself compulsively and her weekly weigh-ins showed she could very successfully maintain a healthy weight without round-the-clock vigilance to the bathroom scale. Patients do best when they identify their own Fat Monster and learn what behaviors - good or bad - the monster is affecting in your life. Do not surrender control to the Fat Monster but use terror as a source of motivation in your healthy life. Manda

Ruth, Congrats on the 120 lbs. I think you have some of the issues nailed. We all need to exercise. I walk 3-5 miles every day. I try to get in at least 80 oz of SF-decaffinated liquid a day. Remember if you drink 8 oz of leaded coffee, you need to drink an additional 16 oz of liquid to compensate for the effects of the caffiene. I had stopped my protein drinks for awhile (had to have a revision in April and suddenly didn't like the flavor of them anymore) and did experience a stall. I am back to drinking them (2 scoops for ~45 g) and the scales are moving down again. I heard it said that the secret is PEW: Protein, Exercise, Water. If you stall, increase at least one of those. Bread and popcorn are not on my allowable list until well after 1 year...now it's 1 yr from the revision. Other carbs such as potatoes are allowed in 1 oz quantities 1 meal a day (for me). Rice and pasta aren't allowed yet at all for me (but would have been had it not been for the revision). I was told by my surgeon that the lower the carb intake, the quicker I'd lose. My weakness is saltines. They are allowable for me and I love them! Good luck! Sherri 344/210/140

Hi, I was and still am dealing with what I think is a plateau at 100 pounds (give or take 5 pounds). I'm holding at 260 (starting weight 360). What's your Weigh****chers diet like? What do you eat or not eat? I'm thinking of joining them. At 5'7'' I'd like to get to around 200 so I can start talking about plastic surgery. Grace

Katie you are doing awesome and you are gorgeous! I am so proud of you, cograts on making century club!!!!!!! Love, Sue

Hi Kimie and everyone I am so happy to get dressed each day and wear cute things and my clothes look good on me! Usually I wear the first thing I put on because it looks fine! What a change from my old life! My blood sugar readings being normal. Enjoying exercise for the first time since I was a kid. Seeing my family proud of me and happy for me. Not walking around embarassed and ashamed of myself all the time. Being able to make better food choices than I ever have. I feel so blessed and have to thank God for this surgery! Having this site to come to and find my kindred spirits makes me happy! Have a great day everyone! Love, Sue