Hi Cindy, I am just now reading this post and i wanted to respond, sorry for the delay. I am one of those people who doesn't ever count calories, carbs, etc. The main things i look for when i eat food is the protein and sugar content. (high protein/low sugar) I too had surgery on 9-9-04 and have lost 120 lbs. so far. When i went for my last check up, she told me to keep doing whatever i am doing cause "whatever it is, it's working". I don't know if it's good or bad that i don't keep track of everything i eat, but i do know that i have only had about 2 stalls and they lasted about 2 weeks each. I am extremely pleased with my progress and i pretty much eat whatever i want in moderation. Good luck to ya!! ~Missy~

hi sue, how are you feeling these days? i've been off the board for a while and am catching up. hope you are feeling your old self again. susan

Leslie, I had the band, a little different, but not by much. I have went through the same issues, except for the weight gain. I think that I will begin a day/week by eating healthy, then something comes along and throws me off and I ate, oh my god, did I just eat that??? I recently began a physical training session on Monday and my trainer has required me to write down all physical activity that I do every day as well as all food that i intake every day. In doing this food journal, I have noticed that my eating has changed just since Monday. I have been constantly hungry, and on Monday, I ate 6 small 2-4 oz meals, well since then, I have eaten only when hungry like I am supposed to, maybe 2 times no more than 3 a day. Writing down all food you eat will open your eyes, and remember, the only one that you can hold accountable for it is yourself, but if you have support outside or inside the home with this, make them part of it and show them everything that you ate for the day. From there, if you do not put all the information on the journal, then you are not only depriving yourself of the truth, but your family/friends as well. Hope this helps;) Val

http://www.masteringfood.com/hp_home.asp?bhcp=1 The above web page was mentioned on another Message Board and looks into emotional eating- I have checked out the site and think I will join ($10 a week for 12 weeks). Maybe 1/2 the problem isn't WHAT you are eating but WHY you are eating.... Hang in there- Victoria

OH SWEETIE!!! Sorry it's taken me so long to reply! You look FANTASTIC!!!! Ah, doesn't it feel GREAT?!?!?!? And, your haircut it SO cute!!! LOVE IT!!! That little puppy is the sweetest!!!! We just got a 3 month old beagle/dauschaund mix - you can see him on my picture trail: picturetrail.com/spoonmom99