Donna: I had mine in Charleston with Dr. Stickler. He and his staff were so, so super it was unreal. I have been doing great. By my scale I am down around 60 lbs. (I started dieting July 3rd. and lost 13 lbs in July alone.) I am down to 240 and my goal is 175. So, I have a was to go yet. I learned the hard way that I couldn't eat scrambled eggs. Fried are ok, but not scrambled. I loved milk before, but now we aren't getting along. I have had my ups and downs, but I think I have a system now. I eat instant sugar free oatmeal for breakfast after I get to work, do yogurt and chese sticks (I get them at walmart and they have 7 grams of protein each) for morning and afternoon break. Lunch, beans or something I know I can do and dinner is where I experiment. I have found that I enjoy the sugar free hot cocoa so I add one scoop of walmart's chocolate whey protein (23 grams) to it in the evening. I have the devil of time getting all my fluid in, protein is easier. How about you. Peg

Donna: 30 years ago I was in Marine Corps Boot Camp and I sure couldn't run. I just kept trying. Sprints helped build me up. I did finally pass the physical testing, but it was not easy. I understand exactly what you are going through. One of my step children is overseas right now. Brent is an Army Ranger. I can't think about what he is going through. I gave that up to God. Will pray for you and your family. Hope all works out for your son. Peg Miller 9-19-06

I know I shouldn't be putting this on here as it does not pertain to bariatrics, but we need all the prayers we can get. As most of you know, my son is an MP and is currently going through Basic and AIT at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He absolutely loves it. However, the problem is he can't pass the PT Test. He can do the sit ups and pushups with no problem. It's the blasted 2 mile run that he can't pass. He has to make it in 15:40. He's gotten as far down as 16:40. Two weeks ago, he was hospitalized with dehydration (same time I was in for the same thing!). They gave me another chance to take it again last Saturday and he didn't make it. His absolute last chance is on Friday, Dec. 1. If he doesn't make it, then he doesn't graduate on Dec. 19. AND, the Army will not allow him to have "Family Day" on the 18th if he doesn't pass. He will be kept there until the next rotation comes in and then he will be given 2-3 more chances at the PT test to pass. If he passes it.....he will be sent straight to Germany....right now he's scheduled to report on Jan. 14. He won't get to come home first. He is to be trained for 3 months in Germany before being shipped to Iraq for 14 months. All without us getting to see each other before he goes. If he doesn't pass the PT test, then he will be put back into rotation and be forced to retake boot camp and AIT all over again. He's so down on himself. His last letter to us was so discouraging and depressing. I know God will and is taking care of him. He and his father both are suffering from lack of faith right now, and somehow I feel like that is worse than the physical aspect of this whole thing. My son is 19. He's finally found a place where he feels like he belongs and wants to be. This is his choice and I'm glad he's happy. I'm praying for him 24/7 and every waking moment I'm thinking and praying for him. I don't know what else to do. It's very hard to keep his father and sister's spirits up when all I want to do is cry and I can't let them see me down. I can't tell you how many showers I have taken in the last few days just so I can cry without anyone seeing me!!! lol If you all have a spare moment, would you please remember my son Patrick in your prayers? I love him so very much and only want the best for him and only want what God wants for him. He needs to pass this test so that we can see him before he gets shipped to Germany and Iraq. Thanks a lot. Donna

Trace My surgery was 9-19. As long as I get my protein and water in I do fine, most of the time. I can not eat some things that I did before, like scrambled eggs. I too am loosing slowly, but it took me a long time to put the weight on. Exercise is another key. I know I always could get more than I get. Keep up the faith in yourself. You'll do fine. It is normal. I don't know about you, but if I overeat I get sick. Hang in there, they keep telling me it will get better and that right now at the point we are at, it where we are trying to get used to real food again and there will be adjustments. I have not been getting hungry, so I can't answer that part. Peg M

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! We have been given a wonderful gift this year and have a lot to be thankful for!