Happy Anniversary to all of us November 'babies'. I hope you all are doing well on your weight loss journey. It's so nice to see everyone's successes, and comments. Just remember, we are all very individual, and lose wt differently, some faster, some slower, just like before you had the surgery. Don't get frustrated, and down on yourself because your wt loss is not going as well as someone elses. It's a journey of not only wt loss, but personal growth and a time of really getting to know who we are, who we can be without the 'fat' suit on to hide our true beauty that lies inside all of us NO MATTER the size of your clothes. I find I am more confident, and don't mind walking into a room first, and I don't mind the looks now either. I am more assertive, not sure that's a good thing..LOL but I seem to be...must go with the confidence thing. Are you guys experiencing changes in your personalities too? And as for food, I still have an adversion to bread if it doughs up in my mouth, and to melted cheese like mazzarella, I get it in my mouth and chew, and then most of the time have to spit it out because of the consistancy..happening to anyone else? Otherwise, I can pretty much eat anything without it upsetting things. I need to get more protein though, and water. I do notice that when I am stuck on the scales, if I just do what they say, and increase my water and protein, I do great, and don't feel so hungry either. Anyway, again, Happy Anniversary to all of you, and may you and yours be blessed this Holiday season. Best wishes on your journey! Cindy 357/197/? not sure of goal wt..maybe 160? Any comments on goal wts?

Happy one year anniversary to me! I began this journey at 5'8", 328 pounds, and feeling miserable at 38 years of age. I didn't have any major health issues at the time other than asthma but with every step I took, I felt the amount of my enormous weight crushing down on my joints. Walking for any length of time became a painful trip for my back and knees. Sitting in chairs with arms was a joke at best. Finding clothes to fit comfortably with some sense of fashion was pretty much non-existent. I was too young to live the rest of my life like that...or heaven forbid, it get any worse. So I made a decision that has not only changed the way and I look and feel but has also given me what I feel is a new lease on life! Thank God for gastric bypass surgery and for putting me in the hands of a skilled surgeon! It has been an amazing journey to date and one that I feel will never truly end. I'm a year older and 185 pounds. That's right, I lost 143 pounds since my RNY one year ago. I am healthier than I have ever been, I physically feel the best I've felt in 20+ years, and I have a much more positive mental outlook on life. You never really realize how being morbidly obese affects you in so many ways until you reverse the pattern and experience living life to the fullest again. Anyone who says they took this journey but nothing changed other than losing weight is fooling their self. This is a life-altering journey that gives you a new perspective on life and one for which I will forever be grateful. I'm so glad that my anniversary each year will roll around near Thanksgiving because it truly will remind me of the blessings I now have to be thankful for and will continue to cherish. To those who have also traveled this journey, congratulations and godspeed to you. To those who are considering embarking on this journey, please research and educate yourself in order to make the best decision possible for you...a whole new life awaits you should you choose to walk the path. For those *****search and decide surgery is not the best option to you, I applaud you for the convictions to yourself and wish you only the happiest and healthiest of times. For those who do undergo surgery, I encourage you to document through pictures and words the steps of your journey as they will serve as stepping stone reminders of how you committed to yourself to have an opportunity of starting over. Blessings to all! Tammy Open RNY 11/21/03 328\185\To be happy and healthy and I've already achieved those

Do you ever feel that people have lower expectations for people who are obese? They don't expect us to be successful in life or love. I think I got to the point that I only did what I had to, to meet those lower expectations. I'm not saying it's true, it just seemed to be that way. Now I feel I have all these extra expectations I'm expected to live up to. It's all a mind game that I keep playing with myself and losing...lol. I totally understand what you mean about being critical of myself, and having a low self-esteem. I've been dealing with those issues my whole life. It's kind of hard to get out of that rut. I am going ahead with the surgery, because I know myself too well. If I don't do it now, I never will. I'll keep you posted. Keep me in your prayers. Thank you! Shelley

Hello Everyone - Today is my one year anniversary and I want to take this moment to Thank each and everyone of you for your support and motivation! It is really great to have a place to go to where someone is always there to answer your questions. Let me tell you that is has been a crazy year. I have gone from 221.9 with a BMI of 40 to 127 and a BMI of 25 - Normal!! My pants size has dropped from 22 to a 6 or an 8. My shirts from a 2x to a medium. I feel wonderful. I have way more energy than I can ever remember having. I feel comfortable with myself again and being around other people. This was a great choice for me and I am so happy that I did it. -Jennifer

Hello Everyone my life is doing so well Im able to walk work move and live normal healthy life. Thank you all for your love support and have a happy gobble,gobble. laurie