It's been one year. All is well and life is good. Happy Anniversary to 11/03 people.

Well, it's hard to believe it's been a year! Where did the time go? I know that I am NOT one of the more successful people who had their surgery a year ago, but I will tell you all where I am. I started at 268 lbs one year ago today. Today I am at 161. I am also 21 weeks pregnant with my first baby. We are going to have a boy, Joshua, in March. Anyway, I have gone from a tight size 24 pants and 26/28 shirts to a size 14. I have found out that my surgeon is very conserative with the pouch, something I didn't know until months after my surgery. I know of at least 3 of his patients that are having revisions. I guess compared to them, I have been successful. My goal weight is 135 lbs, it's going to have to weight until next year. I hope to be down to at least 145 lbs by the time my husband returns from his deployment. I need plastic surgery, especially on my arms, but it's all going to wait until I am done having kids. I will start with one and see how I like being a mom first. Since becoming pregnant I have struggled with exercise, water and protien. I am aware of what I need to do, but it's hard. Some of the old demons are coming back. I am also under a lot of stress. My husband is in the military and is getting ready to deploy. He will miss the birth of our son, and it's just a lot for me to take in. Food seems to be that comfort. Anyway this surgery has been a life savor. I look at the pictures and I don't recognize that person. Who was I? I just thank God for the opportunity I had. Well, I must say congrats to all of you on a great year! All of you keep up the great work, and all of you take one day at a time! God Bless!! Eileen

I'm 4'10", I started pre op at 218, wearing a 3x to 26-28. I'm now at my goal of 115 and I'm wearing a size 4 petite. I can also wear some of my 10 year old daughter's tops from the GIRLS DEPT. We bought matching hooded sweat shirts her's is a large mine is an xl form the girls dept. Now with all that said YES I still feel and see myself as the same fat person I was a year ago. I've ask about this at support meetings and I have been told that it takes sometimes 2-3 years for our heads to catch us with our bodies as to what we really look like now. You are NOT alone in feeling this way. Robin W 11/17/03 218/115

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share something with you that is very cool for me. I am the WLS success newsletter's success story of the month. If you would like to check it out click on this link. http://www.wlscenter.com/NLArchive/Nov_1_2004.htm and just scroll down to success story stacy leary i am very excited to tell my story, what a year it has been!! for anyone who doesn't know WLS success is a website that Barbara Thompson started and she has had bariatric surgery and goes around the country talking to people about it. she is wonderful. and i met her in august. anyway, just wanted to share, i am so excited!! thanks for listening! Stacy 262.5~132.0 11/14/04

I'm hearing the same thing!!! (I have to admit, it's kinda fun ) I've gone from a size 18 to a size 2 (my goal was size 6). I've reversed the rules of the pouch, I eat anything I want, but I'm still (slowly) losing. My MD told me I would stabilize, and probably gain some back. I want to stabilize (try finding clothes in a 2), but I DON'T want to gain. Are we ever happy? (Answer...YES!!! I'm happier now than I've ever been in my life!) JCbelowgoal