Hi guys, I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. My name is Kristen, and I had RNY 8 years ago this December. I started at 320 pounds and got down to 145 at my lowest 2 years post op. I was that weight for about 5 minutes and haven't seen it again since. I allowed 40 pounds give or take over the years to creep back on and finally I came to the conclusion that while my bypass surgery was the biggest advantage I ever gave myself in the battle of the buldge, I am ultimately back to the capacity of a normal human being who must lose and maintain through diet and exercise....correction, through a permanent lifestyle change. That's the one lesson I never caught on to all those years ago. So, why come here you may ask if I see myself as having to lose weight like everybody else....well, I would like to share what I have learned over the years. What worked, what didn't. My experiences. I'd also like to find others in my same position. Maybe those who are near goal but still have poor self-images either because of excess skin or an inability to achieve a desired body shape (we're notoriously tiny on top and apple bottomed post op). My current goal is to lose another 17 pounds and achieve at least a 20% body fat percentage. I'm currently a 29.5 and my bmi is still technically overweight. To do so I have incorporated a lot of strength training into my regimen. I have the granny arms and thighs that I can't seem to get rid of so I figured my best bet would be to make them fuller with muscle.

Well, that's me in a nutshell. Would love to hear from the others.