Hi everyone. I met with my bariatric team today and I am finally under 200 pounds!! My surgery date was September 17th, start weight 259 and today I weighed in at 198 (my 10cc band remains unrestricted)!

It was a very tough month as my 25 year old sister Gina passed away unexpectedly and I was laid off from the job that I have has since 1998. My emotions have been all over the place...all I do is think of food---like I want to bury my face in a pan of brownies (baked with Heath Bar toffee candy) with butter crunch ice cream, whipped cream, nuts and lots of cherries!!! It is soo hard and I can honestly say that this sucks bad as I have never had to deal with such intense emotions and not be eat my way through.

I am blessed with a great support system and a wonderful family. I hope that you all have a safe and happy New Year's Eve and that 2014 bring us abundant blessings!!

Congrats on your weight loss, but I am so sorry to hear of your sister's passing. I will pray that you will find strength.

We had a death in our family too. My husbands cousin died suddenly (she was 31) in her sleep. She was buried on Christmas Eve.

I am also an emotional eater and I totally get the brownie with all the extras!!!! But it sounds like you have a little more control than you think. It is going to be rough going for awhile, but time heals (even though it's so slow)!!! I'm so very sorry about what you have been through!

Congrats on your weight loss, but I am so sorry to hear of your sister's passing. I will pray that you will find strength. <br><br> We had a death in our family too. My husbands cousin died suddenly (she was 31) in her sleep. She was buried on Christmas Eve. <br><br> I am also an emotional eater and I totally get the brownie with all the extras!!!! But it sounds like you have a little more control than you think. It is going to be rough going for awhile, but time heals (even though it's so slow)!!! I'm so very sorry about what you have been through!

I too am sorry for your loss. We received Gina's ashes Christmas Eve but because I live in Massachusetts and the ground is frozen, we have to wait until spring to bury her. I too will pray for your family that you find peace.

God be with you both at the passing of your loved ones! Congrats to you both for not giving into the temptation to eat thru your emotions. tbutler, you have done an amazing job! Congrats on breaking into onderland! Best wishes to you both for happy and healthy New Year! Karen...aka..kll724

I'm very sorry for both of your losses. It's so poignant when we realize how fragile life is and how suddenly things can change -- what a gift to be present for that and not using food to stuff down the emotions. Sending best wishes your way! And TLButler, I'm so happy for you to reach Onederland -- what a great accomplishment before the end of the year. Here's to 2014 and all the new year will bring in terms of health and healing.