I hope you have adjusted better to the idea of having to lose more weight before they do plastic surgery. My plastic surgeon told me that he wanted me under 200 lbs which is still 15 lbs away. I've still been losing about 5 lbs a month so I think I can get there by Oct/Nov. Can't wait to get my around the world. Have you tried going back to basics to lose the weight. By that I mean eating no carbs, only meat for a few days to get yourself to a state of ketosis. After 3-4 days just eat meat with either lettuce (italian dressing or vinegar & oil) or non starch veggies for the rest of the week. If you could do that one week out of the month maybe it would help you to finish up the weight loss. I don't think I'd have ever lost as much weight as I have without Dr. Atkins diet. It's like anything else once you get in the habit it becomes a way of life but I know some people aren't willing to go that way. Best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do. Pat 410/215/195

I am doing great and I feel great. I feel like my old self again. I was small growing up. I was a size 6 when I graduated high school. But I always had food issues but was in control. After marrying and having kids the control was lost and my food issues controlled me right up to obesity where I stayed for about 12 or 13 years. And I always felt like a stranger in my own body. I am back running again like I used to do. That has become my new stress release where I normally turned to food. The losing part of my journey is over and I am now in maintenance mode. I have been maintaining since December 2004. That part is a little tougher but normal people like my mother who have always been small have to work at maintaining. I used to think small people were just naturally that way. But after watching and paying close attention I realize they eat correctly to maintain a certain body size. And I will always have to watch myself very closely because once a food addict always a food addict so I just wake up every day and try to stay focused. Sounds like you are doing great. Congratulations to you on your success. I am so happy for everybody that is fortunate enough to have this wonderful tool. Good luck on the rest of your lifelong journey. Melissa Taylor Lap Rny 1/15/04 277/136 -141 pounds

Nancy, I am reading Carnie Wilson's book right now and it seems we all have some kind of identity issues.. well, most everyone I know. I still look at every one and try to figure out if they are smaller than me.. I just don't know. I'm smaller than I was at 16.. so that is a good thing. I have skin issues now. But I'm not even gonna try having the plastics.. it would not be covered by ins. and even if they would cover a tummy tuck.. what is the use.. my thighs look like elephant legs.. my arms flap in the wind and my double chin, although gone still has the skin where the fat used to be.. so what the heck. The tummy goes into a panty girdle and goes away the rest has to be covered up.. except the face and unless I turn Muslim.. I can't cover that. So I'm not going to worry about it. Thanks for posting so regularly.. I appreciate your faithful comments. Jan 287/162 and still happy..

Hi, Nancy! I am approaching 18 months out and I feel great. Although, I can't shake the fat image I have of myself in my head. I am starting to feel real down about myself like I did before surgery. I don't know why I am doing this to myself. I have lost 135 pounds, but I still need to lose at least 30 more pounds and it just isn't happening. I have tried upping my water intake, my protein and exercize and the weight just isn't moving. I do consider the surgery a success, but I am disappointed that I am not losing anymore weight. Healthwise, I am doing fantastic! Hope everyone else is doing well! Mellisia 342/209/170

Hi Nancy, I see we are only a day apart on our surgery date. I like you am ok with the eating part. I do not deny myself anything. I feel I had this surgery to eat like a normal person and they do not deny themselves. I feel better than I have my whole life. The energy is fantastic. I still see myself .....as you say as someone heavy. I am still waiting for my mind to catch up too. The people I work with did not know me as an obese person and find it hard to believe I have not always been so...tiny. That is hard to accept when I still see myself as the person I was ...and not the one I am now. Inside I am the same person it is the image that has changed. Just wanted to respond as I see we do not have a very active January board and I know how nice it is to get a response to a post. Sincerely, Deb Ski