My one year anniversary is fast approaching. I feel wonderful. Before surgery I weighed 225lbs. I now weigh 140. I am glad the weight loss has slowed down. I am very happy at this weight. I never had any major problems and only a few foods made throw up. Even today I can no longer eat Chinese food, it just does not agree with me. I have gone from size 16-18 to a size 8. I am still amazed at the weight loss. Being older (48) I do not want to lose much more. I look healthy and most importantly I am healthy. I am no longer on the medication I was on a year ago. This was the best decision I made in 2005! My husband is in awe. He has never known me when I was this small. The only problem I have is I refuse to get rid of all my bigger clothes. I know I will never be that big again, I cannot figure out why I want to hold on to some of them. May be I am using them as a reminder. Is anybody else going through with this?

Well hey there everybody my anniversary is the 17th and I have reached my goal. I wanted to get down to 145 and I am there. I have lost 112 pounds and I am just thrilled to peices. 1 drink one Venti Latte in the morining and then sometime around 10 I am eating weight control Oatmeal for breakfast. Lunch I have some whole grain melba toast and low salt munster cheese. Dinner is usually a salad and protein. As far as getting enough protein in I can only assume that I am getting enough because I feel fine. Last few weeks have been hard with all the baked goods that have been floating around the house. I have been eating sugar but I will not be eating it for much longer. I have to say that I am as pleased a*****h that I had this surgery and I would do it over again in a heart beat. I hope you are all well and happy. Peace N Light Chris 257/145 GOAL!!!!!

HI EVERYONE!!!! CAN YOU JUST IMAGINE THAT AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR WE WERE ALL PREPARING FOR OUR SURGERIES? BOY, THE YEAR SURE WENT BY FAST. I HOPE THAT EVERYONE IS DOING FINE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARIES!!! AS FOR MYSELF, I HAVE LOST 113 POUNDS SO FAR, AND HAVE ANOTHER 20-25 POUNDS TO LOSE. I SURE HOPE THAT I LOSE THEM SOON!!! I KNOW THAT I WILL HAVE TO START WORKING OUT ON MY REGULAR SCHEDULE AT 24 HOUR FITNESS AFTER THE NEW YEAR. I'VE BEEN SLACKING SINCE THE HOLIDAYS! I WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OF YOU A HAPPY, HEALTHY, BLESSED AND PROSPEROUS 2006!!! LET'S ALL GIVE EVERYONE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE PAST YEAR GOD BLESS EVERYONE AND TAKE CARE!! SEE YOU ALL IN 2006!!! ALOHA, Pat 261/148/120-125

Hi Pat hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was awesome. Our birthday is coming up soon. How exciting. Two more weeks. Take care kiddo and do something nice for yourself on your one WLS birthday. May I suggest a day at the SPA. That is what I am doing. Yeah!!!!!!!! 302/152/155 (below goal) 6"0 tall

Jenn, From what I have read the cost vary greatly from dr. to dr. My insurance approved a panniculectomy with a quick telephone appeal when they originally denied me the surgery. So I decided to upgrade and do some other things at the same time. Here is my quote: Procedure: Belt Lipectomy; Bilateral Mastopexy; Bilateral Brachioplasty in conjunction with insurance approved Panniculectomy. (My terms, Full circumfrence tummy tuck with muscle tightening, Boob lift and arm wings clipped) (Still have not decided if I want to get implants yet) Surgical Fee: $11,500 - 1,150 (Multi procedure discount) = 10,350 (includes pre & post operative care) Hospital & Anesthesia charges: Facility 2,800, Anesthesia 1,352, Total 4,152. Total charge out of pocket is 14,502. I am having this done 1/25 in Albany, NY. Good luck Mary