Hugs Kate! I don't have your problem, I've still got 13.5 lbs to get to the surgeon's goal of 150 lbs. but I started 22 lbs heavier than you (same ht.) My weight loss has slowed down to 5-6 lbs a month, so I'm more worried about not getting to my goal (MY goal is 142 lbs). But I can't imagine how scary not being able to stop losing must be for you. I hope the docs figure it out soon and that the "cure" doesn't require medical intervention. Hang in there! Vickie J. 277/163.5/150...142

Anything fitted!!!! No more loose, baggy or saggy clothes on this body! I used to be a shoe slave years ago and am finally starting to buy cute shoes again (let's face it, when you have an extra 110 pounds on your body most shoes hurt so I was mainly wearing Birkenstocks and tennis shoes). Mary Ellen 280/169/160

I still have a problem taking pills that are larger than the size of a pencil eraser, so am using a chewable multi twice a day. For calcium I use a liquid calcium citrate that I found at Vitamin World and add a tbsp for a small glass of lite orange juice. Sometimes (if I remember!) I add a packet of powdered calcium citrate to my yogurt. I was using chewable iron, but it caused such a problem with constipation that I recently bought an iron supplement capsule that is supposed to be more gentle. I'll let you know how I tolerate it and if it works. I get a B-12 shot once a month and if I start dragging toward the end of that month's time, will use sublingual B-12 as needed. So far, labs have been good. Mary Ellen 280/169/160

Kate, Hugs, Hugs, Hugs. You have been through so much lately. You are such an inspiration! I also want to say thanks for your post. We are living the exact same situation. Surgeon and nutritionist are concerned about the speed of my loss and want me to stop, I was comfortable enough to stop 5 lbs ago even though my original goal was lower. I now consume about 1500 calories per day and have cut my exercise drastically. I feel like I eat all day, one shake, melted protein bar or piece of cheese after another, I have also been adding alot of crackers becuse of the calories and because I can disolve them in my mouth and get them down. I am still losing about 2 lbs per week. My stats are a little different than yours, I am 2 inches taller but started out 47 lbs higher than you. I have cut my running from 5-7 miles, 5-7 time per week to 5-7 miles 3 times per week and I do Pilates most days, probably 5 days per week but I do that because it is helping with the skin issues some. I have a scope to stretch me scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving. I need to be stretched because I have a stricture. Just remember you always have hugs here, we love ya' and are here for each other. And thanks for making me feel normal. Hugs, Becki 1/18/05 297/135/130???(Original Goal) 5'8"

Jamie, After spending lots and lots of money on different protein shakes that I could not stomach I found Diet Resolution Protein Maximum from GNC. It tastes like Nesquick (yum) no medicine taste at all and one scoop which is 20 g disolves easily in 4 oz of water! This is great for me because I have such a problem with solid food and drink very slowley. The most important thing is that it tastes awesome! I am running 5-7 miles about 3 times a week, I have cut back because my surgeon is not too happy with my rapid progress. Also I do Windsor Pilates about 5 times a week. I do the ab, bun & thigh, back and upper body workouts. They are each 20 minutes so I am done in an hour and a half. I have noticed a real difference in my skin since I started the Pilates about 6-8 weeks ago. I had a p/s consult and he feels that the skin will never entirely go away on its own due to the speed of my loss. I should probably join a gym and start some kind of weight training program but right now I really enjoy the running and the pilates. Congrats on the academy, I wish I had your courage, I would love to do something differnet with my life but I really don't know what or how to go about it. Hugs, Becki 1/18/05 297/135/130?? 5'8"