Jamie, You are doing absolutely AMAZING you hot thing! Also you are dealing witht he same demons as the rest of us, you are not alone. I agree with you that the skin causes the big hang up. I just bought 2 skirts for work that are size 2 the other day (no freekin' way!) and I still feel like I am huge, I think that it is the skin for sure. My family thinks that I am taking the workouts too far. I thought that my goal was 130, my doctors is 140, I am at 135 I am really happy about that so I don't really want to lose any more but don't really know how to stop either. I am hoping like you said that my body will quit when it is comforatable. Just know that you are not alone and you are missed when you don't post, you are one of my inspirations. Let us have the good with the bad, let us be there for you and you remind us that we are normal when you have a bad moment. Thanks for being one of my inspirations! Becki 1/18/05 297/135/130?? 5'8"

Hi Jamie! I know exactly what you mean. I just saw my surgeon last week Friday and he told me that I basically had 4 more months to lose weight. He told me after February, it would be pretty hard to lose anymore. I started out at 261 pounds, and am currently stuck at 162 pounds. I know that I have accomplished a lot, but I am still not sure if I can accept the fact that I may not reach my goal weight which is 125 pounds. Originally my goal was 115 pounds. My doctor told me that if I could get down to 140 pounds he thought that would be great. Well to start with I'm only 5 feet tall so at 140 pounds, I consider myself still too heavy for my height. But I guess compared to 261 pounds, it's a big improvement. In addition I no longer have the diabetes, high blood pressure and cholestrol problems. I'm also noticing the saggy skin on my arms and stomach area, and after seeing the actual surgeries on the Discovery Channel don't feel that I would want to subject myself to that. But then how are we supposed to deal with the fact that we may not reach our goal, plus now we have this excess skin that is not going to go away? I had lap rny on January 10, 2005 just a few days before you, and wonder if others have gone through this dilema at about 9 months post op. Well, I guess I should just be thankful that I was given a chance to shed the weight that I have so far. Have a wonderful weekend! Aloha, Pat 261/162/125

First off... I know I am typically the happy one here cheering everyone on but I have been staying away from the boards b/c I have been battling my own head issues. So I apologize for dropping off the boards for awhile. If you ever want to check up on me, I keep a journal on the net that I update almost daily, it is at LiveJournal.com and you can just follow the link in my signature line! Anyways, I did finally make it to the century club, however I have done nothing but bounce between 157 - 154 for the last month. Its taken me awhile to accept that this is where my body is happy at so I am not stressing about the numbers anymore. I had hoped I would get down past goal so I would have a cushion if I started to gain some back (they say that we will gain 20% back). Anyways.... my head issues have ranged from dealing with strong emotions (that I typically would eat away), to my sex life, to cravings, to getting addicted to exercise and going to far, you name it. One thing that really irks me is there is a series of classes offered by a local hospital to learn how to deal with these issues but they will not let you attend until you are a year out or more! Dang it, I can't wait two more months to learn how to deal with this, I have been battling it on my own for a month already! UGH! So it is through talking with friends and journaling my thumbs off that I have reached a few conclusions... I am actually happy at the weight that I am at but I have to do something about the skin b/c it is a constant reminder, not to mention a nucense! I love sex! Now I have to learn how to dail it back a few notches and learn that I can't have it all of the time! LOL! I still love food and I need to recognize when I am hungry or when I am just eating for some other reason. Oye.... I still have so far to go... One thing that I am completely thankful for, is 90% of the time I am sooo happy and even when I am battling head issues, my life is still good. I no longer look at my life as a chore... i love it! YEAH ME! Brightest Blessings for a Wonderful Day~ Jamie M. aka Lady Autumn Weight- 257/154/146 BMI- 44.1/26.4/25 Height- 5'4" Total Weight Loss: -103 lbs. Surgery Date- 1/19/05 Visit my OH profile or stop by My Weight Loss Journey Website at: home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-LadyAutumnsWLSjourney Visit my Live Journal at: livejournal.com/users/magickalmom

I actually saw a special on less evasive PS on Discovery Health not too long ago... that was one of the procedures they did! I can't wait for PS but I am gonna have to... no money, no job.... so I wait til we move and I can find both! LOL! I am so happy for you girl.... You are doing so great! I can't wait to see current pix of you and hubby! Brightest Blessings for a Wonderful Day~ Jamie M. aka Lady Autumn Weight- 257/154/146 BMI- 44.1/26.4/25 Height- 5'4" Total Weight Loss: -103 lbs. Surgery Date- 1/19/05 Visit my OH profile or stop by My Weight Loss Journey Website at: home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-LadyAutumnsWLSjourney Visit my Live Journal at: livejournal.com/users/magickalmom

Yeah Julia, I'd ask to be referred to a surgeon to get the hernia repaired so that you get better results healing. If you can't do ab work then you are setting yourself up for other injuries b/c you need a strong CORE! You can overstress your back trying to compensate for the lack of abs, not to mention throw your hips and knees and feet all out of wack which would hinder your exercise program! A good way to compensate would be in the pool. Water arobics and swimming can help since you are using the resistence of the water instead of your body weight to exercise your abs. Twists with a broom stick across your shoulders will help!! So will strengthening your back up. Go see a trainer and see what they can suggest! HTH! Brightest Blessings for a Wonderful Day~ Jamie M. aka Lady Autumn Weight- 257/154/146 BMI- 44.1/26.4/25 Height- 5'4" Total Weight Loss: -103 lbs. Surgery Date- 1/19/05 Visit my OH profile or stop by My Weight Loss Journey Website at: home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-LadyAutumnsWLSjourney Visit my Live Journal at: livejournal.com/users/magickalmom