Hi, Ya'll, 1. I have lost 135 lbs. 2. I was 305 lbs. and 5'8" tall. 3. I haven't hit goal yet, and my surgeon did not set one with me. 4. I want to lose another 20 lbs. 5.I would love a body lift and a face lift. My girls are in Mexico, and my arms could fly to Canada with their wings. My husband said my girls look like two hard boiled eggs in the bottom of a tube sock. GRRRR! No $$$$ for PS, and I have not asked the insurance, yet. Stay tuned for updates. Nice to see some of you old timers!!! Pat....WOW!! You look great. Lou Ann

Hi Lou Ann! I am so sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time with your back problem. I can completely understand what you are going through because I went through the same thing right after I had my daughter. She was born in October, 1978 and three months later I found myself almost unable to move and in excrutiating pain!!! From that point on it was completely downhill........ I tried everything from chiropractor, massage, reflexology, muscle relaxers and nothing worked. Also, as time went along my bouts with the back pain were getting more frequent and lasting for longer periods of time. I was surprised that I was able to have my son who was born in October, 1981. My obgyn told me that our bodies somehow protect us during a pregnancy and I was able to carry him for 9 months. Right after I gave birth about a month later, my back problems started again. I was originally diagnosed with 2 herniated discs (L4 and L5) in my lower back. I was too afraid to consider surgery and so I suffered for 7 years with the pain. One day I noticed that I was experiencing numbness in my right leg and I knew that I had to do something about this. Sorry for being so long winded. Regarding your question about the epidural into the spine. I did have those shots done by my neurosurgeon 3 times. Although, he actually just gave them to me in his office. I was actually standing bent over next to the examining table. It was pretty scary the first time. He had to move the needle around until he found the right space in between the herniated discs. The medication would take a day or two to start working. Each time that I received the shot the relief would be for a shorter period. Finally, he decided to take an MRI with me standing and injected a dye at the same time. As soon as he did this, he immediately told me that the two discs had actually ruptured, and I was scheduled for emergency surgery two days later. He told me that the two discs were actually wrapped around my sciatic nerve which is what was causing the numbness in my right leg. By the way I had my back surgery in December, 1985. I thanked God that I found a good neurosurgeon. My surgery was a complete success and I became a new person. I still have some numbness and tingling in my right leg from the nerve damage, but the horrible back pain is gone. Be sure that you find the best neurosurgeon to take care of you. Don't take any chances. I wish you all the best and take care. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. Aloha, Pat

Oh No, I'm so sorry to hear this. I've never had to have anything like that done, but I wish you the best of luck and hope that this is not permanent. You're in my thoughts! Tracy B 328/152 5'9

Dianne, I agree that weighing daily really helps! Maintenance is difficult b/c like I said, obviously I've never been good at it! So, I'm doing the best that I can. Staying on top of things will probably be my way of life forever I suppose. Hugs, Tracy B

I weigh myself every day. I am having some difficulty with the whole maintenance thing. But by weighing myself every day, I am able to keep on top of it and not let it get out of control. Dianne 259/128 5'5 1/2"