Thanks Mary your coment's are always helpful being only 41 is young but the benifits definetly outweigh it. Wi**** was only one knee needed to be done Thanks!!

Hi Everyone, First I would like to say Congratulations to all my fellow February Friends!!! I am almost at my year anniversary and I have lost 210 pounds, my skin is saging mostly my arms and legs. I try my best to exercize but it's difficult due to my knee pain. Please see my profile for the history. I am 41 years old and will be 42 in April. I am a past semi-pro athlete for fast pitch softball and have been suffering from extreme knee pain for 8 years. My mom who passed away a year and half ago suddenly also had bad knees. I had laporscopic surgery on them one at a time first one 2001 and the other 2 years ago. Even with all that weight gone they are still agony and I can't do anything, I use the eletric scooter in the stores and at home to cook for my family I use a chair in the kitchen. My kids are wonderful they help some but there is still so much I want to do but just physically can't. My question to you all is my Orthapedist refered me to a Joint Replacement Surgeon and he says I need to get them replaced!!!!! I have had several orthopedics tell me that over the years... I am young and it's normally done to people over 55 or so. They wear out in 20-25 years so what do I do?? I feel so much better with the weight loss but still can't do anything because of my knees. I don't want to miss anymore of my kids baseball or softball games or anything they are growing up so fast anyway I can't beleive they will both be in High School in August one will be a Junior and one a Freshman. I have missed alot over the past few years and I haven't worked for 2 years and I am very scared to have it done and only one at a time so it will be some time before I do the other one. My mom had alot of problems when she did hers and she thought she got Lupus from them and other surgeries?? I have had 6 surgeries in the last 6 years is it to much?? It's a long recovery road ahead and I am just getting over this surgery Gastric Bypass almost a year ago If anyone has any advise please let me know.. I am nervous Thanks so much, Jill

nice to meet you. Love your picture. Congratulations on your successful weight loss. You are so close to your goal. Denise

It's rather therapeutic to spill our hearts on paper (uh, the keyboard). I've been having similar thoughts that you have captured so well. It sounds like you've got a great attitude and a fabulous support system. Keep up the good work. I'm cheering for you. Denise

Thanks, Mary, for your (as always) kind words! Wanda