i'll make this one brief. i've lost a grand total of 2.5 lbs in the last six months. so i guess that makes one heckuva plateau, since i've got more weight to lose. it's ok, though. i figure with all i've been through i'm just glad i didn't gain any. everyone have a great weekend. we're going to the renfest saturday and getting a family picture done on sunday. hugs dorthe

Thanks Dana, You are always such a great source of support! I also felt that I should be just happy with how I look now until I got to the point I couldn't even find a bra to bring the girls up. I got a referral from my GP to go to the PS. He took pictures and when I seen the pictures of myself I knew I wasn't satisfied with just a girdle or making due with a Bra. I recently went to a wedding and I was disaapointed how the dress looked on me. I am relatively calm about the surgery (check back with me the 1st of Oct). I was lucky about the WLS as it happened so fast - 19 days from consultation to date of surgery that I didn't have time to worry or fret. This time I expect the recovery to be worse. I have read both good and bad experiences on here. The PS is a fair distance from home and I am considering staying at a respite care facility for at least a week afterwards to recover. I know if I am at home I will want to be doing things that I shouldn't. I have my pre surgical clinic on Sept 19 and an appointment with the surgeon and I will discuss with him about staying down. Take care Dana! Hugs Karen

i wish you all the luck in the world, karen. sounds as though you've done marvelously with your journey. and the timing on the surgery sounds well thought out. good luck. thanks for sharing dorthe

hi loretta. i'm so sorry to hear you're in such pain. and very glad you're seeing a doctor on monday. good luck at your appt. as to the shingles, i remember when my daughter had them they recommended oatmeal baths and calamine lotion. but i think a dr could probably give you some cortisone cream, too. hope it gets better soon. dorthe

Hi I haven't posted in ages but your post touched me. I don't dump so I can eat just about anything I want and of course all I want is junk! It is very hard not to slip back into old habits but we have to look at our before pictures or an old article of clothing we used to wear if you didn't take pictures. Something to remind you of where you have come from and don't want to go back to. I have noticed the more sweets/carbs you eat the more you crave them, it is a vicious cycle. If you can get off of them for a few days and get the cravings under control it will be easier. Don't buy the stuff to have at home or work. If when you are craving it you actually have to make a special trip to go buy it you are more likely to get passed the craving and not give in. When you are having a craving eat protein or drink a protein shake so you are too full to eat the junk. I had a snack drawer at work and it was bad!!!! Now I have slim jims and cheese sticks and a few sugar free candies in the "snack drawer". You can do this you have to make the decision that you are worth it and you can do it!!!! You deserve to be the best you can be. If you fall off the wagon pick yourself up and start over don't quit!!!!!! Janice 2/23/05 258 size 22/24 Now 144 size 4/6/8 depending on brand