My surgery date was March 8, 2002 and what a difference a little time and loss of weight makes. I just turned 37 on April 9th and every time I have to show my id people look two, three and sometimes four times. My hair is different so I usually assume that they are looking to make sure it's me. They always comment about the fact that they can tell it's me but they can't believe my age. Most people think that I ambout 25. I am so thankful to God for allowing me to receive the tool that opened up a whole new life to me. It has truly been a blessing. Now I have tons of energy and so much more self confidence. I am now trying to work with my daughter who is only 9 years old and weighs as much as I do. I am so hurt that I passed my bad behaviours onto her and now she is plaqued with this awful problem. I started at 230 pounds and currently weigh 135 pounds, which was ironically my goal weight. I never intended to be as small as I am though. When I weighed 135 pounds in my younger days I was much "thicker" than I am now. I looked like I did when I got down to about 150 with the surgery. I'm not complaining though, I am happy with my current weight and don't plan on losing anymore. I will just maintain for the rest of my life. I would like to have a tummy tuck though, which would probably take me from a size 6 to a size 4 easily. As I said, I never planned to be this small, let alone a size 4, but I look like I'm pregnant with all this extra skin on my stomach. Unfortunately it's not enough for me to even attempt to get my insurance to cover it. Becuase it doesn't actually hang over and I have no rashes or anything, I've been told by plastic surgeons that I would never be able to get it covered. I know it's silly but I am just hopin that one day I can get some one that has a little extra money (Bill Gates or Donald Trump kind of extra money) to read my story and have gone through GBP (or know someone that has) and know first hand how traumatic the extra skin can be, and just offer to pay for it. I know, then I woke up huh? LOL! Well, I guess that's all for now. I hope everyone posting on this board has a wonderful and blessed day.

I have lost a total of 107 pounds and still could lose about 20 more if I would get on the ball and excersise more. My continuing problem is that I had my gal bladder removed 4 years ago so with my WLS 2 years ago the 2 together cause some discomfort. I have problems with diarrhea about 2-3 days a week. The days that are worse are the ones that I have had acidic foods the day before; like tomatoes or oranges. The thing is that tomatoes are my favorite food and I love orange juice and grapefruit juice. The diarrhea is not uncomfortable or painful just inconvienent. I have also had some trouble with a spastic colon and sometimes I don't have alot of warning that I need to go to the bathroom, which makes it hard on days I am traveling. I am lucky that my weight loss puts me at a weight that I look fine just a little pudgy. I lost about 75% of my obesity and the other 25% is about 20 pounds and I have kept 100 pounds off since 11-02 and the other 7 pounds came off last fall. Good luck to all. Diane J.

Tammy, Hang in there. I know exactly where you are coming from. Hopefully, since I'm approved for PS (plastic surgery) a tummy tuck. I will lose the rest that I want to lose. But, it is depressing and we read how others are losing and we think we need to lose more. Now I know how skinney people stay so slim, it is constantly a everyday job. Good luck on your journey.

Sara, I also have that problem. I usually try to fill up on water or Crystal Light when I crave carbs and then if that doesn't work I eat a 1/2 cup of dry Cheerios as slow as I can. I've always been a Carb fanatic, I know how hard it is to work with those cravings. Don't punish yourself if you give in, just move on and try not to have "NAUGHTY" carbs easily available! Good luck! Tammy in Wisconsin

I had surgery March 8, 2002 and have lost 160 lbs. I have been going up and down and think maybe its just that we are able to eat a little more, maybe add more exercise into your daily life. Good Luck