Drinking with meals - That is really hard not to do. I find myself doing it when I am at a restaurant only because the water is in front of me. No you are not the only one who does not supplement with protein shakes or drinks regularly. I do on occasion if I am in a hurry or know I won't get all my protein in with food. My doctor really wants us to get it all from food. Vitamins - please take them. Her is an excerpt from a letter my doc just wrote for me so my vitamins will be reimbursed through my medical spending account. "deficiencies of those vitamins and minerals (multi, iron, b12, calcuim, vitamin c and iron) that will lead to serious health problems. Those health problems include, but are not limited to, anemia, osteoporosis, rickets (calcium defeciency), scurvy, encephalopahy, heart failure and damage to the nervous system. Our bodies do not absorb iron, calcium or b12 from our food anymore. My doc also had a patient that did not take her calcium and at age 27 had to have all her teeth pulled because they were crumbling. So if you don't change anything else take your vitamins! Good luck! Dawn

Carole ~~ please get your vitamins and supplements in. I too get all my protein from meals - haven't had a shake since 2 mos out and I'm now 13 mo. I just had my 1 yr labs done and everything was perfect, but I too had been slacking on my iron and calcium. I vowed I would get back to them and I have. I think the long term effects are what we should be watching. Even though I'm okay now, I'm still worried about the future. Just schedule your vits along with your other pills or with a meal so you don't forget them. I do mine 1st thing in the am before I work out and then my iron and vit C before I go to bed. My dr. doesn't believe in protein supplements this far out and I've been one of the lucky ones who never had a problem with any type of meat. Don't beat yourself up ~~ just vow to do better tomorrow!! Janie

Boy was my spelling off yesterday--oops! I have another consult tomorrow with a bigger "group" of surgeons. It'll be interesting to see what the price comparison is. Beth- I need all that stuff too!!! And you're right- all I've ever wanted was to have a normal body, and I never will!

::sigh:: I knew it was all downhill when I realized just a tummy tuck - not even the belt lipectomy (all the way around) was going to be $5,000 (and that was with a certified WLS doctor - not a plastic surgeon!) I am going to make some calls to find a regular plastic surgeon, to get a quote for all the work I want to have done. If money weren't so much an issue - or if insurance would pay for some of the work, I'd like *belt lipectomy (would solve belly, upper butt, back issues) *breast lift with small implants (I can't have a lift, I have no breast tissue left, I'm in a 32 barely A) *Upper arm lift (I can't wear short sleeve shirts still, the skin hangs out of them...) *Thigh lift (ugh, just ugh!) Also- *Treatment for serious varicose veins from both hips down to my calves It's very depressing when I realize I may never be "normal" you know?! I remember looking at Caroline Martins' photo pages and OH.com journal thinking to myself "OMG, that poor woman, she's so brave... look at what she's dealing with (in the excess skin)..." I was thinking that I'd never have to deal with that kind of skin - thinking I was "young" enough, not "heavy" enough... And here I am - looking similar (minus the breasts, since I didn't have any...) I wish we all won POWERBALL --- that would help, eh? Perhaps if we went in on one doctors' group rate?! -Signed, Melting Mooshy Mama http://meltingmama.blogspot.com

Congratulations - that size 12 feels so good. The skin is really a problem, isn't it? Ruth