yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy i've been stuck and playing w/ numbers without a significant loss for so long i've forgotten what it feels like when the scale JUMPS down... but alas, it has!! I'm losing slower than most and was getting pretty discouraged thinking i'd never hit the goal i set for myself.. just started rethinking a new goal since my 130 lbs seemed so out of reach... but no, not yet... i was hanging around 161-163 for what seems like an eternity!!!!!! yesterday i stepped on the scale it said 159, i was so darn excited to finally get away from the 160's!!! today i hopped on (yes i do this daily, but i dont beat myself up no matter the number) and it said 156!!!!!!!!!! holy crap 156 bye bye 160's ... never again!! i saw my sister yesterday, we live in same state but i dont get to see her often, at least not without her husband or other family around. my family is very supportive and do tell me i look great and i've done a great job, but no one seems to give me the "OH MY GOD" that i sometimes like to hear, i work at a job where people only know me post surgery and lots of my friends dont know the pre surgery me either... anyway, my sister actually said "wow i cannot believe how little you are" that was big coming from her, she's tiny herself, always has been... she never cared or said anything about my size before, weight is just not discussed in our family, since i'm the only one *****ally struggled with it. anyway, that really made my day... i have some medical stuff going on, unrelated to surgery that i'm going to appts today for, hope to get some answers but i'm on top of the world today and nothing they say can knock me off! have a great monday everyone!! ~Kim

You just get more beautiful every day. Hope there's some event coming up where we can get together. I just quit my job so maybe I'll have time now. Good job, Rachel. Ruth

Hello again, Jamie - Why can't I see your pictures on your profile? Maybe you could email a few to me. I need to take a few also. You know - I'm lucky that my relationship hasn't changed much or been damaged by WLS and loss of - yes- 130 lbs. But we're at a different age and that makes a difference. But it's very common. Monica Ganz said that it is very high. He did not give you anything approaching support through this very major surgery and I think that may even be more of an issue than "settling." A question of unmet needs and expectations. I hope that you can find the strength be be alone for a while. I know you can. You have never been second best. You are one fantastic woman and don't you forget it!! Weight has nothing to do with it. You were beautiful when you were larger too. Ruth

*How many pounds did you lose in APRIL? 2 *Or, did you maintain? Losing the 2 was tough...did a lot of ping ponging *Are you at "goal?" Yes and No. My goal was to regain my health...I've gone beyond expectation there. I would like to get to 'normal' for my height though *Gain weight (from increased muscles or just a gain)? I've definitely add lots of leg and arm muscle during my training...probably making it harder to lose. *Inches lost? Where? Yes...thighs...Not sure how many though. *Clothing size changes? I'm pretty much all the way out of my 10's now and a solid 8 on the bottom...still Large on the top...curse you big boobs! *Non-scale victories? I was uploading my before pics with my son standing behind me. I had a curious look on his face. I jokingly asked, "Do you know who that is?" I said, "No...then hesitated and said...You???" I said yep...it was taken just a year ago...he said, "REALLY???!!!" *How many pounds to GOAL? 2!

Hello Beth When I hit my goal I did a few things just for ME I got a full hour massage, I got my hair colored (it is a reddish brown on the bottom) and had her put bright blond high-lights in the top. I also had her cut about 15 small layers in the bottom so it could be "Wild" if I wanted it to be ... I am having SO much fun with it! Now I have had my Reconstructive Surgery so that was a big Physical change for me. My husband also booked a Caribbean Cruise for us this November ... that was his present to me for reaching my goal & for my 1 year "Surgiversary" ... he said it is something we can share (since he has done SO much for me this year with all my surgeries he deserves it!). So I did some Physical, Mental & some Material things. I am told I am really still 15-25# away from the "Standard" chart weights for my height & build, but I don't care. My dr wanted to see me at 180, I wanted to be 170 and I am at 166 ... so I hope to see 160 as my final number & I am sure I will celebrate that also any reason to celebrate is good for me! Just found out yesterday I am in a size 12! No wonder my 16's felt so funny. Sue 318/166/passed goal PS - I saved $10 a week in a "Add-On" C.D. to save the $ for my surgery ... I could put the $ in but couldn't take it out & it had a good % rate on it, you may want to check that option out - my bank had a $500 opening amount.