Hi, I have lost 169 lbs. and had both knees replaced with the left one having to be redone eight months later. Have moved to Austin Texas and am working full-time making great money. I decided on the move to start a new life since I am a new person. Am getting muscle tone. I LOVE THE NEW ME! I wish more people would have this surgery. A close friend of mine just passed away that I tried to get to go with me to the information meeting I went to at UTMB. He had gotten to 550 lbs. He said he liked his food to much. I did too but I could have ended up in the same spot as him. That's scary!

Well I am going to get some new knee's after weighting as heavy as 560 lbs at my heaviest 4 years ago and getting down to 350 lbs... Yes I am stuck there at 350 lbs... I went and seem my orthopedic surgeon and have set up a surgery date of October 3rd to get my right knee replaced. Thats about it for me! Wish me luck! Tom

Thanks Jessica! Since I first posted this, Ive tossed both canisters of the Designer Whey. They were awful. I got them from GNC and do not reccomend them.Ive since found Matrix Chocolate and Matrix Cookies and Cream and I love them both just mixed with cold water. Muscle milk light in Chocolate Mint, reminds me of a girl scout cookie! Ive never tried to add fruit tho. Where do you purchase this Classic? Ive never heard of it around here. Since I first posted this, I can no longer tolerate food and get most of my protein from shakes and bars now. I guess it is just too hot here to think about food. Thanks for your ideas!!

I use mine in smoothies, 1 cup ff milk, handful of strawberries, and some ice and my protein powder...now I have never used your brand...so I dont know what it would be like, I found one called Classic and it is very cheap and I really like it in smoothies...havent tried plain in milk or in coffee yet...I used to use a different kind...cant remember what it was...it was in a canister with a purple label...and I used that in my decaf coffee...it was really good for awhile and then I couldnt stand it any more.

It's been forever since I've posted here and I'm happy to say that I've done well. I am 5'2" and at my heaviest weighed over 263 lbs. When I went into surgery I was 234 (from 251 at consult) and am now at 130. 130 sounds heavy (or it does to me anyway) but I've gone from size 22/24 to 4/6 and am satisfied (OK, I lie...the skin thing is bugging the hell out of me!). It took me 2 yrs to get to my goal...talk about stalling, slow loser, whatever but it didn't come off fast at all. I'm proud to say that I didn't get depressed, freaked out or anything because I knew that it would come off eventually. There are still things that I can't eat and OMG, am I stupid or what? When will I learn that eating is not a timed Olympic event? I used to be a speed eater and if I don't sit there and chew the living daylights out of whatever I'm eating; I get sick. Greasy food makes me ill; thank goodness for protein supplements (Muscle Milk for me) or else I don't think that I could get all the protein down. Carbs have somehow found me again, even though I moved and DID NOT leave a forwarding address...darn those carbs, savy little buggers! Congratulations on a marvelous job and I'm happy that you did it while you're so young. That's a regret that I have as I missed out on so much stuff w/my 3 kids. I was 47 (by 7 days) when I had my surgery and my youngest was 11 at the time. Now she's 13 and knows everything; between her & her 18 yr old brother, I am shocked that I can make it through a day without collapsing. My oldest is 22 and we actually get along as she is "grown up" and appreciates (somewhat) what I've tried to do as a parent. Jessica, keep up the good work and you'll get to your goal. You've come a long way! How has the quality of your life changed? Hugs from Sugar Land, TX