Sounds like you are doing fantastic Kathleen!!! I know what you mean about the PS. I want to wait until I get to my surgeons' goal which would be to lose another 30 pounds. Keep up the great work!!

Good morning! I achieved one of my goals this week by finding out that I weigh less than my older son who is 150. Before I started my WLS, I was bigger than all 3 men in my life. I lost past my younger son first, then hubby and finally my older son. That was one of my personal goals. This morning I weighed (since I go to my surgeon's support group tonight) and I weigh 143.8 which is just below my personal goal of 145. Not only that, but I have a normal BMI of 24.7. I think the last time my BMI was normal was when I was in-utero. So now I am in maintenance mode and will be working on keeping my weight off for the rest of my life (but doing it one day at a time.) Take care, Sue

Wow, I hardly recognized you Carolina Girl!!! Makes me want to put up a new picture of me. I don't think I have changed that much but maybe so. Congrats on your graduation and becoming a BSN. You are right---you deserve the BMW and it is cute. I have lost a total of 153.2 pounds and am hoping to lose another 17+ pounds at least. I figure the last 10 (total of 27 more) could be done with a TT and breast reduction. That may have to wait a little longer than I planned as I have changed jobs and need to accumulate some vacation time for the surgery. The good thing is that I had the self esteem and courage to change jobs where i would never have done it before surgery. I turned in my 2 weeks notice and then planned to take a month off before looking for a new job. Didn't work quite like that as I was recruited very soon after turning my notice in. Good to know I am still in demand as a soon to be 59 year old!! I did take one week off and then only worked 2 days per wee****il last week, so did have some time to my self too. Wonderful to enjoy summer when I can move, walk, work in the garden, travel and just plain have fun---all of which was so difficult to do when I was morbidly obese. Like most everyone has said---if I never lose another pound it has been well worth it and I know I will live much longer because of this surgery and weight loss. Off of my diabetic meds, blood pressure meds, C-Pap, cholesteral lowering meds and mostly take a lot of vitamins. I thank everyone on this site as I have learned so much from each of you as the time has gone by. While I miss the day to day communication, it is great that most all of us are now out enjoying out lives and spending less time on the computer! We should try to update with a short note monthly to keep in touch. I will try to remember to do that and hope every one will also. It is fun to see what turns our lives take now. Julia

I'm with you, I'm definitely thankful for my new body, energy level, ability to walk without my thighs rubbing together, and all of the other wonderful benefits I've gained, but I am really having a tough time accepting this loose skin, and the comments about me getting "too thin", and my" bones popping out"! Hooda' thunk it? I have to admit, I love the attention, but it's almost a slap in the face when I know what I have gone through with the weight all of my life...and I would even like to lose 15-20 more lbs. My biggest challenge is "SNACKING". I graze all day at work! I take my vits, drink my water, get enough protein (well, now that it's summer, I probably am a little low on my protein intake, because all I want to do is eat melons and nectarines), and I exercise like crazy, but I definitely feel like I shouldn't be able to eat as much as I do. I know that's the reason I'm not able to lose these last few lbs. I have exceeded my doctor's goal, but you know us women are never thin enough. I will end with this, if I never lose another pound, or have to live the rest of my life with this saggy skin, I would graciously do it!!! Lady D

Hello all I went to see the plastic surgeon today! He is going to do a Lower body lift on me. (Saddle bags, butt and tummy) and for the low price of $14,500!!!! NOT! OH my God! I am so upset that my body lift will cost me a new car! I don't even know yet how I am going to finance it, but my God....I WILL FIND A WAY!!!! Hoping to have surgery Dec. 10th as this is my slow time at work. Boobs will have to wait till the summer of 2008. Anyone want to buy a kidney??????? hahahahahahaha