Hey Shele, I got the opposite from my surgeon. I'm 5'6" and weigh 155. He had my goal at 131. I laughed because that is just too small for me. He said if I lost to 145 then he'd be thrilled with that. So..I'm fighting these last 10lbs. But, I feel great and exercise LOTS!!! Christie

Natalie, I have a hernia too, but was denied for the tummy tuck. Approved for the hernia repair only. What insurance do you have? I have UHC Choice. I am hoping to try one more time and see if they will approve, if not, oh well. I can't fight like I did with my WLS. Tricia

You should go by how you feel. Don't worry about the numbers too much. If the chart says 142, why would your dietician say 130? That's sound too low for someone who is 5'6. I am 5'2 1/2" and I am aiming for 130, which is still in the high range of normal, but I think that I'll feel great at 130. Go by how you feel. If you are currently at 173, maybe by the time you get to 160 you'll feel great. That's when you should start to maintain. This is only my opionion. My doctor told me that I should get down to 130, and that was his goal for me, and my PCP said that I should get to 120. Well, I feel that 120 would be too small for me, and I am going to be happy at 130. Are you happy where you are at now? Tricia

Don't beat yourself up Tricia. You're only human. I did the same thing last weekend. I'm happy to say by going back to basics the extra poundage came off. I'm now back to being 10 pounds away from goal. It does get harder the further out you get. Depression doesn't help either. With my depression I always turned to food. Now I try to at least binge on high protein foods like protein bars. Frito Lay makes a Munchie Mix that the stats aren't too bad on that satisfys the chip craving. Detour bars taste like Snicker bars to me. I just try to find foods that I can "trick" my mind with. Feel free to email me anytime if you need someone to vent to or just chat with. Maggie

I had been doing so well, I only had 5 pounds left to lose. I got really depressed this past week, and this weekend I really turned to food....I can't do this to myself. I ate all sorts of chips, candy, cookies, etc. Today I am back on track, but in the meantime, why do I do this to myself? I gained 6 pounds over the weekend. I know part of that is because I just got my period late last night, but a few pounds are from all the jun****pt consuming. I asked my hubby to please be supportive and don't let me eat those things. If he see's me grab them, tell me not to eat them. He said he hates to do that because he feels like he's nagging me, like my mom always did. I told him that I don't care. I am scheduled for my reconstructive surgery 9/22, and I really need to lose my last 5 pounds...now last 11 pounds. I hope that by next week, I can at least lose the 6 pounds that I gained this past weekend. I am going to eat 2 protein shakes a day every day, and only protein. No carbs at all, unless it is my healthy snack, like nuts or whatever. No sweets (This is my major downfall). and lots of water. I am also going to get back into a regular exercise routine. I even packed my gym bag and brought it with me, this way, I don't have to go home. I had said I would exercise, then I would go home, and not want to get my butt back out of the chair. This way, I have no exuse, just go do it!! Is anyone else out there having trouble? I sure does get harder after our 1 yr anniversary. I CANNOT let DEPRESSION put me back to my old ways!! I have to get over that and find something else to do instead of eating! I need your help too, I usually don't come on here asking for help either, but I am just in the dumps lately. Words of encouragmement are always good. Sorry this is so long! Hope this week is a good one for EVERYONE!!! Tricia