What a sweet story. I got a lump in my throat reading it. thank God for this surgery! I'm so happy for you!!! YOU go girl!! ~Mary 6/8/04 also! down 90lbs from highest

Hello everyone! I started at 291 pounds - had surgery on June 4, 2004 - have lost 75.5 pounds - currently at 215.5 pounds. It has helped me to see how others have progressed- I thought I was failing horribly in the weight loss department. Thank you! Trish

I had my surgery on June 8th 2004. The weight loss has just been awesome and it is happening so fast. I began at 453 lbs and in a wheelchair unable to walk and breath, was completely dependent on others for my every need. I now weigh in at 273 lbs. and am walking all the time (no more wheelchair for me) and no trouble breathing, I am living again and loving every minute. I have lost a total of 180 lbs in only 6 months!! I visited friends and family this Thanksgiving and it was a blast to see their reactions to my weight loss and what it has done for me. The best reaction was from my father. (I am a daddys girl) I had not seen my father since 2 months prior to my surgery in June so he had no idea how much I had changed. He knew the numbers but didn't imagine just how much different those numbers would make me look. I had just arrived at my parents home and was in their yard with two of my sisters and my mom when dad walked out on the porch. He knew someone was there but no one had told him it was me. He looked my direction and said, "hello" and then looked away. I said, "hello" and thought it was strange the way my father was treating me. Suddenly he looked back at me and his mouth fell open and he said, "Dee? Is that you?" He didn't recognize me by looks but he knew my voice when I said hello. At that I laughed and told him it really was me and then with tears of happiness in my eyes I spun around so he could get a good look at his new healthier and happier daughter. He said, "Oh my God! You have changed so much, I didn't even recogonize you until you spoke!" Then before I could get to the porch where he was, he come to me with this huge smile on his face and gave me a big hug and told me I was beautiful and that he is so proud of me. For me this has to be the best compliment ever.

Hi JC . . . I felt the same way -- discouraged -- and it does help to read everyone else's progress and find we aren't so far off, if at all. I am having a horrible time losing and gaining the same 4 lbs for the last month. I started at 300 and this morning I was 216 (again) after being 214 last week. This is enough to drive someone crazy, LOL. -BJ

Island Girl, Reading your post really made me fell sooo much better. I have been staying away from the web site because I felt like such a failure in the weight lose department. I started out at 281 and have lost to 209. I now feel within normal range after seeing that you are at 212 after starting around the same weight as myself. It good to see other people that are losing in the same pound area! Thank and congrats on your lost! JC