Terry, I am glad to see your post. I have not gone to the PS yet....why with a 210 lb loss wouldn't I...because I have 65 more pounds I would like off first. I don't think I will make that goal so maybe I will have to revise it.....I feel I need to give it at least another six months to see what I can get off. I am so happy for you! I figured when I do decide to get it done I am doing the legs first. I think they are the worst! Then the arms.....Breast and tummy....Yes I think three phases would be doable. I hear about the pain with this surgery and think can I make it three times? Lets see if I can make goal first. Debbie

No one seems to post here anymore. Guess we're all out living our lives as the skinny people we've become since June of '04. I know from our group here that now that we've all lost the weight together many of us are going to the next phase of the journey.....plastic surgery for skin removal. So let's see who's gone that route yet? I'm about 2 1/2 weeks out from abdominoplasty with a belt lipectomy plus an inner medial thigh lift. It was all much rougher than I expected. But so far, even with the swelling, discoloration and scars what a difference it's made. Last night when my husband helped me out of my straight jacket (compression garment) and I got to take a shower I had him take pics. Then I pulled out a pair of bikini panties and tried them on for the overall look. Wow! What a difference. I can't wait until the swelling goes down so I can see the "real new me." Like many people I went into this worrying that I'd put on weight since I've had to stop working out for a month while recovering. My surgeon told me in about a month I could start walking again and after 8 weeks I can start weight lifting again. I'm happy to report that I have NOT put on any weight. I went into this weighing about 125 and seem to be staying between 124-125 fully clothed including the compression garment and lots of swelling. My surgeon says he removed close to 5 pounds of skin. He says although it looked like lots of skin, because I'm so lean there was no fat attached to it, just skin. He did not do any liposuction either since he says I didn't need it. So when all the swelling goes down I guess I probably weigh around 120 pounds which will be a total weight loss of 156 pounds since June 14th, 2004. I plan to wait 6 months or longer before going in to have my arms and breasts done. I will have my husband post pics one of these days on my profile. Hope you're all doing ok. Life is good here. I still pretty much eat the same as when I was losing. Sometimes I splurge and eat too much, or bad stuff. Exercise has been my saving grace for times that I eat too much. I can't wait to get back to working out and living normal again. Can't wait to try on clothes and see how different things fit on my new tight stomach, butt and thighs. Take Care, Terry Coles 276/120

Thank you for posting this... I certainly needed it Angie 280/175/150

Shawna (((((HUGS))))) Its really nice to know that others are doing the same as I am. Sometimes you are never sure if its you or its the stage. I guess its the stage. I am not unhappy by no means with the loss I just would like to get down more. I guess a year is not unreasonable for 35 lbs. I know I should revise my goal....I just want to be healthy and 150 for my height is healthy....Now if I can cut off the 3 lbs I gained....(Not sure if its from meds I am on because it came on over night! I am a scale ***** and on it every day!) I will try and remain calm....its hard! Great to hear from you! Have a wonderful day! I am now off to the gym to beat some of those calories off this body! Debbie

Hi Debbie Little late in responding but I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I am down 180 lbs to 210 but the loss is so slow........but at least it's still going down. I have revised my goal to 175 so 35 more lbs for me. My surgeon thinks I will get to 170-175 and then 150-155 with plastics. Don't get me wrong...if i never lost another pound I would still be extremely pleased with the surgery..........but I want to get this last 35 lbs off. I wouldn't say that I have been off track per say but maybe not as diligent. I still lose 3-5 lbs most months.....and my surgeon told me it might take a year to get this last 35 off so.......just trying to remain patient. Shawna