Hello Everyone, I am dealing with the same issues that a lot of you are dealing with. Emotional eating is my downfall. Or maybe just eating in general. I am down to 155 or 156 depending on the day. This was actually my original goal but now I would like to go further and I am not sure if I can. It is sooo hard now. I struggle with my eating every day. I exercise pretty reguarly so I think that saves me from gaining, but it definatly scares me. I never want to go back to where I was and lets just be real I never want to gain any weight. I am terrified of regain. But so far I am holding my own. I am about to go away for the weekend with a bunch of girlfriends and it is always wonderful but it really is an eating fest. So when I come home I am going to try to de carb. I am stuggling so much with the carbs. They really are evil. I am convinced.LOL. I may try to do the plateau buster diet just to get rid of the carb cravings. I still read the board pretty much every day, and I post when I have something to offer. But I have noticed that it is pretty quiet. I miss Lisa, anyone hear from her? Mary Jo, I am glad that you found a job. I hope all goes well with it. Working with children can be very rewarding. (most days). I envy all of you who have had plastics or are having them. I have a lot of excess skin. I am a 10/12 and my sister who has never been heavy is only 10lbs lighter and she is a six. I think if I had all this skin removed I would be a six also. But I dont think its gonna happen for me anytime soon. I just changed insurance and I couldnt afford the time off work any way. Oh well, I will just have to be happy where I am at. Isnt that funny, before WLS I would have been deliriously happy to be where I am now and now I am happy but I find myself always wanting more, another 10lbs or my excess skin removed. When do you ever feel satisified? I wonder if this is what normal people are like but they just dont have a forum of friends like us to discuss it with. Who knows. But anyway I am rambling now so I will say good bye for now and wish everyone luck. I love to read everyones posts and I hope that we all keep coming here and posting our ups and downs. Hugs Lynn

Hi Deloris! You look so happy and beautiful in your picture! I feel like I'm going to get the frosting on the cake (hee,hee) with having the plastic surgery. You hit it right on the nail. I will feel like a new person. I'm wearing size 6 and 8; extra small in a lot of clothes too. I can't believe it's me! I am happy with my weight loss. Now for the finishing touch! Thanks for posting, You did have some very wise and supportive words for me! Hugs, Lucy

Wow! I wish I was losing that good! I have been going up and down with the same 5 lbs. since May. I want to lose another 20 lbs., so I really need to get this thing done! Your question about the shoulder pain--no I don't have that--I've lost 96 lbs. However, I have had severe hip pain (where the thigh meets the hip) since March. Kind of ironic, since at size 26-28, I had no pain. Now, at a size 12, it even hurts when I'm laying down (severity is sporadic). Anyone else have that after losing weight? Becky lap rny/6-22-05 288/291

Hi Diane! Yes, we know what to do. I agree. Sometimes, it is still so hard to do it. I was just reaching out as a friend. If I can help, I will. That's what we are here for on this board. No one else can understand what we are going through or facing in our lives. It's so good to have a support group here. Maintaining is the key. I'm so scared of that, as I am almost at goal... only another 3 pounds. I was never in maintenance on a weight loss program before. It's a totally new concept for me. YIKES!!! Take care. I hope this morning is a bright one for you! Hugs, Lucy

Hi Mary Jo! I knew there were a lot of us out there. I had to read your post a second time because I couldn't get over your weight, 106-107 pounds. OMG! In one way I wish I would be the same way but I know that wouldn't be healthy for me. This WLS journey is definitely individualistic, meaning that no one has the same total experience. I know about eating the not so good foods too. I've been there and done that; more times than I want to admit. For me, I like the fact that no one would ever question what food I buy or eat in public. Before, I would get the nasty glares and faces along with remarks. It's a good feeling but that in itself could lead me back down the wrong path. I want to be healthy too. I think that I'm about there with the weight loss. I have so much excess skin from the many years of being SBO. I'm down to a size 6 in most clothes and also in extra small. I would have never thought that I would get down so far. I would have been happy in a size 12-14. I hope your cold resolves itself soon and that you will be able to eat more nutritiously. Gain some weight too! Isn't that a strange concept? Take care and thanks for posting. It was good to hear from you! Hugs, Lucy