Renee' I am in the same boat for the last 3 months. I think they call that "grazing." Grazing is (from what I've read) what will keep us from reaching our goal or even contribute to gaining (depending on how extreme our grazing is). I saw my surgeon Thursday and was asked if I snack. He told me to limit my snacks to only healthy choices (protein, veggies, fruit). My surgeon is as thin as a rail--I don't think he understands cravings at all. I'm down 93 lbs. (which is about 20 from my goal). He wants me to lose another 55 lbs. Believe me--if I lose another 55 lbs., everyone will be wanting to enter me into a hospital for malnourishment. He looks at the numbers the charts say, and that's what he goes by. He doesn't consider your age or size of your frame. Sorry--I digress. Just try to limit what types of foods and how often you snack. I've found that if I only allow myself two days out of every seven that I can have any snacks, I can lose. On my snack-allowed days (we're talking a morning snack and an afternoon snack). On the other 5 days, it's 3 meals only. I can actually lose this way. I saw that woman on Oprah (it was a repeat) last week that had the WLS and weighed over 500 lbs. and had plastic surgery. She stated that after a year, your success is 20% because of the surgery and 80% because of your own willpower. I think we've definitely reached that point. I tend to be extremely hard on myself, because I see some of the other posters on our Junebugs board that are under their doctors' goal weight. I wonder what's wrong with me that I can't do that? Becky/lap rny/6-22-06 288/192/175

Hi Renee! The lower belt lipectomy - goes from front to back under the waist and just above the butt. It includes the lifting of the skin from the legs upwards as well as the tummy tuck part plus lifts the sagging skin from the butt. The plastic surgeon cost was quoted to me as $12,500.00. That's without the hospital part. He is submitting to my insurance, but I think they will only cover the tummy tuck portion. I will have to pay for the rest. I've taken out a home equity loan to cover the cost. For me, it's well worth it. I have so much excess skin being SMO for almost all of my life. I exercise, but the skin will not go back to its normal size. I have arms with excess skin too. I'm planning on doing the upper part of my body work next year. I don't know when, as I have to fully recover from this procedure. It's going to cost me, but it will be worth it! Hope this helps! Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Lucy

Welcome back Maria! Glad to have you posting again. You and I are almost exactly in the same spot. I'm between 177-178 with a starting weight of 332. Keep up the great work! Blessings, Kerri

Hi! I know exactly what you mean... lately I have been addicted to TGIFridays Mozzerella sticks (in a bag). They aren't HORRIBLE for me... and still keeping away from the sugar... but wow... do I like em. Maria 318 start/176 current/159 goal

OH Renee i am battling the sam dang thing. ITs hard! I thankfully am not gaining but im not looseing either SO its stressful a bit! hugs