Wow!! You are doing great!! It will be 1 year for me tomorrow JUly 9th. I started at 369 lbs, and now I am at 210. I am wearing a size 22 because all of my weight is in my lower tummy. My top half is alot smaller and I lost all of my chins. I am looking forward to getting a tummy tuck later this year. I am so pleased with my results, but I also still have trouble eating some things, But that changes every coming week. Good luck to you!!! ANN

it's unbelievable the changes! This time last year I was 352lbs. and now I am down to 179 and in a size 9/10! I can buy clothes straight off the rack, but still have morphia issues on a daily basis. My brain is still in shock about this whole thing. I am going in for a tummy tuck that my insurance approved b/c I have a large hernia on my incision line sometime at either the end of August, beginning of September! I can't wait! My goal is to get my belly button pierced! I get so much attention that it's unbelievable in fact I have a guy who is 14 years my junior at 20 years old liking me! I have to admit that at times I feel overwhelmed by the attention and still don't get it. Sometimes I still feel fat since I have extra skin on my arms, butt, tummy and pretty much my former 56DD's have retreated to a 38C and are mostly skin, but hopefully my insurance will take care of that too....How is every body else doing? Has anyone else been feeling like this???

(((((((((((((( hugs to every one of us ))))))))))))))))) Caroline said it correct. We all deserve a hug for what we did for ourselves. We've given our family and loved ones the greatest gift of all.......US. By doing this we have given them assurance that we will be around longer to enjoy and love them. I started out at 312 and am down to 179. Like some of you, I've also had ups and downs. I remember the week I weighed in and it said I gained 5 lbs. I about fell off the scale. I also didn't kick myself in the butt either. I just told myself that it was just a minor set back and got right back on the wagon. 2 weeks later I had lost those 5 lbs. In all this time there was only one other time where I gained and so thats not too bad. I don't mind the slow loosing because I tell myself that I didn't gain it all at once so I can't expect to lose it all at once. The only loose sagging skin I mind is the belly. The thighs or upper arms don't bother me, at least not yet. If I can get rid of the belly I think I'd be happy, even if I didn't lose these last 30 lbs that I want. I've given myself a personal goal of 150. I usually try to work out on the treadmill a few times a week. I was doing it daily but pulled a few muscles in my upper thigh and my left knee, the one which has the most painful arthritus began acting up so I had to slow myself down.

On 15 July 02, I had my surgery, Open RNY (Proximal), at RMAP in Salt Lake City, UT. I live in Lander, WY. I started at 423 (BMI 52.2) and now am 230 (BMI 26.7) and FEEL GREAT. Althought I had some major complications, I would do this all over again in a heartbeat! I am now LIVING life, and a real husband for the first time in nearly 8 years, and an active father to my 2 sons. I was diabetic an needing LOTS of insulin and glucophage, with a number of severe complications. Some of the complications have become less severe, and only one is progressing. I no longer take Insulin, and may be stopping my glucopahage as my last HbA1c was NORMAL (5.6)! God bless you all!

It's almost been a year since I began this journey. I am down to 171 as of this morning, 6/21/03. I can't believe what an adventure it has been. The first 3 months were pure Hell and I wouldn't go thru them again, even feeling as good as I do now, I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. I get a kick out of not being recognized or better yet being mistaken for my 13 year old daughter. I've still got 31 more pounds to go to goal weight. Almost there...