I rebounded 7 pounds a few months ago and float up and down 2 of those pounds. I hate it, but others tell me I look better. I weighed 129.5 this morning, am 5'2" and started at 231 prior to surgery. I had to give up my size 4 pants..grrr... I eat about five times a day, but haven't had protein shakes in awhile. I found that they added weight! odd, eh? I started exercising again, but stopped again. Sheesh..I always hated gym and STILL DO! My surgery was 7/21/03 in Lowell, Ma. My profile is updated. Regards to all! Hugs, Roseanne

Thank you Deana! It takes three weeks to make a new habit, so my eating and exercise patterns have had plenty of time to adjust - everything for the better. I have so much to be thankful for. I have a new start in life. I'm eight pounds from goal now - something that I thought that I would never see. God Bless and everyone have a wonderful Holiday!

I have heard of panniculectomy, and noticed that after getting to around 230 pounds (dropping about 150 pounds) the pannus has become so dominant that sex is next to impossible. I have been getting urinary tract infections as well, having to do with the mechanics of this,. Simply put, the penis is not of sufficient length to be able to perform intercourse given the immensity of the pannus fat covering the area. Is there something that can be done to remedy this problem?

Thank you for these words of wisdom. I can so definitely totally relate to you both. I, too, have lost only about 100 pounds from 330, and have become totally frustrated and upset with myself. Last weekend (just a couple days ago), I did what you were talking about - I took a good look at myself and, yeah, OK, some things are great, but there's also some really crappy stuff I'm ignoring that isn't going to go away until I take some responsibility for my actions. As of this weekend, I poured out the wine, started drinking water ****il I'm floating) and protein, and got rid of all the junk food. I have started at the very beginning all over again: for the next week or more, I'm doing water and protein, then I'll start adding food back in slowly, and only healthy foods like meats, cheese, dairy. I also need to figure out what I'm going to do for exercise, since it's way too cold for me to enjoy walking anymore. Lashawn, I sincerely, truly hope you can figure out what's happening for you. Like someone once said, it could be a functional problem (like stoma too big, etc.) but we can't disregard the emotional and psychological side of our lives - however much we might want to. Good luck - and remember, we're here for you!

Yea! I'm happy for you!! Is your life the way you thought it would be when you were planning your surgery? Or has your expectations of life changed as your body has?