Hi Everyone!! wow 2 years!! What an unbelievable roller coaster of a 2 years it has been too. Like you Irene, I had a rough time getting to surgery. It took me a year and a half long fight with the insurance company, countless hoops to jump through, 3 denials and ultimately getting approved with the help of an attorney. I had researched the surgery for a few years prior and something always got in the way of pursuing it like infertility and then triplets. I knew that this surgery was my destiny as I was a thin teenager and knew what it was like to be thin and beautiful. I was a very miserable obese person and very much in denial at how big I got, nor did I believe I would stay that way and it would magically go away the same way it seemed to just appear. It never did go away. I realized one day when picking up my 6 medications for obesity related issues at 28 yrs old, that I would die by way of eating myself to death if I didn't fight for this surgery NOW. Fast forward to today.... I know there has been alot of talk here lately about being at goal and those not there need to do this or that.....I am at goal but let me tell you all something....No matter what happens, you have done an amazing job so far and I really believe all of you still working toward goal are truly the strongest people I know and I admire you all very much. It was so easy the first year when we could just lose and lose and lose. Somewhere between then and now, it got to be work. You are all working so hard at it and the MOST important thing is not the ultimate goal number but the fact that everyone has lost 100+lbs and have been keeping it off. Look how much healthier you are today then 2 years ago. To me, we are all successes whether we reach goal or not and the best you can do is just that, your best. If you fall off the wagon, your human. The important thing is dusting off and getting back on again. Don't ever give up!!! Its so hard! I'm at goal now and had PS as well. I STRUGGLE EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY to stay here though. I've bounced around 5lbs up and back down so many times because I fall off and get back on but I DO get back on and thats what its all about. Thats what will ensure we don't get back to where we were before. The number on the scale doesn't mean a thing, your health does. I know this for a fact, don't go by your number. If I was to go by the number on my scale I would be 1 pound away from obesity according to the bmi chart even though I wear a size 6. See what I mean? Your health is what is important. Goal schmoal! Every BODY is different and as long as your healthy, its alot more then what you were 2 years ago and that my friends is what I call success. Anyway, I kinda went on a tangent there but like Irene, my only regret is not getting it sooner. I still battle demons every day, anxiety, fear, image issues etc. I think those are things that no matter how great we look or how small we get, they are tattooed on our souls forever from obesity. I have back issues from obesity that I'm dealing with now and struggling with the decision to accept painkillers as my only option but overall I'm healthy, happy and wouldn't change my decision for anything. My journey is pretty much over with the exception of some possible tweaks to my TT incisions in the back. Otherwise I'm done. I want to thank everyone on this board for the last 2 years. I know I haven't been around much but I read often and hold you all dear to my heart. I'm always around even if I don't reply much. Happy Anniversary to the strongest people I know! Best Wishes, Deejay

Doing OK here, Pamela ~ but JUST OK. Had a family 4th of July picnic today - ate a few things I shouldn't have, but just a few. I'll get back to business tomorrow. My plan for tomorrow is: B: Isopure protein in Carb Coundown Milk L: Unjury in lemonade D: Turkey burger and a green salad Snacks: Kahsi Go Lean Roll, Power Crunch bar That's the plan - I'll log it into fitday.com tomorrow morning. Hugs, Nancy

How is everyone's holiday weekend going? The weather here is HOT, and yesterday, the power was out. What a lousy combo! Last night, I went out with friends and my husband and daughter went to some sprint car races. That's about the extent of our July 4th partying. I still need to make it to the grocery store for some deli chicken, fruit, and a couple of additional staples, but we're otherwise going to try and make do with everything in the cabinets and freezer (some of this stuff has been around a long time!). Today's Plan: B: english muffin L: microwave meal D: burgers on grill, baked beans, carrots S: string cheese, granola bar Exercise: I commit myself to at least 15 minutes on the treadmill Pamela

Thanks for a great post, Irene! Yes, it's our two-year re-birthday. In some ways, my life has changed in an extraordinary way; in other ways, I'm still struggling to change. Either way, it has be one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. Once I did my research and decided it was the right thing for me, I got approvals easily (from Aetna at that!) and had my surgery within a few months of making the decision. I had a few unpleasant complications that required another week in the hospital for a stricture and an ulcer, but I'd do it all over again without a thought. My health today is so much better - prior to surgery I was on cholestrol meds, high BP meds, and suffered from joint pain and shortness of breath. I used to spend a lot of time thinking about dying. Today, I'm off of all of those meds and rarely have pain (sometimes a bit of pain in my shoulders and back, due I believe, to my hanging boobs and excess skin on the tummy). I have my life back and my thoughts are about living; not dying. I feel blessed - even with my excess skin, to have been able to have this life saving surgery. My only regret is the same as yours Irene, I wish I had done it sooner!! Hugs and kisses to ALL of July babies!!! It wouldn't have been such a rewarding and wonderful experience without each and every one of you!!! Nancy

Don't feel lonely - we're open on Monday too. I have Tuesday off though, wish I could take the long weekend, but the other woman I work with is taking the week off. Oh well, the week of 7/10 I'll be in beautiful Nova Scotia!! I can't wait!!