I have always been chunky girl---slimed out in High School seemed to maintain my wieght till I was 26 yrs old after 4 children. We wer stationed at Ft. Sharidon Illionis on lake Michagen from Dec-May. I have never been so cold in my life. I put wieght on like a bear would for the winter. I never got ride of it till I got to 254 at 50. My Mother died at 65 and when I turned 50 I relized the way I was going I too would be gone in just 15 yrs. (she died for compliecations of diebeties) Mom was over wieght all my life. On top of that I was diganoused as Manic Drepesion so that didn't help--my x would call me crazy but never would help me get help. I am now married to some one I new in High School and we are so good to each other he has been so supportive threw this all. I love me and world I have maintained the same wieght now for about 1yr now and I worrie now that I will get big again. I too need to up date my Photos Ruthy

Sheila, congratulations! you look great. I wanted to be part of the 2 century club. I hear that is an elite group. I can't because anymore weight lose and I am going to be force fed. Probably immitating a baby and sleeping with a baby bottle. With all kidding a side, we all happy for you. You sound like you have a wonderful life. Can't waite to see your updated pictures. Take care.

Patty, I apologize for sounding like a jerk. I have to say on my defense that it has been difficult It might sound crazy but it is the honest truth. Thank you for the vote of confidence and the advice. I read your "profile" and saw your pictures. You look great. Congratulations on the new and improved you. I will star taking more pictures and post them soon. Thanks and take care.

For me it was acute depression and me not taking care of me. I never lost my weight after having my sons, and then my marriage failed and there were some extremely difficult years...and the weight kept coming on, and because of acute depression I didn't really care. I felt out of control in every part of my life, but dammit, I was going to eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and no one was going to take that away from me. Then one day I was over 300 lbs and I had to make a decision. It took me 4 years from first thinking of WLS to actually having it. But it is the best thing I have ever done for myself and I don't regret it for a second. The two biggest things I have learned these last 2 years--although I still struggle with both--is that I have to take care of myself, and that if I don't no one will, and that I need to learn to be kind to myself. I think we go through so many years of failures and self-doubt and discrimination that it is all too easy to find our faults. I am still struggling to realize my strength and successes, but old habits die hard and I really have to work at it. But it is paying off! Prime example is the fact that I am taking karate lessons--with my 10 y/o son, no less! Me! Karate! And even though I am not terribly coordinated I love it enough to keep on trying and enjoying the heck out of it. I love it when I get the old "it's the easy way out" routine from some ignoramus. My answer to that? If that is the case (and in their eyes it truely is!) well then bring it on! The pain and shame and discrimination I went through as an obese person was hell, and it is about time for something "easy!" I dare them to walk a mile in my shoes and then tell me it's easy. And I walk away with my head held high and I don't let them bother me one single iota. Blessed Be, Susan

Hi its been forever since ive been on this site. All my picutres need to be updated and i will eventually get around to that. I started at 378 lbs and now I weigh 168. Although the last ten lbs i lost just in these last 2 weeks. I had to have female surgery and didnt snap back as soon as I should have. i had to have open cause i had to much scar tissue for laperscopic. i was pretty sick but now im doing much better. anyway other than my vitamin b 12 being low im doing great. I have a life now, i didnt really have a very good life before the weight loss. thats a grand total of 210lb loss. wow thats like 2 really small people or one good size person. what is great is im my own person now, i have alot more independance. I dont have to count on other people to help daily live. sure does change your life alot.. Im alot more secure in myself than i used to be. im really glad i had the surgery.. good luck to all, Sheila