Hello Linda, I got food posin drinking an Horchata (rice water). My doctor said since it has been so hot lately, the drink I bought was bad. I'm hanging on. To answer your question, it has had its ups and down in the relationship and with family and friends. It's true the wife is happy I am thinner, but now she complains I am too thin. She says I am not the man she physically married. My kids love it because I can play with them. This older man can still outplay them. I guess many times it is difficult when they haven't had the surgery. Hey, what it is most important is that I am healthy and happy with myself. Concerning family and friends I will leave for the next question. Always happy to hear from you and take care.

Linda, I wish I could have plastic surgery to remove my excess skin all over my body. I don't have the money and my insurance doesn't cover it. I have excess skin all over my stomach. I have bat wing arms. I too have a turkey neck. The worse part is I have sagging breast. I need a bra to lift them up.(Just a Joke) I have gone to the beach with the hot weather we are having, but I leave on my shirt. Oh well that's life. Nice question. Take care. P.S. I am recuperating from food poisoning.

Good question! I started at 290, and was at 278 pre-op, courtesy of Aetna's six-month requirements to be approved. I was 160 at one year, and maintained about 152-155 for eight months. I have made a concerted effort to lose this summer, and I'm down to 150. Not a big change, but it's so much harder now! Yikes! My body really loves the low 150s and maintenance at that weight, though I wasn't intentionally trying to maintain, was fairly easy. It's just that I want to weigh less. My doctor is not big on hitting a goal weight, more of a goal size (mine is a 6 and I am at an 8 or 10, depending on the clothes). Since I'm only 5'1", I would like to get to 130 regardless. However, my body resists terribly! I will keep plugging along. Regardless, I feel blessed to be at 150 versus 290! I need to remember that life isn't all about BMI and being in the "normal" range, though I'd love to give it a whirl! Normal for me is 115-129. I hope to be at 145 by my appointment next month, because that will be half of my very heaviest weight. However, at this rate, 145 might be in another 6 mos! And you know, that's fine. All I've got is time. Hope everyone is doing great. Kathryn

Thanks Linda! I'll be sure to post when we have her! Kristy

I've been quite fortunate in this area. DH and I have a wonderful relationship and are expecting our first child in just about 18 more days! We'll also be celebrating our 10 year anniversary this fall. As for jealousy...he's never really been the jealous type and he loves the fact that I have energy to go out and do things now. My friends have also been supportative and I haven't lost any of them. I'm feeling quite blessed in this area. Kristy EDD 8/6/06 - 18 more days... 37w3d It's a girl - Alice Kay