Years ago, I had a pilonidal cyst at the base of my tailbone. They removed it in an in-office surgical procedure, and it healed up from the inside out after a couple of weeks. I don't know if that's what is going on with you, but I know when I had it, I could feel a lump.

i'm down 163 pounds and am very pleased... I always start my day with my protein shake, then for lunch it varies, however usally chicken grilled with salad or tuna or steak... i just bought some protein cookies from the 'protein bakery" REALLY GOOD... snack, or some soy crisps for snack or a south beach bar.. or my sinful snack lowfat pb crackers... i say sinful cause i crave these and have made a decision not to buy anymore cause they are trouble for me...dinner, usually more salad or a protein shake.. I do love wendys chilli and ruby tuesdays white chicken chilli yummy.... I eat lowfat cheese or cheese sticks... string cheese and occasionally an egg or two... I can eat a cup of chilli, however when it comes to meat, i still only do about 4 oz and then maybe two ounces of a vegie cut up really well, it depends so i eat between a 1/2 cup to 1 cup at a serving depending on what it is... I get sick off of sugar free chocolate and have never tried the real stuff,,, i'm very strict with sugars...

Hi! What have I learned about eating...I use food as a balm. It makes me feel good to eat candy,chips etc. I learn that food is fuel for my body...put good fuel in and utilize it in a productive way...you feel great, you look great. What have a learned about myself? That I am worth the struggle that I still go through daily. What have you learned about others? I knew that people would be mean and not be supportive of my personal decision to have surgery. I knew that I would be the topic of discussion...what I didn't expect was people who I considered friends to desert me. I am the same person, I am not judgemental about what they eat or even where we go to eat so why would you abandon me, now? It has made me stronger for sure but also very sad. What do I wish I had known 10 years ago? How to stop eating...hehe, no there is so much I want to change in my life but mostly it involes my personal life which is probably why I made food my best friend. Bad habits I still need to dump...snacking. If only I can stop snacking... What do you struggle most with?? Mmmm..hard one. Snacking is still my demon. I exercise and eat right. Fluid consumption is also a constant struggle as well. Hugs, Traci

Larail, I have lost 150 lbs. in 10.5 months and I am hoping that by my surgiversary (8/30/07), I will have lost another 5 lbs. because then I will have lost more than I weigh! lol I have gone from 309 to 159, and wear a 12 petite... amazing to think that less than a year ago, I was wearing a 5X. Even my feet have gotten smaller...I no longer need a WW shoe...regular width fits just fine. The weight loss has slowed down considerably but that's okay - we need time for our skin and minds to catch up with what our bodies have accomplished. I have a protein shake for breakfast, 1/4 cup of tuna and 1/4 cup of tomatoes for lunch, 1/4 cup of chicken and 1/4 cup of veg. for dinner. During the day I might have a piece of SF chocolate,or a low-fat string cheese, or 2 SF cookies, or a few grapes or a SF fudgsicle. I also have one cup of decaf tea with low fat milk and lots of water. I go to the gym at least 3 times a week...I try for 5 times but can't always get there...I do a combo of aquarobics, treadmill, and weights/toning machines. I take 2 chewable vitamins, 2 chewable calcium and a B-12 every day and my labs have come out perfect every time so far. This has been an amazing journey for me...I feel so well, I have so much more energy and while I have no way to know what the future will bring, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Jane 309/302/159/150 Pre/Surgery/Current/Goal

Sue, thanks for the reply. It is good to hear that I am not alone, I have tried to add new proteins and am making some progress. Last Friday I had an upper GI and they found that i had a stricker and they opened it up a little, however over the last 3 days I still feel that I get filled up just as easy which i think is great as i was worried that it would be opened to much and that I could eat anything, so I am happy that the Dr did not over stretch it. I do believe I probally i have an un-balanced diet which I had't thought of Thanks