Hi Everyone: Here it is. My regular Friday post. I'm still holding at 193 pounds which is a 180 pound loss in 43 weeks. I feel great and I'm continuing to follow my routine of protein, water, exercise and vitamins. Eariler this week I took a poll asking if I should stop losing weight. Thanks to all for your responses. I'm pretty much where I want to be now and I'm very happy. When I began this journey I did not imagine that I would be this far along this fast. I was just going by the generally accepted guidelines that it would take 12-18 months to lose the 120 pounds that my surgeon and I set as a goal. My personal goal was to get back to my high school weight of 225 pounds. I am so grateful that I have surpassed alll my goals and according to all of the ladies "look like a stud" (LOL). I enjoy proving my PCP worng everytime I see him, watching my cardiologist smile in amazement and getting joy out of the way people percieve me now. Now the challenge is to maintain my new, improved lifestyle. I plan on doing this with the same resolve that I have displayed since my journey began and my new goal is to be the must successful WLS patient ever!!! Till next time, Jesse 373/193/-180

DEB HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO SAVE ME. YOU MAY BE RIGHT . THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DOCTOR WHO PREFORMED MY LAP BAND USE TO TAKE MY INSURANCE BUT NOW ONLY WANTS CASH FOR THE FILL HE WANTS $300.00 SO IHAVE NOT GONE BACK THEY PUT ME ON A WAITING LIST AND SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME. THAT WAS LAST YEAR . i DID FINE A PLACE THAT GAVE ME A FILL FOR 180.0O AND I HAD A FILL TWO MONTHS AGO. I JUST HAVE TO SAVE UP TO GO BACK. BUT THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO HELP. PLEASE IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER IDEAS PLEASE REPLY BACK. THINGS LIKE WHAT TO EAT? JUST ANYTHING THANK YOU

Hi Jesse, Your email message made me laugh-how you put your cardiologist to the test and conquered all. I struggled with my 5 foot 2 217 lb. body to make it through my stress test that I needed for pre-op-so the surgeon would not have to worry about me dying of a heart attack on the operating table. Anyway, by a miracle, I passed it-but-wow-you have to be in fantastic shape on that thing for 15 minutes and no sweating.... You could be the poster man for WLS! Deb

Hi Carol, Do you realize what you are telling us? you have lost 101 lbs. in LESS THAN A YEAR! WHAT A FANTASTIC ACCOMPLISHMENT! You look great in your picture--your face looks wonderful-you are a very pretty woman! Don't you think it takes time to get used to the new person you are seeing in the mirror-the emotional adjustment to being thin may take longer than the physical changes. You say you would be perfectly happy if you did not have the loose skin-so why not concentrate on increasing your exercise level-getting ready for that 1 year checkup...seeing if you can get insurance coverage for the plastic surgery-if not-hey apply to EXTREME MAKEOVER or pay for it on the installment plan! CONGRATS! Deb

HI There! WOW! 145 lbs. in 10 months-do you realize that means you have lost an average of 14.5 lbs. per month each and every month for 10 months-pick up a 14 lb. turkey the next time you are at the store to fully appreciate your achievement! HAVE FUN, BE HAPPY, and CONGRATULATIONS! What a wonderful tribute to the will of your spirit.... Deb