Hi Debra! I had my surgery on Oct 11, 2002. I have lost 106lbs. I feel great physically. But I also have a problem with body image, I look in the mirror and still see the fat person. It's funny when I'm dressed I feel fat. When I look at the mirror and I am in bra and panties I can see a skinny person. I think the clothes make me fat, maybe its time to get some new ones in a smaller size. I have been training in Martial Arts (Taekwondo) since December of 2002 so I will not be needing any cosmetic surgery everythig is very nice and tight, well except for the chest, but I can live with that. I think we just loose sight where we started from, someone else suggested we put a before picture of ourselves in our wallet and look at it when we feel our progress is not what it should be. It's doing the trick for me! Your doing great, keep it up. And remember to enjoy the journey.

I had surgery on October 24, 2002 and 9 months later I have lost 100 lbs. I am almost on my goal and I am soooooo happy that I feel like floating, especially because today I just realized that I have lost 100 lbs. !!! This has been a major choice I made, and I do not regret it, not even for a minute. Since I had my surgery I have been doing so well that my brother and a old friend of mine decided to have it too. So, I am happy that this is working great for them too. By the way, I just moved to Naples, FL. I do not know anyone here yet, but I love to be in touch with people in the area. I am almost 30 year-old, but I love to have friends, no matter their age. Take care and have fun !!!

Rose, You're doing great, but I totally understand your frustration. I had my surgery on 8 Oct 2002. I've only lost 110 pounds, but I feel wonderful. I actually have gone an entire month without losing a pound, and don't care. I'm 5'9" and wear a size 16-18. I go to the gym about 3 times a week and workout with the weights. I'm not going to have to have the tummy tuck because there's not enough hanging skin to do it!!! My arms are still a little flabby, but I'm working on them. I think the other folks have given you good advice: keep up your proteins and exercise!! I eat a lot of junk that I shouldn't eat and I'm back to drinking diet soda, which I know I shouldn't. I still need to lose another 30 pounds or so, but I feel so much better...as long as I don't GAIN anything...I'm okay with where I am. At 49 years old and a mother of two, I think I'm doing great. By-the-way...I'm wearing an "above-the-knee" skirt at work today (not quite a mini) and have had tons of compliments! I don't dress "frumpy" anymore...EVER!! Look at how far you've come and just concentrate on maintaining that. You'll be surprised how far you'll keep going! Good luck!! Shirley Dismuke Lawton, OK

Hi Allison, You look great! Your doing wonderful!!!! Keep up the good work, and keep on bragging. Monica

Larry, How wonderful!!! I had surgury on 10/04/02 and I am down 142 as of today!! I was sorry to read about you divorce! I do understand about the whole head thing changing. I didn't know that my head was going to change as much as my body has!!! Keep up the good work!!! Jodi