hey, we do have the same date ! How cool is that ! We are exactly the same weight . I shift from 153 - 156 My goal is 130 too , I sure hope i see it . I pretty much eat whatever i want in moderation . I know if i was stricter I would be most likely a little smaller . Its nice to know there are other shorties out there . People thought i was nuts to do this wls at my height and weight . Im so happy i did . Email me trishie

CONGRATULATIONS!!! SHELIA!!!! Take care KatherineL

Hiya Lynnie, One of the little victories that I enjoy is similar to you - I can cross my legs comfortably. I never realized how comfortable it is!! LOL Now I know why all these women do it! LOL Another victory for me has been running. My husband is an elite runner, always placing in the top 3 in his age group in all the races he enters. I had always gone to the races to support him but felt very out of place and conspicous because of my weight. I started running back in March (I dont know if running is the right word, I could probably walk as fast as I ran!!! LOL) I ran for 30 minutes and completed about 2 miles in that time. I have now increased my mileage to 4 miles per day 3 - 4 days per week and I have entered two 5K's and did just fine in the first and very good (for a new runner) in the second. Its a lot more fun going to the races now, lol. Also, even when I dont run and I go to support my husband I feel so much less conspicuous. I feel more a part of the groups now too. I know it wasnt them before, it was me, and my self-consciousness because of the weight but regardless I feel much better about it all now. :D God bless you and keep you, ~Andrea

Hiya Trish, I am also 5'2". I started this journey at 223, was 215 at time of surgery and I am now 129 - 6 lbs from my goal. My goal is 123 so I can say I lost 100 lbs. My surgeon said I wouldnt get below 130 without plastic surgery but I am proving him wrong already! LOL I follow my surgeon's diet very closely although I dont micro-manage it anymore, it is more habit. I eat several meals through the day and consume approximately 1200 calories per day. My exercise of choice has become running. I am up to 4 miles per day 3 - 4 days per week. I have run in two 5K races and surprised myself both times with how well I did. My first race I finished in 34:33 and my second I finished in 29:55. I am a size 8 pants and a size 12 top. I have a saggy chubby belly which is the only place where I can see that I have any fat left. I had 3 c-sections to deliver my kids plus, this is where the women in my family tend to retain most weight. My legs are disproportionally smaller. All my pants and even my underwear tend to be baggy in the but/thigh area and fitted across the belly. I am sure that if I did pilates or crunches I could help the belly area somewhat but I dont have the motivation to do it at this point. Oh well.... there are many worse things to be dealing with than baggy pants!!!! LOL Also, I just feel great!!! My vitamin levels have been great so far and I am going to have them checked again at the end of August. I have energy and I have no more knee or lower back pain. I still have some mid and upper back pain. I think this is due to my breasts. Granted they are much smaller then they had been but they are still large and now, all the fatty breast tissue hangs in these unattractive bulbs down on my belly and the skin where my breasts are supposed to be is empty and you can actually see my ribs through it - very strange sight indeed, lol. I am looking forward to having my plastic surgery on my breasts as when I take my bra off, they pull down so hard on the empty skin and it hurts! I dunno, maybe this is too much information, lol, but that is me in a nutshell. I would love to hear how you are doing. God bless you and keep you, ~Andrea

Hi Trish! We had surgery the same day! I am 5' 2" and currently weigh 153. My goal is 130 by 11/22/05. Right now I am in a size 8 which is just amazing to me. I am heading to read your profile...I need to redo mine...it just diappeared one day. Drop me a line if you get a chance. Lori 231/153/130