Thanks so much! I'm doing great, and yoursef? -- I'm getting ready for my year follow up appointment this Wednesday. My official year is Thursday, so it's very exciting. How's the research coming for you so far? What are your thoughts on getting the surgery? Have you made an actual decision to get it as of yet? If you have any questions, let us know! -Cas

I 2nd that!!! You look great!! --maggie

Wow! Congradulations on your success Cas. I'm 17, havent had surgery yet, Im just researching and going to get a doc appt soon! How are you doing? --Maggie

Isn't that cheating? Wouldn't you feel much better winning by legit means of people voting if they truely feel you are the best?

Hello Tara! I'm Cas- Saw your post and just wanted to put a little insight forward. I had the surgery just last summer *June 15*. I weighed in at 239 going into surgery. I'm, as well, 5'5 myself. I chickened out, too. I gave it a little thought when my mother actually had the surgery, but after seeing the complications she had, I thought I absolutely could not do it and go through what she did. She had a lot of complications coming out of surgery, and seeing this scared me a lot. Seriously, what scared me the most was hair loss at first. No joke. After seeing her progression with the weight loss and after, I decided to go ahead and send in my packet for approval that I recieved months before. I changed my mind because I was so unhappy with myself and knowing I couldn't lose the weight on my own *I tried ever so hard, but nothing helped* I decided to go through with it. Especially being younger, a lot of us have an advantage, but still is ultimately different among each person. Anyway, the thing I wanted to say really was that you may be scared or nervous, but if you've given thought to having surgery to lose weight, then there must be something you want done with the weight you bare. All in all, if you haven't gotten approved yet, send in your packet. It's not going to hurt to do that. If not, that's always fine, too. You have up until the time that you're sitting in the hospital and awake still right before going to surgery to change your mind about all of this. You're not obligated in any way to take these steps. Basically what I'm saying is if you really want to lose weight and you're determined enough in the long run to go through with this sort of lifestyle change, go ahead and start the journey. Like I said before, you can always turn around. There are several steps to take up until the day you have surgery, and even more several thereafter, but know that no matter your choice, you'll have someone, somewhere supporting you throughout all your decisions. I know all this might sound cheesy or something, but I'm serious.. even though I don't know you, never talked to you or anything, you can always message me and I'm sure a lot of other people around here, too for any advice or anything. If there's anything you want to know about specifically, let me or someone else know. Don't be shy to ask anything. -Cas