I made it through the holidays, but I’m struggling with a 6 lb weight gain. I want to get it under control now, before it becomes 10 or 15 lbs. That was my old method of dealing with it – “it’s only 5 pounds… it’s only 20 lbs…” My size 12 pants are getting uncomfortable in the waist. Five pounds makes a lot bigger difference at this size than it did when I was larger.

I am trying to reduce my carb and calorie intake. My protein intake is already very high at 125 gm plus per day, but I am attempting to go back to the protein snacks instead of pretzels or junk. It has become too easy to eat sweets and other empty calories.

I am due to have my last visit with the plastic surgeon. I am unhappy with my surgery and will hopefully have the guts to confront him about it. I have a roll of skin over my belt line despite having had the extra vertical incision to remove it. I also have a bulge that he says is due to a weak abdominal wall. (I look about 4 months pregnant.) All of the PS presentations I have seen have said that repair of the abdominal muscles is part of the procedure, so why didn’t he do mine? I am actually costing him more now than if he were to redo since I attend two support groups and am one of very few people who have had PS. People ask me how satisfied I am and I tell them – then they ask who did it. If he were to fix his work, I would be less inclined to give him bad marks.

I am still working out with my trainer 2x per week and trying to get a 3rd session on my own. Since I do taxes in the winter and this is the peak of tax season, I will be lucky to just get my two visits in for the next three weeks.