That's wonderful Kathy! Congrats! I remember all too well the days of the torturous scales in middle school. Even though they never loudly called out the numbers when we weighed, it was amazing how the entire class would become hushed when it was my turn to weigh as all of my classmates strained to get a peak at the numbers. I would shift myself from side to side hoping to use my large body to cover the metal tabs as the teacher moved them higher and higher. I remember the first time the scale had to be moved to 150+. Everyone watched as she slide the bottom bar to 50, then 100, then to 150 before it decided to have mercy on me and tip the other way. The physical fitness tests were torturous as well, especially the chin ups. My legs had a hard enough time holding my overweight frame upright let alone trying to encourage my arms to pick the same weight up off of the floor! Speaking of badges of honor, a lady at work came up to my desk yesterday and noticed my brown suit jacket hanging up on a clothes hanger at my desk. She said, "Oh, what a beautiful jacket", however, she then picked it up and turned it facing the other way. She said, "Dear, everyone could see the label." I was shocked and near tears. I do work for a major defense company and there are some very high dollar suits running around, but my JCPenny suit is nice in my opinion (and is big bucks to me considering most of my clothing comes from Wal-Mart). It was my first "expensive nice clothing" purchase after my weight loss. I thought to myself, "how dare she make fun of my clothing!" I guess my insult began to show because she quickly said, "You can see the size 12 on the jacket. Women don't tell what size clothes they wear even if it is just a size 12." Just a size 12 I thought. I smiled and told her that it was my badge of honor to be in a size 12 and quickly gave her a summary of my journey over the last 16 months. She smiled and turned my jacket back around for my size 12 badge to proudly show and congratulated me on my success. Wear your badge with pride and honor Kathy. You have truly earned it! Heather

I did get a copy for my records. They didn't check much, but I definately want to run the numbers by you. Problem is, I only have internet access at work and I keep forgetting to bring the copies to work with me . Hopefully I will remember them one day this week and I'll email you the results. I have another appointment with my new OB/GYN next week and I'm hoping that she'll actually run some more extensive blood work. She not only understands medically the WLS, but she is a WLS patient as well so I'm hoping that she'll know more what to look at as far a labs than my regular PCP. Don't get me wrong, I love my PCP to death, however, he's not so up to date about WLS (I live in a small little redneck town here in southwest VA that isn't exactly a medical advances hotspot if you know what I mean). Thanks again Kathy Heather P.S. My brother is a VA state trooper in Fauquier County. Maybe next time I go up to see him, I can give you a call and I can finally meet my WLS date twin!

Hi Everybody ! Missed you all. Monday's Food ----------------- B. B. yogurt w/kashi crunchy cereal w/ 1/2c. fruit salad S. baggie of celery, carrots, broccoli and 2 mini wedges of laughing cow/lt chz L. 1/2 c. cottage chz w/1/2 c. strawberries in sf jello S. 1 c. strawberries in sf jello w/ fruit salad mixed in D. 1/2 c. speghetti ndls, 1/2 c.meat saucew/ small chunk beef, garden salad,1 T dr. S. 1 c. fruit salad, 1- 2" brownie leftover from Sunday's party ( glad that was the last of em' ! ) 1 hr. pool workout vits. 60-70 oz coffee, tea and water

Thank you so much! {{{{HUGS BACK AT YA}}}} Heather

Yo, Twiggy, Take the clothing and run! I betcha some of it fits if not all! Kathy