Thanks everyone ---for the endouragement !

THANKS EVERYONE ! I APPRECIATE THE WORDS OF CONGRADULATIONS--I AM GOING TO TRY TO GET SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A SIZE SIX AND AN EIGHT! I still feel a little overweight--I guess I've been watching too much TV and reading too many fashion magazines! I still see myself as a fatty--I think that I must have a poor self image--and I Know that I am critical of myself! That's why I see a psychologist each week. Whoever thinks that this is the easy way out--BOY ! are they wrong! Some of my friends think that I took the " EASY" way out --that I should just be able to eat less and exercise more "naturally" --but I think that we here on these boards realize just how impossible that is for us to do without the help of the surgery. I will hopefully lose 100 percent of the weight that I need to lose--I refuse to be satisfied with the surgeon's prediction of seventy percent! ( that is the weight loss average percentage that he predicts for all patients.) I have been losing slowly --but atleast I am losing. I will not give up. I still struggle to lose --to refuse to eat sweets is still a challenge. Again , Thank for the encouragement--Be Blessed, Marian S.C. 242.4/166.2/goal 125--130???

Marian, I think if you're a woman, you have body image issues. I don't know one woman who doesn't. It is a challange to love one self as one is, but it's a lifelong goal. I applaud your efforts to get to your own weight goal (I have similar aspirations), but also don't forget to recognize all of the millions of smaller goals you meet every day that have brought you to this more healthful state of being. You are more than right: This surgery is definitely not the easy way out. People have all kinds of misperceptions of things, WLS, among them. Can't do anything about other people's ignorance, I guess, but educate them if they're willing to know it. Meanwhile, keep on being good to yourself in all the ways you have been. How totally wonderful. Amy

Hi Marion, Everyday is a challenge. I too am trying to see myself thin. I still see fat even though I've lost 79 lbs so far and have gone from a size 20 to a 10-12. My goal is a size 4-6. Everyone needs a goal and stick to it. You will succeed because you have your mind set on it. Best wishes, and keep up your spirit...it's always been an inspiration to me!! Linda M

You may not even realize this, but you have been a great inspriation to me. I'm starting my journey around the same place you did (although I'm a little shorter). You may look at yourself as a slow loser, but I look at you as a great success story. I look at you and think "can I be that successful?". Keep up the fantastic work. You look wonderful and I hope that your mind can realize that.

Marian, I know how you are feeling and moving forward even if slow is all good. We will get where we are aiming for in time and we have to keep learning about yourselves as we move forward. Trying hard to not fall back into our old habbits is so hard to do but we will make it if we believe in ourselves. ~hugs~ Take care Debra P

Boy Marian, I know that the GB isn't the easy way out for sure...I read it on here and other lists every day. I was mistaken on another list, and came across like it is an easy way out, and I know it's not true, I was just saying y'all who had a GB tend to lose faster than us bandsters =) But anyway, you have done so well, and are an inspiration to me! Kristine