Mary, if I can do it, you can do it. My surgery was Dec. 11th, I started out at 303 and am down to 278. (that's 25 lbs. gone forever!)I still have a long way to go until my goal but my husband keeps telling me that I have lost lots of inches (he's right.) You will be so glad you did this. I will be thinking of you on Jan. 4, let the Lord carry this burden for you now. See ya on the other side!!!