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I am 38 years old and 5 weeks post-op. Just learned about this web site. I have struggled with my weight all my life and finally took the gastric bypass plunge. Am anxiously awaiting what my results will be from this.

3/22/02 354lbs.
4/2/02 334lbs 20 lbs lost in 12 days
4/18/02 319lbs 35 lbs lost in 27 days
4/20/02 318lbs 36 lbs lost in 29 days
5/1/02 317lbs 37 lbs lost in 5 1/2 weeks
5/7/02 315lbs 39 lbs lost in 6 1/2 weeks
5/13/02 314lbs 40 lbs lost in 7 1/2 weeks
5/14/02 313lbs 41 lbs lost in 7 1/2 weeks
5/21/02 309.5lbs 44.5 lbs lost in 8 1/2 weeks
5/24/02 307.5lbs 46.5 lbs lost in 9 weeks
5/25/02 306lbs 48 lbs lost in 9 weeks
5/26/02 305.5lbs 48.5 lbs lost in 9 weeks
5/28/02 304lbs 50 lbs lost in 9 1/2 weeks
6/4/02 303lbs 51 lbs lost in 10 1/2 weeks
6/7/02 301.5lbs 52.5 lbs lost in 11 weeks
6/9/02 301lbs 53 lbs lost in 11 1/4 weeks
6/10/02 299lbs 55 lbs lost in 11 1/2 weeks
6/13/02 297lbs 57 lbs lost in 12 weeks
6/19/02 295.5lbs 58.5 lbs lost in 12 1/2 weeks
6/20/02 295lbs 59lbs lost in 12 3/4 weeks
6/24/02 293lbs 61lbs lost in 13 weeks
6/25/02 291lbs 63lbs lost in 13 1/2 weeks
6/28/02 290lbs 64lbs lost in 14 weeks
6/30/02 289lbs 65lbs lost in 14 weeks-2days
7/5/02 286lbs 68lbs lost in 15 weeks
7/8/02 284lbs 70lbs lost in 15 1/2 weeks
7/12/02 283lbs 71lbs lost in 16 weeks
7/19/02 281lbs 73lbs lost in 17 weeks
7/20/02 280lbs 74lbs lost in 17 weeks 1 day
7/21/02 279lbs 75lbs lost in 17 weeks 2 days
7/25/02 278lbs 76lbs lost in 17 weeks 6 days
7/27/02 276lbs 78lbs lost in 18 weeks 1 day
7/29/02 274lbs 80lbs lost in 18 weeks 3 days
8/4/02 273lbs 81lbs lost in 19 weeks 2 days
8/9/02 271.5lbs 82.5lbs lost in 20 weeks
8/13/02 269lbs 85lbs lost in 20 1/2 weeks
8/17/02 268lbs 86lbs lost in 21 weeks 1 day
8/18/02 267lbs 87lbs lost in 21 weeks 2 days
8/22/02 266lbs 88lbs lost in 22 weeks (5 month anniversary)
8/27/02 265lbs 89lbs lost in 22 weeks and 4 days
8/28/02 263lbs 91lbs lost in 22 weeks and 6 days
9/3/02 262lbs 92lbs lost in 23 1/2 weeks
9/6/02 261lbs 93lbs lost in 24 weeks
9/8/02 260lbs 94lbs lost in 24 weeks and 2 days
9/9/02 259lbs 95lbs lost in 24 weeks and 3 days
9/14/02 258lbs 96lbs lost in 25 weeks and 1 day
9/15/02 256lbs 98lbs lost in 25 weeks and 2 days
9/22/02 254.5lbs 99.5lbs lost in 26 weeks and 2 days
9/27/02 252.5lbs 101.5lbs lost in 27 weeks
9/29/02 249lbs 105lbs lost in 27 weeks 2 days
10/12/02 248lbs 106lbs lost in 29 weeks, 1 day
10/16/02 247lbs 107lbs lost in 29 weeks, 6 days
10/22/02 245lbs 109lbs lost in 30 weeks, 4 days-7 months
10/28/02 244lbs 110lbs lost in 31 weeks, 3 days
10/29/02 242lbs 112lbs lost in 31 weeks, 4 days
11/5/02 240.5lbs 113.5lbs lost in 32 weeks, 4 days
11/7/02 239.5lbs 114.5lbs lost in 32 weeks, 6 days
11/9/02 238 116lbs lost in 33 weeks, 1 day
11/10/02 237 117lbs lost in 33 weeks, 2 days
11/19/02 235.5lbs 118.5lbs lost in 34 weeks, 3 days
11/22/02 234lbs 120lbs lost in 35 weeks-8 month anniversary today
11/27/02 233lbs 121lbs lost in 35 weeks, 5 days
11/29/02 232lbs 122lbs lost in 36 weeks
12/2/02 230.5lbs 123.5lbs lost in 36 weeks, 3 days
12/10/02 228lbs 126lbs lost in 37 weeks, 4 days
12/12/02 225.5lbs 128.5lbs lost in 37 weeks, 6 days
12/13/02 225 lbs 129lbs lost in 38 weeks
12/14/02 224lbs 130lbs lost in 38 weeks, 1 day
12/15/02 223lbs 131lbs lost in 38 weeks, 2 days
12/17/02 222lbs 132lbs lost in 38 weeks, 4 days
1/3/03 221lbs 133lbs lost in 41 weeks
1/5/03 219.5lbs 134.5lbs lost in 41 weeks, 2 days
1/7/03 218lbs 136lbs lost in 41 weeks, 4 days
1/9/03 217lbs 137lbs lost in 41 weeks, 6 days
1/10/03 216.5lbs 137.5lbs lost in 42 weeks
1/12/03 216lbs 138lbs lost in 42 weeks, 2 days
1/22/03 215lbs 139lbs lost in 43 weeks, 5 days
1/31/03 214lbs 140lbs lost in 45 weeks
2/3/03 212.5lbs 141.5lbs lost in 45 weeks, 3 days
2/6/03 211lbs 143lbs lost in 45 weeks, 6 days
2/10/03 209lbs 145lbs lost in 46 weeks, 3 days
2/14/03 208lbs 146lbs lost in 47 weeks
2/21/03 207lbs 147lbs lost in 48 weeks
2/23/03 206lbs 148lbs lost in 48 weeks, 2 days
2/25/03 204lbs 150lbs lost in 48 weeks, 4 days
3/3/03 203.5lbs 150.5lbs lost in 49 weeks, 3 days
3/14/03 202.5lbs 151.5lbs lost in 51 weeks
3/20/03 201lbs 153lbs lost in 51 weeks, 6 days
3/22/03 200lbs 154lbs lost in 52 weeks, 1 day-1year annivesary
3/25/03 199lbs 155lbs lost in 52 weeks, 4 days
4/3/03 198lbs 156lbs lost in 53 weeks, 6 days
4/4/03 197lbs 157lbs lost in 54 weeks
4/16/03 196lbs 158lbs lost in 55 weeks, 5 days
4/17/03 195lbs 159lbs lost in 55 weeks, 6 days
4/18/03 194.5lbs 159.5lbs lost in 56 weeks
4/30/03 193lbs 161lbs lost in 57 weeks, 5 days
5/1/03 192lbs 162lbs lost in 57 weeks, 6 days
5/2/03 191lbs 163lbs lost in 58 weeks
5/8/03 194lbs 160lbs lost in 58 weeks, 6 days gain 3lbs
5/12/03 195.5lbs 158.5lbs lost in 59 weeks, 3 days gain 1.5lbs
5/22/03 192lbs 162lbs lost in 60 weeks, 6 days
5/29/03 191lbs 163lbs lost in 61 weeks, 6 days
5/30/03 190lbs 164lbs lost in 62 weeks
6/10/03 189lbs 165lbs lost in 63 weeks, 4 days
6/11/03 188lbs 166lbs lost in 63 weeks, 5 days
6/12/03 186.5lbs 167.5lbs lost in 63 weeks, 6 days
6/22/03 185.5lbs 168.5lbs lost in 64 weeks, 15 months exactly
6/26/03 185lbs 169lbs lost in 64 weeks, 6 days
6/27/03 183.5lbs 170.5lbs lost in 65 weeks
7/9/03 183lbs 171lbs lost in 66 weeks, 5 days
7/11/03 181lbs 173lbs lost in 67 weeks
7/24/03 179.5lbs 174.5lbs lost in 69 weeks 6 days
7/25/03 178lbs 176lbs lost in 70 weeks
8/1/03 177lbs 177lbs lost in 71 weeks
9/22/03 176lbs 178lbs lost in 78 weeks, 3 days, 18 months exactly
10/15/03 175.5lbs 178.5lbs lost in 81 weeks, 5 days
11/7/03 174lbs 180 lbs lost in 85 weeks
11/18/03 173.5lbs 180.5 lbs lost in 86 weeks, 4 days
11/27/03 172lbs 182 lbs lost in 87 weeks, 6days
12/1/03 169.5lbs 184.5lbs lost in 88 weeks, 3 days
12/2/03 168lbs 186lbs lost in 88 weeks, 4 days
1/6/04 162lbs 192lbs lost in almost 3 years.

3/22/02 This was my surgery date. On Tuesday when I went for my pre-op tests, I weighed in at 354. I was a bit shocked since my scales at home had been reporting about 342, but I must confess I hadn't really weighed in the last week or so. Must have been all those final meals at my favorite places. I hate reporting what I weigh, but I like reading other profiles that list this information. There is no use comparing myself to someone who started out at 240 or 250 or even 290. We just aren't in the same category. This way, someone would at least know if we are comparable.

4/2/02 My first post-op appointment went well. I had all my staples out. That was not the most comfortable experience. A lot of them had scabbed over and the nurse told me that was what was hurting - the scabs pulling up. Anyhow, it's a lot more comfortable with them out. I was down 20 lbs in 12 days so I'm pretty happy with that.

4/30/02 Had my one month one week check-up with the doctor and according to their scales I was down 34 lbs (my scales report 36 lbs, but that is weighing naked). I told the doctor I hadn't lost anything in 10 days and he was a bit concerned, but the nurse had told me that plateaus were normal and to be expected. Of course they got on me about exercising. I did go walking last night, but I still have absolutely no energy and everytime I try to do some housework or other activity, my mouth gets so dry. That has been one of the worst things so far - the dry mouth and dry skin. I do think the nausea has gotten a little better. Doctor wants me to lose at least 50 lbs by my 3 month check-up. I want it to be much more than that of course. From what I have read on some of the profiles here, 60 lbs would not be unrealistic. I just want to get off of this damn plateau.

5-7-02 Today I was down 39 lbs. I have been on a plateau for over 2 weeks. I hope these 2 lbs gone this morning aren't back on in the morning. I feel the only reason that I lost this morning was because I ate next to nothing yesterday. I was worried all weekend long that I had a staple line disruption because Friday night for dinner, I ate a whole garden salad from McAlister's. It had to be in about an 8-10oz bowl. On Saturday, I ate some barbecue and while I felt full, I never got that hurting feeling that you get when you have overeaten. I ate just my 2 oz at every meal on Sunday. Well, yesterday, I got a scoop of eggs for breakfast from our cafeteria and I ate them (1/2 of them) rather quickly because we had a staff meeting beginning at 8:00. I couldn't even finish them because I must have not chewed well and I got that terrible full feeling. It lasted all day. Finally was able to get some of the eggs back up around lunch time that day. Needless to say, I never ate lunch. I was so wiped out when I got home, I went to sleep. When I woke, I did drink some unsweetened tea and tried a couple of spoonfuls of soup, but still had that bloated feeling. Anyhow, I did lose 2 lbs and I just hope it stays off and there is much more to follow.

5/10/02-No more lbs lost yet. I am up to a mile walking which is a major accomplishment for me. I will continue to exercise if it kills me. I did have some great news. I had thought my insurance company was only going to pay 70% of my WLS, but seems they have paid 100% minus my deductible. I feel rich. That's money I can now spend on a new wardrobe when the time is right or doing fun activities with my hubby. Thank you God for all your blessings.

5/13/02-Well, I finally lost 40 lbs. It has been a harder struggle than I thought. I try not to get discouraged because I do know the lady that was on a plateau for 3 1/2 weeks at the same point as me in her weight loss and she has done extremely well with this surgery. It's just hard to get rid of this mentality and reading where other people have lost 50+ at this point and they started out weighing less than I did is just very frustrating. Oh well, I'll take what I can get and just hope it picks up. I have a long ways to go.

5/14/02-One more down today. I just wish it would come faster. I need to make up some lost time. I still feel I should already be past 50 lbs down by now.

5/21/02-Finally lost a couple of pounds in the last couple of days. I hope this keeps up for a little while. I haven't ate much though in the last couple of days. I only had 2 nabs and a little chili on Saturday and 1/2 apple and some various vegetables with a little pork for lunch yesterday. We had a family reunion so it was a lot of food to choose from. I got a spoonful of everything I wanted to taste and ate a little of it all. We had a great time. My uncle had hired Percy Sledge (When a Man Loves a Woman) to sing. Unfortunately he didn't start until 6pm and I was ready to get home, we left about 6:30 after listening to him sing a couple of songs. He is 61 now, but he can still belt them out.

5/24/02-It's been 9 weeks today since my surgery and I have lost 46.5 lbs since then. Sometimes I am still disappointed in the rate of weight loss, but then again, when was the last time I lost 46.5 lbs in 9 weeks. I think we all have a tendency to want it to fall off as fast as those first 2-3 weeks but I just don't think it is going to happen like that for me. I walk about a mile in 30 minutes 3-4 times a week. My hubby and I plan on going walking this afternoon after work. He's even lost 18 lbs himself since my surgery. I'm very proud of him. Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

5/25/02-It seems things are moving a bit better lately. I had lost 1 1/2 lbs yesterday morning and another 1/2 lb this morning. Maybe its true that coming off your period can jump start your weight loss again. I don't care what is doing it, I just hope it continues. I would love to finally be below 300 lbs. I haven't been under 300 in about 4 1/2 years. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

5/28/02-I finally hit the half century mark. Woohoo!

6/9/02-Gosh, I just really want to get under 300lbs. I really thought I might at least weigh 300 this morning, but not! I really need to stop weighing so much, but I just can't seem to help myself. Last night, my husband and I went to see the Kinston Indians and I was afraid about sitting in the seat, but I actually fit very well. Mind you there was no extra room, but I didn't have to shift around to get in it. That was good since there were two little boys on the inside that I had to constantly keep getting up for to let them out. I was able to eat Nachos and felt just like a normal person at the game.

6/10/02-Thank you, God! I made it under 300lbs today. That is my second goal met. I am really very happy I had this surgery now. I sure didn't feel that way at first. I guess my next goal will be 280 which is what I weighed a little under 5 years ago when I got married. Seems I zoomed right from there to over 300 so maybe I'll zoom right on back down to it. Wish me luck!

6/24/02-Well, it's been 3 months. I had wanted to be down 60lbs by Saturday. I'm not sure if I made it on that day or not. I lacked one lb on Friday, but we went to the beach over the weekend and I had no scales to weigh in on Saturday, but this morning, I weighed 293 so I definitely lost 60 plus one more. Doesn't really matter if it was Saturday or just this morning. I am having problem with swelling in my feet and ankles and I'm concerned about that. I called the surgeon's office last week and they suggested that I needed to drink more since I can only drink about 30 oz a day. I was never a big drinker even before surgery of any type of drink unless it was the weekend and I was having some beer. Anyhow, the nurse suggested I call my PCP to see him about fluid retention so I have a call in to them this morning and hopefully they will be able to see me today and I can at least rule out a blood clot. That is my main concern. You would think with losing weight, the health issues would go away unless they are vitamin/malabsorption related. Most of my other health issues have gone away. Well, hopefully, this will not be anything serious and they can give me a fluid pill to keep me from retaining.

6/25/02-Wow! Another 2 lbs were gone this morning. I couldn't believe the scales so I just kept getting on them to make sure. I even kept doing things to get dressed and would come back. Just didn't seem I could lose another 2 so quickly. Anyhow, went to my PCP about the feet/ankles yesterday and had some blood drawn. Hopefully the results will come back today. I talked with Lynda Turpin on this site and she had the same problem. Seems she had a potassium deficiency so we'll see what my lab results say. Also am scheduled for a doppler on my legs tomorrow to rule out blood clots. Think I would much rather it by a potassium deficiency.

6/30/02-The weight loss has been great this week. I lost 5lbs from last Friday to this past Friday and one more lb today. I'm not doing anything differently. In fact, this past week, I only walked on Monday. I did get up this morning and go for a walk. I do need to do better. Imagine what I would have lost if I had walked as well. I sure wish every week was a 5lb loss week. I know I'm going to have to be careful on July 6th. We host a party every year and I'm scared I will do a lot of grazing that day. I'll just have to do my best to fight the impulse.

7/5/02-I am down to 286 as of today. Weight loss was 4lbs this past week so that's great. I really hope this pace continues for a while. I wanted to lose 75lbs by 7/16/02 when I was supposed to have a Dr's follow-up. However, they called this week and changed it to 7/30 so hopefully, I can definitely make the 75lb goal and maybe even 80. As I watched the fireworks last night, I realized I can now cross my legs (not in a nice lady-like fashion, but I can at least pull them over each other and sitting in a folding chair at the same time. Life is good!

7/21/02-Well, last week was not a good weight loss week at all. I didn't lose anything all week until my official week day of Friday. Then I lost 2 lbs and yesterday I lost another and 1 more this morning so I guess it just needed a little to catch up. I have tried very hard the last couple of days to limit my carb intake. Perhaps that is helping. I had really wanted to by 75lbs down by my 4 month anniversary which is tomorrow so I made that assuming I don't gain something by tomorrow morning. I'm still very happy with everything and having no troubles.

7/29/02-I go to the doctor's tomorrow for what should have been my 3 month check-up, but is coming at just over 4 months. I'll post how that went tomorrow. I had hoped to be 80lbs off by then and I made it this morning. Yahoo!

8/4/02-Everything went well with my doctor's visit I guess except he wasn't even there. The nurse said they didn't want to cancel the appointment and they'll type up their notes for Dr. Chapman. She said I was right on schedule and to keep doing what I was doing, but increase my exercise since I only wrote down 2-3 per week which has been normal for the last couple of weeks. Had labs taken and haven't heard anything so I guess everything was within normal range. Just haven't lost anything else this week until today. Finally down another lb. I guess that is fine though since I lost 4 really quick last week. My body needs time to catch up to the weight loss. Maybe that will keep my skin from sagging so much. I did go to water aerobics 5 times this past week so maybe I am also building a little muscle which weighs more. I've done very good with eating I think and am only eating complex carbs and not simple carbs like bread and pasta. Maybe I'll see another drop tomorrow, but if I don't, I'll try not to let it get me down. Supposed to go to my brother-in-laws today, but I told my husband I didn't want any of them to see me until Thanksgiving. His sister is here from Atlanta and I think she had a lot of suspicion about my surgery. My in-laws know and my mother-in-law told me yesterday that Nancy actually asked her if I had that stomach surgery and my mother-in-law said she told her she didn't know what I was talking about. We did tell my husband's cousin that he is close to, but told him not to tell, but his wife may have told his sister and she and Nancy are close. I bet that's how she may have found out. Oh, well. I tried to keep it a semi-secret from his family. I guess it doesn't really matter at this point if they know or not. I just wanted to be a lot smaller before they found out.

8/9/02-Well, it's my 39th birthday and I'm down 82.5 lbs. I'm very happy with that. It's a lot better than any birthday I've had in the last 5 years at this weight. Hopefully, next year when I turn 40, I will be starting a whole new era for me. I didn't think I would look forward to 40, but I'm starting to think that it will not be so bad. I still want to lose 100 lbs by 9/22/02. I sure hope I can make that.

8/22/02-Today is my 5 month post op anniversary. I am down 88lbs. I am 2lbs short of my goal of 90lbs. Hopefully I will still make 100lbs by 9/22/02. I guess I will just have to keep trying and praying. I did wear a pair of pants today that I haven't worn in 5 years. I wore them in my engagment photo. That was a definite thrill, but I still do not feel like I am down any significant wise in size. I do think the variation from manufacturers in size 3x is large, but I am ready to go to another size.

8/29/02-I am at 91lbs down today. While I'm very happy with that, I lost 2lbs overnight because of taking a fluid pill. Never know if it's going to be a true loss until the next day. My ankles are still a little swollen. That's been the only real anomaly for me from this surgery. I don't ever recall retaining fluid the way I do now. I had tests run several months ago now and no problem surfaced and it must be because I don't get enough fluids in. I probably only drink 20-30oz a day, but I have never drank a lot even before my surgery. I have had no BM since Sunday until today. I tried prune juice last night. I don't know how anyone drinks that stuff. I got a few sips down and almost gagged on the last one and just tossed the rest out. Tried drinking coffee this morning. Very rarely drink it anymore since my coffee and I don't know if it was just time or a combination of the two, but I finally had one. I have heard of other patients having bowel obstructions so I was getting a little worried. Hope that is now behind me. Pre-surgery, never had a problem with BM's at all and always had several a day.

9/11/02-Had to put this date on my profile. This is truly a day to mourn our loss from a year ago and to express happiness in our freedom. I am also so thankful for this surgery and the freedom from this weight I am beginning to experience. The other day, I dropped something in the floorboard of the car and I was actually able to bend over and get it. I know that seems trivial, but in the past, the seatbelt just was holding me in, let alone having enough slack for me to maneuver. I enjoy these little things so much and getting my life back. I don't think I realized just how limited I had become. I can only imagine what my life would have been like 10 years from now if I hadn't had this surgery. My co-worker told me another co-worker (a male) asked her yesterday hadn't I lost weight and that everyone was discussing it. That made me feel so great. I also met another soon-to-be WLS patient last night and I'm acting as her angel. Her name is Rebekah Cox. She seems to be a very determined young lady and I'm happy to be trying to help her out. I'm sure she will be an inspiration and help to me as well.

9/15/02 - Had a great weight loss weekend again. I lost 3lbs in the last 2 days. I think the best thing that happened this weekend was when my husband and I went out to eat with friends and I got in the booth for the first time in ages without having to move the table! I was so happy and my husband said my tummy was really going down. Also, I finally wore my Skully's pirate t-shirt that Charlie bought me two Chistmas' ago and I couldn't wear. It's now almost too big. What a great weekend. Hope I can get those final 2lbs off by next week to meet my 100lb loss goal at 6 months.

9/22/02 - Well, today is my six month mark and I missed my 100lb weight loss goal by 1/2 lb. I am so much happier than I was 6 months ago. I saw some friends over the weekend that I haven't seen in a couple of months and most of them had great things to say. We went to the Biltmore Estate yesterday and I was springing up the mountain trail and up the grand staircase. I know I couldn't have done that six months ago. Today was the best. My six year old niece, Maggie Lu, asked me hadn't I lost some weight. My heart just melted. Life is great and I wouldn't trade this surgery for anything. Can't believe I'm saying that now. Six months ago lieing in my hospital bed I couldn't believe how unbelievably stupid I was to do that to myself voluntarily. I want to lose at least another 100lbs. I know it will take me at least another year if I'm lucky enough to get there, but I hope to just keep watching what I eat and exercising. I hope the good Lord continues to give me the willpower to do so.

9/27/02 - Well, I finally made it into the Century Club! I actually did it yesterday, but I wanted to make sure the scales were definitely on it so I waited until today. My next goal which will probably take me another 6 months is to get under 200lbs. I know I can do it. I just have to be patient and let nature take it's course. I just can't say how much better I feel about myself and everyday life. I'm just ready to lose another size in clothing. I am still in 3x and can't believe 100lbs hasn't lost me more than one clothing size. I do think I might can go to a 2x in some things and I'm going to go try some on this weekend to see. My pants are rather loose on me. We'll see.

9/29/02-Wow, I really had another drop in weight today. I always seem to do this though. I can go forever just 1 lb every 5-7 days and all of a sudden, do a big drop. I have been on my menstrual cycle (1st one in 3 months due to the way I take my pills to relieve other problems). I wonder if that had anything to do with it. Might be worth trying to go ahead and have another one in 3 weeks to see if it improves things in the weight loss arena. For whatever reason, I am happy. Went and bought a few new clothes today and they are all 2x size. Yippee!

10/14/02-Finally lost one pound over the weekend. I had my 6 month follow-up last week. Upper GI showed no staple line disruption and the pouch was the proper size. Dr. Chapman was happy with my progress although I do have a hernia that will need to be repaired in about a year. He told me that insurance would not pay for tummy tuck and hernia repair at same time as the incisions are in two different locations. I'm going to try and get information from others to see how their insurance handled. Just because Dr. C hasn't had this experience doesn't mean that it can't happen. I really need the tummy tuck although I hate the thought of being cut. I really hate the idea of being cut for hernia repair and also for tummy tuck. I would rather they be taken care of at one time.

10/17/02-My doctor's office called to say my Hematocrit and Hemoglobin was low. I havn't taken much iron since my surgery because it constipates me and I already have problems there that I used to not have pre-surgery. I am starting to take Flintstones with Iron though as I definitely do not want to become anemic. Hopefully, my 9 month blood work will show an improvement when I go back in January.

10/21/02-Tomorrow is my seven month anniversary and I didn't make this month's goal either. I really had hoped to lose at least 10lbs this month, but right now I'm at 7.5lbs for the month. I know it's only 2.5lbs off, but if I keep missing my goals by that much every month, I will never make my ultimate goal. I at least had one thrill tonight. I put on last winter's pajamas since I wanted something warm and they swallowed me. I looked almost like a rodeo clown. They're not falling down, but they are definitely way to big and last year they were extremely tight. I guess that's a real plus and I continue to have people to compliment me on an almost daily basis.

10/22/02-There must have been some prayers happening last night because I did lose another 2lbs this morning. Still missed my goal by 1lb, but that is acceptable. I am so happy I did this 7 months ago. I would do it again tomorrow and the pain does fade with time. I still have some pain when I eat. I guess I just overeat or something. Feels like indigestion when it happens. I wonder sometimes if it will ever seem normal to eat again. I definitely want a tummy tuck when the time is right. Just wish I could get insurance to pay for it. We'll see when the time comes.

10/29/02-Wow! I lost 1lb yesterday and another 2lbs this morning. I seem to go like that. Go a week with no loss and bam I lose between 2-3 overnight with no difference in exercise or food habits. Guess the body just is weird and it's going to do what it's going to do. I'll take it any way I can get it.

11/5/02-Today is election day. I'm so ready to see all the campaign ads off the TV and newspapers. I was down 1.5 this morning. I'm so ready to get in the 230's. It just really seems to be taking a long time. I cleaned out my closets on Sunday and have packed up all my summer 3x and 4x clothing. A friend is going to pick them up tonight to look through. She may take some and then share with a girl in her church. My 3x and 4x winter stuff is going to my angelette, Rebekah if she wants it. She just had surgery so these clothes should be right on time for her. I have sent off for some on the clothing exchange so I'm anxiously waiting for them. Can't wait to get the packages.

11/11/02-Veteran's Day 2002. Wow, I've had another 5 days of terrific weight loss. I really wish it was more steady, but I'll take it anyway I can get it. I'll spend the next week and a half fluctuating up a lb or two and trying to maintain this level before dropping again. I have 2 more lbs to hit my goal for the month and a week and a half to do it so maybe this time I will do it. It seems a little more realistic, but I could hit that long plateau. It's just never any telling with this weight loss game. I am about 12lbs heavier than my husband now. I hope to catch up with him by Christmas, but he could continue to move down a little himself. He's lost about 40lbs since my journey began. I'm so proud of him.

11/19/02-Down 118.5lbs today. I've almost met my goal for this month. I hope to lose the 1/2 lb by Friday. I would love to be 230 the day we leave for NY in 2 weeks. Don't know if I'll quite make that, but I'll try. I told a lot of my IAAP friends this weekend when we had our board meeting. They were all very congratulatory about the weight loss and one or two were interested in the procedure possibly for themselves. One of them had two sisters that have done this and a niece and she said all had been successful.

11/22/02-Wow. It's been 8 months today since I had this surgery. My life has really changed in that time. I actually feel good about myself again. I still could lose another 100 lbs and I know I will lose more, but I don't know if I will ever hit that magical ideal weight that insurance loves. I'm happy with the 120lbs gone. I realized this morning that my stomach is a long ways from the steering wheel now. My little Maxine (Scottie) could lay between me and the steering wheel like she always has with my husband but couldn't with me. I get compliments almost daily and I know I have much more energy than I used to. It's a wonderful life slimming down.

12/2/02-Lost a few lbs over the last few days. That just seems to be my norm to go about a week and not lose anything, then drop about 4lbs in the next 7 days. I'll take it anyway I can get it. With this last drop, I am now no longer morbidly obese, just severely obese. Yesterday was my 5th anniversary. Wow, was my husband special. He got me a 1/2 carat diamond, princess cut. I love him so much. Not just because he gave me a diamond, but because he is just so good to me. I couldn't have found a better one and he married me when I weighed well over 280lbs. We looked at our wedding video last night and I hated that I was so large. I told me husband I would love to get married again when I get down to a better size. I would love to have new wedding pictures. I'm just so happy right now.

12/10/02-Well. I've been in NY celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary. I couldn't believe how much I could walk. My husband was very proud and astounded at my stamina. Unfortunately, it came to a devastating end on Saturday afternoon. We had a message when we returned from shopping and sightseeing from home. My daddy passed away unexpectedly. He was always pretty sickly with diabetes and heart problems, but you just always know he'll pull through. He had a heart attack on Friday and they didn't call to tell me because they thought it was like always and they weren't told it was a heart attack that he had until Saturday. By that time, daddy had gotten critical and they were so involved in dealing with that, they didn't have time to call. By the time they did, it was all over. From what they have said, selfishly, I'm glad I wasn't there to endure all they had to go through. I'm just sorry I wasn't there to support my mom. I'm so glad my dad got to see me gaining my health back, I just wish he could have seen me reach goal weight. I'm also glad I told him I loved him everytime I left the house. Please tell your parents often and any loved one often that you love them. It's so important because we never know when it's going to happen.

1/2/03-Well, it's been just over 9 months since I've had this surgery. I had a local car salesman send us a Christmas card with a picture taken last January when we bought our Highlander and it's amazing the difference in that picture and now. I am wearing size 20 pants and 1x and XL shirts. I can't wait to finally be able to buy items from the regular women's section. My husband bought me a pair of size 18 jeans for Christmas. I can get them up, but not buttoned. I think I might could if it weren't for this huge hernia I have at my waistline. I can't wait to get rid of that, but my surgeon said a year when he diagnosed it in September so I guess I have to live with it for nine more months. I have to hold my stomach everytime I cough. Other than that, it hasn't really caused any problems. Life is much better physically for me. Hard for me to be too excited these days with the passing of my daddy. I know the pain will lessen eventually, but it's still really fresh and I sure wish he were here. It was a bit hard during the holidays and I really worry about my mom getting lonely now that the holidays are over and the long winter spell begins.

1/3/03-Finally lost another pound after a 2 week plateau. Don't really know though if I can call it a real plateau considering I feel most of it I sabotaged myself with eating sweets, between meals and not exercising. As they say, this is just a tool and we have to learn to do the things we all hate doing, but it's going to be the only way to lose what we really want and keep it off for a lifetime. I have to remember that I can't work around my tool and get to where I want.

1/7/03-Went back to water aerobics last night for the 1st time in over a month. It was wonderful. I always dread going, but I feel so good about myself when I am finished. I'm sure that's what helped me drop 1.5 lbs this morning. I have got to keep it in my head that exercise makes me feel great even if I just want to be a slough and go home and look at TV. I have to learn these habits in order to keep this weight off once my year to two years of losing is up.

1/10/03-I know I posted an update here yesterday, but it has disappeared. Anyhow, Wednesday night, I tried on size 18 jeans my husband gave me for Christmas. Couldn't get them buttoned on Christmas Day, but now can button and zip them up. Want to lose another 3-5lbs before wearing out though as they are extremely tight. Been a great weight loss week and I attribute it to getting back in gear in the pool and not snacking between meals so much.

1/22/03-Today is my 10 month anniversary with this surgery and I'm down 139lbs. I'm very happy with the weight loss. I saw Dr. Chapman yesterday and he says I have several hernias to be repaired which he hoped to do laproscopically, but he said that would not lessen the pain. I can't wait to get under 200lbs. He said I will probably hover between 190-200, but I still want to at least get to 170. I certainly hope I can. I just don't want to have to always worry about popping back over that 200lb mark and I want to be able to shop in regular clothing stores. I'm going to really work on proving him wrong on this one.

1/31/03-I finally lost another pound. Boy, it's like pulling teeth. I'm still getting compliments all the time and other people come to me and ask questions about the surgery who are considering it. I always point them to this website. I sure wish I could drop 15 really quickly and get under 200, but I know I will just have to be patient. That was never a virtue of mine though.

2/6/03-Gosh, this is like pulling teeth! It is really coming slow now. I really had hoped to stay on 10lbs a month at least through month 12, but it doesn't look like that's in the cards for me. I have fell down on the exercising and need to get that kicked back up a notch. It's so hard for me. If I liked exercising, I would never have gotten to the size I was. I'll try and get on the treadmill tonight. That will make 3 times this week since I did make it to water aerobics Monday and Wednesday night. Boy was that water cold.

2/23/03-Yesterday was my 11 months anniversary and I was down 147lbs. I didn't make my goal this month. Weight loss was short by 2 lbs. Since last month's was only 7 and this month 8, I guess that's as good as it will be this far out. I'm still very happy with everything, I'm just really anxious to get below 200. I should hopefully by my one year mark. We'll see. Keep your fingers crossed.

2/25/03-I'm down another 2 lbs this morning, but these came off the hard way. I ate some steak last night and I must not have chewed very well. About 30 minutes later, I was really sick with diarhea and then had to get my husband to pull over so I could get sick although it was nothing but foam. Just a little reminder that I have had this surgery and I do have to chew my food very well.

3/14/03-I'm one week away from my one year anniversary. The weight loss is extremely slow. I was still hoping to maintain an 8lb loss per month for a few more months, but it's only been 4.5 so far this month. I don't know that I will do another 3 before next week. Very doubtful. I really want to get to 170 at least and am really desperate to get under 200. Just can't seem to do it. I'm hoping after we finally move next week and with spring coming, I can get the exercise level up a little and make it to that goal by the time 18 months is up. Then with a little plastics, I might can reach below my goal. I'll keep hoping.

3/25/03-It's been a wild week. I went last Thursday for my one year check-up with Dr. Chapman. He was very happy with the weightloss and I normally would not need to return to see him until another year, but I have the hernia so he wants to see me in 3 months and I can get that repaired when I want. I told him sometime in the fall after my weight has stabilized. He thinks I can lose another 25 lbs. I asked about adominoplasty and he said insurance wouldn't pay, so I asked couldn't we combine the hernia repair and I possibly self-pay the TT. He got me an appt with ECU Plastic Surgery for a consult on April 10th. So we'll see. On Friday, we moved into our new house. I can't imagine doing all I have done the last couple of days at 354lbs. It's just been wonderful. Tonight, I had my monthly IAAP meeting and we threw a baby shower for one of the membes afterwards. It was a surprise and one of the members needed to get their gift upstairs before the guest of honor got up there. I said no problem, grabbed the gift and ran around the corner and up a flight of stairs to the room before she got there. Could have never done that last year. Life is really good. My only regret is my dad missed seeing me get to this and my new home, but I know he's watching and cheering me on in heaven.

4/30/03-I am finally 1lb less than my mom! I can't believe how great I'm feeling. Today I actually feel I look good, at least with clothes on. I have an interview for a promotion today, but now even sure I want it. Just don't feel I've given my present position all I can and I want to leave it on a high note and right now I think I wouldn't feel good about my time in this one. We'll see. Might not even be offered to me. I'm just so happy with the weight loss and how I feel now, the rest is miniscule.

5/21/03-Haven't updated in a while. The weight loss has been nil. I did lose to 191 which is the photo at the top, but I have bounced back up to 194-194.5 and can't get it back off or lose anything. That means no real weight loss for this month. Tomorrow I will be 14 months out. I was really hoping to continue to lose 5 lbs a month up to my 18 month mark and then hopefully lose another 10-20 with the TT. I would still be overweight, but I think I could live with that size. I did have a family reunion on Sunday and everyone was very happy with the results I've had and several said they didn't even recognize me. My aunt's husband hired me at the theatre he managed when I was a senior in high school through my college days. He said I looked like I did back then. I'm still larger than those beginning years there, but I am smaller than when I finally left and graduated college. If you look at the before and after at the top of my profile, you really see the difference this surgery has made in my life. I never want to go back to that woman ever again. I just want to lose another 20lbs. Is that so much to ask?

5/22/03-Good morning, everyone! Today I am 14 months post-op. I'm very happy with the results I have achieved with this wonderful tool, but I am disappointed and scared at the last month's weightloss. I knew that it would continue to slow down, but I only lost 2.5lbs this past month. Did actually lose 3.5, but I bounced back up a gain of 4 and then had lost some of that this morning. I do exercise and have really done well with that this week and I don't think I eat a lot, but I have gone back to entering it on Fitday.com to see if I have some hidden items I'm overlooking. I started out very heavy at 354lbs so to get to 192 is super and when you look at the before and after, it's astonishing, but I still want more. I really want to get to 175 and then have my hernia repair and TT around Thanksgiving and hopefully that will get me down to 165-160. While I was hoping for 140 when I started out, I think I can be happy at 165, especially if I can at least shop in the regular women's section. Right now, I'm still shopping plus sizes in pants as I'm very bottom-heavy. I can do XL in regular misses section. If anyone that's as far out as me or farther has any advice to milk the most out of this, please email me. I'm so scared that I will not even get to 180 at this point. Hope everyone waiting for insurance approvals receive theirs soon and those waiting for their surgery dates, hang in there. It is so worth the wait.

5/29/03-Well, I finally was back to my lowest weight of 191lbs this morning. Last night, I was really wishing it would be lower since I did see 190.5 on the scales, but it was 191. I'll take it. It sure is better than going back up. I'll do weight training and treadmill tonight. Maybe I'll finally see a loss tomorrow. It sure would be nice since it's been almost a full month since I have seen a "new" low weight.

6/10/03-I just had a fantastic weekend. I attended my professional association's annual meeting. I serve as the division treasurer. I just had so many people who didn't recognize me and when they discovered who I was they were just so complimentary. At the banquet, our outgoing President who is one of my best friends and biggest supporters had included a before and after photo of me in her video presentation of her year. The caption read, over the past year we lost a whole new member. Everyone at the banquet clapped. As I was announced to serve my second term as Treasurer, the audience was told of my 160 lb weightloss over the past 15 months. Again, everyone clapped. If I have to say so myself, I think I looked great Saturday night in my finery and even if no one else thinks so, that's what really counts that I felt good about myself. It was just an awesome weekend. I even had the waiter hitting on me even if he wasn't the best looking thing in the world. It did boost my ego. I go see Dr. Chapman today for another follow-up. I'll post anything of any importance. I had finally lost another lb this morning. I keep hoping to get down to 175 eventually. We'll see. I'm just in a holding pattern on obtaining my hernia repair and TT until I have stopped losing weight. If it means I keep losing, I'll continue to wait. I would love to see it gone, but I would rather have more weight lost more.

6/27/03-I am now just a couple of days past 15 months post-op and down to 183.5lbs as of today. I've really been exercising a lot lately trying to get down to my goal of 170-175 and then have my TT in the late Fall, early Winter. I think I can make that now. I had my doubts at one point, but I think if I keep up the exercise, I can really do this thing. I don't understand how some people can lose so much and not exercise, but I know several who have. I'm just not one of them. I have to really work my tool and this will be a lifelong change if I never want to go back to that old life and I never do. I just have the most energy now. I have been scared I would gain weight this week because I was put on Prednisone on Sunday for a case of poison ivy and I read where you can have weight gain from taking this steroid. I still have to take it for another 5 days, but hopefully I will not experience any weight gain. I'm lowering the dosage now to wean off of it so hopefully this side effect will not hit me. Makes you wonder though if the weightloss could have been even better this week, but I'll definitely take the 2.5lbs that I've done this week and so far out from surgery.

7/9/03-It's been a pretty good July 4th holiday. I went to a local department store over the weekend and decided to just try some pants out of the regular ladies section and I could wear them. I was already wearing tops out of the Misses department, but now I can buy pants from there as well. Tried some 18s, but they were actually a little big. On Monday, I went to a local consignment shop and decided for a lark to see how bad some 14s would fit. They were Lizwear and I could wear them!!! Bought a size 14 pair of white shorts and a size 16 pair of jeans. I am out of the Women's World section for good. I now feel for the first time that with my hernia repair and tummy tuck, I may actually get in a size 10 one day. Still going strong on the exercise so I can make my 175lbs by my birthday. It's going to be tough, but I might can make it.

7/11/03-I've been exercising diligently everyday this week. It finally paid off this morning with 2 more lbs gone. I intend to go today and tomorrow and maybe take Sunday off this week other than maybe going for a walk with my husband and dog. I have 6 lbs to go before my birthday just under a month away and I so want to be 175 on that day. Keep your fingers crossed.

9/22/03-Good morning, AMOS family. Today I am exactly 18 months post-op and had finally lost another pound this morning. I hadn't lost anything since August 1st, but I'm still very happy with my results. I've lost a total of 178lbs. I am scheduled to have a hysterectomy and mastopexy and brachioplasty on November 19th and hope to have a TT and hernia repair next February or March. Hopefully, all of that will put me down to about 160-165. The absolute best is how I feel. Old Hurricane Isabel left a lot of limbs down in my mom's yard and our old house right next door. On Saturday, my brother, husband and I got the majority of them up so we could mow. We hauled off 4 trailers full of debris. After that, I was going to use the riding lawnmower, but it went lost a bearing before we could get started. The yards really needed mowing, so I told my brother to haul out the push one and I would get started. I can't believe I used a push lawnmower. I felt fine, but boy were my leg muscles sore yesterday. I workout 4-5 times a week and on an elliptical at that, but I must have used a different set of muscles. Anyhow, 178lbs ago, I wouldn't have been able to do that. Boy does it feel good to be able to handle that type of physical activity.

Bless this surgery. I really can't believe some people just don't want to have it, but I've had some say they just can't stand to give up the food. There are times I hate it too, but I sure love how I feel more than pigging out like I used to. I guess everyone has to make the decision they can live with though.

10/15/03-I was finally down another 1/2 pound this morning. This is really like pulling teeth to get anything off, but I haven't been up to par lately. I haev some real issues female-wise and am currently anemic due to that. I will be having a hysterectomy and mastopexy and brachioplasty on November 19th. Hope my iron is back up by then. I'm going back by the doctor's office today and getting it checked again to see if it's headed up. Two weeks ago, my hematocrit was 25 and should be at least 35, but I had some really heavy bleeding that's now under control and I'm taking iron so I hope I have things back on the upswing. I've got to get things right for my surgery. I can really tell on the elliptical that I'm weaker than normal. Other exercising seems to be ok, but I just can't do that machine well right now. I would love to get to 174 before the surgery so I'm just overweight and maybe this surgery will take me to 170. I'll go for my hernia repair and TT in the Spring and hopefully that will take me under 160. 150 is my final goal. Don't know if I'll ever see that, but I'm still shooting for it.

11/7/03-I finally made it! I am now 174lbs and just overweight! I thought I would never make it. I still would love to lose another 24 lbs, but maybe the plastic surgeries I'll have over the next 6-7 months will help get me there. My hysterectomy, brachioplasty and mastopexy are just a little over a week away now. I am so ready to get these over with. I really wish it was the hernia repair and tummy tuck, but I need to get this hysterectomy more than anything right now. I'm still anemic from the blood I continue to lose so that will get taken care of and hopefully I'll get my iron level back up and I'll fell like hitting that doggone elliptical machine again. It's been very stressful here at work trying to get prepared to go out for a couple of weeks and I can tell I've been eating more, and not exercising due to the long hours I've been putting in, but I still lost a lb. Can't believe it!

11/18/03-I am having surgery tomorrow, hysterectomy, and had planned to have a mastopexy and brachioplasty with it. However, the condition that has resulted in the need for the hysterectomy has caused me to become anemic and when I went for my pre-op with my plastic surgeon yesterday, he's cancelling the mastopexy and brachioplasty due to the anemia. He said he wasn't concerned about making it through surgery, but the healing process would not go well. I am so bummed out. The hysterectomy is insurance-paid so all I had to pay was his surgeon's fees. He did make me a deal that if they had to convert to an open hysterectomy, he would come in and close and due a mini-tummy tuck. He can't do a full right now because I have an incisional hernia above my belly button that will need to be repaired. My gastric bypass surgeon wouldn't repair it with the hysterectomy since it's a clean contaminant procedure and he said his mesh would get infected and he'd just be re-doing it less than a month later. At least I should get rid of the apron, but I feel I'm wasting that money in one sense since the results willl definitely not be what I want from a tummy tuck. Anyone else have a similar experience? Also, he keeps discouraging the brachioplasty. Is there anyone out there that wished they had just left the batwings instead of getting scars on their arms?

11/29/03-Well, I'm doing ok from the abdominal hysterectomy and mini tummy tuck. That part of my stomach is really flat and I can see how good it will look once I get the hernia repaired and the full tummy tuck. I guess that will be in late Spring. I had 4 JP drains after the surgery, but got all but one out last Monday. I hope to get the last one out this coming Monday, but it's still draining over 60 ccs in a 24 hour period and the nurse said it had to be lass than 30 ccs in a 24 hour period before they will pull it. I'm getting used to it, but because it's in my pubic area, it is inconvenient for dressing and can sting like crazy when sitting and I move just the wrong way. At least the other 3 coming out didn't hurt at all so hopefully this one will be the same.

12/3/03-I can't believe I have lost 5 lbs since my hysterectomy and mini tummy tuck. I'm ecstatic over that loss although my belly is still swollen and I can't really see any difference in clothes sizing. I'm two weeks out from surgery today. Maybe I'll get a few more off over the next few weeks. I did get my last drain out on Monday, but he thought I had fluid build-up on my left side and aspirated. However, there was nothing there. He says its a fatty deposit and has put me back on antibiotics and said to keep an eye on it. It has gotten hard like he said it would. Not sure what further problems this can create, but I hope the antibiotics will work on it.

1/19/04-Still hanging around 168-172. Can't seem to get myself back on an exercise routine since my surgery. I really need to get on the treadmill on a regular basis. I am wanting to get to 160 before I have my hernia repaired and the rest of my tummy tuck done. I really wanted to get in size 10s, but I just don't think that's possible at this point. 14s are just a bit snug, but 16s are way too big. Why can't we ever be satisfied. When I was pre-op, I said if I could get to this weight, I would be satisfied and now I'm not. Guess I don't understand why I can't be one of those folks that get to goal weight.

4/1/04-I am scheduled for a hernia repair and abdominoplasty with some liposuction for April 23rd. I really wasn't expecting that when I went to see my docs the other week. When I had my hysterectomy/mini tummy tuck in November, they called me in December and mentioned this date, but I told them they must be mistaken as we hadn't gotten that far yet. When I went to see both my surgeon and my PS, they both had me on their calendars so I figure it's fate and it's a good time for me so I'm going through with it. Can't wait to see what the results will be. Found out yesterday that insurance turned down the abdominoplasty. No surprise there. I really don't have a problem with rashes so I knew they would never consider it medically necessary and I really don't feel I have a leg to stand on for an appeal. Anyhow, just busy at work trying to get prepared again for more time out. I'm sure my boss will be glad when I stop going out on medical leave. It isn't like I enjoy surgery.

9/29/04-I haven't really updated in a while. I had gone up to 181 since my hysterectomy with holiday eating and not getting back on an exercise routine. After my surgery in April, I went back down to 172, but bounced back up to 181 again. I just couldn't get back on an exercise bandwagon and I love food. I really think 180 is a set-point for my body. On my way up way back when, I can remember being 150ish for a long time then I jumped up into the 180s for a while and then on to 200. I really do believe in the setpoint theory. Anyhow, late July, my husband and I hired a personal trainer and we've been working out with him. I'm back down to 172 and we're doing a Body Challenge at his gym until November 15th. I really hope to get to 165 by that time, but it's really slow going. I will never understand why you can make such a drastic change in your diet and exercise routine, but it never shows up as fast on the scales as when you eat one freakin' cookie. He did tell me the other night that my body fat was 23.9% according to the caliper method which I know is prone to error, but I actually felt pretty good about that percentage for a female. I'm just not going to be happy unless I get in those 150s and size 10. I see my PS again in December although I have no money for any further PS right now. I really want to get my breasts and arms done. He had said he could probably get some of my side rolls up with the breast lift and I really would love to see that gone. I would have a pretty good waistline if not for those extra little skin rolls there.

10/27/04-The personal trainer is going fairly well. My husband has lost about 25 lbs since we started in late July and I've lost the weight I had gained, plus 3 more so I'm down to 165. We have 3 more weeks to go with the body challenge we're doing. We get weighed, taped and measured tonight so we'll see what progress we've made in the last three weeks. I like looking at the change in body fat and inches as well. With as much as we are working out, that should really be a nice improvement.

1/6/05-Happy New Year. Haven't updated in a while. I've gotten as low as 162, but had a slight increase over the holidays. I've gotten back on the program this week and we'll be starting another body challenge with our trainer in February that will last 3 months. I'm hoping to finally get to my goal weight of 150 then. I need to call my plastic surgeon for a follow-up to my last appt. Got that card during the holidays. I have no money for further surgery so I've lost a little motivation to call. Maybe I can get my breasts and arms done in the Fall. I know it won't be before then unless a windfall comes my way. Ha.