I only work for the second-most hated agency of the Federal government on Thursdays and Fridays, but on those days, my daughter sends with me a stuffed toy, so I won't get lonely. From time to time, I take photos of the toys with me, so she can have proof that they are having a nice time with Mommy out at the airport...

That is the explanation for my profile and official "before" pic, taken about six weeks ago. I weighed about 218 then (and most likely now). I haven't been ...

I know I have been gone a while, and dealing with so much drama it would take forever to log it all, but I just wanted to share a great blog my friend is writing to document her weightloss from contest she is in. It's called the HEB Slim-Down Showdown, and my friend Sheila has posted some really great reading about the emotional aspects of weight gain and weight loss, as well as sharing some great tips and inspirational tidbits. I think many people would like it, and making a friend like Sheila ...

I went to see the therapist I was referred to for my psych eval, and she is great! She has also had bariatric surgery and was really helpful and insightful. I think today is the first time I've really felt excited, even though I still have no idea when my actual surgery might take place. YAY!

I was really decided on Dr. Ganta, but I did not like his staff. I know they are busy, but they made so many mistakes in a very short period of time that I decided to handle all my insurance requirements outside their office with an independent nutritionist and my PCP, etc. When I went to see my PCP, she brought up the fact that I would have weeks and months of follow-up with the same staff, so she sent me to see another surgeon, and he seems great! His name is Mario Longoria in the Round Rock/Georgetown ...

Things in my life have been very stressful for the past year. I gained most of my extra weight prior to this past year, and have pretty much seen a more consistent weight of around 225 lbs for the past year (I am 5'4").

My dad has multiple myeloma (chronic bone marrow cancer), and my mom is only barely able to care for him. They are in their early 70s and live four hours away. They have a lot of legal things to deal with as they own a business together and lots of other real ...