Ginger - I saw your post about that woman treating you badly in the chat room. It bothered me a lot. I have never and will never understand why people get pleasure out of making others feel awful, and then to have the others in the chat room go along with her was just as bad. Keep your chin up - my motto is "always take the high road" - it works for me. Also, you hear that common phrase "what you put out into the universe, comes back to you ten times over" - that means both good AND bad. You keep putting out "good" stuff and you will be rewarded 10 times over with good stuff. On a different note, I also live in New York - I live in Syracuse which is Upstate. I had my surgery last November with Dr. O'Malley in Rochester, NY and I've lost 80lbs so far. Take care and good luck in your journey.