Mara
Well - my story I'm sure is similar to so many others. I've been there, tried that (diet & exercise program) had some success and then it all came back - and brought friends with it.
I had a bit of a trial with insurance but after some intervention from the company where I work AND the insurance person the doctor's office I finally got approval. I had my surgery on July 24th, 2 days before my actual birthday. At that time I weighed 272 lbs. I was fortunate to have had my surgery laproscopically so I have 6 small incisions. The surgery went well and my recovery has been good.
So the things that have changed.... FOOD - no breads (make me VERY ill), red meat, pork, sweets, high fats. EXERCISE - I do a heck of a lot more of it now and I enjoy it. I am lifting weights and doing cardio so it's good, good, good. THE SKIN - at this point I do have some excess skin but I still have a way to go to get to my goal weight and hopefully the exercise will help. I'm not stressed out about it. If it doesn't go away naturally (as I DO hope it will) then I will have a tummy tuck and whatever else needs to happen to tighten up the problem areas.
Since it is now 5 months out I have lost 75lbs and have gone from a 20/22 to a size 12. I still have about 50 pounds to go but I am in "one"derland AND I am over that 1/2 way weight goal.