Just found this forum and love it cuz I am 52 and did this just for health reasons and the smaller size clothes is just an added perk. I had surgery 11/19/2012 have lost 59 pounds as of today and I must say I have never felt better. My husband and two sons have been beside me since day one my daughter not so much but she is starting to come around finally, I hope. I was feeling kinda down as the weight loss is going alot slower and I am excersising twice a day ( and loving it, who would have thought that) but then I realized I am below 200 pounds for the first time since 1992 and have gone from a size 26 jean to a size 16. So I am ready to celebrate and pat myself on the back. I guess the biggest thing I have learned about myself is that I can do this and no one else can, and it is all about me, and that is ok. For those who are getting ready to have surgery remember this is life changing and it is a tool for you but it is also work. Sorry for the long post but feeling really good about myself and surgery and life in general. Hope everyone has a great day from sunny northeast PA. :D :D :D