I am a 57 year old woman living in Richmond, VA. I am 5'4" and weigh 220. Most people cannot believe I weigh this much. It is mostly in my tummy and butt! Most people wil guess my weight at about 170 - and I always tell them to be honest. But, I was always thin up until I was about 42. Then, I developed Bilateral Adrenal Tumors. With those come uncontrolled high blood pressure, LOTS of cortisol, which I am sure you know causes "excess belly fat". Any kind of stress - physical (from stubbing a toe to major trauma) and emotional (from financial worries to being depressed about being fat) causes more cortisol production.Then, it became an endless circle....I'm stressed because I'm fat, I'm fat because I'm stressed, etc, etc, etc! So, in reality, I may end up having the lap band surgery and eating lilke a bird and still being fat!!!! But, I am going to have it anyway and hope for the best. If that happens to me, then I will just accept being a skinny woman in a fat body!!!!!! I am so grateful I have found several of these Forums. Everyone is awesome and special in their own way...fat or skinny...we are all beautiful! My surgery is not unti October 14, so I will just be lurking around reading about everyone else's progress. THANKS!!!

Who was your doctor? I had Dr. Kellum at VCU Health Systems and he was the best! Good luck!