I promised photos, but I didn't promise they'd be pretty.  So here I am in all my glory.  Don't say you weren't warned.  I've told my kids that I'm bald because all my hair slipped down onto my back.

The side view is even nicer....

And how about those buns...

    If that doesn't give you some idea of why I'm doing this, perhaps the measurements will.  I had my wife get out the tape measure.  I haven't done this in years and now I know why, and it's not because the tape measure is cold.

Arm:  19 1/2 inches around.

Chest: 54 inches

Stomach/waist: 56 1/2 inch across the navel

Hip: 51 inches

Leg: 31 1/2 inches.

Honestly, I'm a bit curious as to how these numbers will be affected by the diet I'm starting tomorrow.  My wife continues to be agitated as the time for the surgery grows closer.  She asked me to write a letter to each of my kids, to be opened on my death, I assume.  That seems a little extreme, but it ought to give you some idea of how scared she's getting as thing draws closer.  I'm still not feeling that uptight, at least not yet.   Perhaps its just that I'm so sick and tired to looking and feeling like this that the risk of complications don't scare me.  All I can focus on are the things that I want to do once I get this weight off.