Well, I decided to do something about my problem. I would like to be around to see my grandchildren, so i opted for bariatric surgery. So far, so good. I had it done on November 27, 2002, and am now at home. My stomach has been reduced to about 1 tablespoon or so. My small intestine has been rerouted to insure that i absorb fewer calories as well. There is some pain, and there is a real possibility of blood clots and pulmonary embolism in morbidly obese patients, so this surgery should not be undertaken lightly. I felt as though this was my best chance to fulfill some of my future dreams, though, such as performing the Hajj. Inshallah, I will come through this well and be in better health than I have been in my entire life. I have a lot of support from my family and friends, which has made a lot of this more bearable.