So I read all your comments and let me make some stuff clear. I am 39 and have been going to the gym since im 16 years old. Working out and healthy eating have ALWAYS been part of my lifestyle. I am 5'8" and have always weighed a fit 155 to 160 lbs. I have gotten my weight as high as 185 using "chem assistance" under a doc's supervision. I read everything on working out and nutrition, have been on all sorts of programs, and have worked with trainers. Through it all, I have always had a thick middle. When i say that, it is something only I would notice. I could never get my abs to cut. My waist has always been from 29 (at 19 years of age) to 32" recently, and all time high was 33" at 185 lbs. What I'm saying is that with all that work it was very discouraging to always see abs covered with a layer of flab. I have ALWAYS been on a diet - low cal, low fat, fasting, combining, vegatarian and more recently - Atkins and body for life. I got so obsessed that I developed an ulcer fm constant dieting. The only time I ever had flat abs was when I had a break up, got depressed, stopped eating, and went down to 135 lbs. I looked sickly and emaciated but finally had a flat belly. WOW - i had abs - great!
Living on a constant diet - ALWAYS seeking a way to finally lose the ab flab - thinking SOMEDAY i will do it - it got frustrating. I am not fat and shouldn't be "dieting" always. What I mean is I shouldnt be trying to change my weight. Wanting to lose bodyfat was fine but I finally figured that genetically, this was probably me. Anyway, three days ago I did it. My doctor said I was a perfect candidate - in shape - NOT OVERWEIGHT at 155lbs (about 13% bodyfat). I just wanted my belly and lovehandles to match the rest of the lean me. What I meant in my first posting about not wanting to LIVE this way was I didnt want to live the rest of my life trying to get down to below 10% bodyfat. Who can sustain that?? So after it was done (took 2 hours), the doc took out 3 lbs that was bugging me for over 20 years. He really changed my shape - not my weight. He said that I would have had to lose 20 to 30 lbs to get that 3 pounds off. So it is done. I look flat but im sore and puffy. We'll see how it looks and "works". Will it look natural? It is weird to finally have a FLAT stomach and a tapered waist. I had a four pack. Will i have a six or eight pack now? I'll tell you guys as the swelling goes down. Anyway, don't be so judgemental. We're all just trying to do our best. Current info on obesity and losing weight supports the fact that diets for loosing are not good long term solutions - but that can start a whole new discussion. Ill keep you guys posted.