This is for Karen1968k: My,my, how angry you are! It's not Carnie's fault you can't keep your weight off,honey- perhaps you might try following the diet changes your doctor recommended? Also, having been there, wouldn't it be lovely if you could try being supportive of other people's struggles, rather than condemning? Perhaps it would make you feel better about yourself. You must work hard at it, just like the rest of us.

Everyone's going to hate me for focusing on such a petty detail, but there's just no way she's a size 16. I weigh 40 pounds less than her and I'm a 16. I understand that height has something to do with it, but she's not that much taller than me. I don't get why if she's going to open up about the whole ordeal, why she couldn't be honest about her size. I'm still a fan of hers and I still empathize with what she's going through, and what we all go through when we're not "perfect" looking.

I had gastric bypass in 2004, and I have gained back 40 lbs. myself. I commend Carnie for what she has done. She is my role model when it comes to weight loss. It's not easy by any means. You go back to comfortable living after you lose the weight, and those demons creep up on you quickly. Only this week have I decided that enough is enough. So, Carnie if you read this...Your struggle is inspirational, I am right there with you and I know that WE (as well as all other WLS patients) can do it!

Dear miss Wilson. I hope you get to read this. I can only imagine the pressures that you are under. From your self and the goals you have set for you, as well as of those of your public persona and the expectations of others. I wish you the best of luck and above all I wish for you to continue to be healthy. I for one think you look absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. The light that lives inside your heart radiates from your face.

I have also had gastric bypass surgery in April 2002. Carnie was the poster girl for this surgery in NY. I am blessed to have lost 120 lbs, and have kept it off with no weight gain. Unfortunately, I have a number of friends who have done this and gained anywhere from 40lbs to more than what they started at. This is definately not a cure, but only a tool. Psychologically, you still have the issues of why we were overweight, and why we had an eating disorder. This sugery does not cure that. But, if you follow the regimen,(protien first, veggies, starchs) you'll be ok. It's very easy to eat the wrong foods, even though you cant eat alot of it, little by little, it will do damage. Good luck to all who have had it, and who are planning to. If I had to do it again, I would......

I too had wls in 2004. I lost 80 lbs and recently gained 40 back. I thought that wls would be a quick fix and it is not. I thought after my laband surgery in a few months, I would be skinny. Well it didn't happen like that! I had to work hard and eat right. After the weight started coming off, like Carnie, I too had emotional issues about my appearence. I was smaller on the outside but on the inside I still felt BIG! I was always a pretty girl fat or small, but I felt ugly. So, after getting some counseling I am doing better mentally, but my weight is still very much a problem for me. I am considering getting gastric bypass. I guess old habits die hard!!! Well, hang in there Carnie, I have been following your story for years, and I am sure you will get that picture perfect body you showed out in Playboy!

My own WLS journey began as a result of Carnie's story in the news. I've never looked back and have reclaimed my health and rebuilt my sense of well being. Unfortunately, two days ago I weighed in at the doctor's office and realized I've slowly adopted 35 pounds back, so I am making plans to get them under control before I get buried under a mountain of flesh once again. I hope Carnie is able to reach her own goal weight, and I'll be listening intently to hear of her success. In the meantime, I trust she'll be able to ignore hateful and rude comments such as have been posted here. Most of us are god and decent and applaud Carnie's journey and are pulling for her all the way. The few bad apples who post ignorant comments really mess things up all the way around.

Gotta tell ya, love and admire this woman, (don't know much about her music,) but I know the history (what I've read and have heard anyway) she is a brave and sharing person and has been (since this all weight stuff started, and more) her family has not had in easy road in their talented lives,(guess what? no one is perfece, me neither !) all I want to say is "Carnie you are a beautiful, talented, down to earth, tell it like it is person! I have learned a new respect for you, seeing you on Gone Country..... you were the "consouler" the "Mom" (if you will,) encouraging everyone, no matter what,(even know it was a competion,) Why? because you are strong and loving! I'm sick of all this weight crap that the media harps on all the time!!!!! You are a good person, You were the first person to come foward with all this gastric bypass stuff when no one else would (for fear of being judged,you are a strong woman, true, stronger than most,despite your family and the media) I am also a strong woman, mom of two, guess what? my oldest is 21 now,(I'm still carrying baby weight!)Unfortunately, I lost my son @ 9yrs old, but , it gave me a new perspective on life, "It's not about me......I DON'T CARE WHAT OTHERS THINK, I DO WHAT IS BEST FOR ME AND MY DAUGHTER, AND I AM A GOOD PERSON! People love me for me and that's all that matters!!! You are a beautiful person and I know that things are different when you are in the eyes of the media, but please know that there are people out here that love you for you!! Some of us were never meant to be "skinny" hello? I'm 5'9" and have a size 10 foot for cryin out loud!! By the way, Marilyn Monroe was a size 14 when she she sang "Happy Birthday Mr.President to JFK, they had to sew her into her dress, she couldn't sit down, and she was a sex symbol? yea, that turned out well for her huh?.... go to a museum sometime and look at paintings of naked women done many many years ago, they weren't skinny, who cares! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!! P.S.- I really thought you (and Maureen) had the best country songs and either one of you could of won "Gone Country"!, don't get it, but ever thought of recording a children's album?(You're voice, awesome!!) Being a great Mom and putting your children first is more important than anthing else I can ever think of!! Thank you for letting me vent!!

I also had wls after seeing and reading about Carnie's success. I had my surgery in September of 2001. I was 234lbs and in my mid 20's. I have been blessed to maintain my weight loss to this very day, I am 5 feet and weight 114lbs! It has been a struggle but be hopeful. I snack but know the consequences, it is not easy. I know that SHE CAN DO IT! She will lose that weight! I agree that it is not a quick fix, it is maintenance! People look at me and when I tell the rare few about my WLS people are in shock. I too am an inspiration to many just as Carnie and Al Rocker were to me! I know that with support she will continue to inspire even those who have gained the weight back.

I had wls a few months before Carnie and a lot of people fail to realize that it's not a quick fix. I applauded Carnie when she went public with her struggles with her weight and continue to applaud her now. I also lost over 100lbs with the help of wls and have had two children since then and have to work at maintaining my weight because suregery is a *tool* and not an *answer*. Sometimes the numbers on the scale start to creep upwards and I have to look at my lifestyle and see what's going on in terms of diet, sleep, activity level, etc. and get things back in check and have these things become second nature. Some of it is psychological and not just physical. I'm glad that Carnie is demystifying it for the public and I'm proud of her. BTW, she looks awesome.

Carnie has been an inspiration to me. I had surgery shortly after her in 2000 and lost the same amount of weight. I too then gained about 75 pounds. I have lost about 1/2 of that but it can be done. Carnie you are beautiful and you can do it. Never mind any of the small minded folks out there. We have entire board of folks who have had wls rooting for you and appreciate how you keep it real for everyone. This surgery didn't fix our heads, only our bodies and we have remember it is only a tool and not a cure. Good luck!

I think what you are doing is great. I personally have lost over 90 pounds (without surgery) and if I can do it anyone can. My prayers are with you with the struggles that you are going through with your weight.

I think you look great!!!

CARNIE -- LISTEN --BLONDE HAOR DOES NOT SUIT YOU AT ALL , YOU HAVE THE WRONG COLORING FOR IT ....GO BACK TO YOUR DARK HAIR ....STOP TRYING TO BE SOMEONE YOURE NOT (THIN

ALSO-- WE ALL KNOW CARNIE WONT GET THIN AGAIN

I ALSO HAD GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY....I HAD IT BECAUSE I SAW THE STORY ON HOW WELL SHE DID WITH IT ...WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY, I HAVE GAINED ALOT OF THE WEIGHT BACK