I am currently being treated at the Atkins Center in NYC. I was diagnosed as being pre-diabetic, with some cholesterol issues and was in generally bad health. Since I began with the Atkins Center in August '96, I've lost 25 lbs, 3 dress sizes, my cholesterol is 195, blood pressure 100/70, feel energetic and optimistic about finally having found the answer to a life long weight problem. I recently had major surgery, a laporectomy (sp?) and was up and about in 24 hours. Several doctors commented on my excellent health. My own GYN is amazed and relieved that my basic good health helped my recovery. All this said, I couldn't help but sit up and listen when I heard you on WWOR's Health Talk last night. All these years of being obese one year, thin the next, just to blow up again has made me wary of diets. Prior to embarking on this very carbohydrate restrictive diet I was a vegetarian who occasionally ate fish. For three years I found it difficult to lose any weight, gaining more that I lost, I was fatigued often, felt ill, had many colds. Any comments you might have for my case would be most heartily and thankfully welcomed!