Dear Maggie,

I’ve been overweight my entire life, even as a child. It’s only become worse in adulthood. I’ve tried every program, every diet, every pill, and while I’ve actually lost weight on a few of these, I always gain it back again, and when it returns, it brings company! I just can’t live this way any more.

Recently, I inherited $10,000 from my aunt. I want to use the money to pay for gastric bypass surgery. My husband wants to use it to pay off bills. My mom thinks it should go into the bank for the kids’ college fund. My skinny friends say if I wanted to lose weight I could do it without surgery – that I just don’t have any will power. I know the surgery is risky.

What do you think I should do?

Fat & Frightened

Dear Maggie,

Spring is right around the corner, and I’m dreading it! My husband is coming home from Iraq in two months, and while I miss him desperately, and know I should be eager and overjoyed, I’m sad and nervous instead. I’ve gained at least twenty-five pounds while he’s been gone. I don’t know what to do, which way to turn. I have enough extra income to pay for a weight loss program, if I’m careful, but I’m going to feel horrible if I spend the money on a program that doesn’t work. Please help!

Soldier’s Wife

Dear Maggie,