Dianne, Thanks for your reply and good thoughts!! I hope the recovery isn't so bad either. My friend that just had hers done 1 1/2 weeks ago is doing really good. I hope that I am as lucky as she is. She had the same surgeon I am going to use and she also had the same procedures done, hernia repair/TT. I will let you know how it goes. I understand about being scared I am also but I have to get the hernia repaired as it is growing bigger all the time so I thought I might as well get the TT while I am already there. Take care and thanks again!! Becky

Hi Becky!!! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I'll pray for a problem free surgery and speedy recovery. I just had TT on March 6th and also had to pay for it. I am still recovering, so all of the swelling hasn't gone down yet. But from what I can see, I'm going to end up with a pretty flat tummy. Take care and God Bless you and yours. Aloha, Pat

Yup! Me,too. But I am 48 and the doc thinks it is perimenopause. Go see your OB/GYN and ask. But don't be surprised if they don't know. My OB/GYN is researching the effects of Bariatric surgery on women's bodies post surgery. He is the first one of a handful of docs to undertake this study. They just don't know yet. We are the guinnea pigs, I'm afraid. I do know that excess weight stops the production of estrogen and slows down periods or stops them all together( I was amenoreal, i.e. no period at all, for years). After weight loss of 50 lbs. they came back with a regular vengence. I also have night sweats and hot flashes, so menopause is likely in my case. Good luck Lou Ann

Today I went to the beach and got a tan. What is so amazing about that, you ask? The amazing part is that I had never done it before in my life. When my friends were going to the beach in the seventies, rocking to the Stones and making giant peace signs in the sand, I was home in my room practicing my flute. Now don't get me wrong; I loved practicing and it got me two scholarships to college. BUT, I would like to have gone along a couple of times and shared the fun. Alas, my weight (and my very sensitive, porceline white skin) prevented me. TODAY, I put on GOBS of skin protector(after having started a slow tan in the backyard weeks ago), pulled my top down and tanned! Yes, folks....I have a beautiful golden tan(and little burn on my shoulders..but oh well). My husband put a CD he burned of my favorite songs on the car CD player and cranked it up LOUD!!! I sipped my water and thought BLISS!!!!! I now know what I missed in my teens. Oh, the glorious feeling of lying nearly naked on a beach and feeling no embarrassment at my size and shape! I had my toes perfectly pedicured and my little gold and diamond ankle braclet on. Tres Chic! I even had on sequined flip flops! Giggle!! Hubby is losing so much his swimsuit nearly fell off (yeah!) Next time we will make tropical protein shakes with rum to take with us and grill veggies on the tailgate. Woo Hoo!!!

Hi-My name is Martha Dunn. I am completing my doctoral degree at Antioch New England Graduate School. My dissertation research project explores post bariatric surgery behavior, struggles and needs. If you have 10-15 minutes to complete the survey, it would be a big help to me. Also, if you have friends who've also had the surgery and could forward this message to them, that would be great. More in-depth details are on the link that follows and thank you in advance. Martha http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=60661940436