I am having the same problem, only mine drops low and then I eat and it is fine for an hour or so and then drops again. I am continually munching on complex carbohydrates to try and keep it up. The doctors say no more than four ounces at a time so how does one eat enough to keep things where they belong. Or well, Iguess it is one draw back to an otherwise wonderful thing. I am about 157 and loving every minute of it. I think a 10 is great and a "4" Way to go Girl!!!!!!!!! Let me know how things turn out with the surgery. Deb

From what I have read on-line, hospitals cannot use skin from us for skin graphs for others. With regards to PS ... why not call your insurance carrier and asked them for the guidelines and if they are available in text format for you. Kaiser in CA would do tummy tucks IF skin rashes had been documented. They would only remove excess skin, do no muscle tightening or lifting. If you talk to a PS, be sure to ask specifically what will be covered such as: Do they do just skin removal or muscle tightening. Do they tighten/lift the pubic area. Is your belly button removed or do they cut around it and reset in (I'm serious about this one --- a friend lost her belly button because they was so much excess skin. She had not questioned it and was truly dismayed not to have one. If they have to remove it, be sure to ask what they do to reconstruct a new one for you.) Each insurance company is different. Many people have been able to get PS approved because it was termed "reconstructive surgery" needed not plastic surgery which is elective. Good luck. Mary

don't feel bad! i have gained 45lbs since 5/05 and want to just beat myself silly. i eat all the time. nothing makes me sick, dump, or throw-up. i realize this was a tool, but, i'm almost 2 years out and wondering if a revision is the answer. i threw up so much at the beginning, could i have a staple line problem? i'm so ashamed. should i go to the surgeon and find out, or do i try to lose this on my own (impossible). i am so depressed.. help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! patricia

Well I am 17 months out have lost 230 pounds and have flabby arms and thighs with tons of lines and looks deflated and causing rashes UGH!!!! Also not to be gross but my lower feminine area is sagging and lower on top. Anyone have that problem? It's really imbarasing my husband says he doesn't care but how can it not bother him. I try not to let him see it to much. We have been married 17 years and lots of love but it's a issue with me not him. I went to the doctor and got some ointment because desitin wasn't working. I know to document the rashes with the doctor for possible PS. What does insurance usually cover? Humanna is anyone knows. Also I heard some hospitals will remove the skin for thier use for graphs but are those doctors qualified? If anyone can help please let me know . Also my face is sagging it looks like I am frowning and my throat has lots of lines but don't think I will go that route. Thanks!

Joanne, my husband also has ADHD. I found a wonderful doctor here in mass that had Chris fill out a hundred page survey. He says that there are what he calls the big five. ADD/ADHD, OCD, Anxiety, Depression and Bipolar. Having one or more of these can cause you to self medicate with the Big Seven. They are Food, sex, gambling, video games/internet, shopping, alcohol, drugs. He then diagnosed Chris with a severe case of all but a mild unnoticable OCD. He said people dont just have one of the Big Five you have combos of all. He then treated my husband accordinely: Celexa - Depression - once a day Wellbrutrin - Anxiety - three times a day Adderall - ADHD - three times a day Zyprexa - Bipolar - once a day It sounds like an aweful lot but once he began the program, I had a completely different person. The rages are a form of the bipolar. When he would flip out over nothing or the smallest thing. I have been married for 11 years and we are just discovering who we are ourselves and together. (my bypass has changed me I am down to 247 from 456) He couldnt hold a conversation, we would go out to dinner and stare at other people because we had nothing to say to eachother. He couldnt focus long enough to have a conversation. Now that he has been on this program since January 2005 it is starting to get so much better. But let me tell you...he thought to go off it for a week or two because he thought he was fixed and it was nothing short of hell. I cant recommend this doctor enough. His name is Dr. Jeffrey Speller and he has offices in North Chelmsford and Andover Massachusetts. Dr. Speller believes these are chemical imbalances instead of trama/bad childhood etc. I think that it would be worth the ride for you to meet with him. You doctor could at least give you the Adderal or Ridelin but she/he need to give you an antidepressant to counter balance the ADD drug. Hope that this was helpful and if you need any more info send me an email. Would be more than happy to help. Best Regards Lisa [email protected]