HI, GANG! I MISSED YOU!

Connie, so good to talk to you this morning, your voice just screams friendship and caring, we are all so fortunate to have you. I can't post much, in fact am breaking the rules by sitting here typing right now as I am not supposed to be sitting down in an upright position for the next 3 weeks, but had to get in touch. I don't have time to post individually but wanted to say: Carla, so glad you're back with us, you are not alone, you CAN get control of this, you CAN control food and relate to it in your life as something that is good for you and fuels your body, and that's all it is; it is not the all powerful supernatural being that we sometimes let it be in our lives. You did the right thing by posting, I glad you're back. Take it one day at a time. Marilyn, you are MY hero, look at the steps you're taking to move away from such a difficult situation and take control of your life. You have such strength, I am privileged to know you. I am praying that you hear soon that you are new proud owner of a HUD property that you will make your own. And get rid of the dead meat called THE BOYFRIEND. Can't wait to hear how things are going. Wendy, I can't open your picture either and am looking forward to seeing you! KEN, THIS IS FOR YOU...DON'T BE WORRIED! THE LOWER BODY LIFT IS REALLY QUITE TOLERABLE. You just have to be very careful post-surgery about moving because you don't want to undo or stretch the skin. My surgeon removed a little over a yard of skin all totaled, weight was about 4 lbs. this time. When he checked me out this morning, he said it was looking "fabulous" and some of his best work ever. He even tweaked my nose while we talked, a sort of gentle gesture of affection. We've bonded -- what else is there to do, the man has seen me in more positions naked than my husband! So, I think when all the swelling goes down, I'll have a nice little butt -- can't even imagine I'm saying that! The pain is really not bad, Ken. The pain for the abdominplasty/TT was much, much worse but remember, I had a huge hernia repaired at the same time. So, you are going to sail through this. He ended up going all the way around the front again and removed the "slack" of skin that had developed since my first TT so my belly is just completely flat! My arms are the problem. Who's the genius that convinced me to have my arms done at the same time I did the bottom? Oh, yeah, that was me. What a dummy! You need your arms to help get around and I can't use mine! The swelling is really intense but I can tell they will be very lovely when that goes away, very sculpted and pretty. I'm concerned that I've lost a great deal of sensation in the lower arm, from my elbow to my wrist. I hope there isn't permanent nerve damage but it feels like there might be. AT any rate, my dear, friends, I really felt your caring and good wishes and I rallied. I was bedridden the first two days while they tried to figure out what to do about the swelling and your good thoughts lifted me. Thanks again, Connie, for calling. Love you all and will be back in touch soon. Love, Reenie

Wow, That was a lot for being a not healed person yet. Glad you are onthe road to recovery & thanks for the words of encouragement,They are needed & accepted. Keep us posted when you can. & heal Heal Heal quickly, We will want to see pictures of the new you soon. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Maureen!!! I am so happy to see your beautiful face first thing when I checked in here! Wow - you sure typed up a novel for not being allowed on the computer! Oh leave it up to us die hards to sneak one in, huh? I'm so glad you are feeling okay. I know that half the battle is pain management and it sounds like you've got that under control right now. I sooooooooooooooo want to see new pictures when you are back in a position to do so. Ya gotta update us in something nice and slinky so we get the whole before/after impact! So glad to hear from you...take care and try not to spend too much time online checking in. We love ya, but don't want you to pull something loose! Dina

Dina, email me offline ([email protected]) - I want to send you an attachment but can't seem to do that from your profile page. Where are you? What's going on? Miss you, Maureen

we love ya reenie! behave and heal and check in when ya can! oh-and a new pic for the boards is a necessity!!!!!!

I'm so glad to see you sounding yourself! It's great to find a fellow friend who bends the rules "to make them work better for her"! (Now be good and take care of yourself!) Love you! Joy

Welcome Back, partner......It's great to have you with us again!! I can't wait to see the new you when you get back on your feet. Now go get some rest and don't over-do it!!! Mike

WOOHOO! glad you broke the rules for a minute! I am so glad you are feeling pretty good! I had a question for everyone who has had plastics already?? when you talk about skin, was it just that skin? or did it still have fat in it? My sister basically just had skin nothing in it. But my belly ring (trying to make it sound better than it is ROFL!!) still has "stuff" in it ya know? any way Reenie glad you are healing and hoep your helaing is quick and complication free! gentle hugs! nic! 291/165/155

Reenie, So happy that you are well. Please don't be super woman and over do it. I know as Moms (and as women), we tend to put everyone and everything before our own needs. Take care of YOU because the rest of us need you. I'm glad you felt our good vibes we sent you while you were out of commission. Take care of your beautiful self and let us know how you are progressing (short emails, so you don't rip open anything!!) I will continue to send you good thoughts and keep you in my prayers. Oh - stay in front of the pain. Take those drugs BEFORE you start to really hurt! Lovin' ya! -W-

Thanks for the great post. And rest assured, I'm not worried about pain, it is more of fear of not being in control and not be able to defend myself or family. It is really feeling helpless that bothers me. And as a side note, I am having a hernia repair done at the same time. I'm confident it will all go well. But thanks for the note, and I hope your recovery continues to go well. I would ask for pictures, but then that would be pushing it a bit far.