Oh my Beth, I'm scared that I'll be getting this exact news on Thursday. My pannus doesn't hang over my pubis, but part of that is because the pubis has its own sagging skin. . . .*feh* In any case, I totally understand what you're going through, as I'm preparing myself for the same news. Further, I'm in training bras at this point. I wear a b cup only to wrangle the skin all together in a quasi-psudeo attractive shape that is breast-esque. So I feel you there too. I'm not looking for anyother surgery to get paid for other than a belt lift with full vertical. I get infections in my folds (hind-cleft - yep the a$$crack - and under the pannus and in the navel.) My lower back pain has mostly subsided. . .but I've been doing a lot of compensatory exercises to make it workable. For me I just won't feel "done" until this skin goes. I've decided to pull from my 401k - and I need to do research to understand what kind of tax burden this is going to put on me. I know I'll be going to grad school to become a Dr, so I'll be able to get it replaced - and this is worth it to me to do so. Regarding the "rack" - I am at the 90 year old great-grandmother phase of breast shape and consistancy - but even still I'm not fully sold on getting new ones installed. If I do, I do NOT want anything bigger than a small B cup because I do not want to look like a barbie doll - and on my *smirk* "thin" frame (still doesn't look right to write that) anything bigger would be just that appearence. If you had no scruples, I know of several discussions where people talk about "generating" rashes. I don't have to go there, as my skin comes up with these disgusting gifts all on its own. I guess this is a long winded commisseration rather than focused support for you. . .sorry for that. But know I'm thinking about you! ~Lara

Thank you so much. I'm still dancing on Cloud 9.

Gosh, your new pic is gorgeous!!! Congrats on the -102!!!

College update: http://meltingmama.blogspot.com/2005/05/why-you-should-get-good-grades.html _____________________________________________________________ *In other news, I put my house up for sale. Anybody in the market for a 3/4 BR, 1 BA house on a lovely fenced in corner lot in oh so expensive MA? Without all the details, aka long-story-short-no-drama-just-boring-details ... we've decided this isn't where we want to stay. We have only lived here since August 30th, 2004 - but - this was the only house we could find in the area on short notice with a smallish budget. It's a lovely house, and will be perfectly okay if we can't get it sold - but I have this insane urge to move on and get out - even IF it's only been 3/4 of a year. If we had waited until now to find a house, we wouldn't have been in this situation (aka feeling the urge for more house!!)... but... you know, hindsight, etc. It's bizarre - we've gotten smaller, but the kids are growing too fast, I feel like Alice in Wonderland growing out of the windows! Anyhow - I'll keep you updated if anything happens! Oh - and I've already found a beautiful newer property - but it's a long shot, since my house is just going on sale today officially. Beth I gave up jogging because my thighs kept rubbing together and setting my pantyhose on fire. HW- 313 SW- 298 CW- 140 GW- 130 http://meltingmama.blogspot.com/

WTG Kim, and I hope you get your body figured out! Beth Someday I'll fly, someday I'll soar, someday I'll be so much more than my body gives me credit for. Why is it not my time? What is there more to learn? Shed this skin I've been tripping in, never to quite return... -J. Mayer HW- 313+ SW- 298 CW- 140 GW- 130 -158 lbs down, 10 to go! http://meltingmama.blogspot.com