well I am doing pretty good for a person without a belly button!!! he had to remove it because the whole are was so weakend by the hernia, I have not got to look yet but I go back tomorrow to see the doctor. I did have a slight snag though, it seems that everytime I have surgery I have the hardest time to go pee afterwards, I tried for 4 hours to pee. I am not sure why but my doctor said this is not unusual and the sent me home with a catherter in... I get to get it removed tomorrow. I will ask him more about this problem, it may have something to do with the tumors I have along my spine. but I am doing well, I get to wear a drain. and now my 15 year old daughter is calling me a "hatchling" now because I no longer have that belly button..I will know more about what he did when I see him in the morning, he did talk to my husband but I need to talk to him myself. thank you all for your thoughts and prayers Donna

Congrats on coming through this "next phase" of your journey. Hugs and best wishes, ~Lara

Debra, thanks for sharing your experience(s)....I am sure MANY of us are, or at least I am, thinking about the need for some type of plastic work....and your experiences help me better understand the process. thanks RAE

Look look awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, congrats on the success of your weight loss!!!

I am now officially one week post op from my plastic surgery. I have had all my drains removed and am feeling quite wonderful. My PS said that I am not the normal recovery patient - I have exceeded his expectations. I am also still very swollen and numb which could last up to six months post op and am down another 6 pounds. I only need nine more pounds to have a healthy BMI but my body fat percentage is at 29.7 - so I am not sure where that puts me. I want to thank everyone for your support and I will be posting my pictures soon of my pre and post plastic surgery. 277/182 - before PS/176 - after PS