How is everyone? 2007 was a challenging year for me. 6 surgeries. 5 for the breast cancer and reconstruction (including the emergency surgery for a post-op bleed 2 weeks after mastectomies aka the great growing boob - the ambulance guys had a good story to tell as my breast expanded and expanded). The other surgery was for a possible internal hernia. Doc found a loop of bowel by the mesenteric defect so he closed the defect off so it couldn't flip/twist in there. He also found an adhesion with a hold of the intestines. Unfortunately, the surgery on the intestines didn't help and I was still having issues a week after surgery. Extreme bloating, tons of gas, pain, pain and more pain (not the worst I've had but it varied in intensity). I did some reading and suspect that my problem is SBBO/SIBO (small bowel/intestinal bacterial overgrowth). I started taking Activa light and Probiotics and the problem seems to have resolved. I'm seeing my PCP this week to discuss possibly going on antibiotics (normal short term treatment for SBBO - long term treatment is probiotics - so I made a decent diagnosis - LOL). After my surgeries were over... my FIL was hopsitialized for 51 days and I saw him daily, took time off to be with him, etc. Then he was in a nursing home for another 5-6 weeks before he passed. He wasn't expected to go then but we knew he was bad off those few days and with stage IV lung cancer looming in his path... we talked with hospice and left him there where he passed between my visit and Rich's. My back (which I had surgery for 6 weeks before WLS) has continued to be an issue. The disk that was trimmed continued to flatten to nothing. And the other disk is now 2/3s of the size it should be. I have a spinal fusion surgery in my near future. I have a diskogram this coming Friday - nothing like a procedure which is intended to duplicate the pain. Oh boy. The back issue keeps me from the gym and keeps me from doing things and enjoying my life. I hope the spinal fusion gives me a good bit of that back. Last year, my weight dropped early in the year from 160 to 148. No complaints on my part on that - I was very happy there - but alas...it wasn't there that many months and I went up. Assume it is from carbs and grazing that ensued from the stress of the year and inability to exercise. Now I'm sitting at 170-173. Argh. I'd ideally like to get back to 160 and maybe 155 better yet to have some room to play but I just haven't been able to get motivated. What worries me about the gain... is where the weight is. It seems to be mostly in my middle. My wrists have lost weight and seem overly thin to me. I'm going to discuss this with my doctor. I did mention it to surgeon. My labs in December were excellent. I just feel like there is muscle loss going on and it does concern me. I have to be careful what to wear because if I get any bloating/gas - pants can NOT fit fast as the bloating is extreme. Joyful. Rich gained in the last year or so. He went from about 240s to 300 (he started mid 400s). Our surgeon was concerned and put him on a 3 month return to get the weight back down. Glad he did that. He is getting more conscious about calories and fat and grazing. He is down into the lows 280s now so he is moving in the right direction. He was back at the gym but injured himself (we are a mess aren't we) - think he either has a stress fracture on a rib or injured the cartilage where the rib connects to the sternum. LOL. So, I'm struggling all the way around and taking things one day at a time. How about you'll???? Hugs to all! Miss you all bunches. Kathy

Yes I would love to have my inner thighs & hips done. My hips & legs are my biggest now. Do you know of anyone that has had hips or thighs done? Wonder what the cost is? I had to pay out of pocket for my PS. $ 10,000 & can't do that again any time soon.

I waited until I was 2 years out to have my plastic surgery, I had extended abdominalplasty, implants & lift all in one day. My surgery was 9 hours. I think it was worth it but If I had it to do over again I would NOT do it because of the pain. My husband was out of work 2 weeks taking care of me. I went back to work in 8 weeks after surgery. I am gonna be honest it was the worst pain I've ever had.I would sleep & when I woke up I would eat something take another pain pill & sleep more. I think all the drains I had to wear were the worst thing. I had 3 drains in my lower stomach. I slept in the recliner for 2 weeks. Also since plastic surgery I have gained 20 lbs. & my stomach has loose skin now when I sit straight up. But nobady can make the decision but you. Good luck. Tammy Gunter

Hi Tammy! Wow I just realized it has been way too long since I have posted. We had surgery I believe the same day and the same year. I recently had to come to terms that I am 23 pounds overweight and need to get back on track. I have tried alot of things but I think I finally found something that is going to help me along. I joined fitday.com. It's a free website and it has helped me so much keep track of my calories, fitness, and I even keep an online journal for all to see. I have also posted my goal on Myspace to lose these 23 pounds by June 5, 2008 which is my wedding anniversary. Having everyone watching my progress and cheering me on is a major help! Just do like me...set a goal that is totally realistic. I would rather take 3 months to achieve this goal then to try and do a crash diet and ultimately fail. Good luck to you. Please email anytime you need to talk at [email protected]. Lisa

I had surgery May 5th 2005, I lost 134lbs & have now gained back 20lbs since I had plastic surgery. This is killing me. I feel like a failure & I am so ashamed!!! Can someone PLEASE help me get back on track. Someone told me I am not eating enough, does that make any sense? I have a appt with my nutrionist next Monday. Please help me if you can. Thanks so much Tammy Gunter my e-mail address is [email protected] if anyone wants to e-mail me