Well, a couple months back I asked for a referral to a PS for a breast lift. THe guy I was referred to couldn't see me until at least the fall of 2008. I later heard from a couple of RN coworkers that I should go to someone else, because this surgeon has a high complication rate and poor technique. So I asked for a referral to someone else. The consult wait time for the next guy, and almost anyone else I could go to is 3-4 years. I have actually been on the wait list for a breast reduction longer than I had been on a wait list for WLS--4 years so far. Anyways, it looks like I might be able to see the surgeon in my previous province who had me on the weight list for breast reduction, I am just going to show up and let her figure out that the surgical plan needs a little revision, otherwise I am going to be stuck with these wrinkly, itchy, doubleD sacks of air for another 4+ years. I'll have them scratched raw, right off my rib cage by then. The panni is a whole other thing. Since the wait for PS is so ridiculously long, I am planning on going back to my wls general surgeon. He does the pannis as follow-up. I know I can't afford a tummy tuck. It probably won't look as pretty as what a PS would do, but I'm not expecting to have a need for good asthetics in most situations anyways. I'll just be happy to be rid of the extra skin and all the related mess. Universal healthcare is a blessed thing in principal but damned limited in practice. Lori

Let me start off with the good side of how I am doing I am down 74lbs since surgery...110lbs in total since the beginning of my journey. I am wearing a 12/14 in pants... seems as the sizes go down everything I find is all low rise, super low rise etc and I need a little extra to cover the spare tire. I am in a large top as well. Now the complaining I havent lsot weight in 5 weeks!!! I have an appointment with my NUT Friday and am hoping she can shed some light... starting in March I began working out with a trainer and really keeping track of what I was eating in hopes of reaching my goal weight by 1 year out... well March I lost 3lbs the last week and havent lost since. Frustrating since I am doing more than ever and getting nowhere... but I am keeping on track still and meeting my nutritional goals and working out. Hopefully she will have some amazing answer and I can get these last 23lbs off! I also dislike my arms... the top is super toned and nice looking and the chicken wing is AWFUL... now that my arms are toned it looks even worse! Its started to hang further and develope even more stretch marks!!! ugh... my thighs arnt too bad but my stomach is awful... its still huge and I think all 23lbs I need to lose are sitting right there *sigh*. To end on a good note I see the plastic surgeon next week on Thursday for a consultation! I am excited!

Howdy fellow June Bugs- I had my second round of kidney stone blasting on Friday. It went well and was much better than the first round last month. I am happy to have it over with. The urologist changed my potassium K-tabs to potassium citrate. This is supposed to be better for people prone to kidney stones. Or at least the type I get. I have my one year WLS check-up on Thursday so will check with them to make sure it is okay with them. I am having my appt a month early since I will be losing my Kaiser insurance when I get laid off May 31st. I did the labs last week and everything looks good. I will see if they make any adjustments to my supplements. I have been having pain in my lower, left groin area that usually happens when I am gassy or constipated. So I will have them check that out. Now that my kidney stones are gone it cannot be blamed on that. To date I have lost 134lbs. I am wearing a 14 pants but they are huge in the legs. Haven't found a 12 that fits in the stomach though. I did manage to find a "Hot" pair of skin tight jeans that are a 14. I love them. I wasn't going to buy anymore pants since I will not be working this summer but they looked so good on me and were less than $17 on the clearance rack at Fashion Bug. What really amazes me is that I have purchased a few pairs of lounge type pants/shorts that are size medium. WTH!!! When did I ever wear a medium? Never is the answer to that. I am very unhappy with my upper arms and upper thighs. They are so saggy and wrinkled. They bother me much more than my stomach. In the center, front my stomach only sags a little. It is at the hips that I have a big overhang. So while it bothers me my arms and legs bug me more. I am now in the market for hiking boots for our Yosemite trip that is coming up in a couple weeks. I have been using the treadmill on elevation 8 at 2.2mph to get ready for the hills in Yosemite. My sister suggested I get the hiking boots and break them in on the treadmill. So I will go at lunch to see what I can find. So how is everyone else doing? Michelle in SoCal

I don't know if building up the muscles is going to help with the skin, but it's always good to add more exercise!!! For the legs, squats and lunges are always good. For the arms, get some light weights and go through the basics, curls, shoulder presses, arm raises to the front and side, triceps. Just make sure you use weights that you can do at least 10-12 reps of each and 2 or 3 sets of everything about twice a week. If you can afford it a personal trainer is a wonderful thing. I've been working with one since last August and it's been great! Good Luck! Carolyn

Welcome home Robin. While I don't envy your pain and discomfort, I AM jealous about the flat tummy. Yesterday, I was coaching my 7 year old's soccer team. I didn't realize it at first, but my sweats had slipped down below my belly and I was jiggling across the field. At the same time, my underwear are a little big at the moment, and they were riding below my butt in an attractive bulge. Needless to say, I was a little mortified. It made me pretty determined to get rid of this sagging belly. I will send well wishes for a quick healing and recovery. Take care. Lori