Valerie, you look WONDERFUL! I looked over your profile and one of these days I'll have to Email you with some other questions. But as far as the plastic surgery, my question to you is, what made you and your surgeon decide on the the lift proceedure rather than enlargment? I was thinking that just pumping them back up with something would be simpler. But of course, then they are heavy and my upper back just quit hurting last year! I still have not heard back from the surgeon my WLS friends are using and wondering if I should keep looking. Thanks, Dawn

Depending on what you are having done... I think its ok to shop around now and get the ball rolling for the surgery. I had my breast-lift and implants done about 18 months out. I would still like to have some lipo done on my hips - as well as a tummy tuck and my arms done. My plastic surgeon (8 months ago) told me to wait on the tummy tuck and the arms because I was hoping to lose more weight. I was not super-huge pre-op and I dont have massive ammounts of loose skin, so for me, I can get away with tucking it in my pants and wearing a shirt with sleeves. But there are some women in my support group at the hospital who's skin was so loose that they underwent 1 tummy tuck and 1 arm job... and then another tummy tuck and arm job when they lost more weight. As you know, ANY TIME you have ANY surgery - its a risk - and usually having 2 of the same proceedures is frowned upon. I suggest that you look around - but wait as long as possible - and be sure your surgeon is knowledgable about WLS and knows what to expect of your body.

I have had breast reduction (july 2003) and a tummy tuck (march 2004). My insurance paid for both because of medical conditions. I went to the PS my insurance approved. If you have any questions...please e-mail me. Good Luck. Kim

I just had a belt lipectomy done 2 weeks ago this coming Friday...Are you very far from goal yet?

I have a 13 year old daughter who is scheduled to undergo gastric bypass surgery at Cincinnatis Childrens Hospital on May 10th. Has anyone had a child to go through this? If so could you please email me at [email protected] I would like to find out more info from children who have had wls. I am a wls patient and have done really well. My daughter is at 310 pounds and is poor health do to the weight.