The picture posted is not even me now, they have not updated my picture even though I have asked 1000 times. See my profile for new photos. Thanks. Judy

Denise, thank you for posting this. You should post it on the main board (if it is safe - hate to see you flamed) Anyway - i lived on the main board pre-op and what you have to say is as important if not more so, than the positive sides when considering this surgery. I wish you the best- Nona

Denise reading your post made me cry. Right before I had my surgery I read a TIME article that said 1 in 200 people die from this surgery and I was determined that I was that 1. Well I'm here 170 pounds lighter and I have never had a complication. I relate in a way to you that I feel that pain in your mind but when things get me down I always say to myself "there is always someone who has it worse than you" it gets me through! Wiith all that you have been through I would be in a looney bin. But here you are telling YOUR story and I have to say you are the strongest person I have met on here. You express yourself better than I ever could. I have some strange thing happening in my mind and you have made me think a little harder. Listening to you makes me even more grateful. Please accept my sincerest admiration and hope for you. Strong, beautiful, and already more healthy you. I just hope they can find what is wrong! I wish I could say more but you really hit home. Please take care and stay strong! Jamie

First of all...I want to commend you on your incredible strength! To go through your complications and still find the good that has happened... If they had an icon for standing ovation...I would have used that one. I'm sorry that you've had problems with your surgery and will pray that they find a fix for you and your pain. You are so correct in that all stories need to be heard...from my story of no complications at all...to yours...to even stories of death as a result of WLS. Fortunately for me, the support groups I attend address the good the bad and the ugly...because you're right...just because someone is having problems doesn't mean that they aren't following the guidelines established by their surgeon. The complications could just be that...complications. THANK YOU...for speaking up and letting your voice heard. I'm sure that you are helping people both as a pre-op & post-op with your story. That being said...I hope your doctors can do something for you to help...and please...post again and keep us posted on how you are doing...I'd like to know. Kristy

Denise: My heart goes out to you. I have had my share of complications. I lamost died in March when my pouch ruptured. But I had surgery again, and have been doing fine since then. I am so sorry your complications are ones that they have not been able to help you with. I will be praying for you. Praying that they can figure out the proper treatment for you to fit your problems once and for all, and that you will soon feel only postitive about the surgery. Even though I am doing OK now, I still feel like I fialed. I have only lost 80 pounds. I stopped losing weight at 7 months out, and nothing I try seems to get my weight loss going again, so I understand your feeling of failing. Tammy