Hi Carol, I just read your post and boy can I relate to much of what you are saying. First though, let's address the 101 "slow" weight loss. When was the last time you lost 101 pounds in 9 months? If you're like me the answer is never! when have you consistently lost over 10 pounds a month on any weight loss regiment? I remember my Weigh****chers days when a good month was 4-5 pounds and those 1/4lb weeks were torture. You have accomplished a great deal and need to embrace that and be happy about it. Don't compare yourself to anyone else, it will only make you crazy. As far as getting over seeing the fat lady - I am right there with you. When people say things to me about being thin, I honestly don't believe them (I think they think I'm fishing for compliments - NOT!!!). If you get a chance look at my profile (the pics were just posted this weekend - the after was taken Saturday), I still see that person on the left. Seeing these pictures has finally opened my eyes somewhat. As far as the excess skin - I know it makes me crazy. Before I wouldn't wear shorts because I was fat, now I won't wear them because I have this horrible skin hanging on my thighs!!! I guess the hanging skin is the lesser of two evils as I feel so much better... Keep up the good work and don't stress so much. Hugs, Patti

Carol, CONGRATULATIONS on the GREAT SUCCESS! I know what you mean about the skin. I have been lifting weights all along and trying to tone as I have lost...but truthfully, I don't know that it made much difference. My arms are GROSS and so are my thighs. I WON'T EVEN TALK ABOUT MY STOMACHE!!! GROSS!!! I know that other people have said it...but it is true...I look good when I am dressed. NAKED....that is a different story. Thank GOD my husband has bad eyesight. LOL (Not really, he is just ultra supportive) I guess if we can't afford plastic surgery or if our insurance does not cover it, we have to learn to love the skin we are in. I don't quite know how to go about it...but I will learn. I guess the skin issue is part health related but also part mental health. Good Luck and Congratulations again! Carolyn

Angela, I can offer no practical advice, but I do wish you the best. For what it's worth, my surgeon has at times made this loosely paraphrased flip comment about hernias: My patients say they wish they had them so they could get their tummy tucks covered by insurance. Good luck with your appointment -- and keep us posted! Jen.

I finally made it two weeks ago. I havent been able to post yet but I have lost 101 lbs! I had my surgery 9-22-03. I have 27 more til I reach my doctors goal of 130. I am 5'2 and from what my doc says I have a big frame. I am scared though. I am scared I wont lose that last 27 lbs. I have lost so slowly from what I can tell, or so I think. I really estatic about my loss but now I am battling this loose skin issue. My doc says when I come back for my one year checkup in sept we will refer me to see a plastic surgeon. I think if it wasnt for the loose skin I would be totally happy. My question is, how do you deal with this? How do you deal with the embarrasment of the skin? I mean I hide mine well but it gets annoying having to buy larger clothes because of it. I sometimes wonder if it will ever go away. Will I ever get over it? And then there is that looking in the mirror and seeing the fat lady looking back at you. I dont think at all in this journey have I been able to look and see what others are seeing. I think sometimes I have really done this for nothing. Ok thanks for letting me vent, Hope you all have some really good advice. Love you all! Hugs and love, Carol

I had the open RNY on Sept 25th, 2003. I am having some pains in my incision. It seems to grow and hurt towards the top of the incision where my pouch is located when I eat, cough, sneeze, or any other bodily functions. I am really afraid that it is a hernia. I called the Dr. today and I have an appt. on July 8th. but I am afraid that it maybe more serious and need attention right away. When I talked to the office, I told her what it was doing. I guess, too much knowledge can be bad but I went on the site under hernia's and I got a lot of information that is really worrying me. It seems that everyone talked of how this surgery is worse than the original surgery. The lady did say on the phone that they would have to open the incision back up if it is a hernia. Has anyone had this surgery before and if so, how long did it take you to get back to normal? Is it as bad as the first surgery as far as pain? Do they have to cut the muscles as they did in the first surgery. I had a lot of pain afterwards when I had the RNY. I am really afraid that something might happen. Please help me.... And also, if insurance pays for it, is it wise to have a tt or whatever during that surgery?