Hello Jane, good luck with your recovery. You're going to be a star just in time for the summer! Bravo et bon courage! Solveig Liège (Belgium)

It's done. My tummy tuck, hernia repair, and extra skin from my arms are all completed. He removed 6 pounds from my belly and 1 pound each from my arms. I'm glad that it's over, too. This was way different than the bypass surgery, as for the pain. I'm healing up good and feeling better every day. I had 4 of the 5 drainage tubes removed, yesterday. I'll have to keep that one in for at least another 2 weeks. The binder I'll have to wear for a long time to come. I'm not sure how long. My surgeon wouldn't give me a difinitive answer. Thanks for all of your support. I love you guys, Jane

I received an invitation for bariatric patiens from Arcadia Methodist and Comprehensive Surgical Associates to a "reunion." I hate the word "reunion." I've dodged every single high school reunion since I graduated from that hellhole, but I think I'll attend this particular party. After all, this time I snagged the brass ring. However, this also brings up the other reunion question, which is looming on the horizon. Did I not attend because I didn't feel successful, or because I was such an adolescent geek that I never outgrew it -- or the subsequent feelings of inferiority? Hmmmm. Knotty thoughts. That and the fact that parts of it I simply don't remember; if one remembers the 60s and 70s, one wasn't there. I was There. Oh, well. I'll attend the GOOD reunion, and think about the other. I wish I could remember.

It's here! The day for my Tummy Tuck and having the extra skin removed from my arms, is here! Say a big prayer for me! I know that this is going to be painful, but I'm psyching myself up for it! I go in Friday morning. Thanks for all of the support you guys have given to me. It sure makes it a lot easier when you don't have to go through things alone. Love, Jane

This is going to sound simplistic. One Flintstones chewable, three times per day with meals. Two Viactiv, one in the morning, one in the evening. Two B-12, 1000 mg, twice a week -- Monday and Friday mornings. I was really exhausted for a bit, until I was told to take my regular multi-vitamin ONE HOUR BEFORE the calcium -- don't take them together, because calcium can bind the iron and it won't do you any good. My blood work is fine, and I feel pretty good.