OK, I have to admit that I am being very wary about surgery. I breezed through bypass surgery. I've often said that childbirth was worse for me -- and my longest labor was 5 hours. I really need to have my "batwings" taken care of. A tummy tuck would do nicely. If I really wanted the perfect body my thighs could use some help as well as my breasts -- they both need some lifting. On top of the fear of going under the knife again is the money. I couldn't do any of it without insurance help. Anyone had BlueChoice HMO pay for reconstructive surgery? I'm still so pleased with my weight loss, if nothing else was ever done. I've lost 163 pounds -- 357lbs. at the beginning, now 194. I'm 24 pounds away from my goal, and I bet most of that can be taken care of with skin removal.

Hi Amy, My name is Skye. I had my surgery on Dec 2, 2002. I work in a excellent bariatric program here in Missoula, MT. Have you ever felt full? Why is there no stomach to fill? Is that the way the Doctor made it? What type of surgery did you have? They can fix it. It sounds like to me from what you explained that your anastomosis (where they connect the new bowel to the small pouch) was made too big so your food just slide right down into your bowel so you dont get full. They can go back in and make the anastomosis smaller, so your pouch holds food for longer periods of time. You can email me at [email protected], to talk more if you would like.

Hey gang, I am from Buffalo NY and I had my surgery on Dec. 2, 2002. Is there anyone else here with that surgery date from Dr. Caruana? I would like to find the people who had surgery and were in the hospital with me. Unfortunately, I can't remember the the girls name. It went by in a blurr. Thanks Kim Calabrese

Could it be your liver ? Have they done tests to see if your level there are OK ? And the Kidney idea is definately a poss. I am sorry that you can't find any help that is so scary ! I guess more frusterating than scarey though. The pain meds are what is concerning cause they will affect your liver and kidney's eventually. My prayers will be with you ,let us know if you find anything. Sorry I can't help . Don't really have any advise or answers just wanted to offer support, we are about the same post op . I had mine in december of 2002 ! Good luck and lots of hugs ! Wendy@goal

Hi Wendy, No, I have not had any plastic surgery. I would really like to have a tummy tuck to get rid of the extra skin, but I won't be able to do that for a while with work and financial restraints. Also, now that I have lost my weight, I have lost my breasts as well!! I lost most of my size and what I do have hangs way too low. I would love to have those done as well, but again, I will have to wait. Oh well, I have come so far, I really shouldn't complain. Like my husband and mother keep telling me, I can always wear a girdle and a padded bra!! LOL