Hey Donna That's cool that you may be going back to work at Sears... I am working for them now in Home Appliances... I must say I love the discounts ya get between Sears and KMart (since they are sister companies now)... 20% off clothes so I'm lovin' that!! I'm glad to see you seem to be dealin' with things ok... Sorry you're not feeling well tho... Just out of curiousity, did they take your gallbladder out when your bypass was done? I have a friend who also had surgery around the same time we all did and she just had to have hers removed... She had been sick too... Hope you're feeling better really soon Donna! Chelle

Norma, I purchased those green tea diet pills but never tried them. Finally just threw them away. As a nurse I know better. I wouldn't try anything over the counter. I would ask a doctor for a prescription appetite suppressant. Here's an alternative. You can look online for this: try the Cardiac Diet from Birmingham Alabama hospital. You go on the specific diet for 3 days and eat exactly as it tells you. You're off for 4 days but still have to eat in moderation and healthy. You will lose 10 pounds in 7 days. Just discovered it and It works! When you get the urge to snack, try healthy snacks - the 100 calorie pack snacks, fruit, bite sized peeled carrots are my favorites, and I can even eat a mini bag of microwave popcorn (no butter) and DRINK some type of fluid. I like Crystal Light, Diet Snapple and decaf Diet Green Tea (all recommended by my surgeon's Physician's Assistant). FYI A co-worker of mine (also a nurse) who did not have WLS (thin as a rail) decided not to really eat all day. She just drank water and other fluids and 1 meal that day; although we told her she needed to eat somethng, she would not. She took otc diet pills and w/in 30 to 45 minutes she turned beet red, got hot and flushed, she was running like she was set on fast forward, nervous and jittery w/ heart palpitations that we finally had to send her to the ER. She ended up w/ an abnormal EKG and had to be put on medications to decrease the workload of her heart and regulate her blood pressure. It's not worth it. Find a physical activity you enjoy and get back to basics.

I was very fortunate not to have loose hanging skin. I do have a bit of a pannus (like you probably about 3#s worth). I call it my mommy bulge. It doesn't look bad at all. However, I do (by heredity) have the big hips and thighs. I think it's where I carry the most weight. I wish I could afford a butt and thigh lift. I'm afraid too much exercise will turn this fat into muscle which weighs more and increase my weight; which would only depress me more. I look great in my clothes and in my pictures, but naked on the scale doesn't make me very happy. Getting back to basics but having those days where I just want to pig out! Occassionally do well w/ resisting the temptation. Good luck w/ your panniculectomy.

I am sorry to say that I am happy that I am not the only person with this problem. It is somehow comforting to know there are other peeps with the same problem. And I do apologize for that. I too had my surgery in Dec. 2004. I did really good until sept. 2005 and than I hit a plateau(?) I have not lost any since. I have actually gained 18 lbs. I went back on a protein shake and bar 3 times a day per my Dr. I am still not losing. I too have went back to food as a comfort instead of necessity. I went through a year long divorce(which was a good thing) and have been going through anxiety and depression. I just want to get back on track and start losing again. I was also worried that I had stretched my pouch. I remember when i first had my surgery i was told of a way to check your pouch size with cottage cheese. Any one familiar with this, or have any idea how to check without xrays? I can not go to support groups because I am 3 hours away from the only one I know of, so I am glad you guys are here. I plan to visit more often. Thanks, Vanessa

Thanks Diana, Today I'm not feeling well. Can't seem to keep any food down. I don't feel sick like when you have the flu. Maybe it's something I ate. Hoping I feel better by tomorrow so I can get my act together on getting my job back. I was to contact my old boss but was in bed most the day. Donna