Hi Janet, I am sooooo sorry that I missed this posting. I haven't been stopping in much lately. I am also very busy & when I'm not busy I'm exhausted. You may have read that I am in treatment for breast cancer. Three chemo treatments down & just one to go, on Tuesday, as a matter of fact. I have been fortunate in that I have had very few side effects & the ones I have had have been easily handled.  Right after my mastectomy, I was hired for my first nursing job. Fortunately it's just part-time as I can't handle working 5 days straight yet.  However, I love my job & I think that is what is keeping me sane & not thinking about the "what ifs." down the road. I, too will be spending some time with my plastic surgeon. I don't think I want reconstruction as it will involve 3 separate surgeries but I do need a repair of some sort. My mastectomy didn't heal well & I ended up with what I refer to as my "man boob".  There's a lot of scar tissue & extra skin & fat. It makes wearing a prosthesis uncomfortable & I can't buy one that feels natural until it is flattened out. I have to ask the oncologist when it will be safe for me to have surgery once I'm recovered from this last treatment. I suspect it will be at least 4-6 weeks. Now, I realize this advice is probably late but let me offer it anyway. Seromas.... yech, unfortunately they are very common with people who have had lost lots of weight before a tunny tuck. Just be patient with them & do have them drained if they are uncomfortable. If you have one & have been putting off getting it drained, don't be afraid. They usually go in through the incision line & it's still numb so it's not painful. However, don't be shocked by how much is removed. It can be lots. I even had a seroma after my mastectomy drained several times & one time it was more than a cup of fluid. Is the surgeon having you wear a support garment? If so, wear it religiously. It will keep you more comfortable & will affect the appearance of the final results. I even had to wear mine in bed but my tummy ended up flat & as hard as a board , until I gained 20 lbs,that is. My surgeon will not allow any exercise at all for 6 weeks, even walking for exercise. He says that exercise increases the blood flow to the area & that increases fluid there also.  He also wanted me to do very little at home, no lifting, bending, housework, etc. Your scar is probably pretty big & ugly right now. Don't worry, it will fade. Within a year or so, mine was almost completely faded away. There are creams & ointments you can buy over the counter that help with it fading. Even just breaking open a vitamin E capsule & smearing that oil on helps. Let us know how you are doing when you get a chance & feel well enough to post. Dixie

Hi Jody H. Iam going through the same office you are but with Dr.Cahalan . I called about my psych test also today  and I have UHC INS. and they said I needed  2- 2hr. appt.and I wondered WHY, what would they need that much time for and is it so they can charge up the u know what.??        Have you seen the dietican yet?  I go on the 20th .  keep intouch , from Ames, MARGO       

Hiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Lynn!  Thanks for responding gf!  Ive been working @VT here in Holstein for almost 2 yrs now, 40 plus hrs.. a wk. so I don't get a lot of time on the computer anymore, Im pooped by the time I even think of getting on here lol.  It just amazes me how fast time seems to fly any more.  Iam having surgery in Omaha at Methodist and I think that is why Iam soooooooooooo scared, a new hospital with new Dr.s....Iam also having hernia repair done as I have 4 so that makes the total no. of hernias 9 over the last 10 yrs. my mom had the same problem so I guess I inherited it from her!   OKKKKKKKKKK so how are you doing???  How is life in DM?  Hope all is well....Janet

I had Laproscopic RNY at University of Iowa HC on March 25, 2008.  I am a 30 year old graduate student (3 weeks to graduation). I live in Iowa City right now, but I am moving to Muscatine in July for a new job.  I am looking for a few people, hopefully similar situation and location to get together for coffee or something for some support chat.  I am not into large group therapy as I tend to relate best to people in small numbers.  Anyone interested?

I will definitely call a rep to find out more info.  Thank you.