COOL RAE! This is so exciting isn't it? Sept 30th is just around the corner. At my consult yesterday I saw a video that was most graphic about what gets done. My partner and I were laughing as they spared no opportunity to say that the procedures are painful. We were like - "Ok, we get it - its REALLY really painful. . .". - we laugh now. . .and pop the lortab later right? So for the work around the hips - is it going to be a full body lift? How much did you lose total? Are you stable in your weight? are you getting lipo in the inner or outer thighs? How much time are you taking off work? Hugs and support my plastics buddy, ~Lara (They should make Month by month Plastics forums too!)

My prayers are with you and your family. Dianne

Well - I had PS right before my year mark & I am still okay with it. The day of Surgery I weighed 177 & I am 5'4" ... I am now 155 and still losing. I only had an Arm Lift, Breast Lift (no impants) and Lipo to my saddle bags ... no TT or anything like that. I think you are at the perfect spot to start looking & getting "Quotes" for PS ... mine was all self pay, so if need be you may need time to save your pennies. Sue 320/155

Hi there, Well I'm back. I met with Dr Knoetgen at the Mayo clinic (just a quick hop skip and jump to Rochester). I have to say I'm much more comfortable with this process than with the outpatient services offered by the other surgeon I met with. He had different ideas about how to sculpt this mass of breaddough I call a stomach. He is very confident that I'm a great candidate for plastics (as was the other surgeon), but he is also willing to submit all my desired procedures (Abdominoplasty with belt lipectomy = Circumferential body lift) for insurance coverage. (big yea!). He also said that he's willing to try and see if he can't take care of the hated dog ears (my extra skin at the base of my ribs on each side) as part of the body lift. (2nd big yea!). He also said that provided every thing goes well he would be willing to install the rack while I was under for the body lift. (3rd big yea). Finally - instead of coming home after a 4-8 hour procedure to be cared for by my significant other, I'll be staying in the hospital for 1-3 nights and being monitored and cared for by skilled nursing at Mayo. (MUCH nicer sounding). One thing I didn't like was it looked like they didn't have a very nice body compression garment - but that can always be purchased online. I was also a little confused as he didn't talk dollars and cents before I left (my other place gave me a price sheet and a financial officer visit before we left). I know Francesca is MUCH more impressed with the level of care here than the other place. As she put it succinctly when I expressed concern as to not knowing what prices to expect - she reminded me to chill out - until we know if the full body lift is covered its not worth getting upset about it - after all she said "this place isn't the McDonald's of Plastic Surgery". . . So. . .We're trying with insurance to see if I'm covered for the full deal (I'd be paying for the hooters myself of course). Going well, he'd do a procedure to get me in a bikini by next spring (when all the swelling would be gone). They agreed that my arms are fine, and inner thighs are probably unnecessary. too. I'll keep you posted on how things unfold. ~Lara

"Jamming James", an OH member (http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=S1045082194) whose successful RNY gastric bypass was performed in April '04, is a very dear friend of mine. He was my cheerleader while I went through the WLS journey and I've tried my best to be his. Anyway, I just got an email from his cousin saying that James was in a scuba diving accident over the weekend . All that is known so far is that he is in a Georgia hospital in stable condition. I knew that James had been taking lessons, but I had no idea he was this close an actual dive. PLEASE, if you will, keep James and his family in your prayers. He is such a dear, sweet soul who would never harm a fly. I can't understand why such awful things happen to such wonderful people. Can't worry about that now, though. Just please pray that James' injuries are not severe and that he recover quickly and uneventfully. Thank you so much. God bless you all!! Amy Young, OH Staff Open RNY 10/22/03 402/250/265