Hi Maysters, I've been offline most of the last couple of weeks, mainly because I didn't feel like sitting up for very long periods of time. It has been a long, long 20 days since surgery. First off, I am healing very well. The 39 inches of incision, yep, 39 inches, are looking good. 15 inches vertical incision looks wonderful. It replaced my open RNY and vertical hysterectomy scars, and it is very small and smooth. There is about 2-3 inches of incision in my mons area, and boy oh boy, am I ever swollen there. It is painful to sit because of the mons swelling. I am going to look pretty strange if that swelling doesn't subside some. I had terrible mons drooping after the weight loss, and I was extremely self-concious about it. The surgeon did his best with what was there. The 24 inch hip to hip incision is a little rougher looking, but that doesn't bother me. I can't tell how flat I will end up being, but I'm sure it will be a huge improvement over the huge panni I had. I had one drain taken out last week, and have one left. I go back to the surgeon tomorrow, and hope the second one comes out. I feel like I won't really start to recover until the second drain is gone. I am still needing vicodin for pain. My doctor's office had halved my prescription the second week post-op, and I was having terrible issues with pain. I just couldn't make it until the next time for a pain pill. I think there was some serious communication problem between me and the staff. When I saw him last week, he gave me a *big* bottle of pain pills, and that helped immediately psychologically, knowing the meds would be there if I needed them. I have been able to cut down this week on how many and how often I take them. Saying all of that, it has been depressing on how much pain I've felt, and how slowly I am recovering. I was intellectually prepared that this might happen, but I had hoped I would be one of the lucky ones who breeze through the tummy tuck. At this point I am still asking myself if this was a good idea or not. I am glad he repaired the three hernias that I didn't know I had, I am glad he removed 8 pounds of skin that made my back hurt and made exercise difficult. But I will have to think long and hard about any future plastics, arms and breasts, which I will have to pay for. I am glad there aren't any complications, and I have to just give myself more time to heal. Debra M. 351/159/150 Yes, I am in the 150's now, never, ever, thought I would get this close to my goal.

Well, at 17 months I'm heading for Plastic Surgery at Stanford on Monday. The first Lap Bandr to have it. I've enjoyed my journey. Walked marathons, don about 87 lbs, and looking forward to better health. My biggest advice is exercise. Especially since I don't have malabsorption issues, it is imperative. I feel great!!

Well, after my "cyber-paper" confession about my struggles with anorexia, and the wonderful words of encouragement from all of you guys, I have to admit that I have done better the last couple of days. I even broke down and bought some of the unjury protein and it's not to shabby if I do say so myself! My protein count for the last three days has been around 50. Horrible still I know, however this for me is huge compared to the 0 I have been getting. I'm shooting for 60 today and so far at 9:36AM, I've already gotten around 26 in so I am well on my way. Oscar (the grouchy pouch once again) has definately shrunk up and it's almost been like starting over and teaching him to accept food again. I'm not completely back on liquids, but softer foods do better. The scales went up 2 pounds and at first, I completely freaked. Then my loving husband said, "Fine, lose those two pounds again and die." Harsh words, but actually just what the doctor ordered. I need those swift kicks in the arse to get me going. I have an appointment with the new OB/GYN in my doctor's office for today. She's a WLS grad (5 years out) herself and I've made up my mind that if I cannot bring myself to say the words to her, I'm going to print out my confession and give it to her so that I can get the help that I need. I know that although the last couple of days have been better, I'm still a long way from a full recovery and I will have bad days again. Thanks again for all of your loving thoughts and support! I don't know what I would do without my OH family especially the 2005 Maysters.

Of course... are you kidding?

I will be praying for you, Laurie. Funny how we all thought our lives would be perfect once we lost weight. Little did we know.... Anyway, hang in there, sweetie. There's nothing wrong with taking a lil' something if you need it. Hugs, Tracy