Okay everyone, I made the decision that I want plastic surgery. Even if I die on the table I want the surgeon to finish the lower body lift so I can finally have a fat belly and a tight butt. I called the PS that Deejay used and recommended to me--just to see if he would even consider surgery with all my other health issues. He said yes and I have a consult on October 10. I can't tell you how excited I am. I will keep my July family updated on the progress. I figure the years I spent waiting for my phen-fen settlement and the result should be good for something--maybe make up for the years of crappy health I had from the medication. Ta ta for now. Monna

Hi Nancy and JULY BABIES, Great to see you here and some action on this board! I still attend support group meetings and co-facilitate the Lighter for Life support group meeting at the office in Paramus. I'd love for you to attend a meeting. Our support group meetings are free and open to everyone - regardless of surgery type, hospital program or surgeon. Let me know if you'd like more information. Oh gosh - the saggy skin... I've got my share of it! I have no rashes or hernias etc which would help with the costs... So I'm in the same boat. In addition, I need to carefully schedule around the office needs here. I know that it'll be "someday". If your skin bothers you as much as mine does me... I'd only offer this as unsolicited advice: Don't give up the dream! Go for consultations! Find out if there's any kind of payment plan options. I'm all for the acceptance if that's what works for someone. But I know that I CAN'T accept it for me... And as has been said - it might just happen - usually when you least expect it, too. I don't really have any advice about losing 10 lbs. The reality is that the less you weigh the less you can eat OR deviate from your diet... Sometimes it's just too darn "austere" to realistically live a satisfying life... without feeling like your best friend is named "Deprivation" or exercise like a maniac.... Did anyone read the OH article that Exercise (they mean aerobic) is NOT good for weight loss? The premise is that MUSCLE is what will help with weight loss. No sweat! Lastly - Has anyone been in contact with Pamela? All of her posts have disappeared from the board which makes me think that she unsubbed and removed her profile. I hope not. I can't imagine this board without her. Be well! Irene

You know, Traci, what you are describing certainly sounds like MS to me. The reason it took so long for them to diagnose my husband's MS was that they could see no lesions on his MRIs. He was finally given a definitive diagnosis from his symptoms--he (actually I) kept a journal of all his symptoms and what preceded them. I was waiting for them to put him in a tub of ho****er to see if his symptoms worsened--you know, that is how they made the diagnosis a century ago? Hang in there and please take rests when you need to. For my husband, he does very well if he sets an alarm for 2 or 3 hours ahead--he has really bad short-term memory--and stops what is doing and rests for 20-30 minutes. He resets the timer and goes back to his activity after his rest. In that way, he gets a lot accomplished in the course of a week. My prayers are with you. I really hope it is something else. Monna

Thanks Monna for the words of encouragement. My mother has MS, so I'm a bit familiar with it, but she has a non-progressive form, so from that standpoint, we've not really had to deal with it as it's not disabled her. But yes, heat does me in. It exhausts me and I feel as though I'm going to pass out. I never could take the heat, even as a kid - but this summer was worse than most. These symptoms just seemed to really get bad around March or so of this year and I was a real mess for about 2 months, then it got a bit better. Then I would be somewhat okay for a few weeks, then would get worse again. Very odd. The fatigue is almost more than I can bare, just a simple thing like cleaning my kitchen last Friday put me in bed for two days. It's ridiculous. The fatigue and such are the mild symptoms and that I can deal with; but the leg cramps, numbness, balance issues and cognitive issues (forgetfulness, can't get the words from my brain out my mouth!, stuff like that) are the worst - and I don't have that every day. It's the coming and going of symptoms that have them thinking MS. It seems I get one good day, where I feel good, and try to do something around the house and basically just live a normal life, and it puts me in the bed for the next two days or so trying to recover. Is that pretty normal for MS? That's what's so frustrating. I have a life to live, I don't have time to be in the bed resting because I don't have energy and strength to do anything. It's not something I can push through and make myself do - it's not anything like I've ever experienced before. Yet, so far, tests are showing no lesions on the MRI. Next step is lumbar puncture. I keep hoping it's just a vitamin or mineral deficiency or something - even though my labs really aren't all that off. I don't know what else it could be. Sorry to ramble - it's a bit frustrating for me.

I check in every now and then, read some and rarely post. I'm maintaining weight, but health-wise am not doing so great. Not sure if it's related to WLS though - docs are thinking MS, but we're not sure. So I'm going through a bunch of testing, no answers yet, feeling awful and quite honestly - it's exhausting. Other than that, life is good. I have a new grandbaby - so that's exciting. Traci Lap RNY 7/27/04 250/152ish