Jonathan, Where did you serve your mission? Man your name sounds familiar!!! Wouldn't have been in the Milwaukee Wisconsin Mission would it have been? Congrats on making the first step. You will not regret it. I know there are days I thinkwhat in the heck did I do. But when you put the cards out on the table I am so much better know than I was. One of the guys from our support group started around 450 lbs. He has lost 170 lbs in 5 months and Jonathan he looks and is a different person!!! I know that he is absolutely greatful for every step he takes at right now that is pain free. I admire Mark greatly and it is fun to watch his progress along w/the others. My DH and I both had RNY this summer. James was in June - open rny and mine was 3 weeks later in July rny lap. James just came out of our bedroom w/a pair of work pants he was going to wear -- amazing how he can think a pair of pants will fit when he is 5 lbs away from -100 lbs loss... LOLOL Anyway, its a very hard step to take and you have done the first one. Come back often... Gala

Urologist feels there is no need to do further testing at this point. The urachial cyst on my bladder doesn't have to be removed. The radiologist put in her report that "removal is the reccomended form of treatment". However, Dr. Hahnfeld didn't say a word about removing it. She peeked around and sent me on my way saying "Just looks like you are one of those people that don't pee very much" So that is a relief. I didn't have to have the cystoscopy because she did'nt feel it was warranted. Thank Heaven. I feel as though there is a burning fire cracker in there right now. The lidocaine wore off before I had to finally pee. My PCP called today to say that the ultrasound of my liver did show a "form" of a cyst. I can't even begin to spell it so I am not going to try - but basically she said it is like people/children who are born with birth mark that comes out of the skin and has a bump. She said the radiologist reccom. I have a follow up ultrasound in 3-6 months and have liver functioning tests now and at that time also. So good news there too. I got a little flustered and didn't think to ask Dr. Hahnfeld what her thoughts were on the bladder infections. However, when I told my PCP that she said her thinking is most likely from the cyst. And if they continue than we would need to consult further w/treatment. Dr. Hahnfeld also said that absolutely no one should straight cath me except herself or someone from her office. If I continue to have the bladder spasms from not going to come back. Last night I was in such gut wrenching pain I was doubled over for about 5 hrs. The pain came on so quickly I didn't know what hit me. And it left just as fast. I had not ate anything for 2-3 hrs before so I know it wasn't anything I had ate. Anyway, just thought I would share some "good news" for once. Gala

Liz - don't be afraid of the sacrament. If you take a small piece without the crust and chew, chew, chew you should be fine. You've read my experience with the sacrament that I posted in response to Trudi. I've spoke with other LDS members who have had WLS and they've all shared similar experiences as I have had. Don't be afraid to enjoy the full sacrament experience. How are you doing since your surgery? Have you gone through the "What have I done to myself?" phase yet? For me that only lasted only a few minutes. Have you "mourned" food yet? That lasted a lot longer for me. I wanted food the way I did before surgery. It's all a mind game that you'll need to play for awhile. For me, at least, it has passed and I'm at a stage that I'm very happy that I've had the surgery. Let us know how you are doing. Melody 7 months post op - 85 lbs

Trudi, I am only 2 weeks out & because of general conference & stake conference in my area I haven't been to church yet. However, my bishop told me to just take the water. The sacrament is just the symbol of our covenants we have made with Heavenly Father. My Bishop told me if I am in the right frame of mind thinking about my covenants during the sacrament, the Lord will understand. Liz S. Dr. McCollister Crosby, MN Highest 305lbs pre-surgery 290 current 280lbs

Good Evening, Hope you had a good weekend. My PCP called me today with the Contrast CAT Scan report from yesterday. The CT confirmed that I have a " urachus remanent" (cyst) on my bladder. Mary has no clue what will be next. Since it is rare to find this in an adult. Most generally infants and toddlers are affected by it. It all depends on how things go on Friday when I have the cystoscopy @ Dean Clinic w/Dr. Hahnfeld. Mary believes that I will need to have this removed. Which of course isn't very encouraging. Everything that I have found online suggests/states that it will need to be removed. As for how it is removed hasn't said. The recovery time has varied from the reports I have read. I have read 3 adult cases online. And I'm praying that I DON'T have to have surgery. THis "cyst" is connected from my bladder to my umbilicus (where my umbilical cord was). In most cases this goes away after birth. In some cases it lays dormant (like it has with me) and never causes problems - until just recently in my case. Since my WLS. Why? Who knows. I have had quite a few bladder infections over the last 3 months. I have had problems with urinating. And my latest problem has went from one extreme to the other. I hope that I can get some answers Friday. Dr. Hahnfeld is a very very good urologist. James has seen her few times w/his kidney stones he has had. I also know few other people that work w/her who have said the same thing - that she is an excellent dr. Keeping my fingers crossed!!! As for my liver the CT didn't shed anymore light if there is a cyst there too. According to the CT report there is "xyz such and such" LOL....which is a cyst but doesn't give any details about it. I have a ultrasound Wed./tomorrow to find more out about that. Dr. Sunby's PA (WLS surgeon) didn't think that the cyst on my liver was any big deal. When she spoke with Dr. Sunby about it his comments were "I was just in there 3 months ago and her liver was perfectly normal". When I told my PCP this shewas upset w/his comment. Her thinking is that "so what if it wasn't there. It is there now and it needs to be checked out". Sdoes have a very good point. So I have that test tomorrow. I am hoping to know something after my Friday morning appt.