Just found this site.

Had the surgery 7/17/08. Lost about 60 pounds in the 8 months prior to surgery. Have lost another 40 pounds during and after recovery. Had 2nd fill other day.

As for the surgery. You know where they always say the 1 in a 1,000 chances of something happening. Well that was me-as per my luck usually goes. Surgery was supposed to be laprosopic. But during surgery they knicked a major blood vessel. To make a really long store short. Had to open me wide open to fix stuff. Then added 2 pints blood while on the table yet then another 2 pints in recovery. Sometime in there remmber starting to come to and wanting to scream my head off except still had hose down my throat. Sent me home after 4 days. Later that night collapsed and had to be rushed by ambulance back to hospital and reopened to see what was wrong. Had another 3 pints put in. Was in hospital another 5 days until he made sure was ok. Did go into emergency room one more time account being dehydrated. Was off work 7 weeks total.

All in all even with everthing thaqt went on am really glad that did this.

Hello Harley.... Can you be more specific... I'm from North Dakota, near Bismarck.. Dr Kavlie at St. Alexius did my surgery and I had to have the full incision, too.. for a different reason and without all of your complications. I still have some major pain from the port stiching and around into my back, but otherwise all is well.. The weight loss you had before surgery was awesome. Was that something you just did or was it a requirement for insurance? Hope that isn't too nosey.... Anyway you seem to be doing well now.... Do you have much more to go or are you nearing your goal? Best of Luck... Julie

Wow that's a lot of weight since 8/21 . Dr. Schmidt at St. A's did my surgery. Don't really understand the problems people have with the back pain or port. Never had any pain or nothing there. My port is just below my ribs on the left side. No stiching on the port either. Course that was the least of my worries then. LOL

Want to lose another 30 or 40 pounds yet. where ever I feel the best and want to get rid of the pot belly. Another 10-15 pounds will be at about what I was when met the wife. Hmmm near Bismarck huh. Am across the big Muddy myself. Also am a rail if that helps. Weight lost sure makes the difference at work climing up&down and ridding them rail cars.

Good luck there.