ParaGirl

I can understand your fear of loose skin. The lapband is a slower weightloss than the bypass, and with your age, I wouldnt worry too much. I would rather have loose skin than have gobs of fat anyway. Have you had kids? that doesnt always help either. My husband says that he isnt opposed to my having a tummy tuck if my tummy has too much loose skin...yay!

One of my friends I met after the weight loss, she looked awesome, I did see the before photos and she looked like a whole new person. The other one I met within a week of going in for the surgery, that was about 2 1/2 years ago, she is doing great, it took her a while to get on the wagon and eat correctly, but she is a success. The other girl is the daughter of a friend of mine, she had hers done 6 months ago and has lost 36 pounds, but has not really gotten motivated until now that she can see the loss and is trying harder. SHe is young and didnt really follow all of the rules, but 36 pounds is still good...as long as the needle goes down on the scale, right?

First of all Melbear, that a-hole ex hubby needs to get a look at you after you lose all that weight so he can eat his heart out. I certainly wouldnt mind knocking a few of his teeth out for ya! We are all worth this, worth the money and the time it will take to get ourselves healthy and smaller. Just make sure you take care of you, don't let anyone allow you to feel bad about yourself again. You have two little ones to look after and you want to be around for them, this surgery will help insure that.

I am looking at his site right now, I sure wish I had chosen to travel now! The only difference I see in what I am getting for my money is that my doc does one year of post op care for my cost of 17,400

I am in Georgia. My pre-op is Tuesday and we will be paying for everything that day. It is pretty much too late to start over with another doc. Plus, I really trust my doc, and have two friends who used him. I just don't feel comfy doing it elsewhere. Yes, it is a lot of money, but in the long run, worth it.

Can i ask you, how much are you paying? I am self pay, my cost is 17,400

I know, I wonder if this many people are banded EVERY month!?!

I am also being banded on the 11th, here in Georgia.

You are right laurend, it has been linked to cancer in lab rats. However, that is when rats are given huge mega doses of saccharine. The comparison is that it would be like humans consuming pounds and pounds of it.

My husband has decided to try to lose weight as I am losing weight. My surgery is Oct. 11. He has gained some, but I am not really bothered by it. I know it sounds weird, but my weight bothers me to no end, anyone else gains weight and it doesnt bother me one bit.

Splenda is supposed to be better for you than Equal. Less side affects and all that. Equal is said to be very bad, studies suggest that it leads to alzheimers, is the same chemical compound as formaldihide, causes migraine and many other bad problems. I am not a doctor, but I will not use Equal, I just dont care for the negative press it has gotten. I will use Sweet N Low first, it has been known to cause something in lab rats, but that is with huge mega doses, and I cant even remember what it is. But the point is, the doses given to rats is an enormous amount that humans would never take. Splenda is supposed to be closer in chemical makeup to sugar, but with no calories. This is all just what I have read, I am not a scientist with first hand knowledge.

This is a good post. My situation is a little different, my husband is all for me getting banded! When he and I met, I was about 50 pounds lighter. He is ready for me to get back to where I was when we met, and to lose some more. He is so behind me on this, he is paying for the surgery, which is $17,400.00. Our insurance wont cover any bariatric surgery. I am so happy that he is behind me on this.

I have kept mum about my surgery just for this reason. I don't want my weight to be the topic of every conversation I have with people.

Well Blues and Laury, I am being banded on the 11th also. When I see pictures of myself, i wonder when the point came that I could no longer recognize myself in pictures, my face is so fat! I had a picture taken with my sons around 4 years ago and showed it to a coworker, she said it looked nothing like me, i was around 60 pounds lighter. I still see myself that way, but NOONE else does! We will get there. I am starting my preop 2 week prior to surgery.

Think of it as a little extra time to get your body ready. I will be here before you know it.

I have had the same fears. So much of our happiness is tied into eating. It is insane. Family gatherings, food; holidays, food; office gatherings, food; dates, food; birthdays, food; and the list goes on and on...I guess we (myself especially) will need to learn to enjoy the company of our loved ones, not just eating with them.

I just recently heard about Isagenix, I ordered the 30 day program. Do you like it?

I think we all have our reservations, but this is ultimately a good thing we are doing for ourselves.

Username, Paragirl Date, Oct. 11 Name, Dana

Hi, I am being banded on October 11th in Georgia.

<p>Hello everyone,</p> <p>I am getting banded on October 11. I am excited and scared. More excited. I am self pay as my insurance doesnt cover any type of bariatric treatment. My cost is $17,400. It is so expensive, but worth it. </p> <p>I need to lose around 100 pounds. Ive tried it all many times, it is time that I got this weight off for good.</p> <p>I am glad one of you found me onthe introduction forum, thanks!</p> <p>Dana<img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/whoo.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Whoo" smilieid="339" class="inlineimg" /></p>

thanks for your replys, i will go now and look for the monthly support groups

Hi, I am starting a new life on Oct. 11th. Anyone else out there? I know someone is doing it on Oct. 8. Lets get together and support one another, I know I could use it. Dana Married mother of two great boys ages 10 and 8.

My surgery is scheduled for Oct. 11th and I, too, have to pay out of pocket - to the tune of $17,500. UGH! Maybe you and I can partner up and let each other know how we are doing and all that.

Hi, I am having mine done in November and the price is $17,400. I know it sounds like a lot of money, but it will be worth it.