fancypants67

i don't know about you...but i feel the same way, not because my drive has decreased, but because i am so embarrassed of how i look i literally don't want him looking at me. if we DO "do it"...it's all about LIGHTS OFF! i am holding onto the belief, that as i lose the weight, i will begin to feel good about myself and feel sexy again and that will make all the difference in the world.

So I set my surgery date for Aug 23...aaahhhhh. I'm excited but i also feel this incredible sense of trepidation...and a little like a failure. I've just tried to diet over and over and over...i feel like i'm throwing in the towel but I know i'm mentally ready. Please tell me these feelings are normal.

I'm SOOOO excited to read this!!! I have paid my deposit and booked my surgery with Dr. Illan for Aug. 23rd!! AHHHHH!! Let the countdown begin!

Hey, sometimes we GOTTA laugh at ourselves!! Life's too short.

No joke...years ago i worked at Macy's. I was walking thru the women's sportswear section and noticed this shirt and skirt they had on a mannequin. it was all pinned and tucked and gathered in the back. i said to the chick on the floor..."why don't you guys just put a smaller size on that thing?" she replied, "that IS the smallest size! it's a 00!" so they actually MAKE the mannequins smaller than adult sizes... i guess the fashion industry expects women to look like prepubescent teenage boys.

"Through no fault of his, we haven't been very "fun" because I am not at all comfortable with my size or having "fun" at this size. He is a dear sweet man, and I miss having fun with him. We both deserve to have fun again, even at our advanced ages. SO? We'll see... " Oh my God i can soooooooooooo relate to this right here. We were on vacation recently and my husband and i decided to have "fun" and i caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror on the closet and i looked like a beached beluga whale writhing on the sand. lord it was AWFUL! anyway, that image of myself is what flipped the switch in me that i'm definitely going to do this! it was truly horrifying and strangely comical at the same time.

@@leebick That was a GREAT post. Thank you.

awesome!! thank you so much for the links!!

Just curious if it's a GIVEN due to age, or if there's a chance skin can remain intact. Now I know there are TONS of factors (how much weight is lost, how big to start, how fast...) I'm just curious if anyone (women in particular) has not had a big loose skin issue.

@cecelialane WHAT?!?!?! #GOALS girl!!!! you look AMAZING!!!!!!

@ i'm with you. I took a job 8 years ago that is VERY sedentary (literally sitting for 12.5 hours a day with a half hour for lunch and 2 15 min breaks)...i was SO afraid i was going to get fat...sure enough. i did. i had a very nice athletic body before this job, but as i got older and menopause starting to kick in...i just can't take it off on my own. i would love to wear a 2 piece bathing suit again...i'm hoping my skin snaps back pretty well.

Hahahaha! yeah, it doesn't sound very appetizing that's for sure, at least not the meat...fruit might be okay. I've never had kids so I wasn't sure how much Protein was in it. (I read it's one of Jennifer Aniston's favorite diets though!)

How about baby food?? Is that acceptable? Although it DOES sound like it could be someone nasty, the consistency seems right.

Oooo interesting topic. So that's a good question to me too...CAN you drink after the sleeve? and if so...how long until you can consume alcohol?

Thank you for that!! Your stats are pretty close to mine...i'm 5'5", and a BMI of 40...so i'm going with what you said!! hahahaha

Thank you so much Bill! I may just take you up on that! :-)

Thank you all so much for your input and support! I have started the process with Dr. Illan and feel better and better about it every day. I hope i get approval, and still need to work on financing but they are very supportive at the TeamMx office so i really feel as i will be in good hands. I'm sure i will be back with more questions and pre surgery jitters...but thank you all so much!

Well, I have been turned down by my insurance company (an HMO) multiple times now despite having a BMI of 42 (i don't really have any other life threatening issues...i'm just fat). So i'm considering having the surgery in Mexico (i live in Southern California). My question is...from the time you first emailed the surgeon of your choice, until the day of your surgery...how long was it? does it take nearly a year like in the US or is it a faster process. I am considering Tijuana Bariatrics (Dr. Garcia??) any thoughts? Obviously, I'm slightly terrified with the idea of this...so any input is greatly appreciated. :-)

You aren't alone! I have decided this week to go ahead with the surgery as well...I have submitted my paperwork and anxiously awaiting Dr. Ilan's approval (hopefully). My mother is VERY nervous, but is becoming more on board every day. The main thing is to keep them informed. Let them know this isn't some rash decision and you have done your homework. I have forwarded her the emails that TeamMx has sent me to show her how knowledgeable and kind they are, and that these doctors and nurses are educated and trained. It has made a huge difference in her and I see her coming aboard now. I also explained to her that this team of people have given me hope...hope that I haven't had in years. Good luck, hopefully in time they will understand and be supportive. :-)

Hello everybody...well, my doctor sent my referral off to the insurance company and they told me that i'm NOT a good candidate because my BMI is 38 and i need to be 40. is this normal insurance-speak and this is part of the game they play or am i just done? i really don't want to GAIN more weight to have this surgery, i'm already uncomfortable enough. i don't know if i keep having my doctor resubmit the application or just join weight watchers...again *sigh*. Any advice would be awesome. thank you.

You know when i first read this, i was like, "???? riiiiiiight!!! very funny!!" but actually, it makes TOTAL sense. i think my height is recorded at 5'5"... but i'm technically "5'4-1/2"...i probably COULD round down and that may make the difference. great idea!!! :-)

Thanks for the input guys!! I will call the doctor tomorrow to see if he will resubmit it. It couldn't hurt right? THANK YOU ALL!!!

Thank you for the reply...actually i DO have sleep apnea, asthma, and high blood pressure...all of which my doctor believes is related to my weight gain. So should i just contact him and have him resubmit the paperwork?

Hi everyone! I'm new to the Forum, and i'm here seeking a bit of guidance. I have been lurking for a couple of weeks as I have been trying to decide if the Lap Band is the thing for me...and i have decided it is!! So I figured I would stop being rude and sneaky and introduce myself! Now i'm not going to lie...i'm SCARED TO DEATH. I'm a 46 years old female, and took a job 6 years ago that requires that i sit for 12.5 hours a day with only 2 15 minute brakes and not being allowed to leave the room (or take a walk). The sedentary lifestyle has unfortunately caused me to gain about 60 lbs in 6 years...i've exhausted myself on a NUMBER of diets, and just CAN'T seem to get this weight off. I'm currently 5'5", 225 and feeling such utter hopelessness and despair it hurts to look in the mirror every morning. My insurance requires a Doctor's referral (which i got a week ago with his blessing), and he submitted the paperwork to my insurance so now it is just a waiting game from here. it's maddening...and i know it has only just begun. I must say though, that reading your success stories, and how so many of the "banded" wouldn't change their decision for the world, it really helps me to believe that i have made the right decision.