Julia_N

No garlic? Are they using vampire doctors now? :cursing:

Thanks, everyone. I guess Allergan's computer must be turning that first digit of everyone's BMI to a 1! If only it were that easy. :eek:

:eek: I requested info from Allergan's Lap-Band site. I requested it by mail. Instead of the kit, I got a letter from the VP of marketing telling me that I don't qualify for Lap-Band surgery and offered me a bunch of Web sites with nonsurgical alternatives. As many of you probably know, to request a kit you have to punch in your height, weight and age and it tells you your BMI. According to the site, you need a BMI of 40, or lower with co-morbidities. My BMI is around 49. Seems like that is right in the range. Anyone else get a letter like this? (I realize Allergan doesn't make the decision on whether my insurance company or doctor approves the surgery. It's frustrating that I won't have anything to bring to my doctor Thursday when I have my first visit to get the ball rolling.)

A few years ago, I lost 55 pounds (on a 5-foot-2 frame, so that was a significant amount; I still had about that much to go). I started working out at a gym the day I started the diet (Weight Watchers). I didn't have any problems with excess skin, despite going through childbirth a few years before. The skin seemed to tighten up pretty well. I was in my late 40s at the time, so you who are younger are more elastic. This might be even more important if you'll lose a lot of weight quickly. Of course, some people are genetically doomed to have excess skin. But working out can't hurt. Good luck to you both! :smile2:

Howdy. I've been thinking about Lap Band for a long time but this is the first time I've investigated it. I don't know yet if my insurance will cover it or where I'll have it done. I just know that I'd like my knees and feet to stop hurting when I climb stairs and I'd like to cut down on the 12 medications I must take every day. I'll be doing a lot of reading on this site and others to make my final decision. I'm the sole breadwinner for my family, so I want to make sure I'm not doing something that will take me out. Full gastric bypass seems too dangerous to me. So thanks in advance to everyone for their postings. :thumbup: