Hi, I have been thinking about getting banded for about 3 years now. I dont really look it, but I'm 271lbs 5'7. I'm 28 years old and I have some questions for people who have already gotten banded.

1. Is loose skin unaviodable. If so is it different for everybody?

2. I have united Health Care they will pay 80%. Is there an estimate of out-of-pocket expenses I can gt from anyone? I'm using my flex spending account to pay for it so I need to know how much to put in it.

3. As you loose weight can you see your access port?

4. How long did it take you to reach your goal weight?

5. Does anyone regret it and why?

Thanks for all you help.

Hi, I have been thinking about getting banded for about 3 years now. I dont really look it, but I'm 271lbs 5'7. I'm 28 years old and I have some questions for people who have already gotten banded.

1. Is loose skin unaviodable. If so is it different for everybody?

2. I have united Health Care they will pay 80%. Is there an estimate of out-of-pocket expenses I can gt from anyone? I'm using my flex spending account to pay for it so I need to know how much to put in it.

3. As you loose weight can you see your access port?

4. How long did it take you to reach your goal weight?

5. Does anyone regret it and why?

Thanks for all you help.

I'll try to answer some questions for you. I'm not at goal weight but I'm 6 months out and started out at 5' 8" and 280, so we're pretty close in size.

1) I don't think you can avoid loose skin. At all. I have some but it's not as bad as I thought. Of course, I'm also not at goal but I have had two kids so I was a bit stretched out anyway. I fully anticipate a tummy tuck at the end of this journey.

2) The best way to figure this out is to find a doctor and have them submit the paperwork. Your HSA will qualify to cover the out of pocket outside aside from what your insurance pays but it's all based on individual doctors. For me, I ended up paying about $600 out of pocket.

3) I've lost almost 60 lbs and I cannot see my port. I still have a hard time feeling it. It's on my right side next to my belly button and it's not noticeable at all. My husband can't even feel it really, unless I show him where it is.

4) Still working on that goal weight but I have been very pleased with my weight loss so far. I still eat foods that I love but a lot less of them. I don't crave sweets like I used to and I did give up caffeine and soda. I hope by my one year bandiversary that I've lost at least 90 - 100 lbs. My goal overall was about 110 lbs.

5) I do not regret it AT ALL. Not one bit. Every day that goes by, I am so thankful for my band. It has been such a blessing for me. My life has changed in so many ways and in good ways. I'm able to shop in a regular department now, I feel better in my clothes, I'm more active, etc. I can't even begin to describe how great it is.

Hope my answers help. I know a lot of people on here hit goal within 1-2 years - so I'm hoping for the same. I feel like I'm on the right track. If you follow your band rules, you'll be successful. If I had to go back and pay full price for it, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.