Hello my name is Wanda I'm a 31 yr old mother of 3 c section boys. I have decided that I have had enough with my weight and I having my 1st lap band appt with Dr Dietrick on 1/5/12. I am so nervous I am not sure what to expect or how this will all work out for me. I've read and have been told some horror stories but then again I've seen some success.

I have United Health Care and they do cover the surgery after a 6mth waiting period. What exactly is suppose to happen during those 6 mths?

I'm currently 5'5" 250lbs Waist Size: 20w Bra Size: 40DDD

My Goal: 5'5" (can't change that...lol) 150lbs Waist Size: 10 Bra Size: ???

Having 3 c sections worries me will I have issues with that scar tissue?

Will my back and shoulder pain go away?

I need a breast reduction should I have it before my lap-band or wait?

What about my bat-wings for arms?

and the main concern.... My stomach will I be left with flabby skin & how do I get that lower spare tire to go away?

Any suggestions or help would be great.

Welcome to the Forum!!! I have UHC too..... I am 2" taller than you and 10+ lbs heavier and had 1 c-section and 2 vbacs... I worry about the excess skin too.... but the folks here say as long as you loose 1-2 lbs a week, the skin stays tight........

I would wait until you get down to smaller bra size before you get a reduction....because the "girls" will get smaller with the weight loss.....Some folks use Spanks to keep their tummy's tucked away until they get plastic surgery..... if they get it at all..... this is just an opinion.... sorry if I am all over the place! just excited because I got my approval today!

Hello my name is Wanda I'm a 31 yr old mother of 3 c section boys. I have decided that I have had enough with my weight and I having my 1st lap band appt with Dr Dietrick on 1/5/12. I am so nervous I am not sure what to expect or how this will all work out for me. I've read and have been told some horror stories but then again I've seen some success.

I have United Health Care and they do cover the surgery after a 6mth waiting period. What exactly is suppose to happen during those 6 mths?

I'm currently 5'5" 250lbs Waist Size: 20w Bra Size: 40DDD

My Goal: 5'5" (can't change that...lol) 150lbs Waist Size: 10 Bra Size: ???

Having 3 c sections worries me will I have issues with that scar tissue?

Will my back and shoulder pain go away?

I need a breast reduction should I have it before my lap-band or wait?

What about my bat-wings for arms?

and the main concern.... My stomach will I be left with flabby skin & how do I get that lower spare tire to go away?

Any suggestions or help would be great.

I would wait for breast reduction until you lose weight also. You will problem end up losing volume in them anyway. I have lost 55 lbs. now in a year since my band. Tomorrow I am actually getting a tummy tuck done. After having 3 kids they did a number on my body and I never had elastic skin. ha I have lost my weight very slow about 2-4lbs. per month, but I do have excees skin I think from my pregnancies.

Good Luck with your journey.

Definitely wait on the reduction. I have lost about half my weight in my chest! I have gone down one band size and 2 cup sizes in about a month! Save that reduction money for a lift when they are shrunk!

First focus on doing this to get healthy for your family and to live long enough to see them enjoy their lives. Second worry about the looks of your body after you are in maintenance a while. Third, the 6 month thing is just one of many steps to wear you down and get you to give up so your insurance can save some money...it is usually a supervised diet...its a good way to get your head in the game!

Thanks for the advice. I will def. wait and hopefully the girls will become smaller on their own.

Welcome to the lapband experience, was just banded with Dr Aguila at Memorial Hospt,Tampa. I am older but figuring I may need a few tucks here and there after I loose all the weight I want to loose. One of my friends was having some sagging bat wings but she went and got herself a trainer and she looks so much better, I was surprized exercise really helped her out, maybe weight training? It is better to be thinner and healthier and then you can see if you need any further tucks. Every bodys skin and shapes are different. but do not let that be a deal breaker.

I have not had WLS, but I have lost weight many times in my life. When I have lost weight in the past, my bra band size has decreased, but my cup size has always remained the same. If I were you, I would check with my insurance company concerning benefits for breast reduction. My insurance company required that a minimum amount of grams be removed from each breast. With that in mind, it is much easier to remove 300 grams when an individual is a 38DDD compared to a 32DDD. My surgeon even recommended that I gain weight before the procedure.

Hope this helps.

So yesterday I completed the final step...the mental exam... I heard back today and I'm good to go now my authorization request is on its way to UHC. This will probably be the longest 14 days...LOL!

Girls.....good luck! I was banded on 8/21/11.. so far..2 fills and still only have 4cc in my band (my doctor is very cautious) and I have lost 38 lbs!! Its slow and steady... kinda like what you would lose on weight watchers! so worth it...I am exercising 3 times a week though.. Good luck and keep me posted!!!

Just found out that my preop is schd for 2/16 and surgery schd 2/29...oh yeah!

Best of Luck. Keep us posted.