I am a new member. I have been doing preop prep for about 6 months getting tests and insurance things figured out. I originally wanted to get banded this May but insurance made that impossible. I had a final appointment in July with my surgeon but last week they called to tell me I was meeting with him June 12th. My stomach dropped, my heart was pounding. I didn't think I would be this nervous/excited/scared? I am not sure what I am feeling. I think I will have the surgery in August.

I have some big fears that I meant to ask about in band support groups that I never made it to... I was hoping that posting here I might get some advice on what the skin situation is. I have a fair amount of belly stretch marks and I am really worried I will have like a "skin skirt" at some point. How do people deal with this? Is this really better than being fat? Any advice or consolation would be greatly appreciated. Are spanx enough to help you?

I also was wondering if people know much about single incision. I am very interested in getting it because I am keeping my surgery fairly private, and don't want to have to explain scars to someone who might see my stomach in the future. My nutritionist said that surgeons usually perform this when you are BMI between 35 and 40. I am 42 right now. I can't drop below 40 or I won't qualify for insurance. Has anyone had it with a higher BMI? Are the scars really that bad if I can't get to 40 by the time of my surgery? Should I delay my surgery date to try and get the single inscision?

I would love some advice and any words of wisdom. I am getting a little terrified.

I have five incisions. 4 of them look like bug bites so really not that bad. The fifth is my port and is about 3 inches long. To be truthful that scar is much lighter than my 20 plus year old gall bladder scar.

Oh and I started out at 330 lb, down to 213 and have very little loose skin. I can see it under my chin where my double chin used to be; and have some bat wings. I don' however have any loose skin around my waist.

Oh and I started out at 330 lb, down to 213 and have very little loose skin. I can see it under my chin where my double chin used to be; and have some bat wings. I don' however have any loose skin around my waist.

did you have a large stomach to begin with? how fast did you lose the weight?

thanks for the answers!!

Is it too late for you to get to some support meetings? I would strongly recommend that you do.

I have five scars, and I hardly notice them. They are visible but they do not define who I am. I started out not telling many people about my surgery, now, if they ask how I lost weight, I just tell them.

Re the loose skin question - it is a matter of genetics and a number of other factors so you can't compare yourself to others. Some people end up having a tummy tuck, others don't.

Personally, after losing 62kg (with a few more to go), I am much happier and healthier with loose skin than I was with all that extra weight. It is definitely worth it!

I would say I was pear shaped. In 9/08 I was 365 lb. I changed my diet and started swimming daily. My lap band consult was 1/2010 at 330 lb and was 282 day of surgery 8/11/2010.

I have 5 incision scars that are all quite small. I was banded with a bmi of 48.