Thought I would introduce myself. I am 54 and in the process of getting the sleeve. My ins is approved., I have gone thru an info meeting and will be meeting with the nutritionist 7/11/11. I have gone thru the process before 6 years ago except for the lap band then the ins said no. Now that the gastric sleeve is available I think it is a better choice for me. I am really excited. Everything that I do now that seems a struggle or even summer cloths I tell myself next year WILL be different! I am looking at being sleeved sometime late Sept. I am 5'4" and 315 lbs. I have started taking Biotin. What I am mostly concerned with is the turkey neck! Does anyone have any good creams for wrinkles, vitamins for skin tone etc that might help?

I have lurked around and have enjoyed reading everyones posts, everyone seems so helpful and glad they had gotten their sleeve.

I can only speak for myself and what I've experienced being at goal for over a year now. I turned 50 this year, and was 220lbs at my highest weight. My neck was chock full of fat before WLS, now it's empty and saggy. I don't think there are any creams or serums that can help - plastic surgery is the only way to get rid of it. This is from someone who most people think is in my 30's due to my good skin (lucky with genetics, non-smoker, and stay out of the sun). If I look straight forward and jut my chin out, it's not noticeable. But if I relax, look down, etc. there it goes - all flabby and loose.

I also took Biotin, Vitamins, special shampoo and scalp serum to slow down the hair loss and it didn't help one bit. Hair loss will most likely happen 3-6 months post-op, last for approx. 4-8 months and then start growing back. You just have to take deep breaths when pulling handfulls of hair out of your brush and say to yourself "this too shall pass!". And of course, it does.

Being slim now and in great health is worth the saggy skin. My legs no longer feel like stuffed sausages, the skin taut and firm. They are MUCH smaller but the skin is soft and empty feeling now. I've lost quite a lot of muscle along the way too, which is a constant struggle to regain at my age. Getting in shape will be much harder than losing the weight with the sleeve has ever been.

My goal is not to be discouraging, but upfront and truthful about the effects of massive weight loss at an age of slow collagen growth. The sleeve is the best thing I've ever done for myself, and as a self-pay it was a sacrifice with money. But I would do it again in a minute. I wish you the best with your weight loss and know your health will improve greatly. Just be realistic with your body image expectations and not be dissapointed if you don't look like a super model when you're done. Embrace your healthy body no matter what it ends up looking like and good luck!

Hello, I just joined. I'm 54 and my insurance approved about a couple weeks ago. I should get a date any day now. My doctor is pretty busy so it will probably be a few months out. I am 5' 3 1/2" and weigh 285 right now. I have lost 16 1bs since I started a diet the beginning of July. It feels good. I can't imagine what it will feel like to lose another 15 or more pounds.

Hi girls...good luck to you both as you embark on this journey, doesn't it feel good to be doing something proactive for yourself. I think for alot of people there are defining moments that lead us in this direction toward weight loss surgery...for me, all those diets, losing and then gaining it back,,,I thought I would never suceed at really changing myself after so many years being so heavy.

This changed everything. It works. I am a slow loser but I am losing and to be in the 100's is a miracle. I love eating healthy. All my fat girl clothes are gone. I am now a. Size 16, and I have energy and stamina. I feel so much healthier.

My advice, follow the plan to the T. Make it happen for YOU.

Good luck!

Katie