Hi---I got my insurance approval (Cigna) in 6 days (!!!!!) and am scheduled for January 15. I have a few questions for those of you who have already gone through surgery and weight loss:

For those "older" people (I'm 56) how bad is the skin after a loss of 100+ lbs? I ask because my mother (ever the optimist) said when I told her I was approved,"Then you'll have all that saggy skin". I mean really, is it THAT bad? And I have no bikini or beauty pageant aspirations, so.....

Did your wrists get smaller? Did your shoe size/width decrease?

Tea with sweet and low and 1/2&1/2 is my beverage of choice. Can I drink this right after surgery without bad effect? (I do know the tea has to be decaf)

Thanks--Carol in CT

Tea is fine. Crystal light too.

As for as the skin goes it depends on how much weight you have to lose. I have a lot under my arm and in my inner thighs. My stomach is not to bad but could use a tuck one day. I would rather get my legs and arms done first. You can cover the stomach but if you want to wear shorts or a cute sleveless shirt that is a problem. Breast sagged before just a little more now...lol. But I feel wonderful!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone is different when it comes to skin. I have lost over 100lbs before and I didn't have a problem, but I was pretty young in my 20s.

My wrists are always thin to begin with...its like the only part of me that didn't get fat, so I didn't have much to lose there.

Regarding the tea with 1/2 and 1/2. It should be ok as long as you don't put too much 1/2 and 1/2. You should be targeting about 500 calories right after surgery on your liquid diet.

I have lost 47 pounds so far and do not have any problems with saggy skin. Hope it stays that way. I lost in my wrists and fingers both, everywhere really. I don`t think the tea will be a problem. Crystal lite is my new fave drink. Let us know how you do and welcome to the board. Donna

I have lost 55 lbs. and my wrist/feet/neck, everything got smaller, it is amazing when that happens. I do have some saggy skin and I know I will have more but I would gladly still get the band in exchange for a healthier me. I bet so would alot of others.

Ooooohhhhh...well here's my story. I just turned 56. Started at 218 and am now 163 for a loss of 55 pounds. I also have pretty good genes. My arms aren't bad. My stomach is saggy and I may be a candidate for a mini-tummy tuck. The one thing I couldn't get rid of is my neck. I kindof expected this, at my age, after walking around with a triple chin for 20 years. I've got a little wad of skin that hangs. It makes me look older, so I am definitely going to take care of that in the next 2 years. Okay, and that's only 55 pounds. Not real optimistic that you're gonna bounce back like a rubber band at over 100.