I was Banded in July 2005. I am almost at goal but I am having alot of body issues, more so than at my largest. Just wondering if others out there are as well.

Sorry to hear that you are having problems:sad: What sort of body issues are you asking about?

Mary, I can so relate to what you're saying! I've lost nearly 300 pounds in 3 years and I'm more depressed now than I was when I was at my heaviest. I look in the mirror and see nothing but hanging skin and disgust myself. I went to see a PS about surgery but was turned down by my insurance company and I'm not financially able to pay for any of it. I just want the "fat apron" removed and I think that would help how I see myself. I've really been a mess the last couple of weeks after seeing the pictures of myself the PS took. I had myself fooled that I didn't look that bad until I saw it right there in living color. I should just be thankful that I've lost so much weight but I still feel like a failure. I know just what you mean though. Seems like all our hard work has been for nothing. Might sound vain, but one of my reasons for the surgery was to look better and I think I look worse now than before. I know where you're coming from and it's not good for either of us but we can vent to each other.

In general, my brain is still 340 lbs and my body is 180. I have tons of skin and for the first time I am embarassed by my body. At a size 30 I did not have any of the body issues that I have now, at a size 12. Does the brain and body ever catch up with each other?

I went to see a PS about surgery but was turned down by my insurance company and I'm not financially able to pay for any of it. I just want the "fat apron" removed and I think that would help how I see myself.

There is a procedure called a panniculectomy that removes the excess skin. Most insurances will cover this because of the infections that happen between the folds of skin.

I googled it and found some really interesting articles.

That was what I was denied, the pannicolectomy. I'm gonna keep appealing though. I have 25-30 pounds of skin hanging nearly midthigh. Mary, I've been wondering the same thing. Before I crossed my fingers and hoped I could fit my 469 pound body into the biggest size they had and even then, unless Omar the tent maker made it, I couldn't even wear a 32. Now I wear a 12 or 14 on top but a 14 or 16 waist down because of the fat apron. Thank goodness for tight girdles! I have to tuck everything in several times a day. But I know I'm much healthier and active than I was all those pounds ago. It's just so discouraging to not look as good as I feel. I'm gonna make it happen some way or another. Mary, I'll give you the same advice I give myself daily...hang in there. We've hopefully gone through the worst and it'll be so much better from now on.