I'm a long way out but I know I will need some work. I am finally feeling like the band is doing something after my 5th fill :rolleyes2:! I wondered if this would work for me since I had the surgery in June and haven't lost much since the initial restriction left me-I haven't gained...but its been hard, okay off topic, sorry.

I am hoping to loose all of the weight by April/May of 2009-not too far away, and is realistic if I keep going at this rate of weight loss. I may set my weight loss goal a bit lower in the future but this is a weight I remember being comfortable/healthy and looking good at so we'll see.

My bariatric team told me that I need to wait at least a year after weight loss before considering plastic surgery. I dont' know that it will be an issue as we don't have the finances right now but I'm wondering if this is something anyone else has been instructed to do? I'm reading through the forums of those who have had PS and it seems most of you had it immediatly after or close to your weight loss goal was met. I know what it is like for me to loose weight and have this huge stomach to look at-extremely discouraging! I look pregnant...its a psychological and physical problem for me. Any advice?

They want you to be at a stable weight before having surgery. That means losing about a pound per month for the last 6 months.

It's never too soon to start planning your future.

Heck, my doc didn't ask about that at all. He just wanted to know that the check would clear :eek:

That said, I had been basically stable for 6-8 months

I have another 100 to lose ( I was a big girl ) but I have already started the search process having gone to two PS which my insurance covered.

It's not so much the cosmetic thing, which insurance won't pay for to make you feel good about yourself, but will pay for when you get that nasty wetness, rashes, blisters and on and on.

There is a big difference between self pay and insurance criteria. Like previously said, they just want to make sure the check cleared.

Heck, my doc didn't ask about that at all. He just wanted to know that the check would clear :thumbup:

That said, I had been basically stable for 6-8 months

That is too funny....Kill the fat man.

Thank you for everyone who has commented. I can't imagine loosing all the weight, which I have done in the past-only I had much LESS to loose then now.. After all that hard work having to look at all the extra skin, feel it jiggle while I exercise, play with my kids, my husband has to look at it...for an entire year w/o it getting me down-its very difficult, as I'm sure most of you can relate.

In the past I've been very discouraged. Its almost like I never lost the weight. I'm determined to keep happy this time and know that eventually it will be gone. I've been working the numbers and most likley waiting is what I will have to do anyway. I wanted to know if by some small miracle (money fell into our laps) I could do otherwise-and that question has been answered. I hate to put our family into a financial quandry because I want to get this done sooner then we can afford to pay for it.

Until then I will be living vicariously through all of you here who are brave enough to share your journey. Oh and I still have 60 lbs to loose :thumbup:!