peacequeen

I forgot to mention..if my husband leaves me after all this because of hanging skin?? Then he probably didn't love me much all along and I'd be better off. I am lucky though, I have a very supportive husband and he knew me when I was thin and beautiful and he knows me now as fat and not so beautiful, his response to me has never changed, I'm very fortunate...but just saying..if he did have issues after I lose the weight, that's his problem not mine. Keep positive spoiltmom! You'll be great just being you!

My self image is crap right now and has been for years. If I can just feel healthier and better inside, that would outweigh the self image issue..for me. Right now I have Myasthenia Gravis, Interstitial Cystitis, IBS, Gerd, RLS, Hashimoto's, Hypergylcemia, Osteoarthitis/malacia, Sleep Apnea, and the list goes on. I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired. I'll stuff my skin in my bloomers and be able to walk again and run and play with my kids and not be ashamed to go in a store and shop..I'll sleep better and breath better..etc.

If you sell your plus size clothing on ebay, you can do very well. Plus size clothing sell like crazy..especially Lane Bryant.

Since most of what you mentioned is weight related or could be helped by losing weight, I would think it would be even more reason for you to have the procedure. I don't know anything about the bacteria.

I feel the same way. If I have the surgery, I'm more afraid I won't be able to follow through with what I'm supposed to do and I would stay fat or lose the weight and get fat again..like all the other times. Surgery doesn't scare me. If you look at it like you would any other surgery..like I had my gallbladder removed, it was necessary. Ask yourself what will happen if you don't have this surgery. Is it something you want to do or is it something you need to do?

I think the decision to have the surgery is a personal one. We can tell you to have it or not to have it and in the end, you will need to do what's best for you. You just need to trust yourself and your doctors. I appreciate the post from Kalipso2. I haven't gone through anything yet. I'm a beginner but for some reason I'm terrified. I'm going to do like she said and think long and hard and do my homework. For me, there are so many reasons to have this surgery..I just have to know it's the right decision. I have tried soooo many diets, pills, programs, therapies,,but I don't want this to be an easy way out. I will definitely pray on this, research it, talk to others who have experienced it and I'm so very glad I joined this group because I'm learning alot and thinking about things that I hadn't thought about before.

Hi, My name is Karen, I'm 45 years old and have struggled with my weight my whole life. I'm 5'6" and currently weigh 261 pounds, my highest was 277. I've tried every diet, under the sun. I've tried fad diets, weight watchers, taken pills and supplements, tried hypnosis..etc..nothing ever works for long. I am now disabled and can no longer do alot of excercise so just dieting is not really working..once over 40 I can't just go without eating for a few days and lose 5 pounds like I did as a 20 year old. You have to work harder as you get older and without being able to really excercise,,it's been almost impossible for me. I have several conditions that have limited me but I feel if I get some of this weight off, it might help. My neurologist is the one that mentioned I might try Lapband. I have not been to a seminar, spoken with a surgeon or taken any of the steps for the surgery yet. The only thing I've done is try to educate myself,,reading alot. I called my insurance company and they will pay most of it but I will also receive medicare in April so I'm hoping I will have little if any out of pocket expenses if I qualify for the surgery. Anything I need to know financially? I guess why I'm here is that I'd like to know where to begin and what to expect. What's it like for others? I'd like to hear from anyone about anything since I know nothing. I'd especially like to know how long it takes from the time you begin the whole process till you have surgery. How hard is it to qualify? I have an autoimmune disease, will this hinder me from being able to get the surgery? My illness is stable right now, I feel like if I get some of this weight off, it might help my condition. I'm sorry I have alot of questions. I'm scared and excited at the same time. The thought of being able to walk a steady pace and play something other than cards with my kids and grandkids is so appealing to me. I hate the way I look and feel, I really want my life back.