OnMyWay2Thin

Just stay positive. We all have our ups and downs. You know that you can do it. I feel bad for you that your insurance was canceled and now you can't get the fills that may be necessary. Actually, I don't even know how much they would cost because my insurance covers it. Try to convince yourself that you have the tool, the lapband, and get back to basics. Try to weigh and measure your food, or at least journal it so you're completely conscious of what your eating. It's tough, I wish you the very best of luck! My husband is also laid off but I'm the main wage earner so we're doing okay. This economy stinks!!

I think you're going through Last Supper Syndrome. I went through it, also. I felt like I would never be able to eat certain things again. Here I am, 5 months out and I can eat almost anything (no buns/uncooked bread) with limitation. I eat very small helpings. I've had a lot of success and am down 54 pounds. At this point, I'm plateauing so I'm thinking I need another fill and to up my exercise. Good luck to you!

Congratulations, isn't it a wonderful feeling to know you made the right decision! Good luck as you continue on your journey.

Hi! Wow, when I started out, my statistics were the same as you - 5'8", 270, etc. I actually was thin until I hit about 21/22 and had my first child. As a matter of fact, I went to college on a tennis scholarship and was in great condition (size 5). In answer to your questions: 1) The foreign object thing scared me, too. Now that I have it, I can't believe I was actually worried about this! I don't even feel it unless I'm looking for it with my probing fingers. 2) I asked the same thing regarding activities. My husband and boys snowboard and I want to try. My surgeon said go for it! Then someone in my support group told me she skis every winter. I said is there anything I can't do with this and they said absolutely not, you can even have a baby with it and, in my opinion, if that can be done, anything can! I've lost 38 pounds so far in the six weeks since surgery and think this was the best thing in the world for me. I also tried all the diets and lost 50 pounds on WW only to gain it back plus a few more! I say go for it, I think you'll be glad you did, once you get past the first week or two! Good luck!

Hi! I can't talk from experience (I'm only 6 weeks and 38 pounds down at this point) but I can tell you what both my family doctor and surgeon said. I am 40 years old and have good skin (kinda strange but people say to me, wow, your skin is so nice!) Anyway, I was told by both doctors that they don't expect me to have any loose skin because of my age (and I'm older than you) and my skin tone. So, I guess we'll see when I start hitting a lot of pounds lost. I wish you the best of luck and, believe me, this was the best thing I ever did for my health!

...laughing... We had the same bmi and I also had sleep apenea and diabetes. Aetna looks for the 39 BMI with at least 2 co-existing factors. Honestly, I sailed right through. They approved me on the first subit. I was very happy with Aetna. Now I'm 1 month and 1 week out and have lost 30 pounds since surgery day! My diabetes is completely gone and I'm feeling great. Good luck, Aetna should be good to you!

Everything that you are feeling is normal as far as I'm concerned. Why do I say that? Because I went through the exact same feelings you are going through. I was banded 9/3/08 and feel fantastic now. I remember thinking what the heck did I get myself into! Don't worry, these feelings will go away and you will be feeling great soon. I'm down 26 pounds and am really happy with the way I feel and am finding it pretty easy to accommodate my band when I go out to eat with my family. I don't break any rules and am still able to enjoy a restaurant. So, give it a few more weeks and you'll feel so much better. Good luck with everything!