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Well, I just talked to my surgeon about that today. He recommends waiting at least a year before doing any additional surgery like skin removal. For one thing, he said, the skin, given enough time, will often on its own "form" itself to the body area. I "gently" reminded him that I'm 53 years old. My skin has pretty much outlived its "body forming" ability warranty! He laughed but insisted that I just wait and see -- that I would probably be pleasantly surprised. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt. But if in a year and 2 months, I'm dragging droopy skin down to my knees, I'm sitting on his doorstep till he "fixes" it!

I just had a long conversation with my niece last night (she was banded last October). She has lost 70 pounds already (between pre-op diet and band). I am in the process of getting the band and am using her surgeon (didn't know it was her surgeon until last night!) I thought about the other options, but for me, the idea of permanently altering an organ, and then the risks of malabsorbtion, and other issues, and the fact that the lap band is completely reversible tipped me to the band. The fact that it can be "adjusted" throughout the course of my weight loss is a great plus, too. If I lose 30 pounds, or 70 or 120, it will still be better than what I weigh today, so you have to come to some line in the sand for yourself. You have to decide for yourself what the "deal breakers" are. Best of luck to you!

I was told the purpose was to affect the liver. Our diets can affect the size of our liver (especially a high fat/high carb diet) and the liquid diet is supposedly to help reduce the liver size somewhat so that it doesn't get in the way during the operation.

:ihih: Too funny!

mmm. I have a confession. I used to love my daughter's Baby Rice Cereal. I remember that I used to keep buying it after she was all grown up and sneak a bowl or two from time to time!

Ahh! Okay ! DOH!

Outstanding! Didn't think you'd ever be so thrilled to chow down on creamy soups, did ya!?

Hi, Melissa, and so happy to see that you are on this journey! Re: Will power, is it possible that you need a fill?

Two days? I think I would have to go to bed and not get back up until surgery time!

:cursing: Okay, color me confused because I thought it was on the outside of the stomach, too! :sad:

Thanks, as I said, I hypothesized it would (might, could probably) be less, but I wanted to check it out with people who have been there and can confirm it for me! I do understand the spending more money on fresher foods, but I also like the sound of what others of you have said, that you really have found that you are spending less on food!

yes, but keep in mind, muscle takes more calories to MAINTAIN than fat, so you may initially appear to put on more weight, but it will be easier to lose since you are going to need to expend more energy (burn more calories) to ultimately maintain the muscle tissue. It's a weird balancing act, that's for sure!

Outstanding! Who'da thunk it!

Well, interestingly enough, I already shop a lot at Whole Foods and buy organic fruits and veggies, so those are high, anyway. But we do eat out -- a lot. And we usually do not go to fast food places, either! Though I've heard they can get quite expensive, anyway! I'm inclined to think our grocery bill and dinner-out bills will be significantly lower.

Great news! You're on your way!

?? your band is inside your stomach lining? Kooky.

I probably couldn't do a good job of describing it, but I googled it and read up a bit. It doesn't seem that it's something I would be interested in doing. Not a fan of surgically altering any of my organs, if I don't have to.

Some people just have no sense, sometimes. In a way, they are trying to show you they are "supportive." It's a way to show they love you. But I would get annoyed big time! Tell them it was a lap-band and not a magic wand. This isn't Biggest Loser where next time you tune in, there's 20 pounds down the drain! Remind them that you can eat basically most anything you want, just smaller portions of it. And promise them they will be the first to know when you have some really BIG "not so big anymore" news to share!

Silly you! You're a fountain of inspiration!

Lap-band. Well, perhaps karma, in its infinite wisdom, knew what a key motivator would be ! More likely to comply if it's coming out of my own pocket, perhaps?!

Congratz, Judy, (and Lindsay)! So happy for you both! Every pound gone is another pound gone!

Aw, I know exactly how you feel! I learned that my insurance policy doesn't cover weight loss surgery at all, so I can relate. But I'm working on a self-pay, so, as my husband said, we will do this one way or another!

Tick tick tick tick tick tick. . . . . Getting closer!

There is no benefit at all for Weight Loss Surgery of any kind in my insurance policy. That means I can appeal till the cows come home and it will get me no where. Self-pay, all out of pocket.

Hi, BMB, and good luck on your journey!