Paula622

I want to cross my legs (and have them stay crossed). I want to see the sexy woman that my husband sees. I want to run! I want to walk into any store without feeling like the "weight sensors" in the floor are going to alert someone that a fatty just walked in and needs to be escorted out. I don't want to be the person that my friends come to after having a baby to borrow some "fat clothes" until they can fit into their own again. I want to be able to go somewhere without feeling like I have nothing to wear because i feel fat in all of my clothes. I want to like me again Actually I want to LOVE me!

I'm 27 (scary I wasn't sure for a second if I was 27 or 28). Hoping to get sleeved!

Hang in there! My weight loss and size changes have always varied. A few years ago I was losing some weight with good 'ol diet and exercise... I lost 22 lbs and barely lost one size, then I joined the gym and I did not drop another pound, but I lost several more inches, this is when the sizes really started to change. I was buying new jeans about once a month!

I just made a similar post in the general lap-band section (and on a vsg forum). My insurance will pay for either (as long as I qualify for wls) and I feel like there are several pros/cons to each. It is a huge decision and I feel like my family (although very supportive) can only have a very limited amount of input since they can't really relate. I'd love to know which way you decide to go!

Some good points, thanks! I did post this on the sleeve forum as well. As far as "missing" foods, it is not so much that I am worried about missing any foods in particular, it is just that I'm trying to be practical and think about life situations that will involve food. For example if I am invited to a birthday party and it will be pizza on the menu, I would rather be able to just have a tiny piece of pizza then have to come with something that I can eat stowed away in my purse. Otherwise I am pretty much ok with the sacrifices, after all it is food that got me here :smile2:

So, I was totally set on getting the food you can eat. Hmmmm.... I think that covers most of my concerns. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

So, I was totally set on getting the lapband, but I had several reservations about it. Then, I found this surgery and overall it seems a lot more appropriate for me. However, I have a few concerns about this as well. I've done tons of research on both and I'll be meeting with my surgeon soon, but I really want to have a pretty good idea of my own decision before meeting with him. So, here are my concerns... Any thoughts on them would be great. 1. My insurance covers either procedure as long as I'm approved for wls. 2. At only 27 I am concerned that lapband is not permanent enough since I would have to rely on a foreign body lasting inside me for hopefully 60+ years. 3. The sleeve is totally permanent (scary). 4. One of my biggest factors is that I plan on having more kids and I'm worried that the sleeve will not be compatible with pregnancy. 5. I am a huge puke-a-phobe (this is a concern with both surgeries). 6. I am totally ok with eating tiny portions, but the lapband seems way more restrictive on the kinds of food you can eat. Hmmmm.... I think that covers most of my concerns. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Hi all, I am excited to get banded, but have some concerns about the longevity of the bands? I am only 27 so hopefully "forever" is going to be a long time for me. I know the band is intended to remain in place forever, but it is still relatively new. Any ideas if this thing can really hold up to a lifetime of use?

Manda, I'm really sad to hear that you feel you have no support! I hope that at least the people on here help you! Patsal, We're practically neighbors (I'm from Kenmore). Who is your Dr?

Thanks for all the support! It was actually at the pre-op seminar as we looked at the BMI chart that my mom said "you can't weigh that much?!" Oh, well!! I am glad to hear that others decide to keep this a "secret" as well. I kind of felt like there was something wrong with my decision if I didn't feel comfortable sharing my plans with those around me.

As I began the process of researching this option to lose weight I was hesitant to tell anyone about it. My husband has been very supportive and is basically willing to go along with whatever is going to make me healthy and happy. Knowing that he was here to support me I had decided that he alone was enough of a support system and planned on not telling anyone else that I was having it done. However, I needed my mom to babysit our one year old for a few of my trips to the doctor so that my husband could come with me. She has said to me numerous times things like " I've looked more into this band, and I don't think you're overweight enough to have it done" or "are you sure you're really big enough for something so drastic"... As the only "fat" one in my family it is really hard to explain that "yes mom, I really am that huge, thanks for making me feel even better about it..." I really don't want to get into exact numbers with her because I just can't bear to see the look on her face when she hears that I'm over 200 pounds (I'm only 5" tall). I just feel like all of the thin people in my life can't possibly understand what it feels like to be "fat enough for surgery". I hate feeling like I'm doing this because I'm such a failure at life.... I usually have quite the sharp tongue, but talking about my weight is the one thing that has left me unable to respond in a way that saves my dignity. Maybe I will just tell the next person who scoffs at my choice "well, I can lose the weight, but you'll be ugly forever"... Any thoughts on dealing with such nay-sayers?

So, I've read a lot of people mention getting an upper GI as part of their pre-op testing. Is this mandatory? I meet with my surgeon on Feb 3rd for an initial consult. I've "flunked out" of this test twice before (for unrelated issues) because I can't drink the barium and keep it down. So, I'm just wondering if this is a test that all surgeons require?