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loose skin is a very individual thing depending on so many factors. Some people have a lot of it, others don't. It's hard to tell how yours is going to be. Like the above poster said, your age is a big advantage, but you're probably going to have at least some with a 100 lb loss. For most of us, though, it's pretty easy to hide. I knew mine was there, of course, as did my husband and doctor, but no one else did. Most of mine was in my abdomen, so I just tucked the skin into my jeans or leggings and wore slightly oversized, longish tops to cover it up. Ta da! Gone. I did finally get sick of looking at it, though, and had it removed, but I highly doubt anyone who sees me can tell a difference. Naked - yes - but with clothes on - no. I just want to add that a majority of pre-ops and early post-ops seem to be really obsessed with loose skin. I've worked with pre-op groups for the past two years and that question comes up EVERY TIME. I would also say that after losing all that weight, many of us (me too!) wonder why we wasted even one brain cell worrying about it. Losing a ton of the excess weight MAJORLY offsets the loose skin thing. I would take my loose skin any day over weighing 300+ lbs again. ANY DAY!!!! btw - here is a picture of me BEFORE I had plastic surgery. I lost over 200 lbs. See all that loose skin? I don't, either...

Sweetie, You are still in the recovery time. Some people do not lose weight at all during this time. Be patient and within a few months, you fills will increase and so will your weight loss. I would not be concerned for AT LEAST another month.

Hi. In this four year journey that has finally lead me to scheduling surgery I have been in two major relationships. Both men were not really on the train with me which didn't help me at all and I think actually helped me drop out of my program towards surgery twice. I am now single and doing this for me because it's what I want. I want to be a healthier happier me. I'm tired of aches and pains due to being over weight. I don't want my weight to hold me back any further and maybe regret it later and doing the what if game. What if I would have done surgery what if my life could have been so much fuller. Love is meant to endure. The only way a relationship wouldn't work is because it wasn't meant to. If your given what you need in a relationship then surgery won't change that. I myself am vain about my hair too and I'm almost positive that I will lose it. I have lost hair in the past with rapid weightloss but hey hair grows back and we shall gain so much for the price of a little bit of short term hairloss. I for one am ready!

Blue shield CA here. No required weight loss unless over 50 BMI but that my my Doctors requirement. I was approved first time around with 6 nutritional meetings and two visits with my doctors and 2 visits to my weight management dr that was focused on exercise, though we discussed it at nut appts. too. I have insluin dependent diabetes though and severe asthma so my comorbidies might be the reason for the 3 day approve. Surgery is 4/5! and I've lost 5 lbs since December. I can't gain... that was he only requirement the whole time for me with a low BMI .

I have been using this site for a lot of my research throughout my decision process, and now that I am moving towards my surgery date. This has been my journey so far: Around Thanksgiving of 2016, i had made my final decision to pursue bariatric surgery. I had the support of my family and friends, and I was ready to go. I had a recommendation for a surgeon, and so I made my consult appointment. I had my first consult on December 6, 2016, and I brought every piece of medical information with me to that appointment that could possibly prove that I had met the insurance qualifications for approval. I left that appointment fairly certain that I would have my surgery some time in January 2017. On December 14, 2016, I had an appointment with my PCP for medical clearance, and I also had my psych evaluation that same day. They were both kind enough to provide me copies of my records right after the appointment so that I could give them immediately to my surgeon's nurse. Once they received all of those documents, along with the proof of following a 6 month medically supervised weight loss program, they scheduled my surgery date for January 17, 2017. YAY!! I had my Endoscopy done on December 20, 2016, and was cleared or surgery. At this point, I am scheduled on January 4, 2017 for a pre-op class that will explain pre and post op eating plans, and any other surgery prep items. I then have my last appointment with my surgeon on January 5, 2017 before my surgery. This whole process has moved so fast, which I am so excited about. At each step of the process I have been worrying that one piece or another would disqualify me from the insurance approving the coverage. My surgeon's office has assured me that I meet all of the qualifications, and there is no reason the insurance should deny me. At this point, I am just counting down the days to January 17, 2017. I am so excited that I have already started cleaning out my closet! Thanks to everyone on this site for sharing your journeys, and allowing all of us newbies to learn from you! I look forward to becoming an active member of this group.

Yeah, my drs give it to everyone. They do a ton of bands. I found a webpage on line that listed under "uses": "Actigall is also used to prevent gallstones in people on rapid-weight-loss diets." The lap band would qualify for that.

Ok, I'm not whining or complaing I'm just asking... I had my first fill at the end of July and I haven't lost anything. Not even a smidgen of a pound. Just wondering if that's happened to anyone else or if I'm the lone non-loser out there? I have my second fill on Wednesday so we'll see how that goes. I'm just curious to see if anybody else is in the same situation. Inquiring minds want to know!

hey all, I am close to 3 months pre op I have lost about 23 lb since surgery and 44 total since September. The last three weeks I have been having "major" hair loss. I have been taking my Vitamins and have been doing well with my Proteins, has anyone else had problems and what have you done to take care of it. Thank you. peace, spiffy in Seattle:crying: This is my worried face!

I had my surgery 4 months ago and am now losing my hair by the handfuls (or so it seems). I am scared to death I am going to lose all of it. I hope it stops soon or I won't have any hair left (I have very thin and fine hair as it is).

hi alatina im a latina too im one of those friends la_madam is referring too. i am her neighboor the one who told her about the band since i had it myself. i have not been online for a few months now, the reason why is i lost my band to slippage. i had lost 30 lbs with the placement of my band and a small fill at 6 weeks post op then the weight loss slowed about 2 months later down so i went down to Mexico for another fill. i got filled to 2.9. i thought it was great until i went to eat solids and realized i couldnt eat them without pbing every day so for the next 5 months i lived on liquids and soft soft mushy type foods. i lost 63 more pounds and was ecstatic now i'm bandless and have been so for the past few months . i was so determined to lose the weight that i did not care at what expense it took. i wouldnt listen to la_madam when she kept telling me i was to tight. here i thought i was the bandster who knew everything and she was a new bandster giving me advice. i should of listened. i had my band removed to slippage. in the 6 months that i lived on liquids and soft foods i became severly anemic and my doctor in tj told me there is now way i could have another band being so anemic and did damage to the lining of my stomach . i have put back almost all of the weight i have lost. im just 17 lbs of my starting weight back when i had the band. i wish i would have listened i would still have my band. i have been so depressed over this i cry everyday. the band is a tool i realize it now but back then i relied on it to do all of the job for me and i paid the ultimate consequence for it. no more band. it saddens me to read your post it sounds so much like myself. please listen to your body do not play games with your tightness. there is real damage that can be done from doing so. im living proof. i just wanted ot share my story with you. la_madam came over to my house and told me about your post so i had to come online and share this with you. if you would like to here more of my story or have questions you can send me a private message.

I'm 53 and was banded in July. I'm going for my first fill this weekend. There is a thread for over 50's if you would like to check that out. Lots of very nice people chatting and there is some good info and some not so good info. The weight loss before banding is important, it really helps with the hunger issues afterwards and helps with the healing process. Good luck and hope to see you around.

Hi Jackie, When I started out, I did Atkins most of the time. Now as i get further along in my weight loss journey, I need some healthy carbs. I eat chili, Beans, whole wheat Pasta, low carb bread, some low carb pitas etc. I just dont eat much of any one thing. Sample day: 2 cups of coffee Water Protein shake lunch: chili, tuna, low carb toast, chicken, egg beaters with cheese and ham etc. dinner: meat of some kind, vegetable, sometimes a couple of tablespoons of rice or potato. Last night I had chicken soup and a low carb roll with ham, cheese and cucumbers with diet mayo. Snack: Skinny Cow Low carb Peanut Butter and chocolate ice cream, sometimes a low carb chocolate bar or Jello I know, sounds a little boring, but I do eat stuff when I am hungry. Babs in TX 334/221/180 -113 6/23/03

I am throwing this out here for whomever to post. I have been reading everyones post. I have noticed that everyones weight loss is different. Some people lose slow and some fast. Mattie's info on her last post was wonderful. "Mattie thanks for posting the rules and the things that you eat." That has given me some ideas that I know will help me on the long run and will surely use. I am sure there are some newbies and slow losers that would like to ask this question. So I will do it for everyone. We all need some ideas and help on this journey. To all the great losers: The magic ??? is...What are you eating and/or doing that is helping you lose the weight? What has helped you be so successful in your journey? Jackie 4/22/04 331.5/312.5/175 "To Blessed To Be Big"

I used to think I was having a stroke when I worked outside in the yard. But so far this spring -- when I cut the grass, I barely break into a sweat! It's one of the great benefits of weight loss as far as I'm concerned. Elizabeth 8-28-03 -45

Hi! would be glad to hear about your journey of weight loss on the Band for the past year!!! You should have a lot to say!! thanks..

Hey everyone, I just wanted to write a little update. I am so not a blog writing person, but I think writing helps me stay accountable and then I am able to go back and read what I wrote. Ok.. so for the stats. I am three weeks post op, I had my surgery on Jan26th (self pay). My starting weight a week before surgery was 220 and then my weight day of surgery was 211 (I think the first scale was a little heavy because I was not required to do a pre-op). And I weighed myself today (without clothes) and I was around 203. That’s only about a 7/8 pound lost from the day of surgery in 3 weeks. I am little disappointment but I know I have cheated a couple of times and I am not very strict about the protein and liquids. I know I need to get it together!! But I am glad that at least I am following my progress so that I can implement some changes and see results. I dont know if I told you all... but my short term goal is to lose a lot of weight by my 30th bday on June 30th. That leaves around 4 1/2 months to lose weight. I want to lose around 30 pounds. I would absolutely love to be 170 something by my 30th b-day. lol. You wont be able to tell me I am not cute. hahaha. OK so back to the stats. I've been on mushies for around 3 weeks. I was lucky in that my dr did not require 2 weeks of full liquids but instead wanted us to do mushies for week 2-4. I can do that. I went to the 2 week nutrition class last week and it was good. I told the nurse that I was only getting about 40 grams of protein a day and she warned that my hair may fall out if I dont get the 60-70. Ouch,, I dont want that. So while I have beefed it up.. I am not where I need to be. So starting today I am taking a renewed effort in getting my protein. I just cant seem to find any vitamins or calcium that taste good.. eeew, the chewables are soo nasty; they taste like chald. Am I the only one that misses eating. OMG.. I knew I was a emotional and mental eater but I never knew it was this bad. I just miss the social aspect of eating. Like now.. Im like well what’s the point of going to the mall or to eat if I cant eat anything good. I guess I am saving money...but I sure do miss eating. I have my first restaurant outing tonight with a girlfriend...hopefully that works. Because I haven’t told her about my surgery and I want to just act like normal. My mushi stage includes fish... so I think I will just get fish and mash potatoes or a veggie. That seems to work good for me. But eating with people..I notice that people eat so fast and just slurp their food up. My gosh... I never knew how much we as a people dont stop to really enjoy and taste our food. Speaking of not telling people.. I just told my BF about the surgery. Ouch. I was really nervous about it. He lives in a different state so I was able to hide it from him but since he was coming down for Valentines day I knew I had to say something. Surprisingly he reacted alot better than I expected. His main thing was that he wish I would have told him so that he could of been here to help me. I asked him would he have tried to talk me out of it..he said yes cause he doesn’t think I needed hte surgery. And I told him..see thats why I didnt tell him. He was really helpful while he was here.. He is a Chef..so he made me lots of soft food and even ate the same foods as me. It was nice. OK.. so I need to focus on a couple of things. I think I have gotten kinda complacent with the surgery already. I need to make sure I take all my vitamins, calcium citrate and water and protein. AND exercise (well I still can only walk until next week) and make better choices of food. Right now.. I am eating any soft thing that I can and not really paying attention to caloric or sugar or fat contents. And I am sure that is the reason for the lack of weight loss. So starting today I am going to get it together. I have my 4 week appointment next week and I want to record some weight loss. I also need to stop cheating . Right now the biggest cheat for me is candy. It my twisted little reasoning.. I was like hmm if I can have chewable vitamins then I can have something like sweet-tarts or smarties. And they go done just fine. Argh, I need to stop eating them. So.. like I said I go for my 4 week appointment next week and for some reason they are combining my 4 and 6 weeks appointments and will be giving me my fill then. I didn’t think anything of it initially but now that I think if it...it seems a little soon for a fill. The good thing is that I wont have the bandster hell that everyone talks about but then I wont really get to enjoy regular food. Because right before I hit the 4 week mark I will have the fill and have to back on liquids for a bit. Has this happen to anyone? Should I ask the dr for a fill later than 4 weeks. OK thats enough for now... I should write more frequently so I wont have as much to say. I think I am going to take progress pics tonight so see if I notice a difference. That should be fun. I know I have a NSV... I was able to button up a coat and not have has much pull as it used to have. it was great. now I don’t have to use a scarf to cover up the snug button. Have a good day everyone.

Yah it really is hard to get the protein in. I also had trouble with the chewable vitamins and calcium. But you do get used to them. Now they don't both me at all. I just suck them. They will disolve. I also have cheated on my diet and often eat more than I should. This is not good. I have resolved to do better. If you really want to lose lbs. you really have to stick to the 3/4 cup food per meal and don't eat between meals. No snacking. And drink plenty of water and exercise. These are all key to losing wt. But don't beat yourself up over it if you cheat occasionally. It is easy to do though. I know. We all fall off the wagon at one time or another. Keep positive and get back on that wagon. I agree with you about taking the time to taste your food. My goodness I have often said how I so appreciate my food now that it is limited. Everything just tastes so divine to me. ha ha. It is great. My problem is I eat too fast, I have to learn to slow down and don't wait to eat till I am starving. Things tend to get stuck if you eat too fast or too much. I have found that out! I got my first fill at 1 month post op. Only 1/2 cc. Didn't feel much restriction from it at all. Kinda disappointed. I think I need more put in my band to make it work like it should. My next appt. with Doc isn't till 1 month from now. Geez. So I guess I will just work at better food choices and like you said trying to get that protein in. And exercise more. Hope the month goes by quickly and I lose some wt. So good luck to you and I hope you have great success with your wt. loss. Keep us posted. Take care.

Hi , Sounds like you are doing great!! I am 4 weeks post op and i feel great.. I sometimes have the pain in the middle of the chest myself.. I hear you about the clothes.. I know it is hard to break old HABITS!!! but move those bigger clothes on to someone else. I don't have my 1st fill until Feb. 9th.. I can't wait.. I feel like i don't have much restriction myself.. I sometimes feel like i eat too much.. I have read the other posts and I know alot of bandsters have gone through the same thing.. It's so nice to know we all have something in common.. Congrats on the weight loss and keep posting.. Becky

Sometimes the scale can decieve. If you exercise you are increasing muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat. I only weigh once a month if I can help it. I exercise regular also since the band and I have had weeks go by without loss. Keep it up and it will go. Exercise is key and keeps you feeling good!

I have always enjoyed margaritas with friends at the local cantina along with the rich food. Since the band yes there were major cut backs. I continued to drink though and really to much and to often. My weightloss was consistent but slow. For the last 5 weeks I have not been to my favorite spanish resturaunt and the scale has noticed. My weightloss doubled over the last three weeks. I was drinking a lot of calories bottom line. Eating the food went hand in hand. I am now getting back into cooking my own food. My band is good to me as I can eat most anything with caution and limits. I wanted to share this because I did not think a couple drinks a couple times a week would have such an effect on my weight loss but it did. Don't be fooled like me and don't let anything stand in the way of our quest for being healthy! I'm in the 50lb club now and with renewed vigor!

Welcome to Bandland! So glad you got through the surgery ok - and congrats on your 5lb weight loss already! Sorry you're still aching, but it really does get better every day. wishing you the best of luck on your journey

Babs & Donali, your posts are brilliant - here in bloody freezing Ireland (-2 today with freezing rain and hail - lovely!) it warmed my heart reading about your triumphs! I'm jumping around here, so excited for u Babs, PUH-LEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE post some photos! Dyin to see them! You've worked so hard with the band to get this loss, and I really hope I do as as well as you! Thanks for sharing the happy times with us! :banana :banana :banana :banana :banana Ps - Vera, sorry you've been in a funk recently - hugs from me xx

The band is SOOOO subjective, SOOOOO patient-specific that you'll likely end up with sufficient DIFFERENT answers that you'l be more confused that when you started. That said... Possibility #1--People react differently to band adjustments. It may just be that two days post adjustment you were still somewhat swollen and hypersensitive. AND THEN, by irritating your already irrtated self two days post-adjustment, you caused the "overreaction" to continue. Does that make sense? Maybe if you had waited four days, you'd be better off now. Kinda like re-stubbing your stubbed toe. AND/OR Possibility #2--You, like many of us, have to "relearn" what your band wants after each adjustment. Some people need baby spoons. Some need to count chews. I think I'd avoid going for quantities to aim for and just count the Protein you DO get in. This is where it gets tricky. If, after some time and healing, you find that you are "eating around the band" (soft stuff) because all the healthy protein stuff gets stuck, it may be that you're too tight, and need some saline removed. Keep an eye out for that behavior, because several things are going on when that happens. You get dependent on all the wrong foods, and at the same time, your esophagus might be gettintg irritated and your weight loss may even stall. But that's the "bad news." Right now, I'd just assume Possibility #1 above and start eating healthy stuff and avoid the concept (even though Inamed and many doctors recommend it) of measuring and counting and other diet-related ideas. Good luck! Sue

Congratulations, Bright! It's a step forward, I think. I bought a fancy treadmill two months ago and now I don't know how I lived without it. Can't say it's helped my weight loss all that much, but I feel so much better in both mind and body. And don't let that trainer push you around. To me, exercise works best when you start slow and turn it into a habit before it becomes too onerous. Nancy