1. Do emotional scars count? LOL just scars from running around when I was a kid...nothing exciting!

2. I like summer when I am skinnier cause I LOVE shorts and tshirts...but I like fall too.

3. I like to be in photos and I like taking them too, I cant really pick.

4. Im only jealous when I need to be...

5. Yes...too many times. Especially since I just caught my husband cheating...

I asked my surgeon this exact question...he said it didnt matter because the use your initial weight as your starting point.

I have my Nut counseling on Feb 4th. I'll do what I can until then. Thanks for helping motivate me.

Thats a great question!
Im not banded yet but here goes:

My greatest post op fear is failing. I have failed every other attempt, why would this be any different. Im afraid of spending the money and putting myself thru surgery for nothing.
(sorry, Im just having one of those days)

Where I see myself in 3-5 years: LIke the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. Not afraid to go new places, meet new people or try new things. To feel like people are looking at me cause Im HOT and not 'Frankenmary'. To finally be able to really relax and feel proud of myself. To meet my DH's co-workers...

I am self pay to. My insurance (actually my job's coverage) specfiically denies any type of wls. I am paying around 18,200....
Dr is $4,000/Anesthesia $1,200/ Hospital $10,000/Pre-op Testing and NUT $3,000.

The only thing my insurance is covering is the sleep study I am doing this weekend cause the dr put it in as something else...not related to pre-op.

Good luck. I am hoping and praying that this will be worth every penny. If I can have myslef and my self esteem back...it will be!

Im just wondering....
If during surgery, they are only filling your abdominal cavity with the gas....why would using gas X or aonther anti gas med work? wouldnt the meds be for internal gas? Is the gas somehow absorbed into your system? Is there something else I am missing?

Hey Val!
I think the biggest thing I am afraid of is not losing. Ive been reading posts where a year out people have only lost 30-40lbs. Now dont get me wrong...Id LOVE to lose 40 lbs right now but Im tired of the "dieting" and Im sure as heck not paying the $18,000 out of pocket to go to WW. I can lose the weight on my own, ive done it Many times before. I just cant keep it off and each time I gain it back a few couple pounds decide to join in. I want to be able to eat 'regular' food and not have to count calories and carbs. If I could just cut my portions in half or to a quarter, I know I would lose the weight. Now Im not saying Im going to eat pizza, ice cream and cheese puffs all day and still want to lose...but just average healthy meals.

I wish you the very best of luck in your decision!

This is exactly my greatest fear. I am self pay and I have already tried every diet out there or else I wouldnt be getting banded. I know this isnt a magical fix all and I will have to do some work myself and make the correct choices....but another "diet"? We all know diets dont work and I am TERRIFIED of getting banded...then having to spend the rest of my life dieting anyway, and failing.  

I SO hope you get this worked out. Please let us know how you are doing. Any thoughts that this may be 'doctor error'? could you consider a second opinion?

Hey Meli!
I got my date too! It did happen pretty fast. I just went to the seminar just before Christmas. I already knew my insurance wouldnt cover it...so I pretty much got the date right away. I have to wait until the end of Feb though cause my DH is having knee surgery tomorrow and he wont be able to drive me.
I am SO excited...way more excited than nervous but who knows how I'll be feeling on the way to the hospital. Im sure I wont get ANY sleep plus I have a 1 1/2 - 2 hour drive so I'll have plenty of time to think about it!
I just realized that my surgery date is on Fat Tuesday....how fitting?? LOL
Wish you the best of luck! Let us know how eveyrthing goes!

Back in the day....I was a PhenFen patient. I did REALLY well and lost 70 lbs in 6-7 months. Thankfully I did not suffer any of the other side affects. T

he way the pills worked for me was to one...take away the majority of my hunger and two...when I did eat, I couldnt eat as much. I can remember WANTING a pi**a SO bad...ordering it and thinking I was gonna tear it up! LOL I would have one slice and be satisfied...couldnt eat anymore and I was happy.

Just wonering if in your experiences this may be similar to the band.

Thanks :)

Well, I got my date...24 Feb 09!

Just wanted to introduce my self...Ive been reading the boards for a couple weeks now and thought I would jump in and make myself at home. A little background, I finally decided 2008 was going to be the year I would get myself under control and after 3 different diets, a WELL used gym membership and tons of money spent on a Personal Trainer...Im now 30 lbs heavier than last year. I did however quit smoking in Feb 08. So I have finally (after years of research) decided to go with the band. Still not sure if it will be the Lap or Realize. So that is my VERY CONDENSED Cliffs Notes! LOL

Question:
I feel like I have read SO much information and I do feel pretty well prepared. What is something that you found unexpected, that you had not known pre-surgery?