My Countdown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just wanted to let you all know that I now have 4 more days and counting. My Big Day is Thursday 1-15-04 at 8:30. I will remember that day as being my new Birthday. Yeah for me. I can't eat and can't sleep waiting for the big day.I will keep everyone posted. And oh yeah, Thanks to Donna Earley for being my angel!!!!!
REMAIN CLAM! 
If you are having a lap procedure, you will be ok. My best friend had lap rny over labor day weekend last year and only had 5 days to recover before going back to college for nursing school. It was tough, but doable. You are right to do this now. I was 30 and so wish I'd had the balls to do it a long time ago. You will not regret it.
As for the hair loss, you will lose some. It's the body's natural response to stressors. Major surgery and a dramatically reduced calorie intake are major stressors on your body. Your body will devote it's energy to keeping your body functioning rather than growing hair. It's normal and temporary. People who have major surgeries like open heart surgery lose hair too. All you can do is try your hardest to keep up with the protein and try to get in the basic requirements of vitamins and such to help your body throught this time. Some people are lucky and do not lose much at all, you will not know for sure until you are there, sorry!
As for plastics, it's going to depend on how your weight is distributed on your frame. If you are big all over, you might not need any plastics and will look normal in clothing. If you have a really big stomach and little legs and arms, you might need a tummy tuck because the pannus (lower abdominal skin) will hang and bulge. You have age on your side. I'm 31 now and look like any other slightly overweight mom. People who never met me are very suprised to hear I had WLS. I hear "you don't look like you were ever big" all the time. And if this helps at all, I'm short (5'5") was 264 pounds (size 24) and carried most of my weight in my tummy like a man does (thanks Dad!). When I'm naked, sure, I need a TT. In clothes, I look good, no weird tummy bulges that need to be stuffed into a pant leg or anything like that! The secret is proper fitting clothes. When you get into smaller sizes the clothes are much different. You'll have to try on lots and lots of stuff to find the right fit and cut for your body. When you are bigger, those clothes all fit the same, boxy and loose. Shopping will be more of a challenge, but more fun too!
Good luck!
Bonnie
If you are having a lap procedure, you will be ok. My best friend had lap rny over labor day weekend last year and only had 5 days to recover before going back to college for nursing school. It was tough, but doable. You are right to do this now. I was 30 and so wish I'd had the balls to do it a long time ago. You will not regret it.
As for the hair loss, you will lose some. It's the body's natural response to stressors. Major surgery and a dramatically reduced calorie intake are major stressors on your body. Your body will devote it's energy to keeping your body functioning rather than growing hair. It's normal and temporary. People who have major surgeries like open heart surgery lose hair too. All you can do is try your hardest to keep up with the protein and try to get in the basic requirements of vitamins and such to help your body throught this time. Some people are lucky and do not lose much at all, you will not know for sure until you are there, sorry!
As for plastics, it's going to depend on how your weight is distributed on your frame. If you are big all over, you might not need any plastics and will look normal in clothing. If you have a really big stomach and little legs and arms, you might need a tummy tuck because the pannus (lower abdominal skin) will hang and bulge. You have age on your side. I'm 31 now and look like any other slightly overweight mom. People who never met me are very suprised to hear I had WLS. I hear "you don't look like you were ever big" all the time. And if this helps at all, I'm short (5'5") was 264 pounds (size 24) and carried most of my weight in my tummy like a man does (thanks Dad!). When I'm naked, sure, I need a TT. In clothes, I look good, no weird tummy bulges that need to be stuffed into a pant leg or anything like that! The secret is proper fitting clothes. When you get into smaller sizes the clothes are much different. You'll have to try on lots and lots of stuff to find the right fit and cut for your body. When you are bigger, those clothes all fit the same, boxy and loose. Shopping will be more of a challenge, but more fun too!
Good luck!
Bonnie 
A) now is as good a time as any... anything could happen at any time so you have to live for the moment! You said "I know for a fact that their insurance does not cover anything to do with obesity or weight loss." If you have complications from the surgery, that would more than likely be covered. I cant imagine them excluding treatment for you, but Id call and ask more probing questions. Since you are in school do your parents claim you as a dependant and can you get on their insurance?
B) I personally know a few people who had this surgery 20+ years ago and they dont regret a thing. I think its a personal experience. I know people *****gret and people who dont. The people *****gret are the ones who were not prepared for what they needed to do postsurgery. This definately isnt an "easy fix". It does take a lot of work and you have to completely change your life!
C) Im *way* concerned about my hair. When I spoke to my dietician she said as long as I take my vitamins and get the required daily protein there shouldnt be a big issue with the hair. The issues with the hair cause from not getting enough vitamins/protein/nutrition. If you keep up with everything as you are suppose to you shouldnt see a huge change.
D) Everybody is different. I can look at my own body and know after I lose weight Im going to need some help with the "chicken wings" (area under your arms) and more than likely will have loose skin on my stomach and want a breast lift. None of this would be required, but it would be what I would want to do to get rid of the rest of the "fat girl." Working out before and after surgery will help. I also just starting using skin firming lotions (im sure they are a scam ha ha!). The way I look at it, any little bit can help! Being young is definately a plus. When I spoke to the surgeon he said exercising is the best...build up muscle and help tighten and tone the skin! As for the insurance... its extremely difficult to get them to pay for any type of plastic surgery. If after the surgery you have excess hanging skin that is causing medical issues (rashes and such) they may have coverage for that. My friend, who is 5'8", weighed 360 at the time of her surgery 4 years ago and is down to about 140lbs (she wont tell me of course!). She lost well over 200lbs.. her arms are still big (not saggy) but they were HUGE at that weight (she carried her weight in arms/legs). Her stomach looks like sombodies who had a baby... just kinda wrinkly and stuff. I have another friend (5'4" 200lbs at time of surgery) whose only skin issue was her breasts post surgery (she had HUGE boobs).. everything else was great.
Hope this helps!
Hi!
I just had the surgery.(April 19) I was afraid once approved and full of mixed emotions. I knew that I did not want to stay the same so I was truly ready for a change. It is normal to feel the way you do. I wish I had the answers to all your concerns. Try to stay calm and do what is right for you. Best of luck! Donna
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