Meemz
This is my second try at this. I first attempted this back in 2005 but was denied since I didn't have 6 consecutive months of a physician supervised diet. 
So now it is May 2008 and I am on my way. I decided to try again back in October 2007. I'm hoping to get approved within the next couple of weeks and scheduled with a surgery date nlt the end of July. I hope and pray that I can have the surgery in June/July 2008. I've decided to have the Lap Adjustable Gastric Band instead of the RNY. 
I think its important that you really know and understand which WLS you should go with. I feel the Lap Band is the one for me because I need to concentrate more on portion control and a slower weight loss. A friend of mine said she's glad that she had the RNY, but now wishes she had the lap band instead. Go figure! I think the side effects of hair loss is what's damning 4 the RNY (I hope u knew that already). But hey, better thin and bald than FAT and BALD, I say. That's what stylish wigs and weaves r 4! 
Can I tell u a story?...2 bad here it goes:
I remember 1 day standing outside and this smart-azz little girl came up 2 me and said "I saw you on TV last nite" and I said "no u did-int"...she said "YES I DID" (real loud), I said "no u did-int" (shaking my head back at her) and she said "YES I DI-HID" (shaking her head even harder this time w/ her hand on her imaginary hips). So then I asked "okay smarty pants what show was it"? and she had the NERVE 2 say "I saw u on GIMME A BREAK"!! Gimme a Break? (hmm there were only 2 black female characters on that show and 1 of them was TALL and THIN w/ a squeaky voice). So that would leave (the late great) Nell Carter. Nell Carter? NELL CARTER? NELL CARTER!! 
At that time I only weighed 127 pounds and this lil winch said I looked like Nell Carter. 
Heck, I wish I SANG like Nell Carter but (sorry Nell) I sure as hell don't LOOK like no damn Nell Carter. ANd so the depression and obsession began (1984/1985). 
And if that wasn't bad enuff a week later a man at the bowling alley had the nerve to say "has anybody ever told u that u look like a star"? Then I smiled 
and said "no". Then he said "well not your body" (and I quickly frowned) just your face. I then said "and who might that b"? He said the same DAMN thing...Nell Carter. What's WRONG w/ u people?? 
I guess I should have been thankful that he said not my body.
Then years later I went from resembling Nell Carter to reminding folks of Oprah Winfrey (when she was Oprah Winfrey (1980) and not just Oprah (2008)). Needless 2 say, I wasn't happy about that either...especially back then. Heck, I wish someone would say I looked like Oprah now, 2day. But hell 2 the naw, I don't hear any compliments now! I once was told that I looked like Janet Jackson (but I was about 19 years old then). Hail, I was cuter than Janet...back then.
Anyway, I'm not ready 2 post my pic right now. I want 2 c if I get approved 1st and then I will come out from hiding. Psych, I'm just ashamed and I don't want anybody 2 recognize me...as if? I will b excited 2 go on my journey n getting 2 the other side (slim shady, slim jim, slim) WHUTEVRrr!!!
How many licks did it take 2 get 2 the tootsie roll...How many days is it going 2 take 2 get approved? (I know I'm just talkn out the side cuz I'm sleepy right now). 
So I will holler back when I actually have sumthin 2 talk about. Til then {smooches} 
