Yes, the divorce rate is really high for WLSers. I've heard that before while researching pre-op. If the relationship was strong before, it only grows stronger after. What alot of people don't realize is without the mask and security of the fat, there's nothing to hide behind anymore. You can't sit there and say "..if only I were skinnier he/she wouldn't be like this.." The confidence gained from the weight loss is alien to our partners. I've been having that problem since 6 months post-op. It's an on-going problem in my 8 year relationship. I've left him and given him a second go at it. He continually wants to leave me because the whole experience with having other men as competition is nothing he's ever been used to before. He doesn't know how to handle it. Before he could treat me however he wanted, now he knows that if he can't maintain me as a girlfriend, I have ABSOLUTELY no problem replacing him. It's a whole new world for him. Not one he's always happy to be living in. Don't let the statistics scare you. All the surgery does is bring to the forefront underlying issues already in existence. The only difference is they can't be ignored anymore. No more turning the other cheek... YOu are a beautiful woman. I would've never guessed 60 yrs...Wow. I only hope to look as amazing. I hope you the best of luck finding a partner to share your life with. They are out there! Just have to know where to look. The community center definitely sounds like a good place to check out. They always have activities and events where you can meet people. Good luck! Lap

Hi Sarah. I was 23 when I underwent the surgery. BMI 42.5 at 5'3" weighing in at 240 POUNDS. I've since lost 112 POUNDS. I'm at BMI 22 or 23 I think. pRE-OP I already knew I'd have the excess skin because I had stretch marks all over my arms and belly. I'm a fashionista as well. I was so worried I wouldn't be able to fit into clothes and not look like there was flabby skin hanging out. Honestly, most people wouldn't know I had excess skin. I look very slender and perfectly groomed like my sisters who are teeny weeny. The only time my extra skin bothers me is when I wave (which I try not to do). Other than that, it's not so obvious. It bothers me sometimes as I lie in bed and see my skin spread out, saggy boobs, saggy skin in the thighs...grosses me out, but I remember the days when they were filled in..wouldn't trade my extra skin for the fat ever! I wear super short skirts, and you really can't see the saggy skin at all in my thighs. It jiggles a bit, but what-ever. Better than the thunder thighs of days yonder! I haven't considered plastics at all. I think I look fine the way I am now. I probably have about 8 lbs of excess skin, though. But I'm not shy about wearing a bikini or anything. Think of it this way, if you can't see yourself wearing a bikini with the extra skin don't feel bad, cuz you wouldn't have ever worn a bikini at 200+ lbs anyway, right? So your not losing anything.

Sarah, I had this surgery at age 52, have lost 170 pounds and I am saggy baggy, But I look So So So much better than I did at 333 pounds. My daughter who had her surgery at age 27 has lost close to 160 pounds and she looks fantastic, a little belly hang and some underarm, but not bad at all. She looks like a pixie after losing more than half her body weight and no need for PS. My point is at your age you have good elasticity and you probally won't have the problems us older gals have had.. Good luck on your decision..Jeanb

Yes, I have also heard of people doing all kinds of things on Ambien when they are asleep, and lots of eating. I, myself take Melatonin to help me get to sleep. It is a supplement and is what your brain produces when it gets dark, i.e. it regulates your sleep cycle. Mine just happens to normally produce it at 2 am, so with Melatonin I am able to get to bed at a decent hour. I've never heard anything bad about it. Good luck and keep up the good work.

Hi Lynn, I'm not a lap-band doctor so I can't really tell you what is involved. You should really discuss this with your surgeon and HE should consult with a bariatric doctor if he is not familiar with the band. I know your situation is urgent but I can't imagine your doc would go in blind and try to take a band out not knowing anything about them. I don't know how easy or hard it is. Maybe he IS familiar with how they work and feels comfortable doing it. These are all things you should ask. Good luck to you. Crystal