Hello......just some questions and thoughts....

Hey, everyone I'm Keith 35 living in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I'm looking to get Lapband surgery. I may have to have a Telethon in order to come up with the money. So, I'm the largest person here, I am at 528 which is better then the 580 I was late last year. So, any thoughts on funding surgery, how has it helped you guys "social" life, plastic surgery, what to expect from my body after the surgery? Keith

Hi Keith, Have you tried going through Vocational Rehab. in your area. VR paid for my surgery and all my testing. I had surgery 1-06 and have lost 111 lbs since surgery and 172 total. This has been the best thing that I have did for myslef in a long time. I was seriously hiding in my house all day away from the world. I was ashamed of my 450 body. Me and my partner have a life again and I'm able to walk outside with my head held high. Yes my hair is falling out and the skin is hanging but I couldn't ask for a better outcome. I am totally blessed! Good luck in your weight loss journey! Kay

tHANKS !!!! Kay I will look into it. I'm glad you've had such a great out come.

Kay, Have you tried taking Zinc supplements? I had read, awhile back, that the primary cause of hair loss (not just in post-WLS pts but in everybody) is lack of Zinc. I started taking 2 Zinc a day, I found one that gave 200% of our daily requirement and the hair loss has stopped. My nails are finally not cracking and chipping either, not sure if that is due to the Zinc but hey, whatever it takes It is worth a shot, I get mine at my local health store but they are available at WalMart, Giant Eagle, etc. Congrats on the awesome weight loss, here I was proud of my 102 lbs in 10 months and you blew right past me Keep up the great work Berta

Berta, Thanks for telling me about the Zinc. I am willing to try ANYTHING! It's not that bad but it's coming out. Congrats on your weight loss as well! Kay

thanks for the congrats! Definitely try the Zinc, I recommend it to EVERYONE, even my friends who are NOT WLS patients. Funny, I had a good friend call me about a month ago and ask me if I knew anyone losing their hair. Maybe I just never told her?!?! Anyhow I told her "YEAH! ME!" so then we discussed the benefits of zinc, not sure if she will use it, seems sometimes that people ask something not really wanting an answer, know what I mean? Alot of times people will complain about something and when you give them advice, either something to take to remedy the situation or a place to look for the answer, the next time you talk to them and ask them whatever happened they say something like "Oh, I never got time to look it up" OR "I forgot about that". How can they forget about something that was important enough for you to remember? Go figure!?!?! LOL Anyhow, keep up the good work Ciao 4 now, Berta

Keith, I had gastric bypass in May 2005 and have lost 180 lbs. While I would like plastic surgery, I am not bad enough to warrant it via insurance and cannot afford it on my own. My social life has expanded greatly. I feel alot more comfortable out and about and even at friends houses. I don't fear breaking their furniture! I wish you the best of luck with the surgery. I am always curious...what made you want the lapband over gastric bypass? Matthew 416.5/235.5/199

Mathew, I'm not comfortable with the bypass. I looked at them both, and believe that with my past medical history the band is the best choice. Congrats on your weight loss. Keith

Cannot help with the funding portion of the question, but have to say that the social life after surgery is one heck of a ride. I mean, there are the social dynamics of folks who like the papa bears and such, but I have found that since I've dropped almost 200 lbs. that I end up at the greatest parties and have been on the rcv'ng end of some very fun activities that I have not had the pleasure of experiencing in many years. I have some regular friends in the local area that we have regular play dates and such and it seems that they are always inviting me...and the get togethers are so ....shall we say....pleasurable...much more so now that I have dropped the weight. In fact, I have one frined, ...well...he's a lot more than just a frined....who is considering paying for the plastic surgery...if I wanted him to...my only question would be is how could I ever repay him?...and he always says that we could work something out...and then he has that devilish smile.....I wonder what it is that he is thinking??? But yes, definitely, the social life gets much more exciting, and adventureous...and crazy!!