I know a lot of people our age have livejournal, so if you're on there, you might want to check out the WLS community. It's been a great support group for me, not being around other people who have had the surgery...plus it's on livejournal, which is great. And for those of you in the 19-25 range...there are lots of us over there. (http://www)livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=wls

I think it's hard to say for me right now. I haven't lost completely (or even half way) in any area what I hope to lose. Like I still have my belly bulge, even though it's going down. But I do notice in my chest the skin issues...as in, I'm able to pinch the skin and have the skin stay up...it's all wrinkley and whatnot. I think it's absolutely disgusting, and I think that I will definitely be getting a tummy tuck and breast reduction/lift if I ever want to feel totally good about myself. I'll be able to tell you more as I continue. I'm only 3 months out as it is, and have at the very least another 100 lbs to lose. I exercise 3 or 4 times a week right now, and I can't say I notice as much of a difference yet. Lauren 330/262/150

First of all i know exactly how you feel, being the biggest kid in the school, and just continuing to get bigger, failed attempts at weight loss, but thats why we're here :D Basically to get the ball rolling, you gotta take a look over at the types of surgeries page here ( obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/m-surgerytypes.phtml ) and see what kinda surgery you want, what kind will help you the most and fits your life style. then you wanna find a doctor that does that surgery WITH A GOOD REPUTATION AND TRACK RECORD!!!! i cant stress that enough, a good place to start looking for the doctor is right here on this site, check out their "find a doc" section ( obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/showdocs.phtml ) Then, after you find the doc, goto your PCP and tell him/her that your interested in the surgery and you need a referral to the doctor you found, and then go and see the surgeon, after that your surgeon will probably send you for a bunch of pre op testing which ussually include an upper GI series, ekg, echo cardio gram, phyc evaluation, and maybe a few others, this sounds like hell but honestly its for your own good :D after all your tests are done your gunna get submitted for approval, and atleast for me, i also have horizon bcbs, it didnt take much time at all for you to get approval. and im in NJ :D I hope all that helps ya out :D im gunna warn ya, it does take a lil while, for me, it took 2 years but thats because i had a hard time finding a surgeon that would operate on me at my size. but i would deffinitly do it all over again :D Good luck, _mike PS if you need to talk you can email me or IM me on AIM, my sn is artisticdork

i'am 18 and i'am 21 days post op i've lost 31pounds and i had lap-band because it's safer and i didn't want to have my organs all cut up i'am very happy with my choice.

Lauren, CONGRATS on your success so far. I always like to read about post ops (i am still pre op). Seriously, I would do anything to be where you are in your weight loss right now! WAY TO GO! Eh, i am about to be candid: i am a tad nervous about the chest deflation as well... mainly, the skin. If you dont mind me asking you (or any other youngish post op who might read this) is there a bad skin issue? I am 24 and started at 357 (now 315) but i am only 5'4"- i know everyones bodies are different and all, but how eleastic has the skin been? Is it any better if you excersize or is that a myth??? Well, thanks for letting me pry a bit... and again, whoooo hoooo on your loss so far.