Hey Jenn Welcome to the board, its pretty cool around here, we have some ppl the are a lil older than teens, like me, but its cool, they fit in here so we let em stay :P Hey, insurance was a nightmare for me, but im sure yours will get approved right away since you have seen people that have gotten approved so quick, just chill, watch the mail and let it do is thing :D I wasnt really nervious about all this, its weird, i did alotta praying to god, and i was like, i know im gunna be fine, i have no problems, i had so many tests and such im gunna be fine...and honestly once i got a lil nervious, but this was befroe i even had a date, and ill admit it i sat in my room for a good couple of mins just like cryin to get all the pent up emotion out, and after i did that i was calm and ready for all the next steps. Well, machines and tubes and such all depend on your surgeon, ive heard of people having drains and all kinds of shtuff, all i had was three thing, an "a-line" not sure what that was, lol but i had that, an IV and a nother IV in my neck, thats it. so again, it all depends on ur doc I had mine opne RNY too, um, i was very sore to the touch around basically my entire belly for a few days after surgery, but after that, it was just around my incision, but again after a few days there was no plain to the touch on my skin, ya know..? now all i have is a lil discomfort on the inside, nothing really on the outside. Well im not a year post op yet, but i wouldnt chance it, i dont ever wanna dump i heard its like hell on earth, so im very careful with all my sugars and such, plus, who wants to eat sugars and such, that was our old ways of eating...were supposed to use this surgery as a tool and not eat like our old ways :D It all depends on what it is and such, i dont really have an answer for ya on the whole meds thing :/ you would have to talk to your doc. Not really, it all depends on HOW much weight you have to lose, like for me, i know im gunna need plastic surgery... i just have too much skin and fat to not need it. Im not sure how and where you carry your fat, but it all depends on that too. im too young as a post op to really go out and hit he town yet, lol hey anymore questions you have, just post em, that what were here for, and dont forget to post on the main baord to, theres alotta older ppl there, but thye have soo much info its not funny, and noting is taboo there, lol. so go ahead, i actually post and lurk there more than i do here :X heres the url for the main board [http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/messageboard/] _mike the week old loser

Hello I am 21, I have a 15 month old and married to the best man ever (3yrs ago). I am going to school for Criminal Justice I am almost done with my AA, I am taking a break after that. I have worked at the Courthouse for 4 years now so I am in the position that I love right now! I had my surgery 9 wks ago and am doing fine I am down 45lbs, I feel like I am a slow loser but it is much better than gaining. I check this board frequently for new post, we just need to get it going! Rhonda

WOW!!! Congrats!!! You go girl You are beautiful!!!! Rhonda -45

Hey Crimson! Well Don't We Both fit Together? I'm A Little Bit Of Goth Myself But On The Other Hand The Scene For Where I Live Is A Bit Different. It's Quite Popular Down Here Actually. I Don't Know If That's A Good Thing Or Bad Thing. I Have Not Had Surgery Yet Either But I Am In The Process. All I Am Waiting For Is The Approval From The Insurance Company And Then Boom I'm Going Under To Become A Bandster. I Am 20 So I Know That Are Age Is A Little Different But I Want To Recommend Something To You. I Understand That It Is Hard Gaining Wait Constantly. I Have Been Overweight Ever Since Birth I Was 12 Pounds When I Was Born So I Can Understand Where You Are Coming From. The Most Important Thing Is That You Find It In Yourself To Do What You Want And Whats Best For You And Your Health. Don't Ever Allow Someone To Get To You. We As Individuals Have Something Special To Give To Everyone Regardless Of Our Size. There Is No One On This Earth That We Should Allow To Try And Harm Ourselves. Please Please Please Do Some Research On The Surgery You Think Best Fits You And Speak With Your Parents. They Have Seen You Weigh Changes Because You Are Their Child. Talk With Them And See What They Think. If You Ever Need Someone To Talk To Send Me An E-Mail My Address Is [email protected] Or On Vampire Freaks Its Chizelette Or The Nickster Look Me Up And Lets Talk. I'm Here To Help! Your Goth Freak Buddy The Nickster

Hi, Mary! My name is Megan, I'm 21, live in the Twin Cities in Minnesota and I had Lap RNY on Dec. 13th, 2004. I'm down about 60 pounds. I was 224 the day of surgery and when I last weighed in I was down to 165. I have 35 more pounds to go to reach my goal weight of 130. Congrats on your weightloss thus far and best wishes with those last 25! There are 4 of us in my family that have all had this surgery, all with the same surgeon and all Lap RNY. My boyfriend had it in March of '04 (he'll be a year out on the 24th of this month), my dad had it Nov. '04, I had it Dec. '04, and my mom had it Jan. '05 (the three of us are all a month apart). We're our own support group. It's been an interesting ride so far, the beginning was rough, but every day gets better and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Best decision of my life so far. Keep us updated on your journey! When are you hoping to have a date? How far out are they scheduling for your surgeon?