Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi Everyone. My journey started in 1996 with my gastric bypass. I'm now 18 years post-op and have maintained a 130 pound weight loss. I have had 2 pregnancies post-op. My kids are now 15 & 16 years old. My surgery was open and lapriscopy wasn't an option then. I've dealt with issues of birth control and anemia. I had no setbacks until my 10 year anniversary when I developed an internal strangulation hernia that required surgical correction. I also had an upper Gi bleed this past January. Other than those items, my surgery enabled me to have the lifestyle and become the wife and mother I had only dreamed of previously. I keep within a 10 pound window for maint…

Well, not really. My name is Brandy and I'm 46 years old. I have been overweight my entire adult life and severely obese for the majority of it. I've been over 300 lbs. for at least 10 years now. This weight caused very little physiological issues - sleep apnea being the only major one - but I have pain in my joints and back every day and difficulty walking long distances. I can't be as active as I want to be. I can't go into any store I want and buy clothing off the racks. I have to buy the same clothing as every other fat person out there because I'm so large. I can't buy bottoms in the store because I don't fit any of the sizes. Two years ago my 41 year old husban…

Today is my 10 month post op and I am at my goal weight I am loving and rocking my sleeve SW 300 Cw 179/180 I may can get rid of 5 more pounds lol I love it I feel amazing

So about 9 months ago I found myself looking to my local hospital's surgical weight loss center for some help as I had reached my highest weight ever 315. I was moderately familiar with Bariatric surgery as my brother had a gastric bypass performed about three years ago. I wanted more information because I knew there were options but I wasn't sure what was right for me. So I attended a surgical weight loss seminar at Reading Health System located in Reading, Pa. There I learned more about the Gastric Bypass and also the Lap Band, but more importantly I heard, for the first time about the Gastric Sleeve Surgery. The minute I learned about it I felt like it was the right pr…

I have been told that soda will be a no no, that won't bother me, but someone recently said that coffee will also be off limits. Is it true?

I had the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy with Dr. Alejandro Lopez (Specialized Bariatrics $4200) on Saturday, March 22, 2014. I live close to San Diego, so I drove down and parked in a lot near the airport. Victor, the driver, called the day before and confirmed the time I wanted to be picked up. Victor said that particular day was extremely busy with many back and forth trips across the border. He picked up my friend and I in our parking lot and drove over to the airport where we waited for another patient and her husband to arrive (our wait was probably an hour). Crossing the border was pretty easy, but traffic in Tijuana was crazy and chaotic. After crossing the bor…

I had my surgery on July 28th two days ago so I just thought I'd share my experience. I went to nuhealth, a big hospital in east meadow, N.Y. I got sleeved by Dr venkatesh. I arrived at 6am and got wheeled in at about 8am. I don't remember going into the or very well I just remembered my arms not fitting because it was a very small table so they wheeled up some platforms for me to put them on then I was out. When I woke up it hurt really bad, but I couldn't tell the nurse because I was still under a little. When I finally did she gave me some painkillers. I remember seeing my family I said a few words to them then fell asleep. It hurt more because I sleep on my side an…

I am pending approval and my insurance will pay 60% of costs. I have no cap on remaining costs and it's creeping to an estimated $12,000. We can afford this but I feel so guilty because I am fat and need this to be successful. I have lost and gained back more than I can count. How do you put a price on health? How come this makes me feel ashamed? I am probably suffering some sticker shock. Just need to vent a bit.

Have been a lurker on here occasionally and before I realised it my big day is here, well tomorrow actually (25th). I have found loads of information here and I look forward to reading more as I progress on my journey, see you post op.

I just had the rouen y gastric bypass 2 wks ago and am doing great. Thought I would check this out to see how others are doing.

I was banded in Nov 2013 and as I recovered I did real well loss 50 pd. I have a 14cc band I have had at least 6 fills and since the first of the year I can eat anything and everything, and as much as I want to. Starting to gain. My band is just up to 9cc.. I have never felt any of the things I hear written here. Any suggestions? I hate to complain to the nurse that does the fill I am afraid of an over fill. Thanks for letting me vent.

Hi All!!! People can be evil!!! even Love ones!!!! I have type 2 diabetes, kidney issues, liver issues, and I'm 33. I want to LIVE LONGER for my husband and child. I will do this surgery no matter what!! But why do folks feel the need to say " Oh you taking the EASY WAY OUT" ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!! That strikes a nerve in the worst way!!!! Is it really the easy way...because last I checked being overweight since I was 5 has been difficult! Having any surgery is not a walk at the park....especially recuperating... Having this disease is NOT AT ALL EASY!!!! if LOSING WEIGHT AND EATING HABITS would disappear than fine that would be easy but it's NOT! T…

August 4th, will be 6 years with the band, things went super well I lost 150lbs!! I started out at 320lbs. I went from a 26-28 pants and 4-5x shirts down to 18 pants and L-XL shirt =) then I sorta gave in?? My surgeons moved to different hospitals and out of state, I started drinking pop again, eating things I shouldn't. I'm so lost.. I need to find a new doctor, get that will power again.. I'm so upset with myself and I'm at 230-240 again =(

hi everyone! i am soooo nervous and excited!! i go in for surgery tomorrow at 9:30 am im so ready for the life change and positive journey ahead !

I have been in process for 5 of 6 months to get in 6 month nutrition consult requirement. My BC PPO has paid for all tests minus deductibles other than the psych eval. Despite the severe obesity, I lack diabetes and sleep apnea, and I guess I should be thankful, but, risk insurance denial for gastric sleeve. Has anyone paid for surgery only after a denial? My paperwork will be submitted in August. I have some comorbidities but am not on meds. I will be 53 and would like to live a few decades not sad, hurting with joint pain, and ashamed of my appearance. If I could pay "balance" it seems worth it. If insurance denies, does this mean surgeon must deny?

it's been forever since I posted but wanted to throw out an update to everyone. My name is Lamonica and I was sleeved on February 5/2014. My highest weight was a year and a half ago when I weighed in at 298 lbs. during the course of a year I was able to drop 20 lbs, starting weight of 278 lbs right before surgery. I am now happy to announce that I am coming up on my 6 month mark and weighing in at 176 lbs. I feel great and I have so much more confidence and energy. I love my sleeve!

Good Morning Over the weekend, I finally hit my fist goal. 9 weeks out of surgery and I finally weight less than 200 pounds. I haven't had a 1 in front of my weight since high school. This truly is the best gift I have ever given myself. I just wish I had done it sooner

Hey everyone! I am 5 weeks post op tomorrow! I have a pic id like to post. I know I have lost weight but since I see myself everyday I don't really realize how much. I'm so proud of myself! I'm started off at 315 last oct. I lost weight before my surgery to 271. Now I'm 5 weeks post op and I'm 231.2!! Erica

I had my surgery just over a month ago. I am down 24 lbs. I follow my post op instructions faithfully. I would love to be one of those people who loses quickly, but I'm not. However, I feel so fortunate just to be able to have this surgery, to have little out of pocket costs, and to have had a smooth recovery. At no other place or time in history would such a thing even be possible. I am one lucky person indeed.

I'm super nervous and have mixed emotions about the the procedure and all the loss skin I will probably be left with if I loos 60-80-100lbs ???? ... Help give me feed back if your in my similar situation or mindset????

Yahoooo... I finally got a date for my surgery!!!! August 11th!!! I had to change my original Dr. from BIDMC-Boston- they were being jerks and not getting back to me..they were telling me I had to lose weight...DUH!!! I mean they wanted to me to lose weight but not give me any guidance or anything. They weren't allowing me to schedule appt....THEY BOTCHED my first surgery attempt I should of known better....therefore I went elsewhere....and it was truly the BEST decision ever...... My new Dr. ( Dr. Julie Kim - Mount Auburn -Cambridge- has been AMAZING!!!! plus her staff have been phenomenal. 2 more weeks!!! I pray this 2nd VSG attempt goes perfect!!!

It seemed as if it would never get here, and yet tomorrow is my surgery day. Last week I was so anxious, but for the past 3 days I've just had this feeling that I'm right where I need to be. I'm so grateful to have this opportunity to regain my health and reset my relationship with food. Good luck to all!

I feel like what people describe as being stuck but I haven't eaten anything! All I can manage is liquids today. The pain isn't real bad but I wonder what happened?

I went to the waffle house with my fiance, his 11 year old daughter, and my 14 year old son. I had a piece of sausage and 1 scrambled egg. I looked around on our table and said man, y'all eat a lot!!! Then I remembered I used to eat like that! Thank you, thank you to my band buddy!

Would like to hear both positives and potential negatives of Lap Band Surgery. I really need to address my weight issues. I have bi-lateral knee and hip replacements and the weight is putting too much pressure on the prosthetics. Tried everything and have finally just given up. Talk to me people.......

Hi My name is Samantha , I have just had my 2nd appt with the clinic I will be using and my first pre op appointment is on the 3rd sept. I have to say I am so excited for the surgery and for the first time in my life i know ive got this , reading so many posts the good the not so good has given me such a great insight to what i need to prepare for. I must say my main concerns are excess skin and hair loss but at the end of the day these things can be overcome - wigs are cheap lol I have been overweight for as long as i remember yes i was one of those little chubby kids at primary school and although i carry myself well and most people wouldn't think im over 100kgs its the…

Tomorrow I start my two week liquid diet and my surgery is scheduled for Aug 12! I am excited and nervous at the same time! Any advice? Thanks!

On July 7, 2014 I had my surgery. Due to a complication with my thyroid levels my original date was pushed out two weeks. I had already been on the pre op diet for two weeks and when I was pushed two more weeks I decided to remain on the diet. See, I had already dropped 22 lbs in two weeks. By the end of the fourth week and one day before surgery I had dropped a total of 48lbs. Now I am 3 weeks post op and after 8 weeks total I went from 405lbs to 332lbs today. A grand total of 73lbs removed from my body. My arthritis is gone, any other joint pain I had is gone, my outlook on life itself has skyrocketed, and my sex drive is back, ( I had to apologize to my wife) lol. I ha…

Hey guys, I joined this site to tell my story. Ever since I was a little girl I've been overweight. I've always been the "she's fat but has a pretty face" kind of girl. It has always hurt me but I never let it show. I've gotten made fun of but never to the point where I was depressed. I've always avoided going to the doctors, but one day my mother forced me and insisted that I go. I knew I wasn't going to hear anything nice. Unfortunately I found out that I got high blood pressure in the high 100's and diabetes. Although my diabetes wasn't that bad he told me I should still start eating healthy. Being from a Hispanic family it's VERY HARD to just stop eating healthy…

Was sleeved on 4/23!! Best thing I ever did! Eat better because I have to!! 4 more pounds to ONEderland!! Woot!! Have never felt better!

I was banded May 15, 2014 for the second time. Things are coming into place very well for me right now. I started out at 187 and am now down 26 pounds. I know this does not seem like a lot of weight compared to all these posts I read here of enormous weight loss's. I am staying positive despite my weight loss is low compared to so many of you out there. But I am determined to get all this weight off with lots of hard work. The band can't lose the weight for me. I have to follow the rules of eating my Proteins first and then a little extra of salad or bread. It is still working even though I have only lost 26 pounds. I still have so much more weight to lose. But I am very …

Rory it's been forever since I posted but wanted to throw out an update to everyone. My name is Lamonica and I was sleeved on February 5/2014. My highest weight was a year and a half ago when I weighed in at 298 lbs. during the course of a year I was able to drop 20 lbs, starting weight of 278 lbs right before surgery. I am now happy to announce that I am coming up on my 6 month mark and weighing in at 176 lbs. I feel great and I have so much more confidence and energy. I love my sleeve!

I had my VSG on July 7 - weighing in at 244. Tomorrow is the three week mark and I weight 221!. No complications so far. I also had my gall bladder removed with this surgery. Though pleased with the weight loss, the recovery has been a little slower than I expected. I am 61 and have had 4 C-sections; bounced back so quickly from those that I thought this would be the same experience. (Of course, that was 30 years ago). I still want to nap everyday!. I have to go back to school on August 7 and need my energy. As far as how things are going today, I feel hungry much of the time. Some of this I think is "head-hunger". I see a commercial and want to eat like I used to. I cra…

Scariest "episodes"...I went on a close to 5 mile walk this morning. I got home and began to take a shower when all of a sudden the room started spinning and everything got quiet and blurred...I have NEVER experienced this feeling before. I hopped out the shower to call 911 but couldn't find my phone...all I could think to do next was to eat something (and pray)...well I went for a piece of string cheese but couldn't get the wrapper off...I thought I was dying because I became so weak that I fell to the floor. Thank GOD that I was still able to think a bit because where I fell was a case of my protein drinks!!!! I was able to open and guzzle some down...I instantly sta…

I just found out that my surgery has been approved by the insurance company. On August 20th I start a new chapter in my life. I'm nervous and excited. This has been a big decision and I am praying I have a healthy and successful journey. I am 46 been overweight Almost all my life. My husband is on board but nervous about the surgery. I have 2 children my daughter who is 26 and excited for me and a 15 year old by who is nervous about me having the surgery too. Now that I'm at the end of the mandatory requirements I feel relieved. My next thing is the 2 week diet before my surgery. One week of that I'm on vacation. I have to be diligent and stick to the program. But I'…

Hello all. I just got sleeved on 07/21/14. Im glad I found this forum. I believe this is great support for new sleevers. I'm 5 days out and I have to say its been a roller coaster both physically and emotionally. I have faith it will get better. I was Just hoping to start my new beginning on a happier note.

Hey all! I'm here in Boston,taking me over a year to do all the pre op pre requisites! Now I have a date for September 2nd or the third! This site seems like just what I need for support! Hope to find some new friends to share the journey of me being born again into a new me! Sarah

It has been a long time since I have posted, but I know the struggle and how much hearing success helps. I am 2 years out and although I have had many ups and downs I am proud to say that I have lost 110 lbs. I have an 11cc Realize lap band with 9cc in it. Getting the lap band was the best decision I ever made. I went from a size 24-26 to a 10 (actually fit into an 8 the other day!!!). I was a 14 in 8th grade and NEVER recall being less than that. I weigh 160 and am 5'10"... My life has changed forever.thank you to the bandsters out there who shared success and failuresand helped motivate me along the way!

WOW! Really feeling great today! I'm down 22 lbs in 3 wks I started soft phase and it felt good to eat something! Had a few pieces of Deli ham sliced thin and some string cheese. All went down well! Thank God!

I called ins company today and asked the requirements for wls. I'm in month 3/6 of my pre op diet and just wanted to double check I have everything they need before I send in my information at the end of the 6 months. The lady on the phone said the 6 mo requirement is nowhere to be found on their end. I'm wondering if they dropped that requirement?? I see my nut and dr tomorrow but if this is true I could get surgery much sooner than expected! She did say they need a pre authorization from my dr...I'll have to get that but I think that's all that's left that I have to do!

Today is my six month anniversary -- Starting Weight: 231 Size: 18/20 Current Weight: 156 Size: 8 I haven't been on BP or diabetic meds since the day of my surgery!

I spent the past week in Florida (my first real vacation since my VSG just over a year ago). We had a blast!!-- 1 week at Vero Beach and a couple days at Disney (Magic Kingdom). I was surprised and excited to see how wonderful vacation is as an average sized person. I wore a bathing suit, played in the sand, kept up without getting out of breath, my feet didn't hurt, and it wasn't NEARLY as HOT as I remembered other vacations to be. LOL. I felt comfortable in my own skin & fit in all the rides -- I skipped my family's last trip to Disney bc I was embarrassed I wouldn't fit on some rides-- anyway-- It was AWESOME! So... About the food: For the most part, I eat ve…

First let me start by apologizing for my long story! Believe it or not this is actually the shorter version lol! Last friday on July 18, 2014 marked my One Year Surgiversary!!! This has been an Amazing & Incredible year for me! I weighed in @ 205 LBS, which makes my Total Loss- 116 LBS Down!!! My starting weight was 321 LBS, day of surgery I weighed in @ 314 LBS! Only approx 70 more LBS left to lose & only 6 more LBS to "One-derland"!!! I can't wait! Not only have I lost a huge amount of weight but I have also made so many other Dreams a Reality!!! I have had a GREAT year with my Dad (as the doctors are amazed he is still here & never thought he woul…

I will be on the loser bench my surgery day is March the 17th at 10 a.m. Can't wait happy scared and a little nervous.

I'm at 5 months post op and I do not know how to eat. I'm thinking if I could be some of you who are successful friend I could maybe get some helpful tips. If you would like to be my friend please PM me

Today is a big day for me. I've lost 100 lbs. Such a crazy number to me. I really weighed 100 lbs more than this?! No wonder why I was so miserable! I'd love to lose another 50 lbs, but if I only lose another 40 that would be just fine with me. I will be five months out on the 5th. I know everyone writes this, but the sleeve surgery has been the best decision I ever made for myself. It's nice finally caring about myself again. Not to mention clothes shopping has become fun instead of torture! I love that I can still eat pretty much whatever, but I'm done after 5 bites. Making healthier decisions has become second nature to me. I am in this for the long haul! There is n…

Ok I'm 2 weeks post op and down 10lbs! Is that good or should I'v lost more? So confused. Though the weight would pour off me!

So happy I'm a different person and I love it

Hi all , I'm due to have surgery later on in year and the doc has asked me to go away and think about which op I would prefer .. Sleeve or bypass .. I have read up on both but can't decided !! And feed back would be great ..... So undecided and scared ....

I had the surgery last Wednesday July 16th. I am pretty depressed. I can only eat two or three bites and I feel sick. I am nauseous all the time and it's been almost two weeks. I really like protein shakes and now I don't like any of them. I've made sure not to drink before or after. I've tried eating 1oz every ten min and stopping after 2 oz I am drinking my water that is the only thing I can accomplish. Has anyone experienced this and what do I do. I am miserable.