Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello there. My name is Ashlee. I had my Lap-Band surgery on December 16, 2013. I am officially one month post-op. I had my surgery in Utah. I went to Dr. Darrin Hansen (http://www.utahlapband.com/) and he is AMAZING. So far I have lost 10 pounds and 10 1/2 inches. I had a slight complication with my port incision. I have started a blog to document my journey. You can see the information about my incision problem there - http://adventuresinlapbandland.blogspot.com/

I am scheduled for surgery in early February. I am having the surgery done when I travel to Arizona for work. This is on purpose so that no one knows I am having the surgery. I am single, almost 30 and a professional. I am ready to make some real changes in my life and don't think it's anyone else's business. Perhaps I am also afraid of failure and don't want family or friends to witness that.

Hi everyone, I just wanted to say Hello and introduce myself. I have been reading this forum for quite sometime and finally decided to register. I am 30 years old and live in Dubai. I have my consultation with a surgeon in two weeks to discuss the band. I am planning on getting it in January when I return from the UK christmas holidays. About me, well I work in events, am Single and have been on a major weight-rollercoaster over the years. I have finally decided enough is enough and need to do something to finally control my weight and ensure it stays off. I am 97kg, 164cm and have in the last 2 years gone from 74kg - 97kg after a Meal Replacement diet to lose weight fa…

Anyone else on the lean protein, veggies, and shakes preop diet??? I've been on it for 5 days and I am CRAVING chocolate sooo bad!!! Not sure why! I'm doing good but I just want some m&m's!!!

This is so frustrating. I had surgery on nov 18 so Im almost 2 months out from surgery. I'm eating way better than I ever have. I average about 70 grams of Protein a day and between 700-900 calories a day. I can't seem to lose any weight though. I lost 20 pounds in the 2 months before surgery. I lost 10 pounds the 1st week of surgery then nothing for weeks. I'm not sure how long my stall lasted because I didn't weigh for a long time but it was at least 3 weeks long. I finally weighed because my clothes fit better and I lost an inch. I lost 10 pounds. So now 2 weeks later I decided to stand on the scale and I lost nothing! I guess this is how this is going to go…

Hi there - I've been thinking about VGS for a couple years now and met with a surgeon last week. I know I need to do it but am scared I won't lose enough, that I'll still be severely obese. I am 29, 6ft tall and at my highest weight of 460. I honestly don't know how it got to be this high, it feels overwhelming. My surgeon said I would need a sleeve and after a year would need a duodenal switch because of how much I need to lose. Has anyone had both surgeries? I see lots of success stories where everyone looks amazing at 6 and 12 months postop but I haven't seen anyone with a stating weight as high as mine. My goal weight would be somewhere in the low 200s whi…

Surgery for me is February 5th anyone else around this date

Ok. My story is kind of long. To make it short...I had lapband surgery in 2009. I had a bad experience and ended up with atelectasis and was in the hospital for four days. Also, I wasn't given a lot of education about the band before hand. I now refer to my previous surgeon as "the chop shop." I had my band removed after having far too many complications from it. It was removed by my current surgeon in March 2013. He tried to convince me to revise to a sleeve during the band removal but I didn't feel like I knew enough about it to have it done. I didn't want to make that mistake twice! He was super understanding and said we should take the band out and if I wanted a sl…

I see the newbies often like to see picture updates do I added a pre- op picture when I was at 235 lbs and my current post op weight if 195lbs. My surgery was dec 5th. There's lots I have lost but I would like to say that I have loved gaining the ability to put my sneakers on with ease, I loved getting on a plane recently and having plenty of room to buckle my seatbelt and not feeling soo tight in my seat, I love feeling satisfied with soo little food, enjoying dinner out due to the great conversation and not going home with guilt due to eating too much. I still have a lot to lose but I'm headed in the right direction. Feeling proud and happy today:)

They are prepping me now! The new me is coming your way!! [ATTACH]39832[/ATTACH]

Hello all, I finally got my date date for Feb 3. I am a little nervous about the procedure. I just have a couple of questions. For a while now I've been having what I can only call air hunger. I'm constantly yawning to try to get a deep breath in, and sometimes that's a struggle. I've done all sorts of tests and everything came back good. Has anyone ever experienced this before? I am just worried that my air hunger would get in the way of the anesthesia. Thank you, Jorge

All went well but she said I need more protein and since I'm working out I need more calories problem is I have hard time eating what I do eat bc I get so full. She was happy with my weight loss results in 9weeks and I am too

Hi. First day to the site. I like the Operation Operation post. My surgery is scheduled for 1/27/14. Pre-op appt 1/21/14. I'm nervous. I'm not receiving as much support as I did initially. I've lost 86 lbs since I started this process in March 2013. Now friends/co-workers, family are saying that I've done this well in my own I should just stick to it. Ugh, it's not like I hadn't in the past. I know that I still need this tool to get myself where I need to be physical and mental health wise. I've visited a few sites, hadn't seen any that I wanted to participate in. I read a couple threads on this site and thought I'd give it a go. My counselor and nutritionist say …

My journey has been life-long. I was overweight as a young child, medically obese by around age 7. Should you choose to read on, you will get a glimpse of the factors that contributed to my struggle in comforting myself with food and attempting to render myself unattractive. I had been through the tumultuous divorce of my parents and felt abandoned by my father at age 6. Within a year of my parents' divorce, I was molested by an adult male friend of the family. A few years later, I was molested by an older boy, another family friend. As a teen, searching for love and male attention to fill the hole in my heart, I began a sexual relationship with my boyfriend at 15. I…

I am so excited and nervous I got my date in just 13 days I will be starting a new adventure. Any advice?

Does anyone fear not losing weight with VSG? Or that you won't lose enough to make the surgery worth it? Or fear that you'll mess up with postop eating? Overall I'm feeling pretty set on having surgery, I just have these fears swirling around. Has anyone had surgery and felt like they didn't lose enough to make it worth it? Or that people didn't notice? I'm not sure how much I want to lose, but considering my starting point, I would benefit from losing 150-200lbs, which seems so daunting and honestly, nearly impossible. Any insight is much appreciated.

This is the worst I have felt since having surgery on dec 10. Everything makes me nauseous!!! I threw up last night was up all night with sweats and other things that are tmi!! Did anyone experience this later on after surgery?

Just got home from my consult and I was approved to have the sleeve! I still have to see the pulmonologist tomorrow for clearance, and go to an all morning or afternoon workshop and then we can schedule surgery! It looks like it'll probably be somewhere around the first two weeks of March! I'm so excited! Stacie

First let me say, I have been overweight my entire life. Aside from the occasional teasing, or family telling me they just wish I could get it under control, I lived a pretty healthy, happy, active life. I just remember always being hungry, chasing the next meal, even as a young girl. I have been on a diet since I was seven years old, when I wanted a gold bikini for the lake. My mom calmly explained to me that fat girls don't get to wear bikinis and if I could lose weight, I could have it. So began the constant state of either being in a mode of deprivation (not giving into the hunger and cravings - yay me) or a state of indulgence (I deserve this treat, I've been doin…

I can't believe my eyes! Almost in tears. I bought these shorts over the summer at Express. I can now fit a size 6 comfortably!!!!

DOS 12/15/11 235 lbs 57 years OLD 5'3 1/12/14 130 lbs 60 years YOUNG GOAL still 5'3 love showing my stats there are not enough H's to describe how healthy and very happy i feel i am retired 3 years ago i would sleep til 10:00 am!!! didn't see that much reason to get up nothing special to do, or just didn't want to go out in the dictionary next to the word "miserable" is my picture (DH very sad when he read that, me too ) now, my internal clock goes off daily at 7:50 am - and i get up excited ready for a new day i am always running here, there and everywhere do my volunteer work which i love just "stuff" that keeps me busy t…

Ever since I started mushies (done in 2 days) I've been having really bad heart burn after I eat. Is this something I should call my doctor about or should I just take some tums and call it a day? It's not THAT painful just more annoying than anything.

Yay! It's finally here! I'm so excited for this appointment! I already got clearance from the cardiologist and I think the psychiatrist since I didn't hear back from her! All I have to do now is as far as drs go is meet with the pulmonologist which is tomorrow and then of course my appointment today. Then, there is a diet/excercise workshop I have to go to which I will find out more today. I'm hoping to get that done soon so we can schedule the surgery. I am so ready! Can anyone share with me what I should expect at the appointment today? I'm excited but also a little nervous! Thanks! Stacie

Well I have one more day and I move up to full liquids. Mostly this week hasn't been too bad. I have not been starving like I thought I would be and having a difficult time getting all my liquids in because I constantly feel extremely bloated! I have walked around the house trying to get the gas out of my stomach with little success. The pain isn't unbearable but took a few days before I could lay on my side. The heating pad is my SAVIOR and I lay it on my tummy while in bed. For those of you who may be hypoglycemic (like me) I got permission to sip apple juice regular strength and I also kept some hard tack candy available to suck on in emergencies. Otherwise, its be…

So I have read so many stories from people who have had so many problems. It seems like I hardly hear of anyone having no problems like I have. Are they out there somewhere? I had surgery on nov 18 and had hardly any pain. The first day was kind of crappy but after that there was no problem. I had no problems with liquids, purees, soft foods and now solids. When I started on soft foods I ate a small tilapia filet almost every night. I don't get nauseous and I don't throw up anything. I had one exception with one of my tilapia nights. I decided to add mashed potatoes to it and that ended up being way too much. I did throw that up but that was the only time. Now…

I'm finalizing my list of things I need right after surgery. Would love any input you might have! Going to order 'unjury' protein powder unflavored and choc, and I got the gas x strips, broth, sf jello, and sf Popsicles,

I am 5 weeks out and today has been the hardest day!!! I have felt sick from the moment I opened my eyes!!! Today I threw up my dinner for the first time!!! Anyone experience sickness at 5 weeks out that they didn't experience in the beginning?

I finally finished all my doctor appointments. I am waiting for surgery date now. I hope to have the date within the next few days. I will be getting lap band with plication with Dr. Geiss in Syosset, NY. Weighing in at 322 now.

Had my surgery (RNRGB) at 8 am on 1/7... Surprisingly not much pain now. Went on 2 walks and breathing normally. I'm super excited for this journey!

how many people experience hunger now after surgery and what do you do about it. I suspect if I keep weighing my food and not go over 5 ounces per meal maybe I can keep from getting hungry. I mean the hunger sensations were terrible before surgery. Especially at night I ate most of my food at night so I was a night eater. I'm hoping that doesn't happen again with portion control.

I Was sleeved last Monday and I have felt fabulous. However, today I started having this strange discomfort a little higher and to my left of my belly button. Any guesses of what this could be?

Ok I had my sleeve surgery January 18 2013. It's almost 1 year from surgery. I weighed 280 went down 219 lost 70 pounds Well I struggled with eating a lot. compare to others in a matter of 3 months after surgery. I struggle with depression for years I take meds for it. However I gained 35 pounds and I'm not even a year in. I crave and want food like crazy. I'm worse than before my psy and dr say try eat healthy. But I can't. I don't know what's wrong with me. i have no job. Struggling to find one for years. I eat junk all day and sit around all day. I can't seem to be motivated and just eat right. It's like I don't care. I know I'm depressed and need t…

I have my pre-op scheduled for February 19 and my surgery scheduled for March 5. I'm self pay for the sleeve, and am waiting for all of my funding to come together. I'm nervous because I really haven't told anyone in my life about what's going on. I live out of state from my family. Originally I told my sister because I wanted her to come out to help me, but now she seems pretty judgemental (mostly about the money aspect of it because I would have to finance it) so it hardly seems worth it just to avoid questions about money. I don't really have anyone to take me to to the hospital. Honestly I was thinking about taking a cab (I have to be there at 5:30am) - I think gettin…

On my way to the hospital. Nervous as heck! Praying The Lord will keep me safe.

First surgery for the sleeve was on Nov. 6 th. I got to be home 2 days before I went septic and ended back at the hospital. They had to repair 2 abscesses and discovered I had a hole in my sleeve. The pain was so bad that they decided to put me in a coma for a few days....19 days later I came out of it to discover that they had done a trakia on me and I was near death. After that they decided to put a stent in to help heal the hole......6 weeks later they put another one in, so I had 2...Neither worked so they had to be removed. Next they decided to put clips in to close the hole. Meanwhile I have all kinds of tubes hanging all over my chest. The clip did not work a…

Question to my lady friends. Have any of you heard about a new weight loss program called Venus Factor? I'm in the final stretch of my weight loss journey and I really need to bump up my metabolism. Any thoughts feedback?

Had my band placed in June of 2013.lost about 50 pounds ( pre and post ) . Had a complication as the tubing came apart from the port so had that fixed in October and then to top it off I had a hysterextomy in November . Was doing great after that .. Have good restriction was off home and losing again. Now the post holidays , I put on some weigh as I wasnt exercising like I had been . Today I weighed at 248 my original weight was 289. Just gel like I keep yoyoing . I did just join the gym so can't use weather as excuse and am committed to doing this . I am going to do my pre op diet for This week and see if a jump start will help me mentally and physically . Any input w…

Hi all, I just joined as today I finally had my pre-op assessment and was given a date for my surgery, the 15th of April, yay! But I am surprisingly calm :-)

My blog has the first few posts about my weight loss with the sleeve. http://bit.ly/Krz7Sm If you are interested, so far it's just the hospital stay stuff, but I have 3 more to edit and add. I'll try to get to them tomorrow.

Hi my name is grace and I am 35 year old mother of 2. I am starting the process of getting everything done for my surgery . I'm a little scared but also excited about what 2014 will bring

Hey everyone, My name is Ashaley I am 23 years old mother of 2. I have a very supportive boyfriend who has been with me through this entire journey. My father passed in April 2013 at 54 he the reason i decided to get WLS. He had many health problems streaming from weight and once he finally lost the weight it was toooooo late ???? .... But i promised him that I would take hold of my health before it was too late. After alot of back and forth I decided to attend a seminar. That day 7/1/2013 I had made my mind up about that this was what I needed to do. After a very long journey I was sleeved on Monday January 6,2014!!! First new years that i might actually be able to me…

Hi everyone, I'm Carrie and I am 8 weeks post-op from RNY with 55 pounds down as of today! Here's my story and I can't wait to hear yours too... I was a competitive athlete my entire life, but never developed a healthy relationship with food. I was an overachiever, over-involved and always on the go so food was something I could squeeze in when I had time or when I was training, something I could manipulate to get whatever results a coach wanted from me. In college I found myself in a very unhealthy relationship that lasted about 7 years and that is when I really began to gain weight. Throughout my 20s, I became very successful very quickly professionally and al…

Ok I'm having my bypass on 1/28 don't meet with dietician till 1/23 but I'm needing to go grocery shopping this week & was Wanting to get some things I'll need. I'm sure everyone's different but is there anything I can buy now to get a head start. Anything everyone needs to eat or drink in the days follow in surgery? Thanks for your help.

I was recently told that because I have psoriatic arthritis and take Embrel that my VGS would be "more complicated" Anyone have VGS and take Embrel? I've had moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis for 7 years now. I am 29. When I was first investigating WLS a couple years ago, the doctor said I couldn't not have RNY because of the arthritis and that I was taking Remicade. More prone to infection and ulcers. He then suggested VGS. I took Remicade for 6 years, then switched to Humira which only made my PsA worse. I was in so much pain and certainly put on weight during this time. I found a new rheumatologist that would listen and am finally on Embrel which has been …

I had my original RnY in Sept of 2002. I went from 317 to 170. In 2010, my stoma closed up on me, and they had to expand whatever it was. After that, it seemed that I could eat so much more. Over the last two years, I have had more problems one after another. Ulcers, scar tissue, stoma was closed again, Fistula etc.. So, they went in to fix the fistula, ran into so many problems, they ended up taking out the remaining of my old stomach, and recutting a new pouch, taking out the old pouch as well. They had a lot of work to do, and it took 6 hours during the surgery. I was in the hospital for two days, That was two weeks ago. I am so sore still. The first time I had this do…

I've been an Old Navy cargos girl for a long time because that's what fit. I've never done skinny jeans or fitted clothes of any kind. But my chunky monkey clothes are too big for me now, as pointed out by my best friend. So we went shopping. And it was overwhelming. I kind of shut down because 1) I have no idea what size I wear. 2) I don't know what my style is. My style before was kind of created for me as I found what fit and went with it. So, yeah, it's a great dilemma to have... But it's still a dilemma.

I am looking for some answers. Ive had the band for 2 years and ive been at a stand still with weight loss. Anyone who has been successful with this surgery , please share any advice you have:)

I was banded Jan. 7th and am still having some soreness, especially in my port area. Is this normal? How long before the soreness goes away?

I'm sixteen days from surgery and meet with my surgeon for the first time tomorrow. Any suggestions?

I am looking for some answers. Ive had the band for 2 years and ive been at a stand still with weight loss. Anyone who has been successful with this surgery , please share any advice you have:)