Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I put the 'maybe' because it's hard to believe this will work. I've done so many things to get skinny, but this is the most drastic and permanent. I'm a middle-aged teacher and coach, and I finally got tired of being unable to do anything at 100%. I tried the lapband (2006), and had little success (some physical problems, some personal inability to follow the plan). After it had to be removed, I almost gave up. A year later, a new and determined me decided it was time to do the sleeve surgery. It wasn't reversible, and it has some rather punitive results if I don't follow the plan. This is for me. And so, the journey begins. Surgery was on 22 August, 2013. Off we go.

Hi, I am going to my first consultation tomorrow, and am meeting with Dr. Laker. Has anybody gone through this doctor? Dr. Laker is with The Great Lakes Weight Loss Center, and any info on this place would be greatly appreciated. I am self pay and was wondering if I have to go through the same process that ins. patients go through? Is it typically shorter for self pay? I am really looking forward to tomorrows appointment. I'm nervous, but excited. Thanks

Does anyone know why Dr A doesn't do a EKG?

This is truly me. Not the professional, mother, friend afraid of judgement or wife making light of her past - but really me. Feels good to just be that - me. I had an emotional childhood. The oldest of 5 kids and daughter to high functioning alcoholic and untreated bipolar disorder/clinical depression parents. Riddled with disabling eczema and asthma, I got to know hospitals very well. I would scratch, bleed into my bed covers and by morning they had become the scabs we could not rip off. The belt beatings from my mother in a blind rage were the worst. I can still hear myself screaming. I chose happiness any way I could. I started hoarding candy from birthday parties. …

Hello All, I can honestly say that this forum helped me to make my decision to have Lap Band surgery in November. When I make a decision, it is always after A LOT of research. I appreciate everyone's honesty and support of others on this site. I just turned 45 and I am a happily married mother of two. I am also a 2nd grade teacher in Oregon. With the school year about to start, I have such a positive attitude. I have come to realize that it is because I have committed to surgery and I have HOPE for the first time in years. I am looking forward to this journey and sharing it with others

I have noticed several new things in life. Some people that I thought were friends really only liked me because I was the "Big Guy". I was safe to be friends with because I didn't threaten to take away attention from them. That hit REAL close to home. My own wife actually said that I couldn't do any better than her. WOW! REALLY? Now as I am going to prepare for work soon I sit here at my laptop. Mind you, my belly is still large. However, I have made some marked improvements. While I am still approximately 100lb from goal I feel great physically. Just to let everyone know, the emotional toll can be very tough. Moreso than the surgical aftermath. I keep telling myself t…

So monday I had my first check up..all is well BUT the diarrhea is literally a pain n my as.. lol but this is a normal part of this surgery... .anyway the dr gv me a oral suspension to gt a lock on this issue. .I called myself gonna tuff it out but damn this..I just mixed the powder wit some cranberry juice.. ill let cha no how it wrks..this mite be y I ain't got no energy bcuz everything goes in comes out in thirty mins..or bfore

today is my first day on my liquid pre op diet. I happen to find this site on google. I'm glad I did, my surgery is scheduled for Tuesday August 27th.

I had my surgery on July 25...started at 244 and am now down to 215. Wish I'd done this sooner, to be quite honest. The 25th was a Thursday, my surgery was at 8am, I was released on Friday evening, and I was back to work on Monday. I work in IT, so while my job can be stressful, I mostly sit at my desk or in meetings. I've been very lucky...only issue I've had was a wicked rash from something post-surgery...doc thinks it was the extra adhesive they put on the surgical tape to make it stick longer. I wanted to scratch the skin off my stomach...and I've never had an allergic reaction to anything...so it was definitely weird. But in the grand scheme of complications, no s…

Hi everyone it's been 2weeks and am happy I lost 32 lbs. Yeah me Good luck

I will be having surgery on September 25th!!! Ima stomach is in my Nikes right now:/ my excitement turned into nervousness!!!!!!! ( is that even a word?) oh well!!! Lol!!

Hi My name is Kimberly and I live in the Chicago, IL area. I am new to this site and still considering what type of surgery might be better for me. I know that I am ready for a change in my life, especially being overweight for most of my life. I am 33yrs old and have a 4yr old son that I want to try to be as healthy as possible for. I have tried multiple diets and different ways of trying to lose weight that have only brought short term success. I am committed for long term and healthier results in losing this weight. I would love feedback or info from any members who have already completed the wls. I am still curious to know why some choose lap band over gastric bypass…

Hello everyone! I just thought I would stop by the forums and post my story since I haven't posted anything in the forums in a while, and since I took new after photos last night, I figured maybe it was time to post my story, in short version of course. If you have any questions feel free to PM me, I might not be able to get to replying on the forum Here we go... Starting weight and BMI: 298lbs/41BMI (5'11''...tall girl) I started looking into weight loss surgery when I was 20 years old, firstly researching it on my own...eventually going to informational meetings and talking to different people who have been through the experience or work in a profession that de…

I began thinking of surgery in March. I knew my BMI wasn't high enough to qualify so I looked into sleep apnea as a co-morbid. I thought I had this and it turns out I have a severe case. I got my c-pap machine and am feeling much better. I went in for a consult on June 3rd. Turned in my paperwork to the ins. and have been waiting waiting waiting! I had to submit a letter from my doctor stating I have tried weight loss counseling. Insurance now approved it. I am waiting for the hospital to get the letter. I am hoping this waiting period is shorter and that I get sleeved in September but who knows. I am 5'4 211 pounds. I am very excited to get this done. Does an…

I had my surgery on Jan 30, 2013. I had lost 36lbs and was doing so great!!! But in the last couple of months I have had this enormous craving for candy. I never used to eat candy on a regular basis. Maybe a piece here and there, but I never bought a whole bag full. Now, I'm addicted to Lindt's White Chocolate bars. If I go to the grocery store, I buy them. I've told my husband, no matter what I say, don't buy me any more. I guess I'm gonna have to stay out of the grocery store for a while. Does anyone know how to stop a candy craving? I mean it feels like I'm gonna go crazy if I don't get that candy down!!! H E L P!!! Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions a…

Just wanted to say Hi! I'm new here, I am a self pay and my surgery is in 3 weeks! My Dr. Wants me to loose 5 lbs before my surgery. Anyone have any ideas to meet this goal?

I just had my lap band and a hiatal hernia repair done on Monday 8/19/13 and I'm noticing today Friday that I'm having a very hard time breathing walking to the bathroom knocks the wind out of me almost and I'm just wondering if this is normal or I should call the doctor???

Im a little over a month post op and today while i was going through pics on my phone, for the first time I noticed the difference! Pic on the left was from Thanksgiving 2012(333lbs) Pic on the Right is from today!(290lbs) [ATTACH]4706[/ATTACH]

I just wanted to pass on something I found today. My wife and I decided we wanted to use a food scale to accurately measure out and plan our meals. We went to Bed Bath and Beyond to find one and they have a decent one on sale. It is the "Biggest Looser" TV show food scale and it is on clearance for $14.99. We even used a 20% off coupon my wife had and got a little more off. So, if you have thought about getting one yourself, now is a good time to get a decent one without spending a ton of money. Here is a link to the website to check it out. Enjoy. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/The-Biggest-Loser-reg-Digital-Kitchen-Scale/1015947047?Keyword=food+sc…

I've noticed the weight loss has slowed down n I'm not having any food restrictions.I'm having my third fill today n going to ask Dr if its normal.I try and watch what I eat but haven't started exercising yet.But other than the above I feel great, no regrets.

I started my LapBand journey June 5, 2013. Almost 15 months later & I've lost 78lbs. It's a success, but I had hoped that I would have lost more by now. I recently started a workout routine & I hope to lose another 32lbs by the end of the year. My starting weight was 408lbs, I'm currently at 332lbs. My before and during pictures are attached. Any tips or tidbits to accelerate my weight loss would be appreciated

It's my birthday and when I was sleeved at end of April, I never thought I would be here with my life so dramatically different - I am healthy, happy and looking and feeling great! I may have to adopt a second birthday from next year on my sleeve date because it really has given me a rebirth which, at this age, is an unexpected and fantastic opportunity.So I intend to make the most of it.... watch out world!!!! x

Sw 252 cw 177 and I feel like a new person I am off all my meds it was the best thing I did for myself

Hello everyone! I joined a few days ago and lurked. (Sorry, just wanted to know what I was getting myself into!) I'm ready to be smaller (I personally hate the words "thin" and "skinny") and healthier so I can get on with my life the way I should have been for years. This is my third time pursuing bariatric surgery. The first time was interrupted by a family challenge, the second by insurance (they are putzes!) and now, I have made friends with everyone I can who determines my insurance approval fate and I'm sure some are ready to tell me to quit calling and asking the same question over and over again to make sure I am doing everything right! My tale, like many o…

Hi I'm so encourage with all your posts. Will be seeing nutritionist, psychologist and endocrine in September. Am nervous and excited.

So I'm only a little over 3 months out and I am amazed at how my hard work in the gym and dedication to eating correctly has rewarded me. Although I still have a longgggg way to go I wanted to share with you guys my excitement. [ATTACH]4679[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]4678[/ATTACH]

Start weight : 218 Current weight: 169 Height: 5ft. 6" Down 49 pounds!!! [ATTACH]17312[/ATTACH]

Hi. I just joined this site and have enjoyed reading all of the stories and being encouraged by knowing that I am not alone. I had my surgery August 8, 2013 and am 2 weeks post-op. I am starting soft foods and am ready to be done with the liquid diet. I have a fear that I will be the patient that doesn't lose a lot of weight.....but so far I am down 23 lbs since August 1, 2013.

Has anyone used GEHA (united health care) insurance to get their sleeve? I ask because that's the insurance I carry. They made me go through 6 months of going to my primary care physician, psych apptmt, 2 nutrition classes. I pay the Surgeon $325 up front. Here's the kicker, Cabrini hospital told me 3 months ago that the hospital use/ and 1 night stay would be $400 (estimated), 15% of the total cost. Well I'm at the end of my journey and sooo excited! I've saved $750 for the surgery. (a lot for me being I'm a single mom and school just started so that was a big chunk) My scheduled date is sept. 10th. Today I called the hospital to get the exact amout of my deductibl…

I am six days post op and I can't use the the bathroom is something wrong with me .. I have also be getting a lot of headaches . I don't go for my first fill until September 13 and I find myself hungry all the time . Soups and water and broth is not cutting it . Any one have any advice

I am considering WLS and really need some straight answers from those of you that have experienced the band. I have read sooo much on both surgeries and have looked at the good , the bad, and the ugly. The sleeve has me scared because if in the next 10-20 yrs something happens to me like getting sick or cancer, I will not have a stomach to withstand treatments since it is not reversible. However I have also read that so many with the band has reverted to the sleeve because of no success. I know that both are considered a TOOL for weightloss and like all programs, if you don't work the program correctly, it won't work. So my question is to you -- do any of you regret gett…

Long time lurker, first time poster. My attempts at weight loss began a long time ago through many weight loss programs. My weight loss surgery journey began in December 2012. Initially, I went to a local surgeon that had a small weight loss surgery center. My original intention was to have a Lapband installed. After seeing their presentation that outlined the different options, a gastric sleeve seemed to be more appropriate. I jumped through all the hoops that were put before me. I took the blood tests. Went to the physical therapist. Presented myself humbly before a psychologist. Also, endured 6 months of weight loss counseling. When the 6 months of weight …

Can members comment on other threads im having trouble. Can I only start a new thread, or is this how I comment I dont get this

Lol now I feel silly =-O

Hi All, My story is like many of yours. I have been overweight my entire life and decided it's time for a change. I'm 53 and 270 lbs. I have high blood pressure and am tired of not being able to do normal, everyday things. I live in Wi however, due to being a self pay I will be having my surgery in New Iberia, LA with Dr. Borland for $9800. in October 2013. Anyone that can share their experience traveling post surgery or their experience with Dr. Borland is much appreciated.

Hi. I am going to be a newbie to lapband surgery. I have only just started this road to my recovery from obesity. I am just going to see the nurse and doctor next week and I must admit I am a bit nervous about this whole thing. I know this is my last chance to regain my health. I hope all will be well with me as I have a lot of health issues that may put me at risk for this. I don't know yet. I only know I could use some propping up with a bit of encouragement. I will let you all know how I fared after my appointments next week. Thanks.

I'm recovering from a full tummy tuck after my successful wls a year ago 7-12-12.. its been a roller coaster but a true success!! I'm grateful and so blessed to have made it this far. although i didn't reach my goal wieght I'm still ok with my results. (just 12 pds to go ) i attribute my success to what i put in my mouth i no longer eat just because food is available or snack for no reason and food now is for fuel no for gloutney ...yes i enjoy food but it doesn't control me I'm able to ignore/ and battle those cravings those binges and that takes nothing but full will power on my part!! (not easy) i always have leftovers and i never finish a full plate of fo…

i got sleeved on 6/18 and weighed 209.6 and as of today i am 192.4. i have always been slim and could not lose weight after having my second child. i am trying to reach my goal weight of 130. which believe it or not i used to be. im happy with my weight lose but find it frustrating at times that i am not losing alot of weight like everybody else. regardless i am still happy with my progress ) as u can see from my pics i look some what smaller in my stomach area and face. [ATTACH]17295[/ATTACH]

So I went 2 my first seminar yesterday n took my mother along cause she is my support in this. There are 3 surgeons I get 2 pick from the Hackensack New Jersey team and I have my first consultation september 23rd ... I already qualify for it after I spoke 2 my insurance and my doctor I just have 2 wait 6 months b4 I can schedule a date for surgery... I'm happy but I'm also scared... Any tips on how I can prepare my self mentally for this... I heard its hard but I just wanna b some what prepared for whats gonna happen

After a year of going back and forth to the doctor and debating with friends and family if this was indeed the best approach, I jumped off the cliff. My surgery date was August 19th. So far things are better than expected. I was in the hospital for two days came home and settled in for the recovery. Today is the 22nd of August and I feel good. Not a whole lot of energy, but no nausea and very little pain. I've only used the pain medication once so far at night to get to sleep. It took me a while to figure out how to sleep comfortably (for me it is on my side <I am a notorious stomach sleeper> with a pillow to the side and a pillow under my head. I live alone and I…

Just wanted to give an update. I had my surgery this morning at 8:00. I never thought this would happen to me but I am one of those people who keeps asking if they really did the surgery as I feel amazing! Just wonder if anyone else could share their experiences with feeling great and whether it continued or if reality set it.

Well I was suppose to be sleeved aug 19th. As I was lying there waiting to go for surgery, the surgeon, tells me he thinks I should not have the vertical sleeve done because of my servere hiatal hernia repair I had done last year. He suggests a Rny bypass . I was so lnto the sleeve being done, ive done my homework on this sight and I really thought the sleeve was the way I should go. But I guess he knows best but now I have to have that new procedure re submitted to my insurance company which took 2 mos before..ugh so discouraged.

Before surgery Wednesday I hope everything is clear Mz Shay

A guess for me it was a little different.. However just like to guys I had battled to maintain my weight for the last 15 years, constantly being on a diet. I think I can be very disciplined which helped me to continually go on diet and loose large amounts of weight. (Putting on 2, loosing 2). Only to then go and put it back on a agin.. I was slowly putting on the weight I lost last summer when I decided I could afford a gastric band.. Thought about it before but due to money and more importantly nice guidelines I was unable to have one. I had a BMI of 30 size 12/14 weight 11.12. So what I heard from friends and family was "your not big enough" "it's unethical" " there is…

Just started my diet I'm having a hard time wow I'm hungry today this gonna be hard Mz Shay

Here goes nothing... I've never been much for pictures but.. One from last year at my dads wedding.. And the newest from my vacation last week.. I love comparing pictures. It amazes me more than anything. Went from a 4XL and now buying XL and Large.

I just had a bowel movement and now my stomach is im excrusiating paiin, is it because i was constipated?

Hello! Just signed in! I am scheduled for my surgery on September 24! I am so ready! One fear - wine! I love my wine but have a feeling that will be gone......................... Just wanted to introduce myself!

I've been stuck in a plateu since march and I dnt have a clue how to get back on track any suggestions.

Hi everyone, I am new to this app. I just got my surgery date today and I am very excited. I honestly have no idea what to expect, but I know my life is going to be completely different. My current BMI is 56 and current weight is 357.4, with a height of 5'7. I have a lot of weight to lose and I know its not going to be easy, but I am fully commited to a new life.