Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Unfortunately I am a slave to the scale and I always relate my weight loss to scale victories. Today is a different story though. As I was giving my daughter a bath I was leaning over and realized that I was resting my chin on my chest. There was no roll of fat or extra skin between my chin and my chest. It sits right on there! OMG! I'm freaking out about it! It's awesome! LOL!

I would like to know what to expect with the time waiting in to get approved just finished last nutritionist visit. I had to do six. What should the weight loss be like after bypass will it be fast, slow what? Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Hello all, I had my band done back in 2009, but im in the need for some support getting back on track..i lost 75lbs and since being out of work for a year have gained back about half...it makes me sick..i just wish I had someone around by me to kick my butt and workout with..any helpful words is welcome!

Hello fellow sleevers or potential sleevers, I am new here, and this is my story ....sort of.... The decission to have Weight Loss Surgery was not a easy one, but it was a logical decission. I am a 33 yo Male, 5ft11in 302 pounds. I have been battling with weight loss for many years, I have tried all diets and spent thousands and thousands of dollars on them, Nutrisystem x3 times, Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Herbal Life, Nutripia Fresh food Delivery, GNC Total Lean. I have lost weight on all those diets, but nothing significant. I suffer from bulging disks in my back and have had 2 arthoscopic right knee surgeries which prevent me from excercising. My family has a …

Hi Everyone, While I have been considering this for a while, this week began the beginning of the process for me. I had my first appointment with the surgeon on Monday, (9/24), met with the nutritionist Wednesday, and started my food journal Thursday. To say I am a little overwhelmed would be the understatement of the year. To hear the reality of my weight, my BMI and all this entails, brought me to tears. Add to this other medical condistions that I have thismuch control over, I worry that I am jumping in over my head. I know that this is something I have to do to live. I have a 2 1/2 year-old beautiful daughter that I want to see grow up and have a family over her own…

Had the sleeve done on Monday and ended up having a complication. I was finally discharged yesterday, 5 days after surgery. My issue is not understanding the feelings in my new stomach and feeling drained...an affect of my complications. Any advice? How long did it take for others to feel like eating? I dont feel like eating anything

Hello every1. Im new here i have browsed around b4 getting some info. I have my consultation in a few weeks. I have decided to get the band and can not wait for this. I have been looking into the sugery for awhile and since im paying out of pocket that was tough too.

Yay...My referral was approved...calling for my consultation in the morning!

Hi Everyone, This is my first time on this website. I have been spending a lot of time on the VSG website and just don't know if that's the right way for me. I am looking for as much insight as possible so i can make the best decision for me. I'm also looking for any insight related to experiences with Advanced Laparoscopic associates in northern NJ. Thank you - I'm very glad to have this website!

Hey guys, im hopefully getting the band, im no getting all of the nesseccary visits to all the doctors and then ill wait to see if my insurence approves me. Super nervous !!!

Got my surgery date today... October 15. My biggest anxiety, as ridiculous as it sounds, was telling my boss. I was told not to tell work until I had the date set and today I did it. Now that telling my boss is over, I'm suddenly FLOODED with the fear about the surgery! I'm panicking about atarting the liquid diet for pre surgery. I can't stop wanting to eat everything in sight!!! ????

Hi Everyone, I love this quote and it really is so very true. Just think about it and believe in it. "What you thought before has led to every choice you have made, and this adds up to you at this moment. If you want to change who you are physically, mentally, and spiritually, you will have to change what you think." Dr. Patrick Gentempo So, after reading about this, I will say what we have heard throughout our lives. You are what you eat!!! How did we become overweight, fat, plump, tubby, flabby, pudgy, large, big, fluffy, obese, and unhealthy? There are a lot of ways to describe what we are or what we were. I lived way too many years being fat, doomed and detri…

I'm post op day 1 today and doing great! Dr Alvarez did my surgery. All my caregivers have been great! Getting scheduled meds for pain (torodol) & zofran for nausea. Small bit of pain at largest incision - sharp twinge when I move funny. Started ice chips this am - yummy!! Very happy so far with the whole experience! How are you other 9/25 sleevers doing?

Hello everyone I am being sleeved in Tijuana next Friday today was day one of the liquid diet and I must say it is a challenge. I hope it gets a lil easier as the days go by. I have actually had an ok day but it is still hard. In 7 days I will be on the sleeved side of life!! Just wanted to give an update Have a blessed day!!

My first 20 is off!...on puréed foods right now...drinking Premier protein shakes and have to change up!...any suggestions for healthy puréed foods are welcome...

Tomorrow I start my pre-op diet! I will be on optifast for 2 weeks. At least I'm allowed to have 3 sugar free jello's and 3 sugar free popsicles a day. Then my surgery on October 9th!!

I have been very excited since finally making the decision to get the Lapband. Now, I will be finding out my surgery date(hopefully this week) and all of sudden; I'm getting nervous. Doubts are starting to creep up and I'm 2nd guessing my decision. I know its probably just nerves. I don't want to go all thru all of this just to fail so I'm having some anxiety. Is this normal to "all of sudden" get scared about this? Has anyone else felt like this? Help!!!

When I attended a support group the surgeon described lap band as just sticking your toe in the Water where as gastric bypass has less of a chance of regaining weight - I am leaning towards gastric bypass my BMI is 39.5 weight 235 like to lose 100 pounds -- looking forward to meeting with the surgeon on 10/5/12 for my consultation. Any thoughts?

AND IT HAPPENS THAT I SIGNED UP FOR THIS FORUM EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO TODAY! Thank you to everyone here for helping me through the past year......it has been the most exciting and wonderful year of my life.....I posted what was happening with me a year ago this week on my Sunday Blog.....an interesting story that I'm sure most can relate to. Mahalo nui loa to all the readers of my blog and for all the members here for your continued support and inspiration!

I am exactly 10 weeks post-op... Today l hit 2 milestones... 60lbs lost since being sleeved, and 100lbs lost total... ( l lost 40lbs pre-op )..... My life has changed so much... Im a lot more active, l jog, l workout at the gym, and l do my damnest to get all of my protein in.. I feel like a million bcks, and l wouldnt change it for anything!!!

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So with fingers crossed I thought this might be the week I hear about a surgery date. Low and behold I got the call today.....and scheduled it for Nov. 1st. I was so happy. She told me about all the pre op prep, blood work, classes etc. I was stoked....and of course asked the question.....so everything is cleared with my insurance, right? She said, oh absolutely....you don't get this far until you have a pre approval, so you're good to go. (I've been working on this process since Jan. 4th). So for my own piece of mind I call my insurance to double check my understanding of a few things, ( deductibles, out of pocket maximums)make sure I'm not missing something.......…

Hi I'm Ty I live in new Orleans Louisiana and I'm thinking about getting the lap band surgery but my *** bcbs does not pay for it do anybody in my area know of an insurance that will pay for this surgery??

I'm new to this and going through the process.

I have a BMI of 37. I went to a consultantion for the lap band about 6mths ago. I was told my insurance BCBS Federal would cover it, but I need to gain about 14lbs & come back. I was told I had to have a 2yr history of a BMI of 40 or above & I do. I have no co morbities. Since the visit I lost weight & gained it back & needing to gain the 14 to meet the BMI. I have decided I want the sleeve & the original Dr I had doesn't sleeve. So I have to go to a new DR, but I'm scared to go with my BMI below 40. At first gaining weight intentionally sounded crazy & out of the question, but know it doesnt seems so bad. Do I gain? Do I gain before the initial vi…

Had a regular doc check up yesterday and i have lost another 9 pounds! Pre op i weighed 302 and yesterday i was 286!

So after not passing the psych eval in September with a doctor that doesn't normally work with bariactric patients And having them cancel my surgery a week before, I had another one on Tuesday and my pre op yesterday and surgery will be on Monday. The second psych said she didn't understand why I didn't pass the first time. I was all set I had every thing settled in my mind, I was all ready for surgery. Now,I'm freaking out again. Don't get me wrong it's not the lifestyle change I'm worried about its the surgery. I had my gallbladder removed but besides that I have never even had a stitch I'm kinda freaking out, but my husband is more. He has combat PTSD and is having maj…

Had my one year follow up today. (Actual date will be 10/13/2012). Down 155 lbs. Off all medications other than a few vitamins. I still find it amazing everyday that I now have the energy to work all day (Im an RN) then come home and push mow the yard, go to Zumba and still go out and do in the evenings. I was laying on the couch with my boyfriend the other night and he asked what I was doing. After thinking for a minute I realized I was playing with my rib. I have ribs!! Like real ones and a collar bone to match:) I have never been so happy that I did something in my life! This surgery saved my life!

My weight problem started I think the day I was born. Believe it or not, but at one point in my life I was a hungry skinny little kid. Came from a poor family where we fought the dog for the pork chop bone. Then I grew up and decided I would never be hungry again. And believe me, I never was. I ate and I ate and then I would panic and diet like crazy to take the weight off. Never had a problem taking off the weight, had a problem keeping it off. Then finally two years ago I decided to quit smoking (yes another bad habit I picked up along the way). Then I fell and injured my hip and exercise was out of the question and yes, the weight piled on. Went up to 240 poun…

Hi everyone what a wonder site .It helped me a great deal through this process .I began my journey August 24 2011 475lbs at my heaviest 444 at time of surgery now I'm down to 379 2 months post op took a year to get the surgery 2 different facilities never give up hope.

Hi everyone :-) My name's Annette and in my enthusiasm to connect with online Lap Band community (I found and downloaded an iPhone app this morning, registered and posted within my first few minutes) I didn't even notice this "Introductions" board and went ahead and introduced myself on the "Post Op" Board. Oops, please forgive my newbie clumsiness. I'll learn my way around in time and appreciate your positive suggestions and compassionate feedback when I make mistakes. If you have the time and interest, please take a look at my intro on "Post Op." I will read your introductions and I look forward to getting to know each of you over time. As I share about on the oth…

Can anyone tell me the difference between wontons and pasta. I have seen some very yummy recipes using wontons instead of pasta. Are they a form of bread?

45 lbs down and at a 3wks stall. Threw up once a week ago and experienced dumping first and hopefully last time on yesterday it was awful. Walking a little over a mile 7days a week. Resistance 3days a week therefore do not understand stall but I'm good. Low carbs low fat high protien plenty water and feel hungry a lot. Not head hungry BC I don't want to eat. But stomach growling hungry. Anyone else experience this. All in all still taking it one day at. A time.

I had surgery back in 2004 in Mexico by Dr. Kuri. I am looking for a physician in SW MO. who does fills? I used to go to Kansas to Dr. Sanduh but I don't think he does it anymore. Sorry to say I have gained all my weight back and then some. I need to get back on track. I haven't had a fill or any follow up in over 4 years now. Can you offer any help???

Hello! I am 15 months post surgery but just now getting on this site. Been registered on here for over a year but havent came back because Im so confused. It seems so overwhelming to me. Ha! Any advice or suggestions on how to maneuver around this site would be helpful. All these topics of discussion....how do you keep up? I have downloaded the iPhone app. Is there specific settings I need to apply? Do you follow people? How does it all work? Am I even in the right "forum?" How will I even know if anyone replies to my "rant?" Lol. Sorry for all the questions. I'm a Facebook & Pinterest junkie. If its not as simple as that, then I tend to panic! =) but I sure do need…

Hi, my name is Ciara i am thinking abut getting the sleeve. Live in Indiana I recieve medicaid but am thinking of finding another source of insurance. i need the sleeve because I am overweight and a mother of five who has tried everything to loose weight. i recently joined curves and though I have been eating right and exercising and even eel great about myself i also have gained weight and am sore and hungry all the time for exercising and restrictive diets. i have spent thousands of dollars on gimmicks and programs, i have just come to the conclusion that I need surgical intervention. i know i have a long road ahead of me but at least there is light at the end of the tu…

I'm mad at myself but happy at the same time I had to gain to get BMI 40 but I was unhappy with my weight so to get sleeved and make a lifetime change I gained 15 lbs now I'm really unhappy. Hope I'm approved fast!

Ok so everyone knows how stressed I have been this month to lose 5 pounds by this months weigh in. So I wake up this morning weigh myself and it shows that I lost 5 pounds. Well already I am stressed knowing my appointment is at 3:30 and by then with water weight and clothes I can ne 3-5 pounds heavier. Welllll!!! Soooo!!! The get me on the scales and not only had I lost 5 pounds it showed I lost 8.8 pounds with my clothes on and water weight!!! Needless to say I am throwing my scales away and buying a new one!!! Total lost if you take off water weight and clothes 10-12 pounds

Yesterday was my 6 month checkup with my surgeon. I was so excited to go to the appointment because Tuesday I reached 101 lb weight loss. Instead of telling me how good I was doing, I got a lecture about eating too much! He asked me what I ate the day before and I told him Greek yogurt and a sugar free Starbucks frap for Breakfast, tilapia for lunch, Premier Protein shake mid afternoon, chicken for dinner and a sugar free Popsicle for snack. He said I am eating 5 times a day and should only be eating 3 meals a day. He also said I am eating too many calories. I get in between 1000 and 1200 a day, but I do 40 minutes on the treadmill at least 5 times a week which bu…

Hi. My name is Jen and I have been looking at getting lap band for well over 5 years. I was even a few months away from getting it once but backed out. I felt like I should be able to do this on my own. Well here I am 5 years later and though I have lost 55 pounds I am not where I want to be. I want to be able to go on rides at Universal and not be embarrassed that the bar will not fit. This is my first step. I go in on Weds to talk to my surgeon and can't wait to get started on my new journey.

I just got my surgery date, it is November 9 at 11am. I just can not believe how fast this has gone. My first consultation wasthe first week in September and already a date. I'm excited,nervous and scared all in one. I'm glad I found this forum I'm sure I'll need this support as well as my local group.

Hello, my surgery date is Oct. 2nd. Im very excited but nervous at the same time. I'm having a hard time with the Baratric Advantage Meal Replacement shakes. I'm using vanilla and adding frozen fruit but it still is terrible. Anyone have a protein or meal replacement shake that you really like?

Anyone on here from Pittsburgh area? It'd be nice to talk to some people from the same area.

I live in uk, I am male 47 and have a bmi of 37 and type 2 diabetes, I am having a band in two weeks time September 18 and today I started my pre op diet- 1st day no real problems apart from feeling hungry - steve

I had a near heart failure yesterday but can look back with humor today thanks to dear hubby. Surgery was 9/20/12 so not quite a week out and recovery has seemed unbelievably easy. Still on liquids with protein added, jello and frozen SF Blue Bell bullets. Not necessarily happy with that choice but I am doing my best to be compliant. Yesterday was red jello day and for those of you who have been through the post surgery diet you will understand what I mean when I say -- Do Not Trust Farts!. I felt the need to 'pass air' so was hurrying as fast as I am able to the bathroom but did not get there in time. I literally had red fluid running down my legs, my underwear wen…

Ok so a lots been going on in the last week for me and my surgery is supposed to be October 23rd if all goes well... Ok so last weekend my hubby wrecked his truck thank god he's ok but it's just a added stress right now then thurs my ex but still a amazing friend died at 28 i was unable to fly to Texas for funeral which has me even more upset he was a huge support in everything I did we were awesome together never a dull moment we just couldn't do real life like play house and we both had kids our realtionship was based on fun and we had so much of it my heart is broken I was supposed to meet him tomorrow after my appt to catch up on life he worked two weeks here other tw…

I am scheduled to be sleeved on October 16th. What happens if you gain weight after the supervised diet and exercise classes are done? Ever since I got the call for my surgery date I have been excited, scared, anxious and just about every other emotion you can get during this. I'm just wondering what happens if I do gain weight. Another question I have is....I have my pre op on oct. 4 th. what do I need to expect for that? They said something about test I know I have a class...but if I don't pass a test it will have to be rescheduled. I'm not sure what test it would be.

I'm Anna I was banded back in nov. 2010 . I'm loving this support group. Im about to go for a barium x-ray to see what state my tummy is in and I'm super nervous. I have become careless. I started binge eating late at night again. I'm sure I have stretched my pouch.. But a few nights I've woken very late with terrible pain in my esophagus. Hurts to breathe. It resolves by mid morning. I'm back on liquids, I haven't had any unfills yet, but I'm thinking that's probably next step. I'm freaked out. Can anyone help calm my nerves? I've been at goal for about 9 months now (140 total loss) I'm scared! I don't want to lose my band or have to go through surgery... I don't hav…

Well I go in on 27 at 5 am I'm a lil scared but really I dont know how I feel i am just going pray everything go good I ask if all can just pray for me in i would do same for ppl that going in same day

Hi all --- So glad to have found this forum!! It seems no matter what question goes through my mind, I can dig around a bit here and find that someone has already asked it and someone else has already answered it. Its a godsend. So about me, I have been overweight most of my life (which is 49 years). For the first 30ish years I kept it under control by sheer will power, but age and a hysterectomy and menopause and quitting smoking and a desk job..........well, pfffffftttttt. Here I am 65 pounds over my ideal -- gallbladders out, blood pressures up, the joints are inflamed and I am planning my lap band. Tomorrow is my phone consult with the Dr. from SWLC. I ha…