Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello folks, I can't tell you how much I appreciate this forum. Without this forum, I can't imagine that I'd be embarking on this surgery. As a child, I was normal weight. However, many members of my extended family were overweight with some having diabetes. In my early 20s I started gaining weight and have never stopped. As I approach 50 I'm obese, have very high blood sugar (and will definitely become Type 2 Diabetic), high cholesterol, severe sleep apnea, etc. I've done Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Phentermine, exercise, Pritikin, and a lot more. A few years ago I looked into the Lap Band and decided against it. The post-band lifestyle and complications were mo…

How are you?? I had surgery yesterday am @930. Came home today by lunch. So far I'm pretty sore and sleepy!!!!

Hello All! Thanks for taking the time to read. I pretty much wrote my story down in the my "story" on my profile, but long story short .. here I am. I started this Lap-Band journey sincerely on April 30, 2012. I was tired of being diabetic and I was tired of being sick and tired of being sick and tired. Being a single mom to a rambunctious 3 year old boy is rough stuff. Trying to find the time and energy to get to they gym, much less the money to do it is even more rough. Struggling to make ends meet, I finally had to decide that this was a road I needed to take. I needed to get off my butt and put some forward motion to this weight loss journey. I have been overw…

I'm new to the site..signed up a couple days ago..I got banded June 11 2012.. I've had 2 fills.. 7ccs now...I'm glad I found this site and have really enjoyed it so far... Lori:-)

I'm new to the site..signed up a couple days ago..I got banded June 11 2012.. I've had 2 fills.. 7ccs now...I'm glad I found this site and have really enjoyed it so far... Lori:-)

Hello all! I'm brand new to this site and super excited that I am getting my band on Thursday. I must say that I'm a little nervous about this all. Today is day 7 of my 1000 calorie diet, and I am down 9 lbs I feel like this is a super feat since I've had little self will in the past. Plus it's PMS week, ugh. I miss food! Tomorrow and for at least the next 3 weeks starts all liquids They keep telling me that I'm not gonna wanna eat- hope they are right. Anyways, I started this journey about a month ago at 5'7 244 lbs (my highest weight). I'm at 235 now. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings

Im super anxious about this insurance stuff! My BMI is right at 40... I'm hoping it's good enough to get the approval. I feel like I have exhausted all other weight loss ideas and tries. I really need some sort of permanent restriction! I love seeing all of the success stories, it makes me realize it's possible! I'm starting out at 242 and hope to one day reach 145!

Hello! My name is Christina and I'm from WA. I will probably have my lap band surgery in April 2013, part of the wait time is I'm almost positive my insurance will make me go on a six month medical diet of some sort which is fine. Also my main support person (my father) will be out of town from Oct - April and I want him close by for the surgery and recovery phase. A huge reason for why I am doing this is because I turn 25 in December and realized that my life could be a quarter of the way over or HALF the way over! That's huge and I've decided it's only a quarter of the way over. My mother died at the age of 51 and every problem that she had up to her death could have …

Would you like to be a part of research by sharing your experience after gastric bypass surgery? The survey is completely anonymous and asks questions about your body image perceptions and alcohol usage one year after having bariatric surgery. Just click on this link or copy into your browzer to complete the survey. http://nnu.us.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_aXzZzHDDZiajdC4 Thank you in advance for contributing to this all important research. Feel free to pass this survey opportunity along to anyone who has had the surgery. Warm Regards, Gina Baiamonte Northwest Nazarene University

I want to know if we can take noproxen ???? Thank you Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using RNYTalk

Hello all. I've been lurking for a month or so and have finally decided to join. I am origionally from the Pittsburgh Pa.area buut for the last 7 years have lived in Sweden. I am 47, been married to a wonderful Swedish woman for 16 years and have to daughters 13 and 11 years old with another girl due onthe 10th of October. I have surgery on the 10 of Sept. but began my pre surgery diet on Aug. 6th. I did the cambridge shakes for 5 weeks and am now 2 weeks a 3 days post op. My starting weight on Aug 6 was a svelt 354 and this morning I was down to 294 so 60 lbs in the last 7 weeks. 22 of that since surgery. It has not been easy I at all to be honest, the 5 weeks o…

I'm nervously waiting on my approval from insurance. I'm schedule for Oct. 17th so excited and nervous.

Hello i am a non wisconsin native but i live here just the same. 37 year on female :)I am going through the motions of tryin to get approved for my sleeve. I guess i need to claim it more huh! so far i have seen the deitician 4 times. I saw the head doctor once. lol but i have to see her again to take a test.... always making things complicated but i guess i have to do what i have to do. But i am glad i have 2 more visits before we submit . oh and btw i have tri-care.. yeah i know pray for me. lol more about me, i am 5'2 give or take a few cm's 236lbs as of today. as long as i dont gain anymore weight I will be good. or lose any for that matter. but i am looking forward t…

I am soo excited but also soo nervous! I can't believe its finally here! :) *Jess*

hi everyone my name is julia. Iam 35 years old, I am from seattle WA, and I just got my lap-band 4 days ago in tijuana at angeles hosp. I would like to see if anybody knows what to do in case of nauseas. I almost vomited after eating and that scares me a lot so i went and drank some pepto bismol and that made me feel better. the dr. asked me at the hosp if I felt nauseas but i didnt at the time, but now iam and also i have been burping alot. should I start the protein shakes or should i wait until next monday?????? because i think i feel this way because iam not eating much. plus iam scared of eating now. please give some advice.

So i am having difficulty if I want to do lapband or gastric bypass... They said that we only have one time to be covered by iinsurance... Pls. Gimme insight. If u do gastric it is permanent, if I do lapband what are thr advantages?

Well looks like hubby will not be getting laid off any time soon as far as we know. So I will have insurance next month and possible till end of year!!!! Yayyyyy!!!

hey all... I'm new here - just signed up yesterday and I got banded 8 days ago. I wish I had found this site sooner - lots of good info (ok and a lil not so good, ) but am glad to find a site for support. I'm looking forward to doing the journey with you all!

I am a newbie here. I can't believe I finally have a surgery day. I started this journey 3 years ago. I was encouraged by my primary physician to see a bariatric surgeon. However, most wanted to do gastric bypass and this was just not the surgery for me. I was also only 2 years cancer free at the time and really was not ready for another surgery. Apparently I was meant to wait, because I never even heard the word "sleeve" mentioned during these initial consultations. I am having my surgery in Langhorne PA by Dr. Medvetz. I have come to enjoy my support group and the people at the hospital. I was glad to see the what to pack list and am having preadmission testing this we…

How many of you had this at a hospital same day?

Hello all! Just wanted to thank everyone for the pep talks and all the advice I was given when I couldn't lose! I am happy to say that I LOST 15 POUNDS since my last post!!! YAYYYY ME!!!! I only have 4 MORE pounds to go to lose 100!!!! IM SOOO EXCITED! I am hoping I don't platue again!!! Instil have a LONG way to go!!! Thanks Again!!! Nory!!!

I am 36 yrs old, divorced with two children. I have been fighting my weight issues since having my son 17 yrs ago. I just had my second fill. I have 4 cc in my 10 cc band now. I feel tight. I'm struggling to drink water. I managed to get a pudding cup down and I am slowing drinking water. I am also fighting a virus...fever and headache and vomiting so maybe that is the cause of my issues? I've been lurking here for a while and you guys are wonderful. Wendy Starting weight was 260 Weight today was 241

had an amazing Non Scale Victory today- I have been wearing my grandmothers engagement ring on my right ring finger and my Tiffany's ring on my left middle finger.. well they have been getting looser and looser so today I finally decided it was time to resize them.. My gramma's ring went from an 8 to a 6 for my ring finger and my Tiffany went from a 9 to a 7.25! holy cow im losing inches from all over the place!!!!!

I want to know what u guys would do? Here's what happened: Last week (after waiting for about 3 wks) i finally had my first dr's appointment. After getting weighed in and giving all my info to the nurse, we (hubby &i) met the dr, he asked lots of questions which i imagine is pretty normal, he looked over my record and started talking to me about how he would proceed with the operation and how glad persons like me are taking preventive measures before its too late. He said he was going to see if my insurance would cover it because my BMI is not over 40 (its 37) and my husband told him that we had already verified & that it wouldn't so that we had the money ready…

I am so excited and nervous at the same time. My doctor suggested that lapband wil help me in many ways with my health. I hope my insurance covers it! I weight 230 lbs and has been struggling in losing it. My doctor informed me that I have a metabolic syndrome that causes all this health issue I have right now. Thank Hod that my PCP are willing to help me go through yhis phase.

Hello everyone. I am back. My apologies to everyone for being away, but I could tell I was near burn-out and really did not want to get to a point that I went BO all the way, so I stepped back. In hindsight I should have said something but I did not expect to be gone so long. I am doing OK. I am in reluctant maintenance, lol. I have picked up my sword fighting in earnest and building up my muscle mass, and since my weight loss had slowed to a crawl I decided to up the calories via Protein and veggies and give my body some time to adjust, and heal from a couple of new sports injuries (sports injuries, ha-ha!). However, as September draws to a close and I hover in the s…

Was informed thismorning that my surgery will be october 30th, unless there is a conflict at work in which case it would be october 9th. Well know for sure today after I speak with my boss. Super excited!

Can't wait till the 6 months is over, I can't wait to be sleeved and I can't wait to be a healthier thinner me!!!!! . I love to read all of the positive stories.

Hello! I'm Liz and I am new to these forums. I wish I found this place so much sooner! I had my sugery February 9, 2011 and am down about 100lbs. I still have about 90-100lbs to go. I moved from Arkansas to Kansas almost a year ago so I've had the experience of finding a new surgeon for my fills and what not. I had my very first fill 6 weeks post op and did great. I had him add a little more about 6 months later and have done well with that. I moved after that so I went about 6 more months without seeing a surgeon. I had my new doctor add 1 cc of fluid and became totally obstructed. That was the most horrible experience I've had during this time. I went back to…

I'm so excited I'm 2 days away from my surgery date! Having surgery in northern ny! I'm on day seven of my liquid diet and at times I've been weak, but reading the posts here has really kept me motivated. I'm looking forward to stepping into a new life. It has been trying some days, sometimes the hubby does not seem to be so supportive, but I feel a positive change coming so it helps to just stay focused on that. He is a man who enjoys a fluffy woman, but I have explained that my health and my future depends on me losing weight. I am very excited to see a future where I can do more things with my kids like biking, horseback riding, amusement parks. Thank you to all…

Just wondering...how long did you stay in the hospital after being banded? If it was less than a day; do you felt you should have stayed longer?

In pre-op phase. Just counting the days to surgery.

Tomorrow is the day that I get the band. I have to be there at 5 and get banded at 7.

Hello All! I started my gastric sleeve journey in January of this year. I have United Healthcare insurance which covers gastric sleeve. My BMI is 38. According to my policy, they will cover it if I have a co-morbidity. I went for my initial consultation at the South Carolina Obesity Center here in Columbia, SC. Dr. Givens recommended the gastric sleeve. Two weeks later I had a sleep study done and low and behold I have sleep apnea. So there is my co-morbidity. I was also instucted to be on a 3 month supervised diet. I went to every weigh in appointment and all the classes. On April 17th it was my pre op diet appointment with the dietician. My last hoop to jump…

Hello, I am new to this site and wanted to introduce myself. I had the lap band placed on September 12, 2012 by Dr. Stephen Levine in Daytona Beach Florida and have never been happier. I, like everyone here, have struggled with my weight all my life. I tried everything, went to weight watcher camps at age 9 and 15 and yo-yo'd all my life losing but ultimately gaining more in the end. At the beginning of this year at 5'8" I weighed 291lbs. I have lupus and fibromyalgia and I suffered from sleep apnea, I knew I had to do something if I wanted to be around for my children and grandson. A woman I worked with had been over a year post surgery and was very successful, so I…

Hello Fellow Sleevers!! I have been reading for a while but never really thought I had anything to say. I had my sleeve surgery on September 4. I had an allergic reaction to pain killers and was sick for a while. I proceeded to be sore from vomiting and very weak for my first two weeks. I followed my diet and drs instructions like a good little girl. On day 14 I started pureed foods and started having problem vomiting. It's been pretty steady and bad. Still felt weak. Frustrated. Fighting a depression. Wondering why? A few days ago I believe I turned a corner. My spirit is coming back. I have returned to work after 20 days. I am finally eating on a regular…

Hello everyone, thanks for reading my post. I'm having gastric bypass in 3 weeks (Oct 15th) however my fiance' & I broke our relationship off. It has been taking an emotional toll on me to say the least. I am trying to prepare to undergo a life changing surgery with recovery that demands my full attention. He was a big support system for me. I do have my mom & kids supporting me so Im not alone. My heart is broken & my anxiety level has gone through the roof (as if it wasnt high enough). I'm trying so hard to stay focused it's just difficult when facing this loss. Sorry to ramble, just needed to vent & I know you are amazing listeners.

Tomorrow is my 6th month weigh in. I was told to lose 5 pounds in which I lost 7.2 ok so here is my dilema my appointment is at 1:30 and my weight loss is all from morning weigh ins. By 1:30 whether I have eaten or not or just drinking liquids I am always 3-4 pounds heavier which shows no weight loss. What can I do? My doc is an hour away so it's not like I can run in real quick and get weighed, and come back later

Yet again another fight with my husband, I am preop and my surgery scheduled for oct 3rd. initally he was against my surgery but i thought we discussed the benefits but boy was I wrong. we got into fight again and he says to me , go have your "fat surgery, you fat slob". So hurtful, im sitting here crying uncontrollably, he said that he wants nothing to do with surgery and that i better be prepared to go alone ( i have few friends and my mom may be out of town) im still going to have the surgery but i wish i wasnt alone in this battle. its not that he is insecure he just wants to keep me fat. i wish my life was different, i feel so helpless....

I'm scheduled for surgery 10/15 and I'm so confused every day I start out excited and then by evening I change my mind! I live with my boyfriend and I'm not sure if I'm going to even let him know that I am having surgery because he has a hard time lying to people so I know that he would just give it away if someone asked him. So im not going to give him that burden.Not that I'm ashamed I just don't think it's anyone else's business. I'm 29yo nurse and student from NJ.

Hey guys. I was just sleeved on 9/17 & all went great. The only problem I seem to be having is a dull pain in the spot at the bottom of my esophagus ( right before it meets the stomach). Nexium doesn't help at all & it affects me every time I eat & drink. Anyone else having this?

Today is Day 12 after being sleeve. I'm feeling much better, not in pain at all. Down 31 pounds. I'm about to start purée food on the 27th. Any suggestions on what to eat. I'm nervous that I will not lose weight as fast as I was during the four wks of liquid.

Hi, I'm Cheryl from the beautiful Okanagan in BC. I am looking seriously at having the gastric sleeve procedure done this fall. My sister-in-law did this last Dec. & has lost 82 lbs. and has a new life. I want one too! I am in the health care business & wanting to hear any long term stories, of someone that has had this done 5 or more years ago. Any long term problems? Thanks.

Anybody getting banded in October???? I need a support system because I am scared out of my mind but I know this is something I need. Please help.....

hello everyone I am so grateful to have have stumbled upon this wonderful support system for lap banders . I have been playing with the idea of weightloss surgery for years now. i recently changed jobs and found out that my insurance covers the lap band surgery, after all is said and done I will only be out of pocket 2000. I am excited. My insurance has a policy of making the patient wait 4 months to have the surgery. I had my first weightloss appt on Monday and I have a tentative surgery date of 01-18-2013. I can't wait!!! I welcome any advice from fellow lap banders . I am doing my best to learn all there is to know. I will be going through True Results. What kind of…

Hi everyone, I am tentatively scheduled for the sleeve at the end of next month so I have been researching like crazy. I love the fast weight loss and support of all the people on here, but have noticed it's very difficult to find people two years plus...I have found posts elsewhere on other sites and it seems many start complaining that it was a mistake or health issues as the years progress, along with gaining alot of weight back. I don't want to be a downer at all as I love hearing all the positive stories, but I'm scared about the future, and since I still have time to call it off, I keep questioning if this is right for me. I have tried every diet imaginable, I'm…

I can't wait till this Thursday I have my surgery god is good

Hi all I was banded a year ago... I initially did great but am afraid I have fallen from the band wagon... I have gained 10 lbs over the summer. I have a demanding job and feel like I just dont have time for me... How do I get back on track and help the scale go down again? I am happy I had the band done just frustrated that I am not using it properly!! Any advise on getting back on track? I would appreciate any feedback, butt kicking, inspiration as I am feeling lost... I have had 3 fills total and honestly thought after my last fill I may have been too tight leading to poor slider food choices but now I just don't know why I can't get on track... I even tried the 5 day …

Hi everyone, This is Mark. Just had my procedure done two days ago. Not feeling very hungry but would love to get back to some form of food for my sanity. Does the liquid diet really need to last 2 weeks? Is there any reason for the 2 week mark? Is it possible to at least get to things other than clear Soup within a week? Just wondering how the 2 week period was chosen. Thanks everyone! Mark

New here... Lots of questions. I had my sleeve on Monday the 17th and I am still having a lot of pain from one of the incisions. Is this normal? Also am I suppose to start drinking protein drinks? My doctor said make sure I drink 64oz of clear fluid. But didn't say anything about protein. Please help