Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am only 1 week post op but had tremendous success on post op and am down 24 lbs! Today I put on some pants that were really uncomfortable a few weeks ago and they are loose! Decided to clean out my closet. But there is something wrong with my brain! I look at things and think, I should keep this for a puffy day or in case I gain. GUESS WHAT? I am NOT going to gain again! You should see how much I pulled out of that closet. Not wasting anytime it all goes to the Goodwill tomorrow! I am getting rid of the excess...weight and clothes! I am loving this!

Tomorrow I go for my very first visit to De Paul in St Louis. Im so excited and so nervous all at the same time. Im getting butterflies in my tummy just thinking about it. Im kinda concerned about this psych eval though, ive never talked to one before. Hopefully its not quite the interagation Im picturing in my mind. Im not a talky talky with strangers kind of chic. But hopefully i will get cleared and continue on my way. I wish I could have this done right now, but im looking at hopefully the beginning of next year, due to my work. I also have to plan just in case they need to open me up. I've had 3 previous abdominal surgeries 2 of which when I was 3. Lots of …

Do they leave ur port open or do they close it like ur other cuts

ANd feel pretty good considering it was only done yesterday. Surgery went well -it went faster than anticipated even with a hiatal hernia repair. Today even after they took me off the pain drip six hours ago iM just now asking for a shot. So the pain hasn't been too overwhelming. The gas is moderate and I've been drinking fairly well. Thanks to the great staff at Greater Baltimore Medical Center!

Had my surgery 2 weeks ago with Dr Almanza and feeling pretty good. I've already lost almost 21 lbs! However a lot of that was water weight for sure. Stil feeling great when I step on the scale though I know this is only the beginning and I'm excited for the future. Having some minor problems with acid reflux but nothing major. It's the psychological battle as it pertains to my previous relationship with food and my 'food habits' that I'm dealing with now. I don't feel hungry at all but it's the simple things like coming home from work cooking a big unhealthy (but yummy) meal and sitting down eating all my comfort food that made me feel good and was the relaxing part…

good morning. my name is debbie. had lap band surgery on august 21st. first fill is october 2nd. on soft diet right now. have to say i still crave food. would love a sandwich but am too afraid of vomiting to eat one. lol. lost some weight 32lbs so far. im excited about that. awaiting the new me.

Was kind of an uneventful vist. Didn't learn anything new. Other than high cholesterol, I don't have any other comorbidities. So the med chart review was easy. Left there with an " ok, we'll contact your insurance and let you know.". Guess I was expecting something a little different.......no worries tho. It will all come soon enough. It's been since January, so a few more weeks or months wont hurt.

This is my firlst day on lap band talk. Back in '70 I wanted to have weight loss surgery but life got in the way. So I never thought about it until last year. I thought I will go for it again and got approved on my 45th birthday last Tuesday. I could not stop smiling. I keep saying in my head, I can do this. Then I read the horror stories about the lap band and I almost want to back out. I prayed God please point me in a good direction and by accident I found lap band talk. I'm feeling much more relaxed and back to excited. Well now I have a pre op appointment on Sept 28 and an OR reserved for me October 22nd. I am real excited to have a positive change in m…

Yesterday afternoon, as my youngest son - age 7 - was wrapping up his homework, he asks me the following question, out of the blue: "Daddy, did you eat a lot of candy when you were a kid?" I had no idea where this was coming from. I said, "Oh, I don't know... maybe more than I should have. Why do you ask?" "Well," he says, "because you're fat." And he doesn't say it in a mean way. In fact, I took it as quite the opposite. He's trying to make the connection, I guess. There wasn't any more to the conversation beyond that. After the exchange, he went about his business and I mine, but it's something I keep thinking about. More on my blog

I just have to share ~ I'm so proud of myself! I went out with the girls tonight for the first time post-op (9 days: 8/29). We went to a diner and then a bar. My two MOST favorite used-to-be foods? Diner foods and beer =P Even though I feel GREAT, I'm following my instructions to the absolute letter, and not deviating whatsoever - which means I am still on Protein shakes & low-cal liquids only for another 10 days. My friend got buffalo chicken tenders ~ I leaned over to sniff them, lol ~ GOD they smelled soooo good!!! The old me would have been dying just for a bite ~ and would have fought with myself against it, and then given in and cheated. The new me …

Just wanted to introduce myself, I have been following this forum for a while. I am very excited for this new chapter in my life!! Have been thinking about weight loss surgery since 2003, but thought I did not need surgical intervention. My highest weight was 308lbs, lost 20lbs on my own by excercising and making the right food choices. Now I have an additional tool to get to my weight goal!!

I just returned from my 6 week post op check up. As I have been telling my doctor and dietician from the beginning...I am hungry and I can eat too much! (examples: 3 eggs and 3 turkey sausage links/ entire 2 cup can of Soup / full plate of fish and green Beans...I always stop myself because I SHOULD, but know that I could eat more!) The dietician was so condescending. She just kept telling me that I just need to continue making healthy choices. She does not understand the fear of losing 100+ pounds, only to gain it back again. (which I have done several times) In fact, she encouraged me to eat like I used to...just to see what happens. I really feel like the surgery…

Anyone else having problems with the app on iPhone?? I can't reply to my messages.

So I'm post op 11 days and I have a nasty head cold and a fever anyone relate no major pains everything healIng just perfect! Other than I feel pretty weak with this cold and fever

I'm 4 days post op and having some trouble understanding the difference, in regards to the first post op stage, between what I can have and not have.... One thing says no sugar added while another says sugar free. For instance somE apple juices have no sugar added but have tons of natural sugar.... Help! I'm lost

Hey everyone, I found a old picture today and wanted to show the progress I have made so far. The first picture is from 4 years ago (I dont know how much I weighed in it) and the second is from this past Saturday. My highest weight was 360lbs, day of surgery I was 338lbs and I am currently 237lbs, I have been in ANOTHER stall which seems like FOREVER but I hope I will be able to get down to my goal weight.

Hello all, I had my band taken out and sleeve done on June 6th 2012 My stomach hurts constantly I take prilosec twice a day and seem to have to eat to make my stomach not hurt. I swear I eat 6 or 7 tums a day..Has anybody else had this problem?

K so I was excited to get all this going, now I am having second thoughts. That I should leave my body alone and just stay heavy. Is it gods plan for me to be this way, a lesson to learn. I have all these what if thoughts. Anyone else feel like this? Anyone who has crossed over to the sleeve side? Help! Advice? Anything....

hi im interested in hearing from anyone who has had gastric bypass surgery and had to go in for a redo .. i had gastric bypass in 2004 and my starting weight was 493lb and got down to 260lb and i kept it off for 6 years. but due to a disc prolapse and upcomming knee surgery and heart issues ive put on almost 60lb again . i saw my surgeon last week and he has put me back on the waiting list for a gastric bypass redo or for the gastric sleve (whichever he decides to do). im told i will only be waiting about 12 weeks for this surgery and i am very scared as i have heard it is high risk surgery.. .so id like to hear from anyone who has had the redo and if they had any p…

Just took some new pics since today marks 5 months since I had my surgery. I am currently down 92 pounds . Looking at these pics I am shocked at the change!

Hi all, My name is Lauren. I am a 21 year old college student, studying biology. I am a big health and fitness junkie. I workout daily - cardio and weight training. I love eating healthy, and finding all sorts of ways to make healthy meals tasty! I'm looking forward to posting in here

I just found out that I will be getting a gastric bypass or lapband. I just want to learn as much as I can from those who have done the requirements for or know the requirements for either.

i am about to start the process of getting all the tests done & meeting with a surgeon about being sleeved but im nervous about my insurance denying me! i have 1199SEIU. i hear that i have to go on a 6 month diet before being approved but im confused. if i lose too much weight, will they deny me? my reason for wanting the surgery is because i put the weight on too quickly. it never stays off. what if i dont lose enough? will they deny me? what exactly makes or breaks this cycle? i need this surgery because of my health and the last thing i want to hear is that im not approved. i know i can diet & drop weight fast but i put it on twice as fast. thats my issue…

hello everybody I've been gone for a minute...but I'm back... I had my surgery March 7, 2012.. today I am down to 64 pounds...I feel so good [ATTACH]4918[/ATTACH]

Hi there! I'm Jerrie Ann, and I'm almost 10 months post op RNY! I've lost 140 pounds, and have only 15 pounds till my goal weight! Is there anyone on here in Abilene, TX? There used to be a support group, but they disbanded shortly before my surgery!

Made my 2nd weight goal today ... 200 lbs, 69 gone forever! Haven't weighed 200 for over 15 years. So excited

Hello- this is my first post on this forum. My surgery date is set for September 26. I am so happily overwhelmed for this new lifestyle choice I have chosen. I live in Oklahoma but my surgeon is in Texas so that is where I will be traveling for everything. My first doctor visit was June 12, 2012, and the following week on the 21st I had my meeting with the nutritionist and the psychologist. My next doctor visit was the middle of July. September 10, 2012 I received my approval from my insurance company and surgery was immediately scheduled. Did I mention how excited I was? My husband and family are beyond supportive and that makes this so much easier. All I know is tha…

After 4 months of seeing a nut once a month then the last month, August, having to take a test and make a 90 or above, seeing a pulmonary specialist, finding out I only have 77.4% oxygen intake, had an xray of my lungs, saw a phsycologist and watched a film on the VS I found out my insurance will not pay and my surgeon will only take cold hard CASH ,$14,000.00, for my VS surgery. What a let down. Now after working since May to get everything the surgeon wanted done before the VS I was shot down Friday. So..over the Labor day weekend I have searched for a new surgeon with financing that will honor all I've done to get this far. I hope I won't have to start over. I know lot…

Had surgery on the 6th and woke up with a drain in my stomach. No complications during surgery and leak test was good. I left the hospital on the 8th and was told that the drain would be slowing considerably within the next 2 days by a nurse. Well, here it is th evening of the 10th and I am emptying as much blood as I did on day 1. Is this normal? I go to the drs. on the 12th the day said drain is supposed to be removed and I don't see that happening at this point. My question is has anyone expierienced a similar issue? Is this a sign of a . problem? I can't find any info that covers this on VST...thanks.

Does it take the insurance 2weeks to approve ur dr for the lapband

Hi I am 4 months post opt. At the 2 week mark I had to be put back into the hospital. Had a leak & infection. Stayed in the hospital for 18 days. At first I thought "what did I do" but now I am 60 lbs lighter and feel so much better then I did. Here is a picture of me after/before

My name is Toya. I am to ready to break the cycle of being obese. I have been in denial for most of my adult life, because so many in my fan club love curves. I have weighed 200lbs since the age of 14 and now at the age of 40 I have peaked to 300lbs. I have managed to hide the shame and discomfort because I know how to look my best at any size (with over 25 years of experience). I made the choice in 2008 to have the lap band procedure and within the first six months I lost 50lbs. I must admit it initially felt great, but as usual I found a way to "work around" the band and gained it all back within the past year. My surgery is going to be performed by Dr Kim in Colle…

I am new to this site and very glad I found it because I really need the support! I was banded on 8/22/12. I had no problems with my incisions. I was up walking around within 2 hours and I had minimal pain after 3-4 days. I am very happy with the way I've been healing. I had my follow-up with my surgeon on 8/29/12. I lost 14 lbs in the first week, which I'm assuming was mostly water weight, but I'm happy nonetheless. I was switched to soft mushy on the 29th and as of yesterday, I'm allowed to eat anything. I've noticed over the last week or so, that I'm getting hungry more often. My diet has consisted mostly of protein shakes for breakfast, tuna or chicken salad w…

Now how long will it take Inc.bcbs to be approved?

So, I had my surgery yesterday morning at 7:30. The morning went by fine and I was less nervous than I ever anticipated. As a matter of fact, I am normally a basket case for "scary events", but I was uncharacteristically calm. After surgery was a different feeling all together. I remember waking up crying and feeling very sore and out of it. I could hear them saying I was harder to wake up than most, but luckily I did wake up. The past 24 hours have been hell for me. Aside from the pain in my tummy (and especially the largest incision site) I have had some adverse reactions, they believe to the anestheisa. My entire body aches and I can't move from the pain. It feel…

I need advice im 24 5ft 7in I weight 297 my bmi is 45 I want to get the lap band but im scared because someone told me that they friend got a infection from it and died please help

I really need to talk with someone about this surgery someone that has Bern through it

Hi my name is Kara and I am new to this board but plan on being here for a lot longer! I have decided on sleeve after doing much research and visiting my local surgeon office (Beverly Hills Physicians in Rancho Cucamonga) my surgeon is going to be Dr. Misra and I instantly knew I made the right choice after doing my one on one consult with her. I am in the beginning stages so you will definitely hear my story and hope you can cheer me on along the way. A lil about me.. like I said my name is Kara I'm 33 years old, single mother to a soon to be 13 year old son I live in the Inland Empire area of Southern California and my current weight is 273 I'm 5'4 and my reasoning …

I'm still full of gas! I know it's mostly from the swelling, my hiatal hernia was pretty bad so I know I have a ton of swelling at the top of my new stomach. But every time I take a sip of water, or my shake I feel like I'm burping forever! When does it stop?

I am sure that most of us sit here with our fingers poised over the keys, wondering what to write. Do I start of with my name, my age, what brought me here? Do I talk about my goals and dreams? Well, here goes nothing! My name is Kristine, I am 27 years old, and at my highest weight (that I know of) I was 415 pounds. I live in Montana and it has taken me a long, LONG time to get to the point of admitting I needed the help I am getting now. My whole life I have been the fat kid. I was "gopher cheeks" in the first grade per the bully on the school bus. I was "Porky Pig" per my own mom in a ruse to help me quit snacking after school. I was "thing" per my older sister in…

Hi I had my op on the 30/8/2012 and over night I had a 2,5 pound increase and feeling ver dissapointed. I am eat normal food and keeping it to 1000 cal a day. Can anyone give me some support as I am feel down about the gain.

Finally got a date to meet my surgeon!! Sept. 21st. But then what?? Did all pre op testing, just gotta submit paperwork to insurance . Does anyone know how long it takes to get an answer frm insurance and then to get a date for surgery?

Well, I am down 32 pounds, got my meds together, laundry done, paperwork done, notebook of eating schedule complete.....almost done packing....I am at the hospital in 20 hours and surgery in 22...getting SOOOO excited!!!

My name is Christine and I am super-excited to be on the 9/17 banded list! What kind of "before & after" advice does anyone have? I was thinking of tracing my "before" body image onto cardboard and then doing it intermitently to "see" my progress. I am a bit nervous about the whole process. I have tried and failed so many diet plans before and I feel I am ready for this new journey. I am scared that I will be able to eat my way through the band. I also know that if I keep my monthly appointments with the surgeon that I will do better - long term.

So I need to buy vitamins so my ? Is do they sell one a day with b complex or what kind can i buy

Hi my name is Jessica I am 26 years old. I am married with two daughters a 8 yr old and an 8 month old. I am so excited about the.possibility of this surgery. I want to be healthy again is my main reason for wanting this. I am a type2 diabetic been diagnosed for 3 years now. I also have fatty Liver which is.due to my extra weight. I am 5'6 I have been overweight since I was 17. My weight fluctuates between 180 and 200lbs. Can't get below 180 no matter how hard I try. I would love to look better buy feeling better is my main goal. Wish me luck! Good luck to all of you as well!!

Edges day I meet with the surgeon for the first time. What kind of questions did you ask at your first meeting!

I "only" have 70 lbs to loose. I know since i have less to loose I will loose slower. I'm wondering how much can I expect to loose the first month and how long has it taken others to make it to a 70 lbs loss goal.

Hey everyone, glad to be here. I am so excited to be on this path. I am ready to start my 6 months of dieting but I know I will need encouragement. May the trek begin.

Hello all! I'm a new member here at VST. I'm in the "considering WLS" stage. I'm leaning toward doing it, and I'll be going to my required first "seminar" with the bariatric surgeon that my PCP referred me to.in just a couple of days. (Odd that "bariatric" trips up spell check here!) I've decided to actually do a blog on my - it seems that everyone is calling it this - journey. Other blogs that I found last week mostly began at the point of actually having had the surgery. See the link in my signature and tell me what you think. I'll try to keep the rambling there Is it just me, or are there hardly any men here? Is that because that many more women are doi…