Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello! I am new to posting here.. I have been reading and reading and thought it was about time I got involved! I am going to be sleeved on 8/27 by Dr. Alvarez in mexico. I have Aetna insurance, but they will not approve me ... I have to wait for 2 more years till I can show that my BMI has been consistently over 40. I have been up and down my whole life, but I have never been this heavy. I just could't bear the thought of having to stay at this weight just to get approved. I will be forty years old in a few months and I think its time to take my life back and not wait on Aetna. I am nervous, excited, worried.. all the emotions you could possibly have. I unfortuna…

Yay! Submitted Tuesday approved today!! And a negative h pylori test!! Just waiting on the doc to call with a date!!

Hi, I had surgery on the 9/07/12. I'm on my second day home and feeling awful. I'm assuming it's the gas. I'm on a liquid diet but I'm not sure what I can have other than jello, soup and water. Any suggestions would be good.

all ready sick of oatmeal,yogurt, sf jello. not hungry just want something i can chew. pure protein drinks are the only ones i can stomach. i thought i would be going to bathroom alot. but feeling constipated. what is that about. i am determined to go forward. and to my sleeve twin Milkd we are going to make it. july 24th is rt around the corner stay focused. scary but ready.

feel better today. looking on the bright side. up drank ps. eating oatmeal, yogurt and fruit cup for bf. going on nature walk with my 8 n 11 yr old daughters. stay focused sleevers. b blessed.

I arrived at the hospital, with my husband, at 9am on Tuesday. Was immediately whisked into the pre-op area where they gave me a johnny, wrist band, compression stockings and my IV. They also put a Dramamine patch behind my ear and said it was to help with nausea after. I was in that room with my husband until about 10:30. A nurse game in and said they were going to give me something to relax me. He said "this stuff ls like having a few strong drinks!" From that point on, I only remember kissing my hubby goodbye, and moving from the bed to the operating room table. The last thing I member them saying to me was "think of a happy place." I not sure if I woke up in …

The other day i was eating brie and thought it was the most delicious thing on the planet, but today I'm eating it and think it's kinda gross. Is this normal for tastes to change like that? I've heard of them changing pre-op to post-op but not day-to-day - Kaylee Ann ~ Surgiversary: 6/11/12

I simply must say "thank you" to this forum. i am new to weight-loss surgery. My surgery will occur in October or November of this year. I have many questions that I forget to ask the doctor. The perspectives that people on this forum can share have been very helpful to me and I simply want to say "thank you." I'll certainly share my experiences post-surgery. I find reading forum posts to be very helpful in identifying issues and concerns that I had not thought about. Another benefit of the forum is to understand the challenges that people have post-surgery. Those observations help me be more realistic. I truly appreciate the postings.

My first appt is next Friday and I'm soooo excited! I've been overweight since age 10, obese since 18, morbidly obese since 21. Now, at 31 and with a BMI of 45, it's time. The things I'm most looking forward to (in no particular order) are playing with my kids (ages 2 and 4), riding a bicycle again, riding roller coasters, not having to pretend that I'm afraid of flying when really I'm just embarrassed, etc etc etc. My wife is incredibly supportive, but it's so nice to have this forum. I've been trolling for a week and decided today is the day I'm joining the party. Woot wooooot!

Hello I'm new to the forum and thought I'd introduce myself im Bec I'm 31 i live in Australia and I've just booked in to have a lap band in October, I'm so excited to finally be able to shed the kilos, I've tried diet after diet exercised personal trainers you name it I've tried it, I have just also been diagnosed with PCOS and found out my weight gain is caused from that so lapband it is for me I look forward to getting to know you all Bec x

Finally waited nine months for this and so happy I woke up from the anesthesia.lol.

Just had my consult with my doctor Friday the 6th. Very overwhelming to say the least. I have made my decision to push forward with the surgery. Have great friends and family that will help me get througth it. I've been reading all of your wonderful posts for over a month here and never made the decision to join you all til today. We all need all the help, support and encouragement we can get! My question to anyone out there is during the clear liquid diet, which is the best protein supplement you have used that got you through 2 weeks of this diet. Any information would be extremely helpful as my head is still realing from all the information i've received since F…

I go for my information session july 31 ive heard alot of mixed stories. I am nervous about the sugery and the dieting. Ive always had problems sticking to diets i get depressed and give up. Food seems to be comfort food my ecaspe.

I have gotten my referral from my insurance, attended the required seminar, had the phych evaluation and am meeting with the nurse practitioner this morning and was hoping someone could tell me what I should expect. I guess what I don't know is what the process is from here...

On June 5th my surgeons office said it was now time to submit to my insurance for authorization . It's now mid July and my primary still has not sent my needed records. End of June he had me come in so we could fill out surgeon forms together , and that is the only thing he has sent. They need the last six months of records. The girl in his office told the surgeons office, "if it's in his basket, he'll get to it when he gets to it". Can you believe it.? Meanwhile although my pcp more than doubled my lantus, and now has me shooting up humalog three times a day , my a1c is still climbing and has gone from 5.7 to 10.4 in the last year, my body is covered in injectio…

I have scheduled my first consultation with the surgeon on July 17th and I'm excited about having some help getting my weight off and KEEPING it off!

I havent been in since idk but I was just wondering if everyone is doing great! After september I'll be having my bypass. It's so crazy because I've been watching YouTube and looking all over for before and after pictures from wls patients. It's not easy to find out there I guys I'm kinda just wondering who different bodies look after bypass. Pictures say a thousand words. If anyone has Facebook look me up deondessiree skipper and hope to hear from you all. Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

They submitted my claim yesterday to my insurance! *crossing fingers*

On June 5th my surgeons office said it was now time to submit to my insurance for authorization . It's now mid July and my primary still has not sent my needed records. End of June he had me come in so we could fill out surgeon forms together , and that is the only thing he has sent. They need the last six months of records. The girl in his office told the surgeons office, "if it's in his basket, he'll get to it when he gets to it". Can you believe it.? Meanwhile although my pcp more than doubled my lantus, and now has me shooting up humalog three times a day , my a1c is still climbing and has gone from 5.7 to 10.4 in the last year, my body is covered in injectio…

On June 5th my surgeons office said it was now time to submit to my insurance for authorization . It's now mid July and my primary still has not sent my needed records. End of June he had me come in so we could fill out surgeon forms together , and that is the only thing he has sent. They need the last six months of records. The girl in his office told the surgeons office, "if it's in his basket, he'll get to it when he gets to it". Can you believe it.? Meanwhile although my pcp more than doubled my lantus, and now has me shooting up humalog three times a day , my a1c is still climbing and has gone from 5.7 to 10.4 in the last year, my body is covered in injectio…

The grand total for my surgery was $48,904.63 the amount I owe the provider $0. Thank God for insurance

My stomach has been super sensitive lately. (have had problems for years though) and they don't know if it is an ulcer or my gallbladder. I am going for more tests (ultrasound tomorrow) but I was wondering if there was any symptoms anyone,else has gone through? Mine: sensitive stomach Nausea Loss of appetite (which hey not so bad on this one) Stabbing pains in my right side after eating And I am exhausted all the time And just a pain ol' feeling like crap 24/7

I am starting my 2 week preop liquid Optifast diet tomorrow! Excited and a little scared. Anyone else have to drink the Optifast shakes preop?

Hello from TN! I am 33, 5'1" and weigh 215. I have been working towards this for over a year now. I had my final consult yesterday with Dr.Watson in Johnson City, TN. This whole time I have been preparing for the sleeve. I was informed that the sleeve wasn't a good option for me due to a hiatal hernia. I was kinda scared when I got the news. So now I have to have a different frame of mind. It's just hard when you've been expecting one thing and then everything changes. All I know is I'm ready! Just waiting for insurance approval now. This is a great site. I've been on vertical sleeve talk for a while. Looking forward to making some good friends on here!

I'll be banded in October due to insurance making me go thru 5 months of weight loss appointments first. It just feels so far away and though I wish I could just start my journey now I know the hoops and whistles of it all will be worth the payment. Anyone else have a long period they had to wait for their insurance? Everyone I knew it was only 2-3 months which I thought was reasonable to make sure the person is committed, but 5 months seems a bit lengthy to me...

Hello everyone out there in WLS land. Like many of you, I also had a horrible lap band experience and am now converting to the sleeve next week. I have a lot of worry about the level of pain that's involved with recovery. I'm usually tolerant of pain but post-surgical pain--not so much. I don't tolerate narcotic pain meds well at all yet that's probably what I will be prescribed. I've heard liquid tylenol is good --- any suggestions?

Does anyone know of any place to buy spandex to hide the extra skin?

The date is set! I am so excited! 13 days Is there a fb group for July sleevers?

And if you haven't, do you have any idea why? I'm due for surgery on August 29th. I haven't done so well with my 6 month insurance diet. I'm scared it won't work for me. I'm scared I won'tbe able to lose weight, even with a tiny stomach.

today is not very good. frustrated and ready to cry. had to go buy groceries for the family and more protein drinks for me. i did not know how hungry i was until i entered the store. now have serious migraine and really just want to sleep this day away. maybe tomorrow will be bettter. STILL DETERMINED NOT TO FAIIL.

So, my name is Lori and I am getting things lined up to have surgery, hopefully this summer. I have my psych exam this Thursday and a seminar Saturday with a consult with Dr. Neal on the following Tuesday. At this point I am on an emotional roller coaster; excited one day, terrified the next. I've been reading here for the past 2 or 3 weeks, so I know this is pretty normal to go through, which keeps me from just eating myself to sleep... A friend who knows I am contemplating this has suggested trying Sensa before I make my decision. I have looked at the reviews and am not convinced it actually works, but I was wondering if any of you had tried it before you had surgery,…

This is my first time on a website like this and I am excited to meet new friends who are going thru what I am! Today is my 5th day of liquids pre-surgery and I have researched several different meanings of the pre "liquid diet"... my doctor is Dr. Eric Pham and i am scheduled for surgery on July 19th, 2012. I am extremely excited to have my surgery and am committed to do whatever it takes to be successful with the Lap-Band. How I understood the "liquid diet" was to have only Protein shakes, Water, Vitamin water, clear broth, liquid yogurt and sugar free Jello. I have mostly stuck to chocolate Protein Shakes, lots and lots of water and have added (4) multi-vitamins an…

Hello, I am pre-op. My stomach is turning as I go through all the websites and posts about the lap band surgery. I started this journey three years ago. I went to the seminar and learn about the lap band. I scheduled my psych evaluation, but did not go through the surgery because I was not sure this was the best decision for me. There is so much to learn about this surgery and so much to change. I am ready for the change, but still kind of worried. Here is to a brand new me. My decision is made. No turning back.

I thought it would be great to create a group specifically for Kaiser Sleevers. Join and share your Kaiser WLS experience!

Wish me luck guys, I have a lapband seminar tonight so I am sure I will get all the answers I need! Super excited yay

Yay! I got my surgery date today! I have to go in for my pre-op appointment next Monday and my surgery is scheduled for Thursday, July 19. I am so happy that they were able to schedule a date so soon. I want to be off of my modified liquids diet before I go back to school (work). I will be 4 weeks post-op by then, and 12 weeks post-op by my brother-in-law's wedding. I can't wait for my body on the outside to match my personality on the inside. I am so excited! I am motivated to get as much weight as I can off before the wedding. Wahoo!

Hello! I had my consultation appointment with the Lap-Band Center and first visit with the nurse yesterday! I've been reviewing all of the information and am still trying to decide if this is the right choice for me. I think it is, but I was given information I hadn't considered before. My insurance requires a 4 month waiting period before I can have the procedure.

Wow, time went slow at first,now its almost time. Super nervoud, but so ready for new me to be here.

this is so real, so close. i am 5'3" 283.9 lbs. bmi 51. i dont know how i got to this point. but im here. 2008 i had a stroke due to migraines. been on steroids and other meds everyday since then. not a big eater but addicted to Pepsi. I keep telling myself it is time for change. i have 3kids n very supportive husband n family. now the reason for this post. surgery july 24 and i have a hundred fears. i hear its normal. how do we cope with it all. well this is my journey here n dallas tx i will post daily. i pray that i can help the new sleevers one day at a time. b blessed

My very first blog was about a "conversaton" I had with my two Flemmish Giant Rabbits - the Poo Siblings, Antimony and Cadmium: __________________________________________________________ "Wee Ahnn, ah haf bin tinking - eew shood nawt haf da zurgerhy", my flemmish giant rabbit Cadmiun says to me, as I lay in the floor and pet her and her brother, Antimony. "ah haf to ehgree", says Antimony "whaaf sumzing haffins doe eew?" I pat Cadmium on the head, and touch noses with Antimony "I think I will be okay. I have done alot of studying and I have picked a very good doctor" "i herdz eew whill beh all hurty fer daz" says Cadmium. "eew whill notz beh aybelz tew pay wif uz…

So my big day is tomorrow, four days of clear liquid diet under my belt. Still wondering if im ready. Been craving some macaroni and cheese, or steak, or just eating cereal. Big sigh, guess its because I cant have it right now. Everything looks so decadent. I kmow this is the right thing for me but, the love of food, is constantly on my mind. Big sigh

Well its been 4 months since surgery and I am 40 pounds down and 3 sizes smaller Doctor is happy with my progress and says I should reach my goal by 9 months with no problem.....I would like it to go faster but He said slow and steady wins the race......I am happy the scale is moving in the right direction for as change (with the PCOS, there is hope ). I am still having a problem fitting in all my protien and calories....I average 55g protien (needs to be 60-70g) and about 900 cal. (needs to be 1200) any suggestions? I do have some hair loss but they say that should slow down around 6 months or so.....it just started last month..... So if anyone has any suggestions pl…

I have hit 75lbs today, had surgery March 21. I am so excited. It actually go me off the couch and i walked 1.5 miles. Only crappy part i have been wearing sandal and noticed while walking that my sneakers are to big now. I am definatly ok with that being the only down side of my day.

Hello all. I had the Realize Band put it on 6/13 and have now lost approximately 17 lbs. A friend of a friend, who had bariartric surgery turned me on to obesity.com and that's how I found this website. I am rapidly approaching 60 years of age and could not take the weight off myself. I have probably gained and lost the weight of two people before this surgery, and this will be my last. My doc is very nice, but there is not a lot of communication so I find corresponding with people and reading these topics very helpful. I do have some questions for all of you out there: 1) When can you begin a regular exercise program, like Curves (this worked for me before, so …

Today i tried sliced of turkey oven roasted 1 slice the thin one and a hummus... I dip the turkey into the hummus and yummy!!!! And it works on me..

Just thought I would share a happy moment......last week I took a leap and ordered a bra online from Victoria Secret. It fits perfect! Never in my entire life have I ever bought "pretty" bras " at the Victoria Secret! It was always Lane Bryant!!! Yay! Three months post op and I'm doing my happy dance!!!!

Lol I am reminiscing about my days in the hospital and that terrible left shoulder pain. I was telling anyone who came to visit to beat my shoulder. I was moaning and groaning and my sister said, "good thing you aren't being recorded." I did not care how it sounded be ause that was the best beating I ever had! Ooh yeah, ahhhhh, mmmmm, right there, harder, harder, faster, ahhhhh! Just having a post-op flashback! Lol Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hello I am new to the forum, but am on the path to getthing the lap band. Any new people advice to the lapband. Things people dont tell you. i promise this will not scare me away I just want all the facts

On Monday july 16th is my VSG surgery.. Im in the liquid diet x almost two weeks. I lost 5 pounds in the first week.. Going thru the second week and now im going crazy.. Im craving food.. What to do???? Pleaseee.. Thank u

So far very little pain...but I feel like my stomach is growling - is that normal?