Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi my name is Shannon, I am 32 years old and have been overweight my whole life. I have contemplated lap band surgery several times, the only thing that makes me hesitant about it is what I have heard about ending up with a lot of loose skin. I am planning on calling my Dr tomorrow to schedule an appointment to talk to her about the surgery and hopefully after that, I will be able to begin my journey to weight loss once and for all. I guess what I want to know is, what does this entail? I have found several sites telling me what the surgery is, but nothing about what you need to do to get there. I have heard several different things, some people say that you need to lose …

I was cleaning my closet and came across my favorite jeans of all time. They are a size 20 and were the most comfortable jeans ever. Well I decided to try them on and they literally fell off lol. So I grabbed my son and we decided to make a moment lol. I can't believe how amazing this all is:-).

Hi. Today I begin my journey to the new me! After struggling with weight my whole life, I have finally decided to take control. I lost 100 pounds on my own with diet and exercise. Starting at 300 pounds and 5 ft 2 in tall, I was as wide as I am tall! I got down to 190 back in October of 2011. Now I am back up to 230 and I see my mom still struggling with weight loss and she is 20 years older than me! Seeing that made me realize that I need to do something permanent so I don't struggle 20 years from now! My daughter will be having the same surgery so she doesn't have to struggle either. Yeah!!! New us, new life! Can't wait!!! Looking forward to posting after pic…

Hi my name is Kristi. I just had the lap band put on 3 days ago. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on the liquid diet.

Well, I have my date. July 16th. Wow. It still feels a bit surreal to me. I've done the research, read the blogs, asked the questions. And now it's my turn. This site has been amazing for me. I know that it's hard to know what to expect, bc everyone is different. But what pearl of wisdom can you pass along? I know we all start in different places with different stories. But in truth, we are all linked in a way. We've had troublesome parts removed, to make way for our best selves. I'm not nervous, right now at least. I'm sure that emotion will creep up sooner or later. What surprised you the most? What has inspired you the most? What small thing has made the bigg…

I am a newbie. The hospital called today to confirm the details for my surgery on July 18th. Looking forward to a new me!!!

I am on my 7th day of post op I am hoping some can shed some light. I was so nervous going through the process. I got sick the first day and a couple days went by where it was just ok, than for the past three days I throw up but nothing comes up not even water. It is like I am dry heeving and burping that is that is happening. I seem to be uncomfortable not to the point where I need to take my pain meds. I feel nauseous at times. I just don't know what I should expect to feel? Has anyone had discomforts and what did you do to feel better. I call my dr he says it is normal, I had my follow up and i thought maybe my band slipped while i was throwing up he said I am fine. I …

Hi guys I'm 31 years old female living in London! I has my banding on the 18th June I'm on the liquid phase and will be starting mushy food on Monday, I've lost 18 Pound so far but 11 was list in the week leading to surgery I'm starting to worry that I have made the right decision. I'm concerned that my will power will let me down! I'm so determined to loose weight and finally be fit and slim but I keep having that nagging feeling that I may fail. I was so confident I'd do well prior to the operation but now I find myself having more Soup or shakes that I think I possibly should Did anyone else feel like this or is it just me? Thanks Kel

I whated to know how did you change like eat, drink, and daily life before you had the bypass. Because for me I am trying to change before the bypass but it is very hard. So I didn't know if you could help me out. Thank you! Sent from my iPod touch using RNYTalk

I have been reading about VSG and trying to decide if I should do this surgery. I think that this is the surgery for me, but then someone mentions their hair loss. No one seems to really talk about it which makes me nervous. Does it happen to everyone? How much hair loss? Can it be avoided? When it grows back, is it different? I have very thick hair, will it be the same when it comes back? I know this shouldn't be high on my list of issues, but it is. I know that this is a big surgery and it will be good for me to lose the extra weight I have on me, but I can't seem to get past the hair loss. Someone please set me straight. Thanks.

My name is Angie, and I thought I would introduce myself since I am new to the site. I am 34 years old...although I still feel like I am still in my early 20s, only a lot wiser, lol. I am from Texas, have been married to my high school sweetheart for 15 years, and have 3 beautiful children. I topped out at 274 lbs. and I am 5'2.5". I have struggled with weight my entire life, and had to endure being the only fat child of 3. My sisters were both thin and beautiful. I feel like it is my turn now. I had the surgery on 6/14 to get healthy and to finally feel good about myself. I did it for ME! I look forward to learning more about myself and this journey I am on, and I als…

Hi, my name is Liz. I am in the middle of the prep work to get the surgery. I meet with the surgeon on Friday to go over things. I have been reading all the information on the website and find it helpful. I'm undecided whether to do the gastric by pass or the lap band. I'm leaning to the lap band but the surgeon wants me to get the gastric. Any thoughts on this would be helpful. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Right now I would be getting my lap band in September.

Had my surgery yesterday and home now still in pain and nauseous... I hope it gets better soon

im 3 weeks post op i weigh 227 before the surgery now im.183 lbs...im more into liquid than food....popsicle is my life now...i will drink Protein in da morning...this is me before and now [ATTACH]273[/ATTACH]

June 2009 i got the lap band, I use weight 287 pound now Im at 150 I feel great, now I need surgery for extra skin but it's expensive..... What to do???

Hello Everybody, I want to introduce my self. I live near Dallas and started the journey to become thinner back in may. I originally persued the lap band procedure with DR. Marsden(All he does is Lap Band) and actually had a surgery date set for july 25th...... BUT i went last FRi to see Dr Nicholson and he talked to me about the sleeve. I decided that would be the best choice for me. I have friends that have had both surgery's done and everybody that has had the lab band that i know wished they would have done the sleeve. DID I MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION ???? So now I'm waiting on my records to be transfered to Dr. Nicholson which will be monday. Then I'll have new date s…

Hi my name is Runetsy, my surgery was on may 29th 2012!! And my weight before surgery was 264lb, any month later I am weighing in 225lb! I am new here and hope to meet new people that are going to the same situation as me!! Enjoy your weekend have a great rest of the day

Been watching this forum on and off for the last 2-3 months and thought I would introduce myself. I started my journey feb 2009 , met with gp and was referred to weight management clinic. I was so excited at the possibility of one day loosing the weight!! Well then the wait began... 1 week turned in to a month and ultimately a year,,,, it's wasn't til Feb 2010 that I was invited to first info session???? Cool I'm almost there I thought to myself!! Well not!! As you all must already know the testing startedl lol (OMG how long is this going to take) I was quickly loosing faith .. Well the worst was not over yet. I was scheduled for a series of test which in real…

As part of my preop program I have started to quit overeating and smoking. Both of those habits usually go into over drive during stressful times. I think finding out my mom needs a heart transplant, that I have to somehow manage to pay more for my surgery than I originally thought WHILE being unemployed, just the simple fact that I AM unemployed, oh and the fact that I spent the better part of last night talking to the woman the love of my life has been having an affair with for a few MONTHS counts as stress don't you? It's already a battle to quit those habits and they're calling to me even more now that I'm stressed beyond belief. Now is not the time for all this dram…

I came home yesterday from having my surgery. Everything went well. I'm a liitle nausious and in some pain but all in all its not that bad. I still feel pretty tired but I'm just sipping and walking!

From Phoenix, AZ and going thru with lap-band with True Results (has anyone else used these guys before? If so- good results?) I have 5 months to go for insurance purposes but should be banded in October if everything goes smoothly. I think I will be the only one in my family that will not be STUFFING their face for thanksgiving a month later! (Which I'm actually looking forward to) On the down side, thinking my brother would be supportive was actually the complete opposite when I told him I was considering getting this done. So I haven't bothered to tell him I have made the decision to go thru with it. My parents on the other hand are in a way ecstatic for me - not f…

havent lose any this week but its ok...i build more muscle actually.

Well, after 6 months of waiting and anticipation I finally got sleeved on Monday 6/25! I was discharged from the hospital yesterday....Pain has been managable but the 1 thing I'm having some trouble with is knowing when I've had enough to drink. I try to drink as instructed but I don't have a sense of fullness, or hunger for that matter, at all. Could anyone tell me how they knew when they have reached fullness, especially since I'm restricted to clear liquids.

I had my gastric sleeve on Tuesday 6/26/12. For years I have been on multiple medications for hypertension. I am 3 days post op and my blood pressure is looking better then it was while I was taking my meds. My Doctor chose not to resume my blood pressure meds at this time. He advised me to monitor my bp 4 times daily and said I may not need the meds any more!

Just wondering who has has the band done in New York and what surgeon and if they were any good? Also if they take Aetna! Thanks

Have to do a 6 months before I have the bypass. So I am trying to eat healthy does anyone know what foods are batter to eat before you have a bypass. Sent from my iPod touch using RNYTalk

I had my gastric bypass 29th December 2011. I have lost 8 stone so far (112lbs). Feel fab!

Hello everyone, I am in the pre-op stage right now. I have went to my initial consultation and am going for my second visit with the surgeon on July 11. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. When I was around 14 years old I hit my highest weight of about 320lbs. I managed to get myself down to 132lbs by the time I was 16 years old. I felt wonderful and have to say that one of the few times that I have truly felt like "myself". I had my first child when I was 19 years old. I had gotten up to 210lbs with her but managed to get back down to 162 lbs and maintained that until I got pregnant with my second child only a year later. I gained 90 lbs with him. …

It is late June right now, My name is Aimee... I started this journey about a year ago. I am with Kaiser in CA. I went to ALL my appts. I met with the nutritionist a few times. I attend a support group for Bariatrics at the Kaiser hospital. I have gotten the eating down. I have been exercising faithfully and lost the 24 pounds I was required to. It took me a while but I did it, I worked through my bone spur injury but I am back on track. I currently got the ok to have surgery and I am waiting a call from the surgery coordinator. It has been a long road and tough to make all the appts and demands, but I was determined and did it. I plan on late August for surgery. I am ex…

i got the news monday that i will have surgery july 24. i do want the change in my life but i keep asking myself why can't i just loose the weight on my on. why has it come to this. i can usually just drop pounds. so for the last wk i have been having migraines. i guess i just don't want to fail. is this normal to feel this way.

Hello everyone, I am a new member in this forum because i think it is great forum to share our experience with the people. I really want to give more and more advice for health and want people want to learn.

Hi, I was banded this morning, I feel really good besides the obvious soreness. Already sick of beef broth though. LOL. Ready to get back into my size 6 jeans. I am now in a 14-16.

Anyone have a problems getting approved by United Health Care

Today is my birthday as well as my last supper until surgery tomorow i start my liquid diet unti surgery monday morning at 730am. I am ready for this. it is sureal now being only a few days away. Wish me luck it will be one hell of a ride to happiness. 365 pounds signing out...next stop 220 here we we come.

Hi everyone, I am 26 years old and had my surgery on June 13th. I started out feeling great and everything was healing as I assumed it was supposed to. I didn't have to do any type of pre-op diet, but since the surgery I have lost 23 pounds in 15 days. A few days ago I wasn't feeling well and my Dr. wanted to see me. I was told that I was losing weight a little too fast and I needed to skip forward to week 5 eating which of course is meat and cheese and things like that. Since I have been actually eating I feel a lot better, but I still don't feel 100% myself. I keep wondering if this surgery was a mistake. I am so tired, whenever I go out and do things I constantly have …

I finally got my ins approval and now have a surgery date of July 24th!!!! It feels extremely real and I am now freaking out!!! I'm super nervous as I will be going from lap band to sleeve. I'm afraid this will not work either!!! Such mixed emotions... Happy nervous scared excited!!! Omg.

Got weighed after one day and found I put on 6lbs. Somebody's got some 'splainin to do.

I've been sleeved since june 4th & so far I've lost 25lbs. I'm happy to be loosing weight, but at the same time I'm missing food. After 3 bites I'm done, I can't eat anymore & sometimes it makes me so mad, because the food tastes so good.

Hi everyone, I'm Stella and just had the procedure on Wednesday, June 13. I am having serious regrets now-mainly due to the gas pain. Has anyone felt like they made the wrong choice? I am scared that this awful feeling will never go away. Thanks, Stella

Hello my name is sanpayne and I was sleeved on 6/22. I am still a little sore but other Than everything is going good

Sorry for more questions but can some one explain PB'ing and sliming? I have heard these terms used often but not sure what they are? Deb

I am so excited about this new chapter. I'm so looking forward to seeing my collarbones, wearing cute clothes, shopping, To Actually look on the mirror and not throw up! Oh yea an sex, lots of it. Lol.

My surgery was may 1st I am down 50 lbs.

I am in Canada, are most of you from the u.s??

Hey everyone, Mark here from Texas. I'm 27, 370 pounds and just started realizing that I can't do this alone. I've gone from 424 to 370 over the past 5 years, up and down, back and forth and haven't been able to maintain weight loss and progress. My first seminar is later tonight, so hopefully all will go well. I'm excited/anxious/nervous at the whole process. I have a few questions though if anyone would be able to help me out. Well, really one question right now. I'm pretty sure I'll have to do the 6 month monitored weight loss program. If during that time I have moderate success, does the insurance company say ok, just keep doing that and go from there and d…

It been 4 months since surgery and I'm down 60 pounds and loving it feel so light and heathy. Now it's time to tighten up all the loose skin...

I started this journey beginning nov 2011 by attending my first meeting gathering information about bariactric surgery and by knowing what i might be in for seem to ease my mind and made my decision a little easier. My spouse accompanied me to the meeting and we both decided on the vertical sleeve based on my prior prob,ems with high blood pressure and a high BMI COUNT. Since my surgery in April of this year God has blessed me to lose nearly 30 lbs and I am thrilled. In the begginning i assumed that i did not need to drink my protein shakes and I could eat enough proteins to sustain my self, By the middle of May 2012 I felt faint during church services and a light bu…

hi fellow sleevers My Nut told me the only way to stretch your sleeve is to graze constantly, what are your thoughts. thanx Please tell me your opinions, what your NUT or Dr. said. thanx kathy

Hi there, I'm new to this site...at least officially....I've been lurking & reading posts from time to time and a few really great blogs...but feel I need to really get involved and find good support. So, a little about me. I'm 44, married with a 5 year old son. I've been overweight since my 20's and I have recently made the decision to get the sleeve. I'm pretty nervous about it but also excited. My insurance covers it 100% - as I've already hit my deductable this year. I've met with my surgeon, had the upper gi endoscopy and also had an ultrasound on my gallbladder. No stones in the gallbladder but I do have a mild case of GERD and gastritis. They did bio…

This is the furthest I have gotten on this journey. Two other times I gave consideration to having some form of surgery to aid in my weight loss, but back out as I was just not sold on the prospect! This time I guess I got serious. Who am I? I am 62 years old and on June 1 it the scale at 357 pounds. Not happy with my self. Since then I have had all sorts of evaluations and test and here I ma one month less two days to my surgery point. I WILL NOT BACK OUT! I have a lot of hopes but I also know this is just a tool and I will control if it works and how well it works. No one else can do that for me! It is not a magic pill; I will not wake up on the 26th 170 p…