Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi everyone, I am 29 yrs old female, and weigh 295 and 5'2". I am looking forward to getting my lap band in July. Even though I am very nervous and was having some doubts about this being the right thing to do. As the days get closer to my date I know I have to do it in order to help we with my weight loss battle. Currently, only a few people know about me getting the lap band and they have not been so supportive. I just keep telling myself that they do not have to walk in my shoes....

Well I loovvee my sleeve. 65 pounds down since march 21st!! I'll take it!!

and i find myself spitting up alot is this normal and does it ever go away

Wanted to introduce myself! I am post op 1 week today. Had my surgery in Mexico with Dr Ponce de leon. Feeling great. One concern is one of my incisions leaks -alot. It is yellowish blush color It does not smell The incision area is not red. I do not have a fever. I feel really good. I am told by all signs that it is okay. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it normal/okay? Will it stop soon? Should i worry if it doesn't slow down? Thank you!

So far I have had almost all of my clearances. Just need to do my Endoscopy which is scheduled for MOnday, then the psych eval, and my final Medical and Cardiac Clearances. Moving closer to an actual surgery date!!! Getting so excited for this! But at the same time I am very nervous, scared, anxious, and worried. What is my life going to be like after I have this surgery done? I understand alot of the food restrictions for the first few months after surgery but is that going to be for the rest of my life?

Hello Everyone, First of, this forum is lovely i have been reading this forum since before i decided to be sleeved. Very inspirational, and just got the courage to do a post and introduce myself. So here it goes... Im a guy, rather young, 19 years old. I started this journey last August 2011 weighing 417lbs. Bad i know. I decided on the sleeve because i am young and want to live a rather normal life. I decided to see if my insurance would cover it before i go on the route of self pay. So i found out it was and was referred almost immediately by PCP to kaiser SSF. With some bumbs in the road, i had my orientation this past february and weighed in at 402. Throu…

Am new to the site and am having my bypass surgery this coming Tuesday. Looking for any and all advice and encouragement.

My LBT theme is now different on my desktop! It looks just like my wireless app. I cannot see my ticker or anything html. Please help me change it back if possible.

Last night Out of the blue, my mom offered to pay for the lap band surgery for me. I had said something about it a few times to her in the past couple years and now my dream is coming true. I'm going to the seminar on Wednesday. How long from the seminar to surgery date will it take? I'm hoping I can get this done FAST (within a few weeks) since I am a self pay patient and don't have to go through the insurance crap and can do all of my evaluations and tests anytime since I'm not working much right now. I am 5'9" ans 269lbs, My bmi is 39-40 I have high Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Chronic Back and leg Pain from bulging and degenerative discs. I'll be 27 on the 22n…

I can't ever seem to do things the easy way, yesterday I went to dinner with my husband and ordered cream chicken soup. While we were talking, I was spooning in soup until I realized that the last swallow did not feel right. I overate for the first time since my sleeve. I probably ate 3.5 oz before I realized what I had done and up till then the most I've ate is 2 oz at one time. I was in so much discomfort, full to almost pain for a few hours. I bought some plastic 2 oz cups today and from now on I'm going to take those with me and pre-measure my food. Today was another learning lesson, my husband & son got fresh strawberry milkshakes on our way to a Father's Day din…

Hey All! Im new here. This is something i've researched and thought about for a LONG time... I had my 2nd (and final) child in 2003 and was on bed rest with both kids-- gaining 100+ lbs. I've struggled so much to get it off and have about 125 to lose. ugh. My friend had sleeve done in jan and is doing just amazing.. she has inspired me. My husband is on board We have GoldenRule / United insurance with a high deductible (i think 6-8K) and I can afford to pay that out of pocket BUT I can't afford more than about 10K. I'm attending a seminar tommorow so some of these questions may be answered there, but in an ideal world, i'd have surgery the last week of August…

I'm so glad I found this site! I have very high hopes for the band can't wait to see results. I'm so tired of failed diets and feeling obsessed about my weight. I'm so glad I made this decision!

Hey everyone. My surgery date is July 31st. Anyone want to throw words of wisdom my way it's greatly appreciated

Today I had 3 appointments... one with the pyscologist, one with the dietician and one with the exercise specialist. I got clearances from the pyscologist and from the exercise specialist ...I have one more appointment with the dietician and should be all cleared to meet with the surgeon and schedule surgery. At the place I go to they make you do 4 weeks of meal replacement products to lose some weight pre op. So before surgery ill have to get that done. But its looking like its going to be in august now and we had thought september or october before. Im really excited to possibly have it moved up...although it seems like everytime I go in the possible month it will be ha…

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads. Enjoy your day. Sent from my SAMSUNG-NOTE using RNYTalk

Hi All, Before I introduce myself I have to thank all of you for sharing all of your experiences, honesty, truths, triumphs and some defeats...but it is all of you that helped me make my decision to get the Sleeve! THANK YOU! I went to my consult last week and I'm scheduled for August 2nd! I'm so lucky that insurance was super easy. So a little about me, I just turned 40 and I've been a single Mom for 12 years...my 2 boys are practically grown...now it's time for me! It's hard to imagine sometimes losing such a significant amount of weight! I'm 350 (highest ever) and my goal is 165...that's when I was looking pretty damn hot 10years ago. 10years!...where does the tim…

I had my surgery May 17th and just started regular diet this week. Any suggestions, advice, food ideas always welcome.

Hi, I'm a newbie from Virginia. I'm 64 and ready to be a "normal"weight! I've been battling the weight since Jr. high. As a newly retired school teacher, I figure it's time for me to take care of me for a change. My BC/ BS of Va denied my surgery because of a special clause in our group insurance specifically excluding any weight loss surgery. I guess they are worried that all us teachers are fat and would all get the surgery and break the bank! My Lapland surgery is scheduled for Friday. I will be self-paying in Mexico. My doctor is Mario Almanza at Jerusalem Hospital in Tiajuana. I have been researching the Lapland surgery and Dr. Almanza for months and am pre…

I'm so excited! I just have to keep telling myself I can make it through preop diet 2 wks liquids! Did any one else had to go through postop 1 wk clear liquids, 5-6 full liquids and then 2 wks pureed?

How soon is too soon? Surgery 6/19/12. My exercise has been a goal weight saver! I burn 500 calories in 1 hour on eliptical bike. Do I kiss it good bye or is this something i will be able to resume after surgery?

Hi, My name is Renee and I am seriously considering the gastric sleeve. I never thought I would consider bypass surgery for many reasons, but the primary one is that I have always been able to lose weight. The problem with that is that I have always been able to gain weight, too. So inevitably the weight would creep back up on me. Maintenance is a big fail for me. I am 50 years old. I can't even believe it! At the beginning of every decade I have lost weight. I lost 72 pounds on Weight Watcher's for my 40th birthday and it's taken 10 years to put it back on. I am a slow gainer, but it always returns. I have gained and lost probably 300 pounds over my lifeti…

Tomorrow l have my first seminar & l am truly excited to hear all the information that l need to know for my long journey. I have done a lot of research, but receiving more information is better!!

I have just joined this site and I actually feel like a lap band veteran. I had my band in 2008 and am getting back on track starting now. I had a fill this past Wednesday and those once uncomfortable feelings actually feel comforting...if that makes any sense. The PBs, the soup and mushy foods, the occasional craving of a cheeseburger makes me feel like I'm actually making progress again. After my banding I lost 100lbs. Then I had to go fall in love, get married and have a baby. Don't get me wrong...I love my husband and my girls, but wow...I'm not loving myself right now. I've let myself go for 14 months without supporting my original decision of getting the ban…

I need help can someone tell me how they deal with strech marks

After three months of classes and appointments and all of those hoops that you have to jump through, just 8 days after submitting to my insurance for the first time I'm approved. They told me that it would take at least 30 days to hear back so I was ok with that. So I get the phone call yesterday while i was at work from my doctor's office telling me this wonderful news and for some reason I was suddenly nervous and almost shaking. I was so stunned at how quick it came through that the lady calling me had to ask me twice I believe whether I wanted to schedule or not. July 31st is my big day. Omg.

I finally decided that it was time to take action. One would have thought I would have decided this along time ago. How many times I told myself this diet was going to work, or this time next year I am going to be smaller yet the scale always said bigger. It feels weird to know that after August 4th there is just no going back. Not weird why am I doing this but, finally I can see some light at the end of this tunnel. Hi, I am new to this forum and this decided life. I am married to my twin soul have 6 amazing kids with only one left at home. 2 of the cutest grandchildren one could ever have, Of course I am bias. A career that I absolutely love, one of the most blessed p…

Hi there. VSG saved my life. I was sick all the time and now I feel awesome. So it took me about a year to get the surgery. Insurance approvals and what not. I had my VSG exactly 11 months ago. So about two years after starting my journey I have gone from 410 to 249. I am not done. Still have a BMI around 32. I plan on going to the gym in an hour. It is a lot of work. No joke. The surgery is just a tool and you still have to be active and make good food choices especially after the first few months after surgery. I am not the best typer so check out my youtube videos. Please take into account most of them are for comedy purposes but you can see the drast…

Hi Everyone, I had my GVS surgery on June 13, and all went well. I remember laying in bed waiting for surgery, and the next thing I remember is waking up in my room with it all done. I had a mild cramping in my chest, but it went away as soon as the nurses gave me meds. I remember walking down the hall soon after I woke up to insure that gas wouldn't get the best of me. The nurses kept me comfortable and gave me meds on a schedule. I also had a medicine ball for incisional pain. I never felt any incisional pain whatsoever. I walked the halls a few time the next day. I didn't have any complications at all. They wanted to let me go home on the second day, but…

Hi buddies, Wanted to share a happy news and do a happy dance with you all..... I've finally arrived at Onederland........ This is such an amazing feeling and I've been waiting oh so long for this. I was bouncing betwen 201 and 203 for the whole month practically. On Monday I weighed 90KGs (198lbs) but I didnt want to post so soon coz I though I may go up a pound again or something. So I weighed again yesterday and I was 89.5KGs !!! Crossing that 90kgs border is like getting a Visa to dreamland. I still cant believe it happened. I've decided to enjoy this feeling to the fullest before worrying about crossing the 80Kgs line and stepping into 70kgs.. LOL

Ive been researching the GBYpass for about 10 years already. Went to classes and all. I stopped for a long while and didn't go thru with the surgery cuz I was told u can never eat meat again. Well I was told wrong. The beginning of the year I started taking classes and learning about the sleeve. Well let's just say I'm 110% sure on the sleeve. I have my Pre op apt July 3rd and my surgery July 9th. I'm super excited. Anyone got suggestions how to loose weight before the pre op? I lost 7lbs already but still need 7 lbs more. Help pls!!!

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 folks, This is my first post, although I've been lurking around since the end of last year when I met a woman at my hair salon who was 8 months post-op from a gastric bypass. I just happened to mention that I've tried all that I could with my weight and felt helpless, then she let me in on her secret. I'm an owner operator travel agent and I'm originally from NY living in the DC area. My family is from Jamaica. I'm married with two lovely girls who will be turning 2 and 5 soon. My husband and his family are all tall and slim. Thankfully our girls look like they've got dad's genes. I have PCOS, but luckily enough, we never had a problem conceiving. Hubby …

Hi everyone. Anyone where I m or able to help? I am 8 years out and never got to goal and gaining again. Started at 300#. 5'5" and now 220# 5' 31/2". Yes, shrinking (age does not help). I find myself getting more negative. Any suggestions to get back on track? Anyone know any "starter" programs....shakes...anything? Ready to accept any help to get started over again. MD suggest support group but do not have time to attend meetings. I work 14-16 hour days which looks like it might slow down some but do not see it less than 12 hr days and then exhaustion sets in. 60+ should be retirement but not possible right now. Any suggestions anywhere?

Hello everyone! I had my life changing surgery on 11/30/11. Tomorrow is my 6 month mark, I had went from 306lbs to 208lbs. I did my first 5k in April 5th. I have been at a stand still. I have been 208/209 for about 2/3weeks. Very frustrating. My concern is gaining any or all weight back. I work night 7p to 7a the weekends. I use my fitness pal to help me watch what I eat and how much protien and carbs I eat. I am so far doing good on that. Yet, it's so hard. I eat 9am (protien shake), 11am, 1pm , 3 pm 6pm and 9pm. All small meals. I have Twins that just turned 7. They keepe active.

This surgery was the best thing I did for myself, and I would do it again, without hesitation. I have been given a second chance at life! I have lost 157 pounds in 12 months... And I workout three times weekly, and have gotten my life back. I have Lupus, and had many health issues. My lupus is now currently in clinical remission, and I feel better than I have in years! It wasn't easy, and you have to be ready to make a life change, but it is so worth it, once you do!

I get my sleeve in 2days I'm a bit worried about the op but I'm nearly there at last.......

I was approved for the sleeve on Tuesday so i thought, got the approval letter today and it said approved for gastric bypass WTF. Now i no that my advocate received the same letter why hasnt she brought this to my attention. I read somewhere that the wrong code can result in a delay, should i call her Monday or should i wait until i see my surgeon on the 25th thats when i receive my date.

Hi everyone! New here. When I first looked into weight loss help I wanted to get the lap band. After talks with my family and my surgeon I decided on the RNY. I had my psychological testing on the 15th. I'm anxious, nervous and excited to begin the journey to a happier healthier me!

Hello everyone, My name is Shari Ratkovich. I live in Napa California. I started my sleeve journey on July 19, 2011. My first weigh in was 226. I went to South San Francisco, Ca. Kaiser hospital. I had my surgery on January 9th 2012. I was in the hospital from Monday morning to Thursday at around 12:00. I am now 5 months out. My entire life has changed. But not for the better yet. I am waiting for that day to come. I need support. I still do not feel well. I have not been a bit excited or happy with my weight loss. I just don't care yet. I started surgery day at 211 and I am now at 167. I was a size 18W and I am now a 12. I have been overweight my entire …

Truth is...After 10 years of reading, researching, attending seminar after seminar, toiling over, fretting, dieting, lifestyle changing, fad diets, pills, starving, and good old fashion- praying...I've made up my mind and sealed my decision with my whole heart to have weight loss surgery. 1 year and a half ago I started the process of preparing my mind, spirit, and body for weight loss surgery. It wasn't until this year in April that I decided that the Vertical Sleeve was right for me. I am 5 feet 11 inches and my highest weight was right around 380 lbs. I got down as low as 280 lbs but didn't stay there long. My weight climbed up yet again!!! I went to my FINAL seminar i…

Hi everyone. Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. My name is Emily- I'm in the first stages of qualifying through my insurance. I have Cigna and I am completing my 6 month supervised diet this month- (which I found out today that Cigna has very recently changed that from 6 months to 3 months). My psyc eval is done, my regular MD is preparing my surgery clearance and recommendation- so after all that I'll be set. Then the waiting game begins! Anyone else have good advice for qualifying quick and smooth through Cigna?

My surgery went fine on 6/14 but i have a blood vessel that won't stop bleeding. Im losing blood but the Drs want my blood to clot at the bleeder point. That way they wont have to go back in for another surgery. I feel fine; blood pressure is nornal and ive started sipping on protein shakes. Hope to go home tmrw.

Hello! I am so happy to have found this forum! I had my gastric sleeve surgery on June 4th after two years of debating whether or not to do it. I made my decision to do this when I was at my highest weight of 272 lbs. It was such a low point in my life. I had no clothes that fit. I had no energy. I was having episodes of sleep apnea which were so scary. I feared for my health and my future, but most of all I felt like life was just passing me by. Then, one of my friends completely inspired me. I saw on facebook that she had run in the NY Marathon. Normally, one of my physically fit friends doing something like this would not have been an inspiration, because in…

So my stomach has been making nonstop noise all day, the gas pains are the worst (3days post op) I feel so full and have barely had any water all day. How am I supposed to get down this protein? Today I'm supposed be starting full liquids. It's Saturday and the office is closed. I don't know what to do. I'm still going crazy, questioning my decision, but I'm still trying to keep all the positive things people said in mind. I just don't know what to do.

My BMI is consistantly 34, will I qualify for the band? Ive tried all the diets just as most of you probably have and finally decided the lapband surgery was the direction I should go but after reading about it I'm afraid I wont qualify.

I was banded on may 10th and yesterday I have my first fill. Not feeling so good today so very tired.and my head hurts. I also feel very tight. anybody have had these feelings after their first fill

I have my first appt the 21st for lapband. I am still a little hesitant but the more I learn the more excited I get. A bit nervous bout huge change and my friend had it done two weeks ago but she is eating solids I learned ur not too do that and lowers sucess rate but then it makes me question hunger...idk glad I found this phone app hope to hear advice and support and ur stories...

In 1990 I delivered my first child. On the day of her delivery, I weighed 240lbs. Since then, I had not weighed under 200lbs. I am proud to say that I now weigh 195lbs. I still have 55-60lbs to go until I reach my goal but im proud of myself. Im finally in onderland!

I'm five days out yesterday when showering I noticed the larger incision sight (where the drain was) was swollen. It Burns to. I did more walking yesterday than ever since surgery I had to go to the hospital for blood tests and then to Walmart. It still really hurts and I never noticed it being swollen before

I am in the process of loosing the weight going to the gym eating healthy only 6 weeks post op but I wonder about the skin issue. I know no one can tell me how my body will react but im just curious if its possible I wont have excess skin?