Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I'm super excited and prayed up let's get this show in the road.

This is my insurance carrier, can you guys give me input on getting the surgery approved by them? Waiting period and requirements such as dr appts and all, thanks in advance!

I had surgery this am, and I am feeling great! All went well. Just so thirsty and my throat hurts from being intubated. Swallow study in am then I get clear liquuds. Only ice chips today.

Hello Lapbanders! I have been banded for a year this month. Went for my yearly check up and got a small fill. Things are really going well and I am very happy with my band. I am always looking for information about the band because I firmly believe that knowledge is the key to success. I am very active on a few other lapband sites and this one gets mentioned a lot! So here I am. Look forward to meeting new friends!

Hello everyone!! I am just starting the process for my sleeve. Not looking forward to the 7 month wait, but atleast it will give me the chance to be totally prepared. I also look forward to all the things I will learn from each one of you in this forum.

I had surgery on Friday so I'm 5 days in. All went well and I have not had the least bit of interest in food --- until today. Suddenly my 400 calorie days (cuz that's all I could manage) seem to have caught up, and my mind is on food. I haven't done anything crazy - I don't want to jeopardize my healing - but I'm feeling sad and down. I feel like I'm mourning the loss of something I've turned to for so long. And today I cannot wrap my head around the nevers - I'm probably never gonna eat bread/steak/a burger... again. I am going to get in some more protein today, drink my water, and try to stay positive. But I was wondering if anyone else has felt a sense of loss or despa…

Hello everyone, I have been thinking about WLS for a few years now. I work out a ton and how found my self on the diet train for far to long. I am going to have my surgery done on June 13th and I would love any advice anyone would have for me. I will be traveling alone to TJ. I am orginally from Southern Cali so I spent many time in TJ when I was under 18, I am not worried about the travel, just waking up and not having anyone there with you. Well thats all for now:)

I had gastric bypass on Wednesday I got out of the hospital today.I'm feeling great my only problem is I'm not taking in enough protien.

Hi I am new to this forum and to this journey! I go in on the 12th for my first consultation. My insurance does cover this so that helps! My question is, how long does this process take before you actually have the surgery and what should I expect??? Any advice or answers will help and are welcomed!! Thanks in advance!!

Hello I'm new here! Since I was 16 years old I have always struggled with my weight... I went from being 115 lbs to now 210 lbs.... I am 22 years old and I am planning on being a nurse. My biggest issue is that I have some health problems, most of them started just appeared as I started gaining weight. I have severe IBS which affects my everyday life, I also have chronic acid reflux which I have also never had when I was thinner... about 3 years ago i had a cyst the size of a golf ball attached to my ovarie that ruptured, I had internal bleeding and had to have emergency surgery... this happens once a year now. I have had 3 surgerys for this. I was also born wit…

Hi everyone! Well I'm in the very beginning of this process. Waiting on my insurance approval now. I've struggled with weight loss for years and I'm only 31. No one understands the struggle if they haven't dealt with it (skinny folk lol) exercise, dieting, diet pills- you name it I'm sure I've tried it. I've always knew of lap band just didn't think of actually trying it until the last few months. So I'm here for support, advice and link up with people who understand that being overweight is something hard to deal with just as having high blood pressure or another type of medical condition. In my opinion. It's something we have to wake up everyday to and deal with every m…

what can happen if you dont take your vitamins?

Since I started my pre op diet on MAY 16 I am officially down 25 pounds total. Ahhhhhhh. Excitement. Pre op I lost 12 lbs on my strict clear liquid diet. I had surgery on May 23 and was up 2 lbs from the gas and fluids etc. I came home from the hospital on May 24 and since then I lost 15 lbs!! Loving my sleeve.

Hey everyone.... Just discovered this app!! I'm 18 days post op, full gastric bypass... and boy am I having a rocky beginning ... barely able to "eat" anything... Still on stage 2 for a couple more days and I'm so tired of all the sweet shizzz ... I've been sticking to pudding and sweet protein shakes.... Can't wait for stage 3!!!!!!!! My surgery was rough... Spent 5 days in ICU, 4 blood transfusions and my tummy was giant bruise.... Needless to say I live every day in fear of my complications.... But the name of the game is POSITIVE THOUGHTS!!! .... Happy to have found this board... I joined another one but i like that I'm able to do this from my phone!!!! Look forward …

Well I am just pretty much starting this journey to the surgery. I am starting to get my clearances done one by one, I have just recently quit smoking. I was thrilled to when I found this site dedicated to people that have had or going to have the sleeve surgery. I go for my pulmonary clearance this Friday morning, and then I have my gastroenterology clearance June 11. I am still making all of my appointments for my other clearances. I am really excited to be doing this. This is going to be a whole new life for me. I really can not wait until the surgery date actually gets here!!!

Well we did it, My husband and I decided since we got so big together, we sleeved together and I am so happy we did, we were inspired by another couple in our community that did the same thing. We Both were sleeved on May 23, so here is to a new future, we have been together for 17 years, married 15 and we are both so happy to be going thru this together !

I was recently reading that between 3 and 6 months post-op is the most crucial time for hair loss. The article says taking an extra Biotin supplement of 3 mg twice a day will help prevent hair loss. So off to GNC I went and they had a chewable Biotin? Is anyone taking this and did it help? I have really thin hair so was just wondering about it?

New to forum! Going to my first seminar June 4th! I live in illinois and have Illinois Medicaid. My husbands insurance won't kick in for another year!! My BMI is at 43. I found a place in Herrin Illinois that accepts Medicaid so I'm hoping what they told me is true and there isn't a 2 year waiting list!! They said it takes about a month to get in to see the dr. and around 8 weeks to schedule surgery. Does anyone else have any experience or guidance for me???

Hi everyone, I am new here and am a Vancouver resident. I have been thinking about getting the sleeve done and have a consultation with Puget Sound Bariatrics on June 13th. I wanted to reach out to anyone that has had it done there and particularly any Vancouver (BC) residents that may have had the procedure done there. I would like some feedback and some info on how everything went for you and how difficult it was travelling back after the surgery. Obviously I have a million questions and would really like to buddy up with someone thats in the same area so I can chat with them about their surgery, progress ect... If you can help out with this please reply to this post …

7 1/2 hours until check in. Surgery st 7:30. Feeling more at ease. Hope to post again Soon.

Hi everyone I have just begun my journey and am keen to follow and support others in my situation. After a years hardwork my gp finally referred me for banding via nhs at charring cross hospital. I have been approved and await my 1st appointment ... Has anyone been to charring cross???

Hi everyone I was banded 4 years ago and lost 6 stone but unfortunately my port twisted and I couldn't get a proper fill. I recently had an operation to replace my port with a new one. It was badly damaged from them trying to get the needle into the port to give me a fill. I put back on nearly 2 stone cos I wasn't getting proper restriction. I feel like I'm starting all over again :-(

Hi everyone. First time I'm posting. I got my surgery date, June 13, and I'm sooo excited. It's been a long process. I started with the first phone call to Oregon weight loss surgery sept 20,2011. What I'm struggling with is that my phys asst wants me to lose 10 lbs before surg. I have 9 to go and my check up is the 8th! I've had a horrible week...my friend was murdered at my work and I found out my husbands company is transferring us to Arizona. The stress is not helping with weight loss and I will be devastated if they push my surgery out a month. It's not like the insurance company wants it the dr thought ur would be a good goal. I had lost the 10 pounds around mo…

Fear struck on Friday when the insurance company called and said my weight loss surgery was approved. The reality of what is coming up has set in. The feeling of failure at all my attempts of weight loss ran through my head. I'm blessed that I have a old support system, I have only told my family of my decision, and do to on coming medical issues we all agrred this was the best option. As I weight or my surgery date a million things run through my mind, the number one thing is...am I doing the right thing? For the next couple of months I will be taking each day one at a time.

Did you have your gall bladder removed DURING surgery and if so why? Also, if you self-paid did this cut your price down and by how much?

I plan on calling my dr tomorrow, but just curious to know, what are the symptoms of a leak?...help!!!!

I had my VSG on May 18 & found out that afternoon that I had a hiatal hernia, moderately sized, that was repaired also. I went to Piedras Negras, Mexico & had my surgery performed by the amazing Dr. Guillermo Alvarez and his fabulous team. I have had a pretty good experience so far, short of some abdominal soreness, but I've been trying to make it through without breaking down and using up my pain meds. I'm back at work & finding that by wearing my much loathed girdle, its actually helping prevent some of the jiggly soreness I'm officially down 12 lbs since starting the pre op diet 1 week before my surgery & I'm working on not stepping on those scales eve…

I get banded a week from today, on 4/24! I am starting to freak and get a bit nervous! Anyone else?! Any words of encouragement? Thank you!!

Hello everyone. I am so happy to have found this site! I have read such great info. I am 34 married for 13yrs and we have 2 children. I started putting weight on about 10 yrs ago, we had to go thru a lot of fertility treatments before I was able to get pregnant and that's what got the pounds started!! Currently I am 260# BMI is 44.9, this is the highest my weight has ever been. I went on 5/16 for my first consultation with Dr Curry in Cincinnati, everything went really well....and now the weighting begins!!

It is wonderful to have a support group right at your fingers. I am looking forward to learning from those of you that have traveled this path already and those of you that are in the beginning stages. Both my husband and I started this process at the beginning of April and will need to meet monthly for six months to garner insurance approval. We are both diabetic, hypertensive, hypercholesterolemia, and I have hip/spine arthritis. I am not complaining, but I am looking forward to being healthier again. We currently work out a few times a week and are fairly active. I want to train for a 5 K as soon as I can physically do it. I am at 213 and stand 5"5" so my BMI …

Hey guys! After many months of lurking around on here almost daily, I've decided to finally create an account, lol! I don't know what I was so afraid of I am 25 years old and from Pennsylvania. I am currently on month 4 of the 6 month physician supervised diet. Starting to feel a bit overwhelmed, but I'm sure this feeling will pass...at some point :/

Hi Im 319 pounds and I wanted to have a sleeve surgery but my surgeon said that sleeve wont cut down all your excess weight and you have to get a bypass surgery.I wanted to know if there is some one like me who had a sleeve surgery and lost all the excess weight.

Hi, my name is Renea and I am still waiting on my surgery date. I have been thinking about having gastric surgery for a few years. I first had considered the lap band. The surgeon I have now and the hospital I go to only does the vertical sleeve. I had not done any research on the sleeve but the more I read about it and watch the testimonials I realized it was the best choice for me. I have seen the psychologist, had my gastro test and have seen the nutritionist one time. I have my second appt with the nutritionist on the 25th of June and all the docs will get together that week and decide if I am a good candidate. I'm pretty sure I will be. The reason I made up m…

Was sleeves may 13 2010 I tried everything nd I mean everything to loose weight before the operation I weighed 240 lbs. I size 18 Now I am half of me I weigh 120 I find it hard to believe it is me but it is I am a size 4 as to date I drink my water and coffee I find it settles food I live in small town and no support system. Family. Was really my support I went from 7 pills a day to none today well a vit on the day I was to be operated on they told me I was a diabetic and I said no. And they said yes I am and that would have ment more pills As I lost weight my energy level is so much more I just ran first 5 k. And I do kettle bells which has toned 10 and ha…

I am not a good cook and could really use some new ideas for what to eat. My surgeon has a bit longer phase if eat diet stage so now I am two weeks into the month of soft diet. I mostly eat tiny bits of well chewed chicken or cottage cheese or lunch meat. Just wondering if anyone has any tasty ideas to mix it up a bit...lol?

I have surgery Tuesday morning at 7:30. I have had no fear until about an hour ago. I have a beautiful four year old little girl. I hope and pray the surgery goes well. She is my world. She is part of the reason that I am making this drastic decision. I want to live a long healthy life with her. I know she is in good hands with her father, my husband while I'm in the hospital. I just have this fear of not waking up from surgery and never seeing her again.

Has my surgery yesterday at 12:30 in Concord, NC. I feel pretty good right now. Moderate pain just above my belly button. Unfortunately they just weighed me and I was up 10 lbs from yesterday right before surgery. I know this is a lot of water weight, leg compression pads, etc.....but still. Walked some last night and it felt pretty good. The biggest pain is not being allowed to drink anything yet. My mouth is so dry and pasty. They did give me some mouth swabs so I can swab with a little water. All in all, so far so good! Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers!

Hello, I'm Christine and I was banded on Tuesday 22 of may. First couple I days were rough probably due to the pain and gases. This is my 4th day and while I'm still in pain my meds are not needed as often but I'm a little afraid that my bowels haven't moved yet. Is this something I should be worried about? Still am not getting my full protein or water bc I fill up fast and it hurts to drink anymore.

Hi I am new to this sight. Was happy when I found it through the iPhone app. I was banded in March 2011. So far I lost 60 pounds.

Just wondering from some of the others how long were you into your sleeved journey before you experienced your first stall and how long did it last?

Well right about now I am sitting in the Marriott in Tijuana ..... who would have thought. I started this all about 11 years ago when I had the lapband put in. For about 6 of the 10 years it did its job and I managed to loose weight although had trouble maintaining. Last July 2011, I started thinking that all wasn´t good with the band - just a feeling....so I started on this road and started investigating......had my eroded lapband out on 24 January this year here in Canada. The process to then get the sleeve here was very stressful for me as I live about 4.5 hours away from the hospital and clinic and needed to attend at least once to twice a month. About a mo…

Hi - I'm Alison. I got banded on Friday (5/25) and just wanted to check in and join the group. My experience so far: Surgery went great. Post-op pain was more than I expected but only for the first 2 days. No pain meds today. I have shoulder pain that moves when I change position - I assume this is gas. I have moved to puréed on day 3 per my instructions. I have no appetite but I am trying to get some Protein in through "shakes". I started walking around the block yesterday and went a little further today twice. Emotionally I've been up (glad it went well), down (from pain and fatigue) and asked myself more than once what did I do??? Staying positive though. …

I'm a low BMI, self payer. Getting really nervous about my surgery...I think mostly about the pain afterward. Yikes!

I'm just wondering. I was sleeved on May 14th and I'm an emotional wreck but I expected this in the beginning. What about you that have some sleeved time under your belt. Do you have regrets?

Hi, I am in a 2 week diet before having my surgery. I am right know 233pounds and am only 4'11 feet tall. I started the liquid diet 5-21-12. I can say I feel very fustrated with the liquid diet. I have been In the replace 2 meal with protein shakes and 1 heathy meal before. I never been in a a strict liquid diet before. I been very moody because I am the only one to cook at home and is torture to cook and knowing you can not eat but drink liquids. It has been frustrating but is not the food that I am really craving is my daily cup of coffee that I am craving my caffeine. I know is not good but it has been years of drinking coffee and I get bad headache because of the co…

Finally back with the Program after not being able to see a Doctor since July 2009. I had my band installed in Philadelphia and then ended up moving out to California due to divorce and had lost insurance because plan didn't cover visits here. Was able to find a Doctor here two hours away that was on my current health plan. I had backslid during the time of being off and I guess it somewhat loosened. I would have periodic sticks, but nothing that I generally couldn't manage. I just had a fill last Thursday of an additional 1cc so now I am at 7cc in my band. Things are going ok during the day but I have a nighttime pill I take which is on the large side and I cannot…

I want to here some success stories from some men, sorry ladies, I'm six foot two and 330 and just got approved for the surgery I was just curious of some weight loss numbers from some sleevers that are six months or a year post op

Excited and scared

I am on my way to the hospital... 12:25 surgery time. Wish me luck and send some prayers my way! Nervous but excited to let the skinny me out!

My surgery is scheduled for June 5th in Memphis, Tn and I am a good mixture of nervous and excited. I am a self pay because I didn't want to have to worry about insurance or jumping through any of their stupid hoops. I went to an information meeting in March and had my psych evaluation and nutritionist appointment by April 15th and surgery scheduled May 10th. I have never had any type of surgery before, nor have I had stitches, so that part is making me the most nervous. I also read about a lot of people doing pre- op diets, and my doctor didn't mention that to me at all, so I am curious as to why and if i'm going to be in trouble come surgery date.