Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

New to the group. mom of 5 step mom of 2 ranging from 21 - 2.. Post op 8 days... Here is my blog for the rest of my journey and for my stats/ introductions http://watchmeeshrink.blogspot.com/ im feeling very overwhelmed. I came home with the JP drain and it comes out Thursday, but I feel like something is wrong inside. I've always listened to my body, but the docs keep telling me all is "normal" I dont know what normal is anymore. the site of JP tube seems to be bulging. its draining as normal, but the the right side of my tummy seems to be more bloated. Is this really normal. Bonnie

I am new to this sight and I am seeking support. I was banded on 5/9/12 and I am doing well, though a little sore. Perhaps the two most annoying aches I have are the pain on my right hand where the IV was put in and the pain under my left breast (rib cage). Other than that, i have been keeping everything down. I think I might need some restriction so i am going for my first fill on 5/22. Did anyone else experience this? Please feel free to share!

Hi, Im new and like all of you I decided to make a positive change with my life and shed this weight! I just recently decided to forgo the LapBand for VSG and so far Im super happy with my choice. I dont have an official surgery day yet, Im still in pre-op with a majority of my testing being done tomorrow (sono, chest xray, labs, pulmonary). Im hoping it wont be much longer as my insurance has approved everything so far with no resistance. Just wanted to say hi and Im looking forward to getting to know everyone =)

I'm a 27 year old. I'm 5'0 and weigh 251 lbs...I am unsure if I should get it done. I am border line diabetic ..my thyroid is also not under control. I'm undecided. Please give me input. Thanks

Today I reached my first goal...under 200!!! Wasn't going to weight today since I did yesterday but I could just tell! And there it was, 199!!! Haven't seen that number in at least 10 years. I feel great, am exercising and eating well, meaning I don't feel deprived. Getting in all my water and protein, and calories are low (maybe too low) at about 800 daily. Life is good!!!

I had my first appointment with the Dr. on the 9th and now I am scheduled for surgery. The countdown begins... I start a 2 week pre-op diet in just 2 week which is mostly protien shakes and liquid but the Dr said I could include lean chicken and cottage cheese up until the last 2 days of the diet. I stopped drinking soda over a week ago now which was a huge addiction to me. Can't wait until I can start posting that I'm dropping the pounds and seeing some big changes. Anyone else having surgery on the 13th?

Hi, Just wanted to stop by and say I'm new to the forum. I got my band almost 10 years and am having a few issues so I will ask my questions there. Best to all! Mixxie

Hello I will be having my surgery.on.the 23rd of this month..and I cant wait ..can u pls tell me what do.i ecpect after the surgery...thank u

Hey everyone i had my sleeve December 28,2011 and i started at 401lbs im now down to 330lbs i have a long way to go but im doing it!!! For those who havent had it done it is the best decision you will ever make i promise. I only regretted it right after surgery when all the drugs made me very sick. I will say it is a learning exp for sure and still learning. I have over eaten a few times and had to make myself vomit from feeling so miserable. What i suggest is to buy a 4 ounce container and baby cutlery, lol yes baby spoons, this will help to keep your bites small and chew chew chew!!! Your new stomach will thank you. It is at times a challenge when your wanting your favo…

1st, I'm thrilled to have found this site. I feel a lot better knowing that I have folks out there going thru the same as I. This is still new to me, I went thru the sleeve process 5/10/12 and it's quite the experience. I have a million questions and I'm hoping for some great moral support from like minds ... Judy

Ok so I am Chavon I am 32 years old and about 150lbs overweight. I have yo yo dieted and failed my entire life. I have always been heavy and now that I have high blood pressure and avoid amusement parks for fear of not fitting on the rides, I am ready to get control of my life. I have my psych screen on the 28th and my first consult on June 1st. I am super excited to see myself thin and healthy for the first time ever! I am excited to stop taking the blood pressure meds and not feel like I am older than my mother. Any banded pros out there have any advice for me? Thanks!

Tonight I went to my first of 8 classes, and I'll have my date in four weeks. I have the choice between bypass or sleeve, and at first I thought I'd do the bypass, but now I'm leaning towards the sleeve. I'm interested in hearing from folks on their thoughts of the pros and cons. Going to class tonight and really starting to see the process in action really excites me. I'm ready for this and looking forward to the next chapter in my life. One of the women in my class said to me,"Just think, 10 weeks from now, this will all be behind us!". That was a pretty amazing thought.

Hi, I'm new to this site and not really sure what I'm suppose to do on here. But I'm having my sleeve on the 24th of this mnth, and my dr has put me on a 2 week diet and I'm having a hard time with it. But if some one would be sweet and kinda tell me how this site works I would really like that. Thanks

Hi, I got my band January 8, 2003. I am 5'0" tall and weighed 276 lbs. My doctor, Robin Blackstone, had never done a lap-band before, only gastric bypass...but I had done my research and knew I wanted the lap band and that I wanted her to do it. She and her team, Melissa (you rock), worked diligently over all these years to help me achieve my goals. I weigh 151 right now and still want to loose 10 more pounds. It has been such a ride of a lifetime! I can still remember how much time I spent on the boards trying to find someone to help me, someone who had the same things going on as me, someone who was worse off than me, someone who had "made it". When I had my sur…

I am all set to go, I am scheduled for Tuesday morning. I am really excited and nervous too. I am worried my liver won't be small enough. Cheated a couple times on my pre op diet. I am on liquids now to help. I know once it's over I will follow a strict diet. I am ready to say goodbye to my weight. I was 260 at the dr yesterday. That is the biggest I have ever been. My husband is so supportive and is my rock.

When I started this journey my insurance had a requirement that you do a 10 week program so my mind set has been to have surgery in august. Well I got an email today saying they no longer require that and I also got my approval letter. so I am scheduled for May 21!!!! I am soo excited and scared. I have a trip planned 4 days after surgery, does that seem too soon? I won't be driving just riding. I really can't cancel but does anyone see a risk with this?

Have rny just over 2 yrs ago. I was at my all time low last summer. It has crept back up in last 6 months. I went from a very physical job to a sedintary one and appetite up. I am goin to grab this before it's worse. Really need to exercise and find solutions to my cravings. I am still at an acceptable weight but not one lb more.

It has been 2 months since surgery. I have lost 50 lbs and have been walking and just started running on the treadmill for about 3 miles 3 days a week. Any other ideas?

I am ten days out and have had an unusually easy recovery. No pain, no nausea. No problems getting fluid down. I have one incision that is a little red, so I decided to start taking my temp. I sent a pic to the Dr.'s office and they said it didn't look infected.Fine last night, this morning 99.9, now 100.9. No pain, just a tiny headache, fever and chills and very tired. My Doctor's office told me to go to the ER. My ears feel a little stopped up, but I don't even feel bad. Heading to the ER and praying it's the flu or an ear infection. lol

My name is Kelly. My husband is going to have Gastric Bypass done. We went to see the doctor and dietitian. We are waiting on a surgery date then going to see the Pre Op Appt. I am going to follow diets with him. I am not having the surgery.

Hi. Just wanted to introduce myself. I am a 41 years old female residing in southern California. I have been overweight most of my life and am just starting to suffer the consequences to my health. my weight just hit an all time high of 300 lbs. This is my heaviest ever. Not to mention, I was able to pull off being overweight in my twenties and thirties due to having some semblence of fitness despite my size. This is no longer the case. It is high time for a change and I am hopefully starting the first steps of a new life journey. Can't wait to see where this ends up! I am currently enrolled in a bariatric surgery program through my health insurance and with any luck, w…

So today, I went to the dr and got my date! They are sending off for my insurance approval tomorrow, I'm praying I get approved!! I don't see why I would get denied. My date will be July 17th!! I'm so excited!

My name is Onyx. I am 32 and as of November 2011 I weighed 360 lbs. I started my journey here in Albuquerque, NM but my gastric bypass surgery was done at Del Sol Bariatric Hospital in El Paso, TX on April 23, 2012 by Dr. Michael Lara. I am glad for this online support system. I know when I began the journey I had those for and against the surgery. I am happy to say those who doubted support me now. I did this to be the Lord's testimony. In order to have any of the weight loss surgeries you have to be courageous even when you are terrified. I knew I couldn't do that without God's help. I want to be a support system to anyone in need whether surgery happens or not. …

I had my surgery 12/12 and have lost 55 lbs as of today, 5/8! yea, me! but does anyone know where I can get statistics on this surgery in terms of effectiveness, weight loss, weight gained back, anything like that?

I'm so happy, I'm half way to goal weight! I love my sleeve <3 This is a true SV for me i can't wait to be at goal weight, i feels possible and so close!

I am just so upset. I was sleeved on May 3. It does not seem to matter how slow I drink or how many minutes I put in between my 1 oz little cups I still end up getting sick. I am so tired of throwing up. I have these little 1 oz cups and I make sure it takes me at least 10 minutes to drink one I wait at least 30 minutes before trying another 1 oz. so in 1.5 hours I am getting 3 oz of fluid I usually end up throwing it up. Waiting for the doctors office to open so I can go in and see if I can get some fluids and some help. Did anyone else have this problem and what did you do????? I am so desperate. I just feel like my body is falling apart...please please please…

I'm 33 years old, and I currently weigh 344 lbs. Everyone tells me that I don't look that big because I'm 6'2, but I definitely feel that big. I was very active in my younger days. I played Division 1 basketball in college and I am now a high school teacher/coach. I started gaining weight immediately after I graduated from college and my basketball playing days were over. I became less active but I continued to eat whatever I wanted, and it eventually caught up with me. I'm tired of being this big and not being able to fly without a seatbelt extender or not being able to go to a concert because I probably won't fit in the chair. My mother died suddenly in 2011 at age 60 o…

HAS ANYONE FROM PENNSYLVANIA HAD THE LAP BAND DONE BY DR. KIM MARLEY? IF SO, HOW DID YOUR SURGERY GO AND WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE SURGEON? THANK YOU!

I know this has nothing to do with rny but I just wanted to say happy mothers day to all of the mothers on the forum!!! And also to any dads that are single fathers acting as not only a dad but a mom too!! I hope everyone has a wonderful fun filled day!!! Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

Today is my birthday and I called and talk to insurance and I was approved today! So excited. Now I'm waiting for surgery scheduler to call me to set date.

Hi my name is Melinda and I'm seven months post-op. I started at 240lbs and my current weight is 177lbs. I decided to have wls when noticed that the bigger I got the less pictures I was in. It was like I was erasing myself from history. I refused to let that happen so I made the decision that changed my life!

I'm feeling very emotional lately. I've heard that people who have gone through the gastric bypass surgery can be an emotional mess. I'm 7 weeks post-op and haven't had any issues emotionally until recent. I'm just wondering if anyone else had experienced mood changes?

Just kidding... haha! Gotcha! I just wanted to put it out there that I have changed my display name. Why? Because I am not Little and I'm no Miss... so. HOWEVER, I am getting stronger every day. And, I'm always quite the Diva. Carry on with your business! I hope everyone's doing well with your endeavors.

Hi Im from Canada, I have been lurking around the boards trying to make a decision to get a lap band. I have been on numorous diets lost 60lbs gained etc. I am so tired of YOYOing. I am currently at a 42% BMI. When I think of surgery I think its such a drastic measure then I look at my health currently and think that is quite drastic too......stilll deciding.......

I am so excited and eagerly awaiting my surgery on June 12th! I do however, have a couple of questions...... 1. How soon did you all start exercising after surgery? 2. Was/is the "mental" part hard for you?

Hi all, I have finally decided to turn my life around with lap band surgery. I will be a self-pay, so I'm looking at the most affordable options within the US. I see that Dr. Weaver with Western Surgical Care performs the lap band surgery for a total of $8,950. - Has anyone gotten their procedure with Dr. Weaver? What was your experience like? - Are there additional charges on this total? Medication? Taxes? Other fees I should be aware of? I appreciate all of your input and help!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to introduce myself. I was banded last week and it's been a slow journey of healing and getting used to this new lifestyle. I'm from Brooklyn and 26 years old. I've wanted the lap-band for a few years now and I am so happy I got it. I can't wait to start seeing real results and until I get past the healing hurdle. I don't know anyone who has been banded so this will be a great support system for me especially in the beginning while I am learning the lap-band ropes!! Thanks

I just got my surgery date. It was set for may 31 but then they pushed it back to June 7- I was so bummed. Now the countdown has begun and every day I seem to get more nervous and it's only been a few day - lol. I can't imagine what kind of basket case I will be by the surgery date. My Dr is not requiring any special pre- op diet other then one day of liquids only the day before surgery, this seems odd compared to do many others. Any suggestions on things I should or should not do in this next month? Thanks!

Hello, I am a newbie trying to get information of what is to come. Thank you Oscar

Hi all. My journey began on march 26th 2012. At 222.5lbs. 5ft tall. And 38 years young. My surgery date is set for August 15 2012. Of course that pending review board ect. But I'm on my way. I've lost 6.5 lbs so far by changing my diet and exercise. I'm trying so hard to make all the right changes especially mentally. Feeling really great about myself. Im excited to make some new friends so we can support each other. happy Monday!!!!

Hey everyone , I'm set up for gastric bypass on 5/21 but I'm having second thoughts because of all the horror stories everyone tells me. All of my doctors are on board but everytime I tell someone I'm getting bypass they always know someone who got really sick or died from it. I need reassurance !!!! Please help!!

This has been a long road. I tried for this surgery 7 years ago but lost too much weight and they denied it.So I went back last August and after all the classes and everything and losing only 10 pounds (was afraid to lose too much this time) I was told my surgery might not get approved cause I lost too little! Ugh... Anyway they did approve it, but daily I have this fear that they will change their mind. It was horrible when they called me and told me they had to push the surgery back a week, but at least it wasn't canceled. Now I worry I will fail and not lose the weight or gain it back. How do I cope with the constant fear I can't really share with my spouse (jus…

Hi! My name is Marti and I just had Lapband surgery on May 10th. They also found and repaired a hiatal hernia. My question is this.....I am unable to burp even when I feel like it and have a lot of left shoulder pain is this normal? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Hi all!!!! My name is Karen. I will be 40 in just a few short weeks. I'm married with two kids (grown) and one amazing little grandson! I moved back to Texas in 2011 after losing my Mom and wanting to be here to help my Dad. I love to read and scrapbook and even work for my local scrapbook store. I found out on Wednesday this past week that I have been approved by the insurance company for my surgery and on Friday received the doctor confirmation that I am scheduled for May 29th!!! I have to admit, when they called I cried!!! This is my fourth attempt at having lapband done with the first two attempts shut down by the insurance we had at the time and the third t…

December 28, 2011 I had my sleeve done it is now may 2012 Alittle over 4 months and I've lost 75 lbs so far long way to go!!! This was the day before my surgery. I wanted this fresh out the shower look and ragged clothes not a glam shot as a reminder to not ever go back to this place. This pic was taken in April 2012 4 months after surgery. Long way to go but I'm working it. Side view day before surgery ;( 30 days after surgery. My hair has suffered tremendously typical after surgery 2 months after surgery One month BEFORE surgery

nervous with lots of concerns surgery date is 5/31/12

So my insurance still has NOT given me a decision (& its a revison from Band to RNY)!! Every time my coordinator calls them they say it hasn't been decisioned yet BUT she went ahead and asked me to schedule my appointments with the nutritionist and Phyc evaluation and with the surgeon so that when I do get the approval I can schedule surgery!! All that sounds great BUT what if I'm denied and I do all that for nothing? Anyone else go through something similar?? I want to just give up BUT I find myself constantly checking my emails to see if she's got any updates -- this is beyond frustrating!

Hi, I was chosen (1of 25 out of 76 possible) for covered surgery in Calgary. Surgery date mid July. I am so excited but also not really sure what all the steps will be. I have been doing the weight loss course online up til now and now will need to go in weekly for maintenance classes, presurgery etc. I'll sure be looking to you all to know what will happen.

Hi everyone I just joined and wanted to introduce my self. My name is Sarah and I had my surgery on February 23 2010. I have had some set backs recently but am trying to get back on track.

Hello, everyone. I have been reading info on this site, but just joined last night. I am Dawn and will be having the Band with plication tomorrow. I have read a lot of posts this morning, and honestly, I am thinking what in the world have I gotten myself into?? I was originally set on having the sleeve, but always had a problem with staying in a hospital for 3 days, and having part of my body removed when it was not medically necessary. So, after my doctor mentioned this procedure, I changed my mind and agreed to this. But after reading these posts, I am really nervous. I'm okay with pain, as I have a kind of a high tolerance, but I'm not okay with nausea. ugh. My mot…