Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Greetings..... so glad I found your support group. I had a gastric sleeve on 5/4/12, just five days ago. It was a revision from a lap band I had nine years ago. The band worked perfectly at first and I dropped over 100 lbs and acheived a normal BMI, but it started giving me problems about three years ago, due to a doctor overfilling it. I was experiencing horrible reflux and eventually needed a hiatal hernia repair and my esphogus became dialated. Since I had so many problems, I've basically been without a fill for the last three years and...... you guessed it...... I progressively gained most of my weight back. My doctor recommended I look into a gastric sleev…

Am so paranoid about a leak. Tomorrow I will be 4 weeks post op. Since yesterday I have felt bloated and had a crampy like feeling (middle of stomach and around to my back). This morning I took a drink of crystal lite and spent the next couple of minutes heaving over the toilet. I don't have a fever. So, in your "professional" opinions, does this sound like a leak or a virus or what??

So, as you can see by my signature, I have been taking the fast track through the Kaiser system! I attended my orientation on May 24 and here I am not even a month later, 14 pounds down, psych consult behind me and awaiting my case manager appointment tomorrow where I will get my surgery date. I have asked them if there is any way I can get in for surgery in July since I work full time and go to school. I would really like to have some time to heal before the school semester starts up in August. So if I get my surgery in July, my whole process through Kaiser will have been 2 months. Not too shabby at all! I guess it's all about how much you want it, how motivated yo…

Hi everyone! I have been creeping around on this website for some time now and I am finally going through the steps to have the procedure done. I just got my call today to schedule my surgeon appointment for the last visit before I get approved. I have been overweight most of my life, but I have been really packing on the pounds since I had my son in 2009. My highest weight was 284 when I was pregnant and I am currently at 267. I did lose all my baby weight that I gained during pregnancy, but then I have gained some of it back and I do not want to gain it all. I have tried all the different diets, I exercise, and I can usually lose some weight, but then I find it all…

Pre-op. 293 Surgery: 270 5/11/12 266lbs

So I just woke up an hour and a half before my alarm is to go off and of course I cannot get back to sleep. In 4 hours from now Ill be sitting at McGees Womans Hospital in Pittsburgh getting prepped for surgery! This day has finally arrived and I cannot be more excited and grateful to start this journey! I'm so blessed to have everyone on this forum to help and encourage me. I am also blessed to have such a great support system. During surgery my loving mother, father, and fiancé will be at the hospital waiting while I am getting sleeved. This afternoon my best friend who has been so loving and supportive is coming to the hospital after she finish a full day of clinica…

Hey ya'll! About a year ago I started the Lap-band process, and 2 weeks before I was going to get the surgery my husband got stationed last minute across the country. I was devastated. Now that we are finally settled again I have started the process over again. I will be going to the University of Colorado hospital. I'm still waiting for them to contact me in for my first appointment! As much as I want the surgery, I can't help but keep the horror stories in my head! I have 100 pounds to lose, and I'm still in my early 20's so hopefully my skin won't look too terrible after I lose the weight. Is the port visible for any of you? What is the most common complication…

Does anyone else have poly cystic ovarian syndrome? And if so how has your progress been?? I've been dealing with it since I was 15 and coincidentally enough have been gaining about 15 lbs per year since then! Not scheduled for surgery yet, still going thru counseling

Im very nervous about my upcoming revision to the Rny& Gladdbladder surgery. I had the band in May 2009, in May 2012 the port got infected( had to removed)and the next month the band eroded and it also had to be removed. Support from people isnt too strong due to the previous problems but I have put all my weight back on. I had great success with the band. SW-222 and ENDING WEIGHT 145!! I miss the band Any advice from anyone with a revision or the rny? Long term results problems??? Thanks for the support!! The folks on the site are great! Dawn Sent from my iPhone using RNYTalk

I joined the GYM today.

Well...it's been 2 whole months since surgery(March 6,2012) and I am proud to say I have lost 57 lbs + 17 lbs pre-op diet loss, which gives me a Grand Total of 76 lbs LOST...from 374 to 298 in two months or from a 54 pants to 48 and 4x shirt to 2x/3x

Hi. I'm Lizzy and I've battled my weight for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I never really thought too much about weight, but I do remember being too bashful to change for PE at school or participate in any of the activities and I certainly didn't get involved in sports. No way. Both of my parents were overweight. However, none of my brothers were and my older sister certainly wasn't. My younger sister and I were the exceptions. (A couple of my brothers are now overweight.) I had low self-esteem and didn't respect myself in high school...or afterwards for that matter. In 2001, I married one of my best friends, who was a US Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune, North C…

Its almost 4:30 am and I'm on my way to the hospital to start my new life. Thanks to this forum for fantastic support! See you on the Loser's Bench! Keep me in your prayers. :-)

Had my meeting with my nutritionist today and she said I seemed very well informed and knew exactly what to expect. Of course I do -- I am addicted to the forum. Lol. Any other addict stories?

Hi everyone! I am new to the site. Little about myself I am 33, 5ft 4 in, when I started my pre surgery diet on May 3rd I weighed 308.6 and today I weighed myself 299. The pre surgery diet has been a tough walk but I am managing and not cheating. My safety and recovery is vital i have a family with 3 kids 6,7, and 9. I am married with a great support system. I am not sure what to really expect and am a little nervous but I have to trust God will take care of me. My goal weight is 155 hopefully I get there some day. I am really glad I found this site there is a lot of good information and nobody can have too much support!

Called insurance yesterday they received my paperwork and are reviewing everything. How often should I call and check in status?

I'm one day post op. I keep thinking did I make a mistake. My pain hurts and I'm so sore. Dis anyone feel like thus.

Was sleeved yesterday amd ready to go home..the pain wasnt as bad ..but the gas pains I can do without..i been walkin and its helpin..got nausea a couple times just dont like that feelin..cant wait to get home and in my bed..ttyl

I'm anemic, I've always been in the low iron category.My doc says I should be fine n to continue on my iron supplements.I'm getting sleeved on 5/21...Just curious to know u guys experiences!

Hi I'm a newbie on here and just in the beginning stages of all of this. I currently have BCBS Cobra from my divorce with my ex-husband's policy but it is due to expire June 30th. I was hoping to get everything approved and done and surgery by then but doesn't look like that is going to happen, fingers still crossed. Effective July 1st I have to go on Ky Access, which is a insurance that will insure you because no one else will due to our weight/height. I am 46, 5'2" and weigh 287 and no one would insure me due to this so I am forced to go on Ky Access. Ky Access does cover Lap Band but when I call since I'm not enrolled they will not give me details on requirements.…

Today 2 weeks before surgery my financing fell through, so I am scrambling trying to fix it! However it feels really hopeless and I just want to sit here and cry in my tea!

Hey all- Just found this forum! My surgery is Monday, May 14th. Doc will be Dr. Nease, here in Huntington WV. I'm so excited, I can hardly stand it! Sat am I'll start my 2-day liquid pre-op diet, otherwise I haven't been on any such preop diet. I look forward to reading all over here over the next couple days and the weekend, getting ready for the big day! congrats to all of us, making this great life change!!! Nancy

My name is Tonia and I am 35. I am a wife and mother. I had lap band surgery in 2008 and had to have it removed in 2010. I am scheduled for the sleeve May 29! I can't wait!

Hello Everyone, I am new to the forum, just found it today. I had my lap band surgery on May 2nd. Unfortunately, I had some complications with too much swelling and ended up in the emergency room on the 5th. They removed Fluid from my band and all seems to be going better now. I still feel tired and have pain in the left side. Some discomfort when I take a deep breath too. This may be due to the hiatal hernia repair they did at the same time as my lap band. I just want to feel "normal" again. I'm hoping to learn a lot from others on this forum. Thanks! Cheryl

Hi... I do not have the band nor scheduled my surgery, yet. It's a huge step that I want to take but am more than a little nervous about. A little about me - I'm 26, 5'9" 335lbs, married to an amazing man and my best friend for 2.5 years, photographer, biker, no kids yet just animals - a pug, a cat, and 2 birds =) that's me in a nutshell! My husband and I went to a band-consultation together - with him thinking "let's do it" and me thinking "i don't know". Afterwards, we traded opinions. For now, we've decided, if we move forward, it will be for me alone and he will probably do it at a later time. My hesitation now is that I did what I was advised to do... researc…

Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself! My husband had lapband about 2 years ago and did wonderfully well. Now I'm ready to take the plunge! I should have all my insurance requirements squared away in about two weeks. I'm amazed how quickly it's gone by! I thought about having this surgery last year and more or less chickened out. I told myself I could do this on my own if I just tried harder. Here I am - still obese. My mom has type 2 diabetes and I worry that I'm following in her footsteps. Time to make a change! I look forward to reading through the posts here - seems like a great community.

In the pre op lobby waiting too get called in. started crying while sitting here and I don't know why. My surgery is in 2 hours and I'm scared

I already posted in the insurance forum, but figured I might as well post here, too. I have my first consult? I guess you would call it in the beginning of June and the seminar at the end of June. I was curious as to what is actually considered a co-morbidity at this point. High triglycerides? Fatty liver? Depression? I mean, I know about the most common ones, but I am curious as to what else the insurance company might take into consideration. I have BCBS Anthem, Cali. Anyway, I am excited, thinking that with help from this surgery I can finally have my life back in a number of ways. I can be healthy for myself, my husband, my kids... and so much more.

Last weekend my husband told me he can't wait until my ex-husband sees me after losing all this weight (about 30 pounds), and that my ex-husband will be blown away (although, I don't think he used "blown away" I think it was more obscene). My husband isn't a typical "macho" man, but apparently there's a competitive caveman in every man. I think he's proud!

I've just started the journey and I have found that I'm easily disgusted by food now, but it doesn't stop me from eating! I often think during a good meal "can I give this up?", "why am I eating ALL of it"??? So confusing, I'm battling food? FOOD? It's always available, satisfying, bad for you, good for you.......No wonder we can't stop! How did I lose control to food?

I just found out I will have surgery on August 6. It is still a little far out but I had already planned a trip to the Bahamas in July. I live in Richmond Va and will be having surgery with Dr. Brengman, anyone else out there from this area? I am exited to start being active again, I have 150 pounds to lose to be healthy. Exited!!

Tomorrow morning I fly into San Diego and then headed to Mexicali. Wish me luck.

Hello Everyone, I am in the information gathering phase but tentatively planning surgery for mid summer this year. I've been searching for red flags but finding mostly enthusiasm from people that have had the procedure. Overall I am pretty healthy but pre-diabetic and have no desire to go there. A year of low carb eating netted no weight loss and my HA1C actually was higher. That got my attention and I spoke to my physician about WLS. He strongly recommended the VSG so I went to a seminar put on by a surgeon and concluded that the VSG made the most sense. So the journey starts. I've been told to expect about 8 - 10 weeks for approval and probably another few weeks to sc…

Hi all. My name is Kim. I am a 43-year-old who has struggled, as I'm sure alot of you here have, with weight issues all of my life. I did go through one "thin" phase during high school, where I was my perfect goal weight, but that did not last very long. Otherwise, I was a "chunky" kid and now, an obese adult with several health issues. I have Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, and for 1 year now, Diabetes Mellitus. My 63-year-old father passed away 2 years ago this month from a massive heart attack. He was not obese, did not have blood pressure issues or DM, but he did suffer from Hyperlipidemia and had a heart attack when he was 42. He exercised daily and aside from a few sp…

Ok - Here's my story. My name's Clay and I'm 32 - I've been overweight for roughly 23 years now. I've always struggled with it... When I was 15 I lost 90 lbs with adipex and atkins diet. Needless to say its come back over the years plus about 10.. I just found out that the insurance where I work pays for bariatric surgery - I have United Healthcare through HCA hospitals. I'm going tomorrow for the seminar with Dr. Sheetal M. Patel in Plano. Still pretty nervous and kinda bummed - I've been turned down by insurance a couple of times in the past and I'm afraid this will be the same...

SO TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY =] JUST WANTED TO SHARE MY EXCITEMENT! but nervousness too lol SURGERY IS AT 1030. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THOSE GETTING SLEEVED TOMORROW!! I KNOW THERES ALOT OF US!

I am 3 days out off surgery and doing pretty well. Alittle pain but is OK. Still trying to decide which protein I should go with on my second week. Getting good ideas reading everybody's post. Found this app today and very pleased.

Ust found out have my appt with surgeon next Thursday the 10th...that should get the ball rolling! Nervous but getting kind of excited about getting it done. I am going to have the bypass surgery not the Lapland. And from what I hv read about all thisIt is a wise decision! Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Good morning, my name is Debbie, I found this web throught the book "The Expert's Guide To Weight-Loss Surgery" I started my process on August 31st 2011! I am scheduled for my LapBand surgery on May 1st 2012!! May Day It sure has been a journey so far, some what I call set backs alone the way, I was denied in December due to not having the 6 mth supervised diet, sine then I have on my own lost 10 lbs. I have been doing a lot of pre op preperation as I am sure some of you know about! Rite now it is count down time. "16" Days to go & as I like to call it "HAPPY NEW BIRTHDAY TO ME!" :wub: I have a lot of thought's and feeling rite now I do hear this in normal. I am …

WHat is the actual percentage of something happening like a leak.

Today is the first step in making a change. I have a seminar to learn more about lap band tonight. Even though I have read, read, and read some more about lap band (the good, bad, etc). The doctors in my area require you to attend a seminar before setting up an appt. Is that the nomal for everywhere? Any advice/questions to ask at the Seminar? I am very excited/nervous....can't wait to start this new journey to a healthy me!

Hello I'd like to introduce myself ... I have only just had my referral sent to charing cross and it's been approved ... Yes exciting times... Has anyone been to charing cross?

I had GBP on 11/21/11. My highest weight was 288, down to 207 now. Been having pain in the right side of my abdomen for over 2 weeks. Had a cat scan on Thurs, found that I have gallstones. Same surgeon is going in on the 14th to remove the gallbladder. Trouble is I am having trouble tolerating solid foods, it brings on an attack. Now I am back on liquid diet. My weight loss has stalled the past few weeks. Has anyone had issues with gallbladder problems? Did your weight loss pick up again? Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

I had my Lapband Surgery in March 2010. Before surgery I was at 265 pounds. So far I've losted 70 pounds. It has been a journey. My goal weight is to lose an additional 30 pounds.In January 2012 I had a Tummy Tuck which was very successful. When I went to my Bariatric Surgeon after the Tummy Tuck to see if everything was still okay with my Lapband and to see if I could get a fill. Also when I would eat or drink anything it would feel like I shouldn't eat or drink anything because it would be so heavy like a ton of bricks that I would be carry inside of my belly. I complained to him about that. He just looked at my tummy and said everything looks okay and since you have lo…

I knew, so excuse my mistakes. I'm getting banded on May 15. I kinda excited and scared at the same time.

Hello to all! My name is Paula and I joined the Gastric Band talk a few years ago when that was my choice of action. Since then, and almost since that surgery, I had nothing but frustration with my band. I am not sure it is anyone's fault for not listing this as a possible side effect, but my medications would sit just above my band until they finally disolved, leaving my band area irritated. Now, I do take a lot of medications, and it just happened over and over. I would go have a fill reduced, feel better, get irritated, and then go to get it reduced again. On the last go-round of this, I just had them remove everything from the band and I gave up hope that it was…

How long before you can have alcohol and what has everyone found the most tolerable?

The bariatric nurse coordinator called me today-if my echo & upper endoscopy come back ok on Weds., I get to keep the pre-op we scheduled for 5/16 & the surgery date of 5/22. Holy tomatoes they are NOT messing around!!! But wait...there's more, o_O when I asked her if my authorization was submitted she said no, but with my insurance carrier it wouldn't be a problem getting approved. So is it wrong of me to still be nervous? So many things to think about...1st, dropping the bomb at work! Our HR is nosey-I know because I work there. Don't really want everyone knowing my personal business, watching & judging me-waiting for me to fail-yes, it's like that. And I'm …

I will start from the beginning of my journey. When I started this journey to get the sleeve back in Novenber 2011 I weighed 227 lbs. I am 28 years old and 5'1". I have been working out by walking 2 miles a day. I got bored with walking the same route everyday. So I started doing my Wii Active 30 day challenge. I've been doing the Wii active challenge for about 2 weeks. Today I weighed in. It was my last visit for my 6 months. During the last 6 months I have lost 18 lbs. to me I thought I was doing very well. Even getting off the couch and exercising was great for me. So here is my frustration. They did my testing today and found that I have lost more muscle than fat. The…

So today I'm back to the grind. I flew into DC and damn if I haven't had heartbrun/reflux all day. What are you guys taking for this? I bought a bottle of Tums earlier but its not helping much.