Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi. My name's Daniela. I'm 29, live in Pittsburgh and have a foul mouth. Sarcasm is my second language. I'm fluent. I'm having lap-band surgery on April 30th. I started the pre-op liquid diet today - I've had two Protein shakes and Water. The Protein Shakes taste like chalk, but they're less than 200 calories and greater than 15g of protein, so, uh...yum, chalk? I'm not nervous about the surgery. I went through the "lifestyle change" classes in 2009 before my insurance crapped out and I had to postpone it. They tried to get me to do them again this time around, but I figured I had already attended them and wasn't about to do them again. My insurance denied the firs…

I have been doing really well moving around and feeling good. So yesterday I decided to cook my family dinner, in the process of me cooking I took a gulp of my protein drink by accident I should of took a sip. I instantly got a pain in my left shoulder then I began to get sick stomach cramps, dizziness, and nausea so I sat down thinking I was dumping it gradually pass after about 45min so I thought. I began to get the pain in my shoulder again I assume it was gas so i laid down and took a hour nap to still wake up to this pain so I then tried to walk it out and fainted. Don't know what happen. I think I was dehydrated and lack of protein. Today is much better my stomach i…

I AM IN A VENTING MOOD THIS MORNING. BRIEF SUMMARY. I HAD MY GASTRIC BYPASS MARCH 22ND. FROM DAY ONE I HADCOMPLICATIONS. AS OF LATE, ITS BEEN THESE "STRICTURES. I'VE HAD 3 UPPER G.I. EXAMS TWO ENDOSCOPYS GOTTEN MY POUCH EXPANDED TWICE AND I'M SCHEDULED TO HAVE IT DONE AGAIN IN ABOUT 2 WEEKS. I HAVE A CONSTANT. SORE THROAT FROM THE ALWAYS JAMMING A CAMERA DOWN THERE TO "LOOK AROUND". I FEEL WEAK AND JITTERY FROM NOT EATING...MAINLY JUST STAYING DYDRATED WITH FLUIDS. DURING MY MOST RECENT ENDOSCOPY (FRIDAY APRIL 27TH) THEY DISCOVERED I ALSO HAVE AN ULCER. ON TOP OF THAT MY 1ST POST SURGERY MENSTRAL CYCLE IS WORSE THAN EVER! THESE SO CALLED "CRAMPS" FEEL MORE LIKE CONTRACTIO…

I'm 6 week po-op how long before you can eat regular foods. I know I have a ways before right I'm not able to eat anything I don't know why but I will know by the end of week hopefully. I'm having a scope percedure Thursday to found out why I can't eat it's been 1 1/2 now if I eat it come back up the doctor thought I was constipated but that's not it lol

Hey guys, So, those who know me, know how stressed and obsessive I can get about pounds not flying off... And how weighing myself several times a day had become a daily ritual, just like brushing my teeth and heck, sometimes like breathing... Well, for a few weeks now, my scale has been bouncing from 328 to 323... I mean like sometimes I see both numbers on a daily basis... However, the only things that fit me in my closet are my earrings!!! Weighing myself each morning before I go begin my morning grew very depressing and "heavy" for me.. I was expecting huge drops... and it was like.. sitting in the window, waiting for a UPS delivery on a Sunday... sigh... you wil…

Hello all pre/post banders and everyone in between. I am a newbie to this site, and within the last 24 hours or so have begun to find it so helpful. I have been considering lap band for a few years now. Just recently I finally took the step forward to becoming a healthier me. I had to complete a 6 month metabolic program which consisted of me seeing a nutritionist once a month, a phsyc visit, a weight loss meeting, and a lap band seminar. I finally completed all of the necessary requirements this past April . I got my pre-surgical referral to see this wonderful doctor...Dr. Shayani. I have seen nothing but the best reviews about him and his staff. I h…

After all the run around they gave me about not being able to schedule the surgery until I finished all my appointments, and at first not having an opening for a dietary class until June 26th (!!!), I just got my date! I'll be starting my pre-op diet next week, and I have to admit that I'm having a Farewell to food meal at the Melting Pot on Sunday. Super excited! -Kat

Well i made it to my first DR visit today..all went well. Have to see nutritionist in 2 Weeks and get my psychiatrist to sign off (no doubt she will) then have insurance final approval and surgery date will be set..super excited for this..so ready. I have read through allot of all your posts and found much encouragement, compassion, and empathy this is a great support network.!

Greetings from England, My name is Jose. I live in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England. I had my lap band surgery about 3 years ago. I started at 321 pounds and was able to lose about 60 pounds but in the last year have gained most of it back. I am back up to 308. So I decided to go see my doctor and the surgery coordinator. They were both very supportive and encouraging. They did share with me that they have discovered that you can have too much Fluid in the band so they took a little out. I was having difficulties, mostly in the morning, eating Breakfast and sometimes lunch. I thought that was a good thing. But, as we all know, eating breakfast and lunch…

GOOD MORNING WELL PRE OP TESTING WENT WELL AND EVERYONE AT THE HOSPITAL WERE WONDERFUL.. SO NICE AND HELPFUL REASSURING ME EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE. MET WITH MY DR YESTERDAY THINKING WELL ANOTHER 2 OR 3 WEEKS , HE WAS SO EXCITED TELLING ME HOW ABOUT NEXT WEDNESDAY, I ABOUT FELL OFF THE TABLE , IM WAS SHOCKED,IM LIKE REALLY THAT SOON, YOU SURE NOT NEXT MONTH, MORE FOR MY SANITY THAN HIS , IM STILL TRYING TO WRAP MY MIND AROUND ALL OF THIS, IM EXCITED, SCARED, NERVOUS ..ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I PRAYED ON IT AND I KNOW IT WILL BE FINE, IT JUST SEEM WHEN ALL THIS STARTED IT WAS ALL GOING IN SLOW MOTION.. NOW FAST FORWARD ..BUT IM READY TO START A NEW BEGINNING A NEW THINNE…

I am so ecstatic today. After a long long time i am out of the 90 kilo range i just hit 88 and feel amazing. I'm going to cape town for my sisters hen in 2 weeks and for once i won't be feeling fat and frumpy. Have an awesome week fellow sleevers.

I am on my 7th day of my liquid diet and it has been hard. I know it will be worth it in the long run! But what an emotional time. I have lost it a couple times now and am very thankful that my parents are here helping me out with my children. So I have a week to go until I get sleeved in Mexico. I am sooo excited. I am already down 10 pounds and if I keep going the way I am now maybe 20 pounds will be gone before I have my surgery. That is awesome in its self. I have no fears of the surgery. I just cant wait for the date to get here!

Hi everyone! Only one week before my sleeve surgery in Mexico. I am not much of a writer so I am doing my journey on video. If interested find it under YouTube BeautyVGSJourney

Hey there. Im new to LapBand Talk. I was just banded yesterday morning. Theres some pain,the gas is letting up but still struggling with getting hydrated. I figured out that my two tools to help me succeed are posting on this forum and tracking my foods daily. I am excited for the future but i cant wait for the pain to stop. Im walking around but i have to sleep in a recliner and as you can imagine DH is not happy to be sleeping alone. What do you think will be your biggest tools in succeeding with the weight loss?

Hello Everyone, I am so excited to have found a site that has people like me, that outstand me!!! I have been reading your stories and just have tears of WOW in my eyes. It is so comforting to have that connection now with others that have falling over the same hurtles I have. My family is so supportive and great so I can not knock that! My friends are having trouble understanding why I just can't do it on my own. But lets get real!! Everytime I diet I lose weight and then BAM I gain back even more. They all have the "Oh if I could just lose 10 lbs life would be easier". Which I laugh at and roll my eyes! They can't understand that I have been fighting the bulg…

Hi everyone, Im a stay at home mom. Im 27. Married. I have 3 Boys and 2 step children who live with us, So im a mom of 5. I have been big all my life. I was always the chunky lil kid. Im so tired of making my daily and life choices based on my weight. hair up or hair down. We will take the van not ther car. I dont want to fly, let just drive, etc I would love to do more with my family. I want to be around for my grandchildren. So here i am all 314 lbs of me, waiting for May 9th to go to the fast track Seminar and start my journey. I hope i dont have any problems along the way. I hope my insurance says yes! I would love to have a surgury date as soon as possible! LOL…

Hello all. have not been on this site in years. Got a new job, moved, life got just so so busy. I recieved my lapband in 2005. Lost 120 lbs in the first year. Was able to keep the weight off until about two years ago. I slowly started gaining weight. Effective last week I am up about 20 lbs. I went to get a fill last week (have not had one in years). I am having difficulty. Lots of acid relux and horrible coughing fits at night. I guess I need to learn how to eat again being very restricted. I am doing research and hope to get the right combination of food and hydration that the reflux and the coughing and throughing up go away, Just wanted to say hello ag…

I would like to introduce myself. I am a 39 yr old divorced mother of 12 yr. old boy/girl twins. Being overweight is consuming my life so I have made the decision to have gastric sleeve performed on June 5th. It was approved by my insurance & I am taking the summer off of work. My weight has ballooned to 287 lbs. I have severe sleep apnea. I don't like the way I look. I keep thinking of all the painful remarks that hurt my feelings. My ex-husband called me a "fat hillbilly" during one of our last arguments before we split up. I am having the surgery for me but the look on his face when I am down to my fighting weight will be priceless. I am hoping to make so…

Hi everybody, I'm sweetysjourney and I'm also new to RNY.

Hi there everybody! I'd like to introduce myself here and then follow up my introduction with a great big thank you. My username here is MovingTowardNormal. I am a 40 year old school teacher in Sacramento. I was "sleeved" on February 21st, 2012 - Ironically that was Fat Tuesday! I have been over weight most of my life. I was also always an avid athlete. It's a pretty weird combination but it seemed to work. I have been considering bariatric surgery for perhaps a decade because that combo really wasn't working... In that decade, I have gotten a masters, degree, traveled around extensively, got married and lost and gained about 300 or more lbs. In November 2011, I v…

Well my surgery went well today!!! I have walked one time today. In the morning they are giving me another upper GI. Yuck. I had gastric bypass and he also repaired my hernia. So i got 2 for 1 today.

I am so excited and nervous at the same time, I cannot believe that I am actually going to go through with the lap band. I have an appointment with Dr. Sarker in Maywood, IL at Loyola University Medical Center. Is there anyone that has gone to Dr. Sarker in the recent months? I have BCBS IL PPO and I have checked to see if Lap Band is covered and it is. I was curious to know about how long does the process take from start to finish? I have high blood pressure and nothing else, my BMI is 48.29. I go to Loyola for everything so all my medical history is there in the system.

Hello! I am new to this site. I went for my first appt with my surgeon last week. I know my insurance will cover the proceedure; I am just not sure how many hoops I will have to jump through first. I have already weined myself off sugar, caffiene, and sodas. Now I am trying different shakes to find out what which ones taste the best to me. I would appreciate any suggestions anyone is willing to offer on the subject. However, I also cannot have chocolate, which rules out most of the ones I have tried in the past. I wish everyone the best of luck!

Hi there everybody! I'd like to introduce myself here and then follow up my introduction with a great big thank you. My username here is MovingTowardNormal. I am a 40 year old school teacher in Sacramento. I was "sleeved" on February 21st, 2012 - Ironically that was Fat Tuesday! I have been over weight most of my life. I was also always an avid athlete. It's a pretty weird combination but it seemed to work. I have been considering bariatric surgery for perhaps a decade because that combo really wasn't working... In that decade, I have gotten a masters, degree, traveled around extensively, got married and lost and gained about 300 or more lbs. In November 2011, I v…

July 1, 2010, I started a journey that changed the direction for the rest of my life. I started my journey with a diagnosis of Lupus. I was borderline diabetic and hypertensive. It hurt to walk and my lower back constantly ached, I had several injections in my back trying to cope with the pain. I took about 15 different medications to maintain a functional life. I weighed 273 lbs and a year later, I weighed 167 lbs. Resulting in a loss of 107 lbs, a loss of 12 sizes in clothing and a whole new life. My insurance plan had no bariatric benefits. However, the cost was minimal to the savings of my health & life today. I am currently only taking my synthroid for …

Ok...so i am sooooo sore where my port is...i feel like i did 1000 crunches. Lol...oyher than that i feel great! I seemed to have escaped the horrible gas i was expecting.....i plan on neing on this site a lot. I've already learned so much by reading ya'lls posts...very thankful for this forum!!! I do havr a question: can i have a protein shake yet. Or do i have to wait 4 days??? Thank u all so much!! Oh ps...my weight before pre op diet was 264... Wt day of surgery 254. I am 5'8 and my goal wt is 150....xoxo

I started this June 2011 after gaining over 70 pounds on my already overweight body. The weight was caused by medication I was put on and of course we eneded up with the age old well if you lose weight but yes we understand that being on this medication doesn't allow you to lose weight very well. Really !?! Seriously ya think????? Well I changed physicians and when I found out that you didn't need to be 4-5 humfred pojnds or more llike you see on TV that with certain medical conditions you CAN have weight loss surgery. My new doctor was all for it when I asked him. He immediately told me to call my surgeon Dr. Birkedal and set up an appointment to see what he thought. Th…

Hi all, this is my first post. I've been stalking the group for a couple weeks and now I'm out in the open. The reason i joined this forum was every time I typed a question in Google about VSG, this forum showed up in the results and always had the best answers! So I joined and watched for a few days. I am so impressed by the knowledge and compassion of the people here. I haven't told a single friend, acquaintance, or family member about my decision but I feel totally comfortable sharing this journey will all of you. More later and thank you for all you do! G.

My surgery date is...Ta-da!! May 9 2012!! 8 days and counting! Sent from Barbiedoll77 using RNYTalk

Hi My username is ElleBanda. I came to Yale-New Haven Hospital after my insurance would not approve the surgery at Hartford Hospital in CT. My pre-op weight was 250.00 when I went to see the plastic surgeon for a tummy tuck I weighed 138. I am grateful for the procedure.

Hello, new to the site. I've been considering lab band surgery for years and I'm finally at the point were I'm going to try to make it happen!!! Problem is I'm on Medicaid currently and the doctors that cover it I've heard horrible stories about!!!! The patients are always sick, have to get multiple surgeries to correct issues...etc. So now I'm scared to go thru with it....or maybe do self pay with a place in another state that I've been trying to get info about. Anyone get there surgery done with thebanddoctor.com???? Dr. Trace Curry....if so have you had any complications

Haven't done a video in a few weeks. Figured I'd share these struggles for anyone else who may be experiencing them too! <3

Can someone please help me with the weight loss ticker? Ive set it up but how do I get it from There to here?

Hi I have just signed up to this Forum I am in the UK and am due to have a sleeve on 04 July 2012, I suffer with iintercranial hypertension and am told a good weight loss should solve this. I am currently 115 Kilos, I am really excited about my operation but am also worried on how I will deal with less food after it and how it will all fit into family life. Any advice would be really welcome.

I am Angela! I am in the research/information giving stage of this process. I was referred to a surgeon and they are sending out a packet for me to fill out to see if I qualify for the Lap Band. I am very hopeful that I will because I have struggled with weight loss for the last 12 years. I have yo-yo'ed for way too long and I can't keep doing this to myself. I lose weight and feel elated and then it sneaks it's way back up and I am depressed. I hope that I can join the ranks of the successful soon so that I can finally feel confident and healthy again! Thanks!

I'm going in for my EGD and gallbladder ultrasound tomorrow. I may not be eligible for surgery until the end of july...but hey, it's still one step closer, right? Can't wait for the next couple months to fly by...

HELLO, MY NAME IS V.I HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THIS SITE FOR A LONG TIME ,NOW I AM A MEMBER .I HAVE BEEN OVER WEIGHT ALL MY LIFE.I AM 40 YEARS OLD ,5 FEET 219 POUNDS SO ON APRIL 4,2012 I DECIDED TO TAKE CONTROL OF MY LIFE .I AM GOING TO HAVE THE GASTRIC BYPASS,AND YES MY INS IS PAYING FOR IT .I HAVE TO GO THROUGH A WEIGHT PROGRAM FOR 6 MONTH WITH MY DOCTOR.MY FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH MY SURGEON IS MAY 1,2012 @1245.I AM SO HAPPY

Well I saw my doctor yesterday for my 1-week post-op appointment and he said I'm doing great. I'm down 23lbs, 3 of which I lost on my liquid diet for the week before surgery. Just to see the scale go down is a huge relief and I feel like as though a great deal of weight has been lifted from my shoulders (Literally!). So let me give a bit of a the low down on me...I am a military wife and didn't start this process until 10 months ago. My husband was deployed for the first time in his 15 years of active duty, and I was left to tend to our 4 children and 3 furbabies alone in this horrible place the Army has sent us. I had been lulling it over in my head for two years…

Well surgery day is here... Kinda scared but I know I will be fine...I am scheduled for 8 am. Gotta be at the hospital at 6 am

1-1/2 hours to complete over a 1000 questions plus an hour actually with the psychologist and I am approved! Woo-hoo! Labs came back yesterday - all numbers look good. Second woo-hoo! Have my second of three consults with the nut next week. Hope to have every thing done and ready for a late July surgery. Just keeping my fingers crossed.

Had anyone had Dr. Baker in Arkansas?

Hello, My name is Barbie, Im 35 years old, and im having gastric bypass surgery in 2 -3 weeks. I am currently a Type #2 diabetic and Im insulin dependent. I have been denied a few times by insurance, but finally got the okay last march 2012. I just found this site/app and I love it!! I realize I have a long, RoCkY road ahead of me, but im willing to work hard and fight everyday to be healthy. Thank you.

I was banded last week on 4/26, and still have a lot of pain in my left shoulder. Anything I can do to get rid of it?

I'm at a crossroads. i don't know whether to get the lapband or rny. any advice?

Hi guys, I have been stalking vsg websites n blogs for months. I am not the type of person to you you tube, but I did like this site for the info that was out there. I started my journey last year after my last diet attempt, Weight watchers seemed to work well for others but not me. I have tried my share of cabbage soup, low Carb, adipex, Chinese herbal tea..did it all..I got tired of the yoyo bandwagon n moved forward with my decision..it wasn't easy..I've opted not to tell many people cause frankly I don't care to here negativity or er horror stories..7 months later I got approved for my surgery 5/10/12 and its been a long time coming ..this site has been great at bei…

I, my name is Victoria, and I have 24 more hrs till my NEW birthday !!! May 1 1pm ill become the biggest loser I know!!! And I can't wait. My husband and children have been so supportive and are just as excited . I am very blessed. I've ready many post of people wondering if it's wrong. NOt to tell everyone about the Wls, I too have chosen not to tell coworkers and most of my family. Eventually, if someone is to ask why I am so radiantly happy and healthy looking, I'll b glad to tell about my whole journey, but for now this is just another step I have to take to take my life back. Just as I don't notify everyone that I stopped eating carbs, or that I starting takin…

IM HAVING SURGERY IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, AND I AM TERRIFIED. Please pray for me. Thank you all. Sent from my ANDROID using RNYTalk

Hello Everyone! My name is Andriea I'm 27, married to the most wonderful man for 5 years who is serving in the Air Force and we have 2 beautiful little girls. I recently after a battle with Tricare for almost 2 years was finally approved to have lap-band surgery! I received the wonderful news on Thursday and was told I would be receiving a call tomorrow to set up my surgery date! I have to say I am thrilled and looking forward to a fresh new start and finally having something that will help me to achieve my weight loss goals and keep the weight off! I have struggled with my weight for almost 17 years. Emotionally and physically I'm exhausted and after talking to a wonde…

Ok so I was banded in Nov 08 lost 120 lbs yea!! Anyway went to the Dr the other day with my 19 yr old son who was interested in banding when the Dr told us that he wldnt suggest the band cuz they are finding out now that the risk for band erosion is higher than originally thought. My mouth dropped to the ground has anyone else heard this?

Have BCBS of MN I have competed all requirements I have a BMI of 50 my letter of medical necessity is being prepared what are my chances for approval and does anyone know how slow or fast BCBS of MN is