Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

hi all, i am pre-surgery, just starting out in this process... i originally wanted to have a lapband done, but i have an auto-immune problem where my body rejects foreign objects inside it... any ideas?? i am thinking gastric bypass might be where i end up, but i was wondering if anyone on here has had the lapband done and also had any autoimmune issues.. i am on humira and methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.. anyone have any ideas?? thanks!!

Finally got a date! Anyone else getting sleeved around this time? (My date is actually May 16th but I can't edit the title for some reason?)

I had my sleeve done on 3-12-12 and almost a month later I have lost 33 lbs. My only problem is water intake. I have had a hard time drinking water. It hurts when I swallow it and the doctor told me that this is normal and would last a few weeks. Does anyone else have this issue? I can drink Crystal Light, Isopure and Protein shakes fine but water is hard for me and I Love to drink ice cold water. There is also times that the water makes me nauseated. Any suggetions?

I had my surgery done Monday and I can't keep anything down... Im not hungry or thirsty but I know I have to get some water in or I'm gonna get dehydrated! Is this normal at first?

Well, aside from being sick as a dog this morning, I really thought I lost a couple of pounds. And low and behold I did not escape the 3rd week stall. I really thought that by me doing 4 to 6 miles this week and taking in 600 calories or less each day I would have avoided it but no good! Ugh. Oh well gonna just keep on keepin on. Happy Friday!

I hope I attached the pic correctly! This is my first post-op pic--I'm wearing a skirt I've had for at least 3 or 4 years, but couldn't wear because it was too little! It was baggy today! Whoop! Whoop! This is what it feels like for dreams to come true, huh??? Sent from my iPhone using VST

Hello lap band talk, I have just found this site and I'm loving reading everything so far. It has given me so much information and insites into other peoples journeys. I had my lap band placed March 19th. The three days of clear liquid diet prior to surgery were really hard and I will admitt I was so cranky. But it was worth it and Dr said my liver was small enough and not in the way during surgery. The first and second day were the worst for me and I was taking my pain medications every 4 hours, but after those first two days things starting improving. My abdomen was starting to become less swollen and the full liquid/puree diet is much more tolerable than clear li…

Wow I never knew time could be so timeless lol. I still cannot believe that I got sleeved four weeks ago! N not to be silly but there r times that I do forget lol.. I am loving my new inches my down sizes everything!! I can't even get it in my head that my new shoe size is 8 1/2 from being a 9 1/2 w or a ten.. I can now officially wear a size 12 from 14,16,18 . I have a long way to go but I am confident in my success! My first day back at work was a hit everyone noticed my weight loss.. its a secret so shhhhh. Congrats on those who were sleeved with me n the rest who are hanging in there because like they told me "it gets better" it does get better!!! [ATTACH]2…

I've been debating posting this for a while. Screw it, just do it right? Well I made a list of very personal reasons I needed/wanted to have VSG back when I was considering having surgery last year. I figure I'm not alone when it comes to some of these and figured I would share to perhaps help someone else who is struggling with their decision. Some of these are shallow, some are not. My top reasons: 1. Overall Health 2. PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome, have it due to weight) 3. Difficulty conceiving (due to weight) 4. Confidence (non existent) 5. Discrimination (at work, etc etc.) Other reasons in no particular order: Clothes! ( I hate LB and other +size stor…

My name is Patti and I was banded Feb 27th, 2012 in Tijuana Mexico by Dr. Juan Lopaz Corvala. My surgery and recovery were fantastic. The Staff at the bariatric clinic in Mexico were top notch and made me feel at ease. I loved the private room and how they were also hospitable to my friend that went with me. This friend that went with me also had the procedure done 2 years prior and she even got a fill so she wouldn't be tempting me with food I can't eat..LOL We were both on liquids. I was educated on what to expect at least 6 months prior by my friends that have had the procedure but nothing prepares you for your own experience. I was forunate to not have any i…

I made it through and I am grateful! This morning i ate about 3/4 of a popsicle and am full full full! No nausea or vomitting. Pain is starting to subside....i think i may be discharged this evening. I only have 6 small holes on my stomach. Most definitely easier than a c-section

1st Fill today! Doing fine! Interested in sharing food-ideas for gluten intolerant and those with Celiacs! Started 247 down 226. Was BMI 35 at the get go..barely. Surgery Dothan, Alabama. Post surgery learned I was diabetic; had high liver enzymes; kidneys were bleeding some. Wow; that was even more of a confirmation that I did the right thing. But shocking. I never realized how blood pressure problems seemed to significantly effect those areas! Now; I am learning to eat slowly-be aware of what i am doing and how; I love feeling full sooner and being in 'control' of the desire to eat healthy and know its going to help. I do still; Hate the gas and gurgles-my GI syst…

So i finally got the app working on my phone again. Im almost hitting week 3 post op and i feel great. Im down 8 kilos and a dress size. Everyones commenting on how im trimming down and i have tonnes of energy. Sometimes i cant make my watet quota but most days i do. Im not sure if im getting enough protein how does everyone measure protein intake? Also my right stitch is still sore is anyone else expetiencing this?

I had the gastric sleeve surgery on 03/05/12. On my pre-admissions form for the VSG, there was a question about anesthesia - whenever I had my son in 2004 I had to have more than the norm as my body didn't 'go to sleep' equally on the left and the right. Based on this response, the anesthesiologists gave me more than usual for the VSG. After the VSG surgery I was passed out, very lethargic, slept alot. I would try to do my IS (breathing exercises) and couldn't barely do them. Then I'd pass out to sleep again. I had a slight temp in the hospital so they kept me an extra day. I was d/c'd 3/7/12. On 3/9/12, I went back to the hospital. I was spiking a temp and my p…

I'm here!!! I will be sleeved tomorrow by Dr. Kelly. We arrived at the San Diego airport around 12 and the minute I turned on my phone Ana called to see where we were. She picked us up, Cecilia, Dr. Kelly's wife drove us around San Diego for some quick sight seeing. We checked into the hospital and while we were waiting in the lobby we met Dr. Kelly and he asked if I had any more questions. I asked him if he uses a drain tube (I got kinda freaked out reading about them on here). He doesn't. And I told him I'm the weirdo that wants a pic of my stomach. He remembered and then showed me that he had a picture of the remains of a stomach as the screensaver on his phone l…

Did something not so smart fora newly sleeved and read a website that was all speaking disparagingly about VSG in the long run. They said there is a conspiracy of silence with people who are 6 years out plus. They were maintaining that the results of having a much smaller stomach had serious negative effects on health. I did my own research on WLS and decided aginst bypasss for those aforementioned reasons. I didnt find negative health reprecussions related to the sleeve tho. Is anyone on here a longer term sleever? Or does anyone know someone who has had this operation a while back? Help?!

Welp, yesterday I found the courage to admit to my doctor that I was considering Lap Band surgery. That is all I needed to say, he had a referral for me. I love that my doctor allowed me to get to that point and not push me. That's it! I wonder now why I let my pride get in my way. I am at my highest weight of 309 lbs. and I just had my 35th birthday. This is just the beginning as I am still waiting to hear if the insurance company will pay for my procedure. Even if that is not the case I am going to self pay,

Hi Everyone! My name is Jenna and I joined www.lapbandtalk.com yesterday but didn't have time to introduce myself. I am on my 5th day of Pre-Op liquids only and I'm doing GREAT! I'm already down 8.8 pounds. I'm still in total shock!!! My surgery is in 6 days and I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. I know that I'm in good hands though because my surgeon is amazing. I couldn't be happier with my decision. I look forward to posting more on the forum and meeting my fellow lap-banders. Hope everyone is having a great day!

WELL YESTERDAY WAS MY LAST APPT FOR MY 6 MONTH DIET. MY DR IS GOING TO SUBMIT THE PAPERWORK THIS MORNING AND PRAYING FOR APPROVAL FROM UHC .MY FRIEND WAS APPROVED WITHIN A WEEK SO I PRAY IM JUST AS LUCKY. IM SO NERVOUS AND EXCITED ALL AT THE SAME TIME..SO READY TO TAKE MY SEAT ON THE LOSER'S BENCH.. I HAVE BEEN PRAYING AND MEDITATING WRAPING MY MIND AROUND THIS NEW JOURNEY IN MY LIFE IM ABOUT TO TAKE .. HOPING FOR END OF APRIL OR EARLY MAY DATE. HAVE VACATION IN MIAMI IN JUNE..READY FOR THE BEACH... READY TO ENJOY LIFE AGAIN WITH MY SOON TO BE SLEEVE.. HAVE GOOD DAY

Hello everyone! I'm here at the Pre-Op Room they are preparing me for surgery...I'll talk to you all later - thanks for the support it's very appreciated!

Hello fellow VSG'rs I will be having surgery on April 18, 2012. I am excited as well as nervous as I am sure most of you experienced some jitters just before. I began my journey about 7 months ago when I was about to start another diet. My sister noticed how bad my attitude was and I was feeling defeated before I even started. She is the one who said, "hey you should look into that lapband thing." The next day I began making phone calls and while waiting for calls back I started researching everything about WLS. Within a few days I decided that VSG sounded like the best fit for me. I started gaining weight in my twenties and have been a yoyo dieter ever since, …

Hello! I had surgery on 3/27 and I'm doing excellent! I do have a question!!! I was pressing down on my stomach and notice on my left side I have a lump under one of my cuts where the went thru at! Does anyone know if that's normal

After a long wait the time is getting close. Started the pre-opt diet today and my surgery date is set for April 18th. Thanks for all the support everyone! Mark

Well, I go for it in the morning. Have to be at St Likes Hospital (now part of the St. Vincents Health Care System) at Jacksonville Fl at 0500 AM. Damn early for me! But at least surgeon should be nice and fresh! Hopefully, should go OK. Don't feel nervous yet but probably will at 0Dark30 when I head over to St Luke's. Wish me luck Claude Allen Green Cove Springs Fl.

I had always considered WLS and dreamed that if I could afford it, I would have the surgery with out any reservations. I already knew my insurance company would not cover the expense, so I would need to a self pay patient. Things started coming togethere in January and I started checking out different doctors in my area. I ended up going with Dr. Cohen, friendly staff, and the female I worked with the most had the surgery and was very informative. I scheduled the surgery, pre-op was horrible beacuse I was on vacation with my kids and watching them eat while I drank my shakes was no fun, but I knew the end result was worth it. I was scheduled for surgery at 645 am and …

I am 2 and a half months post op and ate a turkey sausage link on a wheat bun today. While the dog itself has 10 grams of protein, I feel guilty for being able to eat the whole thing. I made a good choice but was it too much? I don't feel like throwing up either.

Hi I am new here I am getting my band on 4/24 I have been trying for 6 mouths to get this done I have it done 3 sleep study EKG Plumarly function tests and a colonocopy,going int to couling latter here i am. I am 5'6 245 lbs as of to day. My goal would be 140 and mainting it. I already started changing my habbits in order to get this done. i am very nervous about the whole thing I can't wait to start my life transframtion. I am haveing my band put in by Dr Dan Jones at beth Isreal in Boston Ma

Hello everyone. After reading posts for a while I'm ready to join the conversation. Like everyone else on this site, I've tried dieting for years and can take it off but it comes back with a vengeance. In 2003 I lost 45 pound on Atkins but since gained back all that and more! I'm starting to go diabetic and have no energy and can't even put on my socks without getting out of breath! My kids want me to run around with them and I'm tired of not being able to. Now's the time to take back my life. I'm stoked! I am in month 2 of the 3 required by Blue Cross Federal. I'm trying the new behaviors a little with not much success. I understand that it will be easier after s…

Hi, everyone! I had been looking at this forum long before I had my surgery and found lots of answer to my many, many questions. I'm glad I decided to become a member. I have a pretty typical story - was heavy all my life and when I got into my later 20's starting having health concerns. My family history is ripe with terrible genetics and I knew I was next on the list if I didn't do something proactive. I have a lot of family that had never struggled with their weight, and sharing the same gene pool as me - baffled me as they ate massive portions at holidays and fast food for 2 meals out of the day, etc. You guessed it, never gained an ounce. Me? Oh, I could smel…

Hi everyone! Here I am 5 days post op. what a great forum, am so glad I found it! Anyone here just have the procedure? If there are any questions I'm willing to share my info...just not sure where to start

I'm am 8 weeks out from being sleeved. I have noticed this week that I have more restriction eating the same foods I have been. It is strangE I almost worried because I have been one of those fortunate ones that have had no issues with getting sick, slimming or any bad side effects but I was concerned because I wondered, if I am able to get in all my protein and all my fluids at a week out, what will I be able to consume further out? Welll, I really have noticed I get full quicker and on less mpw. that is strange how that works. Has anyone else experienced this? I am so thankful and really love my sleeve!!!! I live by PROTEIN FIRST!!!!! Sip, sip , sip all day.

Hi. I am a 60 yr old professional woman. For the last 25-30 yyrs of my life, I have been so overweight; going up and down on diets but never being able to keep it off. I have 3 grown children who the youngest 2 have never seen me thin nor have any of my 3 grandchildren. I was in a car accident in 1995, had spinal surgery in 1998 and have previously had 3 ankle surgeries form a quadrulple break. I have now acquired severe spinal degeneration, osteoarthritis in my ankle and hip. In December, I had an epidural in my spine for pain and the 2 in January of this yr. I gained 30 lbs from the steroids within that time. I was out of breath walking just one block, was not able to r…

Hey everyone. Brand new here. I turned 30 in Feb, am a single mom to a 4 y/o princess and the last time I weighed myself I was 281. That was last year (Dec), I have been scared to step on the scales since. My mom suggested looking into the lap band in Jan, so I have been doing all kinds of research and this site has been a HUGE help. I went to a WLS seminar on Saturday and have my first consult on Thursday. After being heavy all my life and dealing with the anxiety and depression that comes with it I am MORE than to take this step in my life. If I still weigh around 280, my BMI would be 44. So ready for this part of my life to be over. I live in Northern VA, will be goi…

Hello All, I have been considering lap band surgery since Nov. 2011. I met with a the surgeon's nurse practitioner and she was great! Answered many of my questions and was not pushy in my process. I attempted to lose weight on my own (again), but just seem to gain. I have insulin resistance and high cholesterol. I am 23, work full time as a paramedic and on call firefighter. I have become so discouraged, it seems I just keep gaining. I figure I now need to lose about 105lbs to be at a healthy weight ( I can't remember when I was at a healthy weight, but I have never been this big before) I am glad I found this forum, as I have read quite a few threads and I feel like…

Hello everyone... I am going to my Dr in the morning to meet with the nutritionalist and start my journey. I have been stalking the forum for a week or so now. Like many I have tried all the diets out there with some success and ultimately I put the weight back on plus a few more.. I am looking for a tool to help me as I change my lifestyle once and for all. I am 44 years old Mom of 3 boys. I am atleast 60lbs over weight.. Sorry I can't remember my BMI right now. 5' 4" 185 LBS Goal.... to be Healthy!!!! I haven't really picked a number but at my best I was 127lbs. Although I haven't seen that since I was 25! I look forward to talking to all of you soon! …

Approved and surgery scheduled! I am so looking forward to good results. I know it won't be easy, but I am so thankful to have found this support forum. Good to have understanding people to discuss the surgery with. None of my family has ever had a weight problem and would not be supportive of what I'm doing. Their advice to me has always been to "push away from the table." They really don't understand how hard it has been the past 15 years to fail so often trying so many things.... diets, hypnosis, adipex ( which made me feel like I was having a heart attack), etc. So, I'm not telling them what I'm doing. Thankfully, my wife and children are supporting me 100%. So…

I noticed a few July folks posting on other threads and thought there might be enough of us to start our own thread (rather than hijacking whatever threads we find with a July surgery in them) - so I invite anyone with a July surgery to post their story here so we can support each other and share our experiences. I'm C and my surgery is scheduled with Dr. Aceves on 15 July. I'm 29 and married to an Army man - we're currently stationed in Germany. We have two year old boy/girl twins. I'm choosing to self-pay because Tricare does not currently cover VSG and none of the overseas military facilities do the procedure at this time. To complicate matters, our next assignment i…

I am so excited I could burst !! April 17th will be the beginning of a new life ... SO now for the next 2 weeks I will be doing the liquid diet thing and I will probably be on here day and night to stay away from the kitchen ....lol

Had my lapband done 2-29-2012 just looking for people that are going through the something

i start my journey 4/4 i am nervous and excited which is feelings i am sure you have all felt. i made the decision to not tell many people i have not been able to share my feelings with pretty much anyone but my husband and best friend. my friend had it done 9 months ago with not one complication. my husband on the other hand is pretty clueless. i guess he will figure it when there is no dinner;-) . reading everyones

Tomorrow is surgery day for me. I am getting excited! I am sure I will be nervous tonight and not sleep a wink.

and I am ready to meet with my surgeon! I scheduled surgeon, psych, and nutritionist all for April 24th to avoid taking too much time off of work. But now that all the other prerequisites are complete, I'm ready to get the ball rolling now. During my intake I was told that (as long as all tests come back okay) the paperwork should be ready to submit to insurance shortly after meeting with the surgeon. I hate to wish time away (especially since I'm on spring break this week ), but come on April 24th!

I went to go look at sundresses,something I have never felt comfortable doing. My son's wedding is coming up shortly and the girls are getting together for a brunch. I asked an attendent at Penney's where is the plus sizes, upstairs or down and she said "for you?" I said, yes mamm, she said "you are definitely not a plus size". I was like um , yes mamm I am, but she begged to differ with me. I did not try anything on because frankly I did not see anything I really liked, but that experience was so weird. It felt good but strange it was like a dream or something. I am not saying or really even beleive that I am not a plus size but for someone else to question…

Hello all my name is Angie Gelinas. I was banded Feb 15th of this year and I had one fill since. I habe a basic question. And I'd like to c if anyone else out there exleriences this. Ok so even as a newbie I.ahve had my share of "cheat" days but I have eaten things that im told affect ppl that have had bariatric surgery. Like for instance bread and pasta. It does not affect me whatsoever. Im not complaining..i havent once even experienced this so called PBing. And although im not cimplaining it has me wondering if this is normal or if something is not right...i would GREATLY welcome ANY feedback on this!!!

Has anyone had the sleeve surgery done at tulane medical center by dr. Charles Bellows if so I would like to hear about your experience, how long did the whole process take? They take medcaid and that's what I'll be using but I was wondering was there a six month supervised diet and if so could it possibly be waived. My first appoinment is on the April 24 but I was hoping to get feedback from anyone who has been there. Thanks...

hi all. Yesterday was my first day away from the house . I had my post op appointment with my surgeon. He practises in the city which is nearly two hours travel for us. I was concerned about how i was going to manage with fluids while away. my husband would need to have lunch somewhere and i knew i had to go prepared. I bought some cuppa Soup mix. took it with me, asked for hot Water and a disposable cup, and had my lunch while hubby ate chicken burgers, chips, you name it, he had it. Im always cross that he never seems to put on much weight at all . Not fair.lol...but thats life. Anyway, so we sat together and had our lunch. What was amazing for me was th…

Had surgery 3/21/12 this is my second day home. I still can't drink my fluids like I'm suppose to. The air hurts whenever I drink and my tastebuds are off nothing taste good but the sugar-free freeze pops. I'm going to try tomorrow to get my fluids down just one day at a time.

Hey y'all! I am getting my lapband in may and I am soo excited!!!! I have been o er wieght since I had my first child . I gained 70lbs with her! Ever since then I have dieted lost some only to gain back even more. So I have UHc, I had to do a 6 month diet. I actually gained and lost during that but ended up about ten lbs heavier than I was when I started. Now I've found out I'm approved! Im anxious to get this part of my life started, but also really scared. When I think of how I'm going to deal with my emotions without food it terrifies me. I am having my surgery in Jacksonville ar. And I will pick a date on Tuesday when I go in for teaching.

Hi I am an American stationed in Landstuhl Germany. I had my surgery in Mannheim by Dr. Til Hasenberg on Jan 26, 2012. I would love to communicate with other Americans in the LRMC area who had gastric band surgery or who are planning on having it. In Germany the whole procedure is different than in the states. I stayed in patient for total of 5 nights (one night preop). Thanks, Kim

Anyone out there with the same surgery date as mine or maybe has their surgery just in the month of April?