Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I haven't lost any weight. I'm having a difficult time getting all my water in as well as my protein. I set the timer for every 15 minutes and fill full to the rim. Is this normal? I'm full of gas too so I think this is why I feel so full. Taking Gas X, etc. Physically I feel like I've lost weight, but the scale doesn't reflect it. Why??? I met someone on here that had the surgery the same day as me and has already lost 11 lbs. Am I doing something wrong? Any words of encouragement or wisdom is greatly appreciated.

Today is my first weight loss consultation. I know what I want to do and didn't want to waste time by going to the information meeting. I know I want the vertical sleeve. I pray the doctor doesn't try to convince me of something else. I'm nervous, excited and scared. This is a new chapter in my life. Woo Saa!

Hey guys. No one has added v8 drinks on the list, are they good? Can we have them?? Helppp shopping and want to be prepared, lol

Waiting in the Dr. Office to meet with the psychologist and the Dr's office coordinator hoping and praying I will have some clarity as when i will be getting my date! I hope is soon I just want to move on already!

Hello, My name is Steph. I just turned 38 on the 1st. I have 3 kiddos 10 and 13 year old boys and a 16 year old daughter. As a kiddo and a teenager I was always very VERY thin. Then somewhere between 19 and 22 I gained almost 75 pounds. In October of 2010 I was 36 years old and 368 pounds. I have tried every diet known to man and I would lose then immediately gain even more. I was so depressed and was starting to "fee" old and fat. I was having a lot of issues with GERD and was in constant pain. I went on a "fairly" gluten free diet and started dropping a lot of weight with little to no effort. I also started looking into Lap Band. I started a new job (with insur…

Hi everyone I just had my surgery on 3/8/12 and I'm still on a liquid diet!!! And going crazy!!! Does anyone have any suggestions?

March 21st is rapidly approaching and im anxious and nervous all at the same time....Im totally prepared as far as protein and chewable vitamins. Today i purchased a new pair of pj's for the hospital. Got my hair cut in a low maintenance hairstyle, found a sustitute driver to get my kids to & from school. Completed spring clean up of the front yard now all is left to do is change the linen and rotate the mattresses on the beds. Im staying busy to keep my mind off of counting the minutes down! Lol! I pray all goes well

I am 14 days post op and I am still having some pain in my abdominal area. It feels like someone punched me in my stomach between my large incision on the left side and the incision right by my belly button. It was felling better before returning to work last week. I bent over the counter a few times during the course of the day and it put alot of pressure against my stomach and it has been very sore since them. Has antone else experienced this type of pain?

My name is Joleen and I got the Lapband in Tempe, AZ on 3/8/12. Everything has been going pretty good so far. I do feel sluggish and don't have a lot of energy, but I know that can happen when you are not eating a lot of food. I also thought that my rib had broken and was stabbing me but that was just a gas bubble stuck up under my rib cage. It SUCKED! Today was my week anniversary and when I weighed myself I was down 17 pounds! Awesome! I am very excited to start this journey, but I am also nervous about failing! I refused to fail! I can't wait to see old friends in a couple of months and for them see me looking skinnier and healthier!

I'm just starting the lapband process and making all the appointments with the necessary drs. I don't even know if insurance has approved me yet. I was so gung-ho about having this done until I started reading about deaths associated with lapband. Does anyone know how often death occurs bc of lapband? Or WHY death occurs? I chose this bc gastric bypass was way too scary and severe. Now I'm wondering if this is something I really want to do.

Holla everyone! Just wanted to give a status of my experience with getting sleeved - and in Mexico to boot! Arrived in Tijuana on Thursday March 8th, was met by a driver and driven across the boarder to the Hotel Lucerna. The drive was actually quite nice. I've been to TJ before, and I'm from LA, so I knew what to expect. The hotel was actually just 15 to 20 minutes from the boarder in a pretty nice area of town. Made small talk with the driver, met my coordinator Trish - and was taken to my room. The hotel was nice - modern - kind of like a "Ramada Inn", or maybe a "Marriott Suites" (kind of sort of). The rooms are nice, clean, nice sized TV, bottled Water, pretty til…

I was wondering if it's normal to feel Completely exhausted? I was sleeved on 3/1. I feel better day by day but the exhaustion is kicking mu butt! How long does the exhaustion last?

Today was my first Sunday after surgery and while I am enjoying the benefits of this sleeve I also just got a jolt of reality NO SUNDAY DINNER! Coming from a very traditional Italian family this was a very hard thing for me to deal with. I know it is not forever but missing even just one was hard on my heart. I know I made the right decision and 11 pounds down this is already a blessing but wow did I want that family dinner. I have just 3 days until I can eat some peanut butter and hummas I am going to just take one day at a time and keep my eye on the prize but man do I want some Maccaroni! Lol! Hope you all had a great weekend.

Hello - I am new here. I went online to True Results.com and filled out the online info including insurance (united healthcare) to have it pre-approved prior to going in for the seminar. Went to the seminar and made my first appt - on my first appointment they weighed me (201 - BMI 41.1 - Height 4'11") and said I was approved because i was over the 40BMI. So then i called my insurance company to discuss the requirements and if this is covered like True Results said (because True Results is the middle man for the surgeon and insurance companies - so I am sure they would continue having you come in for monthly appointments -filing and getting paid by your insurance - the…

I am beyond full from just 2 1/2 ounces of clear liquids here at the hospital. Had a revision to sleeve on Friday. Please help if I'm not the only one.

Hi everyone, my name is Kimberly. Today I attended the orientation for bariatric surgery, and filled out all of my paperwork. They tell me I should hear back from them at the beginning of the week to schedule my first appointment with my surgeon. I have decided to have the verticle sleeve gastrectomy. The lapband didn't seem like it had a high enough success rate, and the Roux-En-Y looked too risky. So, I settled for the middle! Hahaha! I've very excited, and nervous. So, we'll see how this journey goes. Good luck to everyone on their journeys! Kimberly

Hi, I am new here:) I did my surgery after 2 weeks of pre-op clears plus my eas shakes on 3/8. I did great, even though it was hard cooking for the kids! I had a rough time in the hospital. Didnt tolerate the narcotics, dry heaved for 48 hrs straight, which absolutely killed my stomach!! I was spitting out bloody sputum for about the first 4 days, and was totally freaked out. I wasn't able to swallow anything ( not even melted ice cubes) till the 3 rd day. I just couldnt swallow. I had hiatal hernia repair alao, but dr thought it was due to a lot of swelling from the surgery/ intubation/ vomiting. I started torodol, and continued it at home for a few days, which helped …

Surgery 12/15/11 and feeling good! Feeling like my weight loss is slowing so time to exercise. Have been making some bad food choices and just can't get my liquids in. I think I just need to try harder but it's so hard to eat and drink when you aren't hungry or thirsty. Would love to hear from other sleevers!

I was sleeved on Feb 4th , 2012. I decided to take my measurements on Feb 12th, when I got home and was feeling better. Well I took them yesterday, Mar 12, one month later and although I did not lose as much weight as I thought I would considering my pre op diet lose, I was amazed by the inches I lost. I lost a total of 14 inches this month. 5 inches in my waist alone. Some of you had impressed on me the inportance of NSV's ,now I totally understand why!!!! I feel great!!!!!

Hey all, I recently completed my 3 month multidisciplinary program for aetna!! My attentative surgery date is April 9th pending insurance approves me. Everything was in order until one of the reps in my Dr office said "do you have two year weight documentation?" Started my whole journey 12/2011. Between 2008-2009 I was between nj and Ga or had no insurance. I started having the Dr track my weight again in 2010. Long story short, I know my bmi has always been high, but my pcp was giving me a hard time about releasing my records and I'm nervous 2010 and 2011 won't be sufficient since I stated my program Dec 2011... Does anyone have any insite? Could this possibly lead to a…

Is anyone else having problems with this site? For a few weeks now, all of a sudden some ads have started popping up at the bottom of the screen whenever I am trying to read any of the posts. When I scroll to the bottom of a page to read posts, there are a bunch of jumbled up ads and it looks like peoples tickers on the bottom of the screen and I cant read the rests of the posts. I cannot figure out how to get them off the screen. I have pop up blocker enabled on my computer and I dont see any way to "x" off the stupid ads either. Is it just my computer and me with this issue or is it an issue with the site???

Well Monday is the big day. I'm very nervous. Very jittery and scared as well. Please tell me you all felt the same before thus surgery as well! I need love luck and prayers!

Hi everyone! I'm new to this, but I'll tell you what I can. I had a gastroplasty 20 t years ago that failed. From what the dr.s tell me, these always fail. Now I'm scheduled to be "revised" May 1. They are going to open me up right down the middle. I know it's probably awful,but right now I 'm eating all the things I figure I won 't be able to eat after the surgery.

Hello I'm new to the forum. Glad I found this app. Well I had gastric bypass march 6,2012 . So I'm about 10 days post-op still have a good bit of pain on the sides of my abdomen. I've lost 30 lbs from my heaviest since I started the pre-op diet on February 18. I don't seem to have lost any inches though which sucks. The hardest part for me is drinking All the water. I never was a big drinker but I'm trying. Well I wish everyone the best of luck on the weight loss journeys

New to the forum, a lot of helpful points that have been addressed and discussed on here. My weight loss journey started in December. I went to see Dr. balsalma in nj and since then have been to many doctor offices, gotten my Arm pricked for lots of blood samples, learned that I've got a fatty liver, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. but now three months later I've got a surgery date set for march 28th and I'm beyond excited. I am a 29 year old married mother of three , and have put myself off for quite some time now, and ready to get the old me back. With that said, my surgeon has not required any type of pre op diet. Basically the week before I was told to eat …

Sleeved on Monday 3/12 came home yesterday 3/14.....doing really well so far not using any pain meds......so excited my journey has begun!

I'd like to see a support team started here in Booneville , Ms I have had my band for 2 1/2 yrs. and I still need to lose 40-50 lbs I love my band but I need a support team here in my home town. If there's some one from here that knows one please let me know.. wandashamburger@yahoo.com

I understand what the grren zone is (someone already asked that question), but what is the red zone? Beth

Before and after pics. Never thought I'd feel proud to post pictures of myself. Love my sleeve! I added more pics to my albums too that give weights, dates and pounds lost.

Hi all! I am brand new to all of this. I have my first info session on Tuesday. I plan to move forward. I have a few questions. I am not concerned about about insurance coverage too much, I have read a lot. I have a BMI of 40, PCOS, and currently high bp. Does PCOS count as an additional condition? I have Cigna, I am not super concerned about the 6 month diet if they make me do it. But...what if I lose a lot of weight? Will I then not be eligible? Can anyone tell me what happens after this info session? Do they usually weigh you at this? How soon was your consult after? What next?? Thanks!!!

Okay so this may sound disgusting but I am 5 days out and I noticed this very red raised rash around each of my incision sites. Has anyone had these symptoms and if so what did you do?

I'm 31 years old and have been fat for the past 12 years or so. I struggled with anorexia in high school because my dad was always calling me fat and that if i could pinch an inch I needed to lose weight. He was physically and emotionally abusive to my mom, sisters, and I. After I got a fiance and started feeling decent about eating in front of him all hell broke loose lol. I don't know what happened but I kept gaining weight. It was like my body rebeling against me. I've tried for 10 years or so to lose weight and I'd lose a little and gain even more back. I've tried South Beach, Slim Fast, Weight Watchers, the gym, and more to lose weight and I can't keep it off. …

Have heartburn with almost everything I eat I take ppi... Started the 14 day treatment today my appetite is gone I haven't eaten in 3 days putting food in my mouth makes me gag... I don't know what to do I'm getting stressed I want to eat but my stomach says NO!!!!! I hate this heartburn its killing me..... Any suggestions please I'm in distress ....

How much did you have to lose? And how did you do it?

So far this has been the best life choice I have ever made...my diabetes, high blood pressure is pretty much gone. I've stopped taken my Meds. I'm down to 215lbs from 257lbs. I put my cpap machine in the closet. I've been going to the gym 2 times a day Monday to Friday 30-45 min on the elliptical machine each visit. My lovely wife is loving the new thinner me ;0) I can't wait to get to my goal weight of 180lbs

Hi All, My name is Mary. Just received the letter from the insurance company that I'm good to go. My surgery is scheduled for THIS Wednesday, March 21. I am so happy and excited. I'm also nervous that if I'm not successful at maintaining weight loss I will feel like such a failure. I hope I can remain motivated to reach and maintain my goal. I have been reading posts here for quite some time. This forum really helps me stay focused. Look forward to sharing experiences in the future. Thanks to all of you that have helped me, even without knowing it, by posting such wonderful information.

So today I went in for my one month PO visit. I just really need to vent to people that understand cause I only have two people that I can talk to about this that have gone through it and neither live close enough to visit in person so it's a lonely road right now.. I gained two pounds! ;*( I initially have lost 11 the first 8 days out. But in the past three weeks since then I gained 4 during my period and lost two but am still up two, from my one week PO visit. Dr says I am not eating often enough. He wants me eating 1oz 6-8 times a day. I'm eating about 2-3oz 3 times a day now. I'm drinking at least my 64oz of Water so that's not an issue at all. I exercise 45-6…

It's been 9 months since my surgery, I had my ups and downs. At first I felt like I made the biggest mistake in my entire life. But know I couldn't have it another way. I am so happy, and blessed that I made this decision. I've lost bout 130lbs. I am so happy

Hey everyone! I'm scheduled to have gastric bypass on April 4th and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on things maybe the dr left out or things from a patients perspective on what to expect. I was also curious on some food ideas once I am able to eat solids...maybe an idea on Protein shakes or food people like when they go out. I was thinking of drinking Isopure for its whey protein isolate. Any feedback is so very appreciated. Thank you all Ashley

My name is Joy Juliana. I am from Boiling Springs, PA. I just had my band done on March 9. I have lost 10 pounds since then. I am so happy! This morning at 3am I woke up with severe pain under my right breast. It hurt to breath, walk, talk ...anything. I was reminded of how I felt when I woke up after surgery. At that time I was told that it was from the gas they used to blow me up for surgery and that a gas bubble was caught in my rib cage. Walking and burping would help it go away. They then gave me some morphine and i passed out. When I woke up again, the pain was still there but not quite as severe. I walked and burped and it went away. I'm assuming I'm having a simil…

I guess I should have expected a hiccup in this process because everything has gone so smoothly. First appointment with surgeon on 11/21, completed sessions with dietician, psych eval, etc with no complications. Received insurance approval on 2/20 & surgery scheduledodor 7:45 am on 3/12. This is where things changed...I don't remember anything after receiving "my happy juice" from the nurse anesthetist but upon waking up I felt like I had been hit by a Mack truck over & over again. So the dr did have to repair a hiatal hernia, no idea I had one, so I am not sure if that is where the some of the pain is coming from or is it the terrible gas or the terrible shou…

I am looking into being banded as you all say. I have done nothing but read, read, read the past couple of days. As you all must know I have tons of questions, some of them have been answered, some not, so one of my questions is.....About the foods you cannot eat at 1st (corn, foods with seeds, etc...) can you ever eat these foods again or are they out of your diet forever?

So everything is all set to go and just a few minor things left to do. This day is finally almost here. April 11th is coming pretty fast!! I'm getting a little nervous but I'm also confident that I can do it and everything is going to be just fine. I

So Sleeve Family, I know we all LOVE a good challenge... Well, since the weather in Chicago has been beautiful... I've been inspired!! LOL.. Sometimes our lives can get a bit.... mundane, monotonous, etc... due to family, schedule, whatever... Then other times, we can shy away from trying new things because of fear of change, failure or just being scared...Then there are a host of other reasons (above were mine... )LOL... So, the challenge is to do something NEW next week!!! Something out of your normal comfort zone or routine... It can be something you used to enjoy or something you've always wanted to try, but never had the nerve... The opportunities are ENDLESS!!…

Well day 7 post op did not start off great. 4:30am woke up with stabbing pain in right upper leg. Quick look on Internet and suggests DVT. Called taxi and went to hospital A&E. Leg swelled up a bit and very tender to touch. D-dimer blood test confirmed very high levels. Given a 5 day corse of Anticoagulation medicine to inject tummy and next Friday go for scan on legs. The pain now is a hot dull burning sensation. Awful feeling.

Well I am 3 months out and have lost a total of 52 lbs. I am so scared my weight lose will slow down :-( my goal is 120 lbs and I know i am going to have to work for it just really scared I won't make it.

This experience has been great for me so far. My Doctor was wonderful. I was given a picture of my new pouch and it looked so good. I went into the Hospital at 268 pounds and 1week later I am now 243 pounds. I thought I was going to have a hard time with drinking and taking Vitamins but it has not been a problem. I don't feel hungry or frustrated. After 1 week of clear fluids it was great to have yogurt today. I was so close canceling my surgery the day of because I thought I was making a mistake. My wife talked to me and gave me a lot of support and I remembered all the videos I watched on You Tube that gave me comfort. I am a type 2 Diabetic and happy to say that …

Hi! This is my first post and I just want to say I love all the support everyone is giving each other I'm new to this whole lapband process/community. My very dear friend from high school had lapband surgery over Thanksgiving and she has already lost 45 lbs. I'm so proud of her. I have been venting to her about my weight loss struggles and as a result she has turned me on to this website. I lost 120 lbs just by working out and eating better.... i'm still a morbidly obese (I hate that phrase) person and i can't seem to lose anymore... i have been struggling with this for 4 years. I would love to hear why all of you decided to have the lapband surgery.

After a month and a half of jumping through hoops, my surgeon's office finally submitted the paperwork to BCBS today. This, to me, is a major milestone. I'm hoping for a quck approval so I can get the surgery and the two week followup done by May 1. More to come later.....

Hello everyone I finally got my surgery date set for 3/27 Did anyone have to get a EGD - esophagogastroduodenoscopy done prior to surgery? The doctor this is something he likes to do prior to surgery but I didn't have to do a diet pre- op