Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I was in a wicked stall it seemed, then I realized ... I FINALLY made it to onederland. yeahhhhhhhhhh!!!1

When I first decided I wanted WLS I thought the lapband was for me, and until I talked with my doctor (Hugh Houston) I was set on it. I am so GLAD I listened to him and got the sleeve. My highest recorded weight was 290. I'm sure I weighed more than that. I remember in October 2011 when my PCP told me I weighed 290 all I could do was cry. I had talked to my husband a couple of years before about lapband, because I have tried my whole life to lose weight and have had success only to gain it all back and then some. So what's I seen that number I knew something had to change, so I went to a seminar. The surgeon who's seminar I went to I found out was not covered under my ins…

I have never joined a discussion board before so I'm not really sure what to say except "HI". I am beginning my journey to have my sleeve procedure done and am learning so much about myself in the process. I have struggled with weight since the birth of my children and wondered why I could loose weight but could never keep it off. I was SOO scared to ask my doctor about this procedure at first but once I did she almost seemed happy that I did. My doctors have helped me realize that I am not alone in this constant battle and that there is help out there. So far I have only attended the required seminar but have scheduled appointments for my upper GI, psych,dietary and s…

Hi, im new to this site! I had my banding done on the 14th feb 2012. Just wondering is it normal to have some pain in my right side every now and then?? Thanks!! :-D

My name is LaQuita and I had my first appt on Feb 22nd. Was so blessed to find out that our ins Co did not require any "hoops". No pshcy eval, no nut, no 6 Months waiting, nothing!!! I was SO excited. We have BCBS of TN BUT through my husbands Co there is a special provision for WLS so that none of this is required. Just a BMI over 40 /35 with Co mobidities. I' fit in the over 40 bmi. And proof of 5 years being "obese". I really don't like that word! I called yesterday and as of Friday the paperwork had been faxed over to BCBS for pre cert so I am waiting on them now. Aa of yesterday it wasn't showing up 'in the system, so I could not get an update from them. The surg…

I know this all will take time but to see weekly progress even if only one pound would be encouraging and satisfy my question of was this even worth it? The first week home, hell week as it was, was an 8lb loss, then from there the bext two weeks were only 3 more. It'll be a month this coming Tuesday the 13th and I've gained three pounds this last week and lost one. Yes gained:( Yes I am following all the diet and exercise and Water advice my NUT is giving me. I'm getting in all my Proteins and not eating crappy stuff. I'm not cleared to exercise with weights so it isn't a matter of weight being more due to muscle mass. I do feel hungry all the time but since …

Hi my name is Amy and I'm new to this! I am 34 years old and a mom of 3 crazy boys. I'm a stay-home mom/artist. Saw my surgeon yesterday and I will get my surgery date hopefully on Friday. I'm really excited, but comepletely terrified! I don't know why, but I'm scared of not making it through the surgery. Anyone else out there have thoughts like that? I live in a very rural town where there isn't much for support. I'm hoping joining this site will help!

my DH is morbise, he has really never tried to lose weight. he is 55 and i am 58 yrs. young- his weight doesn't bother him/he does support my losing weight cuz he enjoys the "less" of me for different reasons i.e. sex TMI? - but i also for that too reason would appreciate if he lost some weight. i have a variety of family/friends that are overweight also pushing the unreal foods and servings on me wanting to go out to dinner - like i used to. Its like they want me to join the party of being oerweight like they are, so i can be included in the club - just wondering about others - thanx kathy

I've been lurking and reading your stories and seeing the comraderie and support makes me even more sure of my decision. Like most, I've struggled my whole life. Pretty much since puberty at age 11. I'm 37 now. Healthy lifestyles, every pill put on the market, every fad diet. Only to become frustrated or rebound with a vengeance. I'm tired. I don't WANT a long life if I just have to watch it go by. I have a 12 yr old son and I'm a single mom. I just looked thru 200+ photos since my sons birth. I have been captured in exactly 5. 1 portrait when he was 2 months old. 4 I am looking away or partially hiding. I cried. I've missed his whole life. He'll be grown in a few short …

Hi Everybody, I just got back from the doctors to see if I have ketones in my urine and I Passed Thank God, That was a rough 5 days, If I drink chicken broth again I think I'll be sick....But I did it and on to the next stage upper GI Lower Gi Cardioligist, Endoscopy, Did anybody have these tests done yet?????Please let me know what they are???If they hurt???I have no clue... Thanks Everybody for all your suggestions And Don't Cheat THIS DIET IT'll REALLY HELP OUT WHEN WE GET OUR LAP BANDS, I don't like cheaters and don't want to associate with them... Jessika

I was able to go to church on Sunday (3/4), but I started to feel sick while I was there and by the time we got home I was spitting up. Every time I swallowed ANYTHING it was like a bomb going off in my stomach. I was sick throughout the night and by the next day I could not swallow food at all and was barely getting any fluids in. I though I had the stomach virus (half of everyone we know has been sick with it the last few days.) That night I started having terrible chest, back, should and arm pain every time I tried to drink. This freaked me out, so I called my doc first thing Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, they did not return my call! Still sick on Wednesday, I called…

Hi all! I am a South African expat living in Kuwait and had my gastric sleeve surgery here, in Kuwait on 20 Feb 2012. I gather from some of the other posts that if I were in the US, the process of getting surgery would be a long one. In Kuwait it was a different story. I met with my surgeon 2 weeks pre-op, didn't have to bother about insurance approval, had to pay cash ( no insurance here would cover the procedure). my surgeon actually told me I had 2 weeks to eat what I wanted, because after the surgery it will be over. On the day of surgery I weighed 133.1kg(roughly 293 pounds) fast forward 5 days and I am 7,5kg (16 pounds) lighter and feeling great. I was on Clear l…

Hi, I was just wondering if there is anyone who has gone to CIBO for their band? I am looking at SWLC and CIBO......any oppinions would greatly help! Thanks

Hi All, I had my surgery on Tuesday, March 6, and I am getting accostomed to the sleeve. This is my first full day home, and I've been drinking as much as I can. I'm wondering if everyone experiences a lot of gas. Is that from the "higher pressure" of the "system"? I hear gurgling, like a slow drain, then moments later, gas. I'm still nervous about this decision, I am terrible at being a patient...My family is driving me crazy too, even my dog. This is far more emotional than I expected. Thanks for any insight.

Hello lb family, Had the lapband for nearly 4yrs. Guess what I gained half bk I just came out of surgery the day b4 to hv my doc revise it cause I lost liquid! Bk on track. Forgot what the restrictions felt like.

Hello everyone! So I had my pre-op endoscopy and everything went smooth, my MD found a small hiatal hernia that he told me he'll fix it during surgery. The procedure was 15mins and I can't complaint my healthcare team is excellent they treated me like a queen. Can't wait for my surgery 04/02/2012, I'm already counting down towards pre-op liquid diet, planing to buy the Bariatric Advantage shakes next week...hope everyone is doing fine xx

Well I am finally post-op! I opted for Dr Almanza in Tijuana Mexico. Was picked up with about 6 other patients at San Diego airport and driven to the hospital which is in a strip mall. It was relatively small but very clean. They had us register (passports, green cards etc.) then did our blood work. The nurse (Lupita) was pretty darn good. I have never in all of my annual exams had blood drawn at the first try and certainly not after having zero liquids in 12 hours. Lupita got it in a single shot; needless to say to was impressed. I was anticipating a minimum of 3-4 tries. We then went through an intake process; personal history (illnesses, alcohol and drug usage; fam…

Good Morning everyone, I am due to be sleeved and I'm scared to death! I am getting sleeved at New Jerusalem Hospital. I am afraid of being in surgery alone in another country, not getting the proper amount of fluids and protein and also how and where my weight will fall off. The last fear is vain I know. I'm just afraid to have my legs get really skinny and my stomach stay fat. I have read many of the posts and I have learned a lot. How much weight should I expect to loose initially?

Hello all, I am new to the site and was just browsing. Im glad to have a place to come to for support. I have battled obesity for a long time and Im only 22 years old. Im ready for a healthy new lifestyle and hoping for confidence I have pretty much never had. I will have my surgery next week and it really has not hit me that this is real...I have wanted a healthier life for so long. My lap band surgery is being covered by my insurance, which is bcbs of illinois...i had worried about being approved by them because of some post's i read about on this site beforehand. However, I received my approval within 6 days and couldn't be happier that wait was over. I am of course n…

So, the hard part is over. I had my surgery on Tuesday and came home yesterday evening. I did give everyone a little scare though. I told the doctor that I am hard to wake from anesthisia. Apparently, they tried to wake me in the recovery room and I woke up (I don't remember any of this). After a minute I fell back on the table and stopped breathing. They tried bagging me but every time they stopped, I stopped breathing. They finally had to intubate me again. And then they sent me to ICU. I woke up around 9:00PM and was freaking because of the tube down my throat. They had to restrain me until they could get the doctor's permission to remove the breathing tube.…

I just had VSG on March 2nd 2012 in Cancun Mexico. I was unprepared for how discomfortable the gas pains were going to be. I did bring gas-x strips and it seamed to help some. Today is my 6th day post however I still have a weird feeling on my left side where my drain was. Also in the middle of the night i feel discomfort and end up getting up seams if i drink some fluids then i feel 100% better and then i'm able to go back to sleep. If i sit to long and then stand up its like i cant take deep breaths but after a few moments it goes away and i'm fine. Has anyone else has these types of problems?

I am 36 and gained too much weight to handle over the past ten years. Same story, tried many diets, pills, etc. with zero success at losing. I now have chronic lower back pain that has changed the quality of my life. Sometimes, life doesn't seem so great. I manage to get through the work day with prescription pain pills, but they are becoming less effective as the months go by. Thinking things couldn't get worse, I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. More pills and diets. My doctor says that if I don't change my diet and lose weight, I will eventually need dialysis. He recommended that lap band procedure. I have had my initial consultation, physical…

hey everyone... im super new to forums.. chats and not to mention the lap band... i decided to have my surgery because of medical issues last summer.... i was told i had endometriosis and weight loss would help the situation.. i just couldnt go thru life in the condition i was last summer so i decided to get banded. im 14 days out of surgery now... ive lost 22 lbs.. and now i seem to be frozen. im not loosing weight anymore.. im sticking to working out but have trouble sticking to meal plans. Im still home from work so it seems that every 2 hours or so.. im wating a piece of grilled chicken or having an oz or 2 of soup.. im not sure if thats the reason why ive sto…

The surgery itself was fast. I was in and out of surgery. I had the best recovery. I had relatively no pain till day 3. It takes at least one hour to eat my food. I have been having lots of gas. Feels weird... Anyone else having these symptoms? I have been draining some in my large incision...Has anyone experienced this?

Hello Everyone, I just had my gastric sleeve done on 02/28. To date so far I have lost 13 pounds in on week. I have about a 130 pounds to lose but I am happy I am on my way. I really dont have much pain. I am little slow moving around because I still have a little discomfort. The first week was a little difficult because whenever I would eat or drink I would get a bubble feeling in my chest. After reading many of the posts I started taking prilosec. It has helped tremendously! I am getting ready to start walking everyday and once I am feeling better I will start running. I am not starving but the smell of food I used to eat does attract to me but I am still staying on c…

I went to the hospital where I will have my surgery yesterday to pay the rest of my hospital and anesthesiologist fees and get my blood draw done. I am 12 days out from surgery and it is really REAL now! I have to do one week of liquid diet but I started a modified version of it today. So far, so good but I know it will get hard at some point! I think I have pretty much everything I need for the hospital and for when I come home. (ANY SUGGESTIONS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME! I would love to hear about anything that was super helpful to you immediately post op especially). I just want to say how grateful I am to have all of you here for support and answers and I know I …

Hi, I am new to this forum and I am so confused! I have a bmi of 32 and need to lose about 50-60lbs. My biggest problem is my addiction to sugar. I dont eat a whole lot during the day, but come evening, I sit infront of the T.V and I eat candy.....I will then move to salty Snacks, then back to sugar. I have tried to follow every diet out there and nothing sticks becasue I am the type of person that wants what I am told I cant have. My sister made a good point when she said that I am not the biggest overeater of food, but that my problem is the candy, and you can fit alot of little candies in a cup! I know that I do overeat real food too, but I am scared to do this a…

I never thought I would ever get here in my life and now I have, thank you guys for all your support and encouragement, my new life starts now

Hi, I'm Barb and I've been lurking for awhile and even posted a couple of times. I'm in the very beginning stages of the process. I had my psych eval and "passed". I have my last pre- surgical consult NUT meeting next week- been 3 times and have actually gained 7 lbs since I have been eating everything in sight (well, not my dog or anything...) and am a little disappointed in myself. I also have been avoiding even the smallest amount of exercise- and the ironic thing is that I really love to exercise but now I am so heavy and it hurts so I don't do it. I am sure a lot of you know the cycle I'm in... I have a lot more to say about myself, but I know that this should be…

Hi. I'm new to this forum. I had my op in 12th April 2011 and have lost 39l pounds to date. I am scheduled to have my last fill on 16/03/12 and at the moment struggling to get any more weight off. I have been stuck for 2 months at this weight fluctuating between 200 and 204. I'm trying to decrease my portion sizes and since doing this have lost 4 pounds this week, bringing me back down to 200 pounds again. Anyone else stuck like me ?

K well, i didn't eat the whole cheese burger. Lol, i ate half, and only the meat and toppings. Not the bun. My second oldest and i went to Nic's Grill in OKC it was features on "Dinner, Drive-in's, and Dives" it was good, and i could have eaten the bread if i had desired, funny thing is i didnt really care. So, what is my point? Well, yes there does come a time after surgery when u really can eat whatever u want. Both physically and mentally. Its a great place to be. Notice however i mentioned this was my 1st burger. 10 months out and 12lbs below goal. So, i read a post here and there where someone is saddened that they cant eat this or that at 5, 10, 12 weeks …

Well good news, today I got the call and my surgery date has been set for the sleeve. I'm excited and a bit scared. I've got my post op chewable vitamins and supplements ordered. I have a feeling I’m going to be on here a bunch for advice and support. Robin

hi all, one day a couple of years ago i gave Rescue Mission my old clothes cuz they were too small on me and i was just so upset that they didn't fit. now i don't have anything to compare with as i lose the weight. I'm presently down 40ls and counting. Man what i wouldn't do for a old pair of pants LOLOL kathy

New to this site...started preop diet today. 1 week of 2 shakes and one lean cuisine per day and then 1 week of 4 shakes per day....I can supplement with broth, sugar free popcicles and sugar free jello. My surgery date is march 13. I am 5 ' 3" and weigh 265 lbs. I would love to have some buddies to make this journey with and some mentors who don't mind taking me under their wing!!!! Very excited!

Well I'll start by introducing myself. My name is Becky Noe and I live in Colorado. I just had my surgery on February 15, 2012, and just moved into my soft food stage. I've not had a fill yet and my Dr said if i keep losing 1-2 lbs a week and am not hungry that we can push out my fill. That being said, I think my scale is on CRACK LOL according to it I lost 19 lbs so far...but wait..one day i get on and it says 275, i get on the next day 275 i get on the next day 275 i get on the next 277!! What the heck!! Anyway daily weigh-in's are not healthy for you..causes too much stress...that's what i keep telling myself. My reasons for getting lap-band are twofold. …

Happy to say that my doctor just called to tell me that the insurance approved everything! My surgery is now scheduled for April 9 and I couldn't be more excited ( and nervous). It's all becoming so real now. It's been a long 7 months, getting all my required studies done. Seemed like today would never come. Ive been everyone's stories and have found lots of comfort in them. I've lost 54 lbs on my own ( go me!!) to get ready for the surgery. So excited to see the weight come off after surgery. :):)

Hello everyone! I am scheduled to have lap band sometime in April 2012. Does anyone know if I can get lap band if I have kidney damage. My left kidney has scar tissue and my right kidney is great. One doc said my GFR is at 82 and another said 101. Any input would help! Thanks!

Hi Everyone, My name is Ty, I am a SAHM to 3 little boys, from Kentucky. I had my Vertical Gastic Sleeve on Monday, February 13, 2012, in Huntington, WV by Dr. Blaine Nease. Tomorrow I will be 2 weeks post op. I have lost a total of 44 lbs, and 29 lbs of that has been since the I was released from the hospital on 2/15/12. My total weight when I started my journey was 325, but I am currently down to 281. My overall goal is to get back down to my high school weight of 150. I am currently on stage 2 of my diet, can start stage 3 this week, but I am taking it slow. I am having a very hard time getting my Protein in each day, as the only thing I crave is Ice Water. I'm o…

Hi Everyone! I'm new here and just started a blog to keep track of my journey. I'm very interested in finding out more about others and sharing info. Everything has been submitted to the insurance company for approval and a preop nutrition class has been scheduled for March 19. Next will be the actual surgery date which is soo exciting! I'm very nervous about the 2-week liquid preop diet. As someone here said, if I had willpower when it came to food, I wouldn't be in this situation weighing 211 pounds at 5 feet 4 inches! I'm 56 years old and tired of being fat. I have been telling myself for over 15 years, next year I will lose weight. I have attended WW countless times,…

I am about 48 hours post-op and the gas pain is a bit more than I anticipated. I have been getting up and walking small laps around my house about every 4 hours or so. I've been reading postings on here about some people praising Gas-X and others saying it doesn't do much and walking is the real key to it all. I'm looking forward to being more active but I also fractured my knee right before my surgery. Has anyone else had a similar problem? And if so, what did you do? Also, every once in awhile I feel like I have to burp but its really painful and when I try to push it out, nothing happens. Is this normal? Thanks for your responses!

I had a consultation in June 2011, was told I was a little under the guidline weight and only had one documented illness (high blood pressure), so my chances of Aetna covering the surgery was only 50%. I did not feel like wasting my time so I explored other options. I went to a medical weight loss center and was put on phentermine for 3 months. It worked by my body became immune to it and I had to stop taking it. Around that time I was also diagnosed with nodules on my thyroid that were making me gain weight. The Dr. opted out of surgery stating that surgery could make my situation worsed to permanent hypothyroidism Right now its back and forth, depending on stress. Howev…

I have surgery wednesday...can't wait but I will still be on liquid for a week....

This morning I'm heading to the hospital for PreTest blood work. Let the fun begin.

Today was the day i had my VSG surgery. My doc is Dr. Umbach at Blossom Bariatric in Henderson, UT (Vegas). He did a great job. His team and their process was very professional. My wife has been an RN for 21 years and she was very complementary of our experience. Twelve hours post-op I feel pretty good. Breathing & Walking. Taking some med's & slowly drinking some Water. So far, very happy with my decision to take this step & choose Dr. Umbach in Las Vegas. First day of the rest of my life.

I'm sure some of you read my other threads about my journey to having my sleeve, but I decided to combine it all in one post. So I started my journey on accident actually... A couple years back, I had some stomach problems.. it required surgery, and 4 weeks in the hospital. It also brought on diabetes due to insult on my pancreas from the whole issue. Fast forward to Christmas time of last year, I was 305lbs, and in an attempt to get myself in shape I started hitting the gym. The day after my first trip I found a hernia the popped up literally overnight in my abdomen to the side of my scar from previous surgery (it ended up being emergency surgery, so I was opened …

I had the sleeve done on Feb 23,2012. I'm looking for any suggestions on do's and dont's. I can eat yogurt and cottage cheese now and mashed potatoes. I'm trying to eat 90 grams of protein a day. I've tried the EAS protein drinks and they are good. What protein shakes do you guys like? I'm very excited to hear from you guys !

Well saw my surgeon today and got my date.....I will be sleeved on Monday....yes this Monday March 12th.......so excited and so nervous as this will be my first surgery ever.......any suggestions for after? What to bring to the hospital would be helpful, surgeon said if all goes well I go home on Wednesday.....Please be praying for me.....

Hi I am so glad I found this site!! I am waiting for my insurance to approve my surgery. I am doing this through True results. They already told me to start my two week diet but I am having a problem finding the right Protein shake. So far I tried muscle milk, and Jay Robb. Does anyone have any suggestions?

The decision to pursue WLS was definitely not a New Years Eve Resolution. I have resolved however a conflict within myself that I do not have to struggle alone and that I can ask for help. When wt loss surgery came on the scene I was a skeptic and very concerned about the perception of quick fixes that folks would mask food addictions, related behaviors and triggers for a miracle fix. I realize it is a very indiviualized decision making process. I contemplated doing the "band" 3 years ago and part of me was secretly happy the surgeon stated " you can do this on your own--just move more... this is not an option for you." I have done wellness programs, gyms, integr…

Hi. My name is Russ and I had my rny on August 8, 2011. I had been on an insulin pump for six years, had high triglycerides and cholesterol and high blood pressure. Immediately following surgery, my blood glucose returned to normal levels without any insulin or metformin. My lipids all are in the low normal range and my average BP is 115/70. My peak weight wad 327 pounds and 314 prior to surgery. I am as of 3/3/12 at 195 pounds and have gone from size 48 waist pants to currently size 36. I have to reintroduce myself to people I have known for many years. Thanks to Dr Siddiqui at Premier Metabolic and Bariatric Associates at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio and the st…