Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Well I am new to this but I like the idea of being able to put my thoughts down and either help someone else or get help by someone who reads this. I have not had the lap band surgery yet. I am going on Thursday to the surgery seminar and hoping that a lot of my questions and concerns are answered. I know several people who have had the surgery and have done pretty well with their weigh loss. Of course I am going into this blind as far as a doctor is concerned. I have just recently moved to Colorado and have decided that I would check into the surgery so I am hoping that the doctor is a good one. Surgery of any kind scares me and today a friend of my sister in law p…

One week from first fill, waiting paitently. Can eat but force self not to. 14 pounds loss since surgery, 27 pounds loss total. Anticipating easier journey after fill. I exercise daily and eat as little as possible. Welcome to all, enjoy your companionship during our journey's. Tim

I am a 23, 5'3, and weigh 205lbs. I've tried diets from the age of 15 up until now. The healthy ones and the not so healthy ones, weight watchers, I was in the military for 4 years and the lowest I ever got was 180. This including a strict diet and working out twice a day. Obviously it's not working as I'm am scheduled for the surgery. On March 15th. On the 14th I will go to the hospital for some more pre-op test. So far I've done something like a ultrasound and I drank some horrible liquid and stood on a kind of rotating x-ray bed. Sorry for the vagueness as most things are happening in a different language. (Korean) Everything is looking so far so good. I'm not on any …

Over all I have been doing great and things seemed like they were great. I only weigh myself once a month and today as I stepped on the scale it refused to move from where it was in January. I am down 85 pounds which is great but at 10 months post op I was hoping it would be more. I have stalled for 2 months now and it is frustrating and almost makes me feel like I have failed at this as well. I know there are days that have been better than others but come on already stuck at the same weight for 2 months. I am trying to stay positive but all I want to do is cry this is the first time I have been this frustrated with my progress.

I am new to this site, & I am about to embark on this journey with my surgery scheduled for March 26th. And I'd love any input from those that are about to begin the journey as well as those who have embraced it. Anyone have any ideas on protein drinks? Clear liquids? Beginning the 12th I must begin my preop diet. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Hi Everyone, I am new here I live in Moyock NC I work full time, my spouse is active duty Navy he's been in for 28 years ( heading back to deployment in March) . I been married for 26 years no kids but we are pet parents to 2 rescue cats. oh, I am also his Ombudsman. I am so happy that I found this group I been reading over the past couple of weeks and everyone is so supportive. My story is like everyone else's been overweight my whole life, up and down rollar coaster. I been reading alot about lap band and think it would be a good for me. I been to the seminar I already had my 1st appt with the doctor, I had my shrink clearance done, blood work on Monday 2/27, ed…

I had my surgery 2 weeks and 2 days from today. I went from an original weight of 330 down to 302 at time of surgery and now I am at 283. My pants went from 50 to 42. I have a great deal more energy, I even ran at the gym the other day with weights in my hands! I couldn't believe the energy. I kept waiting to hit the wall but it never came. I stopped for the sake of not overdoing it and paying later. My goal is 220 and after that I will see if any more is needed. This is like going back in time, what fun! Oh, yeah, no more diabetes, the disease that killed my father at age 46.

so im here waiting .. Im excited and nervous at the same time .. I have a great support group ..all my siblings, parents, and fiancé took the day off to be here for me.. And I have this wonderful site full of great people. Now I just cant wait to start this new journey =) ... Im praying for the best and ill talk u guys when I get out =)

Well it's my turn, march 28th I'm joining the loser bench. Down 50 pre op I'm hitting the ground running ! Sent from my iPad using VST

My surgery was March 1st in Philadelphia and I am now home recovering well. I have been able to take walks outside and manage without much pain medication. It takes most of my time trying to manage my fluid and protein intake, but the food is staying down without nausea or too much discomfort. I am very thankful and when I woke up I had the most glorious feeling of being alive and having survived! Soon I will get my before pics and start working on the after pics. Can't wait!

I was nervous and scare but after reading you guys post experience, I'm relax about and ready To start a new chapter of my life. I have only told a few people about my schedule surgery because they will talk me Out of it, like the last few times. Only thing I'm sad about is my husband is again me having the surgery so this time I'm sticking to my gun lol. I've been on numerous diet lose weight to only put on more Weight on. I'm in so pain from my joints to back and feet. I love to shop but not anymore my feet and back hurt to much. I can't wait to get my sexy back

Well, I had vsg on feb 17th and I'm still in some pain from one incision and my sleeping is way off course ????... The littlest things tire me now but each day I feel more energized. I'm down 17 lbs and happy! I've been exercising a little but I plan to go everyday!!! We'll see!!!! I hope my weight will come off bc I'm only 24 and my knees and back hurt and I have numerous medical issues. So far, I'm enjoying vsg and it is the best decision I've ever made!!!!

Hey everyone! Im new to this site and my surg is Mar 19. Im nervous about anestheia and leaving my kids. Any words of wisdom?

Almost four months out and working out is still a struggle! It's really upsetting not having a lot of energy. But I try to tell myself everything gets better with time. I just hope my energy comes back sooner than later!

Went to my PCP today exactly one week following my surgery to get a B12 shot and well it has been a long time since I wanted to get on the scale at the doctors....hehe but today was different very curious to measure my loss:). And I am happy to announce I lost 15 pounds! Came home took off my dressier clothes to spend the rest evening in my "Life is Good" shirt and indeed it is!

Hello.....i need all the info i can get...my surgery is this wed march 7,...

Last night while my hubby and I were taking our evening walk. I mentioned to him how happy I was with my choice over 2 years ago. I was 60 years old when I had the surgery. That age was a little too old for the surgery if I had to have my insurance pay for it. Since I had no coverage and had to pay out of pocket it was the best idea and choice of surgery. In 15 months I lost (very slowly 89 lbs.) Then I had foot surgery and it put me and my exercise in a slow down. So I gained back 8 lbs. Well that 8 lbs has stayed with me for 1 year and finally I lost 5 of it from Jan 1 to March 1. So I plan on dropping the rest before we have our trip to Europe. That was my reward. …

I just got in from my trip to Mexicali and I can only say I am amazed at how easy this was. I was sleeved by Dr. Aceves on February 28th. I am 57 years old and figured it would be rough because I hate pain and can be a bit of a baby. I expected the worse. I have had no nausea, no real pain- just discomfort, and have felt pretty good under the circumstances. The worst part was the trip home because I am not a big fan of flying. lol All of the overly positive comments I had read about Dr. Aceves and Dr. Campos, the Hospital Almater- it was all true. It was a great experience. I especially want to thank the other patients that I shared the experience with. I hope …

Hello all.... I've been contemplating WLS for about 8 years and I am finally ready to take the leap. I have been a big girl my entire life. A 3 sport athlete in high school yet graduating weighing 230 lbs. I'm 37 now, no kids, never married and have hit the 330lb mark. I've always been the "pretty girl" and I carry my weight well (I'm 5'9 and a former plus size model). My health is still good however I'm starting to have back issues, my joints ache at times, etc.. Arthritis, Diabetes, Heart Disease and run rampant in my family and I just feel that if I don't lose a significant amount of weight my diagnosis with at least one of these ailments will be in my immediate future…

Just wanted to post my progress thus far. I finally hit the onderland goal and wanted to post how I did it. I started out at 275lbs and as of this morning I weighed 198lbs. I've lost 77 lbs in 3 months time. I have not once acheived my goal for protein and water intake since beginning this journey. I am unable to consume protein shakes (I throw up immediately) and I was never really a H20 drinker to begin with. That being said I do get around 50oz of liquid and about 25g of protein a day. The way I am able to acheive successful weight loss is by working out everyday. I do at least 60 minutes of intense CARDIO everyday and weight lift at least twice a week. I have not had …

I Everyone I am 5 weeks post op today and lost 4 and 1/2 pounds this week , brining my total weight loss with pre op 38and 1/2 pounds even after a two week stall , Hope everyone one else is having a good journey x

Friends- Today, I Celebrate one of my biggest moments of bravery. I celebrate agreeing to be wheeled into surgery despite a healthy dose of fear of both complications and the unknown. I had no idea how I'd cope in life without the crutch of food and failure. I wasn't excited about surgery and possibilities. I was simply scared and resolved. Now, I live a life I truly wasn't sure I'd ever get to enjoy. Life is good. So good. I have been incredibly blessed on this journey. My approval process was relatively painless. It only involved four months of supervised diet. I didn't even have to do a liquid diet leading up to surgery. My only real complication was a very minor i…

Hi everyone, My name is Jen and I'm from NJ. I had VSG on August 3, 2011. In Sept. I developed a leak which nearly destroyed me mentally. I'm still having some issues from it - hoping my doctors can figure out what to do. Anyway, I'm glad to be a member here and getting to know you all. Jen

I chose to have VSG as a last ditch effort to save my life. Not because I was a compulsive over eater, because I was not, but because even eating like an average person caused me to be excessively large. I was a befudlement to my doctors. I had multiple health problems, extreme pain, used a cane to walk (when I could walk) or used a wheelchair. I was on 15 Rx meds and 6 supplements. I was dying. Today I am almost three weeks out of surgery and I am happy to report; I do not use the cane or wheelchair any more. I don't even walk with a limp. I wore high heel shoes to church this morning for the first time in years, walking completely normal and with no pain. I have als…

Hello everyone! I just got my lapband Feb 28th. I'm so excited! Though if i can get passed this liquid diet stage I'll be happier! The surgery went well, and i'm ready to put the hard work into loosing this weight. I lost 16lbs on the 10 day pre-op diet i was on, so now got to get through these next 5-6 weeks till my first fill.

I have my first appointment scheduled for Monday night....... aaaaagh! The nurse said that after my initial visit I will be scheduled for classes and I could have surgery in 6-8 wks........double aaaagh!! I am looking forward to using this site as a tool to help me through this whole process. It's always encouraging when you can talk to someone who has "been there - done that".

As I get my bag ready for tomorrow , I'm getting a lil nervous .. So many thoughts going through my mind like "am I doing the right thing?" " will I be able to stick to it?" "what if I don't loose weight?" so many thoughts its stressing me out... Just want to know if I'm alone in this or is it normal to feel this way?

What is your latest NSV (non scale victories) ? I will start.... I have two that are huge to me. I am 4 weeks out today 1) I can wear my wedding rings again! Yeahhhh and my husband is really happy about it. 2) I noticed I was crossing my legs in church this morning without any effort. I can not remember the last time I could do that. :)

Well, here I am!! Five days post op and feeling more and more excited with every day that passes. I know I have made the right decision and its a great feeling to know i did something to better my life so drastically. Suprisingly surgery and recovery is not as painful as i had expected it to be. I had my operation on monday morning at 7:00am, and by 4:00pm i was walking around the hospital floor... Its amazing to me how the body can recuperate so fast! My doctor (Dr. Sonnastine with Fresh Start Bariatrics in Columbus, Ohio) came daily to check on my progress, and all of the nurses were very friendly and made me feel very comfortable during my stay. I went home on …

I usually would not do this. I just was wondering how many of you actually read the blogs written by our fellow sleevers. I read one yesterday I can not get out of my mind. What insight and courage this sweet young lady has. Please read and enjoy. What an amazing journey she is on, and how encouraging it is to me. Very wise beyond her years to even realize it!!

Hi Everyone I saw my Dr on Friday I was so scared because I didnt know how she would react to my request for a bariatric referral. I realize that I have a lot of morbolities but i wasn't sure of how the the doctor would react. She wasn't the doctor I see normally. She was great she went over what I would to have the surgery and now i just am waiting to have my first visit with the team. I did my seminar online and Ive been looking at people on youtube and other websites. Learning the good and bad about the lapband. I am sure that what I want. I willing to work I'm quitting smoking I think I can have my surgery by May if I can get it Started today. Lets do this I Can d…

Hello, My surgery is scheduled for Wed March 7th. 3 days left and I am getting super nervous. I am on day 8 of the clear liquid preop diet. I have made it this far and I will make it the rest of the way, but gosh it’s hard.

I'm 13 days post op... The first 2 days were great! THEN the burning pain next to my belly button started after the morphine button was taken from me :-( I never dealt with much nausea.. The first 4 days or so it was a little unpleasant to drink! Every time I took a drink I would have air bubbles gurgle up my throat. It didn't hurt or anything but it was a little uncomfortable. I was constantly trying to find something to elevate the pain by my belly button! I'm on a two week clear liquid diet.. Not having food hasn't bothered me much surprisingly since I ate normal all the way to the evening before my surgery. I was a cash patient so it took 20 days from consult to surg…

hi sleevers i believe (will verify Monday) my NUT told me that you need to eat your meal over a 20 minute time periodl, After you take a bite, squish away, wait 3 minutes start again, after 20 minutes your are done- can't eat anymore else it is considered grazing. I am remembering this specifically now because i just had a scrambled egg which i could eat only 1/2 of - and i stopped after the required 20 minutes.Am I saying this correctily?

So I had my surgery 2/13. I lost 18 pounds pre-op and so far 19 post op!! I have been lucky to have no nausea and just try to get all water/protein in each day. I am hopeful to live the rest of my 20's saying "im skinny"!

Hi ,I did my operation August 2011 , I was 93 kilo, my height is 154 cm , in the 1st year I lost 37 kg , I reach my perfect weight , it should be 50-55 kg , but now I am 58 kg , I eat a lot of chocolate this is my problem . But was the best thing I did 4 my health, I feel free, confident, happy, energetic , I hope u all feel the same

I know from my own experience, and from reading some of the topics here, that a lot of us only look at ourselves to criticize. I know that I often pick on myself worse than anybody else, and the self-deprecating humor has to stop. It starts as a self-defense mechanism but before you know it you're really thinking those things about yourself. I thought it would be interesting for us pre- and post-sleevers to list a few things about ourselves (both physical and personality) that we actually like without the added "but.." that is often attached. My best friend asked me today why I always make jokes about myself and it made me realize that it's easy to lose sight ourselv…

In 2009 I attended my GP and he referred me to the hospital for surgery. I was then given a dietician and weighed 361 lb we agreed I would continue with the weight watchers plan . I was seen by an nhs surgeon and he wanted me to lose 7 stone 98lb I was despondent as the big issue is that I Lose weight and keep putting it back on. He has said that the surgery is to keep your weight off not only to help me lose it but before I can meet with him again I need to meet regularly with my dietician and have a phycologist assessment, however there is a long waiting list. during this time I lost 60 but after my annual leave I slipped up and was off plan and next thing kn…

Hi everyone !!!!! ;( well is 8 days after my surgery tomorrow, and I was complete fine till today !! ;( Im getting this really really bad pain in my belly right next to one off the insecions and I'm not enjoying the pain ....... Can you please tell me of this is normal ?? Have any1 had this pain before ?? I'm sopous to start my full liquids diet tomorrow but I'm not to sure if I should ;( Please !!!!

This is a wonderful site and I am glad that I found it. I have battled my weight since 5th grade. I lost weight and was in great shape in my twenty's. I ran five miles a day ate a very healthy diet and felt great. Then i started post graduate training and worked 60-80 hours a week day and night. Th running left and the weight came back with a vengeance. Now I am 43 years old and overweight. I lost weight 50-60 pounds last year when I was considering the gastric sleeve and tried weight loss one more time. The old habits crept back and the weight returned. I have decided to have surgery in april and have a date set. I used to go out for dinner with the guys I am friends wit…

It is hard to believe that it has been over a year since I had my sleeve surgery. I was sleeved on February 23, 2011. I was convinced that I would be the one to die during surgery or to fail after having it done. The night before, I wrote myself a letter to open on the 1 year anniversary, in the event that I survived the procedure. I put off opening that letter for a couple weeks because I knew how emotional I would feel reading it. I just opened it today, and I thought I would share it with everyone. Here is a letter to myself written 2/22/11: Krista- If you are reading this, then you made it through surgery & the first year. Hopefully, you are healthier &am…

It has been a month since my surgery! I have lost over 20 lbs...and so far have had very little problems. 3 nights ago when I moved a certain way in my sleep I got a knife stabbing sharp pain in my stomach area...not near the incisions. It only happened a couple times that night, the following night it happened a couple more times. Today I was sitting at my PC and the sharp pain hit me hard, but it only lasted less than a minute. I read online that others have experienced gas trapped and other problems and I don't want to over react so I have not called my doctor yet...but was wondering if anyone else had these systems shortly after their surgery? Last week I had my …

Hello I am having surgery this coming Friday (march 9th) & getting nervous on what to expect. I am currently 290lbs & 5'4". Not sure how much I'll lose.

I was sleeved 3/1/11. I am feeling mixed emotions. I am so happy that I was sleeved. I wish it was 3/1/11, it felt as if I was reborn! However, I am very disappointed in myself. Is it normal to have only lost 69lbs in a year? I am 30lbs away from my goal I am having a hard time. Is there anyone out there who had this problem? I wanted to loose 100lbs by today! Please help, I am so depressed and feel like a major fat ugly looser!

I have been trying to get help with weight loss for over 10 years now. It seems that I had to develop a serious co-morbid condition for insurance to even consider it (I have a case of severe OSA). I have had orthopedic issues since I was a child and they have worsened with the extra weight. Now that I may be able to get help for my weight, I am nervous about getting approved. I am also nervous about having serious complications with the surgery. I am afraid I will lose my hair, I won't lose weight, I will get some kind of painful infection, I will have to take vitamins for the rest of my life or that I will have this weight condition will never go away. What is life like …

I changed my display name to DaybyDaybaby because that is exactly what I feel like. everyday I need encouragement, everyday I feel I need guidance for this lapband. Granted I have lost weight but I think I wasn't expecting so soon and my mind hasn't caught up. I feel a bit guilty because I didn't try harder, but I was just so tired of losing and gaining back. I journal all my thoughts, I give mysellf pep talks: I will be where I put myself mentally : in bandster hell or successland. Sometimes God gives us our hearts desire, the rest is up to me I even have an email set up to myself that says 'you finally did this for yourself and your family, Life will be happ…

I just had my lap and surgery on 2/27 and I am feeling pretty good with the exception of the abdominal distension. I am hoping that goes away soon. I am excited to see how my journey turns out. I am glad to have people to connect with.

Hi I am getting banded Monday! I am starting to get a little nervous! but very excited I am more nervous because i have heard people sayin they cant eat at all or food gets stuck. I dont want to not to be able to eat at all! But I am more excited than anything! any one else a January Bander?!

If you only knew how much excitement I have right now you wouldn't even imagine. I have been confirmed to join the land of LapBand on April 2nd at 7:30am. This has been a true test of patience but I will do it and not take one day lightly. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and the best part is my cost is only $37 dollars...what a blessing. Now, I have my Pre Test on next week and PreOp Appointment on March 28th. How should I prepare?

hi every1 I hope everyone is doing fine !!! my name is Micaela, i had my surgery last friday and i feel great the only complication was that one of my cuts got infected but im taking antibiotics already, so i hope it goes away soon. I weight my self today and I lost 12 kilos already =) I am so so so happy My only problem now is that im getting a bit hungry !! is this normal ????? I been drinking liquids from saturday last week so tomorrow will be 1 week (7days) ONLY Water AND TEA COZ I CAN TAKE ANYTHING ALSO..... but now i have no idea what i have to eat from tomorrow. CAN ANY1 HELP ME PLEASE !!!!!!!! I WAS THINKING OF HAVING THE NEXT MEALS please tell me…