Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I started my journey in June /11. I had to go 6 months for insurance. I was finally cleared in Nov. /11- but with the holidays and a few glitches with insurance I was approved in Jan. I was set to have surgery 2/14/12 -but received a call on 2/6/12 asking if I could have my surgery on 2/8/12-because my doctor was having a family emergency overseas- if I didn't have surgery then it could be delayed up to a month. So I went for it. I went through the program New Start and my doctor is Kummeran. I started out at 271 on 2/8 - 1 week later I was down 11 pounds- 2 weeks - 2/22 -16 pounds. It is a learning experience. I am having problems eating over 3-4 bites of fo…

I first started in a Weight Loss program 2006. It was affiliated with a local hospital near work. The first two meetings were group meetings. I was sort of put off because the administrators at the time said that they had adopted a policy of only doing the Gastric bypass (no gastric bands) since they had determined that the bypass resulted in the most success. At the time I had not tried to many fromal diet programs, but I was willing to work with them and see where things led. I lost about 30 lb's on my own with diet and exercise. Having access to a scale that went high enough to to weigh myself helped. Over time I became discouraged as the only goal they seemed interes…

Hi Guys....My name is Melisa and ive been a banster for 3 years now! Ive lost 70 lbs and have no regrets about getting the band! Ive gone from a size 20 to a 14 so far! My band was too tight a year ago and i had 1/4 cc taken out. i gained some weight from that so i just had some put back in. im hoping to get down to 150 or size 10! whichever comes first! I recently started walking so im hoping that will help too. My band is pretty tight again so i can mainly only eat soups comfortably. No big bulky foods! And that is good for me! Keeps me away from burgers and pizza as well as other bulky fattening foods!!! I will try to post some before and after pics soon. If a…

I'm 3.5 weeks out and pretty much had gotten used to the odd feelings associated with eating. However, I just ate some tilapia and mashed potatoes and not one twinge, gurgle or anything! I assumed I'd have the discomfort for a while when I eat and drink. It feels good to feel normal!

Hey all! I had trouble with the hospital internet, so now that I'm back at the hotel, this is the first chance i've had to check in. Surgery went well, my hernia fixed as well. I've been having a recurring pain that feels like a vise has gripped my stomach then releases. The hospital doc says that some people get this and some don't. Darn. Should go away soon. I did spend the first night and morning throwing up. I was strict NPO until the upper g.i. the next morning, so a bunch of junk kept collecting in my throat while i slept. Then I'd wake up and swallow and immediately hurl. Dr. Kim assured me I didn't bust anything. Passed the leak test and then right away on to sip…

Hi

Thought I'd post a quick hello from a newbie. I met with my surgeon on 7/13 and have just started the three-month diet/exercise program required for insurance. The family is on board and DH is going to join me in the diet program (although he won't be giving up caffeine, the old coot!). Does anyone out there have any specific iPhone apps that they use to help keep track of diet and/or exercise? Can't wait to meet others here! Sherry

I am new to this board. I was going to the lapband board, but guess what? My band slipped and I have decided to have RNY. I am 55. I had a lapband May09 and lost a grand total of 50 lbs. I don't really know when my band slipped. It slipped up, not down. I had no symptoms other than no weight loss. I decided to have a fill and the surgeon insisted I have a barium swallow since I had not been in for a yr. I agreed it was needed and the barium swallow revealed that I had no pouch The lapband was just sitting at the top of my stomach and the end of the esophagus. So far the esophagus was not enlarged. The surgeon removed all the fill (Thank God there was not much res…

I am really excited because I found out that my insurance will cover my WLS, but I have to complete a 6 month doctor-supervised weight loss program. Has anyone else had to do this, and if so, have you been turned down for surgery afterwards? If all goes well, I will be banded or having the sleeve done in September!

well it has been a bit since i was on here last.. I am so happy to say that i am now at 197lbs. I have been so busy that i have just not had the time to post. I have started my own work out group and am training 3 other ladies that need to work out. This is giving me the motivation to get off by but and work out 4 days a week and make sure that i am eating better. You really cant tell some one to eat this and that and then sit next to them and eat crap..lol I am down 57lbs since my surgery on Oct 31. I hope to be at goal of 150 to 145 by my one year mark.

I was wondering if there are others out there that had his or her surgery done in Mexico?

Hello everyone! I am so excited! Things are moving along smoothly so far. I just recently introduced myself to the community here. So, now I will give some details about my journey so far. I have been thinking about surgery for the past 5-6 years, but now is the time. I'm glad I waited because I am happy about the option of VSG versus the LapBand or Rouxen-Y. Not that those options are inferior or bad, but VSG is the best choice for me. Back in October 2011 I attended a seminar at the Ohio State Univery Medical Center Bariataric Surgery Program. The surgeon himself spoke and then several of his patients spoke as well. I was happy with what I heard and decided to pursu…

Hi my name is Gladys and I am new here! I will give you a little history about my journey and why I am starting over. I had lab band in Aug 2009 weight at that time was 259. But after the first fill I became sick,and stopped my journey and gained up to 289.9 in Jan 2011 did a med change that was making me put on weight and with the 1 fill I had I actually starting losing weight and to date have lost 40 pounds. But now I am starting over on Feb 1st,2012 my weight was 256 and I had a 1/2 cc fill and have lost to 249 since. I also started on protien bars and vit B 12 shots and very positive this time around. I will return to my Dr on March 5 that which time I will more …

One Year Sleeve Anniversary!!!!! Hooooray!!!! Had my sleeve done one year ago Feb. 25th 2011. Feeling great and 136lbs down at my last weigh in a week ago. And yes,I am celebrating with Abdominoplasty this year on Feb. 29th! And yes, I am very excited and very,very,happy to be here! It's sorta surreal being here today,a year later, and facing this next procedure. I will admidt that this one is an exciting deal though. Yeah, it's a big deal getting this much done to a body but Wow! the outcome is gonna be sooooo worth it! With all I am reading and hearing from my docs, this is gonna hurt like nothing I have had before.And ya would think the three c-sections would …

I just wanted to introduce my self. I am Sophia and my surgery date is set for the 24th, I am excited nervous and scared , but I know in the end it will all be worth it. I am on the liquid pre op diet right now and I am having the hardest time. I have to tell my brain and mouth NO! a lot. Is any one else going through the pre op diet as well, any advise for those who have already gone through it? I keep telling my self 4 more days and then my brain says nope, its a few more weeks... lol!

Well I began this journey a few months ago and had my first nutrition class in January. Have been through my others as well as the appt. With my surgeon, psych, scan and my scope....get to see my surgeon again on the 6th of March and they said if all goes well I could maybe be sleeved by the following week....I am so thankful it is moving along so fast.....my husband is deployed so I am hoping that I can get it, be healed and have my eating figured out by the time he gets home......thanking God and praying all goes fast and well.........any tips?

Hi everbody! I am Skin-E-Girl (or I'm about to be!) and I JUST got banded yesterday at noon by Dr. Pham in Tustin, CA!!! I am in a world of pain right now...my stomach feels swollen and hard and it hurts like hell to move. It feels like I'm getting kicked in the stomach constantly. I had a horrible time last night trying to sleep because I am a side sleeper and every time I tried to roll on my side it hurt too much. In fact, just laying on my back trying to sleep hurts me too. I hear lots of walking, heating pads, and sipping hot liquids help make it bearable and I'm hoping that by tomorrow I will be able to go back to work since I called out of work today. I had initia…

I'm 9 days po and today I started my Vitamins. In the a.m. You'll have 3...One you swallow and two you chew. I did the capsule first cause I felt that swallowing the both of the chews after will help it go down easier too.. so it was yea.... uncomfortable. I felt it the whole way down and once it hit. I sat up straight drank a bit and then a sip more after before my Chewables. It didn't hurt or make me gag just felt a little tight in the throat and on its way down. And the cheat area. Discomfort but not pain. Then I burped and did one chew then another sip of Water and waited a minute. Then burped again and ate the last chew followed by water again after…

I got my lap band April of 2008. I immediately started loosing weight and had very little appetite, so of course, I was delighted. But as time went on, I could eat less and less, despite never receiving a fill. When I did eat, food would get stuck right in the spot the band was, and the food would come up. To overcome this, I ate extremely small portions of food in tiny pieces, or liquids only. In August of 2008, my gall bladder was removed by the same surgical staff that put the lap band in....side effect of loosing weight fast. They attributed my issues to the gall bladder. I insisted that food getting stuck and throwing up had nothing to do with my gall bladder …

This started as a reply on another post, but it got me to thinking about it again. Do many of you have to adjust your goal weight? I had it at 160, possibly on down to 150. I am 5'10 and much of my weight is visceral and in my upper arms, like a man. Almost no butt or hips. I have posted some pics of what I have looked like at various sizes. The last size is a "I dunno/maybe 16". The last pic is of my sister and we are very similar. She is six years younger and no skin surgery required...she is also three inches shorter 5'7" and once my muscle is back up to form she is less muscular. She is 185 lbs. If you had to go by what I have presented, what would you say? Me a…

Thought it might be fun to start a new thread where each day we could post one thing we are thankful for. Some days this may seem cheesy but all in all we all have so much to be thanful for and what if someone who is having a bad day stumbles upon something we said and it helps them through their day?? So, today I am thankful for...... A fellow December Sleever getting over her leak!!! YAY!!

Hi my first lap band meeting is feb 29 2012:-) I've been over weight for about 10 yrs:( weighing 200 pounds on my 5'2" frame:( my BMI is at 38 and I have HTN and arthritis and who knows what else!!! I've been on lots of "diets" and haven't lost anything! Real upsetting! I know my ins will cover 90% after my deductible is paid:) is there any information I need to know:/

Hi Everyone! I'm at the very beginning of my journey, so please bear with me. I am 37, single, female, and I live in Doha, Qatar. Currently weigh 259 pounds. I have many reasons for wanting to have the surgery - mainly to improve my overall health, but a big reason for doing it is to improve my confidence. I've always been overweight and always been shy around strangers, but with the right people around me I was happy and outgoing and being overweight wasn't such a big deal. But - I had a major knock to my confidence about 18 months ago and since then things haven't been so good. I'm in a vicious cycle of desperately needing to meet new people, but being too emb…

I am sooo happy!!! Today I weighed myself and I am 198!!!!!!! 32 pounds gone so far!!! Sooo excited!!!!

Hi All, I'm not sure how to begin, but here we go... I've been overweight my whole life, and 9 years ago I was at my heaviest , which was between 410-420lbs. Over the years I've very slowly lost weight, but never to the degree that would make me healthy. Last year I began to make a focused effort to gain control of my weight, which means I weighed 380lbs at the beginning of last year. I am now 1 week post-op with the VSG, and my weight on my surgical date was 353lbs. I am now 339lbs, which is a loss of 14lbs, and I guess that's normal, not sure?? I'm experiencing side pain, and my stomach is still VERY swollen. I feel like I have 2 galIons of water strapped to my belly…

Lap band!

So one week has gone by.... Hell week as it will be now referred as:) I haven't lost a lot like most, I've lost 8lbs. In part i believe it's cause I was unable to get enough liquids and Protein for 4 days. Dr. Said that'll affect me a lot. Plus I still have a lot of gas from the surgery. I'm not wearing my jeans yet as they are still too tight so I am In sweats for now. It's amazing how much better I feel everyday! It's been a rough week. I'm still having a ton of pain on the right side muscle that was cut an stitched, which makes sleep hard, & the dr said it could take several more weeks for that to feel like its healing. The liquids are are down well now a…

I am so excited to say I'm getting banded on March 2nd by Dr. Marsden of True Results Richardson. I'm keeping this mostly to myself. I want to surprise people as I slowly become the beautiful person on the outside as I am on the inside. I've been an avid reader of this site as I've convinced myself this is for me. Unfortunately, my company won't cover the surgery until I work there for 5 years. So, I'm paying half since they'll cover the hernia operation. I know it will be the best money I've ever spent. I am also having my "golden" birthday in the 28th so I'm considering this the gift to myself. Thanks to all of you guys. You've helped get me started on th…

I am a 29y/o mother of a 1y/o and a nurse. I gained over 85lbs with my pregnancy my whole life I have been up and down on the scales. The lowest I have weighed in the last 5 yrs is 20lbs and I am 5'6''. I am thinking of banding I have an appt with J. J. Gonzlaes in San Antonio, TX on friday. I have already asked my ob gyn about the surgery and she reccomended it. I just want some honest opions from people who have had it done the good the bad and the ugly. I have some friends who have had it done and they say even with their complications they would do it again.

A couple days ago I posted a story called disappointed. After I posted it I started the 5-day pouch test and I'm currently on day 2 and in 1 day I lost 3 pounds!!! If u are struggling like I was I seriously advise u to do this! If u don't know what the pouch test is, it's on YouTube and on google. It's easy to follow. And I'm proud that stuck with it! I'm ready to get back on track.

Good morning. Well this is another day and I am still awaiting on my PCP to fax over where i was on Adipex for a year. This is really stressing me out which i know i shouldn't worry. My PCP sent an email on last Thursday that the letter would be send out to my surgeon. I called my surgeon on yesterday and they still haven't received the letter from my PCP. Finaly I realized that the individual who sent me the email from my PCP was using someone's account while they were out. At this point, I am just hoping that my PCP sends over the form by Thursday. I will give them a week to get everything over to my surgeon before I go to the office. Lord help me to calm down P…

Hello everyone! I have finally gotten up the nerve to post my store. I found this sight about a month ago and as my family says I have been "creeping" on all of your story's. I can't begin to tell you how much they have helped me. I will just try and tell the short version. Haha........ I have tryed for years to get insurance to cover the lap band surgery. Three deferent times I had went through all the steps just to get turned down. So this year for Christmas my wonderful husband of 14 years surprised me with all the paperwork and schedule surgery in Tijuana Mexico!!! Of corse when I realized what it was I so shocked and then found out where it was going to tak…

My name is Ruth an tomorrow I go in for me 3 month post-op visit with my surgeon. I'm excited yet nervous about my progress. I started out at 449 lbs. I lost 35 before surgery and I know I have lost at least 100 lbs total. So that would be at least 65 lbs. since surgery. I am hoping that is a good weight loss, but there is always that little bit of doubt that it's not good enough. I had my surgery on Nov. 7th 2011. I had a lot of pain at the site where my stomach was removed for the first 2 weeks, which was almost completely gone by the 3rd week. I still have some pain in that spot on occasion depending on the way I bend or stretch. I am a full-time student and mother of …

Hi there- i am six weeks poat op frm aleeve and had my gb removed this mornIng. I had been having gallstone attacks for a few years and didn't know what it was. Had a nasty attack last Friday and left work in an ambulence and there you have it. I thought they were supposed to check your gall ladder and remove it if you were having issues( at the same time as wls)?? Anyone have thoughts on this?

I had surgery on 2/17/12 at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, TN with Dr. Woodman. A little sore today but not too bad. I am starting at 295. Ready to change my life

Hi Everyone, I have been overweight/obese since high school. I’m 35 now and my BMI is 45. I attended an information session last August. Proceeded to see Dr. Koppman (partners with Dr. Marema) in St. Augustine, FL the next day. With the help of my doctor I have decided the sleeve is the best fit for me. I have PCOS, hypertension, and A LOT of joint pains. The end of February will mark the end of the 6 month supervised diet required by my insurance (BCBS – Alabama). My insurance requires a BMI of 35 and severe comorbidities or a BMI of 40 or higher with no additional comorbidities required. I have gathered 3 yrs of weight history (random dates). I also have two…

Hi Everyone, I have my 1st appointment w/ the Dr. on Wednesday and I have no idea what to expect. I went to the seminar and will be paying for this on my own so insurance won't be an issue. Can anyone tell me what to expect during this first appointment? Thanks, Annie

One year (minus 21 days) I am doing my one year sleevaversary post a couple weeks early because I am going to be very busy with travel and projects over the next month. So, here’s what the last 344 days have been like… If you have followed my posts, you know I was a band to sleeve revision. I was a low BMI (31) and my original goal was to lose about 60 pounds. At this point, I have surpassed my goal and lost 67 pounds. In all honesty, it is probably even a little more because I didn’t weigh myself the week I went in for surgery. But, who’s counting? :-) Weight progress to-date: 195 (probably closer to 200 in reality) to 128. The first 2 months, I was so exha…

Hi all. I am a 53 year old female who meets the typical profile. Thought I was fat my whole life, multiple attempts at various diets, exercise programs, etc. only to lose and gain more back. I am now >100 lbs overweight and feel like I am going to die if I don't do something. I am going to my first information session on 2/22 and really leaning towards lap band. My question is how did you decide which surgery was right for you? lap band? gastric bypass? sleeve gastredtomy? Thanks for your insight!

Hi all, Just wanted to pop in and introduce myself. I am 28 years old and live in Midland, TX. I am going to my pre-op appointment tomorrow with Dr. Adam Smith in Fort Worth, and I am supposed to get banded next month (self-pay). I have been overweight most of my life, but have really put on the weight since I stopped playing football in high school. I am looking forward to a new life and being healthy to spend time with my wife and future children. Anyhow, I have been lurking for a while, but I will try to start interacting with the forum. Looking forward to talking to several of you.

I have 1 more week and I will soon be sleeved!! So pre-op diet has been pretty good to me. My doctor requires a 14 day liquid diet and I am halfway there! Today is day 8 and surgery is next Thursday! So excited and starting to get the nervousness feeling at the same time. So far from last Friday at the preop appt I have gone from 230 to 223! Liquid is my friend and I will prevail this preop diet! Thanks Nicole

Hello from Ireland I am reading a lot of the topics and it is fab I am really starting to understand a lot more about my band. I thought I was vomiting but I was spitting because of not chewing right. Not cutting my meals up to a smaller size o there is so much more I would love o say but I will just say thank you for all ur answers it is a great help. 

I am new here and hoping to be able to talk to others that might be going through the same things I am! I am so excited that I went through with my lap-band surgery, it was the best life changing decision that I have ever made! I want to be around for my family and be able to live life like I used to without this weight hanging around me!

Had my lap band surgery in aug 2010, lost 3.5 stones by June then the problems started!! I started being really sick & couldn't even keep liquids down, I struggled along for a whole but everytime I tried to swallow I was in agony......I went to my clinic & they said I had a piece of food lodged & my stomach,throat etc were being aggravated. For the next 3 mths I was never away from clinic each time more was taken out of my lap band.....in October I had nothing left in it & was extremely depressed, since then I have put on weight but have started to get it filled again but the weight is not coming off at all, I feel I have very little restriction & quit…

Hey there! Each day is better.. I'm still superrrrr sore on my muscle they cut. My stomach still has contraction type pains even if I'm not swallowing. The bubbly and such while drinking pain has stopped but I still have some pain when liquid hits the stomach. I had two days Water only, and that was brutal. Warm water only worked! Then since Thursday I've had Protein shakes with water (no milk based or cream anything for 10 days), and if I blend them with a room temp water bottle they go down easy. I started adding frozen fruit Friday. I started with home made broth but it was too fatty! At first the liquid from cup o noodle was good, now I strain Soup, and add w…

It's a week from today! Feb.27th You are finding out before dear hubs...as he is sleeping in this morning! I am as nervous as a "long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!"

Hi my name is mary, ihad my lapand done on Jan 18, 2012. My doctor who did my surgery Dr. Hekier, and it went really well. Really I love new me, everything about me had to change.

So as of now i have scheduled my surgery for May 23, 2012. I am having all my pre-surgery clearences being done next month and also hoping the gastro can accomidate me with the endoscopy that month as well. So far, i have the letter from my PCP and tomorrow i will have my psychologist get working on his letter and then a few dr appointments and i should be all set! Going to attend 2 meetings this month. I am quite excited because it has taken me many years to get the "balls" to finally due this. Everytime i put on a shirt that is tight or get depressed when i see a shirt online i want and it doesnt come in my size i do get bummed but they i think hopefully by end of summe…

hi,was banded in july11 and had my first fill September weight loss fab lost 4stone and a second fill in november and have not lost a single lb. Have great restriction but no loss. I am going for my third fill march 8 th. I have 5 cc in already. Can somebody please help me.

I'm all set for April 2nd and ready to learn as much as I can from everyone here! I have so many questions, I don't even know where to start. Just wanted to post how exciting this is for me. Feel like I'm finally taking control. 43 days and counting. j~ How do I attach the weight tracker on here?