Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

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It's really going to happen! Had my history and physical today, need to go in for fasting labs in the am and then I will be all set. Surgery date is February 28th and I am excited/anxious/frightened/elated.....

I'm 3 weeks post-op and have been on mushies for 11 days. My stomach is in constant turmoil. Almost everything I eat disagrees with me. Unfortunately, I've found that Ritz crackers feel really good, and mashed potatoes are the best thing ever. Today we went to the movies and I had a small amount of soft candy. I'm also eating peanut butter. Then tonight I combined the crackers and peanut butter and just for fun added a bit of grape jelly. Suddenly I thought, "WTF!!!!!" What am I doing??? This is just like every diet I've ever sabotaged!!! Granted, I'm eating very small amounts, but OMG!!! I did low carb for months before this surgery, and now I'm allowing myself…

I got a horrible phone call from my son's school today because he got into trouble. It made me sooo mad and when I got off the call all I wanted to do was eat! and eat some more! and then eat some more! I know that I am an emotional eater. I have come to grips with this. So today..since I am on my preop and I hadn't had lunch I got my cottage cheese out and ate it instead of the junk food that I wanted to go and get...Im still mad...and I still want to eat the junk...but I am going to make better choices...

Hello Everyone, I was banded on Dec. 8th 2012 by Dr Laura Machado of Sacramento Bariatric. Nice lady and her wonderful and capable PA Kylie Nuckols is great! I have since lost 28lbs, but I have hit a plateau in the last week. I am not getting a fill till after 90 days so my insurance will pay for it. I guess I am that cheap! Has anyone else expierienced a tableau right before a fill? It feels like I am hungry all the time now, and that just started 2 weeks ago.

So I opened my vehicle door and there sat my Valentine's card and present from my husband. He gave me a Heart Shape box of Candy....I thought HE KNOWS I CAN'T eat CHOCOLATE!!! I opened the box and all the chocolate was GONE but in the middle of the box was 1 small heart shape hard candy that said I LOVE YOU! It made me laugh so much! Then I read the card and cried...it was the SWEETEST CARD I've EVER GOTTEN!!! Since I've been SLEEVED and that was only 5 weeks tomorrow I've noticed a BIG BIG BIG CHANGE in my husband. He is starting to show me more attention! If I mention something...and I mean just say Oh I need to go do this...HE DOES IT FOR ME! At first I just…

OMG! I'm so excited. I'm at the very beginning of my lap band journey. My first appointment is tomorrow with Dr. Sarker. Has anyone been banded by her? I'm not sure of what to expect, but I'm glad bcbs of illinois (***) doesn't make you wait 6mo anymore. Any advice would be much appreciated. I'll update again tomorrow after my appointment it's at 730a, so probably when I get home from work.

Its only been a week and I've been eating pureed food today. Had an egg with cheese for breakfast, 3oz lean taco meat with some cheese, two fudge pops, protein shakes, bottle water. And I feel fine. Never really fully full. Just scared to push it. Is this normal only 7 days post opp. I feel like I can keep eating.

Hi All, FInished my pre req and went to get my results from them this past saturday. They told me I have gallstones. I have never had a problem with them. Doc wanted to take my gallbladder out! It took me a long time to make the decision to get this invasive lapband. I don't want to have my galllbladder out and then wait a nother month to get a date for my surgery. I'm thinking I shouldn't have any gallstone attaks as I will changing my diet completely with the Lap-band. Has anyone not removed it with gallstones and changed their diet and have been doing just fine? I opted out since they said it was optional. Also I found out I have a hiatal hernia. Also never had a prob…

I have a twin brother stationed in Japan. We are so close but since he has left, I find that our relationship is struggling. I told him about me wanting the surgery and he told me that I was giving up. Now, no effence to anyone but when I first heard about the surgery I thought the surgery was for people who just gave up on weight lose. I realize now that it isn't. I tried weight watchers a year ago and lose 13 lbs but since then I have gained more than 20 lbs and after doing research the lap band is the perfect thing for me. I have told my whole family to keep it a secret from him. We have never kept anything from eachother. He wont be home until 2014, (which contributes…

Hello! I have been looking into lapband for about 2 years! I have had two diffrent insurance companies that both "excluded" lapband in their insurance plan. I was wondering what copmanies insurance actually do cover lapband? I live near benson az, thats near tucson az. Does anybody around this area know or have had the lapband covered my their employers insurance? Im now looking into a new job, and that is a major factor. Thanks! I have also looked into traveling to mexico, but due to all the news im kind of affraid to be going into another country right now....... -very discouraged :'(

Hello All! My name is Andy, and I live in Michigan. I am getting Banded on Friday, and wanted to join the forums and say hello. I need all the motivation and support I can get, so this looked like the right place to be!

I'm down 26 pounds. It was hard because I had lost 24lbs before my leak and was put on tpn. I gained 13 during that time so I had to lose the 13 first ..anyway it's complicated.lol But as of today,,my total is 26. My first 25 pounds and I've knocked my bmi down almost 5 points. I think I'll get myself a prize Woo hoo!!!!!!

Let me start off by saying that I am 30 yrs old, 5' and 210lbs. I had tried everything to lose weight as it has always been a stuggle for me. I have no medical problems as far as high blood pressure, or diabeties, however, I have severe endometriosis, ended up having a hysterectomoy, right collectomy and an apendectomoy all caused by my endometeriosis. I have been informed that all my hormone misfunctions arent helpful to weightloss. So, after trying what seemed to be every diet out there, I was set and my mind was made up to have the sleeve, all the way up to me actually sitting in the operating room waiting for the procedure to start I was confident in my decision, and…

Hi Everyone!! I am from the Kansas City area and am super excited to get started with the Lap Band. I have done my seminar, met with the nutritionist, and had my psych eval. per my insurance, so now I am just waiting for their approval call. Waiting is the hardest part I think. Well, up until this point. After reading a lot of posts it sounds like the pre and post op diets are going to be a bit challenging as well. It's all for a good cause though so I am willing to suffer a bit. I am very anxious, and have lots of questions, but am learning lots from you all. I have been stalking this forum for several weeks now:) I finally got the nerve up to post something!! …

Hi! I am new to this forum and I want to introduce myself first. My name is CeCe. My current BMI is 41, I am 28, 5'3'' with a child and a husband. I am former military and have done every diet, excercise plan, diet pill, diet program that one person can do. At my best I can lose about 20-30lbs only to gain 40-60lbs back. I have been overweight all of my life, but have been obese for the past three. Since I had my daughter, I have had the hardest time even maintaing my current weight. I have done all kinds of nutrition classes and read a lot books, I hired a personal trainier (nearly $500 a month) and only managed to shave off a few measley pounds. Not enough to even ma…

How much should I eat at a time? Can I have lean ground beef puréed? Im scared for something to get stuck. Any advice?

Paniced is more like it

I am 6 months into my gastric bypass journey. I have lost 40 pounds and I have 20 more to go. I have found this whole process a very easy one, but you have to follow the rules. Each and every piece of information that Western Bariatric gave me was a wonderful resource. I only wish I would have taken this step several years ago. I recently got taken off my high blood pressure meds (been on them for 10 years). My knees and hips are loving the weight loss.

My surgeon has Monday night support group meetings and sadly I think I'm the only sleeve he's done for weightloss. He does them for stomach cancer. Anyway, I like some of the people I met. One was a tiny woman who was 1 year out and a very large and tall woman 2 weeks out. WHAT a cross section. A good majority found eating uncomfortable and a chore. One woman who lost 75 pounds in 4 months was sitting all grey and hunched over. She cannot eat barely anything. Some people are totally clueless or misinformed about their own surgery. A few people are afraid to move to solids. Others don't know that for bypass, sugar free is more important than fat free and mix Protein pow…

I have a confession...I am 4 months out from my surgery and have been making great progress and have not had any complications. I do from time to time have a bigger appetite than most days and last night it came out BIG TIME!!! So i thought I would share my experience. I could kinda tell during the day that my appetite was not being satisfied and looking back on it now, i think I did not get my fluids in and perhaps it was more dehydration than hunger...I am still trying to understand my body cues...anyway here is what I had yesterday: Breakfast: Protein drink, banana, wheat toast w/ pb Lunch: left over 4oz meatloaf, 1 small potatoe snack: yogurt "snack": 1 cup of…

April 10th with Dr Kelly. I'm not excited like I thought I would be. I think It would be better if my family would suport me. I'm waiting on Trish to send me the deposit info.

So I am enjoying my last soda and already enjoyed a marvelous dinner out with family...of course I didn't say anything about starting my preop tomorrow because I didn't want to hear any rude comments..I'm very excited about it though...water, water, water, jello, cottage cheese, creamy soups, and yogurt...I know it will probably get old but I don't care...I am doing this for my son...I want to see him grow...I am pumped. In 18 days I will be sleeved and sitting proudly on the losers bench!!!!

Hi everyone... I need some help.. am i doing something wrong.. A quick background... I was sleeved on December 13, 2011. Actually i had my vertical band removed that i had gotten 4 years earlier. I originally lost about 60 pounds with the band but then stopped losing within the first year of the band and gained 10-15 pounds back. Long story short....it wasnt working and causing problems and was advised to get sleeved by my doc. Once insurance approved the date was set. I have to say that the first week or so after getting sleeved i did question my decision, it was painful in the begining and exhausting. I went back to work 3 weeks after surgery, which was a mista…

Tomorrow is the six month anniversary of my surgery. I've lost 65 pounds, and I'd like to lose 30 to 50 more pounds. Yesterday, I met with my surgeon. All of my labs came back good. He warned me that my weight loss might slow down without exercise. One problem for me is that I am not ingesting enough fluids. I have been keeping track of my food, and I think that it has a direct relation to my stalls. When I drink less, I tend to stall. When I up my Fluid intake, I lose weight. I discussed this with my surgeon, and he said that it takes fluid to burn calories. If I'm dehydrated, I won't burn calories and the 40 ounces I normally drink probably isn't enough. I incre…

First I would like to say that I am so grateful for this site and all of your comments. All of you have written wonderful advice. With that in mind, let me tell you that my surgery is this Friday 02/03/12 right on my hubbie’s B-Day! This surgery is my own present.. I turn 40 years old on super bowl Sunday, two days after my sleeve surgery. I currently weigh 208, but my heaviest was 222 I'm 5'0" A BMI of over 40 I began this journey last May when I got the approval from Kaiser to begin the Options program. This program was 3 months of weekly classes that prepares prospective weight loss Kaiser members that are ready to embark on this journey. I’m also extremely grate…

I have felt so bad the past few days. Went to the Dr Friday he gave me a new dissolvable med for acid. He told me start trying some soft foods since I can't stomach soups anymore. Saturday I took the new med and tried to sip liquids. Everyone I think of eating I get sick. I've tried everything! Yesterday I vomited after taking the prevacid. Sipped liquids all day. Tried applesauce and a couple small bites sweet potato for dinner. Started burping a very disgusting taste. Made me feel so sick. Took my medicine dissolved in water and then I started vomiting. It was that awful disgusting taste from burping earlier. Three days no food. I'm so discouraged! I want to cry! I have…

Only 24 more hours and I will be in surgery for my new sleeve! I wish the best for all my fellow February 13th sleevers!! :biggrin5:

Hi. My GP has referred me for a band & my appointment is on the 23rd Feb. I have high BP & a back injury aggravated by my weight & I can only walk for exercise. I have no self control with food & am putting on 5kg a year. Have done ALL the pills & programs which work until I come off them - them bam - worse off. My question is - is there anyone out there that has been in the same situation as me? Did the surgeon recommend the band? Were you rejected? What happened. I am hoping it will be all good. Any info helpful. Thanks.

Hi everyone, This is my first post, though I've been lurking for about a month My pre-op appt is December 1st, and they plan to do everything (labs, nutrition counseling, education, psych) that day. I'm going to be self-pay, and was really surprised to get approved for enough loan $ in a matter of 24 hours. Now that it's coming together, I'm starting to get nervous, but I'm really excited! Anyway, just wanted to officially check in and get involved. Thanks for all your posts so far, it's really been helpful to read so much about others' journeys!

Ok so I've been lurking around this site for a while, finally got brave enough to contribute to a few posts and have discovered this is probably a safe enough place . . .spoken like a typical insecure obese person right?! My story in a nutshell . . . lost 160 pounds with a trainer, diet and exercise, waited the year of maintenance and for my skin to adjust to the new weight . . . went to a fabulous plastic surgeon in Brazil and had plastic surgery. . .even I can admit I looked amazing . . . I kept that off for three years then gained back about 140 pounds slowly over several years. My plastic surgeon would be so disappointed! So here I am . . . fat again . . . an exper…

Hi. I just had surgery on Monday and I have some questions. I am finding it hard to get more than 30 Ounces of fluids in me a day. Is this normal 4 days later. And I years for something other than juice and protein shakes and chicken broth. Also my taste buds seemed to have changed. I bought Crystal light lemonade cause it's my favorite and now I can't stand the taste. So weird. Any tips or things you did during liquid diet. Is yogurt allowed? This has been a tough week but I think ok doing well so far. Excited for the future.

Hi all! I am 2 weeks post op. I had the lapband. I have lost 18 lbs so far. I am finding it harder though to try and stay on track with my boyfriend around. Any advice?

Hi. I just wrote in here how I couldn't get enough fluids in but now I could drink all day. I'm so hungry today. My stomach is growling and I getting envious of my husband when I see him eat. I start puréed food soon. I think Monday, and I can't wait. What is with this though? Can I drink more than 4 ounces every hour or will it make me sick.

I was sleeved friday 1/20/12. Instead of going home on Sunday as planned, my dr decided to keep me an extra day because I was struggling with ice chips & oral meds. The first few days at home went fine, I went from 299 morning of surgery to 286 by my 1 week appointment. My first day of soft foods went well, but beginning with day 2 EVERYTHING came back up, & I became dehydrated. By 2/1/12 I got readmitted, & an upper GI showed I had a "kink", that my sleeve had bent itself & scar tissue (adhesions) were holding it bent. After another surgery to straighten my stomach & 5 day hospital stay, I was able to return home. However, I'm struggling with this …

I had surgery yesterday. It was scheuled for 7:15 am and I ended up having it about 12:30. Dr. Had an emergency. Had the test. Dr. said no leaks but liquid not going down due to swelling I. Im waiting for more results b4 I drink anything. Two days without anything to eat or drink.

Hi everyone, I hope I am posting an intro inro the right forum. I am a newbie, I am just starting my VGS journey and I am very excited to learn lots of new things and hopefully meet some great new people. Most importantly make a HUGE change in my life and my health...Wish Me Luck!!

I had my first follow up appointment. I am down 35 pounds 8 being pre op weight loss. I feel good still a little sore. I don't start my Puree till Monday but I don't mind not hungry anyways lol. Yayyyy. My presure is down to normal and my diabtetes is down into the normal range. I am so happy about that. <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w5mOOfs/"> <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w5mOOfs/weight.png"></a>

Is it just me or have you all noticed that when people find out about you getting the sleeve they dont always have the reaction you would have liked? I am not getting any dissapointments but for me when i think about the sleeve i think of it like im turning 21 again, or im pregnant, or getting married! Like it is a supper exciting day and then i go and tell someone and their response is like " that's great" with a mellow tone.. I know i am looking too much into this but i just kind of felt like they should have that super excited tone like i do.. This is in no way a complaint but just a observation. And it just makes me laugh inside on how excited i am for it.... :pu…

Hi everyone! It has been one week since I was banded and decided to join this site after contanstantly seeing it pop up in my google searches for my million+ questions after surgery. It seems like a great resource as well as excellent support system. So far I have not had too many issues. I have been dealing with some naseuas as well as some painful burping/hiccups. It hasn't been too hard sticking to the liquids only, but I sure do miss chewing and am anxious to start my puréed stage on Saturday. Does anyone know of any good recipes for this stage? If so please share. One thing I miss most is taking a hott bath. My surgeon said two weeks, so one more week to go on that. …

I had lap band surgery on Aug. 31st, 2011 and have lost 46 lbs, (I gained back 6 of those pounds), and am struggling every day. At first, I was very optimistic and followed what the Surgeon and nutritionist said to the letter. I think I was more scared of the 'alledged' consequences of overeating, however, as time went on I found that I never felt 'full'. I've had 3 'fills' so far and am getting depressed about the lack of results. I know that I have accountability in all of this but I find myself asking, "Why did I get the surgery if it isn't going to make a difference?" If I could've stayed on a diet than I wouldn't have spent the time and money, not to mention dis…

Was reading some of the posts here and realized that it has been two months and 5 days since my sleeve. I almost forgot about the time that has passed. I'm down 68 pounds and feel great! I read alot of the posts about others whom are starting their jouney and feel the pain the anguish that so many go thru. The post surgery shock I call it. Seems that after my sleeve surgery, everything changed. No more huge meals, rotten snack eating and I felt like I was missing something. I kept telling myself it was a lifestyle change and as of this week, it has been. Hell, I forgot how long ago I was sleeved. I chose to eat healthy foods and excersie daily, not on a treadmill or ellip…

Hello everyone. I am on my 2nd day post and I am having trouble taking in the 6.5 cups of fluid my doc recommends. Yesterday was extremely difficult because I felt gas pain every time I drank something, today I think I am just scared that it might come back up, or that I might stretch the pouch. I am alone with the difficulty of taking in this much?

Just hanging out in the hospital, waiting to be taken back and gifted with a space of my very own on the losers bench. I can't help but think back on the process and feel so blessed to be at this point. I never thought I could do it. I never dared to hope my insurance would approve me, and then I never thought this day would get here. My surgeon came to see me and as he was walking away he turned around, gave me a huge smile and said 'today is YOUR day!'. It hit me so hard that I almost started crying. Because he's right! Today IS my day!

hey ya'll! i don't have a surgery date yet, but almost. i went to seminar and had all the labs done, and now i see the surgeon on oct 6th. i am so excited and kinda scared. everything i have read on here about tricare and having to wait so long and do a 6 month diet isn't so. believe me, i am relieved. they said it would be a total of 4-8 months. that is awesome. i am a navy wife with tricare prime going to MTF so i just wanted to throw that out there. also, this site is wonderful. kudos to everyone!!!! I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!! :biggrin::lol2:

I'm 2 months out and I'm not quite where I want to be but thank God I'm not where I used to be. I'm making progress and wanted to share a couple of pics below. The night before surgery and last night.

Hello, I recently had the verticle sleeve done last Thursday with Dr. Cirangle. he also found a hernia I didnt know I had. My stomach was in my chest cavity - he corrected this and I'm very grateful it was found. But this has made my recovery a bit more complicated. I am extremly emotional. I am at home crying all the time. I have been doing better with Protein and fluids but it's very difficult. I still had a cup of regular coffee this morning as it makes me feel calmer, believe it or not. I am reaching out to you because I have not shared this surgery with my family. Only one sibling and a friend who have been very supportive. I'm hoping to find comfort, advice and…

Hi everyone! I'm just getting started with the process of getting a Lap Band. I am soooo excited!! I've been overweight for about 13 years or so. I've dieted here and there and I think the most I ever lost was about 40 lbs and of course gained it back..and then some. I think every year I gain more and more weight. In 2007 I quit smoking and gained 40 lbs! I was skinny growing up and and really miss wearing all the cute outfits! On paper I'm as healthy as can be (except of course my weight), so I wanted to do this now before I do end up with a bunch of health issues. I'm so excited I'm nearly ready to do this now! I think the hardest thing for me will be taki…

I am so disappointed, I just learned today my insurance does not cover any WLS. I don't understand why companies can choose if you need a surgery or not. I don't know what I'm going to do now. I am so damn frustrated now; I don't want to go outside the states just to have WLS; its not fair. Any advice out there???? I am located here in Georgia do anyone know what the cost for the lap band. If there's any self-payers out here I would love to hear your advice and the options for self-paying individuals.

Hello everyone, I went to my first consultation. I am a little scared of the sleeve now. I was so excited, but after going to this, I am now fearful of the sleeve leaking. I know like this it is complications with everything, but I just want to know if anyone has had this fear at all. The doctor talked about long term effects. Has anyone had their sleeve longer than 10 years and if so how are things going ? Any feed back would be wonderful! I love the support here!!