Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi I'm new here getting banned it on 2-16-12 nervous scared and excite!!!!

I fell yesterday and couldn't get up! I tripped outside my apartment on the edge of a sidewalk and down I went. I fell hard on the concrete. Purse and contents flying. I managed to roll over to my side and get my phone to call my husband to come and get me. We had just gotten home and he had gone upstairs to our apartment while I went to check the mail. I fell about 6 feet from our stairwell. My husband came running down the stairs to get me. I'm a mess crying and in pain. Poor guy tries to pick me up, but there's no way. I weigh 170 lbs more than him (that's scary to see written). I was so embarrassed to be out in front of God & everyone and not be able to…

hi to my fellow sleevers, i am so happy i finally decided to get sleeved. Surgery went without a hitch. Spent 2 nights in hospital. DH took a week off to be with me at home. I didn't really need much help - shhhhh i wasn't going to tell him that.. I was a little tired, some gas. Walked around periodically helped alitte. The Protein shakes weren't too bad, not the greatest No mushy stage, that was great. i went to soft foods, then onward, and now i am l afraid to eat too much. Use the popular atage, eat what you should, and then stop one bite earlier! I do use the medicine cup still. So far so good with everything. No real complaints. Except as many s…

I'm so excited!!! I start my liquid diet & go in for my pre-op visit tomorrow! Being self pay this process went super fast as i had my consultation 1/18 and my surgery is 2/13! Saw the nutritionist, pysch dr., physical therapist, had a physical, endoscopy & all related blood tests and so on,all in two weeks!!! (I'm super motivated)! Been debating wls for years but unt I found the SLEEVE I wasn't comfortable with my options! This is the not scared I've been but most excited too in a long time. My kids and husband and friends are very supportive, even though most don't agree or feel I need this, they still support me and that's very important! Only a serious…

Hi Everyone! I haven't been on this site in forever, so I thought I'd stop by and say hello and reintroduce myself. I was banded on October 20, 2009. Yep, over two years ago. I lost about 111 lbs in 14 months and I've been in maintenance now for almost 14 months. What a difference losing 111+ lbs has done for my quality of life. It's amazing! I want to give back to the newbies who are just starting their journeys. If I can help with any questions or issues, I am happy to help. I have chronicled my entire weight loss journey from my pre-op days to today on my blog (link below). I've discussed the good, the bad, and the ugly of having a Lap Band. I've learne…

hello everyone, i am just starting this process i have gone to the first free meeting at surgeons office, and now am waiting to get 5 years worth of medical records and letter from primary dr. office. my mother just got banded on dec. 13 in montana, i am down here in sunny florida. Is there anyone else out there that is here in florida over in brevard county? i would love to be able to have a banding buddy close by. I am looking for the Protein shakes that i will have to be drinking....that is what i am really not sure of. 2 weeks of just liquids? NOT!! how did you get thru that part of it? did you cheat? i was thinking of making fruit smoothies, would that be cheating? …

i wanted to start a thread about insurance. it would be greatly appreciated to all pre-op patients if we all had an idea of what insurance you have and if they denied you or approved you. also, what were the requirements made by your insurance company because some are different. i have 1199SEIU affiliated with aetna. ive read stories about aetna approving so im assuming mine would too but i wont know until i talk to my surgeon. i called my insurance company & the lady gave me the run around & couldnt say, "YES, WE COVER VSG!" or "NO, WE DONT COVER VSG!" so its a dreadful waiting game. thank you to all the people who respond. us pre-op'ers definitely apprecia…

Ok I am in the process of going through WLS... I have 2 more appointments and I am getting a lot of negative feedback about the lap band.... I am a nurse and I am not really familiar with lap band, except for what I have researched but I inquire many patients that have it. One patient I had today had the lap band in 2006 at 250lbs and is at about 240 today. Should I go for the gusto and get gastric or should I go for the lap band?? CONFUSED AT TIMES. ALL COMMENTS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED... AND FYI... I AM 5'4 242 LBS...

Hello, I am just starting this journey and am so happy to have this site. I am still in the research faze and have found a seminar that I plan on attending. I have a few questions that I wanted to ask from people who have been down this road. First of all I have two young children, one of which is in a wheelchair that I have to lift. When going through this process, is there a time in the beginning that you can not lift heavy objects? Once you have your surgery and go home, are you free to go about your normal routine physically? Also, how do I choose a good doctor? There are sooooo many out there? I'm in the Dallas area. Does anyone know of a good doctor in th…

Hello everyone. I want to thank you for all the comments and prayers. So surgery went very well. The Dr was super impressed with how small my stomach was (yes I passed the prediet check). However, after surgery was a dofferwnt story. I was sleeved on Thursday morning and now back home (Sunday) and happy. But I must say those were some tough days in the hospital. They kept me because I could not keep anything down. My Nausia was super horrible and medications did not seem to work. I really turned a corner this morning and have not had the sensation to puke (thank goodness) but I am also not hungry at all. I do have really bad gas pains and seems to be getting better. Any s…

Finally I am sleeved but I am not liking it so far. my stomach is so filled with gas that it is unberable. I am able to keep down liquids but I am starting to question my judgementon this. Hopefully I will feel better soon

I have been waiting patiently for more than six month to hear that "Oh were already Approved" After completing my six month of Nutritional visits, and having done all my blood work and scans, i go to my last visit to tell me that i need to do a sleep study.. omg my schedule n stomach turned out so bad because i thought that by now i would get my approval and surgery date.. uugh.. so in a moment of stress n depression, after doing my sleep study, i call three days later, speak to the receptionist regarding my case, and she tells me i have to wait up to two weeks for them to get the results. I ask her do u know who i am, since a lot of people call, she assures me she knows…

I had my surgery in late june im down 45 pounds but have hit a plattue Igot back on track only having 3 meals a day and no snacking and ive been hitting the gym 3/4 times a week in the first week since my adjustment I still havent lost any weight and im feeling very sad and discouraged can anyone give me any advice on what to do

Has anyone drank alcohol on the pre-op diet...I have a function and I'm wondering if would be ok to have a few drinks HELP!!

Hello everyone, my name is Jessica I am 27 years old and I have been struggling with weight issues almost all my life. I currently am weighing 231lbs. I went last night with my cousin to my first informational meeting about bariatric surgeries and the different types that are being offered. I am considering having the lap done because I am beyond fed up with trying different diets and only loosing 10lbs and nothing else even I were to starve myself. I have tried several diets and have joined to many gyms to name here. I like the gym but i still have trouble keeping the weight off. Well I cant stay on long because I am at work, Just wanted to wish everyone luck. And to sta…

Ok so Tues Jan 24th I was on Clear liquids only-had Water and chicken broth throughout the day. I was so excited and felt prepared mentally and physically. I’m a Kaiser baby and my doctor didn’t require a 2 week liquid diet- just clears the night before 10oz of magnesium citrate. Around 6pm I took that and it tasted awful but whatevs. Around 11pm I went to go take a shower and scrub with the antibacterial scrub the bariatric team provided and I remember I had a quick urge to release and couldn’t. I went back in the shower and the water felt so good from straining and I couldn’t wait to fall asleep. I raised my head to wash my face and closed my eyes…and woke up on the flo…

MAKE ROOM... HEADING TO THE AIRPORT FOR MEXICO. I CAN USE ALL THE PRAYERS!!!!! SEE YOU ON THE LOSER'S BENCH.........WHOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

You can see my ticker so I don't want to talk about weight. It's been three months and I want to Celebrate the inches I have lost! I'm going to post them by date because I think it's more telling that way. Oh and I didn't measure EVERYTHING on my body, just a few reference points. Preop 11/1/11 12/19/11 1/12/12 2/2/12 Waist: 42.25" 41.75" 40" 39" Hips: 51" 50" 49" 48.5" Left Calf: 17" 16.5" 16" 16" Left Thigh: 30" 29.25" 29" 28.25" As you can see I rounded the numbers. I will attest to the fact that even when I don't lose pounds I am still losing inches. To all of us who freak out when we plateau for a few days or a week, we n…

Yes, that is right ladies and gentlemen. After submitting my paper work to the insurance and waiting 15 weeks, my approval letter finally came in the mail today. It has been a constant battle with them and now it is finally over. I can now breath a big sigh of relief. I had my pre-op education class and dr.s visit on Wed. It was 6 hours long and just almost too much to absorb at once {especially because I had a migraine}. We were weighed, measured and had our before pictures taken from 3 different angles. We had the main class with the nurse practitioner; then met with another nurse, the nutritionist, the exercise instructor from the wellness center { we actually had t…

Hey everyone I go in tomorrow and surgery is set for 8:30am!! Please keep me in your prayers! I will post as soon as I have an update. Wish me luck! Thanks everyone! Tomorrow I will be on the losers bench!

I am six days post op and panicked about my decision. I had my surgery on 1-23-12. I am nauseous. I have heart burn. I am having difficulty sleeping due to discomfort. I think the worst part is that I am hungry. I am on a liquid diet for four weeks. I'm not getting enough protein down. I can't stomach the drinks. They make me gag and my stomach feels upset afterwards. I don't know how I am going to survive this faze and I'm scared my symptoms aren't going to go away. Help.

Hi, I'm totally new to this. I have some pretty bad medical conditions and I am thinking about having this done. My right carotid artery is 100% blocked and I have a new stent in the left in April. Apparently the left was almost completely blocked and this was caught in the nick of time. Last week I had to have a stent put into my left iliac artery also. One of my doctors suggested the lap band and thought that I would qualify because of these medical issues. I was just wondering if anyone out there has had major medical issues and had this done. What were the outcomes? Thanks

I am happy with my decision to have surgery.. I found that I can tolerate non fat sugar free vanilla iced lattes from McDonalds. As well as Wendy's chili.. I found some unflavored unjury protein powder and mix it into the iced latte.. gives me 20 grams of protein.. plus greek yogurt gives me another ten grams of protein.. I enjoy sugar free popsicles to keep my liquids up. All things considered I would do it again.

Divorcing food is as difficult and emotional as divorcing a person. I am serious. I don't regret having this procedure done because I've lost 30 pounds and I'm 1 week post op. However, seeing delicious food in front of you and knowing you can't eat it because you're fresh out of surgery really burns. In fact, knowing I can't eat it because it'll make my stomach hurt and I'll probably throw it up is what really burns. I've been watching videos of food recently because I haven't seen solid food in pretty much 2 weeks. It's probably not a good habit but its already a habit so the way I see it, I can't eat but I can at least look at it. I thought that my stomach is healing…

Hi everyone, i just started some research on the lap band procedure. I have a few questions that i would love to get some feedback on. I have insurance--what is the procedure for before i get the surgery? anything i will have to do? also, is it true you cannot it any sweets once you get it? i am pretty confused about what the "fills" are...could someone explain that? any other info you could give would be great!

Hi everyone, well today I had my 6 week check up, everything is great. Im down 22 pounds since surgery which was on 12-21-11. I'm excited to be able to eat fresh fruits and veggies! I hope everyone is doing great, take care.

...and I feel very blessed. I want to share with you: James 5:16 New International Version (NIV) 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. I put this in "Your Gastric Sleeve Surgery Story" because it is very relevant to my story. I hope it is something you can be comforted and inspired with.

Well, I got the call this morning that I was finally approved for surgery after almost two years of trying. I had to wait until 1/2012 to submit so that I had a recorded weight for the two previous years because I did not have anything in 2009 and was denied twice in 2011. I'm soooo happy right now. I took a risk and set up all necessary appointments and got a surgery date of Feb 15th back in January. So it works out perfectly that all of my pre op tests are scheduled for tomorrow which is also the first day of my two weeks of liquid diet. Now things will be on fast forward and I will be having my surgery in two weeks time. Yay! I am very thankful that I now have a c…

hello fellow sleevers, i am sorry if i said something that was unpopular. I just said what i said, never meaning to upset anyone. I love this board and i will continue - but i have to leave the room now cuz i'm so sad and hurt. good-bye for now kathy DOS 12/15/11

I am down 9 lbs from last week, and that is good. I am eating soft foods and doing ok. The doc removed my drain today. My Mom died yesterday. I have cried so much I feel like I have pulled something loose. My Mom is gone. Not the post I expected to make, but it has opened whole new issues. Keep me in your prayers, please!

Hi everyone I have been reading faithfully for the last two weeks. I'm from NY , living in NJ now and half way through all my requirements. Tomorrow I have my pshy and then next week I have nursing and that should be it. By the 7th everything should be ready to go to Empire BCBS ( if you happen to have this ins please let me know your exp) I'm 38 and have a BMI of 42.1. I have three kids the oldest is 7. I want to do this now and not look back 10 years from now and I say I should have done this. I tried every diet under the soon and yes I would lose 20 gain 30. I honestly feel its in my genes and this is something I need to do. I'm still in shock that this m…

My YMCA is having a challenge for everyone to commit to doing 3,000 push ups and sit ups in February. I thought it was a great idea so I am sharing it here. You could even take before and after pics and see if there is a difference in your body. I am going to commit to try and do this. I sure do need the toning! LOL

LBS on Dec 15. Initial fill was 1.5 cc's. I felt I had made the right decision as I was not hungry and unable to eat while adhering to liquid diet & soft foods. At 4 weeks ahd 2cc's. felt restriction for 2 days, and after that I was hungry and am now able to eat a side of BEEF! why is it that I feel initial restriction after fill and then I am back to normal eating? I will be going in for another fill soon. Will the day come when I have that constant feeling of restriction? I spent a lot of money for this, and yes I amhoping it will be the majic cure all.

Hi all! Im so happy to finally be on here! Im having my op this Saturday Eek! Im a 24year old mother to a beautiful little seven month old girl who makes me so so happy I could cry. Im currently 275lbs and I want to have the energy to run and play with her as she grows up and not be riddled with insecurities, I don't want her to see me on every faddy diet going losing weight and gaining even more. I adore clothes, I love them and I want to enjoy them not fear them! So I thought I would say hi to everyone as I plan on spending a lot of time around here

I'm new to this site, but have a few questions.... 1. Who's the best doctor in the Houston area? Any recommendations? Likes, dislikes, etc.... 2. Whats the average cost without insurance? 3. Whats the recovery time? I'm a Labor & Delivery nurse....when can I go back to work? 4. How painful are the refills? 5. What foods do you eventually have to give up? 6. I'd like to lose 110 pounds....is that feasible with the Lap Band, or should I get another procedure done instead? 7. Tell me the do's & don't's, the likes & dislikes, the good, the bad & the ugly.....I want your most honest opinion about this procedure, the benefits/drawbacks in your life…

ok i just got sleeved on jan 30 2012 and i real have no desire to eat . I am trying my shakes but ii can only drink like 1 shake a day is tgat normal or should be drinking more?

I already announced my big news on my blog today, but just had to tell EVERYBODY! When I got up this morning and hopped on the scale, I was thrilled to death to see that I had lost a total of 100 (that's right ONE HUNDRED) pounds! I lost 20 pounds prior to my surgery, so that makes my surgical weight loss 80 pounds for a total weight loss of 100 lbs! I have to say, I am LOVING being down 100 pounds! I NEVER thought it was possible. I never expected to get fantastic results like this from my VSG! I love it! I love it! I love it!!! Would put a new picture on this if I could figure out how, and if I had one to put on here. Actually I just figured out how to ad…

Has anyone used Dr. Fox and True Results in Richardson?

I just started my journey last week. I am very thankful to have found this group! I will share more later. I have set up my profile and there is a bit of information about me there. I look forward to learning, sharing and all that goes with...Blessings~Melanie:)

Well i encountered a minor setback. My insurance company GHI denied my claim. stating that I needed the 6 month diet. I was hoping I could get away with not having to do that. now that I have to resubmit paperwork, I am a little disappointed. Has this happened to anyone. The waiting is killing me...............

I am seven days post surgery and all was going well. Yesterday I started having a slight nagging side ache feeling around the port site.....can anyone tell me if this is normal? I do see my surgeon tomorrow but was just curious. By the way, Hi out there to all of you fellow lap banders. I am excited for my journey.

IVE BEEN DRINKING PROTEIN DRINKS SINCE LAST TUESDAY IM DOWN 11POUNDS N THEY ARE WORKING WITH ME NOT BEING HUNGRY BUT THEY R HURTING MY STOMACH N HAVE ME RUNNING !!!!.......I EXPECTED TO BE BANDED ON THE 13 SO IVE ONLY BEEN DOING 1 DRINK N MEAL DO YALL THINK IMMA GAIN WEIGHT BACK? ??....I SURE HOPE NOT

On December 30th 2010 I underwent a revision surgery. I had a lapband placed in September of 2008 and it was the most miserable 2 years of my life!!! I am the mother of 3 and a very busy nurse and wife. I vomited almost daily, could only eat junk food, and had no fluid in my band. If I ever had fluid put in my band my stomach would swell shut and I wouldn't even be able to tolerate liquids. After two years my surgeon finally decided that the band was a failure and recommended the Gastric Sleeve. I was very apprehensive at first. By this point I was so discouraged, I had the beginnings of an ulcer and esophagitis, and had only lost 15 lbs. I researched so many site…

Tomorrow 8:00 am a new life begins. I can see the skinny me emerging! I never felt like my body and brain matched and soon they will. Thanks to all of you I feel well prepared I just hope I don't have some of the bad symptoms!

I am scheduled to meet with a surgeon tomorrow! This is my first appt in my journey and I am excited/ nervous!! Anyone go through Cooper hospital in New jersey?? Can someone please tell me what happens during your first consult?! And let's be honest, has anyone used ankle weights for their initial weigh in? Im thinking about it because my BMI is 37.8 and I want my insurance to cover the surgery!!!!!

Hello, my name is Jeff. I had Lapband surgery on January 23, 2012. My surgeon is Adam Goldstein. After only one week, I have lost 9 lbs. I started this journey in June 2011. I weighed 320 lbs. I went on the New Beginnings program out of Virtua Hospital in Southern New Jersey. I started using a journal to document everything I ate. Using the journal was a godsend. It helped me lose 50 lbs by my surgery date. I now use an app from LoseIt.com to keep track of my food. So far, so good on being on a full liquid diet. I am managing my daily calories and protein requirements. I start the Pureed diet in two days. I can’t wait to try pureed chicken.

Hi my name is Nikia, I am 35 yrs old and I am so excited about my "Journey." I started thinking about WLS about a year ago, but told myself that I would try it the "old fashioned way." I started lost about 25 lbs but then I gained the 25 lbs lost and then some. My decision came after visiting my mother last August and saw the pictures from that trip. I cried for 2 straight days when I realized that this is the heaviest that I have ever been in my life. When I started doing my research I knew that I wasn't going to have the RNY, but I was still "torn" between the Lap-Band & the VSG. I attended the information session and I was still not quite sure which one. I th…

Hello everyone, My name is Kimberly Coyle and I am 20 years old. I got banded when I was 19 on February 4, 2011. So far I have been quite successful in not gaining any weight back. But that definitely does not mean that I have had no problems in my journey. The first two weeks before my first appointment back to the office after my surgery I had lost a total of 13-14 pounds. The first couple of months I was able to easily adjust to the new diets and routines and managed to not throw up any food or get any food stuck in my pouch. But like they say, all good things come to an end. lol It wasn't until a couple months later did I start having some problems with my band, su…

I had to come to the hospital due to nausea and dehydration. This is not what I was looking forward to. I know it will be worth it in the end. However, when it takes four attempts to place an IV, it makes you a little nervous. The news is that they are finding out that depression medication has an effect on our new sleeve. However, it is hard to say what the answer is when you need the medicine. I also am having difficult moving liquids through from the starting point to the ending point. They are needing to give me some medicine to restart my system. When I get the technical terms I will post them for better explanation. It will all work out. I may new to take …

Hi all! My name is Angel. I am 34 yrs old and live in Kentucky. I am scheduled to have my band placed on February 10, and I am scared! I have several containers of body fortress powder, and some frozen fruits to put in my shakes. Hopefully I can get through the first stages okay. LOL