Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I just called BCBS Tx and got the confirmation of approval. They are faxing it over! It's really happening.

I am wondering if 36 lbs lost in 2 months is good. My scales weigh me more than the doctors WONDERFUL scales lol so am not positive and it could be a few lower who knows. Sometimes I feel like I am not losing the right amount, so I am seeing if anyone else can tel me if I am on the right track. I finally bought my first REAL pants a week ago. Only have been able to fit into stretchy jeans that were wayyy to big in the leg and butt areas. And some shirts feel a little easier going on. I just can't wait till i can really see the difference for myself. You are your own worst judge.

Hi there - I was re-banded in November 2011 having had a band for just one year 2005/6. Sadly for reasons unknown the band failed and started to choke me and so had to come out. We have tried to find reasons but apart from the fact that it may have been tightened too much too quickly none are apparent. Anyway it is now January and we are waiting for the band to embed well before a first fill in the Spring. I am not losing weight at the moment but am trying to develop good habits. I have been feeling a very slight sting now and again - mostly after eating and am just wondering if this could be the type of foods I am eating although I do try to eat mostly bland food. I…

Dec 6th!!!! Excited and nervous! Started this journey in May, not really sure that I would complete all of the required steps, and really in denial about my health. Thought I was fine as far as health. Ive since found out I have high blood pressure and severe sleep apnea. Im 32, now a little disappointed with this and feel like I'm too young for those things! I started out because I wanted to lose weight for myself, I'm so uncomfortable with it as I have never been this heavy. It took my insurance 5 days to approve me. Now im realizing that I need this surgery to be healthy. Its a little surreal. And I am soo ready to look good again!! I finally got the courage to registe…

After doing everything that the Naval San Diego hospital required of me back in December, they approved me for surgery, then they came back and said "we are behind on scheduling and do not know when we will be able to actually give you a surgery date". Talk about a slap in the face. Well yesterday, I sat down and wrote a three page complaint letter to patient relations and to my surprise I received a call this morning from the head of the Bariatric surgery department and I now have a surgery date of February 29th. I am so relieved to finally have a date but I can't believe that it took a complaint letter to get it. Has anyone else ever experienced this?

Hi, my name is Lisa. I looked into this about 2 years ago and decided this past summer to re-visit the thought of having the Lap Band after many failed attempts before. I am 7 days away from having surgery and am really looking forward to starting a healthier life. At 43, I never imagined that I would be on 2 blood pressure pills, cholesterol meds and have constant back and knee pain that prevented me from enjoying the things I like to do. I am hoping that once this process starts, I will beging feeling like my old self again, before I gained all this weight:(. Today I started a liquid diet, so far so good, except for all the rumbling sounds, otherwise it's not too bad …

Hi everyone, I'm Aimee and my surgery is at 7:30am on January 20th. I've been lurking on the forums for a couple of months, but finally created an account and wanted to make my introduction before my surgery tomorrow morning! I'm 24 and work in pharmacy, and see every day at work the impact that obesity has on your long term health. I've gotten a bit of flack from friends for pursuing bariatric surgery in my twenties, but I think it makes a lot of sense--I want to get healthy before I have the chance to find myself on cholesterol, blood pressure, or diabetes meds! My dad was banded three years ago and went from being on insulin and multiple other medications to taking onl…

Started my journey on Jan. 4, 2012. I'm working on my pre-op steps. I was on a different forum (RR) and I couldn't find anyone that had the lapband surgery. Most there has RNY and were against the LB. I'm hoping to find good stories here. Hi Everyone!!

Is it just me or has anyone else been experiencing problems with coming on to the website?

Hi everyone! My name is Vance. I have really enjoyed looking around in this forum. What a great place of encouragement and comradery and I hope I can add as I go through my journey. I was very athletic growing up and even played semi-pro baseball. About 20 years ago I started my first sit down desk job, and there began my upsizing. I gained several pounds every year until it reached a point this past summer (2011) where I ballooned up to 330 lbs. With three wonderful children and a beautiful wife, I decided it was time to do something about it before something worse happens. I decided to meet with Dr. David Kim, weight loss surgeon in Dallas, TX. After a great m…

Greetings. I am seriously considering having the Lapband surgery. I'm going to pour through the forums here as part of that activity. I've read a lot so far, and you all have a great resource here. I'm a 52 yo male, 5'11", 290 lbs. Retired consulting engineer, turned personal chef. Live in South Jersey. I'll post when I can and will certainly let you all know what I decide to do. Best wishes. Jack

Lost 8 lbs in pre-op diet and only 13 lbs since my surgery Nov.14th! I'm confused still! I've been at a stall since Thanksgiving and wondering why. I have added calories, increased water intake and do high intense cardio workouts 5 days a week!!!!!' HELP!

Hi, I am going to be banded on 1/23. I have been waiting forever for this day so I am sooo excited but completely nervous. I have never been in surgery before so the whole experience is new to me. I have been on liquid diet for a week and a half now and I am getting used to it, yet losing patients with it as well. I am so ready to just do it. I am also petrified to make to move and have this foreign device inside of me being "banded" seems a bit scary.

Hello, long time lurker here. I'm less than 9 hours out (7:30 Mon). Kinda scared, but looking beyond the surgery. I just wish this was over with.

I am very close to getting my surgery date for GB and I am wondering if anyone has IBS or had IBS before surgery and if it has worsened or gotten better???

I am a mother of 2 FABULOUS boys and have been married almost 17 years to my AWESOME husband!! I was banded in March 2006 in Mexico. I was happy with my band for the first 2 years until and overfill (suffered for 7 days until doctor could "see" me) which ended up with the doc taking out all the fill amount and resting and basically starting over. From there on out my band was not the same. There were days that I could eat NOTHING and there were a few days that I could eat anything. I began PB'ing or throwing up several times a week. I tried to switch doctors but very few will even see Mexico patients and those that would see me wanted an upfront fee ($$$) to see me. …

I went to my first seminar over a year ago (Nov.2010). Since then i have had several surgeries to save my foot. i had my vertical sleeve on Jan. 12 2012. It was preformed at Madigan Army Hospital by Dr. Haque. I am now 6 days post op. I am feeling pretty good, except for the fibromyalgia. It should get better as I lose the weight. I started at 436 lbs. I am in a wheel chair and don't walk. Exercise will be more difficult. I will be successful!

I went to my first seminar over a year ago (Nov.2010). Since then i have had several surgeries to save my foot. i had my vertical sleeve on Jan. 12 2012. It was preformed at Madigan Army Hospital by Dr. Haque. I am now 6 days post op. I am feeling pretty good, except for the fibromyalgia. It should get better as I lose the weight. I started at 436 lbs. I am in a wheel chair and don't walk. Exercise will be more difficult. I will be successful!

Hi everyone. Just joined the forums today. I am on day 2 of my pre-op diet. I have read that some people are encouraged to eat yogurt. My nutritionalist says that Protein and vegetables only for the two weeks. Suggestions for the pre-op diet plan?

I've decided after living only a life of diets that do nothing but plateau that I need help to get where I need to be. I haven't made any appointments yet but I have made up my mind on getting banded. My insurance provider is Blue Cross Blue Shield ***, has anyone else gotten a band with this provider? if so what were their requirements? I am just curious to see what I have to look forward to! I have a seminar meeting coming up and I want to be a little more prepared. I am also calling my PCP for an overall physical and referral just to be ready. Thanks!

my name is jerry,and this is my journey.all this started because of a bad motorcycle accident that happened in aug 20 2009.i was in a coma for 3 weeks,then spent the next 7 months in the hospital/nursing home.i had my femur broken in 10 places,crushed knee,shattered left arm,broken left ankle.due to my injuries i was placed on a 4000 calorie high protien diet,to help heal my injuries.without being able to exercise i gained 140 lbs.i was a fairly large guy to begin with,but the extra weight gain really took its toll.slowly i began to walk,with a walker,then after 18 months i started to use a cane.now i can walk without a cane.but with pain.i have been working out 4 times a…

My name is Bryan and I just found this forum two days ago. I have my surgery planned for Jan 26, 2012. Nine days and counting. I am 54 years old and have been fighting the weight issue all my life. I was at 366lbs when I started this journey and now I am at 338 thanks to Christmas. Didn’t go crazy but did stray off my diet. I only gained 2 lbs so I was really happy when I weighed in last Friday. I have been through all the hoops my insurance has me go through. It has been a 6 month process. I am having my surgery done at Overlake hospital in Bellevue Washington. My Surgeon is David Lauter. Everything I can find is showing him as a reputable Dr who does a lot of these s…

Hi everyone! I am new to posting, although I joined right after I met with the surgeon for my first consultation. I am in my second week of the pre-op diet and am scheduled for surgery on Thursday, 1/19. So far I am a little nervous, but I am so excited about it. I lost about 9 pounds within the first week of the post-op diet, but that has tapered off. I am hoping to lose at least a couple more. I have been following the diet pretty strictly - two shakes per day and a "sensible" 200-300 calorie meal. I have also been eating garden salads on a couple of days and just snacked on carrots and grape tomatoes. It seems the least I can do is try to follow the diet for the two …

I am new to the forum and am here to learn as much as I possibly can to determine if I really want to pursue surgery to lose weight. Looking back at old photos, I wonder how it escaped me, but I truly didn't know I was fat until I was in the first grade. This realization came about when my pediatrician told my mom that she needed to put me on a diet. I remember that day like it was yesterday. My life was never the same. My story is similar to others. As an adult, my weight has ranged from a low of 118 (during the short time period in my life when I had absolutely no hunger because my doctor prescribed Phen-Fen) to a high of 219. Like most obese adults, I have tri…

Hello all! I'm really glad that I stumbled across this site in my internet sleuthing about getting the gastric sleeve. I've been toying with the idea for the past year, but with moving, starting a new job, a family crisis, and the holidays it (quit frankly) was put on the back burner. Then two things happened, the first being that my friends and I went to the state fair and I was so excited for the rides. Of course, I was somewhat LESS excited when I found out that I didn't FIT on the rides. The shame and humiliation still makes me cringe. There were also tears later that night in the privacy of my own home. The second thing was that my dad conquered his fear of …

I'V in and waiting for the surgeon... Cried a couple times already lol

Had my sleeve on December 22, 2011. Surgeon was Dr. Bryan Parrent of Brazos Bariatrics in College Station - The Physicians Center. One of my best-friends and I had the surgery the same day and I'd recommend you grabbing a partner - accountability is always advantageous. I could not have done this w/o Angie. She caught things I didn't and vs. versa. I'm 2 weeks and 4 days out and I've lost 25 pounds - best decision (since my hysterectomy) :-) I've talked to two co-workers today that are considering this procedure and hope both will follow-through and schedule a surgery date. Until next time!

I am a 38 yr old married mom of a 8 yr old son. For years i swore i would never do WL surgery of any kind. Recently I started having back problems, and found out I have 4 bulging discs and 1 herniated. Obvoiusly, any exercise i was doing, came to an almost dead stop when the pain started (this was not from accident or fall, we dont know what exactly caused all the discs to be messed up) I do know tho, that my 200 lbs of excess weight, isnt helping. I currently got my first cortisone injection and its been a miracle...I now can move and exsercise and have been to the gym twice in the week since my injection. I am confident that as long as im not hurting i can worko…

Hi my name is Courtney. I have been fighting my weight all of my life and this week I have begun my VSG journey. My insurance requires a 6 month documented diet. I started seeing the Dietitian on Friday. I look forward to sharing my journey with you. Any recommendations are welcome

I'm seeing posts about dieting before surgery. I haven't been told by my dr to diet or anything. I did go to the seminars and get brochures and all but that was last year so I don't know where any of that stuff is now. I called them on today to see what or if I had to diet but the office was closed. I'm calling back FIRST THING on Monday!!!!!

Hey everyone my name is Leeda, Im 24, living in Orlando. Im on my way to getting sleeved god willing before the end of the year. I've done 6 months of weight loss visits with my doctor, I've lost 20 lbs so far, Im 240 now, and I can not wait to get the surgery. I was originally interested in lap band but after I visited with the doctor he recommended the sleeve and Im sold. Im jumping through the insurance hoops as far as getting the psych and nutrition eval. Im concerned bc when I visited the surgeon their pre determination office said I needed 6 months consecutive of going every month, but when I was going to the doctor some visits she said only come back in 6 wee…

If not - what did you do (if anything) to prevent sagging and loose skin? I am worried about how much loose skin will be there after I lose weight. I am about 250ish right now..

Grrr.....lol I've been sooo annoyed lately because I use this site every single day now and am on it all night learning and educating myself....I was just lost the other night when the site was down...even looked for others but couldn't find any quite as good as this one! Ever since the site was down the other night...it hasn't been the same. What is going on? It won't let me go into the chat...I've tried multiple times now and the chat is just not letting me go in there...in fact every time I try to, the screen just goes blank and just sits there saying its done but there's no chat there! I'll refresh it to try again, but I'll get this message that my I.P. is blocke…

The surgeon told me that I don't look like what I weigh. Guess that can be a good and bad thing cuz looks can definitely be deceiving. Either way...he explained the whole process...then I scheduled my first nutritionist appointment. Next up sleep study! I have never had an issue with my sleep...so I'm not sure what the results will be. Just hoping that this will aid in my insurance approval... *keeping fingers crossed*

My name is Lisa Marie ... I am 2 yrs post op, my surgeon is dr. Philip shauer (hope I didn't spell that wrong). At the Cleveland clinic in Cleveland Ohio!!! I am here for some support ect.. My pre op wt was 285 I am now @ 175 but my goal is 145 ... So hello everyone! I look forward to being here....

Do I need to crush my pills?

Hello All! I am so glad I found this board! My name is Lakeisha and I am happy to say I have made the decision to have the lapband procedure! I am excited and nervous at the same time. I have struggled with my weight for the last 20 years and I decided to do something about it! I have lost 54 pounds through diet and exercise, but I still have a ways to go before I am at a healthy weight.I have completed my insurance requirements and on the advise of my patient advocate at True Results, I started my liquid diet on Wednesday. I am just waiting for my surgery date at this point. So today is day three and i think it will be easier. I am in Houston and am looking to make so…

Hello. My name is Nicole and I have been reading here for a month or so but finally joined today. I have been working with my docs since August to get approval for lap-band surgery and have my initial consult with the surgeon on Monday. I am a military spouse living in Germany and will be driving 3 hours from home to Frankfurt to meet with Dr. Weiner. My docs (all of them - my regular care provider, my rheumatologist, my nutritionist) all gave the thumbs up and the insurance is playing along, it's now just up to the surgeon to give the ok. I'm a little anxious and a little stressed because I also have lupus and have heard this could be an issue getting approved for surge…

i finally have my date for lap band surgery, a week from this wednesday january25th 2012. i have read many other posts and see alot share my anxiousness and curiousity. there seems to be alot of encouraging members here which i look forward to sharing this adventure with. any advice will truly be appreicated and welcomed.

I am a 25 year old Australian female who is 163cm tall/5.4 feet and I currently weigh 157 kilos/ 347 pounds. My quality of life is drastically declining and I am seriously considering this surgery. I, like most people, have a lot of fear about this surgery and the drastic changes to my life style and diet after it. But I am even more terrified of what will happen to me I do not go through with this. Does Anyone out there regret this surgery or have any words of advice or encouragement in going ahead with this.

I am now super stoked...the office had told me last week that I was approved but yesterday in the mail I got my approval letter from the insurance company and the big info packet from the surgeon's office. I can finally relax and know that I am set to go and Feb 13 is going to really happen! I can't thank you guys on here for all the support and advice, it's been amazing and am so glad I found this place.

Hello! My name is Kristyn. I'm 22 years old and I had my first consultation at True Results today. I'm excited! I'm at my highest weight (326 :/) so I have a lot to work for but I'm done with being like this. I've been lurking here for a few weeks and I really like it here.

So my family has been really into the exercise thing for the past couple weeks. Me, my 26yo sister and my 24yo sister all went to our informational session today. It actually relieved alot of fears when I saw the sleeve and the differences between that and the RNY. I think my 2 sisters are getting that but I feel the sleeve is more my style. Our doctor is Dr. Ahuja, in Southern Illinois. He looks pretty young in person, about 17 actually, but he seems really laid back and very one on one with people which I really like. Something he said that really clicked was that we are basically marrying him and his bariatric staff because we will be seeing them alot for the rest o…

Hey guys! I'm new here and soon to be sleeved on the 20th of November! I came across this forum through a google search and it was exactly what I was looking for. I've been reading a lot of helpful stuff here the past few days and it's really been like a good friend that understands me and helps me get through my pre-op liquid diet and all other queries I have. A big thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and providing such a vast amount of information. I'm 24 years old, currently based in Dubai, UAE, where a majority of the population is either over weight or obese. I myself am morbidly obese weighing 447 lbs last I checked at my doctors consultation. However…

So...yesterday was quite interesting. I have been pretty good about cravings but yesterday it wass bad. It's like my brain had mind of it's own. I went to my neighbors spa party and she had cupcakes, chips and dip, and cookies. I so desperately wanted the sweets, but I stayed away. I did have 2 chips and a teeny amount of dip. I ate the chips and didn't have much of the dip. I think that started the big time cravings. I came home and had a veggie burger with cheese and later I had another piece of cheese. I woke up this morning a pound up. I will be staying away from chips from now on. I know I didn't mess things up too much, but I just don't like gaining weight…

Ok so here goes, I am 44 years old and I weigh 245. I have no insurance. I need weight loss surgery. I need help! I am asking for advise from start to finish. I can get insurance but I need to know what type and how long I need to have the insurance before I can start the surgery program. I have not been to a Doctor in a couple years, but I have managed to lose some weight but of course put it back on. I realize that my only hope now is to have the surgery. Please give me any and all advise. Thank you so much! Vicki

Hello, my name is Tomika and I had my Laproscopic Gastric Sleeve done on Dec 13, 2011. My pre-surgury weight was 245, and my current weight is 209 (4 weeks/6 days) out. The reason I had this surgury was my health issues as well as being overweight. One of my main issues was my diabetes II. I was on Metformin 2000 mg daily and the Victoza pen 1.8mg daily. I am no longer on either because after my visit to my Endo on Jan 3, 2012 my blood sugar 107 and my A1C was 5.5. I am having three problems that I hope I can get guidance on... 1) I am almost 5 weeks post op and I am scarred to eat. I don't know what to eat - my daily meal is 2 Protein shakes, 16 oz Water, one scr…

Hi all, I just had the LB done on Dec 7, 2011. I feel great except I have a lump feeling in throat when I swallow. I am on purees. It is like when you swallow wrong and it feels like something is stuck in my throat. This just started on the 30th so I haven't called the doctor. I am so paranoid of slippage or a block. I saw the nutritionist on the 28th and said allll was good. Has anyone had this issue? If so please let me know it is so annoying.

Hey everyone HAPPY FRIDAY!!! I don't like feeling bad on Fridays... LMAO!! Well okay, I don't like feeling bad ever, so if you're anything like me you'll always look for little bits of happiness in an otherwise tough journey. So, what are YOU doing today to make your dream happen... that is besides having weight loss surgery. My goal right now is to STAY at goal!!! So, today I am gonna hit my elliptical and make sure I'm getting my Protein and Water in. Yayyy!!! Goal is awesome.. and I encourage all to get here!!! WHOOHOOO!!! One last thing, I sure missed all of you the last few days. Glad to be back up!

Finally after all the rescheduling and seeing all these different specialist. I am officially cleared for surgery. Surgery date 01-25-2012... I am happy my Doc took all the right precautions,bit i'm glad it's over and my Sleeve journey can start. started my Journey sept 2011 by Nov I was cleared by insurance did my work up and all test I was sent for. Pre op xray showed a large heart so surgery was rescheduled from Nov 14th to Nov 30. Did a echocardiogram and that revealed another problem. surgery rescheduled to Dec 12. But later had to reschedule that. Finally I have forms that say Cleared for surgery. Got my date start my diet soon and I am on my way..Sorry for the babb…