Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

After months of soul search, secret keeping, saddened sharing and lurking on this site, TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!!! I just want to say 'thank you' to everyone who has been brave enough to post a comment or share a thought. I am not usually so brave, and these posts have helped SO much. Can't wait to take a walk on the "sleeved" side . If I have anything resembling energy, I will post updates!

Hey there! 39 year old married father of four in Wisconsin and I'm going to have the VSG surgery in January 2011. This forum has been extremely helpful and I appreciate all of the honest opinions and everyone that has documented their experiences with the surgery. I'm 6'0" and weigh 420 lbs, with a BMI of 58...tired of all the physical pain and ready to start living a different (better) life.

My husband will have surgery tomorrow at 8AM. He had his lapband (slipped, emergency) removed 4 months ago. His stomach was in too bad of shape to have it done all at once (which was what he really wanted). Our question is diet. He knows about the liquid diet and the mushy diet, but what do you think could I cook for Thanksgiving (a little over 5 weeks out) so that he could eat along the rest of us and not feel left out of the feast? I know he won't be feeling like "feasting", but a few spoonsful of "Thanksgiving" will probably be all he needs. I guess I am more concerned than he is. Any help with the menu would be MUCH appreciated, thanks so much!!!

I don't know what's wrong with me..... I have everything approved by my insurance company, I've started a workout regimen (Kickboxing and swimming) and also curved the eating habits ...alot! Now, that have all that in line, I can't seem to schedule a date for the procedure . I seem to be getting cold feet worse than my wedding day!!! I've only been under the knife once and it was not for something like this, but the more I think about it, I start to panic. I hope this site bring a comfort to me by other people success stories that felt like me.

Does anyone know the difference my sister had gastric sleeve just not sure which way to go band or that

It just hit me that my life as I know it will be changed completly Thursday morning. I work nights here at my job and just realized that I only have to go to sleep 3 more times before my surgery. The only part of the operation that I am worried about is when they examine my liver to make sure it is ok. I started my 2-week pre-op diet last monday afternoon. By the time Thursday gets here I will have been on it for 10 days. I have completely eliminated all sugars and carbs from my eating habits. I only eat Protein. On a daily basis I have no more that 10 carbs. I go tomorrow afternoon for a pre-op consult with my doctor. I'm guessing I will sign documenation for t…

hello LBT Iam new to this.. I have been reading some topics for the past few weeks so finally I decided to join in. Iam 23 years old Iam from california. I have never had any type of surgery done before.. but with that said im having my surgery tomorrow (10/19).. Iam nervous, scared, but mostly excited to start my journey so please wish me luck tomorrow send your good vibes my way thanks a bunch!!

I am looking for opinions and not rude ones. I am 20 soon to be 21. I am about 205 lbs (its been a while since i was to the doctors and my scale is like 30 yrs old) I am about 5 foot 6 inches. I know i having an eating problem, but i am not sure what it is. I have tried tons of stuff to lose weight, but with a bad leg its hard to do all the exercising i need to in order to lose the weight. I was told by a friend about another friend who had gotten this done and it worked wonders for her. She began to lose weight then started doing the exercises that she could. Every doctor or pa i have seen about my leg tells me to lose weight. I have tried many things, i recently tried…

Hey everybody, I'm farzana from South Africa. Well, I was banded last week, 13 October and so far everything seems to be great. My dietician has told me to go on a all liquid diet for a week then onto puree foods for a week and then to proceed to soft whole foods. The first two or three days after surgery I couldn't take more than about 150ml of drinking yoghurt in the morning with some fruit juice. Now at 6 days post op I can guzzle down a whole can of soup for dinner and still be hungry.......I seriously could do with a rack of ribs right about now.........is this gonna work....???????

Hi there! My name's Missy and I'm 23 years old, 265 lbs and 12 days away from my surgery. I'm pretty darn excited and really really scared haha. Anyone else in the north/central jersey area?

I just had my band oct 10th. Anyone from south jersey? I just learned of this site last night and think its great!

Hey everyone! I am new to this site. I'm waiting on my surgery date, but am planning on having it mid-December. I've done everything on my checklist, just waiting on insurance to come back with approval (hopefully!). I feel confident that the sleeve is the best surgical option for me and I wish I could have it done tomorrow!

Is it only me or what ? I've been post op 1 week and I want to know why am I craving really bad fast food and chocolates? When even before I decided surgery I ate some what healthy for the most part ? HELP

I am 51 years old, and a working professional. I have 7 wonderful children and my husband had a bout with cancer in February. My cholesterol is 345 and climbing, my blood pressure was climbing, I lost weight and gained more, lost weight and gained double. This life style had to change. I arrived in Calexico on Tuesday morning, was picked up by a very nice driver Ernesto. My husband and I were taken across the boarder to Hospital Almedan, We were very swiftly taken for all of our lab work, ECG, Blood work, X-rays. After that we met with Dr. Aceves and Dr Campos, they went step by step through the surgical procedure, we were able to ask questions and tour the hosp…

Ok so heres my stats.... 31 yo female starting at 286.... lost 15lbs preop and another 10lbs in the following two weeks. leaving me at 260 ... that was two weeks ago and not an pond since then!!! I'm about 3 weeks out from my surgery and i havent lost a single pound in the past two weeks! I follow the diet (~50-70g of Protein a day, low carb, low fat, low calorie, all of my vitamins/ minerals - my husband is a drill sgt and checks up on me all day, so between the two of us we make grown up choices for me) i exercise- although admittedly not as much as i should. I walk (at least a mile) every day with my dogs. i do need to lift more but given that im only 3 weeks out …

Hello everyone. My name is Brynn and I am 32 years old. I was banded this past Jan after struggling to lose weight naturally since, well, forever. I remember being very excited and motivated when I started this process. I thought it would be easy: have surgery, lose weight. I knew I would have to put forth an effort, but I didn't think I was going to struggle with weight loss as much as I had before... Before having surgery, I weighed 247. I now weigh 249...ten months later. Initially, I had to have all of the Fluid removed from my band due to swelling. I stuck with my post op diet for about a month and only lost 4 pounds. Considering how little I was eating, h…

I'm 44 years old and have been struggling with my weight since the birth of my son, 21 years ago. I was always thin as a child, teen, and young adult. I've had a lot of stress in my life and the weight has just come on like crazy. I'm healthy for now, but am concerned about health implications. I want to avoid them rather than have to deal with them once they arrive. My mother had type 2 diabetes and was on insulin. My brother also had type 2 diabetes and had gastric bypass surgery. Five years post op and he has regained just about all of his weight. Do I want to look good again, sure I do...but mostly I just want to be healthy! I've dieted and just can't seem to…

Hi everybody! I am new here, but oh so excited to be here. I just got my surgery date today. The big day is November 7th!!

Hello everyone, I am having my lapband tomorrow. I am somewhat really nervous and I am excited at the same time. I look forward to getting to chat and read every ones journey with there lap-band. Thanks, Dan

Had my sugery in Aug. 2008 @ 353 and at my lowest weight I was 225!!! But then I got a piece of food stuck and had to have all of the Fluid taken out. I've felt like I've lost control since then and can't get back on track. I've put off going back to the doctor because they've changed how they code the adjustments and it will cost at least $300 to have an adjustment. Finances are really tight right now. The other factor, and probably the most severe one for me, is that I'm embarrassed. I've been embarrassed to talk to my doctor about my recent weight gain of at least 50 lbs!!!! And I'm lost. I've tried dieting to get it off without success. That's how I've gained so much…

well I got my first negative response... I told my Aunt ( husbands Aunt but we have become close) last week that I was getting this surgery... I saw her this weekend and all she did was walk into my house , look at me and say," you still doing it". I told her that I was indeed still doing it. Her response to that was to turn around and walk out. I said - so now you're not talking to me? she said ,nope - I looked it up online and I can't believe you're still doing it. End of story... no longer talking to me. How did you all handle this sort of rejection? I seriously need a cyber hug right now. Darcey

3 more weeks until my Sister, my Girlfriend, and myself get our Surgery !! Yeah!! I've been so excited that I can't shut my brain off at night so I have to take half a gravol to go to sleep at night. The only thing I fear is being put under as I never have been before. I'm looking forward to the protien pre-op diet but a little nervous when it turns into the liquid diet but I know it will be worth. It is going to be a journey that is going to change our lives but I have told very few people about it as I don't want people to think that I'm taking the easy way out but if I could have done this with diet and excercise and kept it off I would have done it a long time …

I am about halfway to goal (give or take) I love to shop for clothes and I have a ridiculous amount of clothes (ranging from size 18-22's and 1x and 2x's) I have 40+ pairs of jeans, 100s of tops etc. I have recently starting pililng up my clothes that are too big, and I was so excited to give away all my clothes that no longer fit. Then i started to get anxious, what if I give away thousands of dollars of clothes and I end up needing them again????

so. I had my sleeve gastrectomy in the middle of last December and was 386 lbs when I had it. I am currently 260 lbs and sure, that's great but I've been platauing a lot of late. It's very difficult to workout because of my school schedule but I'm not sure what to do to increase the weight loss.. Any advice?

My name is Danielle. I'm 37 and the mother of 5 kids, including 4 year old triplets.I've battled obesity since I was a child and finally made the decision to get the lap-band 3 years ago after developing high blood pressure and sleep apnea and topping the scales at 374. I lost 100 lbs in less than a year which was a plus. But about 6 months after being banded I began having abdominal and chest pain and having food back up into my esophagus forcing me to vomit for hours. This would usually last about 12 hours and resulted in several ER visits. I got into a vicious cycle where my band would slowly get tightened every month and then I would have an episode and they wou…

Hi there! I’m new here and just wanted to take a minute to introduce myself! My name is Kristy and live in New Jersey…where I am also getting the surgery done. I am getting my vertical sleeve done on November 21st…the Monday before Thanksgiving! No turkey for me! Haha. I’m 27 years old, currently weigh 255lbs, and am 5’4. I have struggled with my weight my whole life, but because I’m actually quite healthy (only the occasional heart burn), I’ve pretty much ignored the problem. I’ve tried exercising, diets, pills, etc, etc. Lots of money spent with little to no results. I researched weight loss surgery for a year before I made the decision and took action. I originally wa…

Hi, all! I have had orientation with my wls clinic and they think they can get Tricare, my insurance, to approve me. My BMI is well over the minimum (51) I have a couple of co-morbids (that I know of), so I am hopeful. The surgeon ( not Tricare) is requiring a sleep study, which I am having next week BUT Tricare is sending me somewhere OTHER THAN my selected clinic. If it continues this way for all my pre-op stuff, I think they may send me to another surgeon or possibly a MTF (which I am trying to avoid) to get my band. Does anyone have any input to offer from experiences with Tricare?

Hello everyone. I had Lap Band surgery on October 6, 2011. I, like everyone else, am tired of the high protein shakes, clear liquids, and Jello. I really don't have any complaints about the surgery other than the bloating and gas pain!!! Yikes! I am dealing with that the best way I know how. I walk around my apartment and have to cups of herbal tea per day. Does it help? Ummm not really but I don't know what else to do!! LOL I wish everyone luck on this journey. Let's change our mind set regarding food and our health!!!

Hi Everyone! I'm Elizabeth. My surgery date is November 21, 2011. I am excited and anxious all at the same time. I feel like my life is about to become the one I've wanted to have since I was younger-healthy and happier. I joined this site because there is no advice like that of the experienced. Thanks to all of you that have posted comments on different threads, it is such a huge help. I look forward to sharing my journey with you and hope to be there for others as you have.

Hey guys, My initial surgeon consult is next week, and I'm sick of waiting (had to schedule this appointment a month ahead of time.) Between the time my primary care doctor recommended WLS 3 weeks ago, and now, I think I've read everything on the internet about sleeves, watched every video on sleevers progress on you tube, I've even watched video of the surgery being completed twice. I'm half afraid once I get to talk to the surgeon, he won't have anything new to tell me... LOL. Anyway, I thought I'd be more nervous, but I'm not... I'm just anxious to get it all over with and started.. (I'm going to have to do the 6 month diet I'm sure...) So, I guess I just…

I have been "lurking" here for about 2 months. The posts I have read have helped me prepare myself for this wonderful journey. I have tested all of the clear Protein options I can find, and have my stock ready for post surgery. I have tested all of the other Protein drinks I can find and have a good idea for those as well. I have a wonderful husband who has put up gallons of chicken stock so that is taken care of. I have been on the high protein diet for 3 weeks and have dropped 20 pounds. I feel ready. I feel serene. I feel blessed. I am 43 years old. I have been heavy since I had my child when I was 18. Prior to that I was a nice teenage weight of 120. While I was pr…

Hello, I finally have my date for surgery. Halloween! I am excited and nervous at the same time. I am ready to kick my diabetes! Before i go in do i need to know anything?

Just stopping by to say Hello! I am new to the group and new to lapband I was banded 10 days ago and I am excited to see the changes to come.

Hi everyone!!! My name is Heather and I got banded 12 hours ago! I wanted to join this website for the help and motivation that everyone needs after something like this. I couldnt be happier! I lost about 150 lbs on my own before I ever got the band so I know the fight and determination is there! I look forward to getting to know yall and share my journey!

Hello this is Ted from Detroit, I just had my Large Bandinstalled ( LOL Installed) Tuesday. I am now home and feeling much better. Ihave been using the liquid medication to ease the pain and so far things aregoing as planned. I have yet to take a # 2 but told that will come soon…I havebeen on a clear diet and now I can have tomato Soup and anything that can fitthru a straw while not using one. I finally took the bandages off my incisionsminus my port as I want to wait another day or so. I think keeping a PMA andlooking a year down the road is keeping me focused but no obsessed! I have myPost Dr appt on Monday and can ask some questions that I forgot during our lastvisit. …

I am 65, and at high risk with a high BMI & co-morbidities. I have been studying wls for 10 years. I have Medicare now and can get the surgery. I'm going with the Lap Band. I'm on the pre-op diet, and have lost 25 pounds in 3 months. I live in Dallas and have chosen the best surgeon in the Southwest, but I am thinking of changing because his office is quite far away. So now I'm looking for the 2nd best surgeon. I'm a member of at least 5 groups to get a balanced view. They range from gastric bypass to lap-band to hard core fanatics who hate the surgeries and have had horrible experiences. I have a lot of links and information for anyone who wants it. I would …

Sorry, this is long winded and kind of whiny. I started this adventure the Friday after Thanksgiving (USA) 2010 and it's been a real roller coaster ride. The weight has just flown off and I now look "normal", even a bit thin. I initial set my goal weight at 180 pounds, right smack in the middle of the BMI charts recommended 160 to 190 pounds for a 6' tall male. I knew it was outrageous and I haven't weighed 180 pounds since EARLY High School, and I was skeletally thin then too. In reality 190 is probably more like it with even 200 being within reason. About a month or so ago I arrived at 210 pounds, the first time in DECADES. I feel and look great. I wear…

Well im all new to this. I just recently had my surgery 2 weeks ago. I feel terrible! I am so nauseas im having hard time staying hydrated! Ive already gone to the doctors twice for some fluids, i feel like such a loser i was so excited for this and now i guess im just having a rough start. I'm having a very hard time trying to find stuff that tastes good to me and that will not make me even more nauseas. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I feel hungry yet sick. Im starting to second guess myself im hoping i made the right decision, i am excited to be skinny but is this all worth it? Not like i can go back and change it now...Blah i feel so down! Please help!

hi all, im on day 4 of my 7 day pre surgery liquid diet and god im so very hungry ...i just keep on praying to god to give me the strengh i need to finish this diet and maake it safely through my surgery this wednesday !!!!

hey peoples! i have lost a total of 71 pounds as of today! woo-hoo. 25 are post op and the rest is pre-op. here are my current picts as well as my starting picts. cant wait till im at goal and get to do this again!

Hi I was banded on October 4,2011 all was going great until my 5th day I was so hunger a better work is starving which I hated because the whole purpose I got the band was so that I won't feel hungry... I was getting depress and that is something I don't want to be so I decided to eat and I did, it made me feel so much better but at the same time I'm kind of disappointed I even for that moment regretted having the procedure done. Don't get me wrong I ate and continue to eat but I make good choices as far as what I eat is just that i'm suppose to be on liquids so 3 weeks and sorry to say I couldn't do it. I however have lost 13 pounds so far I am happy about it but at t…

So...my last post I was just past the Psych eval, waiting on 2009 record, since then all has fallen into place. Today I met with my surgeon, Dr. Anderson, and after that meeting we set up the surgery date! October 31! Yes, just a little over 2 weeks away until I begin the process of a new me!!!! I am excited, and nervous, but mostly ready for this next step in life!

I am almost 49 years old and finally decided that it's time to do this for me. I am about 100 lbs overweight. I have tried every diet out there and have already had hair fall out from losing weight with Topamax/Phentermine combination so thankfully that part doesn't scare me. Lost 55 lbs. but gained it all back over 6 years. I feel like I have studied the VSG to death. I have watched the surgery on youtube, watched videos from other sleevers, read every piece of material imaginable and I believe this is the best option for me. I have been married 29 years, have two grown children and as much as I love my kids, I don't like the way I feel when I come home at the end …

Hi my name is Karen. I wanted to introduce myself in hopes of making new friends, finding a mentor and sharing experiences. I am 48 years old, stand 5'7" and have about 175 pounds to lose. I am still a couple of months away from surgery but getting closer every day. I've passed my psych test and done the sleep and metabolic testing too. All I have left is my meeting with the surgeon next week then completing the last two months of the insurance required supervised diet. I am very excited and can hardly wait to start this new journey. I would love to hear success stories, concerns or any advice. I would also like to make some connections here and am hoping there are ot…

Hello, just dropping in to see how others are going about/ coping with Lap Band. A little about me. I am a married father of two. My wife and I have been married now for just under 23 years. She is my best friend and we do everything together. We are now on the new journey of having Lap Band done together. Not on the same day but we have done the entire process together. All the doctors appointments, visit to a shrink, 6 months of nutritionist visits and now we have our insurance companies approval and have our surgery scheduled. My wife is on the 26th of this month and mine is the 8th of Nov. We are both excited.

I had lap-band surgery back on 7/19/2010. My primary reason for the lap-band was to send my diabetes into remission. On the day of my surgery as I waited to be call (got there 4 hours early) I had a horrible tooth ache from a tooth that I found out later needed a root canal. I didn't say anything because I was concern that it would cancel the surgery. The surgery was fine and the only real pain was from my tooth afterwards. It took me awhile to get the root canal done and so I lived with the tooth discomfort for a while. As a result I ate very little and therefore I lost a lot of weight - the doctors thought lap-band, I wondered tooth. When I started the fills…

I am new to the forum and have my surgery scheduled for Monday 6am. I will spent the first few visits reading as much material as I can and trying to absorb all of this. Sorry, I am subsurfcpo from Florida. Retired Navy CPO submariner and surface warrior working as an engineer.

Hi all! I am brand new to this site and to weight loss surgery. Alittle about myself... I am turning 30 this year. Married, Mother of 3 beautiful children. Been overweight since I was a teenager. Got worse when I started taking birth control. Then I got heavier as I started having children. Tried every weight loss thing I can think of. Everything from Weight Watchers to Atkins to Curves. Most I was ever able to lose was 30 pounds which I ended up gained back plus some. Been a struggle for me for years and at this point in my life I am tired of the cycle. I am over 100 pounds overweight and BMI is 41.1. I want to be healthy and happy for my family and kids. Want…

Hi my name is Yvette. I wanted to introduce myself to everyone on here in hopes of making new friends and sharing our experiences. In a few days I should be finalizing my surgery date to be done in Mexico. I would love to hear success stories, concerns any advice would be lovely. I am looking forward to starting a new life soon!!

Hello everyone Im Sabrina from Chicago I've been battling weight issues since I can remember I have made the decision to have lap band surgery after alot of research....I have spoken to my doctor and he also thinks this will be very helpful in helping me lose weight and become healthier...I am a bit confused as to what to do next...after a bit of frustration and confusion with my insurance co and the actual doctors office? any advice would be greatly appeciated...again im starting fresh and im not to educated on how to get the whole process started