Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello all, It has been great to lurk for a couple of hours and read all the posts and see what is happening and new in the world of Lap Banding. I come from England and have had my band in for just over a year. It has been an interesting experience and for a short while the band worked really well and I had the feeling of knowing what I was doing and how it all came together to help me control my eating. Sadly, just after January this year Ihad lost 22lbs of the 99 I have to lose and I felt the restriction lift - not a problem I thought just needs another refill- so back I go, I have small regular refills and had reached about 8mls of saline in a 9ml band. …

I was Sleeved 10/7/11 and released from the Hosp 10/8/11 On A full liquid diet. I can drink fluid several sips at a time with no problem and eat some fairly thick protein pudding about 1/3 cup in about 15-20 minutes. I have 5 small incisions on my abdomen with a mild amount of bruising. I have no pain when at rest but with movement standing up or rolling over there is one spot that burns pretty good. I have a larger abdomen also I think it tends to pull on the incision areas and I can feel that to if it is getting close to taking my pain meds The liquid lortab does its job. I still cat nap throughout the day I try to time it during the 30 minutes before or after a …

Hello All, I am new to this forum and I have questions regarding getting approval for the Lap Band by Tricare Prime and I am hoping that someone out there can give me some insite on this because I am starting to get discouraged. My first question is I was told by the nutritionist that because my BMI is 38.6 Tricare will prob deny me. But I thought that as of 03/16/2011 Tricare Prime was approving the lap band if your BMI is 35-40 with one co-morbit. Has anyone with a BMI under 40 been approved by Tricare Prime? My other question is the insurance coordinator at the surgeons office stated that Tricare is the hardest insurance to get approval from and that there is a chanc…

I am just starting my adventure and looking for a good surgeon. I just signed up with the NewStart program at HMMS in the medical center. Would like to meet some Houston friends and get suggestions.

I'm 4 days after my surgery...I've been on liquids but today I'm hungryyyy...any good ideas for something to fill my tummy?

ehello everybody im shannon a 39yr old mom of 5 from connecticut, i started my sleeve journey almost a year ago and am now on day 3 of my 7 day liquid diet to prepare for my surgery that is coming up this wednesday the 19th of october ....... im excited but now getting a little scared too...ill keep you all updated on my progress and too youo all i wish nothing but the best of luck in your journeys !!!!!

Hi, I'm new here and just starting the process of seeking out the lapband. I have learned alot on this forum in just a few short days. I am anxiously awaiting and see if I get approval from my PCP so I can start the process. I have all my paperwork done and my insurance said that as long as my PCP deems it necessary then everything should work out. FINGERS CROSSED My BMI is 37 and until I go see my doctor on Monday I am a nervous and excited mess. I'm so ready for this lifestyle change and by reading all your posts am beginning to realize what a big commitment this is but I am so ready. Looking forward to starting this journey and excited about the changed hopefully…

:wave: Hi everyone.My name is Kim.I just joined up here last night.I`m from Effingham Illinois,disabled,& on medicaid.I had a Surgeon but he had to stop accepting medicaid.I`ve got all my clearance testing done and am now looking for another surgeon.Any advise and referrals would be great.Is there a page on here where you can write your story,about yourself?:girl_hug:

Hey there, I am going in for my sleeve on Nov.3 and I have only told a handful of people.... those being the people that will care for my kids and dogs while I'm having this done ( and my dad) I have not made it public knowledge or even ever talked about the options of WLS to any of my friends. Now that I'm nearing the date and I am starting to think about the pre op diet... I am wondering if I should tell my friends.. None of them are overweight - at all. I have lost 100 on my own and when I did, I managed to lose a couple friends along that way. Now that I've gained back a bunch - they are "friends" with me again. So I feel like the token fat friend in that situ…

Hello I am scheduled for sugery on Oct. 19th just wandering if the shake diet has to be followed exactly, im Having a little trouble with my sugar and was wandering if I altered the shakes a bit would it effect my surgery.

About to head to the hospital. Please pray for an uneventful surgery and an uncomplicated recovery. I would appreciate it

Hi Guys. I really need some suggestions. Hubby and I will be celebrating our 22nd wedding anniversary on Friday. One of my favorite restaurants is the Melting Pot and I know that I can't eat there. Does anyone have a suggestion on any sleeve-friendly restaurants?

Hi Everyone, I have been banded for seven months and seem to be stuck, nothing is coming off need help????? Thanks

Big day is coming up and I feel unprepared. Not pre-op diet, just 1200 calorie as usual. Post op I am doing semi clear, soft, firm then small portioned Protein and and veg. Funny thing is, no one has told how often I should eat after banding. Anyway, 44 year old dude from So Cal, hoping to get back down to my academy weight (180) from 318. Take care, thanks Bob

hey guys, i just took my first step by going to a local wls siminar. it was very helpful but also made me rethink the lapband. i know this is a lapband forum but has anyone here ever considered the gastric sleeve? she made it seem like the band caused alot of prblems like throwing up and infections and lots and lots of follow ups for life. when the sleeve didnt.. i dunno im lost.

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Hi, i had my lap band surgery on Aug 30, 2011. I think i have been doing ok for the most part, I didn't have any problems and adjusted back to eating solid foods fine. The first week after my surgery i felt restriction but after that first week i haven't felt any restriction. I had my first fill on Oct 4th of 5ccs. I felt restriction the first two days and after that i haven't felt restriction. I feel like i could eat how i use to. Is that normal? I don't see my doctor till next month and don't know what to do? I am really struggling with my diet and knowing what and how much to eat? I don't feel very supported by my doctor or his office. I feel completely lost…

So today was my weigh in day and I weighed in...another 5 pound loss...I was sooo excited. I am a military wife so I live far away from my family and so I update once in a while on FaceBook about my weightloss progress so they can see. Today I was happy and updated that I was now down 70 pounds. So a friend of mine posts her own status, about an hour after I post mine. (A person I have been friends with for years but don't talk to very often but do try to visit when home. Anyhow she knows that I had the lapband surgery. She actually came to visit me a week before surgery.) My gut tells me this status was geared toward me. This is what it said: "Is frustrated.. I…

I've been reading the forums and blogs for months and finally decided to do it! I booked my surgery today with Dr. Cobourn at SWLC in Mississauga. After getting my introductory package with all of the forms to fill out and instructions to read I am feeling completely overwhelmed! I know I'm doing the right thing but am freaking out!

Hi, I am still getting my finances in order. I have chosen my Dr. in MX. that I feel good about. Any suggestions on things I can do to be more prepared while I am waiting? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am excited and want to be proactive. I really want to keep the ball rolling. Also, Is there anything you know now that you did not know before your surgery that would helpful pre op. Thank you so much!

Just wanted to say I am "GUILTY" for being a lurker and finally decided to join! I had surgery on 08/23/2011 by Dr. Nestor de la Cruz-Munoz from University of Miami...I am just finally happy that I got it over with because I have chickened out in n the past..I feel great and it is good to have a place that I can share with others who are on the same path! Let's Get Heart Healthy together!

So, I was talking to my sister and a good friend of mine... They kept saying over and over... You're going to be soooo different.. You're gonna change.. We won't know WHO you are!!! I'm trying to understand and not be offended by what they're saying.. I know that dramatic weight loss and actually having a viable tool to deal w/ obesity and food addiction will change me my appearance, mindset and lifestyle.. but there are talking like I'm going to "come out of the box" with some new stuff.. It's almost like they are saying VSG will change my attitude and stuff for the worse... I'm a very giving, open and positive person.. but I was a little hurt by both of them harpi…

I called the coordinator at my surgeons office today to see if she had received some of my faxed clearances and gave her the dates of the others I have scheduled. While we were talking she was like "Oh yeah, we can definitely get you in before the end of the year. Let's look at the beginning of December." So I heard her flipping through a calendar and she said "Dr. Kaul does surgery on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. You're last appointment with the nutritionist is 11/28. Insurance approval will only take about three days. Might be cutting it close for 12/1 lets look at the next week." She asked me about 12/5 and 12/6 but I prefer to have it done on 12/8, so that's what …

I was sleeved on aug 30th , so it has been 2 weeks, yes i went through the 1st week of ahhhhhhhhh really, did i really do this to myself, but wow in 2 weeks i am a new woman, anyway day 8 comes and my surgon calls to tell me that i have cancer, its called gist, they found it on the outside of my old tummy when she pulled it out, they are pretty sure it was not in the shedding stage, and it was very small in the 1st stage so now i am off to the cancer clinic on the 23rd, i am praying that it was the only one, so what i want to say is the sleeve saved my life..............they said it would of never been found had i not had the sleeve, and that would not have been good..

hi everyone! I am new here. I just got my final approval from insurance today and scheduled my surgery for October 28th. I am so nervous, excited and scared. I am scared because I have read so many horror stories of it not working. Anyway, just wanted to say hi!

Hello, My name is Stacey I am 31 years old and have always been over weight. 120 at 12, 180 at 18, 235 at 27, got down to 170 at 29 but now back up to 225 at 31.. I am scheduled to have the lap band procedure done on Nov 30th, 2011 as a self payer. I am "in good health" just over weight, achey, uncomfortable!!! I have always played a ton of sports but cannot get a handle on proper portion sizes. I make healthy food choices, but I eat too much of them... I am hoping that the lap band helps me with my portion size issues!! I am looking forward to this journey!! Thanks for reading!!! :0)

Hi, my name is Rachel and I'm new to this forum. I have just started my lap band process by setting an appointment for an informational session next Wednesday, October 19. I live in Two Rivers, Wisconsin with my mom as I go to college to be a medical lab technician. I am 37 and have an almost 15-year-old son. I weigh 241 and should weigh about 120. I'm 5 feet tall. I am on Medicare because I am on disability for Bipolar Disorder Type 1. Before I get too much into my hobbies and stuff, I have a few questions. I know that you have to be judged as emotionally stable to have this surgery. I am managed on medications and have been relatively stable for several years …

I had my surgery almost 4 years ago. I have not lost alot of weight and I am tired of being big. I watch my calories and eat healthy and the weight is not coming off. I am currently looking into other options and getting a reversal. I am sad that it has not worked out for me and I want a do over.

I'm concerned @ reflux after vsg. I've read that the size of the bougie and the way the surgeon follows stomach curvature are two causes of this complication. I meet my surgeon 11/1. Can you please tell me how to ask him questions @ it. Do I say " I know there often are reflux complications following vsg. What can you do to help avoid this?" What's the politic way to ask this question? TY in advance.

I've had the Nissen surgery done and was wondering if the Lap Band was an option for me? Also curios to find out if FL Medicaid will help pay for any of the surgery?

Hi..... I am new here and I have started the process for the surgery. I have all of my appointments in place and I have started with all the follow-up and everything entailed in getting this surgery underweigh. However, I can not stop eating. I have been on WW for a year, and before that I was on Jenny for 4 years.. I lost some weight with them, but nothing stayed off .... so Lap Band here I come.. but again .... I cant stop eating. Everything in sight gets my attention and I need to figure a way to jut stop this distructive behavior!! Any suggestions on how to get back on track? Thanks!!! VG63

How much did you lose specifically within the three months after surgery? Including preop 2 wk diet. Thank you.

Hello all, My name is Sebastian, and I am very happy to be here! I had my surgery in June, 2010..... and I would love to share my experience AND ask a lot of questions about things that are happening to me know. Thanks! Seba

Hi All, I am just beginning to look into lap band surgery. I have RA, was diagnosed at 19 and I'm 30 now. I have had periods of moderate weight loss, only to gain it back, plus some. I'm hoping to learn about the surgery, especially experiences from those with RA who have had it.

Hey all it's Pam!! Some of you may know me from posting in the forums or in chat and for some of you this may be a first time visit so HI . I wanted to let you all know that I am now writing for a website called Truth In Change. (www.truthinchange.com) The website was started by an amazing young man named James Garrison. You may know him from Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition for losing 313lbs in one year. He asked me this past September to write with him and we have been improving the site ever since! So Truth In Change is a free online community driven toward inspring people toward a healthier and happier quality of life. We offer tips, support, recipes, a…

Hi All, So I am writing this as I am eating cookie dough and 3 weeks until my surgery. So my therapist is concerned about my self-destructiveness- how will manage after the surgery? how will handle my addictive behaviors? how will my feelings that I stuff down with food emerge and what will that look like? I am scared to death...Is their any post-op's that can shed light here?

I have a super recipe for chicken and it's so easy to prepare. Take 2-4 oz of chicken wash and dry well. Take 3 whole wheat crackers crush them to a fine like bread crumb add to the crumbs garlic and onion powders. Dip chicken in egg whites and roll into bread crumbs. Spray into the botton of the baking pan and Bake at 350 for 40 mins or until done. Serve with veggies. Soooo good. Enjoy

I have group health insurance & i know they can be picky. what has been your experience? my primary only gave me a referral for a consult. Dr. Bright has been approved as a bariatric surgery.

I am person that is haveing a very BIG problem with my thyroid. Norm is 4.5 and my levels are 20.82 i went and seen a dr a week ago and i was told that even if i have the surgery until i can get my thryroid levels downto normal i am going to continue to struggle with my wieght, I really hope this all works for me i take my meds every day and do what they are now telling me to do so i really hope my levels go down soon and stay down or i may a very un-happy person.

So I've already been approved by my insurance but my last step is the surgeon required sleep eval, in which the doc sent me for a sleep study that revealed I have mild sleep apnea (obstructive). So all this time I'm thinking I'm having surgery in August, then Sept, then maybe October, well now I would not be surprised if its not til December because they want to do a 14 download of how I do with the CPAP with a pressure of 8 and if the download has the info the doc needs she will release me if not she wants more days, etc. Then I still have to set a date for surgery and start the 2 week pre-op diet. I'm so mad because I feel this is all keeping me from having my VSG. I kk…

October 19th is my date with the surgeon. I'm happy that the the date is set but also very nervous about having it done. I see this Christmas as being one of the best ever! Wish me luck! Bob

I am not sure where to begin. I am 12 days pre-op for the Vertical Sleeve Surgery. My current weight is 238, 44 years old and hope that I don't gain any more before surgery! My Doctor is George Merriman from Shreveport, LA. I have complete faith in him and his surgery team. I am not really nervous yet, but closer to the day of surgery I may get that way..LOL.. I have been struggling with a weight problem for as long as I can remember. This is the heaviest that I have ever been! Actually, I am very excited to have surgery. I know that sounds crazy, but I have always wondered how I would feel and how I would look if I were 100lbs lighter. I am excited! I know tha…

Hi, I am new to the forum. I am having my surery on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. I am sick of the shakes and jello. I am excited but worried of anesthesia and overall OR complications. I believe this feeling is normal because anyone having surgery must feel this way. I have confidence in my surgeon. He is a veteran in this field but... My imediate family is very supportive, I havent told my extended family. I think once I have gone through surgery and a few weeks have gone by I might let them know or not This is about me and not them! I am looking forward to the changes... I am excited!!! Best of luck to everyone scheduled for surgery in the incoming weeks and moths.

In order for insurance to cover, I have to undergo a Drs weight management for 6 months. I see my Dr. this week and have made all my appointments for the next six months. I am excited about getting this all behind and getting on with the surgery. In the meantime, I am reading everything I can about the lapband surgery pre and post op. I went to a seminar in April and thought, like we all do, I do not need this I can lose weight on my own. WRONG! So, now I feel I lost six months, but looking forward, not backwards.

Hello All, I'm Callie and reside in Shawnee Kansas and I get banded on November 22nd. I attended my first support meeting this morning and everyone was really great. I'm so excited to begin this new journey in my life and look forward to all the simple things I'll be able to do.

After all the prep, I am finally sleeved. My doctor was Dr. Dutson. It was tough in the hospital, but all is good now. On the liquid diet - getting tired of Protein shakes. I have lost 11 pounds so far!

Okay I am new to the website but have been doing a lot of research off of it the past couple of days. I went to a seminar with my mom two weeks ago at True Results in Dallas and found out a lot of information. The seminar was only supposed to be for my mom but I found out that it might help me as well. I am 5'5" and 200lbs my bmi is only around 33 I believe. Which is not bad but I am bulimic. Which if anyone knows is not the greatest thing to have when your battling your weight! I have been bulimic for 12 years now and at one point only weight 113 lbs!! My doctor told me I was going to lose my daughter if I didn't start eating and now I can't stop. My bulimia is n…

I'm 5.3 weigh 255. I start the preop diet this week , for two weeks, which is just protein shake from bariatric advantage and veggies if I want. My ultimate goal is to be 125.

Hello all. I'm Kim. My surgrey is scheduled for Oct 12. So, I start my preop diet this Wednesday. I'm excited for the most part. Definintely, a life altering change that I'm welcoming.

Hello all, I was sleeved on Sept 19, 2011. I had an uneventful surgery and recovery although, I did have a bit of nausea which is now totally eliminated. My surgeon was Dr. Iannace, Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeons, Florham Park, NJ. The surgery was performed at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown, NJ. I can't say enough great things about how I was treated prior to the surgery and at the hospital. I was visited by six different residents and Dr. Iannace several different times during my overnight stay at the hospital. I truly have never been treated this well at any hospital, and I have been hospitalized for two cesarean sections and joint surgeries. I h…