Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

im 4 days post op....just coming off the major pain medicine and getting ready to go back to work tomorrow. Anyone have any ideas other than broth and protien shakes what I can do for my liquid diet phase?

I'm scheduled for the end of next week for the band and I am scared to death. I just have this huge fear that i will wake up with the band and be hugely unhappy - I've ruined my life and I can't go back. Has anyone else had this fear? I'm sure intellectually that this is the right thing to do, and reading people's stories I know that it won't be that bad - but it still doesn't stop me from waking up in the middle of the night in a panic. I've got mixed feelings where my emotion wants to cancel but my mind wants to move forward. Can anyone tell me - I've read that "overeating" is very uncomfortable for those banded - but no one has said what that means - nausea - hea…

Hi guys I have my final consultation on the 3rd october for the sleeve operation but i have already been approved ! i wanted some inside info on how much people have lost and the good and bad and the do's and dont's !! i am very excited and just a bit about myself im around 19 stones and 5ft 11 high i have put on most of my weight from age 17 onwards after a traumatic experience in my life - i am a fat girl in a thin girls body lol just waiting to burst out and get my confidence back (dont even like getting on the bus these days because i think people are staring thinking im disgusting !!) any help and comments welcome and well done to those that are doing soooo well…

Greetings -- I had my surgery on 5/11/2011 by Dr. Joseph Cribbons. He did a great job but I don't particularly like where he left my port which is where the waist band of pants fall. The only other surgery I've had was gallbladder removal and this surgery was a breeze compared to that one. I had it on a Wednesday and since I work from home was able to sit at the desk and work the next day. Of course, I took numerous breaks during the day. Anyway, since my surgery I've had 2 fills and will be going in next week for my 3rd fill. I've lost a total of 30 lbs and I know that could be better but I can't stay away from the potato chips. That is the one craving I have an…

I am only 3 weeks out but I can already tell the mental hold that food had on me is gone! I don't think about eating constantly and don't think about what I will eat next all day. Amazing feeling!

To be totally honest . . . I'm not sure where I am in the process! I'm pretty sure we're moving forward, but I really don't have a clear picture of when my surgery will be!! My insurance has an exclusion for Lap Band, so I'll have another procedure (that I needed done) that insurance will cover and I'll just pay for the actual band. Anyway, I'm excited to just be headed the right direction!!

Hello all, just seeing who is out here and try to get some support during this time. I just want to talk to others who are having the lapband procedure and or had the lapband procedure.

I need help, my surgery is the 21, I'm afraid that if I don't lose some wieght that my doctor will not do the surgey!!!!!! I'm 238 if this helps. Need advice!

You know those little "thought bubbles"? If you couldn't read mine, you'd probably be wondering why I smile to myself a lot more these days. If you COULD read the bubble, it would say, "Wow...this is really happening. THIS TIME, I AM GOING TO DO IT!" Love my sleeve.

Two more days, and I'm having a bit of anxiety. I keep wondering how the heck am I going to keep on a liquid diet for two weeks! I've never been able to stick to one for more than two days in the past, why am I going to be able to now? Don't you miss chewing on something?

I'm 1 week 3 days post op. I'm now on the 2 wks of drinking 3 protein shakes a day. I've been ok for the most, but @ times I just want to cry knowing I still have another week before moving on to semi soft foods! The only thing that keeps me going is that the scale continues to go down in numbers:) and that this is temporary (thank goodness). As my friends & family are very supportive, they have no idea how truley difficult this is, so I just needed to vent to those who can relate. Thanks for hearing me out

Hey there people! I'm new to the site. Just wanted to say that I 'm glad I found all of you on here for advice and support. I will be banded next Thursday. *excited and nervous! I look forward to meeting kindred spirits, sharing my journ3y with all of you and hearing about your journeys! http://muffintopmoxy.blogspot.com/

Hello all! I haven't been on here in quite some time. But I wanted to drop a hello for my one year anniversary of getting sleeved. It has been an incredible journey. I did have a complication that was made more serious due to my own stupidity. I developed an infection that led to a leak in my zipper line. It would not have been as bad if I didn't wait almost a full day to go to the hospital. Without getting into too many details I almost went into cardiac arrest and had my organs completely shut down on me. I spent the next two months in the hospital. OK now that the scary part of the story is out of the way, I am here to tell you I would do it all over again. In one…

I made the decision to have this surgery six weeks ago. At the time of my initial consultation, I was asked if I wanted to participate in a local tv station's medical series and being the agreeable person that I am, I said "sure, why not?" I honestly thought they wouldn't really be interested in using me and that they would find someone else. I wasn't sure how open I was going to be with my friends about having this procedure, but after thinking about it a little more, I decided that I would let them film my surgery, if they wanted to. After making that decision, it seemed really easy to let people know that this is what I am doing and that I am really happy about my de…

Hello. I'm almost 1 year post op. I love that I've had the surgery and that I lost 90 lbs. but I'm still suffering from Severe Gerd. I went to a Gastroenterologist and had a endoscopy done and it showed that I had 4 ulcers in my esophagus and gastritis due to the acid. I'll admit, I wasn't taking my PPI's like I was suppose to so maybe that's why it became so severe. I definitely want to get it in check because I don't want the worse to happen. I'm taking my omeprazole 2x a day now and I haven't felt any acid pains...I go for another endoscopy in a few weeks...hope it's good news. By the way,..I did have acid reflux before surgery now it has turned to Gerd.

(I hope I am posting this in the right section. I am new to this site) I just scheduled my VSG surgery for Oct.14. I am so excited. Can anyone please post their before and after pictures for me? I am 27 years old, 5'9, and 240 pounds. I would especially love to see pictures from women my age, height, and weight just to get an idea of what my results "could" be like. Thank you so very much!

Hi everyone! Looking for someone from Charlotte or a patient of Dr. David Vollinger? Found out that my insurance approved me and now just waiting on a date. I was told by the office the end of October ot the beginning of November. I have been reading post of the band not lasting or slippage and it is making me really nervous . Can any one help me with these jitters. Ready for my new life and being able to do the things that I have missed out on with my children and grandchildren. Please ny advice from anyone is needed and wanted. Really need your support!!!!!!!!

Someone please help me. I am seeing Dr. Enochs and want lap band surgery. Everything was going great. I went to the consult and had all the labs ( a thousand dollars worth) and saw the nutritionist. But when I call my insurnce they are saying that a six month dr supervised weight is needed. I called the surgeons office and told them what was said. They told me the same thing that I was told initially. I do NOT have to have a dr. supervised weight program. Now what do I do. My coordinater is promising me that I wont and she says they verified my insurance before my consult. The insurance company is saying no one called to verify any benefits. Now what do I do. Im already o…

Hi everyone! Is there anyone here from Charlotte, NC or a patient of Dr. Vollinger? Just found out that I was approved for myy surgery. I am excited and nervous although don"t have a date have been told around end of October or beginning of November. Just excited about starting my new life and how it is going to be. I have been reading so many differnt things about the band not lasting or slipping and it is making me really nervous. Does any one have any advice on how to make it through the liquid diet phase of it all? If there aren't any Charlotte or Vollinger people any advice is wanted and accepted.

Hey there people! This is my first post! I'm so glad I found all of you kindred spirits here on LBT. I will be banded on the 29th. Ahhh Next thursday. I had a random dream the other night where my band tried to burst of my abdomen Alien style and started talking to me about food choices. So it's safe to say that I'm feeling a little bit of the lap band jitters. I currently live and work in South Korea. After two yrs of being an expatriate I'm moving stateside in 6 weeks so I'm sure band management will be a bit easier. I look forward to chatting it up with you guys! Fingers crossed for next week!

Hi Dears , Iam glad to join this website ... first of all i would tell you my story with G. sleeve, my name is Maha 29 years old and mom for 3 kids my weight before operation was 94 kg and hight 159 cm and i made my operation on 22nd July 2011 and iam now almost 84 kg ( i know it's not that much ! ) but still i have a hope that i will loss my all my weight first of all i was suffering with diet whole my life i tried all kinds of diet since i was 15 years old and i sucssed to loos my wieght when i was in primary school to be 50 kg !!!! offcourse alot of sport and very hard diet then when i get married i gain weight 20 kg on the first baby and the other one then i sto…

Hi all, I just joined this forum today. I am in the process of researching WLS. I've been to two different medical offices that offer the proedure, including a seminar where the facility offers Lap Band, Gastric Bypass, and Vertical Gastric Sleeve. From the research I have done on my own, I think the Sleeve is the least risky of all the procedures. However, the woman who gave the seminar was trying to lead me away from the sleeve because "it can't be reversed" and that the time I would have to be on a pure liquid diet would be alot longer than with a gastric bypass. I am really nervous about having surgery, but 3 doctors have told me that I need to have it. I am 5'7 …

So Monday is my surgery date! I have been waiting what feels like forever for this and i cant believe how quickly it finally did arrive. Im excited but scared. I want to make sure i can handle this change that will come my way. Ive been on liquid diet for about two weeks now and have lost 17lbs. The only thing on my mind right now is not falling behind in school and making sure when i go back to work i can handle it all. As for now wish me the best ).

Hey guys, how ya doing? I'm yet another newbie to crash the party, all in the name of research. I"m 26, Australian, weigh 142.5kg (about 314 pounds according to google) and as I slowly creep towards my 30's - my weight is growing faster!! Lapband surgery has been suggested to me and I feel like I'm cheating by taking that route. By the blogs that I've read this seems like a common feeling. So I'm researching. I've been reading reading and reading. Hell, I've become a bit addicted to researching and have taken the day off so I can research more. Whoops. I don't know whether to suck it up and pay for the surgery in full and just get it done now (well, as soon …

I'm three months out. Doing well with vitamins, shakes etc. I eat whatever I want but I can only have a few bites then I'm full. Only complaint is that majority of food does not taste very good; not enjoyable like pre-op. Also I am regularly having major hungar pangs. Very disappointing when supposedly the hungar harmone producing part of the stomach was removed. My nurse says I need to eat more protein to help with the hungar pangs and that eventually the hungar pangs will go away and my taste buds will return to normal like at six months. I've lost 50 pounds so far. I have at least a 100 pounds to go to get to goal weight of 150. I still look fat so no one has …

Hi everyone! I am sitting here in shocked surprise that I have a surgery date on Sept 27th. My initial consultation with my surgeon was on August 26th and I had my appointments with both the NUT and the Psychologist within 10 days. Everyone kept pointing out that I was being "fast tracked" but I had no idea it would be 30 days from start to finish! Talk about whirlwind LOL! It's funny, I looked into WLS two years ago and decided that having Gastric Bypass was just not for me. I could not get past the malabsorption, long list of potential complications and giving up the NSAIDS that save my sanity in dealing with the arthritis in my lower back. Since then my co-morbidi…

Hi Everyone! I just got banded on Wednesday, Sep. 14 and I can't begin to explain how helpful this site has already been in making me feel like what I am going through is "normal". I look forward to taking my journey along side you guys! Ecrivaine

Hi everyone! I'm Tabitha, a 26 year old stay at home mom and student. I have been overweight or obese from early childhood. I am currently in the beginning process of getting a sleeve. So far I have talked to my provider about it and she agrees that I would be a candidate. I have a bmi of about 36 and lots of joint pain. I just had labs done and x-rays. I am a military wife and will be going through the process with a Military treatment facility. I'd be very grateful for any advice that anyone can give as far as the MTF goes, the entire process, pretty much anything as I am still between the bypass and the sleeve. Thanks in advance!

Hello room my name is Deb and I am 7 days POST OP VSG, I'm weak, I sweat and I'm hungry. Whats wrong? I'm also from Mass.

I am 10 days post op today and I'm feeling much better. My shoulder and gas pains are lessening. I am going to my girls bunco party this Friday night which will be 15 days post op, and I know that all the girls will be drinking some sort of alcoholic beverage. Could I have some wine or a margarita to sip on or is it a bad decision so soon?

As I sit here reading all of the post I cant help but think just how scared I am. This is such a huge lifestyle change and I am only 23. However I know this is something I need to do. Any advice on how to truly prepare for what to come after I am banded?

On Sep 11, 2010 I ran my first ever 5K run. On Sep 4, 2011, I attempted 10K and completed it in 1h:45m:34s. Now attempting 21k in December. Though my weight loss was progressing well, a hectic travel schedule has made me gain 6 kgs, I know I can lost it, just a bit disppointed and angry with myself on the gain ! I know this works and this forum is the best thing that ever happened to me, all the support and encouragement motivates me to do better.

Hey all, my name is Dana and I have been lurking here for several months. I am 28, divorced, with 2 little boys, and I work as a registered nurse. I started my 6 month required nutrition program back in March, and now am awaiting official insurance approval for my lap band. My surgery date is tentatively October 17th, one moth from today!! It's been a long road,a nd I am excited for it to finally be here! Look forward to talking with you all, and I love reading all of your stories!

Hello, I have completed all my pre -surgery consultation appointments and I meet with my surgeon on Sept 19th. My insurance covers the Lap Band and Rny but I'm concerned about which surgery would be the best for me with my BMI. I don't particularly care for the malabsorption associated with Rny but the Lap Band also has more long term complications (erosion, slippage etc...), at least from the literature I've read. I'm leaning more towards the Lap Band because it's reversible, if serious complications should arise. I have to lose at least 160lbs and I would like to hear from anyone who needs to lose/ lost that amount of weight or more with the Lap Band. I'm just look…

Just curious if anyone has tried HCG after being sleeved. The only reason I am curious about it is cuz HCG claims to get rid of structural fat that you do not always lose during regular weight loss.

I have been researching bariatric surgery for over a year & chose the lapband. I'm a 55 yr old nurse & took care of more than my share of gastric bypass patients & felt I just couldn't go that route. My surgery is scheduled for tuesday, the day after my birthday. So, needless to say there will be no cake for me this year. This is my present to myself. My Dr told me in January that I won't live 5 more years with the condition my kidneys are in if I don't lose the weight now.I had to do the 6 mos supervised weight loss which I balked at initially but am now happy I had to do it. I have lost #37 since february on a low carb diet & have really gotten into my …

So, I'm noticing that several of my colleagues, associates and family members have this crazy perception, disdain and blatant disgust of WLS.. I mean, if you mention the possibility of a celebrity rumored to have had the band or bypass they freak out.. Hemming and hawing about how people should work hard and not pay for bodies and yada yada..... WHATEVER!!!!.... Oh, let's not talk about Ms. So and so who had WLS.. who does she think she is... HUH??? The flip side is that these are the same people who stare in disgust and utter shock when they see a morbidly obese person attempting to live a normal life!!.. I'm trying to understand what kind of human being would belittle, …

I have hit my first plateau at this point. Can hardly eat a thing and am lot losing weight. How r u doing?

Hello Everyone! I am so excited to say that my surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning!!! I am excited and nervous all at the same time. My mom got hers done on the 9th of September, and she is doing great. I am so incredibly proud of her. I can truly say that this liquid diet has been hell. Watching all of my friends chowing down at my apartment has been a nightmare. Haha. I just had a question for those of you who are already sleeved out there. I am 19 years old, weigh 260 right now, and I am 5'8. How is the extra skin factor? I know your skin has more elasticity when you're younger but I am just worried I will have a ton of extra skin and I kind of don't want th…

Hi there, My question. I am going to have surgery with Mr Grant Beban. I was wondering if there was any other sleevers out there in NZ, and if Grant had been their surgeon, and if so, what advice they would give me. My Story: I am pencilled in for my sleeve op on Thursday the 29th September, I have to drop off my form to the Hospital to make it 'official'. My story, I am 43 years old, have yo-yo'd with my weight since I was 13, but really really piled the pounds on since having my two darling babies, and starting my own business. I was 226.5 lbs, with a BMI of 39, when I decided to go to my GP and get a referral to a weight loss surgeon back in August. Sinc…

Had surgery on August 18th at NYU Medical Center. Dr. Kurian did the surgery & I have total confidence in her expertise. She told me she had to remove the band & reinsert it because there was difficulty with clamping it closed. I also had a hiatal hernia that was repaired. I was 236 the day of surgery, down from 250 from my first consultation. I am now ranging from 225-228 for the past 10 days. Sort of disappointing after dropping about a lb. a day for a while, but I know that's not normal nor expected. Had my first fill last Saturday. I will keep posting about progress & snags along the way.....good luck to all.

Today I started my pre-op diet--My band is scheduled for Sept 29th. I started this morning with a protein shake and it was Ok, I trying not to focus on the limitations but it is hard and I feel like it will only get harder,but I know the end results will be worth it. I can do find in the day time while I am at work it is when I am home in the evenings when my mind gets busy, I plan to try to keep myself busy and start a walking scheduled as soon as the weather gets a little cooler. Do anyone have any better sugestions take can help keep me stay focus especially at nights and weekends, has anyone ever got off track doing the pre-op period?

Hello! I am the mother of 5 and I have battled weight since high school graduation. I have at 250 pounds now and 5'3. This is the heaviest I have ever been and I am tired. I am tired of missing family reunions, tired of hiding from cameras,. tired of discrimination in lookign for a new teachign job! I want my life back and I want to live long and healthy. With that said, I am scared! I backed out of gastric bypass 30 minutes before surgery a year ago. I wanted the Sleeve then, but it was not offered. I am now with a new docotr I adore and am ready to embark on a new life. Somehow my greatest lingering fear is am going to 1. miss the social aspect of eating with my family …

Okay so I am starting to really worry about the surgery part of this joirney! I've never been in the hospital, never had surgery, and never been put under anesthesia! These are all things I am worrying about right now! Also the pain after the hospital! How long before you feel back to normal?! Any advice is greatly welcomed! <3

Hi everyone, I'm Haley, 29 from Vermont (52 BMI). I've spent the last few weeks going on different message boards and web sites being a sponge and soaking in information. I've made different lists and started a "questions to ask" list because I'll probably be asked a lot from the different people I'll meet with "do you have any questions?" I can never think of anything on the spot so I'm preparing myself lol I meet with my PCP in 2 weeks and extremely nervous because she never gets my frustrations with my weight. If she doesn't want to refer me (needed for insurance) then I'd have to switch docs and I'd rather not. I've heard my hopefully soon to be surgeon makes you los…

Uh, well, hi everyone. My name is Stephanie. I'm 29 and what I like to call chronically fat. I had myself a little breakdown on Monday when I went to do my Weight Watchers weigh in and for the gazillionth time, failed to lose weight even though I am following that damn program to a T. I have lost a total of 6 pounds since the beginning of June. I'm newly married and really excited to have babies. At almost 270 pounds I know I'm not at the most optimal weight for a healthy pregnancy for myself or my (future) babies. I really want to be a healthy weight. In the midst of my crying jag on Monday I made an appointment to see a bariatric surgeon and came home from that …

Hello my name is Raquel and I had my surgery on July 28 and I am 5'8 1/2 the day of surgery I was at 269 and today I am 238. I am just looking for some advise and help. I have been stuck at this number for the past 2 weeks and don't know if this is a good thing. Am I on track or should I be down more than what I am. Looking for ideas to help me get on track. I am also having issues with using the restroom (#2) does anyone have any tips on that.

It's official now, I'm going to do this surgery!! I have been on a long hard journey since April of 2010, and alot of it was my own fault for it taking so long. I went through a lot of soul searching to figure out if this surgery was really what I wanted to do or not, and I finally told myself I was in it for the long haul. I have struggled with my weight since I was about 8-9 years old, and I've always been the "thicker" type. I thought that I was alot bigger than I really was, and looking back at pictures of me in high school and my early 20's make me cringe to think that I really thought that I was FAT then. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in …

Hello I am a newbie to this site. I am 15 weeks post surgery. I am starting to get really frustrated. I am not feeling very little to no restriction. My husband has even said to me that he is not seeing a difference in how much I eat. I have had several fills and I believe I have 9ccs in my 11cc band. I am just wondering if anyone out there has been through the same thing? I have only lost 12 pounds and now I am stuck..... I losse 3 pounds then within a couple days I gain it right back. I just want to CRY!