Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

This is what I get in response to clearly explaining the procedure and telling her about all of you: "What does your primary doctor say? Does he recommend this? I worry because any kind of surgery has side effects. I do not feel like celebrating something that is unnatural. God gave you a stomach just the way it is and not to be cut in half." I want you to be happy. I did not realize that you were unhappy. So, you are saying that if you were thinner, you would be happy. No, healthier! and then the guilt trip: "I have had more heartache than anyone can imagine. It seems like I always have to be dealing with something or another. " After she …

Look out, everybody!! I'm coming to join you on the loser's bench soon!! Oh, and I can't WAIT to be there!!! SO 'cited!!! :cheer2: I know I'll be all nervous about a week out, but for now I am just bursting with hopeful anticipation of what my new life will bring!!! Love you guys and am SO GLAD you are all here...without you, I would have gone absolutely batsh*t crazy over these last 7 or so months!!! Pardon the term... :becky: My insurance hasn't technically approved me yet, should come early next week....but there's no reason why they would deny me. Just waiting for that last hurdle and I'll be FREEEE!!!!!

I am totally frustrated with my surgery! Two weeks after surgery I was down 10 lbs. As soon as I went off full liquids, the weight started to return. I followed the program faithfully through Thanksgiving and kept gaining. At 3 lbs from my surgery weight, it stopped and is back down to 6-8 lbs below surgery weight! I absolutely have not been eating enough to gain weight. I have never felt as much restriction as I expected. I can eat anything I want and if I eat slowly, I could eat at much as I wanted, but hold myself to prescribed amounts. I do not know what is going on. The doctor is not much help. Haven't seen him since just prior to the surgery. He did not c…

I am excited about the pre-op appt with the surgeon today. That means we are getting closer to the date. Just for the thrill of it, I also weighed myself this morning and I am down 5 lbs from Tuesday when I started my pre-op diet. I wish I could wake up tomorrow and it was the 28th!

Hi Everyone. I have spent some time this morning reading your stories and am so happy for all of you, progressing/reaching your goals. My surgery was Monday 9/12 and I am really ready for this part of the journey. I started with my seminar in 12/2010 and had to do a 6 month supervised diet before getting approval. My biggest fear is that this will not ultimately work. I hope that with the support of all of you here I will be able to get past the hurdles and stumbling blocks that I know are ahead of me.

Before I was sleeved, I thought I would go through life feeling so deprived. But now that I'm a few months out, the biggest surprise is how infrequently that happens. I just checked my food diary and I am at 440 calories so far today. And I feel like I've been eating all day. That's 3 meals? I don't know when this shift in perception actually happens but it's sure nice. Yes, there are days when I wish I could have more. But frankly, those thoughts tend to be right before I start eating. Then, once I've eaten, I'm fine with stopping at the 4 or 5 or whatever ounces I am able to take at that time. It really is a different way of life.

20 pounds!! I am happy with this. 14.5 inches too. According to realize. Someone I never told about the surgery seen me the other day and said wow. I don't see a difference, but still nonetheless to hear someone say that, makes me gidy inside. Thought I would share.... Gracie

In the past couple of weeks while planning for my surgery, my life has gone through a complete 180 with plenty of ups and downs. I'm saving up and pinching pennies and in 2 weeks, our Central A/C has died, a wisdom tooth popped up and had to get extracted, my car has had issues, my husband's car is having issues while his truck has an unrepairable flat tire. $$$$$$- that about sums it up. Now, in the past 3 days, my mom (we are very close to each other and even live next door) has gotten emergency custody of my niece and nephew because my sister and her husband are on drugs and are abusive. We just spent 6 hours in court, On top of that, my mom also has a foster chi…

I started this process in June 2010..... the center I was going to turns out is in my insurance plan but the surgeon was not as he had been dropped a month before... so they were going through the process to be added and they said it would take 2 months at the most. I called back and found out that it was going to take 6 months plus 6 months of doctor supervised weight loss .... so I found another doctor and started the process there.... I was 2 months away from the 6 month mark and they combined with another practice but not to worry they were accepting more insurance plans... and then they found out mine was one of the ones that was being dropped. By chance I cal…

I just wanted to follow up, I got approved yesterday. It has been a little confusing, because I feel nervous rather than happy. but, I am sure that is normal. I know my life is going to change in a big positive way and i am happy about that . I am looking up how I can start a video blog. so i will provide the link once it is up. Thank you for those who answered my questions and have provided positive encouragement. I start the prep op diet on September 22nd.

Well I am 19 years old and a soon to be college student. I have struggled with my weight for most if not all of my life. I have never been thin, always overweight. When I was younger like elementary/middle school age my weight really affected me mentally and socially. I used to get picked on all of the time. It wasn't until my freshman year of highschool that I became confident and comfortable in who I was, and the way I looked. I have tried diet after diet after diet and they just don't work, or I am just not motivated enough to follow through. It wasn't until I was diagnosed with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) in the 8th grade that i saw my weight was an issue medi…

Hello everyone! My name is LaToya and I am new to these forums. I am currently in the process of getting the gastric band, I have my 1st appointment with my surgeon tomorrow. I am both nervous and excited. I am mainly interested in meeting with the Dietitian because I am a very picky eater and want to make sure that I will be sucessful. If you want to reply---please feel free to do so and add your stats soI can see how sucessful you have been. Date of Surger, Begining Weight and Current Weight. Can't wait to hear from everyone!

I've put off doing this, but here it is: I had lap-band surgery 3 years ago. About 6 months ago I joined WW and at first it really helped me get back on track, eating-wise. Then it made me downright obsessive about it. I was on 29 points/day and thought,"how about 20?"....then I went down to 17, then 10. I was training for a triathlon at the same time (hence the username) and got to the point where I could no longer sustain workouts on that level of intake. Somewhere along the line I started vomitting....a lot. I went back to my surgeon (easily the worst bedside manner in the world) and he blamed it on me, that I should have come in sooner, etc. I had 1 cc in my band an…

Hi there. My name is Lisa aka Scrapper4life. I live in a small town just south of Wpg, MB. I work full time in a credit union. I have been married to my husband for 18 years and we have two beautiful daughters, age 9 & 11. Our life is comprised of ringette, cheerleading, softball and any other activities our two girls can get away with. I also have a serious scrapbooking addiction (just in case you didn't get that from my screen name). I don't get to scrapbook as much as I like because of the aforementioned activities, but have lots to scrapbook because of the same! LOL My surgery is scheduled for Sept 27th. I'm on day 2 of the 2 week pre-op diet, which kin…

Hi! My name is Charlene and I just joined the forum today. I live in a small town about an hour outside of Ottawa. I am married with 4 children and one due in March. I have not had the surgery as of yet, but am planning to start the ball rolling in January, with the hopes of having the surgery done in June. Saving $16,000 is no small feat, but I think this is the answer that I have been searching for. I can't wait for the day that I can say goodbye forever to the 200's and say hello once again to the 140's!

Hi Everyone, I was banded on Monday (at Bellevue Hospital) in NYC, spent one night in the hospital and am on post-op day 3. Most important, I am doing really well. I was conflicted about having the surgery for some time, but finally decided to do it. Most important reason: my health! In the last two years, I have had endometrial cancer (stage 1 - no chemo or radiation) and emergency gall bladder surgery. Although I can't say that my obesity caused these problems, both conditions are highly correlated with obesity. In addition, my blood pressure and cholesterol levels were rising. Both my parents died in their 60's of cardiovascular disease and at my current age…

Hello all ... my name is Tera. I am new to this forum. The reason I opted to have the sleeve procedure done was my doctor recommended it to try and rid me of my diabetes and high blood pressure. I weighed 227 before surgery and am now at 195...yay! But, best of all, the 2 offending diseases are GONE already. I am overjoyed with this outcome. So don't get me wrong when I complain in the remainder of this post, lol. I am 3 weeks out of surgery and can hardly eat anything. I eat 2 to 3 tablespoons of anything and struggle to keep it down, or as in half the cases, throw it back up. I admit I tried to eat soft foods such as chicken thigh meat, (but thoroughly chewed it til…

I am almost 1 year out on September 25.....when we flew down to San Diego for Surgery we sat in first class and I couldn't even buckle my seat belt....last weekend we flew to LA and upgraded to first class again and 2 of me could have sat in the seat and my seat belt had massive ....i mean massive extra length! Wow the difference a year makes This is something that I USED to dread...getting on an airplane........now every time I get on one.......it reminds me of how different my life is now. To have the fear gone is an amazing feeling! On a side note.....I never once broke a chair at my heaviest which was 289 lbs......the other weekend we went to Denny's with som…

Hi all !! I am so glad I stumbled onto this website. Since I decided to have the surgery, I have been "google'ing" everything I can. I found this website and joined today. What a wonderful idea to have all the support a person needs at this time. I am 58 yrs old and will be having the vertical sleeve surgery on Friday Sept 16th. Needless to say I have mixed emotions. First being so excited that my 5'0" body will soon get rid of most of this weight. I am now 240lbs now....ugh I know...But also a little scared since it is all new to me. Reading alot of your stories sure helped ease my mind. Any help you can send my way to make the experience easier I woul…

Hi, im new here! i am 15 years old, and im having my surgery at childrens national hospital. i have to dr. app tomarrow, one for meeting the phycrastic, and one to meet the anathesis. im so excited to start my journey! I goe on here every night to read peoles experince. i only had one dr.app but that was just a consult. I also have my surgery date which is oct 11. u dnt have to be a teen to comment, cause i can learn alot from adults. I dont know if my experince will be diffrent from everybody elses because im doing my surgery through a childrends hospital. i havent started no pre-op dies or anything, i guess ill find out tommarrow.But i do have a question that people can…

I've read where most, not all people lose their hair after surgery and I was wondering if Biotin really helps. I had PAT (pre-admissions testing) yesterday and one of the doctors had the Lap-Band done about 2 yrs ago. She said her only regret besides her bat wings (the flabby skin that droops from her upper arms), was the hair loss. Her hair was very thin and whispy. I asked if she tried Biotin and she said she took it but it didn't work nor did her hair return to the stage it was prior to surgery. What did you hear about Biotin or what has been your experience?

. I have Aetna Health Maintenance Organization..Im currently 270 with a BMI of 41....I know i qualify with a BMI >40..I'm hearing that Aetna requires a 2 year weight history. Will they deny bc I havent been 270 for the last 2 years. My weight fluctated from 225 to 270.

SO EXCITED! I weight myself on my 3 month surgiversary and yep, 55 pounds lost...WOOT! *happy dance!*

So it's offical, I am schduled for surgery Monday Sept 26,2011. So many emotions, that I can't even begain to wrap my head around all of them. I am excited/nervous. I feel it in my soul that this is the right decision for me and my beautiful 8yr old son. I want to be as healthy as possible and have all the energy in the world for him. However I still feel extremely nervous about surgery, I am the type that researches like a mad women, so I know the benefits,risks and emotional rollcosters one may experience. I still am asking myself, Why not do this on my own, again. I have tried in the past and have lost a significant amount of weight only to put it back on, Recently I g…

my surgery is in 13 days. Im not getting any support from friends, family or coworkers I just want to hear some encouraging words, success stories anything positive. I want my life back not a quick fix. I hope this is the answer im scared of the post op diet and any complications. this is forever and i really need to know its safe and it works..

I am such a ball of nerves especially for the fact that my surgery is not until at least 5 pm tomorrow...what to do all day? Anyway, i have never felt so many emotions at one time. How did everyone deal with "the day before" jitters? Thanks all.

I have been obese since I was 10 years old. I weighed in at 145 pounds in the 3rd grade. Been through Hell in school, constantly picked on and degraded up until High School. I was the funny girl, the class clown-who made everyone laugh so I didn't have to decipher if they were laughing with me or at me, though most of the time it was with... That was long ago but remembering it takes me back to those feelings of worthlessness. I am going to be 29 soon, am recently Married and completely bummed out by my unhealthy body and my mindset. One of my past attempts to lose weight took me to a forum board (which led me to think there was one for the lap band) where I was o…

Hello!! I am new here and wanted to take a moment to introduce myself! My name is Emily and I am almost 27 years old. I have been married 10 years and have 2 happy, healthy beautiful babies ( almost 5 & 14 months.) I have just been approved by my Insurance company and have a surgery date of November 3, 2011. I am type 2 diabetic and have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. My surgeon is Dr. William Steely and from my consults he has been wonderful!! He has been practicing Gastric Bypass surgeries from 20 years. He & his staff have been very patient and very kind. I am really looking forward to starting my new journey in life with this surgery. I have already found some gre…

Hi, I am 12 days post op, and feeling great. I have been banded, and I love it. My first doctor visit will be this coming Wednesday. I haven't had any problems. I went back to work three days after surgery. If I move a certain way, or bend over too far, I have a little pain, Other than that, everything is great.

I am getting my surgery on Tuesday and am so excited. The only thing I am nervous about is I have a binge eating problem. I have tried to overcome it for years. I am nervous I will still have those cravings and will be an emotional wreck. Anyone out there deal with binge eatin after the surgery? I am hopin it will just go away but I think I will see a counselor afterwards. I'm worried I will be a mess!

Well, I was sleeved last Thursday. My tummy and sleevey have been at odds pretty much since. The only thing sleevey likes is popsicles, Water, and Jello. Any suggestions for that? I'm supposed to be on full liquids and have no idea what to try to introduce sleevey to. Anyway, glad I took the plunge, it has already inspired the hubby to throw out all junk food and start going to the gym, so my whole family will be getting healthy with me YAY!! I do have one small question, I have been on an anti nausea med that has caused my vision to blur, has anyone else experienced this? I have to wear my reading glasses all the time now to see anything clearly. Thanks. Oh,…

Hi my sleeve family I need some advice. I met a wonderful person online about 3 months ago and we have been talking, texting and emailing but we have not met. We have exchanged photos and really have developed a friendship and a budding relationship. We will be meeting for the first time this weekend and I am very excited, but I am not sure if I should tell about my upcoming wls in November. I have shared everything about myself except that. What would you do in my situation? How should I handle this?

I put the recent stuff about me on my profile, so you can go there if you feel like reading.....the short of it is I am getting banded on November 9, 2011. I am looking forward to this journey. Excited about it. Looking forward to challenging myself again by eating good foods and pushing myself at the gym. My goal, more than a specific weight goal, is to be happy, self-confident, and athletic! I know the band will (barring complications) help me do what I already know how to do but without having to battle the hunger- which eventually took over every other time I've lost weight. My goal once banded (and after a few weeks of recovery), is to count calories/keep a food…

I can't believe that tomorrow is almost here & I will be having my surgery! It was less then 3 months ago when I made the decision on doing this & attend the seminar. I'm so excited! It's funny that I'm pretty ok tonight & not freaking out. Feeling like I'm so ready for this.

Hi all, while I'm new to the board not new to the band, I have had 2 fills so far and need a 3rd but Canada Drs. not willing to keep filling even though they have given me 2 so far cause I'm from states, I will pay for fills but need to know place in Michigan area that will fill a Slimband (Canada band). Any help appreciated.

My wife was sleeved on 8/9 and went for her one week followup on 8/15 and had lost 19.5 lbs. She about fell off the examination table when they told her. I am so proud of her and she is doing so well. My date to be sleeved is 8/23. Can't wait.

Hello--,This is my first time on this forum,I start my pre-op diet tomorrow and very nervous about it. I can do find doing the day it is at night when I feel that I might be out of control. Is there any suggestion for me, I want this so bad that I feel that I am gettin overwhelmed.

OK, sooooooo heres the deal. I submitted to insurance and got denied because they said it wasnt medically necessary. So I appealed it. I found out yesterday that my appeal got denied. In my appeal letter I had mentioned that I had gained about 5 lbs since my weigh in with my Dr.... so, Im on the phone with my appeals nurse and she tells me that I got denied for not having a high enough BMI, because I dont weigh enough and me just writing in a letter saying that I gained weight isnt valid material (makes sense, no biggie). So I ask her "will it help my case if I go in and have my weight confirmed by my Dr?" she says "well you caaaaan, buuuuut I dont know how much it woul…

I went to Mexico on 2/18/2011 and had vertical sleeve. Everything went well and the weight was falling off. On June 8th my only sister and best friend died in a car accident. My world fell about. I quit taking my vitamins, watching protein and just tried to eat my way through the grief. Fortunately my stomach did not allow me to go back to food for comfort. I have not lost as much as some but I am still happy with my weight loss. I have lost 57lbs in 7 months. I think if things had went different for me I would have lost more but we all deal with the cards we are dealt. I am just now starting to settle back down. My sister had 3 children that I have inherited and I…

My surgery is for Friday since it is in Mexico, my husband and I go down Thurs. Whole lotta excitement and nerves going on. I am so excited to finally be making the first step into having a normal life. I must say this company "Belite Weight" has been wonderful and very helpful. They will transport us from San Diego to the Hotel for Thursday night. Then transport us to the Hospital for Friday surgery and Sunday transport us again back to San Diego. The hospital is even set up with a bed for my husband. I am really impressed so far.... The patient facilitator at Belite (Amy) is wonderful and answers all my questions no matter how stupid they seem. And I have had some s…

Weighed this morning and down 20lbs!!! No regrets from this sleever!

October 7th will mark my one-year anniversary. My weight loss has greatly slowed during this past month, but I am down 140 pounds in less than a year. I feel fantastic... I'm active like never before and am loving life. Having sleeve surgery was one of the very best decisions I ever made in my entire life. For all of you contemplating or about to have your sugery, know that there is life on the other side. And it is goooooood. One of the things that helped me during this year was eating Soup. I turned into a soup-obsessed feak, mostly I think, because I could not bring myself to drink the Protein shakes. Man, I hate those things. But I made a lot of my own Soups and …

Hi everyone, I've been reading post for about three months now, never participating. Finally took the dive! I am getting sleeved at St Lukes hospital in NYC on thursday. Im excited but scared at the same tiime. Ive been morbidly obese for more than 15 years now and Im sooooo ready to feel better physically and mentally. My sister had a by pass done over 5 years ago and is doing well. Her sucess helped me to make my decision to get healthy. Thank you all for the informative information. I feel better prepared for whats to come and knowing this family of sleevers are availabe for support makes me feel even more confident in my journey.

I have fibromyalgia and I know it's an autoimmune disorder. Not disease, but disorder. I was wondering if I can still get a lapband? I have not been to my first appointment yet but if there is no chance, I will cancel the appointment. I'm hoping it won't matter. If there's anyone that has had the proceedure done and they have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome please share with me. thanks Ms.Jules

Hello fellow bandster! I name is Stephanie aka mvcattie! I was banded in Mexico on march 2, 2011! 27 weeks later I am down 53lbs! My husband got banded on the 28th December 2010. He has his journey and I have mine! I thought it would be great to have my husband and I doing this journey together but not so much now! I want a life change and am taking steps to do it! I live in SO CA and have two great daughters! Joined a gym last week and really having a lot of fun! If you are in SO CA give a shout out to me!!

Hi! Figured it was time I got connected with some sort of support group. I'm 53, had my lap band 6-27-11, and had lost 20# but back to 17#. My first fill was 8-15-11, and I lost well for a few weeks, then stopped. Seemed hungry a lot of the time and was able to eat way too much. Doc put in 3.5cc the first time. I went yesterday and had 2 cc more put in and having some back up trying to eat/drink. At this point I'm just trying to figure out what I can eat and drink and keep in. Kind of a scarey thing when even fluids back up on you! Now...onto the more informative parts of the forum!

Did the liquid diet make you sleepy? Today is my second day and I am having a hard time fighting the exhaustion. Could it be because I am consuming less? I am BEAT!!!

Although I do feel a slight headache coming on, the full bariatric liquid diet isn't too bad so far. I absolutely love the Unjury chocolate splendor and will be trying the chicken soup in an hour. I know tonight around dinner I will probably be wanting dinner--it will be some sort of creamy soup. I hope all days are this smooth!

Good morning and happy Thursday! This has been the longest work week in the history of work weeks – LOL. And for the record I AM STARVING!!! I’m not angry hungry and I’m not hungry enough to mess up but don’t get it twisted… a sista is famished!!! Two things, I’ve lost 5 pounds. I know… that’s sounds impossible for only 2 days of a liquid diet but that’s what the scales is reading. I stopped in my Firm's gym in our basement on the way up to my desk. But these pounds have not come without pain…and I do mean pain. Tuesday night and last night I had the mother-load of Charlie Horses. Charlie stepped into the ring and won the fight – LOL. The 1st one was in the top my f…

A friend & co-worker of mine wants to get the sleeve. We were the same size & he see's me shrinking. With my insurance option I could just go & get the sleeve. His insurance option he needs a Dr to recommend him. As a young man he doe not have family Dr. So he went to a Dr down the street & ask about getting WLS. The Dr told him no because he does not agree with WLS because it was the easy way out. What a jerk!