Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I'm looking for a doctor who does fills for patients who had surgery out of the country. I don't care if they are in Surrey, New West, Vancouver, Burnaby... Greater Vancovuer area is great! Thanks!

i'm having so much trouble navigating this site. i've been running in circles for 30(+) minutes...i'm looking for the main discussion board so i can talk (i hope) to a board moderator. i ready to walk away.

i am new my bmi is 38 what other co morbitys do i need to have to qualify? i have cronic back problems ,GURD and foot problems and depression . i have healthnet ppo do u think ill get appoved? thank for input

I am having a problem finding the process and doctor for Lapband in Houston. They need to accept Medicare. I have Bravo Insurance which is a Medicare Advantage Plan. I feel there will be no problem getting approved, I just need to find a doctor what accepts my insurance. Prefer on the Southwest part of town. Thanks so much.

Hi! I had my surgery on August 26th, Im one week into the liquid diet, and I feel like I was completely unprepared for the emotional consequences of these first two weeks. I remember thinking... 2 weeks all liquids... no big deal, I love protein shakes...now? I would give just about anything to chew on something anything!! Ive been doing the ice chip thing, and it has helped quite a bit, but its just no substitute when the family is chowing down on enchiladas. For the first time Im feeling less confident about my decision... Did I make the right choice? I have shoulder pain(something agitating my diaphragm?) and I can't tell if my stomach is growling because it's truly h…

I was just banded on August 26, 2011. My insurance paid for everything and required the 6 months of pre op therapy. I have never had any type of surgery before so i'm healing very quickly but my appetite is also coming back fast. I'm not due for my first fill till sept. 20th. I'm not eating very much when i eat, i'm just eating more frequently. Is that normal? I've been eating pudding, cream of wheat, yogurt, soup and protein drinks. Today i'm allowed to start having bananas and strawberries. I'm craving something more solid but am afraid to try anything in fear of being miserable or throwing up. I haven't thrown up even once, but people have told me that happens sometime…

Hello there, my name is Shelley and I live in Ohio. I had my surgery on the 31st of August and I am really looking forward to talking to others to find out what works and what don't out there. I have found that the full liquid is NOT working for me. I end up hungry in about a hour after eating/drinking my meal. SO... I tried some pureed food for my next meal and that stayed with me longer and I had no backlash.... I did cheat a lil and tried some more solid food last night (spaghetti) and that was a No-No , my tummy was NOT HAPPY.. so I am back to pureed foods. What I am eating now is things like, steamed veggies, chicken, tuna, pork loin and ground bee…

If you quit for surgery and stopped for good or picked it back up and side effects...? I am trying hard -

Hey Guys My Name is Jacqui and I'm 18 years old. I weigh 105kg (231 Pounds) and I'm 5 foot 8. I've been researching the surgery for a good while now, (lurking this forum ) and have my first appointment with my surgeon this month. I'm a little worried about excess skin after I lose weight, does anyone think it will be a problem for me? is there anything you can tell me to help prevent it? (not that it would be very upsetting, I'm just looking forward to a much happier healthy me ) also any advice anyone wants to give me would be appreciated. Thank you

I'm 2 weeks out and I have lost 24 lbs so far!

Hey Guys My Name is Jacqui and I'm 18 years old. I weigh 105kg (231 Pounds) and I'm 5 foot 8. I've been researching the surgery for a good while now, (lurking this forum ) and have my first appointment with my surgeon this month. I'm a little worried about excess skin after I lose weight, does anyone think it will be a problem for me? is there anything you can tell me to help prevent it? (not that it would be very upsetting, I'm just looking forward to a much happier healthy me ) also any advice anyone wants to give me would be appreciated. Thank you

Hey Everyone I'm New here and I'm getting my Sleeve on 9/19 I'm a bit nervous , but I have been planning and going to class's, support groups and changing the way I eat, the way I think about food and my exercise routine since February of this year. So far I have lost 25 lbs since Feb, and thats just cutting out sodas, changing my foods and working out. I'm excited to find this site and learn more , make friends and get help if I need it.

It has been a week since my surgery and I am so hungry. Will this stop? Any ideas for choices for the liquid phase that could help fill me more than yogurt?

Hi all! My name is Kristina and I was banded August 24th. Starting weight was 239 and I am down to 225 so 14 lbs. as of today! I am very excited about my life! These first two weeks have had their ups and downs. I have been extremely sore and very weak but I think that it could be partly due to I am having to take 40 mg. injectable blood thinner (Lovanex) twice a day for a month after surgery Just so ready to be able to get my life started again!! Hope you all are having a nice evening!! Kristina

Well I had my 1 week follow up. I lost 13 lbs and get to advance my diet. Oh happy day!!! I just ate my first mushy food and so far so good! Can't say I am unhappy with my decision!

Hi all, I am so glad I found this site as a place for support and resource from those who have been there done that! I am currently in my nasty protien crap phase and exercising daily, gotta love the wii fit! I was discouraged a little this am when the scales said I gained a 1/2 of pound. I am completly complient with my protien diet. I know that maybe it is from exercising and was wondering has this happend to anyone else in this phase?

Hi, I am just beginning my research phase on the Lap Band procedure, so haven't yet attended a seminar or anything. I am 31 years old, 185 pounds, have a BMI of 32 with asthma and high cholesterol. I know I'm considered on the "smaller" scale, but when I found out the FDA approved it for people like me, I got very excited and started researching it right away. I am very unhappy with my weight and body image. I started gaining weight when I was 22, starting at 125 pounds, which is my goal weight. I've tried numerous ways to lose weight, but none that had permanent results. I exercise regularly and am working on improving my diet. I just don't know yet if this is the…

Well, I am very new to this entire process and new to forums. I just started this process in late June by attending the initial seminar, then this past week I had my initial appoitment with the sergon and staff. Because I my BMI is 38.9, I have to jump through the insurance hoops. My insurance has the requirment of six-months of a doctor supervised weight loss program and two medical issues related to weight. My fear right now is jumping through all the hoops and BAM! Insurance denial. But I guess that is a bridge I will need to cross when it's time. As for the rest, I have only told very close friends and family that I am considering WLS. The reactions is what …

Hi! my name is Ash and I had my surgery in Richmond, VA in January 2008. I started out doing very well, I lost about 35 pounds. I got filled once, then I moved an hour away and never got filled again (totally negligent on my part!) and now I weigh 20 pounds more than I did when I had the surgery. I feel like a failure, and I know that it is definitely possible for me to get back on track. I have an appointment with my surgeon on 9/20, and I'm know that I can get back on the wagon and get where I need to be! I need some encouragement!!!!!

hello to everyone tomorrow is my secound appointment with the doctors .after this they will get everything they ask for and send it to the insurance. here is my problem my pcp only have 4 yrs of my weight the insurance is asking for 5 what can i do that year i only went to them one time for some reason they didnt get my weight,so now i dont know if they would expcet that i do have diabetics and high blood presure and a bmi of 35. thank you Dennisse

Well I made it through the surgery and my first week! I haven't felt too bad at all. Been walking outside. Been meeting my Fluid and Protein requirements, barely some days. I have follow up with doc tomorrow! Here is my question: What should I expect pain wise? I am still having a lot of shoulder pain and occasional left upper quadrant pain. Is this pretty normal? How long does this diarrhea last!? Thanks!

Well, this has been an eventful year for me. I was going to have the surgery the latter part of last year or the first of this year. But I began having a number of doctors appointments and was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer. I had one surgery in March and they removed three lymph nodes and then the last week of June I had a colon resection and had two feet of intestine removed. That removed the primary tumor and I now get treatment of a shot in my rump once a month. It works totally different than regular cancers. I am fairly well recovered from the surgery so I am going to call my oncologist to make sure it is okay with him for me to have this surgery. …

Hello everyone! My name is Sylvia, I'm 26, live in houston, texas and just had my Sleeve surgery on aug 31st. I struggled so much just to get here. My journey started in 10/2010. I was aware of wls but was too scared to actually do anything about my weight surgically because I have always been big all my life and in a way thought surgery was the easy way out. It wasn't til I saw 328 lbs on the scale (and im 5'2") and just blew me away. I had to do something. I was depressed, my psoriasis and arthritis weren't helping me and my life was just miserable. I attended a seminar at the Davis Clinic here in Houston. A week later I meet Dr. Garth Davis and talked about my health …

How do i make my story short and not so sweet? Anyway I had my sleeve done August 15th and was oh so happy and was dropping pounds like bombs and my doc was like you can exercise after 2 weeks. So what does Tashara do after 2 weeks? I went for a nice little bike-ride around DC, 2miles tops. Anyways, I came back and collapsed at my desk and had a high fever. (this was last Tuesday 8/30). So I go to kaiser urgent care who checks my blood and sends me home with Tylenol and says I have a bug. OK. Wednesday I call my surgeons office (Dr. Salemah and Dr. Mayes) and go in to have a UGI to make sure my sleeve is in good condition. So my sleeve is great, and then I sudde…

Hello everyone. I just found this forum and I am so happy I did. I just had my surgery on August 17th 2011. So far I am doing good but I did gain a few pounds when starting on solids. I just saw the doctor today and he said that is normal. Has anyone else experienced this? It really got me down but I have picked myself up again because this is the choice that I have made. Nobody ever said this would be easy but it will be worth it. I'm so excited to start my new life... I am 37 and have my whole life ahead of me!

Hi has anyone have diabetes and been banded? iam a type 2 diabetic on an insulin pump thinking about having the band done.Please let me know your results. Ive had diabetes for 24 years and now im on the pump i want to have the band and my doctor is telling me to have the sleeve. i am very afraid to be cut and if it goes wrong oh well my stomach is gone. please help thanks Sue

Hi everyone Now im not a big drinker at all infact i have only had one drink this year ( red wine) at my sisters wedding but im wondering after the sleeve whats the rules regarding alcohol? i woud just like to know if, now and again when i go out i can have alcohol or is having the sleeve taking that ability away?

About 2 months ago I went to the doctor thinking that with a 39 BMI with asthma, stress incontinence and fatty liver I would be approved with no problem. After being denied and appealing the decision I was again denied. Apparently my comorbidities weren't bad enough for the insurance. So after reading the evidence of coverage I learned that you have to have a BMI of 40 or over. A BMI of 35-39 had to have specific comorbidities. I just saw my primary doctor on Friday and am now a 41.78 BMI. She is submitting the request for authorization again. I have Pacificare Signature Value ***. I am almost certain I will now receive the authorization to meet with the surgeon. Which …

Hi. I'm being sleeved tomorrow, 9/7/11. I'm scared, nervous, curious and excited all at once! I thought for sure by now I would have had at least one freak out...not yet!! I keep telling myself, it's because I'm a grown up...lol!! It will probably happen tomorrow on the way to hospital and freak out my husband and mom, so we'll all be a big hot mess together. Lol!! Well, here I go... On to smaller ( not bigger!!!) and better things! wish me luck! -kara

Hi! My name is Talia. I had my surgery 12/20/2010. My journey started May 20th 2010, my first seminar about the surgery to get the packet and process started. MAY 25th Medical records retrieved JUN 2nd Nutrition consult JUN 3rd Consult with surgeon JUN 9th Lab work completed JUN 11th Additional medical records retrieved JUN 14th Psych evaluation completed JUN 17th sleep study done JUN 22nd Insurance submission JUN 28th Insurance rejection ( 6month supervised diet required) Supervised visits on 6/1, 7/30, 8/26, 9/27, 10/25, 11/18 OCT 21 changed surgery type from lap band to gastric sleeve NOV 19th insurance submission DEC 6th insurance a…

I had the vertical sleeve operation June 24, 2011 (I weighed 128.7 kilograms = 283.734931 pounds). As of today, September 6, 2011, I weigh (95.3 kilograms = 210.100536 pounds). After the first day after surgery, I had little pain and was able to begin exercising. I jog 3-6 kilometers (2-4 miles) a day and started weight training last week. I eat far less than 500 calories a day, mainly because I just don't have an appetite...and the feeling of digestion feels uncomfortable to me. I mostly eat Protein, Beans (pinto and black), eggs, canned tuna, grits recently, canned chicken breasts, cheese, blended frozen bananas with skim milk, and lots of Water. I stay away from breads…

It's been almost forever since I've been on here. I am still in the mindset of avoiding the scale, even though I've been sleeved for 11 months now. The last time I stepped on the scale was maybe 2 months ago and I was elated to see I had lost 101 lbs. Today I got on the scale and I am 195. 195!!! The last time my weight had a 1 in front of it, I may have been 12. I can't even believe this. I am ecstatic!!!

Good evening everyone! My name is Angela and I'm from upstate NY. I had my surgery on 05/09/11 after a good year long process of neverending appointments! Now that all of that's finally behind me, I'm so excited to be starting a new me. At my first appointment, I weighed 252 pounds. I just had my first fill on Monday and I'm down to about 213 now. I'm so anxious to see a "1" as the first number when I step on the scale! Anyone out there have their surgery around the same time as me?

I rode a motorcycle today. Last year this time I couldn't have gotten on one. I'm not sure I enjoyed it. I kept wondering if I'd gone through this whole difficult almost year to be thrown from the bike into a ditch. It wasn't as much fun as I imagined and I'm still wondering what other people see in it. It was bumpy and uncomfortable. That aside, I was able to get on a motorcycle. I'll take it.

hey my name is Sabrina and I am 5 days post op. I am trying to get used to how my stomach feels but its hard. can anyone tell me what they felt after they got the sleeve within the first week? I just recently developed diarrhea yesterday, is that normal? The gas is not as bad as it was but still when i drink anything my stomach tightens up and feels like i have acid reflux my stomach rumbles and i burp. Im actually really hungry too but im scared to try any full liquids like soup or anything. I still have my drip bag in my stomach and its getting removed tuesday, can anyone tell me how that feels when its removed? Ive also been a little dizzy/lightheaded and somewhat naus…

Well, it's been a long road to get here but I have my date Sept 8th. I had a date back in Feb but had to postpone until now....I am excited but so SCARED.

Ok...I actually stumbled across this site a week or so ago and have been reading ever since. I live in a small town in KY and am travelling to Georgetown Ky to have my surgery done by Dr Weiss there. I am actually a nurse here and have a sister who did the RNY procedure several years ago. I had planned on doing the same and was told last week that my surgeon is preferring to do the VSG procedure. I started reading everyones topics while searching for information to prove to him that I needed the RNY. But after reading all of this information I am now thinking the VSG may be the way to go. As I said my sister did the RNY procedure about 6 years ago. She lost al…

Hi, I am new to this site. I have my initial consult coming up and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Pacificare ***. I was really surprised that I was approved for this consult since they had denied my initial request to see a dietician?! I am excited and nervous at the prospect of possible banding, yet extremely worried that they will deny me the surgery. Any thoughts?

31 yr old female from Brooklyn, NYC!! I 2 days post-op and still in a lot of pain. I'm excited about what's to come but nervous at the same time. If anyone can share their experiences with me so that I know I'm not alone in this I'd really appreciate it. Is everyone in a lot of pain the first few days post-op? HELP lol

Hi all. I had my sleeve done on Friday the 26th, four days ago. I was released from the hospital today. I was doing well keeping fluids down during my hospital stay. I got sick on the car ride home, and since am having an awful time drinking the required 30ml of fluid every fifteen minutes. I can hardly keep water down, let alone protein drink. I am worried that I am abnormal or that something is wrong. Others make it sound like it was no issue in keeping liquids down. I'm also feel extremely emotional. I am worried that I did the wrong thing. Please give me feedback on your experiences and any advice you may have.

Hi everyone. I am new here and i was banded 12-17-10 and to date I have only lost 40 pounds. Please don' t get me wrong I am very thankful for those pounds but am wondering if I am losing fast enough. I received a fill that actually worked in May 2011 and have lost about 10 pounds since then but really slow. I don need just a tad of a fill but my port is soooo deep that it is hard to find it las time after an hour I said forget it. I am planning to go back and try it again. Just wondering if this is normal.. and looking to make friends for support . Thanks for reading!

So I had surgery on june 28 and i was losing great I lost about 50 lbs and nowww i feel like I went up a few lbs and I am at a stand still . This is getting me down and im feeling like i should have gotten a bypass. But all of you on this site have done so well I feel like i must be doing something wrong. I wish my dr would have given me some kind of diet to follow!!!! Now i am also not excersizing much which i know i need to start . I have been really busy trying to find a job and once i get one I will be able to join a gym , so for now i am just using a stepper. The other thing is its hard for me to always have meat on hand in between meals so , what does everyone snack…

hello out there i have alot of questions need answers ready to chat

1st Mistake: Not Taking Vitamins, supplements, or Minerals Every WLS patient has specific nutritional needs depending on the type of surgery you have had. Not only is it a good idea to ask your surgeon for guidelines, but also consult with an experienced WLS nutritionist. Understand there is not a standard practice that all surgeons and nutritionists follow in guiding WLS patients. So, it is important to do your own research, get your lab tests done regularly, and learn how to read the results. Some conditions and symptoms that can occur when you are deficient in vitamins, supplements, or minerals include: Osteoporosis; pernicious anemia; muscle spasms; high blood pressur…

My name is Rebecca and this is all so new to me. I will be having the sleeve done in about a month, but my journey started about 10 mths ago witht the nutritionist, PT, psycologist, primary care and surgeon. I am ready, but very nervous. Anyone out there with regrets?

Hello, my name is Sarah and I was banded May 11th of this year. I began my weight loss journey 2 years ago at my highest weight ever, 314lbs. I lost 91lbs on a weight management program through a hospital I worked at. It was a high protein liquid diet. I felt great and motivated... until i didn't anymore and proceeded to gain 40lbs back before making an appointment with the surgeon. I lost 34lbs before surgery and 14lbs during my 4 week recovery. Since mid June I have not lost any weight. In fact, I have lost and gained the same 2lbs since then. I underwent my second fill in mid July and I am filled to 5cc's in my 10cc band. To be sure, I cannot eat the volume of food t…

So I've been on the site a while now and have gotten tons of useful information so thank you all so very much!!!! I've been doing a required weight loss program through my doctor ( insurance prerequisite) and just heard from insurance that I was approved for surgery! It seems like it took so long but I finally have my surgery date =D October 7th is the beginning of my new and improved life =D I'm very excited since I've been overweight for all of my life. It will be here faster than I know it and I will keep you all updated! Please feel free to send me helpful tips on stuff that has worked for you through your journey

Hi everyone - I'm three weeks out of my surgery and I feel great! I've lost a good amount of weight and am scared when I start eating that I will gain it back because they say it is common to gain when you start eating because you don't have a fill yet. There isn't any support here its a small town, so feeling a little lonely.

Hi! My name is Teri and I live in the bay area with my husband and 2 young kids. I am a band to sleeve conversion and have a surgery date of September 26th. I'm excited and nervous and excited and nervous. Did I mention I'm excited and nervous? I keep distracting myself with fashion magazines - thinking about all the cute clothes I'll hopefully soon get to wear and (hopefully) look cute in someday. I am particularly drooling over some knee high Frye boots. But honesty, I can't wait to have more energy for life. I want to run around with my kids and be able to easily get on the off the floor. And I'd love to kick my cpap to the curb FOREVER. Warm wishes and happy th…

My surgery was Tuesday and I day 3 postop today. I honestly expected to feel lousy but I don't! Ive been walking outside, no nausea, everything has went smoothly. Now, I just pray it continues to do such. Did anyone else feel this good 3 days after surgery? Can't believe it!