Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I had my first consultation on Monday and am scheduled to be banded on Sept. 15. My doctor is Dr. Reilly in Houston. I was wondering if anyone else has used Dr. Reilly and what they thought of him. I haven't met him yet. I'll meet him when I have my EGD done on Aug. 25. I'm a little nervous about both procedures. The EGD makes me nervous because its just the thought of having a scope put down my throat. I know I will be knocked out but I'm still nervous. I'm nervous about the lap band because I've have tried every thing else to lose weight and this is my last hope. Also, I am financing this procedure and it's alot of money to shell out if it doesn't work. Has an…

Hi Bandsters and Future Bandsters, My name is Karina, and I'm a lapband patient since Nov 2010. I have lost 63 lbs since my lapband and I'm looking for people that would like to hear my story, or people that just need support or advice, I'm here for all of you. We need eachothers support. Please follow me on my Facebook, www.facebook.com/kfrancolapband

I was banded on Friday August 19 and I'm so hungry. I have eaten all the sugar free Jello, popsicles, broth and Water that I can, Am I doing something wrong? I was not this hungry before the band?

So I have been on this sight awhile reading all kinds of post and really getting alot of great information. I had decided to have the surgery awhile back but what I am having a hard time with is that don't know how to start. Do I pick out a Dr. first or contact the insurance company. When I spoke with my family Dr. about deciding that I wanted the surgery all she had to say was good luck with that. So now I'm sitting here going what do I do? If any one can help I'd be so grateful. Thank you, Lara

Hello ! I am going for consulutation this Saturday ! I spoke to the insurance company today, they say that I am covered. Here's the thing I have searched thru out this site and other sites, can seem to find anyone that is really needing to loose alot of weight, I am 5'2 and weigh 182 lbs so I do fall in the guidelines and I do have other medical problems, have tried loosing weight for a good while with no success. So is this really gonna happen ? Also I know reading about the "fill" so you have to pay to get more fluid injected into this? I am sure this will be a little clearer after this first meeting huh ?

Hello all, I signed up for this forum a week or so ago looking for advice on whether the VSG or RNY would be right for me. I got some great replies. I also did ALOT of research and I've chosen the VSG. All of my paperwork is being submitted to my insurance company this week and I'm hoping for a quick turnaround. I took my sweet time making this decision and now I'm ready to go! Thanks for being so accepting of a newbie!

getting lapband put on friday...Alot of different emotions going thru me excited but nervous. Family is being really supported but have no clue really what this feels like going thru it.

Hello, I'm new to the site. I have been on this site for about 2 weeks now and finally decided to join. I am 36 years old I'm 5'3 and weigh 203. I have struggled with my wieght for the past 10 years. I started the WLS process about a month ago. I have attended an informational meeting about a year ago, but finally decied I just need to do this. I am scheduled for a sleep study on Wednesday. I don't have any type of health problems and they referred me for a sleep study to help me get approved with a sleep apnea diagnosis. I have BCBS I don't know if they are going to require a psych eval or some type of diet, but I'm anxious. Does anyone know what's the next step after th…

Approximately 10 years ago I went to a weight loss surgery seminar and honestly it scared me to the point I decided I could do this on my own (at that time I weighed 330lbs). This past weekend I went back and now after hearing about the VSG procedure I know that it is time for me to get this done. I am meeting with my surgeon tomorrow afternoon and have filled out all the paperwork. My main concern is that I haven't really had a 6 month supervised diet with a primary physician. I've tried weight watchers, personal trainer, eating plans, gyms, weight loss clinics, etc and yes I can lose a few pounds quickly I just cannot sustain the weight loss more than a month or two. …

And the good news keeps rolling in. A little while ago I posted that I had received my approval letter yesterday in the mail. This morning I called the surgical nurse/coordinator to let her know about the letter (the Doctor said IBC usually lets their insureds know before they let the surgeons know about approval/denial). Anyway, they received a copy of the letter and right then and there, on the phone she gave me my surgery date!!! She also went over my liquid diet, when to start it, etc. I am beyond estatic. My face hurts from smiling so much. Can this day get any better???

Hello, My name is Jim Boston, I am 43 years old, married 26 years to Marsha my wonderful wife. We have (3) children, Daughter - Amber 27, Son Andrew 23, Son Jimmy 22. May of 2009 My sons changed my life forever, They both enlisted in The United States Marine Corp. and went to boot camp in San Diego on Sept. 21, 2009. I being a greatly Patriotic Individual anyways felt amazingly proud and severly lost without them as we were very close. While they were in boot camp I made a pact that if they were strong enough to volunteer to suport and defend the whole country, I could atleast be disceplined enough to take care of myself and be around for them as long as possible. S…

Well, just barely, but I'm there. I weighed in at 199.6 today! I'm happy, but actually I'm more shocked than anything. I have been overweight all my life. Have been on multiple diets mulitiple times, off and on for OVER 30 years. I have not weighed under 200 lbs since junior high...and I am now 46. If anyone ever wants to tell me I did this the easy way with wls, all I have to say is: I did it the successful way!

Tell us: What was the largest size you've ever worn (even before surgery) AND What size are you NOW??? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My largest Sizes: 3-4X Tops, 28W Pants, 12 Panties, 42D Bra, 8.5 Ring, 10.5WW Shoe... Me today: S-M Tops, 6-8 Pants (4's too tight but getting there!), 6 Panties, 34B-C Bra (Will be bigger next week... ), 5.5 Ring (Getting too big now), 9M Shoe...

Hi everyone I have joined your group mostly for some opinions. I live in Australia and had Band surgery in 2004. At that time I weighed 180kg (397lb) with a BMI 62. That wasn't my highest weight but I have no idea what that was as I couldn't be weighed anywhere other than the local Grain Store and I wasn't going to be doing that!!! Anyway in the first 2 years I lost 85kg (185lb). I had little if any problem with my band and I lived my life then as a "normal" person. I was simply not able to keep under the 100kg mark and hovered for 2 years around the 105kg mark. I had an adominoplasty to remove about 9lb of skin in 2007. Less than a year later I had to have a…

Any info of cost and doctors. It is all running together.

August 23rd is my big day and I am still unsure about my decision. I am nervous, scared and afraid of failure. I have been on this site for a year and I have read my negative things then positive about the lap band. I need to lose weight because I have some medical problems. I don't want to get the lap band and develop more medical conditions. I am taking all opinions and any advice... So please speak up one and all!!!

I know this is a personal topic BUT I have to ask in order to be prepared- It appears that I am more constipated now with drinking the Protein shakes on my pre-op diet. I am also geting 8 glassses of Water a day as I should ... Does anyone have solution that will benefit me both pre & post op ? normally benefiber (orange flavor with water) helps but it does not seem to be working. last night I went and picked up exlax chocolates ....?

ok--so after lurking here for about 6 months--time to introduce myself... it took me about a year to convince my hubby that this surgery is safe...finally accomplished that!!! found a surgeon--dr barker in dallas--started the 6 month program(three months ago)--have had quite a few of the pre op test done too--NOW have found out my insurance is not going to cover it--SO... talked to christi--i think I will be going to Mexico towards the end of September for Dr Kelly--I am VERY excited and ready to get on with this, just a little nervous...I sure wish I had my camera out when i told hubby i was going to mexico... he tells me he is going to go with me , so he can bri…

I had my sleeve surgery on August 17th with Dr. Hohen in Shawnee Mission, Kansas and am down 14lbs since 08/14. I can't believe how quickly I have lost weight. I am off work until the 29th, but am making sure I am eating right and walking. I had some cottage cheese and a meatball yesterday. Day 7 I can eat deli meats, tuna, etc. Can I eat soft pita bread with hummus? I am trying to figure out what my body is telling me, I don't know when I'm hungry, the only thing I can tell is when my stomach growls, and I don't know if it's just because I'm sore. Has anyone else experienced the same?

I know it's been a while since I logged in anyways, I had my surgery on august 4th in mexico with dr Almanza. Everything went great, I was the first one to be sleeve on that day out of the six patients scheduled. The first day was rough I was very nauseous and I threw up some but, the good thing about it I was in no pain. Whatever they used for pain over there was right on with me. The next morning they took three of us to the recovery house once I got there I took a shower and went to bed for a couple hours. The nurse came and wake me up she said that I needed to start walking to help with the gas pain. So I got up went downstairs and joined the others in my group and we…

Hi All! I was sleeved on Tuesday August 16th at 7:30 am. The sergury took about 3 hours total. I had to have a hilatal hernia repaired also. Everything went well in recovery and I progressed enough with post op instructions that I don't have to have the shots in the belly and I got to have my drain out too! Yahoo for the drain going. It did hurt when it got pulled out. I came home on Thursday at noon. I have not had any trouble with nausea or throwing up. However, I do have a lot of gas rumblings and it is tied to Diarrhea, so I do not trust any gas pains right now.The pain in my shoulder sucks as it hurts when using my breathing machine thingy they sent home with…

Hello to all.... Well i have to do the 3 month supervised weight loss treatment before aetna approves me., im already half way through i have done 1 visit with P.C.P. physc and with dietician and im scheduled for the second appointment with all three in the first week of September.. but now we have a rock in our way.. My wife works for verizon and they are on strike (my wife is the health ins. primary holder) we have received a letter that we will have coverage till Aug 31 and we should look into Cobra for insurance needs there after.... This sucks.. I hope this strike can be settled soon.., Our Cobra Ins quote is $17K.. crazy! ANY ONE FAMILIAR WITH COBRA?

Well i finally got my approval. The funny thing was, my husband called me after the mail ran to tell me that a letter was there from Anthem (my ins.) I said OPEN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He said that it was an approval letter for my surgery. I was so excited I screamed so loud!!! Well an hour later my surgeon's office called and told me that I was approved also. I am so so so so happy that this part of this experience is over. I saw my surgeon's staff for initial consultation on 8/3/11, on 8/15/11 my info was submitted to my insurance carried or they said thats when they received it and on 8/18/11 I was APPROVED!!! Well now I have to start a whole new mental process for these…

I am all set for Monday feel pretty good still I little scared but the closer I get to B day the better I feel Glad I found you guys and I don’t feel so alone

I got a surgery date. Sept 8th. I'm supposed to go in on the 6th for a pre op class that discusses the pre op diet and post op care. It's 4 hours long. Interestingly- I'll be on day 6 of my pre op diet by that day- so I guess I better figure out the fine print before the class..haha..

I have taken so much **** for telling one person i was having surgery everyone thinks i am taking the easy way out, or they tell me their opinion, when i am the one who has gone to see my nut and the diet, and they already know everything i cannot tell them any thing they know more than my Dr, and my surgeon, so i just shake my head and listen and if i even try to teach them anything they have more information then i do so thy think................

Hi: This is my 4th day after surgery I am still sore. Its not as bad as the previous three days. I just had a disturbing knot raise up on my lower middle left abdomen but from what I have read on the forums it probably is normal. I will call the Doctor anyway. Seems like this would have been explained as a possibility to happen at pre-op. I am losing weight so I guess all this will be worth the pain. Here is to Hope for all of us.

Hi everyone, My name is Tamaris I am browsing the forum reading up on the sleeve operation I was thinking about gastric banding but have decided that the gastric sleeve surgery would be a better option for me due to all of my allergies I was afraid with the gastric banding I would be allergic to the band. Anyway I will probably not be banded for another 7 months because of my insurance, I have to complete 6 month supervised diet. I am planning to have procedure done at NYU my BMI is very high 54 I am 4 feet 11 inches and weigh 265 pounds. I am very scared because I have asthma, diabetes, migraines with aura and lots of drug allergies but I know I need the surgery. I …

This is a thread from the success forum, yet I feel it could be shared and appreciated here also. Below is an encounter I had with a exceptionally thoughtful gentleman whom help me decide on weight loss surgery in a strange sort of way. I recalled attending a TCOYD (Taking Care of Your Diabetes) Conference approx 3 years ago in Kenner Louisiana. In the lobby of the conference center I met an extremely nice middle age man who happened to be morbidly obese, body weight around 375 to 400 lbs. We discuss things such as diets, glucose meters, and other things pertaining to the seminar. We walked slowly around the building, the gentleman began to tired quite rapidly. …

Hi, I have been looking on this site for two weeks now and finally decided to join. I hope that I will gain a great support system with you guys. I live in Memphis, and I have attended a seminar with Dr. Woodman. He has the reputation of a FANTASTIC surgeon but a HORRIBLE bedside manner. Is anyone here from Memphis? Is Dr. Woodman your doc? I believe I need a tough surgeon. I know I want a competent one! I need someone to tell me when I am f***ing up! I need that. I have my first consultation with him on July 26th. My insurance requires a 6 month medical diet ( my doc already started me on that the day after the seminar). I am sooo ready to start. I have some questions.…

I was banded on Aug. 5th. Thus far, I have lost 13 pounds and I feel great! I returned to work a week after the procedure and I have started a routine of walking and bike riding. Anyone know about how many calories I should be having a day? I have just graduated to soft foods, but I don't want to overdo it. Also, I have been drinking Ensure for the vitamins. Should I consider a different vitamin drink?

I'm hoping to find out what I can expect when I get this surgery and really just learn all I can. I haven't chosen a doctor as yet, but I'm pretty sure who it will be. Last year my daughter had the gastric bypass done and she looks great. She has been very encouraging and even said that she would accompany me to doctor's visits, ect. I'm really at the very beginning of this and the only thing that I've done was make up my mind that I am definitely going to get the surgery.

I am 4 days post op.. I usually use readers for close up detail. Since the surgery I feel like my equalibrum is off, sometimes dizzy when i stand. But whats really annoying is i need my glasses on all the time. Is this normal for the proceedure? How long does it last.

Hi! my name is Ruvi and I am having lap band surgery on 9/2/2011 in IL. Getting nervous! Started my liquid diet yesterday! Would love to talk to someone who is going through the same process! Thanks!

Hi. I'm new to this site and haven't had the sleeve performed yet, but joined because I want to learn as much as I can about what to expect, understanding that everyone is different, as are their experiences. So, if there is one thing you think I should know about gastric sleeve surgery, good or bad, pre or post op, I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for your time.

Good morning all. Just wanted to share my good news. When I got home yesterday waiting for me in the mail was my APPROVAL LETTER FROM IBC!!!! Initially I thought it was a bill so I waited about 5 minutes before opening it and as I read it my feet did a happy dance. Ok...and I also screamed to the top of my lungs - LOL. I felt like I had won the lottery. My last appointment with my surgeon was August 10 and he said he was sending my file to pre-cert but I had no idea approval would come so soon. The last words he said to me were, "Nicole, the next time I see you you'll be looking up at me from a gurney in the OR"... looks like truer words have never been spoken. Here…

On the DR's Show yesterday they showed a study showing fatty foods were just as addicting as cocaine. Of course we all knew that.

So this is my 2nd time around the block going through the lap-band procedure. About 4 years ago I started researching the different types of bariatric surgery and after about 2 years of supervised dieting/pills/ect I decided on the lap-band and the doctor. I was 1 or 2 pre-op appointments away from being able to submit everything to insurance when I had lost my job AND my insurance. So here I am 2 years later going through it all again! All I have left is my Primary care visit, bloodwork, and a stress test/echo. 3 more appointmens scheduled within the next two weeks and I'm done! I've never been more ready for anything in my life. It's been such a long tiring and at times…

I'm a newbie like the title says. Tomorrow is my lap band procedure and I'm so excited but at the same time nervous. My doctor has me on a clear liquid diet today and I'm about to eat my arm off!! Just to think i won't b able to eat food till about 2-3 weeks from now lol. Anyways the ones that had it done already how did you feel after surgery? Were u hungry?

My surgery was April 18th. I had my check up yesterday and I am down 57 pounds! I hit Onderland on Tuesday and it feels GREAT!!! I bough new jeans in a size 14, tops in a medium and I can finally shop in regular stores. It feels wonderful to only go to Lane Bryant for their bras. lol. My hair is falling out so instead of freaking out about it I cut it off into a cute bob and donated 12 inches to Locks of Love. It feels so wonderful to be getting my life back. Amazing what a difference this sleeve and hard work has made. I guess I am not noticing the weight loss as much as other people are because everyone is telling me how great I look and how they dont reco…

Its been 8 days since all my information was turned in. The waiting is killing me.....anyone else waiting????

I've been lurking and reading almost every single post for quite some time. I decided it was time to finally join the forums and start participating. I went to a seminar at the beginning of the year and had my initial consult on Feb 28, 2011. I have Cigna, so I had to do a 6 month supervised diet. I had my last weigh-in on Monday, Aug 15. Today, Wednesday, Aug 17, I called the insurance company to see if the surgeon's office had submitted the paperwork. The girl I talked to said that not only had it been submitted, but I was approved! Woohoo! Now it's all becoming real and I'm terrified and excited all at the same time. It's great to be here! Alli

I am so excited!! the surgery was approved on Friday and found out yesterday that it will be on the 30th, less than 2 weeks away!! From first appointment to surgery is a few days of a month. I am nervous but I am ready to start this journey! I have alreay started keeping a journal and included the feelings that I despise right now that will keep me motivated and on track.

Hi - I am a newbie... just received my surgery date. Have concerns that insurance will deny me... Nervous regarding failure (after a lifetime of failed attempts at weight loss). Please share your experiences with me.

Sunny Greetings! Has anyone here had surgery in Boston? If so, where and with which surgeon? Thanks!! Nicky

Hi I am 6 days post op on liquids now for almost 21 days - I am gazing longingly at the cat's food at this point - & if I have one more Bariatric Advantage Shake or broth or pudding or pureed whatever I am going to puke!

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around for a couple of months getting inspired from you all and becoming very excited about WLS! I have finally chosen my surgeon and procedure (banded plication with Dr. Enochs) but I have some real concerns about the cost since I am self-pay. I have BCBS - NC but my BMI is slightly less than 35. I have been told that even though the band was approved by the FDA, our insurance will not pay for it yet and it may be a couple of years before they do. I am approaching retirement age and just don't want to wait any longer. I can manage the cost of the outpatient surgery (barely) but my fear is "the unknown". What if there are complications? For …

I know there have been other posts about this, but I just don't see them at the moment. Tonight I had a Protein shake for dinner. It was from Bariatric fusion - I had gotten a sample of the Mint chocolate Ice Cream flavor and mixed it with some 1% milk since I happen to have 8 ounces of that on hand. It was very yummy and gave me 35 g of protein in one pop. It took me a little longer than normal to finish it because I found I was getting full faster than I normally do. Normally, I mix a scoop of powder with 8 ounces of Water and can still get it down pretty easy. I figured because I mixed it with milk the reason it was taking me longer. Anyway, after I finished it I becam…

Hi everyone I have joined your group mostly for some guidance/education/information. I live in Australia and had a Gastric Band surgery in 19/1/2004. At that time I weighed 180kg (397lb) with a BMI 62. That wasn't my highest weight but I have no idea what that was as I couldn't be weighed anywhere other than the local Grain Store and I wasn't going to be doing that!!! Anyway in the first 2 years I lost 85kg (185lb). I had little problem with my band and I lived my life then as a "normal" person. I was simply not able to keep under the 100kg mark and hovered for 2 years around the 105kg mark. I had an adominoplasty to remove about 9lb of skin in 2007. Le…

Hey all My name is Dani and I am a Lap Band virgin! Haha. I'm a 21 year old college student/part time worker, and I finally attended my very first Lap Band seminar this evening, with my mom. That said, I am extremely excited (to say the least). I've been researching the LB for the past few years, and always considered it an option for myself. Unfortunately, I didn't have much support from family or friends up until this point. With my mom recently suffering from cardiac complications due to high blood pressure and constant stress, and I dealing with my own numerous health problems (PCOS, depression, muscle pain, etc.) in addition to our obesity, we decided to take th…