Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I just received my surgery date on Monday (August 29th) I was so excited and then I got my Lab results. Apparently, I am slightly Anemic and I am afraid this will effect my surgery date. Has anyone else dealt with this issue? Was the surgery postponed till the Anemia was under control? Any advise would really be appreciated. Thanks, Shell

Good moring to everyone, I am new here and wanted to say hello. I am getting ready to have the LB and i just wanted to ask for your help, I am really getting scared and i just need a little advise on what all look forward to. I am paying myself, due to my insurance not covering WLS. Please give any advice you may have for me. I am going on on Wednesday 8-17 to schedule my surgery. Thanks in advance... Change11

I have my appt with a bariatric surgeon with a doctor in Orange, Ca on Friday. But even if insurance covers it, there is a cash fee of $3,500 that is NOT covered by insurance. Is this normal? I wonder if my insurance company knows. It just sounds wrong. APR

I just want to tell people my story so far. I am one day post op. My surgery was 8/8/2011. All in all its going well. I am still in the hospital on my laptop. I just wanted to give everyone a word of encouragement that might need it who are considering having this surgery. I am doing great. I was so afraid and nervous I didnt really sleep for a week. When I got to my room, I had really great nurses. I was not in any real pain. I asked if I could pee and then walk some. It felt good to walk even though it was soon after surgery. I walked a lot yesterday. I was given nausea meds in my IV and so I have not experienced any nausea so far. I did get serious acid reflux he…

Hello. I am Reina Clifford Band, and I'm a article author of life, love, goals and mystifications. I'm entirely captivated by the human mind, how it works along with why. I will be the first one to admit that there's still so much to learn, so much to comprehend in this thing we call everyday living. A single mind can't develop without having the strength of other minds. We are what we are today because of the people within our past. Their triumph, as well as failures, has significantly contributed to our motivation and innovative intelligence. This is the reason I love writing a great deal, mainly because it allows me to share with you my knowledge and encounters with ot…

Hello, I have been reading the forums for about a month and finally decided to chime in with my story. I am scheduled for VSG on August 15. I am excited and nervous all in one. I got for my PAT on Monday August 8. I will be happy to get off the diet roller coaster. I'm 36 and have been up and down constantly as long as I can remember. Thank you to all the veterans who have given so much advice. I had first chosen the bypass surgery but after doing more research I switched over to the sleeve. I am very happy with that choice and feel very content with it. I look forward to sharing my journey with everyone.

Well I have finally made the decision that I know is going to change my life for the better. I had my first visit with my surgeon (Dr. Steeley at Gateway Medical Center in Clarksville, TN) yesterday. To be honest, I was scared of the visit. I had heard that my surgeon really pushed the full gastric bypass over the band, and I was nervous that he would think I was stupid for not having the bypass. I was pleasantly surprised that Dr. Steeley was about as nice of a guy as I could have hoped for. He did question why I thought the band was a better choice for me, but after telling him that at my age (29), I know I am young enough and active enough to make the band work. …

im 6 days out of surgery and lost 8.6 pounds so far.....is that a good number? what have u lost per week? im just trying to gage this,lol my hubby thinks im loosing to fast? i lost most of it in the last 4 days..Thanks

I am scheduled for surgery September 19 - well, penciled in until the insurance company approves the coverage. Now that I've decided to have the lap-band, the wait seems a bit long. I did all my preliminary tests and procedures to qualify before I decided to go with the surgery. Medically I qualify, my primary doctor says I'm a good candidate, but I'm waiting. So how can I best use the time while I wait? I've tried to separate drinking from eating - biggest problem is with those that can't contemplate NOT having Water with their meals - like family and waitresses. I've been trying to find non-dairy options for post-surgery as dairy does NOT get along with my…

My story is not any different than the majority of people out there with this affliction. I have also tried several different diets and failed. Once when I was in college I followed a diet that I pieced together that worked, I dropped 120lbs in 9-10 months. I was doing well, but after an accident I had a set back and found my self in a downward spiral that led me to gain all of it back and more. As I became older I found it harder and harder to get back on track. Life started to really kick in and I began to make compromises against my well being. I would make excuses for myself regarding right eating choices and physical inactivity. I would make last minute decisions to …

I am 4 days post op, having all kinds of bubbles in my abdomen area. Its like a grumbling but i feel no hunger pangs. Wondering if anyone has cheated on the liquid part. Im wanting something more than the usual broth and popsicles. I go to phase 2 on friday with cottage cheese, yogert being allowed. Would it hurt if started that a few days early?

I am almost 2 weeks post op and met with my sugeon for my follow up visit. I am down 16 lbs and he gave me the clearance for soft foods. I am kind of nervous that I will hurt something but definitely looking forward to not drinking my dinner any longer

Hi. I'm so glad i joined this forum. I weigh 224lbs and am 5'2. At this point in time, i'm getting all my appts in order so that i get clearance for surgery. Got my bloodwork done, had appt with primary, had psych eval, nutrition eval. This week i have a cardiology and pulmonary consults. The only thing i need after this is the second nutrition appt. I'm not sure when they will issue a surgery date but i'm very excited and anxious to get it done already. Am looking forward to meeting new friends! Thank you!

My doctor signed the 6 months diet history sheets, the letter of medical necessity and referral to bariactric surgergy on July 08. I went to Flager Hospital Bariactric Seminar on July 14. Every requirement the surgeon's office has asked from my PCP has been quickly completed. This has made a huge difference in getting my tentative sleeve surgery date of August 24. I propably would have insurance approval by now but I was in the process of the pyschologist evaluation and that has been the delay in filling for insurance. I just wanted people to know if you have been with your doctor for a while and have been struggling with your weight it doesn't take years or a lot of…

My name is Sandra. I am 20 years old and I'm getting banded tomorrow, August 10th. I just wanted to introduce myself. So, HELLO!

Hi everyone....I am new to this site. I am hoping to to get feedback from those of you that have had the surgery or that are in the process of getting it. I am 33 years old and I have been overweight since I can remember. I was diagnosed with PCOS in 2000 and with RA in 2002. I have always tried to diet and exercise but always loose motivation after 2-3 weeks into it. Or I get injured from over doing it and stop going to the gym. My current weight is 228, this is the highest that I have been. After my divorce 3 years ago, I decided that 2011 was going to be my year! Here I am a few days away from surgery and I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I have been on the…

Name is Lorraine....I got to my highest weight @ 290. Decided if I didn't do something quick I wouldn't see my kids grow up. I was banded on Aug 4th 2011. I have never been more nervous about anything in my life, but the surgeon and staff were amazing. I didn't feel a thing. I felt it all afterwards. I really had no pain anywhere else but the bottom incision, where the port is. That one hurts like a sucker. Then the incision on the side started to bleed a little. It's the one that has the most bruising, but doesn't hurt much. I did my 48 hours of Clear liquids...if I taste another cup of broth I will vomit... Jello is also starting to lose it's goodness...Well I started …

Hi Everyone.....I would like to formally introduce myself. I have been lurking around the messageboards for quite some time! In 2005 my best friend and I travelled out of state to have the Lap Band procedure. We had researched the procedure for about a year prior to that. We were both self pay so we were looking for a surgeon with a good reputation while considering the cost. We had found our surgeon and were so excited to start our weight loss journey. We flew together out of state. Her mother met us the day of surgery and planned on keeping an eye on us while we recovered. The day of surgery came and I was first. Unfortunately and unexpectedly the surgeon perforated…

I was banded today 8/8/11. I am so sore and my shoulders are killing me from the gas the used to inflate me. I was outpatient so I'm glad to be home, just can't wait to start losing. Any thoughts for the new girl? I am hoping to start feeling better tomorrow, at least a little.

August 29th I will be sleeved! I'm so stoked!

Hi all, I am being banded on Aug 10th and the fear and panic is setting in. I am so scared about having something added to my body. I try to think of it as breast implants, just less fun, and that seems to calm me a bit. I have two small children that I will still need to cook for constantly. I'm scared that I will be constantly hungry for the first 2 weeks that I am on Clear liquids only. Has anyone dealt with this? I am also afraid that once I am allowed to eat normal food that it will be uncomfortable.. Any advice and ideas on preparation is greatly appretiated. I've been making chicken broth and Jello for days now.

Hi All! My name is Melissa...I'm 35 and I've been waiting on this surgery since April. I know that doesn't seem long but I've been approved and ready to go with just one complication that could have been avoided. Long story short, I've switched surgeon's (loved the 1st one though) and my new surgery date is August 25th! I'm so excited and getting nervous! This is my 3rd surgery date so I've been mentally ready before...luckily though, no going back on this one. So, I'm a mother of twin girls that will be 5 in December. I've struggled with my weight for about 17 years. Right before I got pregnant, I had dropped down to 175lbs on the Atkins diet. As soon as I had the…

Hi Sleeve Family! I just thought I would write and let everyone know how I am doing. I finished my seventh month of sleeved life at 174 pounds. I lost 70 pounds in seven months with the sleeve (112 pounds total with the band and sleeve). I have also lost two more pounds this week. I just wanted to post this for those starting this journey. Don't be scared....GO FOR IT! The sleeve WILL change you life in wonderful ways! I recently went to a wedding and I was floored that I was able to buy a size 10 dress to wear to it. I still have 29 more pounds to go until I hit my goal. I know if I stay dedicated, I can do it by my December 27 surgiversary. I can pretty mu…

What I want to know is if anyone got approved to have sleeve surgery and then went to the surgeon to find out they they were going to try to get you to have gastric bypass instead? I am so upset and I really which I had the money to just take off to Mexico and get it done.

I am a 45 year old female very happily married to my best friend and husband for 26 years! We have two sons who are married, a daughter in college and one angle boy watching over us. I am a professional photographer and absolutely LOVE the creative outlet it brings. I work from home...I would love to have a studio some day! I shoot on location and have a portable studio for indoor shots. My husband and I were banded on the same day - August 2nd. We decided to begin this journey together because who better to understand and support than your best friend going through it at the same time!?! I've written my banding story on my profile if anyone is interested. I loo…

Woot! Woot! My first week since surgery and I have lost 8.4lbs! Plus I know it will NOT be coming back this time!. I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need to go back to Mexico and get a Mommy makeover. Has anybody had one ? I need some skin removed. I'm so happy I had my surgery I feel wonderful!!!!

I just had the new procedure called "gastric sleeve plication" I am 21 days post op. It was quite difficult to find much information on this since it is so new. I am very pleased with my results, surgeon, and overall experience. I would be happy to share information with anyone considering "plication" My surgeon was Dr. Corvalas in T.J. Mexico. I am down 14 pounds at this point. No problems whatsoever.

I am so excited on January 13th 2011 I started this journey and finally the day has come tomorrow I will be getting my sleeve!!!!!!!!! Me and my family are going up tonight to stay in Orlando because we live pretty far from the hospital and I have to be there early. I probably won't be back on after today until I get home. Good luck to everyone else God will be with all of us Can't wait to join the losers bench.

Hi. Just signed up and e-mail from Alex said to tell my story to get started. So here goes. I had a VSG performed by Dr. Keith Kim at Celebration Florida Hospital on 29 July. Surgery went well and I didn't suffer any nausea other than from the pain meds. But the post surgery recovery time at home was definitely more hard core than I'd anticipated. I think the surgery group downplays the significance of the surgery but there's no denying - it's major abdominal surgery. I've had my gall bladder removed (old school style 20 years ago) and a c-section. And while I was much younger for both of those, the rebound on the VSG was nearly as bad as those prior experiences. T…

I'm 7 days post surgery, been doing ok. Lots of pain on right side,hard to sleep. I want to have a scrambled egg! My follow up isn't until 17th! I will chew the crap out of it.

Being sleeved was the best thing I did for myself, my health and my family in that order. I started out in a size 16 and now am in a size 8. So hard to believe it's me I'm looking at in the mirror. Have had no complications and have not lost any hair. Thanks for the support from my family and forums like this. I haven't felt like this or had the energy since in my 30's and I'll be 60 this year. KathyG

Hi everyone i would like to introduce myself. My name is Sandy and am new to LapBandTalk. I am considering having 2 procedures done at the same time Lap-Band and Gastric Plication. Has anyone had this done? If so how are you feeling? How has your progress been? Thank you so much on your input

I am scheduled to get banded on August 1st. My doc informed of a new procedure (Lap Band with Plication). Have anyone had this procedure done? If so how is the recovery?

Hello! I would love to become very active in these forums. I could use all the support I can get. I am 2 years post op and am the same weight since my surgery. My biggest problem is I am a picky eater, so the foods I like get stuck, so then I turn to foods I shouldnt be eating because I can actually get them down, like baked chips, etc... I am a stay at home wife and mother, living in Brooklyn, NY. I need to be able to be more active for my 4 year old. I admit it, I am lazy. I dont exercise, my weight embarasses me, so I dont go out as much as I should, etc... Hopefully reading and interacting with those that share the same experiences will motivate me. I wish there …

So I had my endoscopy yesterday! I have always had this fear of going under anthesthesia well that was forgotten yesterday I did it! Looking like October I dont care what works says I WANT MY SLEEVE!

Hi all I'm new to the site, and nervous about my procedure scheduled for 9 Aug. I'm interested in all the stories (good and bad) so I have an idea of what to expect. I'm UK based so some things I say about the process we follow may differ to US, but its nice to be part of a support system outside of the ones provided on my programme. I've been on this journey for a year which started because of breathing issues. The Dr's can't figure out the cause even after extensive testing so suggested (quite strongly) that it must be weight related. I've agonised over the decision to have surgery as I really love my curves!!!! but my quality of life is so much more importan…

I was banded on 8/1 and doing well except for trying to get down the liquid Colace that I was prescribed...it tastes like a shot of shampoo! The problem is...it works! Anyone have any suggestions on making it taste better? I am new, so I hope I posted this right!

So I have made the decision to have lap band. I called my insurance and it is covered, not sure the percentage as of yet. I have attended the seminar and have my first appt with Dr. So crossing my fingers that my insurance will approve it. My biggest fear is that it wont happen for me. I cannot afford to pay out of pocket for the surgery. I also cannot afford not to make a major change in my life. My insurance requires a BMI of 40 or above, which I have, five years of obesity (also have). They do not require six months as far as I know, but do require a psyh-eval. Has anyone had issues where they meet all of the criteria yet the insurance denied it?

I am having lap band surgery on August 17th. I wasn't nervous until I got an actual date. I'm worried that I might not be doing everything right on the pre-surgery diet. I have all these emotions. I have cried about it a couple of times. I keep wondering if I can do this, before the date I thought I could. I'm worried about being sick and throwing up a lot like a lot of people do. I cry about the loss of food as strange as that seems. Is it possible to grieve the loss of the foods you love? I'm quite frightened with this new way of life. I know that I need to do something, my health is not that great and I'm 250 lbs. I have no energy, I'm tired all the time, I take a lot …

OK my name is Amy I have MS and have high cloresteral (Sp) with a huge amount of heart disease in my family. My Sister and my cousin both have had Gastric bypass my other sister struggles with her weight,I have fantsatic insurance I just have to find a Dr who will do the surgery on me or will they make me wait till my BMI is 35 it is 33 right now. because gaining weight is not a problem!

Hello, I want to introduce myself, this is my first post, but I've been reading this site for over 2 months and have learned a lot of things. I got sleeved on July 19th, so I'm almost 3 weeks out. I've lost 28lbs so far, but I've notice this week that I've only lost 1lb. Everyday is getting a little easier as far as energy goes, but I still can't seem to figure out my new tummy. I am on mushy/soft food stage but it seems that everytime after I finish eating, i have a uncomfortable feeling on the top of my esophagus, like the food is just sitting there. It takes about 30-45 mins to go away. I don't think I'm over eating but now I think maybe I am. It doesn't hurt if I ta…

I want to ask everyone advice what do you do for constipation?

Good Afternoon ALL!!! My name is Lori and I am 43 years old. I started my new weight loss journey on July 27 at the weight of 260 pounds. I had Gastric Sleeve on July 27 and as of this date I have lost 21 lbs! My doctor is a wonderful lady here in Dallas by the name of Colleen Kennedy. She is very forthcoming on the procedure and what kind of results I should expect. I am finding it rather hard to get all the Protein that I should have every day and of course am feeling fatigued! Short and sweet today as I have to work today (yes... i have already gone back to work!) but will be in touch a little every day! Lori

Hi everyone, I am carland, did my surgery on July 21. lost 28lbs so far on my journey. I was browsing through the posts you guys are awesome. Already inspired my the many success stories I read.

Hi! I decided a year or so ago that I would have Lap Band surgery. My family and friends are not supportive in my decision... I have found a great Dr. and have been seeing the required nutritionist for insurance purposes; however, the dicouraging remarks from those around me, has brought me here to seek some support, and learn of others experiences. I hope to chat with you! Sabrina

Hi all! I am new to the site and would like to become active and learn from you all. I am new to the process and will be heading in for my initial consultation and seminar. Just looking for the support and information that seems to be readily available on this site. I look forward to chating with all of you!

okay so heres the deal i had the lapband done in July of 09 moved to nyc nov of 09. surprised by baby news marck of 2010 (i know what was i thinking) heh i wasnt. lapband baby delivered dec. 16th 2010 healthy beautiful baby girl Jaiyana Delia. my dilemma i havent had a fill since december of 09. crazy huh? i know i have my first drs appt for my band on august 23 and i CANT wait. im looking to get back into the swing of the lapband lifestyle and im looking for people to talk to and keep in communication with. i look forward to seeing peoples pictures and reading stories please feel free to send me messages

August 8th @ 11:15 for me! When's your date?

Hello everyone - I remember reading these boards back when I was trying to decide on Lapband/Gastric Bypass surgery. I ultimately went with the Lapband. I cannot say I've been the happiest with it up until now, but it’s totally been my fault. I was banded in April 2009, had a fill a YEAR later and never returned. Not sure what my problem was, maybe I was "scared" of restriction. Anyway, I finally returned to my surgeon and (after many stern looks and a "talking to" for being gone so long) I received another fill last Monday. I currently have 8cc's in a 15cc band. I have good restriction (now that it’s loosened a bit -wow at first was intimidating) and am able to control…