Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I have been fast-tracked to have my lap band on Aug 22. I am excited and worried. Just wanted to say hello !!

Monday is the big day!!!!!!!!!!! We leave at 7:30 in order to get to the hospital by 10:00. Surgery scheduled for 12 noon. Stay over 1 night and leave in the afternoon. They do have WiFi in the room so either myself or hubby can post updates. Wish me luck! I could not have remained so calm and been so prepared without you guys!

I'm cooking! Like crazy, i'm cooking. Making guloush, chilli, cauliflower and such, to puree for meals after i'm home and allowed pureed foods. am i nuts..well probably! but thinking it was a good idea to make stuff up ahead of time. Made Chilli for me then boiled the pasta part and added it for the family for dinner tonight. Pureed the cauliflower for me, so far it looks ok. Nothing like making up a bunch of hot meals on a 100 degree day. Sad part is, i'm hungry now..moreso than the last few days...got to keep my eye on the prize! Good luck to all us August people in the next few weeks...we can do this!

Hi, just got newly banded in TJ. don't want to fly down to have fills. anyone getting fills in Boston? please advise. :help:

After months of doctor's visits and getting insurance clearance, I am now forced to delay my August 11th surgery. I had some pulmonary issues, was sent to a sleep study. Now my pulmonologist and the sleep study doctor have said that no anestesialogist will put me under until my issues are resolved. Back to more doctors, more tests, more waiting. I am so disappointed. It took me 3 years to get the courage and make the appointments. Nine months to get through the appointments and get approval.

HI..I AM REALLY NERVOUSE I AS I HAVE MY INITIAL CONSULT WITH THE SURGEION TOMORROW MORNING. I HAVE REALLY DONE MY RESEARCH. THIS SITE HAS HELPED ME A LOT . NOT ONLY GETTING READING OTHERS POST, SUCCESS STORIES, BUT A LOT OF OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME QUESTIONS I'VE HAD, BUT MORE GUTS TO POST AND ASK THEM I AM REALLY NERVOUSE, AS I WOULD HATE TO GO TO MORROW AND NOT QUIALIFY OR HAVE MY INS CO GIVE ME B.S ABOUT NOT AUTHORIZING MY SURGERY. I HAVE UNITED HEALTHCARE, I DON'T HAVE A PCP. ALTHOUGH A REFERRAL IS NOT REQUIRED. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF I WILL HAVE TO DO A 3-6 MONTH DIET REGIMEN OR WILL BEING OVERWEIGHT FOR ALL MY LIFE BE ENOUGH? HAVING DEPRESSION, PCO AND PRE-DIA…

Hi everyone! So interested to support & share with you all and learn from your experiences. I will be 66 yo when I have my VSG on Oct 17, at Mass General Hospital in Boston. I think I am older than everyone here!! Any "Children of the 60's around? But even though I hope to retire sometime in Jan, 2012, I am still young at heart and LOVE young people. So much to learn from you. Lots of appmts with Nutritionists & Psychologist at MGH, and medical tests. Not all hospitals will take someone older than 60 or 65 for tlhis type of surgery, but I found a brave surgeon. A little scared after You-Tube videos , but will still go for it. I have been heavy my en…

I'm 7 weeks post Gastric Sleeve and I'm experiencing constant. It feels like my food is sitting in the middle of my chest. I have pain between my shoulder blades more on the left. I can't vomit. Can anyone give me some insight? I'm calling my surgeon tomorrow.

I had my VSG on 7/12/2011 at Texas Health Presbyterian in PLano TX by Dr. Hamn. I had planned for this surgery since March and everything came together easily enough. The course has been harder than I expected, which is silly because I am an RN and know what major abdominal surgery entails...lol. I have lost 20 pounds and have no idea if that is typical or not. I am 5'7" and preop weight was 257 pounds. Everything was going fairly okay until the beginning of my second week out. Last Wednesday I began having terrible nausea that only tolerates hot teas or ice chips...forget protein drinks. I am trying as hard as I can to force the protein down but am lucky to get 30…

Hi everyone, I have my surgery scheduled with Dr. Verboonen in Cancun Aug 5th. I planned to get the plication verses VGS but all the positive comments makes me uncertain now. Ugh, I am excited and scared, very scared all at the same time!

I went to my consultation today with my surgeon and had already decided that i wanted the lap band. He suggests that since my bmi is over 50 that i should also consider the gastric bypass. He said that there's a chance i won't reach my maximum weight loss with the band. He doesn't want me to feel discouraged if i don't lose the weight i want. Now he has me rethinking my choice. I have know him for the course of six years and I know he wants the best for me. Has anyone ever been told by their surgeon this?

I'm new to the site and this is my first post. I received my call on Friday and they gave me my surgery date of August 12th. I'm doing my pre-op the day before surgery. I'm on day 2 of the phase 2 diet and so far so good. Are there any recommendations of protein shakes that are pre mixed that are made with whey protein isolate?

I was thirsty after a long day of moving furniture into my new place (thankfully, the delivery people did most of the work, but I had some "fine tuning" to do - sliding furniture so I'm not lifting. Anyway, I was rather thirsty, so I get out my trusty bottle of water and take a drink - like I would have a month ago - just chugging away. Suddenly, my sleeve said "whoa - wait a minute!" Nice tight feeling in the chest, breaking out into another sweat, I stop chugging and wait for the feeling to go away. It doesn't until I go to the bathroom and throw up. It was just water that came back up, but still. Now I feel much better of course. Although I'm sure my sleeve is still up…

Hello everyone.. My name is Stephanie. I registered for these forums for support, and to have some questions answered. I've been researching bariatric surgery for quite awhile now (probably at least 2 years), and have finally made the decision that I do want to go forward with surgery. I feel like a weight has been lifted in a way, and I wish I would have come to this decision a long time ago. I've tried many many things over the years to lose weight (like everyone here, I'm sure), and I feel like I've gotten to the point that I need some help. I want to make the lifestyle change necessary to live my life in a way I dream of. I don't want my weight to hold me back anymore…

I had surgery on July 6th. I had no problem maintaining the liquid diet before or after surgery, but now that I am starting to eat some solids, I find that I eat more than I should and I end up miserable. Within 15 minutes of eating, I cannot even streatch out enough to get comfortable. Last night I ate about 8-10 small bites of talipa at a restaurant and I thought I would burst. I've done the same thing 4 or 5 times. When will I figure out the right amount my stomach can hold??? I haven't thrown up because I've eaten too much. I've just made myself miserable.

hey everyone...my name is paul im about 300 pounds...22 year old college student...i met someone a few months ago who had this surgery and she said it turned her lfie around since then, ive been playing around with the idea, ive looked on a few forums and gotten so far as calling my insurance company, but then wind up chickening out...especially when i read about some of the risks i have severe anxiety and depression issues, but im tired of being some fat pos that everyone makes fun of i love eating, i dont exercise at all, im a computer person so my time is spent mostly sittin here i want to change all that without losing who i am...but im just like terrified of t…

As part of preparing for my sleeve surgery, I decided to join this to get some support. I've been fairly calm until now...surgery is Aug. 9th. Getting nervous....can I really live without carbs? I've heard you can lose your sugar cravings....but what about carbs? What is it really like the first few days afterwards??????

Hello everyone, i was wondering if we can have coffee after the op, i understand that maybe not right away but i have a strong cup of coffee as soon as i get up and was hoping i would eventually be able to have that? I have it blck without sugar

Hi, I'm Kristin. I am a stay-at-home-mom to 4 kids. I had lapband surgery 4 years ago. It has been a huge battle for me and I am only down 38 out of the 82lbs that I needed to lose. I have made lots of mistakes. I had unfills because of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and surgery. I am not ready to give up on this tool yet, so I'm here to get support and make this work. I would love to reach my goal!

Hi everyone. My name is Bonnie and I was banded on Friday March 25th so I am 3 days post op. I can't believe I made it. So far I feel pretty good. Lots of gas pains especially on my left side and shoulder. The funny thing is I thought my long incision would be just under my bra line at the top of my stomach but there is only a tiny hole there. My largest incision, about 2 inches, is just to the left of my belly button. Does anyone else have their port in that location? Other than that not much swelling just trying to get in my fluids. I am soooo happy I made it. I kept waiting for someone to tell me in the operating room that a mistake had been made and I couldn't get m…

Hi everyone. My name is Shelli and i just started on this journey. I went to a seminar just this past Tuesday. I've been thinking about it for awhile and have a friend who has had it done. I'm not 100% sure this is the right path for me BUT I will be making my decision within the week. Yesterday I googled LapBand and found this site and i have to tell you that after reading some of the posts as a guest..everything has been very educational..the more I read about it the more i feel that this is right for me. i hope everyone is having a wonderful day or night (depending on when you are reading this) :-)

I was banded in 4/2009 despite having auto immune problems; my doctors and I were willing to chance the potential side effects despite all the warnings on not- to get lap band if you have auto immune problems. Well 3 years down the road- Despite having great success with my band- 80 lbs lost and about 92 inches all over I have to have it removed. My auto immune problems are not getting any better partly because of my band and I am going to transition into a sleeve in November of this year. Part of me is nervous, excited, pissed- the whole gammet of emotions has engulfed my day to day life- I look forward to meeting people on this board who perhaps have experienced the sam…

I am 54 and about 60lbs over weight. I was above to have gastic bypass from my insurance. My Dr. thinks gastic bypass is best for me. I am not sure about that! I think I would feel better with the band. I am now reading all information about the band. I have a friend who had the band and it did not work for her. She did not loss weight and was very sick with the band. I know you do not loss weight as fast with the band that you would with the bypass. I am very scared to have the bypass. So now I will be seeing my dr and tell her that I would feel better the band. Has anyone had both surgeries? Please share your experience

Hello all! I am new to this site and would like to hear some success stories! I need a boost!

It's almost our turn to start our new lives I don't know about ya'll but August 8th cannot come quick enough...what is everyone doing to get ready??

I just got out of the hospital today after getting my sleeve on Wednesday. I had to go two days without eating or drinking anything until this morning. All I've had was about 12 oz. of liquid. That included Water, chicken broth and some liquid Protein shot. I am full, but I feel like I didn't get enough liquids for the day. I have no pain what so ever except for a little discomfort caused by gas. The only big thing is that I feel very weak. How is everyone else doing?

Hi, my name is ash and ive been back and forth with getting wls for six years. The first go around it was all my parents doing they wanted for me to get the gastric bypass surgery. But, at that time i didn't want it and wasn't prepared for it. I considered having gastric bypass surgery again in 2008 with me fully on board. I was ready this time and done extensive research. All of my family knew and they were all on board. I did all the pre-op testing and even had a surgery date. I got cold feet and backed out of the surgery a week before. Now, its 2011 and I'm looking into the lap band this time around. I'm doing this a little differently I'm not telling all of my family…

Had a letter from the hospital with appointments to see the bariatric Nurse, Dietician and Clinical Psychologist all on the same day, in just over a fortnight's time. So things seem to be progressing quite nicely at the moment. Hopefully they will be able to give me a timetable of events so I can start planning for surgery.

I came home from the hospital yesterday after having a Sleeve Gastrectomy on Tuesday... I sort of had the double whammy... I have a disease called Gastroparesis which is treated by a VSG and I am also overweight, so this procedure was to kill 2 birds with one stone... lol... This has been an interesting road that is for sure, but I am looking forward to this being life changing... I feel like for the last year and a half I have been sick I have just watched my life pass me by... Im trying really hard to drink as much as they want me too... but I feel so full so fast I feel like im going to explode... I am up from yesterday... I was at about 10oz of fluids yesterday....…

Morning/Afternoon/Evening to everyone reading this. First off, my name is Victor. I've struggled most of my life with weight problems. Since the age of 9 I've steadily gained more and more weight every year. I'm 25 now so the weight has obviously added and compounded some interest. I'm at the heaviest I've ever been at 500 lbs The thought of bariatric surgery had crossed my mind three years ago but I was naive and petrified at the thought of surgery. I've tried almost every fad diet there has been out within the last decade or so. Regardless of which everyone it was, I felt horrible everyday and felt that I was depriving myself of the basic necessities my body …

Hi everyone, I'm Cheryl and I was banded on Wednesday. I'm feeling really great. I'm just a little sore. I am off work until Thursday of next week, I'm glad I did I have been walking but get tired still. I hope to meet some other Austin bandsters here. The support helps I have been reading these posts for awhile and they definitely helped me out.

Getting Banded at 6am tomm. Kinda scared of prebanded life and the procedure. 249 start 232 preop diet, trying to get to 190/185.

I have just started looking into the Lap Band. I searched online and found Dr. Coirin in Modesto. I even signed up for the seminar already (Aug 17, 2011). I have already contacted my insurance company, Anthem BC Medi-Cal, and I was told that due to my BMI I do qualify for coverage for the procedure. The problem is that my PCP, Dr. Recto DeLeon, and Dr. Coirin are not part of the same doctors group/network. I was told by Anthem BC that I will have to have my PCP refer me to a surgeon in his network that does this procedure. Unfortunately, my PCP office staff says that they cannot tell me which surgeons are in his group, that is info that he will give me on our next appt (A…

No really, you dont have to. Hi i'm new to the forums and I should hopefully be getting my lap band surgery at the end of august. I just started a new blog about my past, present and the process that I have had to go through to even get approved for the surgery. I could really use your guys support so please please come to my blog and check up on me to make sure they are still feeding me http://shutthebitchupwithchocolate.blogspot.com

Hello All!! I have decided to get Lapband Surgery done even after my insurance company informed me that they do not cover weight loss surgery. The cost will be $18,000 not including each fill. This is a lot of money but I've spent this many times over the course of my life on new vehicles so I figure it's surely worth a lifestyle change!! I am very concerned though becuase I have done a ton of research and have read the blogs on this forum and it looks like there are a number of people that haven't been successfull losing weight. It also appears from what I'm reading the the after-care isn't always the greatest. I am terrified of spending this kind of money only to …

So I'm still a bit nervous about surgery on Monday but had a couple of small successes today. First, we had a catered retirement lunch today for one of my colleagues. The folks who work directly for me know about my upcoming surgery but most everyone else in the office doesn't. So I came down to lunch with my cup of broth and bottle of Water and settled in. When asked if I was eating, I simply said I had some test coming up and this is just bad timing, no hassle and I bet everyone thinks I'm going for a colonoscopy (lol). Second, I took the stairs back to my office - 2 long flights - and realized that I wasn't out of breathe when I got to the top. The weight I've …

Hello everyone! Obviously, I'm new here . I'm 20 and have struggled with my weight for most of my life. Lose some, gain it back, lose, gain. Seems like a never ending process.. I'm in the beginning stages.. I have no surgeon or surgery date. Right now I'm planning to attend a seminar. I would just like to know everyone's experiences.. good or bad. Especially any one that has had a baby with the band since I'll want to have kids one day. Well... I guess that's it for now.. Thanks everyone!

I had my vertical sleeve on 7-16-11 by Dr. David Suh in Corona, California. I am 13 days postop and feeling fine. Lost 10 lbs the first 10 days but have had no weight loss this week. In fact, I have gained 2 lbs. I am following my M.D. protocol but nothing is moving. I even began walking as I did preop but no change. I am little frustrated. I didn't expect to stall at this point in time. I expected to at least lose weight the first month. I am quit frustrated and am hoping I am not the one failure! Any suggestions will help!

Hey everyone. I am a little bit worried about tommorow because I haven't had any solid food for three days! Just worried about the strength I am going to have during and after the surgery. If you all could send some prayers my way that would be great. I don't want to leave my kids behind.....Thank you all!

I called the Hampton Inn to reserve a room for wednesday the clerk told me everything is book for the next two weeks. I emailed Louise I haven't heard from her yet. Can any of you that went to dr Almanza refer me to a place that's affordable and close to the airport please?

I was sleeved on 7/21/11 by Dr. Alamanza. My weight on that day was 224. Today, 6 days post-op, my weight is 209. I had difficulty on the third day post-op and had to be hospitalized for dehydration. Reydrated now, but having difficulty with liquids. I have a strong urge to want to drink water or any other liquid, but I know I should only take small sips. As simple as this sounds, it has proven quite difficult for me. Getting better each day, but eagerly looking forward to drinking liquids more than a sip at a time without reflux or vomiting.

Hello, Like everything in my life I never read the directions before I jump in... I posted before I introduced myself I'm a self employed, wife with two sons. I was hoping to have had my lap-band done sometime this month,but I was denied by Aetna... For that part of the story you can read what I posted in Insurance.

I am scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Almanza on Oct. 17th and I had asked my BF to go with me. I did not want to be alone and I wanted someone who cares about me there..for me. Well, we suddenly broke up. Now it looks like I am facing this alone and I am a bit freaked out. I know that some of you have done this alone and did just fine, but I know myself and I am a wimp. Would love to know if there's anyone having surgery with Dr. Almanza around the same date so I am not so lonely......sniff..... I don't even know how I will handle my bags and such on my return flight (which will be long from San Diego to Tampa FL) being that I'm not supposed to do any lifting for some …

OMG! I have so much to do and not enough time, I'm trying to get a cheap fly from FL to SD for next week it's not possible the one that I found returning time is not good for me. Can you guys suggest any site? I have to go groceries shopping for proteins and vitamins. BTW I got an email from Louise that I need to do a 3 days liquid diets and I have to take a laxative 3 days before surgery (YUK). I was hoping that I didn't have to do no liquids diet since I have a low BMI. After all this done I really hope I can relax hopefully, I'll be pain free.

I had my surgery July 26th. I had 2 big scares but now they seem funny. My doc tends to do all bands one day and all sleeves the next day and all gastric bypasses on another day. My doc had switched my surgery date within one week several times so the idea of getting the wrong surgery had in the late night hours already insinuated itself into my head. The nurse that takes care of you in recovery is not necessarily the one that is in the O.R. . In recovery I told the nurse I was having trouble breathing. I was a little scared about that. She called the anesthesiologist over and said "this lady just had a gastric bypass and she can't breathe." I was still foggy and di…

I was sleeved on July 6, 2011. I really am confused about protein and how much I am required to take in everyday. Can someone please help me with this. Thanks Bunches!

I am a 34 years old and am a teacher in the Philadelphia School District. I am a mother of two beautiful and healthy girls and I am married to their wonderful father. As a teenager, I always struggled with my weight, but never going over 20-25lbs. of what I should have been. When I started teaching I weighed about 155-160 lbs. which was thinner for me. Within the first few months of my new career, I noticed a big change in my physical and mental health. I was always tired, achy, feeling depressed and just didn't feel right. I went to the Dr. with my concerns and after several different tests, I was diagnosed with Epstein Barr Virus (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and Fib…

Hello Everyone,,.. So i visited my doctors office and was going through my weight / health history and nothing is out of norm except that I have been between 285lbs and 328 in the pass 5/6 years.. I have always felt strong with great endurance and had always been active.. For instance last year i ran 15 5k about 12 10k and finish a 10 mile run in about 2hrs,.. I worked out 4 times a week Free weights, elliptical, Cross training, running/jogging and i would workout for over and hour with no problem.. I ate healthy., and worked out weekly.. but to no avail I couldnt get under 285lbs (a bmi of 38),,. Well that was last year and this year i Have slowed down and work out 3 …

I thought it was time to introduce myself. But, first want to thank everyone for answering my questions and providing much needed info for helping me make my decision to have surgery. I am 42 years old. Like many on here have tried every diet known to mankind. I have lost and gained so many times that I had lost count. At first I looked into the lapband. But didnt like the mirid of problems people had. So thats when I heard about the sleeve. I live in BC Canada. Here there is a very long wait for the surgery so I decided to have the surgery in the State of Washington USA. My doctor is Dr.Landerholm at the Pudget Sound Surgical Centre. I have three children a li…

Hello everyone! I am here to get a grasp on changing my weight to better my life. I have been overweight my entire life. Growing up as a chubby kid is a very tough thing. I pretty much got made fun of by what seems like every kid @ some point. I am a mother of a one year old & it breaks my heart to think of anyone picking on him. He is the sweetest little fellow & absolutely beautiful. The positives from having grown up this way is that I am a very empathetic caring person & I find beauty in everyone. I have had some success in the past losing weight. I was in my early 20s & wieghed 215lbs, I decided to get rid of it. I would loose 10lbs then stop. Fina…