Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I want to get the Lap-Band and had one Doctor on line check with my insurance to confirm my coverage. The problem is my insurance will only cover up to 80% and I pay the 20%. I don’t have the money or want to pay the 20%. In addition the hospital wants me to pay for my first consolation in addition to my $20.00 co-pay $15.00 for a filing service and 1080.00 for some type of consultation service with $200.00 up front. and the reminder of the fees when completed. I don’t have the approximant $4600.00 additional out of pocket monies. Does anyone know of a different solution? Possibly a doctor who will take the 80% as payment in full? Email:rwilliams@petersonhyd.com

I'm about to turn 50 and I'm the biggest I've ever been and will only get bigger when menapause hits I've done the weight loss centers and the pills just make me feel horrible. I've even tried WW and so far nothing seems to be working. I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea and extremely low metabolism. My BMI is well over 35 and I need/want to loose around 50#'s. Is the lapband procedure something I could/should have done??? Not even sure what the specifics are to having this procedure.

I know it sounds weird, but I have tried diets and even though my husband is right there supporting me I feel like I need to be forced to loose weight. I think thats why I like the idea of having the lap band. I have read that if you try to eat bad foods then you can get sick, and that isn't any fun so you are forced into eating healthy. I feel like I do overall eat healthy, my husband has type 2 diabetes and while it doesn't act up a lot it is right now, so we are focusing on a atkins type diet. I am 22, and I am beginning to steer further and further away from fast food which I know will help me in the long run. I like to make meals from scratch and I have more time to …

Hi to all the X/Converted banders who use to post on LBT - You may remember me - IndioGirl55 - Well I'm reaching out to you all to help and welcome my DIL - Melissa77. She got her sleeve 7/11/11 and is in need of support and help - I told her to join here and she would get info and support here like I got on LBT.. Thanks I truly appreciate everyone welcoming her.. I'm doing good - 4 yrs out - no issues (knock wood) and have maintained my weight loss..

names Monica I was just introduced to this site by a close friend. and I am so grateful for it... I'm going into surgery 12 days from today. 8/6/11 (lap ban) and already going threw an array of emotions.. I have spent my entire life coming to terms with my body, accepting and loving me! and now my doctor says that this is necessary for my health... yea i know if i loved my self i wouldn't of stuffed my face until the point of diabetes and high blood pressure.. but in my defense up until 2months ago i never had any health food related problems. Now this surgery could mean life or death for me. so why am i not more excited about it? but eventually i know all good thin…

Hi all, Tomorrow I get my Lap Band. That means no eating today just clears. My family know that and are great supporters in my life but they must eat. My hubby is making bacon and I WANT SOME...LOL. I turn to my broth instead. Anyone having this problem? Please know that I am not mad at my family I just find it funny how the smell makes me want it. I do know in say 2 months I can try it I hope. Take care all. Mary

Hi everyone. I've been a lurker now for a while and given the events of the last few days I felt it was time to come out from the shadows and introduce myself. Reading these forums has given me inspiration and convictions that I am making the right decision to do this for myself finally. So here is my story.... I am a 44 year old woman from New York. Married, mother of 2 almost grown kids (young adult and older teen). I have been overweight for about 20 years, which has gotten to its worst in the past 8 years. At my highest my BMI was just over 40 and it is currently at 39.8. I have sleep apnea and I have a degenerative back disease (osteoarthritis) as co-morbidities. I…

Hey Im new from Chicago. Im 20 yrs old and having my surgery in Chicago! Is there anyone here from the windy city? Also, any other 20 yr olds from chicago?

I have been reading posts for some time and as I am only days away from my surgery thought I should join the forums and get involved! My surgery date is July 28th and I am excited but very nervous to be joining you as a fellow bandster!! Funny that I am not nervous about the surgery or the recovery or the diet. I am nervous about what I will look like when I have lost the weight, whether I will need surgery and how much it will cost. My wonderful hubby has assured me that he can wait a few more years to buy a new car if it means I can have the cosmetic surgery/ies that I want/need. Gotta love him!! I'm also nervous about forgetting to sip my drinks, take smal…

Hi, I got sleeved on Thursday, July 21st by Dr. Richard Collier at University General in Houston, TX. I'm at home now recovering. So far I'm feeling pretty good. I'm able to get up and walk around several times a day. I have noticed however, that my calf muscles are very tender and I am experiencing some lower leg muscle cramping. Did anyone else experience this? cindy lynn

New to this page, first time I have actually checked itout. The psychologist I saw as one of the pre requirements to surgeryrecommended me to this site. Was just given a possible surgery date of August 2and have my pre opt appointment on July 19. Overly excited and cannot wait tohave surgery and start seeing results! Any tips people can offer of how Ishould prep for before surgery...or things I need to get done, or have readyfor when I’m done with surgery and beginning my journey of becoming my skinnyself again I know it’s in there somewhere. It just has been hiding the last5 years!

Hi to everyone! I started with all the exams last winter and was very excited to have my lapband in the summer of 2010. Just as all was wrapping up and coming near, I lost my job. =( And of course my insurance went with it. Since then i've been working, but my job does NOT have insurance or benefits of any kind. I've been trying all sorts of diets and things to push me forward. Things such as the HCG diet, and even a biggest loser competition within friends and coworkers. Though I lose 5-10 pounds on and off, it's just not enough! I've recently applied for medicaid, and am waiting for answers. I'm hoping they say yes, and yes and yes to everything! I wanted to know…

hello so good news and bad news i was banded last week on the 15th and i feel great it was my firt surgery so i wasnt used to it and i guess i was expecting alot worse but im doing great i only have pain when im bending over alot or for a long time i do get some presser under my chest that is a bit pain full and eally bad "gas" pain in my shoulder put thats what pain pills are for so thats the good news o and i lost 15 lbs in the 1st week also good news now the bad news as many of you that go through the surgery know the liquid diet is terrible im so sick of protein and not being able to eat im amost at the point where i want to just get a my first fill and go on with my …

Hello Everyone. I just wanted to drop by and introduce myself. I got banded almost three years ago on 9/29/08. Since then I only lost about 30lbs of which I have gained back PLUS SOME. I haven't experienced any problems with my band and at times it seems like I don't even have one. I am able to eat the same things as before being banded. (With the exception of potatoes..they are they only foods that act like they want to get stuck). Right now, I am filled with about 4 or 5ccs. I got frustrated with the weight gain after being filled, so I stopped going to my doctor visits. I felt like I was wasting money on something that wasn't working. Lately, I've been thinking that I …

My work just changed insurance. Our previous insurance specifically prohibited WLS and any complications resulting from same. We now have new insurance and I find myself afraid to call. I am not normally a denial kind of person...if I don't hear/see it isn't real. I am just worried that if I hear that nothing is changes, I will give up. I have finally decided to take some control and I dont know if I will stick to it if the insurance won't help. The idea of saving $10,000 plus dollars is very daunting.

So I'm at the gym right now with my boyfriend, and in the last hour I've burned 404 calories and he's burned 831....WTH!!!! Lol it's his birthday tomorrow so I will be nice.

Hi to all who come after me! My story, huh? Well, I've been overweight for 20 years now, and I've tried a lot of diets, exercise programs, and have had only marginal success. Two years ago I took the next step for me and had the Lap Band Surgery. That wasn't a good experience for me at all. The "minor" reflux I had pre-surgery turned into a monster, and I was always either too tight or not tight enough... and that was in the same day. After two years of foaming, vomiting, and spitting my way through practically every meal, I decided it was time to take control of my life again. At first, I was just going to have the band removed, but when I learned about revision from b…

I am really excited now .. I just finished the Options class program and was told that I am now going to be referred for surgery my labs came out normal my journals were great and now it's time to wait. I am very excited and crossing my fingers that I get an appointment sooner then 3 months. I have been told that the procedure will take place at West LA kaiser . If anyone had the vertical sleeve done there can you please explain in detail the process on how long it took you to wait for your date? How many appointments did you have before surgery? How long were you in the Hospital after the surgery and when where you released to go back to work>?

Hello, all! texasmelody here, about 16 days after getting my sleeve here in Dallas. Dr. Castro was my surgeon, and I had the sleeve at Baylor. I began my pre-op diet exactly a month ago, and in the month before and after the sleeve I'm down 43.1 pounds -- so, only about another 260 pounds to go. Sheesh! Everything seems to be going well so far. I've had the usual intestinal distress, but that seems to be calming down. I've had a couple of occasions where stuff seems to sit in my chest. Distressing, but do-able. I've had some early-run dizziness that turned out to be the fact that my blood-pressure dosage was suddenly too high -- so that's now been cut in half. Woot! …

Hello all. I made it through the surgery and now I'm on my to recovery and losing :-) . Thanks for all of your well wishes. I feel as though a really large truck has run over me, backed up and then run over me again. I don't really have a lot of pain, just a lot of soreness. The puncture sites are getting very itchy. Are we allowed to apply ointment of any kind? That was the one question I forgot to ask my surgeon about. The hospital staff were great. Surgery was supposed to start at 12:45 pm, however there was some issue or another and I did not go into OR until about 3pm. Next thing I remember it was almost 8 pm and I was waking up in my room. My husband and son sp…

Hey guys, Any advice for someone who was banded a few years ago and have gained weight. I never reached my goal and I know I need to go in for a fill. I feel like I did not follow the plan completely and now I would like to start over. I plan on making an appointment next week and try to get filled as tight as possible and start back on my Protein. I feel terrible for gaining 20 pounds even though I lost almost 60 pounds after my surgery. What are your thoughts?

Hi, I am an Aussie, not too sure that there are many of us on here, but I haven't had a proper look yet either! Sing out if you too are an Aussie Had my surgery 3 weeks ago, and already I am happy with how things are going! I have already lost 13 kgs and am looking forward to shedding the other 35 to get to my goal weight I have found the whole thing to be easier than I first expected. I had done a lot of research and read a lot of forums of people who have undergone surgery and I was pretty anxious going in. However, it seems that what they say is true, all patients are different! I had a 2 night stay in hospital and then came home for a 2 week lay abo…

AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!! So I finally get a Pre_Op appt and a surgery date within 30 days after that....I have been working through this process for 8 months now, and my Supervisor says " I am not sure I can give you 4 weeks off for an elective surgery!" Never mind that my last extended time off for surgery was 5 days for a knee scope in 2001! UNBELIEVABLE!!

Hi everyone I'm new here I just had my surgery on July 12th and have already lost 22 pounds !!! I'm so happy o did it I can't Wat to see what the future holds. Btw I am only 19

Hi my name is Whitney. I am getting banded on July 27th (3 days from today). Although I am truly looking forward to my surgery, I believe my nerves are starting to kick in. I think my main concern is how I will physically feel. I am also a little concerned about what specific foods I should be eating following the surgery. I am meeting with my nutritionist on Tuesday and going over specifics pertaining to this. My surgeon provided me with a packet explaining post-op foods but it was very vague. Any suggestions or advice anyone might be able to give me would be great. Were there things you wished you would have thought of or remembered to have with you or do for your surge…

This last year has been horrendous health wise. I had some heart issues just over a year ago that put me in the hospital for 9 days, it's just been a mess of medications, side effects, pain and just plain bad health since then. I'm on 8 different medications, some of which cause weight gain. I've gained over 70 lbs in the last year. It's out of control. I live in pain from a combination of the arthritis in my foot and plantar fasciatis. I'm newly diagnosed with diabetes. Went for my diabetic eye check on tues and there's signs of early damage. The combination of Calcium channel blockers and diclofenac and I'm sure the weight have caused pitting edema in my calves. I…

Hi I am Lichen, banded in October 2010 been slowly loosing since. There is really nothing else to say

So I decided to go thrift store shopping today as I really didn't have too many summer items. Well of course as I usually do I started out in the wrong size section. Then I finally thought well I was a size 14 and those seem to be getting a little big in the waist so maybe I should try a size smaller . So I grabbed a bunch of size 12's & 12P's capris and a pair of black levis size 12 for work. I also grabbed some size large, and some medium tops. To my suprise EVERYTHING FIT!! OMG I have NEVER gone into any store and kinda hurridly picked up some clothes to try & have them ALL fit in my LIFE. Needless to say I was grinning from ear to ear the whole trip ba…

Ok. I went to my nutrition class Thursday. While there the office manager said she sent my file for approval already. Why?! You see in my signature line all that I have completed. I thought I had two each of nutrition counseling and support groups to go. I don't wanna take chances with Aetna. What if I get denied? Why bother submitting now? It works if I get approved and fails miserably if I dont. The only things not in my signature line are my several years of documented weight and exercise discussions with my PCP. What should I do? Sit and wait?

I applied for the loan with surgeryloans.com today and was approved for most of the money I needed for the sleeve the remainder I can take care of it. I'm so happy about that but, what's killing me is the interest rate. I'm thinking maybe I should get the money get my sleeve done and pay it off before the 3 years term since there's no penalty for paying off early. My second is issue is I called Louise back to see if I can get my spot back it's already taken, now I have to wait until the 2nd week of August she said the office is close from the 5th to the 7th. I'm thinking about going to Dr Alvarez Guillermo has anyone use him? if so please let me know I heard good stuff a…

I am new to this forum. I have finally decided that Lap Band surgery is for me after much debate. I have a BMI of 37 and high blood pressure. I live in Belgium. I want to know if any one can recommend a doctor out here or tell me how to verify a docotr credentials. Thanks

The day has arrived. I will be off to the hospital in another hour and half. I am scheduled for the OR at 12:45pm today. Thanks to all of the support and advice I've received here, I believe I am prepared. I will check in from the other side. Virty

Hello to all, I am drinking Bolthouse Farms Protein Drinks. These are the only ones I can keep down most at 19 grams of protein a bottle to 30 a bottle. The bottles are 15.2 fl.oz. Please let me know if anyone has used these and what you think of them. If you know of any others that are nice tasting please let me know. I do not like sweet tasting drinks as in over sweet. Thank you all. Mary

Hi there! I am getting banded next Saturday. I am very excited and nervous. I know what to expect, but don't know what to expect--if that makes sense. I know everyone is different, on their journey, so I am just nervous in general. I live in Raleigh NC and have a supportive husband & 2 wonderful kids. Anyway, I look forward to being on the boards with everyone. Thanks! April

How do you fight this liquid hunger I'm 6 days post op and starving except can only tolerate very small amts. When does this get better

Hi all: I was banded on 7/7 and have had this heaviness in my chest the last few days - very little solids - soft eggs. No fill yet. It is pressure on my chest like something is stuck. Has anyone else had this happen to them so earlier on? Thanks.

After years of jumping through hoops I am finally going to have the Lap Band surgery! I am scheduled for nex Tuesday July 26, 2011!!!! After discussing with my surgeon's PA I have decided to have the plication done as well. Maybe I should be nervous but I'm not I am just ready to get it done!

I decided to start a blog after finding out what it is lol I have not done very well updating my status because I totally get distracted by all the new posts I haven't read!! And by the time I read your experiences til I can't see straight, I'm feeling like my status is oldnews. hahahaha So, this is an invitation to follow my Blog (what a weird word). I reposted my original "my story" post of my play-by-play action in Mexico, because I'm "sort of" linear and need to have a start, middle and end. But I have added my update for being 2 weeks post-op. Keep posting. It's amazing how much information is shared on this forum. It's awesome! take care, Susa…

I had my surgery on May 16th 2011. I was so excited due to my rapid lost which was like 27 lbs in just a couple weeks. Once i began eating normal foods I watched the scale come to a complete stop. I have been on a stall since my 3rd week. Sometimes i would notice i lost 5lbs but that would slowly creep right back up. I feel so helpless and depressed. I used to come to this site to be encourage but now I feel so alone because everyone is losing the weight and yet I am lagging far behind. Due to this I have notice that I have started drinking alcohol which i think isn't good due to the calories. But I feel like I have really given up or having a very nonchalant attitude abo…

Hello all!! I have been roaming around the forum for a while now ,but have not had the courage to introduce myself... My name is nohemi and i'm 25 years old.. i was sleeved June 28th, 2011. Mother of a beautiful 2 year old baby boy and a wife to the best husband life could have given me! I decided to make a life change by having Bariatric surgery. That has been the best decision i have made. With 23 pounds gone in 3weeks and 2 days post-op i could not be any happier! I have read alot of post and they helped me dicide for the sleeve. I think its a good fit for me. At the moment i am on puree and soft foods. So far i have had NO PROBLEMS!! tg!! I a…

Hi All, I owe this blog to this forum and all the members as I was highly motivated after most of you wrote about your experiences, so its my responsiblity to share my experience with you all. ---------------------------------- Surgery Date - 15 July 2011, 9 AM Place - India Weight at the time of surgery - 104 kgs (aprox 228 pounds) Height - 5 ft. 5 inches --------------------------------- D-Day - I reached the hospital at 7:20 AM, just kept on cracking jokes with the surgery team, the nurses, anesthesits and the surgeons. I was taken to the Operation Theatre and when I was given a General Anesthesia (GA), I wished luck to my doctors. It was 9 AM. After that it…

Well my husband was sleeved jun 15, and now I will be sleeved on Aug 24. I can't wait he has had some UPS and downs but in all I'm so proud of him..we have 3 beautiful children together, I'm just so ready I have have a hard time the last 13yrs with my weight...but its time...I'm tired of being the cute chubby girl....this will help to put all the piece together for me...I just want to keep up with my kids and not hurt any more...so glad my husband found this form for me...love the stories and the truth of that its real and it works....

I am 3 weeks post op, and feeling GREAT..other then the hernia discomfort . I had my surgery in Fremont June 28th , Dr Chu was my surgeon and I couldn't have asked for a better staff. Down 19 lbs so far Looking forward to a healthy life

Now that everything is on track with financing the sleeve I'm begining to have doubts about the surgery is it normal? I'm thinking about what if I went through all that and don't lose the weight or what if I gained it back. I'm also wondering how am I gonna feel when I go out with family or friends and everybody is eating there foods and enjoying it and there I am eating a bite or 2 and get full. It's too bad I don't think dr Almanza offer counseling but I don't know if I'm mentally prepared for this drastic change. Did any of you had this kind of thoughts before or after the surgery?

T minus 14 days to banding, please share any tips that worked, I would really appreciate it.

Just a word of advise/caution for all you pre op ladies and gents........If u happen to come down with this stomach lining virus when they do ur blood test and the doctor wants to give you the HELIDAC THERAPY antibiotic for it......have them give you something else!!!!....this antibiotic (flagyl) is known to cause seizures and the docs know it..........it gave me a seizure (on day 7 of taking them) , now i have to take anti seizure med's, ( and they are no picnic), lost my driving privilege for 6 months (state law when u have seizures) and had to re schedule my surgery date..................trying to save someone else from this head ache...

All these threads for sunglasses and asking for donations for someone's surgery are really starting to annoy me. That's all!

I'm 51 years old and have been overweight most of my life. It really got out of control when I started on insulin for diabetes and arimidex post Brest cancer. Since then I've had had numerous surgeries and injuries. Hoping the lap band will help me jump start my way back to health. Have to admit some of the post surgical comments are scaring me.

16 December 2010 Suddenly, I'm one week away from undergoing a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. It is almost too much to digest that this truly is the beginning of the end of my 15-year battle of the bulge? The long-and-short of my story is that I was a chubby kid, athletic high-schooler, super-athletic collegiate (squash team) and, league player in my twenties and early thirties. A back injury (herniated disc) whilst training for a tournament spelt the end of competitive squash and any form of athletic activity. A job for a bachelor that involves numerous lunch meetings and after-hours cocktail functions is a recipe for disastrously rapid weight-gain. The trouble…

Hello everyone, My name is Erica, I am new here. I am 25 years old - I was just banded on Monday ( 7-18-11 ) so, I'm on my fourth day and I have to say this liquid diet is KILLING me. I'm always hungry and I'm drinking all the Protein and all the amounts of Fluid I'm supposed to have, I guess it's normal to be hungry, but I'm going crazy !! I never though I'd be so pumped to get to eat mushy/pureed food !! LOL Still a week and a half before I can. *SIGH* I don't have a large support team so I figured I'd join here and maybe meet some new people. well, it's nice to meet you all