Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am having my surgery Aug. 1 2011 and I couldnt be more excited! I feel fairly preapred for what is to come physically..... But then my roommate brings me back down to earth saying things like just because you are thin doesnt mean everything will be great in regards to self esteem. So for anyone that has changed a lot on the outside, does the brain follow, or do I run the risk of keeping my "fat girl" mentallity??? Any thoughts are appreciated! Thanks

I'm a nervous wreck! I can't stop eating because when I'm this emotional I eat. Has anyone been approved based on the following information? If so, do you have UHC Choiceplan 100? My BMI is approximately 35.6, I have mild case of sleep apnea and osteoarthritis. I've also provided them with four years of weight history (all with a BMI of at least 35), I've been on many diets and gave them a list of them, I can't remember the exact dates of these diets but I do know that each time I lost weight, I ended up bigger than when I started. I believe that the Lap Band is the tool I need to take control of my life – to beat this disease. I was declined two years ago and I'm so scar…

I went to my first seminar yesterday. YAY! I have an appoinment with the dr. July 1st! I am nervous and excited! I was just diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Other than my weight I am a healthy person. ALLL my problems are weight related. I am 27 and have a BMI of 45.2, I am very disapointed in myself. I don't want the surgery to just look good but I want to be able to run with my kids and be a good wife. I want to know that I am heading in the right direction. I understand there is a process and I am willing to do it all to get started on my weight loss journey! I prayed all the way home (I live 3 hrs from the nearest Bariatric Center) so I would feel comforted that …

:thumbs_up: Hello everyone! Lap Band surgery was on June 23, 2011. Still recovering and on clear liquids. Start the thicker liquids on Thursday. Post Op appt is on July 11th. Can't wait to see how I am doing as far as weight. Hope to be an active member of this board. Just found it tonight. We have a great support group that meets once a month, but sometime you just need to talk to someone who KNOWS what you are going through. Looking forward to meeting everyone. HUGS.... Mama Lisa :hurray:

Well, I finaly finished my month long food journal. The good news, is that today I didn't have to write a thing down, or even eat healthy.... but I'm still doing it. Thank you GOD for giving me my motivation back!!! So I have been on a 1200 Calorie diet and had to keep my fat grams below 30, carb grams between 150 and 200, and had to get at least 60 to 80 grams of Protein daily. After a full two committed weeks of doing this I have lost.................................................. 11 pounds! Not only that, but I have also joined a gym and have spent an hour a night at least 4 nights a week there. And then the other days I have gone on bike rides that h…

Hi All, Guess I should introduce myself. I'm Bryn; I've only just started this weight-loss process but I am 99% sold on the VSG and this forum has so far proven to be a GREAT resource that I am glad I found! So many of you seem very nice and friendly, incredibly knowledgable and from so many backgrounds that 'troubleshooting' seems like it will be, if not a piece of cake, at least easier than it would be on my own. I've been overweight since I was a little kid (like 8 years old) and obese (I hate that word) since I was 20 or 21; I'm 32 now. Some of the symptoms I am having of being so big are debilitating (back pain) so the lightbulb eventually went on and I decided I…

I am scheduled for surgery 7/14/11. It will be self pay. However, I just found out I have high cholesterol so my insurance MAY pay for it. Unfortunately, if I go the insurance route, I would need to fill out tons of paperwork and wait at least 6 months before having surgery. Do I put everything on hold and wait to see if insurance will cover it or do I go forward with my plan and have surgery 7/14/11? My cost is going to be $8500. I'm using my IRA money to pay for it.

Hi Everyone! My name is Anne and I am from Westchester, NY. I am a week away from having lap band and hiatal hernia surgery (July 6th) and I am looking forward to a new and healthier me. After years of dieting and trying to lose weight, I have decided that lap band is the way to go. Since starting the lap band pre-surgery process back in January, I have discovered a couple medical issues I was not aware of. I have sleep apnea and now require a CPAP machine....and I have a pretty big hiatal hernia. I have been diabetic since 2000 and was on pills, which had controlled me up until I had my kids. Back in November, I started on insulin and now take 9 shots a day!! I …

First let me say that I have been looking for a website like this for a few weeks now. I really need to talk with and have feedback from other patient's experiences. I have been overweight most of my adult life since having children. Let's just say that I am a child of the 60's so I am not a young woman. I have considered this surgery for at least 10 years. I was diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic in 2001. It was inevitable as I had gestational diabetes, family history and did not control my weight. Recently I decided to pursue and second career, a challenge in itself due to my age. However, my health has declined rapidly in the last five years and I was forced to tak…

Hi im Steph, I live in the outback, on a small island off the tip of northern australia, called the northern territory, in a small community called bathurst island part of the tiwi islands. population 1500. one main road. hell allot of dirt roads. hell allot of creepy crawlies and crocodiles and the sea of course! im 21 i study case management thru correspondence and hope to work as a social worker in the near future. nehoo i came across this lovely site and across allot of people who are also struggling with weight problems, im finding it exciting coming across stories and photos of people all around the world struggling with weight management. i too am struggling. my bm…

Well im only 4 sleeps away from a whole new me .I was wondering if anyone else is heading to tijuana on friday ? Im having the sleeve done with Dr Pompa .Its day 7 of no solid food and i feel good other then all the damm tv commercials

My name is Susan. I feel very vulnerable, very overwhelmed, and for the first time in a long time...a glimmer of hope. I'm 43 and that is my age, not my BMI *snort It's sort of like being a teen and having 20 lbs to lose and you think you are "so fat". Yeah, I wish I was only that fat. I'm 43 years old and my BMI is a shocking 59. I cried when I saw that number. No wonder my knees hurt so stinkin' bad! OK...no more excuses. I think that is going to be a slogan for me. I'm TIRED of fighting this battle with a plastic gun! As I've read your stories and your updates, your "serious complaints" , looked at your photo whoring (wtheck?), cried and identified…

Hello, wanted to introduce myself. I'm new to this site and hopefully soon I will get my lap band done. I currently weigh about 255 and my goal is to lose 100 lbs. I also have Type II diabetes, hopefully with this surgery my diabetes will go into "remission" I'm excited and nervous, but am ready to take this step. My surgeon is Dr. Ryan Headley and having my surgery done at Macneal hospital. Anyone have their surgery done with Dr. Headley or Macneal? I would love to hear your story. I'm still in the process of getting all my requirements in. I need to see the phsycologist and I'm done meeting will all the doctors. Hopefully soon I can get a date. Any advice…

I am overwhelmed with competing emotions. First and foremost is hope which it has been so long since I have felt. I am also incredibly annoyed at myself for letting my weight get to this point. After all, I was able to stick to the presurgical diet--why couldn't I just somehow find a way to conquer my food demons. I am having a hard time seeing the big picture today but I guess that is to be expected after working a 10 hour day in blistering heat on nothing but 400 calories of Gatorade. I really am happy to be moving forward. Myy husband is also having the procedure tomorrow in what I like to refer to it as two for the price of one. I have been reading all of y…

Ok the doctor sent my packet to cigna Friday. What is the normal response time?? I am very excited but very scared to that I want be turned down. Please let me know what to expect......

I meant who not how...lol I am shooting for the first week of August for my surgery date. Monday the 1st. is what I am hoping for.

Hello....I received my approval from Aetna on today....Yaaaaah!!!!!!.....Scheduled too be sleeved on July 6 th...I am so excited

Hi, i'm new to this forum, and I wanted to say hi to all of you and I really enjoy reading about your lives with gastric sleeve. my surgery with Dr.Alvarez is on the 15th of August 2011 and i'm nervous and excited at the same time. Genny

I have to wait until I can switch insurance companies tohave the LapBand surgery. In the meantime I've being researching and readingall the books I can find on LapBand. Iwould love to have a tool with me for the long haul. I've been really bummed out and I think depressed/sad withthe state that I'm in. I've been heavy since my teenage years, so that's notnew. However I'm the heaviest I've ever been without being pregnant (I got upto 300lbs. with each kid). My weight is just not budging, even with my resentuse of phentermine + dieting.That nolonger works for me.I'm looking for some advice; of course I'll talk with mydoctor, once she is back from vacation. My ques…

I began my journey back in August 2010 when I began all of my testing. I had my surgery in December 2010. It was a very hard decision for me. I thought about weight loss surgery for over two years but really did not want to have gastric bypass. When they started talking about gastric sleeve as a weight loss surgery by itself I thought maybe this is for me. When I met with the surgeon and he thought it was a good fit for me I thought this is it. Well here I am six months later and I'm down 122 pounds! I cannot believe it. Even my surgeon cannot believe it. I see the world in a whole new way. My life is not run by food anymore. I'm not going to lie and say there …

Today makes 1 week since I had my VSG. I had surgery on 6-21-11. I began the pre surgery diet on 6-7-11 and my starting weight was 274.8 (I know it doesn't sound like a lot but it felt 100 lbs heavier). After the two week diet my weight on the day of surgery was 258.8 lbs. The first two days of my diet was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life!!!! Surgery went very well, no issues at all. I do have a couple of complaints..... NO ONE TOLD ME ABOUT THE GAS PAINS.......OMG!!! I now know why babies cry for gas.. I am a 31 year old man, and I was doubled over in the bed like I was in labor with triplets... 2nd complaint..... My foley cath would not drain correctly,,,so …

Hi all, I'm just at the beginning stages of considering surgery. I'd like to know the good, bad and the ugly about the before, during, and after. I've been to a couple different consultations at different hospitals, but they just need to sell it. So anyone that can offer as much info and need-to-know would be really helpful Also for the ladies, anything this affects for females, meaning the monthly and as I have no children but would like to someday, what can I expect if and when that time comes?? Thank you all so much and I wish everyone the best!

Hi, my name is Julie and I'm considering getting the lap band done. My insurance had an exclusion so I'm going to have to save up for the surgery. However, I just found out the I need to get my gallbladder removed. So my question to you guys is this: Since my gallbladder has to be removed could i do both surgeries (gall bladder and lap band) at the same time? If so, could a doctor bill my insurance for the the gall bladder surgery and I pay cash for the lap band? What I mean is, if the insurance pays for my gall bladder removal they could pay for the anesthesia, dr. Fees, etc, and all I have to pay for is the lap band. Has anyone done this? If so do you know of a…

hey. my name is AlyAnne and ive decided lapband is for me. im 19 years old and i want to live a full, healthy, and fun life. ive chosen dr. richard collier as my surgeon. he is great and is very close to where i live. right now his office is working on my insurance case. scared i wont be covered but im hoping for the best. im sure i'll have tons of questions in the future so thought id introduce myself now. hi!

I’ve been reading this site for 3 ½ months now. I have been so inspired by everyone’s story. Thank you all. It made my journey so much easier. My story is not that different from any one elses. I’ve been overweight most (if not all) of my life. I can’t remember being a normal healthy weight. I’ve tried so many diets and had some success and, you guessed it, I gained it all back plus some. I started thinking about VSG last October…I seriously started thinking about it this March. I hosted a wedding shower for a friend of mine. Once I saw the pictures, I was devastated. How in the world had I gotten that big? I made up my mind then. I have to do something…

I'm so excited, so ready for this. It doesn't seem real though!

I started LapBandTalk the night I came home from surgery mid July 2003. Following my own Lap-Band Gastric Banding procedure, I was looking for information and community support. I came across a few helpful web sites, but they all lacked a sense of actually belonging to a group of people who share many similarities, struggles and habits. I've received one common request over many years from members on LapBandTalk who've undergone, revised to or are interested in the Gastric Bypass procedure: An online community they can call their own. I'm confident that you'll find what you're looking for at the new RNYTalk Community! After years of researching and reaching out to th…

I am six days post-op. This week has been a struggle both with getting all of my liquids in and managing my pain/discomfort. Today was the first day I felt fairly normal and almost no pain--and I have even felt comfortable enough to try chicken soups and things like that with no issues of ANY kind. I am 19, 5'4", and my weight was 211lbs on the day of surgery (highest recorded weight was 225). I have not weighed myself yet since the operation as I only want to do so weekly. However, perhaps the second day after my surgery, I woke up in the morning and went to brush my teeth like always. When I looked at my face in the mirror, I could have sworn my jawline and collarbone…

Hey Kansas people! I have my consultation at St. Francis (in topeka) tomorrow but I dont know where to go! Do you???

Hi, my name is Sophie and I just decided that I want to get a Lap Band! I want to thank everybody on these forums, I've been spending some time now reading all of your stories and insights and they've really helped to inform my decision. I have been struggling with weight since i was 8 years old. Now I'm 21 and it's really gotten out of control. I don't want the rest of my life to be defined by my weight. So i contacted my surgery center and will make an appointment to talk with a surgeon this week! I know this is just the beginning, but I fell like I need all the support I can get (my family isn't exactly on board). Thanks for reading, I hope I'm not too boring and I …

Hi All, I am so happy that a friend told me about this site! I have been reading it lots but haven't posted yet. I am scheduled to be banded on July 12th. I only need to do one day of a liquid diet pre-op which seems very different than most. I am going to try to do one week though. I have already ordered sample packets from various sites that have been mentioned on here. Unfortunately, I haven't been eating well at all lately. I have put on 10 pounds since I started the process in April. I know its not healthy! My doctor is aware of the weight gain though. I guess I am having my last meals many times over. Ugh! Anyhow, I am very excited about the process and…

Hi. I am a 34 year old mom of 2 kids and getting banded on June 29th, I am having my surgery at Central DuPage in Winfield. I hate the pre-op liquid diet, but I am doing it. I am nervous not about the surgery but about my life after surgery. I have to wrap my mind around being a thinner person. Anyway, hi everyone.

Just curious if there is anyone else out there who is going to have sleeve surgery or already have had the procedure and dealing with a liver disease? I have PBC. Thanks!

I switched my birth control pills: Loestrin24fe to LoLoestrin(lower dosage of estrogen) and my weight loss has stalled and I even gained 5lbs, I've lost 2 of them, but it just occurred to me that the two things happened at the same time. I wonder if they have anything to do with each other????

Hello All, My name is nicnic424. I am new to the site but have been banded for 1 year and 10 months. So far I have lost 52 pounds since my surgery. I started out at 263 # and my goal is (for now) is 160 #. I have found it easier to accomplish my goals if I set several smaller goals than try to achieve one big goal. I decided to get the lap band because for the past 9 years I have struggled my with my weight. Before then, I never struggled with my weight. What triggered the not caring, I guess you could call it, was that I lost a baby when I was almost 6 months pregnant. Ever since then, my husband of 7 years and I have not been able to concieve. I went to the doct…

I am pre op waiting for insurance approval. I have been jumping through hoops for months. I have only told my best friend and my husband and kids. I am going to a party tonight were my husbands cousin is sure to be a guest. She is a gastric bypass patient (about 2 years post op) and has done really well and talks about it ALL THE TIME! How I should look into it and how much it will help me. How she can't understand why I wouldn't want to have this life saving surgery, look at how well she looks and how happy she is. She will go on and on and on about what she eats and drinks and her poops and her tummy tuck....it is exhausting. And I need to keep my mouth shut!!…

I am working with the hospital and my insurance to have the sleeve done. I think it may be one more month. My husband is against it completely. First of all he thinks it is "cheating", and secondly, he reminds me of how I have failed at everything else I have ever tried so how could I possibly succeed with this? He has never been overweight so I feel like he just doesnt understand. I gained 90 lbs with my daughter and was 210 when I got pregnant. She is now 3 1/2 and I still have this weight on me. Has anyone else ever went through this with a spouse or significant other? I need some advise please...

I found out today that my insurance company approved my surgery, so am so very excited.!!!!! I picked up my two week pre-op diet, and an certainly looking forward to getting that part "behind me" I am also glad to have found this forum, along with great feedback on my Dr. Little over two weeks to surgery, very excited!

Still scared to get the surgery........

Im 2 weeks post op today and I dont see any more weight coming off.. I lost 12 lbs the first week and seem to be suck. I dont think I have lost anymore.. What is going on ... I am getting discourage that I will ever be as skinny as I once was. Has this happen to anyone else?

I'm scheduled to have my lap band in on 7/14/11. My family (two brothers mainly) don't want me to have the surgery. They think I should try working out and eating right for 6 months first then think about the band if that doesn't work. I've tried every diet possible and nothing has worked for the long term yet so why wait another 6 months. Also, I just started getting back on my feet financially and so they don't like the idea of me going in the hole $8500 -- I'm self pay. Any suggestions or thoughts?

Hello all.. I am a 26 year old mom of 3 with a BMI of 44. Currently weighing 320 and my goal is 180 - 200.. I had attempted to do this surgery about a year and a half ago but one thing after another kept popping up so I ended up pregnant with our 3rd child, our 1st girl, so I had to wait til I had my daughter who is 4 months now. I have a scheduled orientation on July 8th. I sat thru this orientation a year and a half ago but the hospital says I have to do it again, which is fine. So hopefully all goes well and I can start this journey to a New Me..

It has been 3 years since my surgery, I originally lost around 40lbs. The place I had it done didn't have any support groups and I had to learn everything through trial and error. I pretty much stayed at that weight for a year, I would have the band tightened only to get horrible reflux and then they would loosen it. I never lost anymore weight but I didn't gain any either. I missed eating like other people, and I found ways to cheat like chips and chicken nuggets I can eat but regular chicken or any beef and most fruits are a no go. My husband and I wanted a 2nd child so we tried for the last 2 years and we just had a little girl 2 months ago. It was bliss …

Hello, I am a 36 y/o mom of three. I had surgery on 4/7/11. My starting weight was 242 and I'm currently 227. My BMI is 43 and right now I have 4cc in a 10cc band. As far as exercise goes, I've been walking about 15 miles a week for the past few weeks. My weight loss has been very slow so far, or at least it seems that way to me. My doctor acts like he is pretty happy with my results so far. I am hoping the exercise will kick my weight loss up some. This is the first time I have ever posted on any type of a forum, but I like this site.

I'm 23 and just starting my Lap-Band journey but I have no idea where to begin. I need to switch doctors because the one I have has no knowledge of the procedure, how do I find that doctor? Or should I directly go to a surgeon? I'm attending a lap band seminar the end of next month, but other than that all I have is the reasearch Ive done and no where to go because I dont know what steps to take. Can someone help?

WELL I FINALLY HAD MY VERTICAL SLEEVE SURGERY ON JUNE 20, 2011, I STARTED THIS PROCESS IN FEB OF 2010, WEIGHING 365, I WENT THR0UGH 6 MONTHS OF MEETING WITH MY NUT, HAD A MENTAL EVAL, CHANGED MY EATING HABITS, LOST & GAINED WEIGHT. I WAS FINALLY APPROVED IN SEPT 2010, WITH KAISER THERE IS A LENGTHY PROCESS AND A LOT OF HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH. BUT I MADE IT AND FINALLY GOT THE CALL IN MAY FOR MY JUNE SURGERY DATE. I CAME HOME ON THE 21ST, TRYING NOT TO DO TO MUCH AND FOLLOW ALL MY DOCTORS ORDERS. I THINK I HAVE DONE A LITTLE TO MUCH TODAY BECAUSE I AM IN A LOT OF PAIN, BUT I AM GOING TO REST. I AM TRYING TO GET IN MY Protein AND Water, BUT IT REALLY CAN BE HARD SOME D…

I did a YouTube video here at and updated my blog at http://www.skinnyrenee.com What an amazing and strange month. For anyone researching weight loss surgery and you're terrified like I was, just do it! I was the biggest sissy ever and it was something I NEVER thought I'd do but I don't regret one minute of it (ok maybe the dry heaves from the anesthesia, but still...). It's your life, you should make it everything you dreamed of...we only get one shot at it so make the most of it. I'm so ready to be healthy and fit and I'm well on my way. I never dreamed it would happen and I never in a million years thought I'd be crazy enough to do it but I'm so glad I foun…

Ok. My story is this I'll be 30 yrs old this Saturday and 10 yrs ago I had the lap band. That's right I had the band 10 yrs ago not that long after it came out, and you could say I was a weight loss surgery loser, The band never worked on me and actually started me down the road of complications. Since I have had the band my weight has yo-yoed and I've also ended up with a huge case of acid reflux. To this day I still vomit reflux about once a day. It has taken years but I have finally found a surgeon willing to actually remove my band. This surgeon resides in Austin TX and comes highly reccommended. The new issue I have is this even though in the last 2 & half yrs I…

I have been a member for a few weeks and have been doing a lot of reading but no posting. It has taken me 2 almost 3 yrs to decide to have the procedure done. I have hbp, pre diabetic, elevated cholesterol and I have to take ibuprofen and muscle relaxers for my lower body joint pain. I will be 35 this fall and I am ready to reclaim my life, I can't keep up with my 4 yr old and I often opt to stay home because I feel uncomfortable with all the weight I have put on. I am 5'10 and 340lbs. Although I have been plus sized most of my life I was smaller at 200lbs. Since the birth of my child I have yet to get under 300lbs. I found out Friday (6/25/11) that I have gotten…

Hello -- I've just discovered this site & am looking forward to hearing more @ your experiences! I'm new to the whole idea of WLS, and especially VSG -- but after much research & upon the advice of my Doctor, believe whole-heartedly that this is the best option for me. I was told 4 weeks ago that I needed total knee replacement surgery (we thought that I'd just been dealing with a knee injury that wasn't healing...!) -- and that my doctor wouldn't perform knee replacement until I'd lost a significant amount of weight. Knee doctor referred me to Dr. Ramiro "Sonny" Cavazos @ The Texas Center for Medical & Surgical Weight Loss. Had my first appointment w…