Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

So I am down 21lbs. Not much really but I can't sit on a hard surface because the pressure on my butt bones hurt. Lol. That's a first!

I read all of you talking about a honeymoon period after surgery. What is that referring to?

I was banded May 27th and it has been alot harder than I thought it would be. The first week or so I didnt complain much because I expected to be tired and sore. Now I have gotten over most of that but I have a whole new problem. I havent been able to keep anything down in a few days. Not even water. Every time I swallow anything its painful. I called the Dr and have an appointment in the morning. Im just worried. Anyone else have these kinda problems right after surgery?

hello! i have my self-pay surgery tentatively scheduled for 7/20; i say that because my ekg came out "abnormal" and i had to go see a cardiologist today. he doesn't seem overly concerned at the ekg, but is doing a stress test and an echocardiogram in 2 weeks... at this point i'm a bit nervous. how normal is this? anyway, stupidly, i'm more upset over losing the date i picked (i have vacation okayed already at work) than having something seriously wrong with me... that's how badly i want my sleeve! and THEN i made the mistake (?) of reading 2 posts that describe excrutiating pain post op... i'm the bigggest freakin' sissy ever made... what's your experience? i'm…

Had my mind made up that I wanted to get banded. I went to seminar last month and noticed that the surgeon was pushing the gastric bypass. He kept saying that banding is a thing of the past and I will only lose about half of the weight that I want to lose. He suggested over and over and over again that by pass was the way to go. I need everyones comments!!! I really dont want the bypass... too risky with my life and a huge nutrition factor involved with that. Has anyone else heard of this? I insisted on the banding and now am ready to move on to the next step, which I think is the phsych eval... shouldnt have any problems there. Ive been married for 21 years, if Im not …

Hey all. I was so excited to report that my 7 days post op i lost 19 lbs. Then in my 2 week i was down 28 and now in my third week i completely stopped. As a matter of fact one day the scale said 250 which was my first goal to the very next day saying 255. HUH??? Im confused, i keep losing and gaining everyday. its been a week and i may have lost maybe a lbs but can tell cos my scale isn't digital. I feel like im doing something wrong or im not going to lose the weight. Of course im afraid of failure cos all the other diets were failures. Also, Im on the 4th stage which is reg soft and moist foods. however, i keep vomiting and i don't know if it is cos im eating too fa…

I have watched this site for several months now and it has been so so helpful. I had my band to sleeve revision ( after a slip, and then non-functioning port). Had another hernia that they had to repair as well. Today it has been a week and I am down 11 pounds and feel great although I have over done a bit. You all have been very helpful even to those of us who kinda stay in the shadows most of the time-- Thanks!

Hello, I got banded on 06/03, and must I say it was a great decision. I did not have a lot of pain and I am feeling pretty good now. Just have to control my urge to eat stuff I shouldn't be.

Hi Everyone!!! A am now sleeved!!!! Surgery was 6/6 7am. The first day in the hospital was rough, I will admit. . I had a substantial hiatal hernia so there was a little more pain. Yesterday was the second day and wasn't allowed to go home till after 10pm. MD wanted to be sure I was pushing fluids and... sorry.... passing gas. The hospital staff kept saying that they were nosy and wanted ot know! LOL The care was outstanding. I also had /have quite a bit of Nausea. Got home last night around midnight. Hubby went out to a 24 hour pharmacy to get me pain meds. They could not dispense them at the hospital. I have alegies to morphine and vicoden so they prescribed demero…

Hola Im Maria and am so excited to have a surgery date set for July 15! This is something I have wanted for years! Wish me luck!

Hi, Just wanted to pop in and introduce myself. My name is Cor'. I am pre-op, and just got the OK to meet with the surgeon in my program. I am about 6 weeks out from meeting them, but I've done all my program testing and just started a six week class. I'm a 26yo female, 5'11" and started the program in January at 326. The year previously I was at my highest weight ever at 342. I just weighed in yesterday at the hospital and am at 311 (my fav band, I kind of laughed at that). My bmi is 43. After months of searching on the web, I'm surprised that I just found the site today! I can't wait to read more about everyones' experiences. I have thoroughly enjoyed the proce…

Hello all I was just banded on 06-02-11, looking forward to cream Soup struggeling to drink enough liquid has always been a problem. I used a whey Protein prior to surgery with banana, I assume I can continue that on week 2 I use almond milk as I am not a big milk drinker. Having lots of gas in the left lower by the ovary, assume it will go away. Good Luck everyone Candy

Thank you for welcoming me. My surgery is around the corner. Scheduled for June 22nd. I'm currently on the Optifast liquid diet per my surgeon's request. This is a challenge within itself. Yesterday was the first day of the diet and I was beyond irritable!! I guess that's me detoxing....the 2nd day has been a lot better. I hope I have the strength to make it to day 14 on this stuff....any suggestions?

Hello. I was banded on 3/3/11 and down 20 lbs. I am somewhat disappointed because I hear alot of bandsters that lose that in 1 month. I am struggling and I feel very over whelmed, at times I feel that it was pointless having my band put in. I know I have to do my part (exercise and eat healthy). The exercise part is what's difficult. I have no energy at all, no matter what time of the day it is. Is anyone going through the same problems as I am? Please let me know.

Hi everybody!!! I need some new mushie meal suggestions. I am getting a little tired of eating the same thing every day. Please give me your favorite recipe!!!

Just curious on how long of a diet you had to do for your insurance to approve you?

Hello Everyone, I have been debating get the lapband for year now. Well I told myself by my 30th day ( a year from now) I would want to be healthy and at peace with my body! So that being said I am going to take all tests I need to get started on my lapband journey. Today I go for my sleep study and on June 27th I have an appointment for an endoscopy. I have lost weight in the past, a significant amount only to put it back on and then some. I tell myself that the lapband is a great option and I should take full advantage that my insurance covers it but I must admit it still scary.... Scared of the unknown I guess. Does anyone out there have HealthNet Salud PPO? Also …

for my lap band, that is ! July 1. Start my two week liquid pre-op diet on June 16. it's been over a year getting to this point, and I can't wait! All I've done in that year is proven to myself that I cannot lose weight on my own. I am so ready for this. See if any of this sounds familiar.... I boxed the clothes that I expanded out of, and marked them with a date to reopen, when I KNEW I would lose the weight this time! end result... the reopen date passed by a year ago, and they are still in the box. In the meantime, I've managed to get myself put on metformin for type II diabetes... how's that for an impressive piece of taking care of myself??? So I've basica…

Ok I’mnew to this not just a new member new to this computer communication world. I don’tknow how to put on the tracker that everyone has after they post if anyone cantell me how to post it I would greatly appreciate it. Me I hadmy surgery 04-16-2011 in Colombia… And Idon’t regret any moment of it. It costme $6000.00 and every penny was worth it. My recovery was absolutely great. I had my surgery on Saturday was out of the hospital by Sunday afternoonand at the movies on Monday. I enjoyedthe rest of my vacation. I did researchmy doctor intensively because I’m also a colon Cancer survivor and I wanted tomake sure that there wasn’t any problem. The best part of it w…

Hi everybody! I am just getting started with this...have my first doctor consultation on Friday and I'm so nervous! (Obviously - it's almost 5 am and I couldn't sleep tonight!) Anyway, just wanted to say hi.

Hello everyone. I'm new here and I'm very excited because I've decided that I'm going to get the Sleeve asap. I'm in the Bronx. I went to the seminar in June with my mother.....o yea i left that out lol I'm 21yrs old, 233lbs, 41 bmi......I'm looking to go with Dr. Jenny Choi from Montefiore. I went to my first appt 2day and now I'm on the road to surgery. I have a huge check list so I'm kewl beans and I'm looking forward to this being my Christmas present. I'm sooooo excited because I've been fat all my life and I'm tired and done with yo-yo diets. Thanks in advanced.

I am new to the forum and considering lap band surgery. I am currently 34 and have been overweight for some years. I have PCOS since 2007 and weight loss has been very slow along with infertility. I am hoping that lap band can help me to beat the obesity. Does anyone else have PCOS and the band? Have you been able to conceive post Lap Band? Please share your success I need as much inspiration as I can get.

WELL I CANT BELIEVE I AM WRITING THIS BUT TOMORROW MY STOMACH IS COMING OUT AND A NEW ME BEGINS WITH MY NEW STOMACH! I JUST CANT BELIEVE IT. I FEEL A HUGE WEIGHT LIFTING OFF MY SHOULDERS. FOR YEARS I HAVE BEEN FEELING DOWN AND AWFUL WITH THIS BACK PAIN THAT HAS BEEN TAKING OVER MY LIFE DUE TO ALL MY WEIGHT. I CANT BELIEVE THAT ITS ALL GOING TO CHANGE AND HAS BEEN SLOWLY TAKING PLACE SINCE I STARTED MY WEIGHT MANAGEMENT IN NOVEMBER...WOW TIME GOES BY SOO FAST. THIS LAST WEEK HAS BEEN REALLY CHALLENGING WITH MY CLEAR liquid DIET AND ONLY ABLE TO HAVE THREE shakes A DAY. I AM SOO HUNGRY BUT I HAVE NOT GIVIN IN TO MY SON AND HUSBAND EATING HABITS WHICH ARE GOING TO CHANGE TOO…

I am having my lap band surgery on Wednesday. I need all the encouragement and helpful tips you can share. I am a little nervous and excited all at the same time. I am ready for a new life. I am tired of my knees hurting, not fitting into a certain seats, BEING TIRED ALL OF THE TIME, sleeping with a C-Pap, and just plain being FAT!!!

Hi there, I just learned about this website and thought I'd give it a look. I had my surgery 2 months ago. My husband and I actualy did the surgery together. He had his 2 weeks before I had mine. He's doing really well with a loss of 40 lbs since the end of March. I on the other hand am only down about 23 lbs since April 12th. I'm happy with that loss, but wishing things were moving a litte faster. I've been struggling with hunger since the day after surgery, where my husband has not. I've had one fill to which I didn't notice a change at all. I have my 2nd fill this week and am hoping that makes a difference. Our surgeon doesn't put anything in the band the …

Hi guys, I am exactly one month post op today. I have so far lost 28 pounds since I began my journey. 18 pounds were post op and the rest pre-op. I am down to 270 pounds as of today, but I have been at this weight for the past two weeks now!!!!!!!!!!! I have a feeling I am not eating enough, but how can I eat enough if nothing else fits!!!!!!!!!!!! Here are my usual meals: Breakfast: 1 Yogurt Snack: Fruits or Wheat thins Lunch: Baja salad from Wendy's (Chili and greens) I eat about a quarter of the small order Snacks: Fruits Dinner: chicken but I can only fit in about 3 oz. Snack: Jello (most meals can't fit in more than 3 oz.) I have tried other foods l…

I had my surgery with Dr. Almanza on 5-25-2011 and I am back home and doing great. I have had no pain and the gas has finally let up which is fantastic. The experience was great and went exactly as advertised, they could not have been more accommodating to my spouse. We had a group of five and I was the only male in the bunch. If anyone is thinking of going to Mexico and has any reservations, I would say do your research so you will know what to expect and you will not be disappointed. We had one person in our group that was surprised the clinic was in a strip shopping center, these are things you should know before you show up at their door. If anyone has any questions, …

Hello, really struggling with my band, had it fitted 7 years ago and bigger now than before ,needing a fill but dont know where to go,looking for somewhere near to derby/notts etc ,

I finally got news from my PCP this morning - my mammogram was clear - and he sent my referral to Kaiser Richmond Bariatrics. I'm so excited to finally get my journey officially started. I check in here every day and there are so many inspirational stories and so many crazy, wonderful people that it kind of feels like home now. I am so blessed to have such a great support group, not only here but with my family as well. Any way, I just had to share my great news with my new sleeve family. Love to all!

I was sleeved on april 30. I lost 10 lbs preop and another 20 in the first 2 weeks after surgery. I am in a stall that doesn't seem to want to break. I have been exercising (cardio) pretty consistently and I'm getting frustrated. I just started using "my fitness pal" to track my food and water. I am trying to get 60 g protein and 64 + oz of water. Calories seem to range between 600 and 900. What am I doing wrong? Do I need to eat more? Any help is appreciated.

Hello, I just had my initial doctors appt to ask my doctor if I would be a good fit for Lab Band, how I am awaiting a call about orientation. Kinda nervous and kinda scared to talk to my family. I told my husband I was looking into it and he had mixed feelings and felt I can lose the weight on my own, but I've done it several times and it has always come back. I told my mom and she was the positive reinforcement I needed, however, it is still embarressing for me to talk about for some reason?

Good Morning! I am from Charlotte NC and I am 43 and I need my life back. I am so frustrated because I have jumped through all the hoops of trying to get banded and I just keep geting no where I hav all of my test done and I haven't heard a word from my doctors ofice. I keep e-mailing the person in charge and get no response I call and leave messages and bo return call. I do have one problem and I need help with how to fix it.. Maybe someone can give me some help or suggestions: here is my situation, my doctors needs documentation of my weight over the last year or so for his records or somthing of that nature the thing is and I have explained it more that once to them I…

Ok, I'm really 8 months and 4 days out! Work has been crazy, so I'm just now posting my update! Eight months out and going strong! I've gone from a tight 26/28 to a size 14/16. I am now down to 210 this morning from my highest being 325, but my surgery weight was 312. I am enjoying life to the fullest! I can now run and keep up with my three year-old little boy. It's the best feeling ever! As far as eating, I still can only eat 4 oz at a time, and still eat my Protein first. I do on occasion treat myself; popcorn is my weakness! Oh! Some would consider it a "curse", but I still can not eat breads and Pasta or even ice cream. I really don't miss it much. I'm Italian and…

I'm very grateful to have found this site prior to any surgery. I am currently in the process of doing seminars (June 6th), scheduling doctor visits (after seminar) and getting ducks in a row with insurance. I live in Las Vegas and have Aetna PPO insurance. I have already chosen a physician here: Dr Francis W Teng. He performed a cholecystectomy on me in August 2010 and I feel extremely comfortable with him. Also he does still work with his brother in the OR (he's the Anesthesiologist). Me: I am approximately 6'3'' and weigh 430lb and 36 years old. I really wish I had listened to Dr Teng when he did my gallbladder removal in August last year to go forward with th…

Decision has been made to have Gastric Bypass and I am 99% sure I am going with Sleeve. I attended a seminar about 5 years ago and again last month and I am ready to proceed. I have been overweight my entire life and in October 2009 at a weight of 281 and a BMI of 49.8 I started attending a weight loss clinicand by May 2010 I dropped 80 lbs and felt great. Sadly once I ended my treatments I packed 40 lbs back on in only a few months. At a cost of $55 a week I cannot continue this long term nor do I want to rely upon shots and pills the rest of my life. So therefore I have decided to pursue surgery. I attended the seminar pretty much set on Lap-Band but then when I kept he…

The Mrs and I have decided that we both want the VSG and have plotted our course from being green lit by Aetna to post-surgery. I'm thinking of calling a limo to pick us up and take the new us home! Can a couple get the surgery done simultaneously? How much at-home care is needed? Her parents are in town as well as her two brothers. We can lean on each other but is it too taxing and stressful to have us both newly sleeved at the same time?Also, if allowed by Aetna, I'd like us to populate one of the fancy double rooms for a few nights (4 is dandy) before we get kicked.

I am looking forward to my first fill on Tuesday, June 7th. Nervous, but excited. My surgery was a very good experience (if surgery can be a good experience). My surgeon, anesthesiologist and nurses were all attentive and professional. I had very little pain and was pleased to have no nausea. In previous experiences in surgery I had weeks of nausea following. The anthesiologist had several recommendations including adding Zofran to the IV during surgery. The Zofran worked. I did not have to take any pain medication (did not even take Tylenol). The day following surgery I watched tv, ate popspicles and drank clear liquids. In the 6 weeks following, I have ne…

I'm a emotional eater. I eat when stressed, depressed, frustrated, etc. I am considering the lap band and already getting discouraged because I think I will fail because of this. I have struggled with obesity my entire life and im tired of being fat. Is there anyone who was an emotional eater like me who has been banded, and if so how is it going.

Hi All, I'm Shauna, just signed up this morning with a surgeon to be banded sometime in July. I need some reassurance I'm doing the right thing. My BMI is "only" 33 (about 60 lbs. overweight) but I have been unable to get even close to my goal weight with diet and exercise, and frankly end up gaining it all back anyway. I know this is going to require some serious lifestyle and eating changes, and that is making me nervous, especially the eating changes. The diets post-op seem crazy...how am I going to follow them? Shauna

Ok, So I went and got a small light frap from Starbucks.... I haven't had any caffeine since before my pre-op diet lol. I only drank about 1/3 of the small and that was around 8p.m. I gave the rest to my boyfriend and I'm bouncing off the walls. I've been jogging and running through my house like a mad person. Everyone has been telling me that I'm talking really loud and I can't tell lol. I just challenged my boyfriend to a race outside and he thinks I've lost it. I have soooo much energy, however I'm not drinking one of those again for a while. The sad part about this all is that I didn't even remember getting the starbucks until I saw the empty cup that my boyfriend t…

It's been a long journey and a fight every step of the way but I'm sitting here at what should be the last bit of pre surgical ordeal. I really hope things go more smoothly. There are some things that are important that I can't even really go into right now because I'm going to go back after I have surgery to really take on the full scope of the situation so that I can give my full attention to it but- I started this journey last year and went to a seminar in November of 2010. In January I called to confirm coverage and was told I did not have coverage for any type of weight loss surgery. That was a real bummer and set back because my company switched medical insu…

I am so sad my vsg surgery was scheduled for tomorrow but they called me today to tell me it was canceled and prosponed till next monday.. this is so stressful.. i must have the worst luck in the world

Hello... I am two days away from my surgery - Have a Lap band done at NYU with Dr Kurin- looking forward to connecting with - NYU banders and NY /NJ folks. I have been on the pre-op liquid diet for 13 days so far - and it has been ok...Have lost 12 lbs already... I am drinking lots of Protein shakes - some are better then others- i love the unjury products... Don't love all this chemical sugar substitutes - they leave an after taste- wish there was a better alternative - Drinling lots of Water with lemon and cuke- lots of jello- doing ok .. I turned 50 this year and did not want to be heavy any more !!! so my journey begins... Looking forward to making new fr…

Hi! I'm Jada and I'm 28 years of age and I have struggled with my weight since I was 12...I found out in 2007 that I have type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure...following that a few months later I was sent to an OBG/YN and then was diagnosed with PCOS...I have also been trying to concieve for awhile and have decided to put that dream on hold after 4 monitored and failed cycles of clomid..I just recently as of April 06, 2011 went to the information seminar..May 26 was my first appt. with dietitian and things went well..This isn't self pay I have insurance through United healthcare...I don't know if I will get approved but I'm hopeful...According to the Dietitian this i…

Just wanted to say hello to all the bloggers and post an introduction. I am one week post op from lap band procedure and boy has it been R*O*U*G*H... I can see things starting to smooth out though but my biggest issue is satisfying the hunger and feeling weak. I went back to work today and realized I should have taken off another week just to compensate for the changes.

ll my life has been a struggle with weight. Last year was an extremely tough year for me with the lost of my best friend to cancer, due to the depression following that I put on even more weight. I have been through Xenical, dieting, exercise, weight loss challenges at Gold's gym. I went to my PCP who thinks I would be a good candidate for the surgery and he feels that my insurance company would cover it. I am signed up for the orientation meeting on June 23 at Ellis Hospital. Nervous but exited at the same time.

SW: 97kg H: 5"7 BMI: 34 Banding Date: 5/7/2011 I'm new. Hey! I'm Aly and I'm an 18 year old girl from Newcastle, Australia and I have struggled with my weight my whole life. My family tree is rife with heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity; while I myself suffer from asthma. I know fully well how being overweight could doom me to similar fates. I am sick of letting my weight hold me back and I want my exterior to match the confident women within! I'm just wondering if you guys have any tips or recommendations for the few weeks/days pre-op! Check out my weight loss blog here: Tumblr Thanks in advance! ♥Aly

Hello All! Just wanted to stop by and introduce myself.... My name is Vivian...from NYC- having my Band put back in on Thursday 6/2 with Dr. Marina Kurian.....doing my pre op liquid diet...going through the motions of not having food as my GO TO..... You are probably wondering....banded again? LOL! Yes....here is my story in a nutshell.... Had band surgery October 2002.....2003 had a slip and had a revision....2004 another slip due to an extended pouch and decided to have the band removed and have Gastric Bypass. When I had 1st had the band I LOVED IT! Lost most of my weight I wanted to, was at my HAPPIEST EVER! Felt great..off all medications...went from 420 lbs to 290..…

Hi all. i am investigating to see what my options are. Does anyone know of any good doctors in my area?

Hello. My name is Shannon (moeandez1) and I am 29 years old and I currently weigh about 280 pounds. I have struggled with my weight most of my life but didn't start having major problems until after high school. I had a sudden weight gain of a hundred pounds in one year and since then it's got worse. It took over ten years of problems..thinning hair, no periods, weight gain...until I was FINALLY diagnosed with PCOS in about 2009. Unfortunately I have only been diagnosed and not treated. In 2008 I started having issues with feeling like I had a flu all the time. If someone touched me I would yelp. It hurt so much. Eventually my pain got worse and worse and early last year …