Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I had my pre-op appt today and all looks good. I got my bariatric advantage shakes and bars today and im actually looking forward to starting SOunds crazy i know. Ill probably regret saying that pretty soon! Any advice as my last days are counting down?? IM SOOOOOOOOOOO THANKFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And sooo excited to "live " again!!

hey every one im geting my lap band on April 14 2011 im so looking foward to my new life i could hardly wait OMG!!!!!!! my hubby supports me 100% and my aunt. on the other hand my sister who just got her tummy tuck also in tijuana tells me to work out another 5months and then get a tummy tuck like her i dont need that procedure at this time i know wat i need and it gets me down and out to have some one rain on my parade!!!! i was born at 10 pounds and have been over weight all my life.im 5-6 and weight 312 pounds at this time.i have two kids and im so happy to finaly be able to have the best summer this year with them and be able to do wat i always wanted to do with them…

Tomorrow will be my 4 month anniversary as of about 10 days ago I hit the 100 lbs lost mark! I will say as far as eating I have made some Huge Mistakes along the way. By Huge mistakes I mean eating a candy bar here and there, or two chicken wings, or slice of pizza, I try very hard to limit these mistakes, but its not easy. I have stuck to my workouts religiously, I was working out every single day, walking, starting to ad in some running for 1/4 mile at a time, then I joined this thing called Corssfit. Crossfit is really crazy, I have never had a workout like this in my life! Crossfit is expensive, 120 bucks a month, but it is so worth it! The classes are small, so its l…

I went to the seminar today and I am so excited!!! I have to do 4 months doc supervised died. I am nervous about that. I go next Friday to launch that. Why does the insurance require it?

Good Evening Everyone, Well today is my one month post op and I weigh my self today and I have lost 45 pounds. I thought I was dreaming. I had to have a friend to make sure I was awake lol.....The breakdown is 31 pounds preop diet and 15 pounds since the surgery. OMG it has been whirlwind month. My surgery was 5/4 and I was interview for a promotion at work on 5/3. Well I got the job. I think it is a good omen. I am starting a new life in more ways than one. I feel so much better. I have never felt better in such a long time. Now I do have my days, I say to myself what did I do, especially when I see something I really want to eat. Then I say to myself this …

I had my band surgery in October 2008 - I was so excited. I was finally going to beat the battle I've had for decades with obesity. Well, It's now May 2011 and I actually weigh more than I did when I had the surgery. Whoopie Me! Now, I've never slipped and I've never eaten to the point where I could cause slippage, instead I've learned how to eat around the band. I just kind of feel broken at this point. My goal in life is to be an FFK "Former Fat Kid," but I'm at a turning point in life right now, so here I am - back again. Jay

I recently attended a seminar on lap band and gastric bypass surgery. I am seriously considering doing the lap band and already know that I will by a self pay. Fortunately my husband is very supportive and is willing to make that work financially. My BMI is 37.5 but I have problems with high blood pressure even while on medication. I am so unhappy at my current weight and am so tired of losing a few pounds and then gaining them all back again. The only concern I have is the fact that I had LAP Nissan surgery done 6 years ago for gastric reflux and I have been so happy with the results of that surgery. The surgeon that I spoke to briefly at the seminar said that it is poss…

Hello, I'm 41 years old and I've struggled with weight issues my entire life. I really started picking up weight in 2004 and now I'm up to 263 lbs. After having many health issues crop up over the past year, my dr. referred me to a surgical center in Chicago, but when I called, they said they don't accept my insurance. I was laid off in 2010 and haven't been able to find work. I am on medicaid because I'm not working, so my insurance options are limited. I can't get financial assistance because my credit has really suffered since being laid off. I'm convinced that the reason I can't get a job is due to my weight because I've always been able to find work. I have a d…

Wow, I havent been here for awhile, a lot happening in my life lately...but, I wanted to share a few successes with you all...my starting weight was 280, I am now down to 195!!! I have recently found a love for running, I just ran 2...count them 2 5k's in ONE WEEK!! Im signed up to do a 10k in July and a half marathon in September...I am finally what I have always wanted to be, A RUNNER!! here are a few pics...one before and 2 from my recent races this past weekend!

So I was just bumming because I called my insurance company for the 100th time and Medicaid told me something different...that I had to have a one year medically supervised diet to be able to approve my surgery. But apparently they didnt know that medicaid is my secondary insurance and Blue Cross Blue Shield is my primary insurance! So my BCBS approved me without a supervised diet and since they are my primary, my Medicaid is going to pay the rest! Since I am under 21 years old Medicaid is going to pay all of my deductibles and copays also! All I have to pay for is my pre op diet, so my total bill for my surgery will be $915!!!! Thank god something is going right in my li…

Hi People of the world, I am in Australia and have a 16 year old and I have with alot of talking with doctors, looking at information on others with PCOS, insulin resistance, and other medical conditions she also has, decided to agree that banding is the right thing to do. I spoke to people on another site and I got all the negativity that I needed. The thing is that when I read all the blogs of people that eventually get banded themselve, they say how they wish it was done earlier, why did I wait so long. Why then do people think that I what I have agreed to is wrong. My daughter has health problems, that are not going away, they are steadily getting worse, she knows w…

Okay, so I am new here and wanted to give a quick synopsis about me to introduce myself. Hello to all! I am a 34 year young female in the process of waiting for a decision from my insurance company regarding my sleeve surgery. Info was submitted by surgeon on 5/24/11. I live in south Florida and my surgeon is Dr. Wizman. I have been overweight since I was approximately 21 and obese-morbidly obese since my mid twenties. My BMI at this stage is 43 :embaressed_smile: , but I am hoping to change that really soon!! Well, that's all for now-just really glad I found this site......I am gonna go nuts during this wait!!! Pray for me!!:amen:

RAMDON THOUGHTS ABOUT WLS When you are thinking about having WLS I want you to think about just a few things. 1. Saying yes means you will do something new, meet someone new most likely and make a difference in your life. 2. Be true to yourself. It is you, your authentic self, the one you were in the first grade, before you leaned to massage your personality into a form that would suit others. 3. Sometimes it is hard to hear the message because of all the external voices and they are so loud. 4. Voices that are loud are always meant to bully. DO NOT BE BULLIED. 5. So carry your courage in an easil…

So tomorrow I finally get to meet and get my consultation with my doctor. I thought getting that letter of Authorization would be the best day but I am so excited about tomorrow!! I am worried that I might jump up and down right in front of him (at least he will be convinced that I am there for the right reason after that show!!) Anyway, I am round in the middle like a big Apple (therefore my screen name). I am very appreciative of this site already and look forward to taking this journey with so many of you!!

Hi, this is my first entry here on LapBandTalk! I am welcoming June because this week, I finally get to meet and have my consultation for my Band!! I look forward to getting much needed support and advice from this forum!!

Hi all......................I am a newbie to this site, I thought I would drop in and introduce myself......................I am 43 and have type 2 diabetes and I weigh 126 kgs which I think is about 279 lbs, I have have weight problems all my life and am having my surgery on June 24th here in Christchurch, New Zealand. I am really excited but so nervous about it. I joined a WLS group here in NZ but they are mainly gastric bypass people and although 99% of them are a great bunch there does seem to be a lot of negativity about gastric band. This has made it difficult because I have several times questioned whether I have made the right decision. Anyone else faced the n…

Hi everyone! I turn 40 in 1 week and I have been over 200 lbs on a 5 ft 1 frame for over 15 years! I am currently 219 and my highest was 230. I have tried many diets and can never stick to them because they always leave me feeling hungry. I recently called my insurance company and asked them how they can help me since we pay them soo much money every year. My option: Weight loss surgery covered at 90%! I had never considered weight loss surgery but after 15 years of struggling, I think it is time. I told my husband that I never wanted to face my 40th (39th, 38th, 37th etc) birthday still fat! It would be nice to actually take a picture I did not want to burn (hah,…

I am wondering what is the average length of time it takes to go back to work after surgery. Joni

So I am 31 years old and getting banded on Thursday.... I have done more research and I KNOW it is what I want to have done. Here are my stats, 31 5'8 225 lbs and addicted to food. I was not always overweight, and since I have gotten married and had 2 kids the 70 lbs I gained has consumed my life. I realized I was addicted to food and I had to do something. I have tried EVERY DIET on the planet including the latest "drops and 500 calories a day" diet. DIDNT WORK. I have had Chronic Migraines and progressivly getting worse. Dr says losing weight will help eliminate them. I broke down today, scared and excited all at the same time. I am realizing that I am getting ready fo…

This sensation of being excited and nervous is getting to me. After a over a year of preparing for this, it is now 8 days away. Part of me is thrilled. Part of me is scared. The change of my surgery date (although by just 4 days) it forced me to take a harder look at things. I doubted myself, doubted the procedure. Not sure why. It was a let down for sure, but for some reason it rocked me more than it should...sheesh it is only 4 days really. Maybe it is the liquid diet talking. I have been feeling rather weak the past few days. A little on edge also. Not my usually self. But on the plus side, I am sleeping rather well. I just need to push through. Moments of weaknes…

Hi everyone - I'm new to this forum and to the whole bandster experience. Had my surgery exactly a week ago today, and for the most part am doing okay. Woke up today with diarrhea and upset stomach for no reason. Anyone have any ideas why this happened after feeling fine for a week?

I'm older, 40, been overweight my entire life. I'm looking for permanent loss. Know very little of this entire process and know no one who has had it done. Scared to death to choose this option and swore I would never have surgery. However I have tried everything and nothing has worked. Have two wonderful children and I want to be here for them till I'm old old old!

Well, as of today the 1st of June, I am now 306lbs.. I have been working with the VA Hospital in Pitttsburg to get this sleeve procedure. The first 6 weeks is to do the 6 week liquid diet with Optifast. And the other day marked the beginning of Week 2 into the diet. I am so very much craving for food now, but I know this will help prepare me for later on. My surgery date is scheduled for July 6th.. Since September of 2009 I was 385lbs, so I have lost 79lbs with the help of my wife. I have type II diabetes, high blood pressure, nerve damage, and I can't sit in a chair properly at all. I am 39. I am tired of pain, having to do blood checks, taking loads of medica…

This past Thursday was quite possibly the BEST day I’ve had as a Mommy. Ever. And that’s saying a lot. Mommy & Mini in Central Park It started simply enough: with Mini-me & trip to the Central Park Zoo. Lots of walking. Hills & such that I handled w/out a second thought or losing breath. That is something that you never really think about until after you realized that the reason you didnt think about it is because it didnt pose a problem as it did BEFORE! But of course one adventure wasn’t enough for Missy Poo. We walked and talked…skipped and played. She love, Love, LOVES Central Park…SO, b/c she had mentioned it on a prior trip, I packed a blanket &amp…

Hi everyone. I am Kate from the UK and just wanted to say hello and that I am glad I have found this helpful website. I have my gastric sleeve operation on the 21st of May and things have healed up nicely. I am at the tail end of the liquid diet and get to move on to pureed or slightly textured foods on saturday. This is good because the soup gets a bit samey. I have lost 22lbs since the 9th of May. Can't wait to see a newer happier version of myself over the next year or so. I have quite a long road ahead of me but I am excited and motivated.

Hi everyone, I'm Rachel. I live in Massachusetts. I currently have a BMI of about 65. I'll be 26 years old on June 23rd. I've been toying with the idea of weight loss surgery for a couple of years ago. I was all set to get an RNY in August, but unfortunately, I have a couple of mood disorders so I was told that I would have to stay out of the mental hospital for at least a year before they would consider me for surgery. I was also told that I am not a candidate for the RNY because it would change the way my medications are absorbed and nobody wants that. I thought that meant that my only option was the band, and that depressed me because it doesn't have very good l…

I'm having the surgery tomorrow! I'm very nervous but all of my pre op test came back great with the exception of my EGD. They found some bacteria and put me on antibotics & prilosec. I been having trouble with not eating but I been eating very little. Yesterday I had a cook out but I didnt pig out like I normally would have in the past. This is the first cookout that I did not make ribs & steak. I bbq'd chicken and hotdogs, I had a lil bit of the baked Beans & potatoe salad and I ate only once! I'm a great cook so I really wanted to savor the flavor since I won't be eating in this fashion for a very long time. Today I'm on liquids but I was so hungry I…

Just wanted to take a minute to introduce myself. I have been banded for almost a year (June 17, 2010 by Dr Eric Baird at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center) and I live in Salt Lake City. I have lost about 54 pounds, but have hit a major plateau, so I decided to check out this discussion board for some advice and support. I am not a huge forum poster, but I read a lot of comments. Feel free to friend me on facebook-http://www.facebook.com/hjohns003. Looking forward to getting to know y'all!

I am 36yrs old and have been heavy all my life. I have PCOS with IR and Hypothyroidism. I am lucky enough to have conceived 2 beautiful children. My son is 15yrs and my daughter, who was conceived with Clomid, is 4yrs. I am currently on thyroid medication and 2000mg of Metformin. I rarely have periods, have horrible hair growth everywhere, bouts of severe depression and most recently have developed problems with my knees. I am at my heaviest I have ever been. I also have developed sleep apnea since the birth of my daughter. I hate the way I look, hate the way I feel and want something better for myself so my husband and children can have better from me. I have ha…

Hi Im due to have my gastric band on 24th June at Dolan Park would love to chat to anyone who is or having op I need to lose 6st x

Does anyone here have any experience with them in Nevada? I'm certain I can get two-year documentation from my PCP of my BMI being over 40 (actually over 50). Now I've hear conflicting details about their needing 90 days of counseling and monitoring or is it six months? With this being June 1st and all I am taking today to start a food journal (if it's necessary) and I work out.

Hi, my name is JJ, and I live in Central Texas. I'm just getting ready to turn 40 in September. I've decided that after a lifetime of yo-yo dieting and failures, that I need to get livin' in the right way. I'm 5'3" and weigh 309lbs. I'm married to a man 30 years my senior, and we have two beautiful great grandaughters that we just live for. I decided that if I keep going the route that I'm going, I won't be around to see these two beautiful girls grow. Not only that, I'm type II diabetic - insulin dependent. I'm quite tired of being a pin-cushion. I'm hoping that with the help of the lapband, that I'll be able to get off the insulin and various other medicines for…

Hi everybody, First, please forgive me if you have already seen my post in one of the other forums. I posted under three different forums because I am an idiot and did not carefully read the TOS. Now I don't know how to delete any of my posts. Anyway, I promise I will not post anywhere else! My name is Henriikka W. I am a 35-year old mom from Keller, TX. Like so many others, I have unsuccessfully tried diet and exercise to win my weight battle for several years now. I finally made the difficult decision to seek for a surgery to help me with this fight. I understand that the surgery alone will not resolve the core issue of why I over eat in the first place but…

So I have got all my pre op appointments done down to the last dietician followup and I just found out that my Medicaid requires a 1 year medically supervised diet! How horrible is thatttt!! My BCBS doesn't require a diet at all but if I want medicaid to cover what BCBS doesn't then I have to complete the 1 year diet. I was so excited to get my surgery done in the summer and start a new life too =(

I am wondering what is the average length of time it takes to go back to work after surgery. Joni

Hello all, I'm Karen. And I am new to all of this, so I hope i do it right. I am a 33 year old wife and mom living in gloucester point VA. Kind of secluded spot, but I have lived in Gloucester most of my life. I have a husband (14 years and counting) and an 11 year old son. I have always been well not skinny. In high school i was a size 16 which to the kids then was practically the size of a house!!!! I am also legally blind, which does tie into my story because I have been that way since 1990. After being married, I had to have knee surgery on both knees from an acident. That is when the real weight gain began. Having no weight bearing for 6 months, no mat…

hello all my name is jose. i am 20 going on 21 in just a few months. i am 6.2 around 450+lbs and i am here gathering information to get the lapband surgery done for my self. i also have my dad whos interested in it..

Hello all, I had my initial consult with Dr Trace Curry in Cincy last wednesday. Met the crew of people and now doing the dreaded insurance wait. Not sure if they will take my older physician monitored weight loss program so might have to do that again. If not, then it's just finding out how much they cover and how much i need to pay. Wish me luck! <BR><BR>Gayle

I just had my sleeve surgery last Monday. By Friday I was going out and about town with a kids hair cut and movie, Saturday held a 5 yr old's birthday party at a kids jump place.I am nuts, I know. I didn't run around or anything, I left that to my husband chasing the kiddies, but I did organize the food production and cake with candles. Yesterday I was feeling pretty good, so we went grocery shopping(For my family of course) and to a kids store. It was a lot. So I am thinking I did WAY too much because today I could not move! I slept on the couch all day. I am so impatient to get moving and start working off this weight! I am wondering when can I start walk…

Hello I was banded 4 years ago and started off great I am down to 208 and started at 287 I have been stuck between 180 and where I am now for about 2 years I have an appointment this Friday for a fill It has been a long time since I had one I am now ready to start again and finally get this right Any advice would be greatly appreicated Thank you for your time

Dr Teng (Las Vegas, NV) is great. Now I don't have bariatric surgery experience with him. However, he was the surgeon that performed my cholecystectomy in August 2010. He does great, phenomenal work! And I'm not sure this is a big factor to anyone but he is the Chief of Surgery (since 2001) as well as the Medical Director of Bariatrics (since 2006) at his hospital. I read that sometimes (if not all the time) there are tests run on your gallbladder for stones or something? I'm not sure what this all mean because I'm relatively new. But I think having the same surgeon do both my gallbladder removal and my VSG gives me a continuity of care that nobody else could provid…

Losing weight at a slower pace but still making progress. Went from a size 22 to 13/14 in 8 months. Lost 81 lbs. so far. Hope to reach my last 40 lbs. by my birthday in August!

I'm still kind of in a haze... did this happen? Will it work? Just thought I'd pop in and say hello.

Hello my name is Tania Aleman I'm 25 years old been married for 9years and have 2 beautiful daughters' age 6 year old and 1 year half. I have always struggle with my weight since I was little. I havetried to lose weight 2 times I have lost 60lbs and every time I did I gotpregnant I have always been 280lbs but after I had my last child I have gainmore weight. I started making research for the lap band I believe isthe option for me. I have a great support system at home. I would like to getto know people here thank you

Hello I am Abby, 31, mother of 4 and 302lbs as of this morning. I am setting a personal goal of 170 which is a lost of 132 lbs. I have taken the first step, got the referal from my doctor, contacted the weightloss center, talked to my advocate, and I am getting all my requirements filled. Just waiting on a Physch eval and i was told that my surgery could be 30-90 days away. I am excited and neverous all at the same time. I am choosing the band over the other surgeries, because it seems less dramatic and still puts the responsiblity on me. I actually do not have a problem losing weight, but keeping motivated and not getting discouraged is my problem. I need more h…

Well its about that time.....surgery time! I'm more nervous than anything a little scared. This is my first surgery ever! I'm trying to get everything ready and still feel a little overwhelmed. I think its normal to feel all these emotions this is a life changing experience. My surgery date is June 3 the day that my life will change and i become the healthy person i've always strive to be. I know its not going to be easy but i really believe i can do this. Any last minute tips that anyone can give me to help me will be greatly appreciated be healthy and happy peeps <3

Hi I am 52 New Grandma and looking into lap band. When I was 25 I was told that I had an ulcer. I took medication for a while. but realized if i stay away from certain foods i am fine. I do have acid reflux and keep my Tums close by. I want to loose weight so bad. I am tired of not being able to do the things i would like to do. I have a new Granddaughter, and there are so many things I want to do with her. I want to go to the beach and take my dog to the beach too. forget walking on the beach. I am 5'1" and weight 227. Last year I had a total knee replacement and because I have gained weight since then I'm still in pain. the Doctor told me before I had the surgery that…

Hi Everyone, Was I ever happy to find this website! The information from everyone is overwhelming and so encouraging! I have struggled with my weight for many years (as long as I can remember), but have been the heaviest the last 4 1/2 years since I had my son. I have done every diet imaginable. So finally as I sat in my doctors office and cried (one of several times) she gave me information on the lap band, and I knew it was something I had to do. My surgery is scheduled for May 31st in Regina, SK. I begin my pre-op diet on the 17th. I am VERY excited, and of course nervous. But so anxious to get my life back and have energy for my little boy. Would love to hear…

Hello everyone. I'm new around here and I thought that I would stop by and say hi. This site has been an amazing place for me. I live somewhere with no support groups and no one has even heard of the sleeve. It's really nice to read all of your experiences and feel normal about everything. Thanks for that. My name is Stephanie and I am a 27 year old nurse living in the middle of nowhere, Arizona. I was sleeved May 23rd, four days before my birthday. In retrospect, that was probably a bad idea I lost 20 lbs on the pre-op diet and my pre-op weight was 408. Post op, I gained an incredible amount of Water weight. I couldn't even get my wedding rings on and I am …

Hi, just checking out this site. I am one week away from the sleeve surgery. I am nervous and excited. I hope to have others to connect with throughout this journey.