Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I m having surgery in couple of hours, sitting in hospital right now

OK--I was already completely impressed by Doctor Aceves, but now I am over the Moon with his gracious way of being in the world. I got a personal thank you note for doing my surgery with him on May 2-2011. WOW-o-WOW So let me share a few things. I lost 25 lbs in 22 days--now I have plateaued for a couple of days. My incisions are sooooooo teeny weeny that I will be in a 2-piece bathing suit by the 4th of July. I heard that Doctor Aceves once considered being a plastic surgeon--which answer the question why HE is so good at making the incisions so small. Even the one where my stomach was pulled out--that one is smaller than the head of a fingernail clipper. I …

Hello, This is my first time writing. I am having my lap band surgery in 2 week. Wow, when I think it's only 2 weeks away, I get nervous. There is a part of me that is fearful. Fearful that it won't work, that I'll blow it & still be fat. I've read some comments & I see that can be the case. I want to be successful, I want to change my attitudes. I know that is the only way it will work. If you have something positive to say, please do so. If it is negative, please don't respond, I'm too vulnerable, hope you understand. Thank you!

Just wanting to know what are some more options for meal plans for day 3-21. Just starting out and so far it's been painfully but I'm looking forward to my weight loss

Hello everyone! Thank you for sharing the good, the bad and the interesting! My surgery is scheduled for the end of July. This site has helped alleviate so of the fears! I have lost 50 with Weight Watchers, and now am ready to move on and get rid of the next 110!

Hi there. I have been to my seminar and my first appt. with the surgeon is a week from Fri. I am bipolar so I am on 4 different meds (they are great so I am completely "normal")... was wondering if you are unable to absorb the meds as well with the lap band in? Has anyone here been on multiple meds, specifically anti-depressants, and the lap band? Thanks so much! Kerry

I have cigna and just completed my 6 month supervised weight control,ive done all of my insurance requirements and wondering how much longer before i have my approval and surgery date if anyone have a clue please give me some insite thanks!

I'm a newbie at the forum after lurking around here for the past 2 weeks getting more information. I never really thought about doing this untill my parents were the ones that bought it up suggested I could do it and they will pay for it. My insurance does not pay for it, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be covered immediatly being only 36 bmi and being very young at age 21. I'm not very good at maintaining weightloss so I figured this would be a good alternative. My parents have had their friends do it that were their age, being new on the forum I'm looking to find more people my age to relate to.My surgery date is June 8th.

On Nov. 28, 2009 I had lap band surgery in Burlingame, CA. My suergeon Dr. Pamela Foster is great. Afte about 6 months I was throwing up all the protein I was eating. I could keep a little soup and frozen yogurt down. After 8 months of constant throwing up and every test known to man kind they decided to remove the band. They did a sleeve so I wouldn't gain any weight back as I had lost about 70 lbs by then. While they were in doing the sleeve they found the scar tissue had wrapped around my esophogus and had been causing all the sickness. The opened it up and once I learned how to eat again I lost another 30 for a total of 100 lbs. I had the sleeve surgey Nov. 3, …

Hello! Happy Towel Day! For those who have not read the Hitchhiker Guide to the Galaxy, or any of the great works of the late Douglas Adams, May 25th is the day people are trying to make an official holiday in remembering the author's inspiring work. So, Happy Towel Day. Read the book. Always know where your towel is. Greetings! I'm Jerome, call me JJ if you like. I had lap band surgery back in November 22, 2010 at Beth Israel Medical Center in Boston, MA. Six months out, I've lost 60lbs, with about 110 to go... I still have lots to learn. For me, the lap band is there to help me create new eating habits, and prevent overeating. It's doing it's job. But, I have a bunc…

I am going to keep a long story short. I was approved for the lap band surgery and was suppose to have surgery on May 24th. I recently found out that my surgeon only uses the realize band and I got real bummed. For personal reasons I just do not want the realize band. I'd rather have no band than the realize band. So I had two options. 1- switch to a surgeon who did use the allergan band, or 2- stay with my surgeon and get the sleeve. Well luckily the surgical coordinator at my surgeon's office spoke to him and we found a solution. My surgery has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for either the first or second week of June at a different hospital that DOES carry the …

Hi Everyone! I'm glad to be here and really excited about my banding date in less than 48 hours! My sig. has my info/dates/etc. At my highest (not counting my last pregnancy where I hit 300), was 260. As soon as my husband's insurance changed and I found out that surgery may be covered, I started my Dr. supervised diet and dropped down to 220, but gained 10 back. At the time I started my preop diet I was at 230 and now down to 218. I've been wanting to do WLS since 1999 and came very close to RnY in 2000 but chickened out after a LOT of negative feedback from my family. When I finally got my nerve back, I didn't have insurance that would cover it - no matter what co-morbi…

Hi, I just joined this morning, I am currently recovering from lapband surgery I just had this past Wednesday. Struggling a bit with how rough I am feeling, Sleep is rather elusive, about two hours on two off, can't sleep in my bed, too painful to get up out of it, without pulling the muscles in the stomach, especially near the port. Anyhow, glad to be here, hopefully meet a few nice people, where we can be supportive of each other. More details of me, are on my profile, welcome to come read, comment, etc. Happy Bunny day, y'all!

Hi, I am on day 9 of a tortuous12 day pre op diet (3 shakes a day and 2 cups of vegetables). Surgery is scheduled for 5/25/11 (3 days) but I have not received approval from insurance yet. I spoke with my surgical coordinator (Aja, from NYU, she's been a nightmare to deal with from the start) on Friday morning and she said even though it is still "pending", I should continue with the liquid pre op diet and not worry, approval would come through on time for surgery. Later that day I called Aetna and they said the reason it's still pending is because she didn't send any information at all in (other than the request). I left a message for Aja on Friday but of course didn…

Hello all, I had my lap band surgery on April 15, 2011. I am about 6 weeks post op and 2 weeks into adding Protein (severe atkins diet) I've lost 28 lbs so far but have stalled (I haven't lost anything in the last week and a half. Anyone experience this and/or have any tips?

I don't have a date for my surgery. I'm researching into lap band. My husband had gastric bypass in December last year and he's doing very well with it. I don't know if I want to go that route though, the idea of them cutting my stomach makes me nervous. The lap band sounds as though it is easier to recover from for the surgery part of it. I have some questions.... what is sliming, PB, what is this "stuck" feeling that I'm reading about? Why did you go with lap band versus gastric bypass?

3 weeks ago yesterday I had the Laparascopic Sleeve Gastrectomy at Kaiser Hospital. I weighed 260lbs at referral time. Prior to surgery I lost 22 lbs with weight watchers. Since having the surgery (3/17/11) I've lost 16 lbs. I dont know if this is normal weight loss. I knew this wasn't going to be easy but it seems harder now that that surgery has been done. All those people that offered me support seem to have disappeared and those that are around dont understand how hard it is. I can barely eat a portion of the sample menu and I have started walking 2 miles a day. So I am kind of concerned that I am not losing the weight like I should. I am really hoping to lose at leas…

After an entire adulthood of being obese, I finally came to the decision to have weight loss surgery. After trying every diet and exercise plan (including Jenny Craig, LA Weight Loss, Weight Watchers, South Beach, Atkins, Curves, New Lady Fitness, Club Fitness) and eating my way to 320 lbs (on 05 May 2011), I knew that with my family history of heart disease, strokes, diabetes and hip replacements that I had to do something other than eat myself to death slowly. My primary care physician recommended Carolina Surgical Associates here in Greenville, SC. I can say that the staff is completely professional and caring. I was made to feel like family from the moment I walke…

Hello everyone. I'm new here and I'm very excited because I've decided that I'm going to get the Lap-Band asap. I'm in the Bronx and I kinda don't know what exactly I should do first. I'm going to the seminar in June with my mother.....o yea i left that out lol I'm 21yrs old, 233lbs, 39 bmi......I'm looking to go with Dr. Vemulapalli from Montifere. I want to know if there are any questions I should ask when I go to my first appointment? If anybody has HIP is it hard to get approval from them? 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.

Hi! I'm Jenny, and I haven't been banded YET, but am in the process. I just had my referrals faxed over to Buffalo General and wrote my letter. I have a seminar to attend June 30th. Wish it was sooner because I really want to get this thing started. I want to know what to expect next? What's the seminar like? What should I know beforehand? I am getting the LapBand, no if ands or buts about it. Any comments or suggestions based on personal experience is welcomed. I am nervous and excited at the same time. If there is anybody in the southern tier area that could help me out I'd appreciate it! E-mail me (mamajen1221@hotmail.com) or message me on here

Like so many others, I have decided to create a video blog of my weight loss. The link is in my signature. Feel free to check it out if you wish.

Hi everyone! I am 20 days post op and looks like I may have a small infection in my single incision (belly button). I went for my postop on Thursday and he told me the one thing they fear is infection in the incision at this point. Well this weekend I ended up with alittle green drainage from the incision and today I woke up with pain around the incision, So I called them and they believe its the start of an infection, so I'm glad I called right away!! Other then this little problem, everything else is great, I'm, loving meshy foods and I even went out to dinner this weekend for my birthday and had shrimp cocktail and mash potatoes...No cake.. but hey it's all worth …

Hey guys! I want to get banded! I have tried just about every diet and spent $$$$ only to lose and gain it all back! I am a medical professional and am a little nervous about stories I hear about esophagus and stomach erosion.... Anyone have experience with this? Also, anyone doing this w/o insurance - I need advice!! Thanks so such in advance. I am in Houston and need a surgeon

One week out today, I just wanted to thank eveyone for your well wishes!! Sugery went successful, worst part was my three hour recovery full of dry heaves (no worries pre-op'ers that is an abnormal length of time) after I go tback to my room it was smooth sailing Again, just wanted to stop in and let eveyone know I was doing well and on the Loser's bench!

I'm 23 and 5 foot 8 and 265 i have medicare insurance. I live in erie pa. I am just starting the process so anyone that has had this done on the medicare please talk to me

Apparently I suck. I'm beating myself up and I know that I made poor choices over the long weekend but I figured it would be ok since my calories are still so low. I had some potato chips and 3 clamato and vodka over the long weekend of camping. I was just celebrating getting into the 100's and now I'm back up to 201. I know didn't drink nearly enough Water and I know that this is temporary weight gain but it still blows. I know its not real fat weight gain because I'm still only eating 500-600 calories a day but it sucks to see the scale give you a great big middle finger when you stray at all. Back to high Protein, low carb which I know works. I will change my…

Oooo love this forum! I have really been overwhelmed. It so nice to see people who have go through the WLS surgery and are so sucessful. I have lots of question and was hoping to get some answers. ~Anyone gone to Dr Ortiz? That is who I decided to go with. Scheduled for Gastric Sleeve Plication June 30th. ~Any Cysters? I have been suffering from PCOS and wanted to know if GSP helps relieve symptoms of PCOS. Alot of my wieght came from the metabolical issues from PCOS. Also do you lose weight slower? ~Love Affair with food? I am really beginning to see while I prepare myself for surgery and watching my eating habits I have a hard addiction to food. I use it to …

So my surgery went down on March 7, so I'm about 2.5 months post-op at this point. It has been hard (for sure) learning how to eat again, but it's working. I just passed the 50 lb mark. My weight loss has tapered, and even stalled a few times, but I'm still seeing downward movement on the scale. My blood pressure has returned to normal, and I'm finally getting the hang of knowing my portion size. I eat about 5 tiny meals every day, and just got to the point to where I can get steak down without any irritation. Some of my favorite non-scale victories so far: 1) realizing that I can cross my legs like a lady 2) donating 30 pairs of pants to goodwill, after even t…

Hi all, I have posted the last couple of days because I have begun feeling better and I've been running around doing stuff! For those who missed my earlier messages, I was sleeved Tuesday, May 17. Came home on Wednesday and got diarrhea on Thursday. On Friday, I called the Dr. just to check about the diarrhea and the nurse cut back my food to Water and powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury chicken Protein. Other than the diarrhea, I've done very well. No nausea and I've gotten the required fluids and protein each day. Yesterday (Monday) I checked back with the Dr's and the nurse advanced me …

Hi, just thought I'd drop in and say hi! I'm a 33 yr old nurse, married with 2 kids ( 13 & 2). I'm at my all time heaviest, 277 lbs and it really does suck! I used to be in the 140's after I married but after my 1st child I hovered at around 200-230; after I had my second, all hell broke loose and now I'm here! I was diagnosed with diabetes Oct 2010, and at that time I weighed 278. I told my doctor to give me 6 mths to lose some weight but I just yo-yo'd a bit and stayed the same. I have a large appetite during meals so I am hoping the lapband gives me that sense of fullness prior to eating too much. I'm anticipating having my band placed the week of 6/20. …

Tomorrow will be my 6 months post op. I had my surgery on November 22. My beginning weight was 282 and as of today I am 187. I am down 95 lbs. I went from a size 22 to a 12. I am so loving my sleeve.

Hello Everyone, I love reading the postive post about fitting into goal jeans etc. I started this journey trying to get healthy and off of all my medications in the back of my mind saying wearing a size 10 would be great also. Now here I am off my blood pressure meds., no more diabetes, and no sleep apena it's only been six months...this was exciting. But when I went to the store to buy a pair of jeans (still wearing my size 12) I was in shock when the size 10 was too big, my loving husband gave my a size 6 and said you've worked hard I know this is your size (tear...he's so supportive) and guess what he was right the size 6 jeans fit so I bought them…

I had my 4-hour orientation at Kaiser Richmond today. The classroom was full and I was unfortunately sitting next to a HIGHLY obnoxious woman in the class. About an hour into the class she raises her hand and says "Ma'am? I am falling asleep over here." The nutritionist said "Okay, well we are about to take a break so you can take a short walk and maybe get a drink of water." The lady gets all angry and says "HOW SOME WATER SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME STAY AWAKE? HMM???" What I really wanted to do was turn around and say "Well, why don't you just go home then and come back when you are prepared to stay awake!!" So we took a break and the woman leaves and comes back with a doug…

Tell your accountant about your surgery so you can get a tax write off and refund. (opps didn't see that my other topic posted)

Don't forget everyone that you can use your WLS as a wrote off on your taxes next year. May get a large refund! Yeah....

I'm 21, 233lbs and BMI is 39.9. I dont have any health problems, at least not that I know about lol, and I wanted to know if anybody who has HIP had to jump through any hoops or anything like that? Is my age going to cause drama since Im young? thanks in advance

Hello All! My name is Lynda and I'm 25 days post-op (had my gastric sleeve done on April 25). I live in Southern New Jersey and had my surgery done by Harish Kakkilaya with the Salem Surgical Group. I've lost a total of 30 lbs. - 12 pre-op/18 post-op thus far. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced the following? 1. I have not lost any additional weight in the last week even though I'm following the program. Has anyone else experienced this and if so what jump started the weight loss again? 2. In between meals I seem to be experiencing what I would call a hunger "pang" and sometimes burning/and indigestion. I'm having a bit of difficulty in drinking 48…

Anyone having their surgery on July 1st. Or that weekend, in TJ with dr Almanza?

Hi all! Karen here from Pennsylvania. I had my lap band surgery last Dec. on the 16th after trying way too many costly weight loss options that never worked, including about $900 on hcg injections. I'm the only patient in my county who has Hashimoto's hypothyroid autoimmune condition so my doctor says I'm "special" because he's the only doctor who has a patient with this condition, so he gets to report back on my progress, which so far seems to be going really, really slow. I lost 15# in the first month and another 3# in the second month and nothing since, despite two fills, the second of which was just last month. The only difference I've notice is that I have to…

Just wanted to say that I had my surgery on Thursday and got home today. Besides having 7 new holes in my stomach, everything went well. i also got to catch up on my sleep that I had been missing. Now the fun begins, as I am off solids until June 10. I can do it.

Well, First of all i will like to think all my supporters out there would encouraged me to take th ings easy. Since the last time i sent a message i was hosptailized for one day due to dehydration. Oh it was aweful. I was vomiting with the runs at the same time. I got totaly behind on fluids but and feeling much better now. Now all i have to do is to remember to drink. I start to feel a little weak during the day if i haven't drink something like broth or cream of Soup. Im still really tired but am feeling much better than i did last week. And to put icing on the cake..... I lost my first 10lbs. YAY!!! Now im ready for things to get back to normal so i can enjoy all th…

I've been thinking of having this lap band thing done. One of my questions it why do they need to do a mental test? What kind of questions do they ask? Are they just trying to see if you are crazy of what? Before surgery you have to be on an all liquid diet I've heard, what are you allowed to have? Also after the surgery what are you allowed to have and how long before you can eat solids, I've heard that you can't have solids for a while. Are there any other tests I have to do before they let me have it?

Ok so day 10 when I was put on that scale prior to my surgery my 3week pre op diet helped me losse 19 pounds:) Got on the scale today and I have lost 21 pounds? Is this real? Am I in a dream? WTF!!!!! I am lost for words is this really happening? All my 40 years on this earth I have been large??????

Hi there. I have to say there is some inspirational stuff on here and I have been very interested to read some of the stories. I thought i woul start by commenting on why I made the decision to get the lap band procedure done (in mid June). Then a separate post on how I decided. My whole story starts some 20 years ago when i started overeating. I would not say I am an "emotional eater" as such - I just like food! I tried Jenny Craig a few years back when I weighed about 116kg. I got down to 104. I am now 150! So I have been seriously wanting to do something about my weight for a few months now as it is really starting to negatively effect the way I live my life. I …

I had surgery on Thursday. It went perfectly, and recovery has been good. I was released today and am now home. I'm so happy to be on the losers bench!!!

I hit ONEderland on Saturday before we left for camping! I might even be lower than that now but as I only weigh in the mornings, I'll know that one tomorrow as we just got home. Wahoo

I have BCBS of NC. Is there anyone that has gone through the process with BCBSNC? I am curious about the required 6 month nutrition classes I keep reading about. I have spoken to a BCBS rep on the phone numerous times and they have never mentioned this to me. I have searched the website, read their requirements concerning lap band surgery, and it never indicated a 6 month waiting period. I would love to be able to have my surgery before Dec 1st. I have already met my yearly deductible and the surgery will be covered at 100%. Yearly deductible starts over Dec 1st and it is a high one. I will be attending the seminar June 7.

I am awaiting my approval (fingers crossed) with Atena. They turned me down the first time becuase I had no co-morbities. I finished the 3 month diet/excercise program with my doctor on Monday and they are resubmitting the request. Has anyone had an approval the 2nd time around with Aetna? My BMI is 35, so I'm worried about that as well.

When people judge WLS patients and say that it's the easy way out, it makes me want to scream. Because there's been no part of my weight loss journey that's been easy. Every meal is a struggle. Every decision is a struggle. Every night on the town is a struggle. And they all have dire consequences if you make a mistake, in the form of ALL types of inner digestive system pain, or the mental trauma that goes with doing the wrong thing. The decision to have WLS to force my hand is the only part of this journey that has been easy. I'm glad that I can say that after 2.5 months, i'm finally forming good habits - habits that will stick with me long term, instead of th…

Well, I'm ready to go get sleeved tomorrow. Leaving for the airport in the early morning before daylight and I will be on the 6am plane to San Diego. Luckily, I only have an hour and half flight there. I'm so ready to do this. Everything was going great until I got my period today....a week early. uggg. Get to have cramps now. Oh well, I guess the pain meds will more than take care of it. hehe.