Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi Lap Band People, I am just trying to get into this site because I believe I will need some support and information on my journey. This seems to be a huge and active discussion group. I am also hoping to find a local support group in Milwaukee. I got my band on Thursday, May 12, 2011, from Dr. Thomas Chua, Wisconsin Bariatric Clinic, on Loomis, in Milwaukee. My insurance excluded coverage so I bit the bullet and paid for it myself. It certainly cut the paperwork and got me on the fast track. Now I'm healing. Still sipping vicodin, but starting to get free of it. I changed my dressings. I got a food processor and little 4 oz cups to freeze stuff in. I have …

So I'm 16 days postop and I return to see my surgeon this afternoon. I'm so excited to go on the messy diet, I went out last night and bought all the things I think I need for the next stage, so along with everything else I'm learning to prepare for things ahead! One thing I never did before and it always ended me up at a fast food restuarant. According to my scale this morning I was down 28 pounds. YAY!!! What was everyones first messy diet meal??? I'm so happy that I am a sleever and I love being a loser!! I hope everyone else is doing well!!

I know this is going to sound really crazy, but I was so nervous about my first meeting with the surgeon this morning. I thought for sure he was going to tell me that I was crazy or something and wouldn't go forward with it. Yeah, I know - I was being really stupid. Anyway, I met with Dr. Northup and he thought that the sleeve was the right surgery for me and that I would be a good candidate for it. I had a few questions and he answered them all very openly. A couple of questions I had asked him I knew the answers from the discussions on here, but wanted to see what he would tell me. He gave me the same answers as I was finding here on the boards - so that's a good thin…

Good Afternoon everyone. My name is Vicky Diaz and I aproximately 2 weeks ahead of my surgery... I started this process in November 2010 with the mandatory 6 month prep classes and training, which included diet, and mindful eating classes with 2 wonderful ladies (a nutritionist (Prudence) and a psycologist "Rachel") as well as visits to a psychiatrist (Dr. Flores) - my weight when I started was 291lbs, today , May 2011 I am at 268lbs. I have stopped all sodas and have cut my sugar intake to half, my meals also have become very strick eating only 30 grams of Protein per meal and combining Fiber and carbs to complete the meal... I follow the 30-20-30 rule with my drinking…

Today I went in for a band fill. I've always been told that I have the 10cc band. And after not having good results with my original surgeon, I switched to his chief of surgery. So, the chief of surgery comes in and tells me that he has been doing research and he thinks that I have a 14cc band. Sure enough, after testing my band I have a 14cc band. This is very upsetting. It's been 8 months since I have had a fill because my original surgeon didn't want to help me. This time the chief gave me 2cc's and now I am up to 10cc's. I really hope I get some restriction this time. I've never had any restriction with food and this is very discouraging since my surgery was over a ye…

Hi all! I'm on the losers bench!!! Surgery went great and post op pain is well controlled I feel a little sick to my tummy but I am hoping the two nausea Meds they gave me work soon. Went to OR at 11am and woke up in the recovery around 2. Went for a walk at 8pm and got my first burp right after. They found a hernia and repaired it. Dr Hahn got a couple of pics inside my tummy too. Can't wait to leave the 200s behind forever!! Expect a clear liquid report tomorrow!!!

SO, My skin is starting to remind me of my first initial break outs when I was 11 or 12. OMG, my face looks awful! I'm going to see a dermatologist next Wednesday and I know it's because of all the crazy hormones that this is happening I'm just hoping that he can help me out cause I feel weird with all this roughness going on lol. Anyone in the same boat???

Well...it's here! I will have my surgery tomorrow morning and my sister (2sweet) will have her's right after mine. As I type this it is really hitting home. We are going to be new healthy people starting tomorrow morning....WOW !! Me and my sis have done so many things together in our lifetime. We have started businesses - been through weddings, divorce, births and deaths. We have each other's back - all the time - if one gets cut we both bleed. If one gets hit by a car...roll her over cause the other one is underneath. If one wins the Lottery....well she better give me some money or I will stalk her for life! Our relationship with food has been almost identical…

So I'm new to this forum and was wondering, are there people on here who have had this surgery over 2-3 years ago? The reason I'm asking is becasue I see a lot of good and some bad stuff on here about the operation. I was just wondering about the long term effects of now having most of your stomach. Can anyone speak to this? Thanks for your input.

Sad but funny at the same time.... I have surgery Thursday and have to go to my mom's so she can drive me out. (Hubby has to deal with the child). Anyway to help me relax for everything, I get to take tomorrow off. With adding this off day for mental relaxation, I will officially be out 8 days, not including the two weekends. I have to go back for the last week of school... can't let them get awards without me. Does this seem like a reasonable time out? Am I nuts to go back after 10 real days post surgery?

In my program they measure things from the day you start your pre-op diet. So today finished my month one. I am one of those folks who researched, went to tons of programs and ultimately decided on the program and surgeon because they were offering the VGS. It was what I knew was right for me. I truly believe that in 6 months time I will be validated in that belief. Right now I am still working my way through the huge learning curve you face when changing the entire function of the core of your being human. I think people who rush through underestimate the need to be ready for this surgery. And that being ready, unless you are having serious health impacting weigh…

My first appt. is on June 6. It seems so far away. I cant wait to begin my journey. This site is so great and encouraging!

I have Aetna and have been going to the 4 dr visits before they could submit it for approval. I had my last appointment on April 25, 2011 and the doctors office submitted for approval on Friday the 29th. I called Aetna today..just because I am impatient and they told me that they had called the dr office yesterday with a verbal approval...so now I think my surgery is scheduled for May 26th. During the past 2 months I have been trying to change my eating and drinking habits. I was drinking 4-6 diet cokes and day and virtually no Water. Now I am down to 1 or 2 diet cokes and 6 16 oz bottles of water a day. I have had almost no sugar either.. I passed up a King cake f…

Hi My name is Sue I was banded in Sept of 2009.

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum. I was banded yesterday in Austin by Dr. Esquivel. Overall a pleasant experience- now to deal with the first few weeks of post op.

This is pretty much what you will find if you go to my "About me" page. It's there in case anyone wants to re-read this ever again . . . but I figured it was as good a way to introduce myself here as any! I am inspired by the successes of the people on this board, and I have certainly learned a LOT from reading on here! I am a thoroughly blessed wife to my husband of 19 years . . . and mother to the most amazing three children on the planet! We have a son, 19 years old, a daughter, 16 and a half years old, and another daughter who just turned 14 months old! Thanks to PCOS, we had a REALLY LONG gap between those last two children . . . But God knew what he was…

Hi I live in Dallas, Texas have been thinking about getting the band but kind of nervous..Do anyone know about bcb of ma is it hard to get approve. And after surgery how long will I may have to be out of work?

Hi everyone, I just wanted to indroduce myself. My name is Patty. I just passed my 2 year mark on having my lap band. I have lost 79 lbs so far. I had my surgery by Dr. Mike Sofronski of the Delmarva Bariatric Center in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Prior to embarking on my weight loss journey, I was a complete non-believer. I thought surgery was the easy way out, and boy was I wrong. Dr. Sofronski guided me through this whole process. I have made a complete 180 degree mindset change and finally decided to work the program and have become successful. Not only do I continue to be a patient, but I have started working as the Bariatric Program Coordinator for Beebe Med…

I just found this site and I think it's awesome. I am a 8 days post op. I had surgery May 10. Woke up in Recovery, pain was managed. Less than an hour later finds me in my room and in pain, with the Dr. having the one pain med I am allergic to on order. So I refuse it. Took them over two more hours to contact him. They put me on Dialaudid. After every IV injection, I threw it up. They did this for 24 hours before putting me on good old Percocet. Had to stay an extra day. Got home, my stomach is quite loud. I attribute that to the bowels moving around and nothing much in them due to the liquid only diet. I haven't had the feeling of being really, really hun…

Hi I was recently banded on the 12th . I have only been hungry once since , I know thats probably good cuz I'm an eater lol sometimes just because I'd get bored . But even when I drink water the pain in my left shoulder hurts I walk and have gas come out both ends . But still have the super fullness . I still haven't had a bm yet either and I did take a exlax last night as I was coming to work this am. I didn't want to have to run in the middle of work . But still nothing I'm a little worried. When I layed down for bed last night felt like a wave in my chest was really strange and painfull in itself. Is this normal for anyone else or what?

Hi everybody, First, please forgive me if you have already seen my post in some other forum. I have posted it in a few different places to reach all of you amazing people willing to help. 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 it would certainly help me to adapt a whole new way of eating while I would address the emotional side of th…

Hi Everyone! I am Mike amd I am entering the Pre OP liquid diet period - am schedulede to be banded 5/20. Would like to hear of your struggles during this pre OP period and how you kept yourself going. I was right on yesterday sticking with my plan and not it is a new day and I do it all over again...What ever got you thru would be sustainance for me Thanka All Mike4140

Hi all. First of all, thanks to everyone who has posted on this website. I've been lurking for months and gotten great tips and information! I had sleeve surgery on May 11th. Turns out my spleen was attached to my stomach, and I bled & bled & bled. I ended up in the hospital 2 extra nights, got 4 units of blood, plus a unit each of plasma and platelets. When I got home, I actually weighed MORE than I did before I started the 2-week preop diet! While I've lost almost 10 pounds of Fluid, I'm still puffy and obviously retaining a good bit still. Has anyone else had complications like this or come home to massive fluid retention? If so, how long did it seem …

It's hard to believe that the day is finally here. In less than 24 hours I will be amongst the banded. :party: I can't wait! I don't feel as if I'm nervous because this is something that I've thought about for 3 years now; however, I'm wondering what is going on. Here it is almost 3pm and I haven't had my first protein drink for the day. I've had 32 ounces of water and a couple of crystal light. Is this normal? Maybe subconsciously I'm nervous and don't know it.

Hi I am just trying to get started with this process. I did work with a bariatric doctor all last year trying to lose weight and did great when he had me on the meds. The minute the meds didn't work anymore I gained back all but 15 pounds. I have never tried to put in the request yet for the insurance to approve surgery, I actually go to the first imformational seminar this week. I have been wanting to do the lapband surgery for a few years now but wanted to give it one more try losing weight without it. I am just wondering if anyone has insurance through the laborers blue cross and if they have approved the surgery. The insurance would not approve payment for any of the …

I heard the gas pain right after surgery is HORRIBLE! Is there anything that can be done about it?

Yesterday, I finally made the decision that I was ready to do the lap band procedur, today I started the paperwork for approval. .However, since I have made this major life changing decision, I can NOT STOP EATING...EVERYTHING IN SIGHT. I took off work today for a personal day, and all I did was lay around and eat anything that was not tied down and that did not try and eat me first. Its like my brain went into overdrive and knows that in the future, it is going to be hungry and that I am not going to be able to eat my comfort food anymore. This scares me...If I cant control this now, how am I ever going to get control of this.Will I be able to use the lap band as the …

Hello Everyone, I'm getting baned on the 9th of June. I'm really excited and nervous at the same time. I start my pre-op diet on the 26th (morning of, not night Per MD LOL) I'm having the procedure done in Yuma, AZ with Dr. Jensen. I'm looking forward to it and I have already started going to the local support group here.

Hi and Good Day to All, Back in early 2010 a friend shared with me her decision to get the Lap-Band. She went in to much detail, and soon I was on my way to Dr. Anthony Coiran located here in Modesto, California. ...He is a great doctor with a very knowledgeable, and caring PA, and staff! At my heaviest back in 2007, I was 308lbs, wow!! I lost 67lbs on a strict diet all to end up gaining most of it back; I needed help and fast due to so many complications with my health. After the seminar, visits to both the nutritionist and evaluation by a Psych doctor, my surgery date was set for September 10th, 2010; my weight then was 273.8lbs. I know, this sounds more …

It turns out I am going alone to tj Mexico to have my sleeve surgery. Am I Crazy? Anyone out there do this on their own. How had was it? Will the driver check your bag for you when dropping you off at airport?

Hello all, I have not been banded yet, but just doing my research and hate doctors and hopsitals! The last two elective surgeries I had were both miserable. For some old sports injuries. Now I am old dog and can't workout the way i used to and have put on too many pounds. Maybe more active than most, even with a limp. I am about 60+ lbs over weight, don't know if that would make me a candidate? Just reading up on some of the experiences, don't be a stranger!

Im so frustrated I know I over eat much of the time but I get so frustrated when I eat and eat and can't stop myself and then when Im done its like I snap back to reality and realize what I have done and I hate myself for eating so much. It feels like an out of body experience Im just not mentally present while I am doing the eating. I am really hoping the band will help with the over eating.

Hi my name is Krissie and im going through the process to get the Lap Band. Im hoping to be banded by the end of June. I would appreciate any suggestions or advice before the process. Thank You Krissie

Well, I wanna talk about SO Much!I wish I won't forget one thing!, The reason I am writing this long post is I feel like I wanna give back to this awesome community. I have been learning so much fromthis forums, people will just come and post something and it makes me feel likewow, that just happened to me! Thank Godness I am not alone! What a relief..you know that feeling? So here is what been going on.. umight or might not relate.. But just remember everyone is different and I amnot a saint by any means! *PLEASE NOTICE MY ENGLISH IS MYSECOND LANGUAGE! So forgive any grammatical/phrasing mistakes. I have been sleeved on April16/20…

It's now come to this: after months of nutrition classes, doctors appointments, and a psychiatric evaluation, I will be having a sleeve gastrectomy tomorrow. As I sit writing this I am both excited and a little nervous. I know what it's like to be put to sleep because I had my tonsils and adenoids taken out when I was seven, but still, this is major surgery and I've not surgery for a long time. I'm having this done at a young age (I'm 19) because I have a bad family history when it comes to heart problems, blood pressure, diabetes, and so on. I'd like to avoid all that. I also don't know what it's like to be thin, so that prospect alone excites me about having the surgery…

well im new on here, 5 weeks post -op down 43 pounds , i go back to work tomorrow, and im hopeing that will bring me more weight loss. Im happy that i made this choice but i am having a hard time with choices of what to eat. any suggesstions?

Hi everyone!! Today is my 10 day post sleeve and I'm feeling great!!! I think the best thing I did was getting back to work after 8 days, each day I wake up with more and more energy and I feel great!! I am so blessed to have been able to have this experience and with no complications. I was so scared of complications, but so far this experience has been amazing. However, I can't wait till next Thursday to go on the messy diet!!! It's not that I'm hungry I think it's a mental thing that I want to chew something instead of drink. But that will soon end!! NO REGRETS!!! Loving life!!!

Hi all, Six months waiting and preparing: Tomorrow is the day! I am first on my surgeon's schedule, second in the operating room. I am nervous and hungry. I've got two hours till I drink the stuff that flushes you out for the surgery. No Water after midnight. I'm afraid: I won't wake up They will find something else wrong with me while they are in there I won't be able to eat or drink after the surgery I'll be able to eat too much after the surgery I will get fainting spells My skin will sag My hair will fall out so much I'll need a wig and it won't grow back I will wake up in pain I will vomit all the time I hope: I will recuperate fast I will be able …

Hello everyone my name is Tanya and I never really thought about having WLS until I notice that the weight that I was gaining was not coming off if I downsized portions or just didn't eat for a while. Not eating was not healthy and normally just made me gain more weight. My cousin who has had the sleeve surgery since December/2010, kept telling me to research the surgery and then make up my own mind. She knows that I am the type of person that has to make that decision on my own!! I live in the outskirts of Houston, TX and decided to attend the seminar in December/2010 for WLS with the Davis Clinic. This was the beginning of freedom for me! I was so excited and scared …

I'm scheduled for surgery on 5/20. Is the second week of the liquid diet as hard for everyone else as it is for me? I've been doing pretty good, but if anyone has any suggestions on things I can do to make things a little easier, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Hello All! I was just recently chosen as 1 of 10 finalists in a free weight loss surgery contest. The winner will be determined by who gets the most votes. If I win, I have decided to go with the vertical sleeve. The surgeon is Dr. David Kim in Colleyville, TX. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Has anyone used Dr. Kim and if so how was your experience? I would appreciate your vote! Go to: www.drdkim.net/contest and cast your vote for Jennifer M. Thanks! Jennifer

Hi all, First post, but I have read the forums here from time to time. It's been a long road, but I was banded two days ago. 5-10-11 by Dr John Groves in Albertville Al, I'm still a little sore and have some upper chest/shoulder gas pain, but I'm feeling great all things considered. My main motivation for being banded was my diabetes. I've been Type 2 for almost 15 years. I am at max dosages on 4 different oral diabetes meds plus a Byetta injection. They were no longer doing the job and my blood sugar numbers were close to out of control. The next step was insulin and due to my job, I REALLY didn't need to be on insulin. Happy to report that after 2 weeks …

Hi Everyone, I've just signed up for this site today. I am from New Zealand, but have been teaching/living in South Korea since 2006. I've found a specialist hospital here in Seoul, and am having my surgery THIS Saturday - May 21st! I'm very excited to get started. No one back home other than my brother know's I am having the surgery done this month (they think I'm saving to have it done in NZ next year). I'm really looking forward to stepping off the plane in a year or so, and showing off the new me! I look forward to making new friends on here, to support, and share this journey with. Have a great week all! Gordana

Hi, Are you scared about having WLS? I was too, and I am willing to bet that 99% of all of on this site were too. We have talked ourselves in and out of going ahead and taking that big step at least 75 to 100 times. We have been convinced that there is something weak or wrong about having weight loss surgery and that is really all wrong—it take a lot of courage to have weight loss surgery. For so many of us we have a disease and just like any other disease we need some form of treatment. If you needed surgery for something you wouldn’t think twice about going to the hospital and having that surgery because if you didn’t you could die. Well the same this will hap…

The surgery went smooth today. No issues or surprises. I was able to get up and walk around pretty much as soon as they woke me up. Had some broth. Had a little tea. Did my upper GI and that came out fine. Was able to leave the hospital at around 9:00 PM. Not bad. 12 hours there. Right now after the pain meds in my IV kicked in, I became tired and out of it...but I feel fine. No nausea or gas pain. For now at least...wish me luck... Goodnight all.

I am having my surgery on May 23. I am one week into the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. I have really been struggling the past few days and having second thoughts about the surgery. I have never had any kind of surgery before and I am really scared. I am 26 years old and I weigh 296 pounds. I have to lose weight that is not an option. I just want to make sure I am making the right decision. I have been reading several discussions on here and it seems like a lot of people have negative things to say about the lap band. I never heard much negative feedback until I come to this sight. For those of you that have been banded do you think it was worth it? I am also really worried a…

hello all i am new to the site, but i have gotten a lot of useful info by reviewing the forums. i was bannded on 5/9/2011, so i'm a newby. <BR><BR>i hope to get to know many of you well and that we'll be able to share experiences and more information. <BR><BR>i was banded by Dr. Cacucci<BR>my starting weight was 283<BR>i am now 272

I'm soo excited tomorrrow is the big day!!! I can't believe it's already here! I'm the first one on the schedule tomorrow so I have to be there at 5:30 am!!! Uffdah! Hope the surgeon and techs have had their wheaties and coffee! I can't wait for this to be done and over and on the road to the new me!! :-)

Thanks everyone for your continued support! Tomorrow is the big day I've been waiting for. See you guys on the otherside!!!

I'm 5 weeks away from my vsg in Mexico. Going alone, is that a dumb idea? I feel like it is a safe clinic etc. Has anyone been to TJ Mexico to get this surgery on their own. How hard will it be to travel back home.?? Any helpful tips? Also anyone from my area done this before ? ( San Francisco bay area ) Christina