Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi, I am new here and am heading for Cancun on June 4th for banding. LIke everyone, I am nervous and excited. I plan to use everyone's experience to help me along. Thanks. Packmom

Just starting process.. excited!! My insurance will cover Dr. Kokocharov near Wheeling IL, has anyone had experience with this facility my first impressions are great, super great office staff and great bedside manner, very kind, and funny.

Im sooooo upset right now. I told my boyfriend how I signed up for this website and he saw I added a picture to it and he thinks that I'm using this website to look for guys. Are you kidding me??? It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard!!!!!! I have no intentions on that! I have one and one intention only to be on these forums and it's because I have all these questions and all of you have great answers! He says "Why cant you be like a normal person and just search it on google?" He doesn't understand that stuff found on google is just general information and the people on here can answer so many things that google cant!!! Most of you have experienced VSG and that's who I…

Hello, I'm just getting started on this journey. Insurance had approved consult, submitted application to UCLA, planning on attending seminar on June 4. Has anyone done this at UCLA? What happens next? I would love to talk to some people to help in the starting phase of this procedure. Thanks Dw

Day 1 - It seems like it took forever, but I finally had surgery around 3 p.m. pacific time. When they woke me up, I felt nothing but gas pain. It was awful!!! I stress awful because it was unbearable. The nurse, poor thing, had hell with me but gave me pain meds in my bottom and that finally got me to sleep. When I woke up the next day I was a million times better. Day 2 - Woke up feeling that I was sorry for doing this to myself, but I quickly let go of that thought. After all, I am by myself in Mexico. My husband freaked out because I didn't get back to him right after surgery. Not! He should have come with me!!!!! I am feeling better this day. They are ha…

Hi Guys! I just wanted to share that yesterday I turned the big 2-6, lol and tomorrow I am finally getting my band! I'm having it done by Dr. Daniel Jones at the Beth Israel in Boston. I'm very happy it's finally here-- the time really flew by. I was doing laundry and folding clothes today and was thinking how hopefully by next year (or even a few months) none of this stuff will fit me. I can't wait to get rid of all my fat clothes and enjoy going shopping! Anyway, just wanted to say hi and wish everybody in the process well and good luck! Mary

Anybody had Dr. Lee in MN for their surgeon? I have my first consult with him on June 2nd.

Hi All, My name is Sherry, I'm set to be banded in less than a week, on May 19th. My Doctor is Dr. Larry Gellman in Long Island, New York. I am pretty nervous, I am very fortunate that I do not have any health issues, and am doing this because I do not want to wind up with any at the rate I am going. I'm worried about possible complications and what my banded future is going to be like. I just hope I am not playing with fire, is all. In any case, this site looks great, there are so many supportive people sharing the same journey. Best of luck to all! Sherry

I finally decided to do something for myself.........I am going to have Lap Band!!!! For the last 12 years, I have taken care of my husband and then my twins. I went to a seminar on Thursday, and filled out all my paperwork today. My husband had lap band on November 23rd and has lost 97 pounds, if he can do this , i can do it. I am so glad that I stumbled up on this website during my search for information. Hope to be banded by the end of July!

I was banded 4/21/11.. Just three weeks ago. On my two week check up they filled with 3cc... When I eat I have to stop myself because I feel I am eating too much, but I never feel the FULL feeling. I have never spit up or even burped. The other night we went out to eat. I ordered grilled fish. I only let myself eat 1/4 of it, because I fill that was all I should have been able to eat, but I am concerend that I did not feel the FULL FEELING! I easily could have eatten 1/2 of it, but chose not too. After we got home within an Hour I was hungry. I dont go back to the dr for 3 more weeks... I think i need more filled before then. I also have not really lost any …

Hey bandders, I have been doing tons of research on the LB for over a year now, trying to decide if I should move forward w the process. I have even been lurking around on LBT just taking it all in. Went to my seminar/consult this week & finally made up my mind to YES moving forward! The only people I now that have WLS have had the bypass, wich I know is not for me. Then this week I met my first Lap Bander. She told me that she never once got to eat solid food, only got to mooshy stage post op. She said she tried everything, & did everything she was suppose to, still no solid food. She then begged her surgeon to take it out after a year of trying w no success &am…

Hello I am Melissa, I have been in the program at the hospital since 2009 and finally after fighting my insurance company for over a year I was approved for the lap band. I will be banded on June 6th and I am very excited. I have lost 32 pounds pre op weight loss and feel great about what is ahead of me... I am here to meet others who also have been banded and for support.

Hello all! I'm just starting my research into the lap band procedure and am attending a seminar at the end of the month. I will be 33 in July and have 3 children under 3. I have struggled with weight all of my life and am at my highest weight now (I'm guessing 260 but haven't been on a scale in 5 months since I gave birth to my daughter). Anyway, our insurance says "Not Applicable" under bariatric surgery. But there are some things listed as "Not covered." Does anyone have any experience with this or know if it's possible to get it covered when the insurance says "N/A" under coverage? I'm afraid to get my hopes up.

Hi! Been looking at the forums off and on and its time for an intro. I started this Journey around Feb 10th. So far leading up to surgery I lost about 30 pounds. I was doing about 1500 calories a day to get ready. Now I am on the more restricted modified liquid diet of I guess just under 1000 calories. My Dr. is Dr Burch from the Cedars Sinai weight loss clinic in Los Angeles. I am both excited and nervous about the upcoming surgery. I guess my biggest worry is missing eating like I used to, but I am also ready to make the change.

I'm 31 years old from Miami, Florida. Im a proud mother of 3 baby girls under the age of 5. Although I always had a tendency of gaining weight rather fast (very slow metabolism) I always managed to maintain a healthy weigh my whole life. That of course all changed when I got pregnant with my first baby. I gained 90 lb. It took me 2 years to lose 50 lb and then to my surprise I got pregnant again. I was already over weight and I gained another 40 lb. Then when the new baby was 2 months old I happened to get pregnant again. To make the story short, today I'm at 237 lb with a BMI of 41. I have been doing research on the LapBand for a while and finally I decided to go ahe…

I had to share with people that would understand. i haven't had surgery as yet, it is scheduled for next week, but I had such a wonderful thing happen today. We had to order field day t-shirts that will be used as the shirts we wear for convocation next year. i bought the size that I have been wearing, a 2x, as well as a large for next year. I, for giggles and grins, tried on the large. IT FIT!!! It was a little tight around the tummy area, but it fit. I would wear it for field day this year if I was a little more comfy with the tummy area and if it weren't for the fact I have surgery scheduled for that day. I now know it will fit in August comfortably. YAY ME!!!…

How long did it take for you to get approved?

Hey gang - Thanks to my wife for finding the group for me. 47 year old male who's lost the same 20-30 pounds over the past 20 years or so. Finally took the next step and went to a seminar locally and decided it was time to doing something a little more drastic. Originally was slated to have a Roux-en-Y on the 19th but after much thought, angst, gnashing of teeth and such... I changed to a band. Wish me luck! I'm going to start perusing the group and see what's out there! Jim

I am just starting the process of getting sleeved (I hope if everything goes right) I have my Dr.s appointment the 19th, we'll see what she says. I was curious though does anyone have Blue Cross Blue Shied - Federal? and if so did it cover your surgery? I am just so excited at the thought of finally being able to lose some weight and feel better that I don't know what I'll do if my insurance doesn't cover it....

I want to know is there any one getting dumping with the gastric sleeve? Because I do. I break out in wets sweat and sleep after sweets. Some time nauseated. They say you don't, but I do every time to much sugar. I am not diabetic. I would like to know since this surgery is knew

I will have my surgery on June 9th, 2011. I am very excited. How long is the hospital stay and will I be able to go to my nieces graduation party on th 11th.

:youcandothis:New to blogging-ready to talk about this-had my sleeve on Feb 17, 2011- so wish I had done it sooner, almost did 4 years ago. I have done very well but am struggling now with anxiety and depression. Partly due to other issues but I am determined to be successful-it really helps to talk to others. I like to be encouraged and encourage others- I m reading a book called The Beck Diet Solution-I highly recommend it, my MDs office recommended it, deals with cognitive behavior modification. Lost 25lbs before surgery and 28 lbs since surgery! Yahh !

I made the decision to have the sleeve done just 2 days ago and don't even meet with the surgeon until the 18th, but I took my first step today. I typically will stop at McD's each weekday morning and get a large diet coke to get me through the morning (yeah, it takes me 6+ hours to drink a large from McD's). Today, I did NOT get the large diet. In fact, I skipped getting a drink at all (I did get their oatmeal though as I needed to have something for breakfast and didn't have time to fix it at home first). So, for me, it's day one without my crutch. I figure if I can do this one step now, it will help me out in the long run. So far so good today - but it's only the first…

Well I finally got home after three plane delays. And decided to Weigh. Since I had not been on a scale since last Friday 4 days into the preop I was down 10 lbs then, surgery was Tuesday so today 4 days since surgery I am down another 10lbs!!!!!!!!! Holy cow that's 20 lbs in 11 days!!! Ahhhhhhhh. Woot *dorky happy dance* *ouch painfully pulling stitches doing said happy dance*.

Therefore any patient who does not meet the above requirements does not qualify for health plan coverage for the gastric banding surgery. This effectively puts gastric lap band surgery out of reach for many people in the USA. You will have find your own money or get funding for gastric band through bank loans to finance a lap band surgery in Mexico.

Hi everyone! I had my surgery at about 11:30am on the 5th of May. I did well at the hospital I was told by one of the nurses I was their superstar patient because the other weight loss surgery folks weren't walking or using their breathing thingies (don't know the name of them). I walked every 2 hours. Downside is that I had trouble sleeping so I was up for 30 something hours straight until I got home today. I was trying to see how I was doing without the painkillers (lortab elixer or toridol) because for the most part I felt ok with the exception of the gas. I stopped taking the pain meds at 3am, which wasn't bad but I was regretting it come the ride home at noon lol…

getting all the apts done to get a surgery date. I had the nutrition class last night.i was feeling fine until then. I would love to hear how some of you made it throught the first couple of months.

I am a newbie here with a million questions. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last year and I have been overweight my entire life. I recently heard that lap band surgery can cure diabetes immediately. My insurance company will pay for it after being on Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig for one year. I am leaning toward Weight Watchers. I haven't found a surgeon yet and I have just started researching the surgery. So anything that anyone can offer please feel free. I am in the Lynchburg, VA area. Thanks, Margo

I got my Blood Pressure in check. That was the only thing holding me back. Now my General Physician signed off and I am not good to go for Friday's procedure with Dr. Coon at Parkview Hospital in Riverside. Wish me luck!! Over a year of prep work, for a hour and half procedure that will give me a new lease on life.

So, my husband just got a job offer today and they have better insurance thought Coventry of Kansas City. I am crossing my fingers big time that maybe this insurance will cover Lap-band as our current BCBS of KC does not. I feel like I have been waiting my whole life for this and I sure hope they cover it and if they do that the restrictions aren't ridiculous. I am thinking Malley Surgical or Weight loss surgical Center? Anyone have any recommendations?

Hello all I am Ashlee! I have been a part of this site before but restarting! I have had my band a littl eover three years and I LOVE IT! I look forward to talk to more of you!

Hello to all I just had surgery yest. && ima little nervous about messing up my band.had a long drive home and I'm hoping that driving in the car wouldn't do anything.having a lot of gas burping and bubbling in my tummy.is it normal for that to happen?any advice would be greatly appreciated..and for the clear liquid diet do you mix your protein with water.?please help

I had surgery 3 weeks ago. I am having a hard time getting all my Protein in. I eat grilled chicken and beef. I can't wait till i can eat a salad with grilled chicken on it. I need suggestions on recipe. Please

Hey peeps! I usually go try to go to the gym 3 times a week for at least 45 to 55 minutes. This week I went 4 times and I intend on going again today. I usually do the treadmill or eliptical for at least 40 minutes and I sometimes work on my arms, I haven't been cleared for abs or anything of that nature so I try to take it easy. My doctor told me I could do light weights right now, but I really want to focus on my upper body now, does anyone have any suggestions????

Hello everyone! I'm new here. This website is a really great place to find out everything I need to know about the vertical sleeve. I was first interested in the lapband just because it seemed a lot safer. But now that I have spent hundreds of hours reading all about WLS I have decided that Vertical Sleeve is by far the best choice for me. I went to a seminar only to find out that they didnt take medicaid. I finally found a place that does and my orientation is set for May 16. I am so excited to finally be working my way to actually being able to live my life. I am a 19 year old female college student. I am 287 lbs. I have been overweight literally my entire life. Even wh…

Hey everyone, Just wanted to let you all know to stick with it. It really does work. I started at 351 pounds as of this morning I'm down to 285 lbs I'm not at my target yet.. but I'm only two monthes into this. I work out 4-5 days a week at Fit Works in Willoughby, Ohio if any of you live by me, your more then welcome to work out with me... Hope everyone is doing great... If you have any question just send me a message and I'll answer it... Sorry but I do not sugar coat my answers... I'll tell you how it is... Talk to you all later, Dominic

I have always been happy with myself. It has never really mattered to me what others have thought of me - because only I can control how I feel. If others don't like me because I'm heavy - well that's their loss. So in that regard, I'm probably not your typical morbidly obese person. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2003. My A1C was just over 7 - so not too awful. In the years following, it had remained in the low 7's. In the last year it has leaped up to the high 7's. My doc still says that I don't need an endocrinologist - I just need to loose weight. But he has no suggestions on how to do that. So, I research and try different diets just to have my weight incr…

I have been approved for Surgery I feel bad that I only have a low bmi and there are others out there that struggle with higher bmi BUT I have my own reasons and I beleive it is right for me... Now that it is getting closer I am scared about all the strories I am reading etc. I am under a good Doctor and Dietician and I will follow the right diet. I am also worried about the scars as not alot of people know how obvious will it be and for how long?? Help me through my first few weeks.

Hello Everybody: My name is Eric and I am 30 years old from Moreno Valley,CA...Im new to this forum and would just like to say that I have learned a lot from all the materials that are provided on this site and from reading other peoples progress and profiles...This site has definitely helped me get a grip on the life changing experience by going through with VSG and the online support groups are muy bueno. I haven't had any WLS yet but am in the process of going through it as we speak that's if I can get over the fear of having surgery period...I have never been under the knife before and hate the site of blood and just knowing that I will be forcing myself to walk i…

Hi everyone just checking in with you. Doing ok left shoulder is painfull due to some nerve connections is what I was told feels like a rather large animal sitting on my chest lil sore throat n mouth as dry as a desert id suggest some kind of hard candy for afterward but all in all its seems to be all good have a good night n goodluck tomorrow to you that's getting banded tomorrow. Thanks for helping me! Night.

Hi everyone I'm off to the hospital now to start my new life. In little under 2 hours I will be a sleever! Wish me luck! Seenyou all soon. X x

I didn't want to post too much here since I'm reading more and talking less. For anyone interested, I'm blogging all my stuff on my site this way if you want to read it you can, if not it's not here taking up space. http://www.skinnyrenee.com

Hello, My name is Stephanie. I was banded with a Realize band the end of December, 2008. I did well and lost about 39 lbs. before I lost my health insurance and could not afford fills. I finally have insurance again and I am going in for only my 3rd fill! I have almost no restriction and can eat a whole plate of food now. The only time I get uncomfortable is when I wait too long to eat and wolf my food down- I am guaranteed to vomit when I do that. I have gained back 12 of the almost 40 lbs I have lost. I hope my Doc will cinch me up so a raisin will make me feel like I just ate Thanksgiving dinner!!! I'm excited to be able to continue my journey with the band! Cheers!

Hi, My name's Sarah. I'm 20 years old and getting ready to schedule a date for my lap band surgery. I've never been so excited in my life. Spending majority of my life extremely overweight I can't even imagine what it would be like to be smaller, to feel better, to have my life....well I can't say back since I've been dealing with obesity my enter life so I will get "MY LIFE". Well I'm thrilled and can't wait to be on my way!!! I look forward to getting to know people on this forum and helping get the support I will need for success. Sincerely, Shrinking Sarah

Hi, my name is Donna. I am 61 years old and have had a weight problem since I was 18 years old. I have gained weight with each change in my life. I had three children, c-section, by the age of 21. I kept on a portion of the weight from each pregnancy, but was still very active and a planner and go getter. I had a hysterectomy at 23 and that put more weight on me. I was about 150 lbs by now and it had only been five years. I started out at 100 lbs. Then I had to go on premarin and quit smoking. gained another 40 lbs in a short period of time. Then my health started falling apart. I was diagnosed with diabetes. It doesnt run in my family. It runs in my husband…

Hi everyone! My name is Jen and I am currently living in Ottawa, ON. I am 24 years old and weigh in around 270lbs. I have pretty much decided that the lap band is the way to go for me, but I still have some questions floating around in my head. Here are two that are on my mind today: 1. Do you ever get the sensation that you can feel your band? Not the restrictive effect, but like there's actually something inside you that if you move a weird way you can feel it? 2. I am concerned that I will never feel normal again. I will always have to eat with focus and explain to people why I can only eat a small portion. I am trying to arrange my finances before going ahead …

My situation is probably a little unusual. My brother had the surgery in '08, I went through it the following year and his wife decided to have it done about 6 months ago. My brother and I had adult diabetes. Lab tests shortly after our surgeries showed that the diabetes was no longer a problem. If there is any interest, I am happy to describe what life is like after this surgery.

Hi everyone!! Today is my first day back to work after being sleeved last Tuesday! I'm still very tired and weak, but can't afford to take anymore time off. I feel great otherwise, my surgery has been a hug sucess thus far and I'm down a total of 24 pounds!!! I'm so looking forward to the future!!!

Greetings all you bander and soon to be banders, Just a brief hello and introduction, I'm Josh (just in case my screen name wasn't clear ), I'm 34, 6'2" and 355 lbs. I've been struggling with my weight since my early 20's when I got out of the military and watched my weight balloon up. I always set a line in the sand when I would do something about it, but the nice thing about sand is that it's easy to redraw the line, 250, 275, 300, etc, etc. Now the time has come to do something, there are numerous reasons why now is the time, some are the normal aches and pains, some are more personal in nature, but here I am. My wife, who will remain anonymous until she …

Hi is there anyone out there going for surgery in Brussels who is from NI?? I have my surgery booked for 12th July and am panicking a bit cos it's all real now!