Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi everyone! Just introducing myself. I was banded on Monday at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC. Looking forward to supporting others and getting some great advice!

Hi everyone, I am a 30 year old woman. My BMI is 49.9 right now and have started the process to having the band put in. I don't know which brand they will be using, but I assume the forum will allow any band because we all have similar outcomes? I don't know what to say at this point. I have been extremely overweight since I was 19 and I don't like how uncomfortable it makes me. I have dangerously high cholesterol and just am always tired from being so big. I signed up for the surgery when I heard it reduces the chance of getting diabetes later in life. I was diabetic while pregnant and did not enjoy insulin shots 4 times a day and the problems I was havin…

Hi everyone, I am a 30 year old woman. I weigh 264 right now and have started the process to having the band put in. I don't know which brand they will be using, but I assume the forum will allow any band because we all have similar outcomes? I don't know what to say at this point. I have been extremely overweight since I was 19 and I don't like how uncomfortable it makes me. I have dangerously high cholesterol and just am always tired from being so big. I signed up for the surgery when I heard it reduces the chance of getting diabetes later in life. I was diabetic while pregnant and did not enjoy insulin shots 4 times a day and the problems I was having with my v…

A big Texas howdy to all my fellow vsg buddies! I'd like to introduce myself.........my name is Carolyn, 59 yrs, married to David and have 2 daughters, Sherry, and Stacey. We also have 2 grandchildren, almost 3 and almost 1. We live in Katy, TX, a beautiful sub on west side Houston. Here's my life as a "skinny" and how it progessed to a "fatty". During my vibrant teen years, I had an overweight sister who tried and tried many diets. Of course, as most of us can predict, she failed at each one. I told her one day "all you have to do is stop eating". How insensitive and ignorant I was!! She finally had an gastric bypass in 1974, when I was less than a month p…

Hi I had my surgery last Tuesday 3rd May, and apart from the pain in my left shoulder from the gas, for the first week I'm doing fine. Just hope this time I can loose the weight and keep it off. Good luck to others who are having their lap bands put in in the near future. Cheers Kaye

Well so far I have lost 51lbs in 49 days since surgery! I'm 12lbs away from my second mini goal of being under 300lbs. Thanks to everybody here that has provided their knowledge to us newer sleevers.

I was just looking at the calendar, considering doing an update for the board and checking to see how long it's been since I had my sleeve. 43 days so that's one day more than six weeks right? Wow. Six weeks later, things are better than they used to be. Recovery was hideous and strange, and still ongoing but there's less of an Addams Family feel to the whole process. Eating is getting much easier. I haven't so far gotten dehydrated, nauseated or thrown up, but there are other monsters out there, namely fatigue and Oh-hell-I've-blown-blown-up-my-stomach paranoia, which are both slowly receding. There's also the numerous times that badly chosen food tried to punch it…

Good morning well surgery was supposed to be at 10 now rescheduled till 2 pm im guess its the first obstacle lol. Its funny they called me last night to tell me and so I asked would I be able to eat she said yes a light meal before 7:30 so I set my alarm for 6 am and went to sleep. Well I must not have heard it go off cuz I opened my eyes at 7:25 closed them them jumped out of bed and said oh my god im gonna miss my last time to eat. I ran to the kitchen n just couldn't find anything so I have what I always have for breakfast coffee. I wasn't even hungry either was just in a panic thinking I'd never eat again. I think it was the fat side of my brain speaking . Kinda lik…

Hi my name is Renee I live in virginia. I'm in my 3rd month of the 6 month diet. With each day it gets closer I get more nervous, please tell me this is normal. I'am required to lose 20 lbs and I have only lost 6 lbs,I'am worried that I wont be able to lose the weight. Has anyone been approved and not lost all the required weight? How long does it take to get your approval from insurance?

Hello glorious board! Just wanted to share that I was sleeved yesterday (5-10) by Dr. Nicholson. The surgery was a breeze and now I am recovering in my spacious room here at Forest Park Medical Center. I am sore and tired but so far so good. I started on liquids this morning and so far, plain jane Water is the best. I just wanted to say 'thanks' to all of you that come and share you experiences on this board, I totally appreciate everyone's opinion! I feel like my eyelids are wanting to cloe! Have a wonderfu day everybody! karen

Hi! I have completed my behavior modification classes, my nutrition classes, my counceling sessions, my sleep study, and my lab work is where it needs to be. I have some routine exams coming up, and then will hopefully be able to get a date for a band. I work at a hospital and have chosen my doctor based on his reputation, number of procedures performed, and personality. So I sound as if I've got it all together, right? I am excited and nervous both. I work during the hours that support groups in my area meet, and am hoping I will find new friends and support here. I'd love to hear from you, please give me a shout out and tell me a little about yourself.

My band hurts in the morning when I first get up and try to drink my coffee. I had it tightened a couple weeks back and it still seems to be very very tight. As the days go on I can eat, drink but wow it is snug. More so then it has been in the two years I have had it actually. I am self pay and the cost of each visit it expensive and being unemployeed is rough so I just left it tighter and hoped it would losen up in time. I guess two weeks is not long enough..lol Have any of you ever had this issue? Michele

So my lapband surgery is next Tuesday at noon! Thank God! I've been doing Protein shakes and a modified liquid/mushy diet pre-op in order to drop a bunch of weight before the surgery and its worked. Yesterday was my last dr appointment and I've lost 33 lbs. But this whole time during the day I have this knot or crampy feeling in my stomach because I'm hungary. Will that stop after surgery???? I know the level of hunger varies from person to person post-op so I guess I will just have to wait and see. I've hear lots of people say they were not hungary at all for the first month. I've also heard people say their hungar was greatly diminished. I hope this is the result I…

Well, after 5 months of "pre-op" tests, etc. I got the call today that my surgery is approved and a date is set for 3 weeks from now. Wow. That was a lot to absorb all at once but I am so happy to finally have the answer I have been hoping and praying for. I plan to stay positive and be realistic that this is not an overnight fix but a start to a new way of doing things. I plan to make new friends in this forum and be open to the experiences of those who have paved the way. I need "hugs" and prayers for my new future and I am excited to start the new chapter of my life. xoxo

I am overwhelmed with excitement, anxiety and thoughts of my upcoming surgery on May 18th. I look so forward to putting the weight behind me so that I can truly live as my authentic self. I've struggled with this weight my entire adult life and like many others here, I've yo-yo'd from 20-60lbs going up and down, and I must say it has been exhausting. I am anticipating the times where my weight is stable and I have one size in my closet, and most importantly, not ever having to try another diet fad again! The biggest struggle for me is that I've been in the fitness expert for years, I've owned and published a health and fitness magazine and I'm a certified personal traini…

So in order to really motivate myself I booked a carribean cruise with my sister for next March! My sis is having a baby in July so it is also a motivator for her as well to get the baby weight off. I get a little anxiety when I think of buying a swimsuit, which is something I haven't done in a looooong time. We will be doing many excursions including parasailing, ziplining, swimming with dolphins/stingrays, snorkeling, kayaking, etc. I want to be in shape so I can enjoy all of it and the ziplining has a weight limit so I definitely need to work my tail off in the next 10 months! I keep thinking.. I can NOT fail this time! I just have to make it happen!

Hey guys, I am a 20 year old male in the western suburbs of chicago, I have been overweight most of my life, and found out that I meet the criteria under my insurance (BCBS Care First), I found this out after I had been in a diet program for a few months, and my insurance requires 6 which I am now about to finish (Unfortunately I have only lost 10lbs). Any way I am planning on being banded, assuming everything works out, at the U of I medical center, and I am really looking forward to getting things rolling on this surgery. . .I would also love to hear from people who got banded at U of I abut their experience.

Just wanted to do a bit of an intro since she hasn't done it yet. I've known her for many years and I refer to her as "mama Lynn" because she's been a great second mom to me and alot of others. She has had the rouxen-y and not the sleeve, however she has a vast amount of knowledge about anatomy (we had to learn it from a friend of ours that was killed in a rollover car wreck) and how food affects the body. She is always willing to help and to mentor anyone, I mean that sincerely, she is one of the most giving people I've ever met in my life. She has had major major success (like Tiffykins actually!) in a short amount of time. She's been through hell with her hea…

i havent had my surgery.. i'm looking at my eating habits now to see what the potential problems... they say you can't get addicted to chocolate but i swear i am. not a physical dependency but psychological. I am not addicted to just any chocolate just hershey's plain milk chocolate (i love all chocolate but i can decline them, just not the hershey). i can't have it in moderation, i can eat a bag of hershey milk nuggets in two days . when i'm out and about, i'm good but when it's time to go home, if i know i don't have chocolate waiting for me, i feel uncomfortable. i've quit many times but always backslide when i'm stress. i notice if i had quit for a period of time, …

I am thrilled my husband has finally decided to support me on this. I am very excited and nervous. My surgery is scheduled for May 19th. I will be getting the Swedish band here in South Africa. Since, I will be living here for the next several years, I thought it would be best to have it done here. I cannot wait to get this done. My BMI is 34 and I have co morbidities. I have gained the last 20 pounds pretty rapidly and though I have been this weight before, this time I am feeling the strain of carry so much extra weight. My back is killing me, I can barely do the moves in my karate class or hold positions, my feet hurt and I cannot bare to look at myself in the mirror…

Good Morning , Tomorrow is the day . I cannot beleive it is finally here I kept thinking something is going to stop it from happening seems like every appt. had an obstacle to get through on the way . But tomorrow I will be born again into my healthier happier new life . I am very excited and yet a tiny part of me is scared . But I guess if I was straight gung ho maybe that would be crazy . But I know results are what I make of them and I plan on making all good choices and not beating myself up if they are not fast and noticable right away time is now going to be my friend not the enemy . I am proud of what I have accomplished in just the two weeks already I know 12 lbs …

Hell o everyone, I was lead here by Alex so I can share a bit of myself with you. I had my LB sugery in June of 2010 and am very happy with it so far, however, I am currently on the mend from a bit of a set back and gained 5 of the 25 pounds I initially lost. I have had 4 fills and currently think I need to get my band loosened as my lean proteins occaisionally get stuck. I started at 219, got down to 196, gained 5 and I am now getting back on track and lost 2 of the 5 so far. My challenges are that I have odd work hours which interfere with my eating schedule, still feel quite hungry after about 3 hours, getting stuck occaisionally with certain proteins and still fi…

I went for a consultation at the Barix clinics in Langhorne PA. The doctor I saw keeps pushing the gastric bypass, but I know I definately want the band. He said that they will have someone from Lap band come and put it in since that's not what he does. I want to know more about the doctor who will be doing it even if he is from Lap band. I am thinking about looking for another doctor just in case. I am waiting for a call back from the Clinic about the doctor but haven't heard anything. Does anyone have any recommendations for a doctor they used in Pa or NJ? I have started with my doctor superivised 6 month weight loss plan, and hope to be ready by the begining of…

to introduce myself.My name is Amanda and I am a GA. peach. I am 26 years old, married to the love of my life. We have one little baby girl who is 10 months old. I decided to get my life under control and think the lapband will help me suceed. I am looking for long term sucess and am up for the challenge. I would love to have people to talk to that is in the same boat as I am. I started a blog and would love for you to follow it. Also, if you have one I would love to follow yours. Just send me you URL. Here is mine. www.hopefulbandster.blogspot.com BTW, my surgery date is 5/27/11. I currently weigh 269 lbs.

My hubs and I are have been thinking about the Adjustable Gastric Banding for a while. I have been thinking about it a lot longer than him. We finally made the decision to do it together. We both have a date of June 1st. We are self pays so our surgeon was quick to get us on the schedule. I am looking forward to having some control over what we eat and working together to be a healthier couple. We both have quite a bit to lose, but hubs is in better shape than me. I can't wait to be able to walk faster to keep up with him. I have read a bit of negative blogs, but I am focused on the good. The band is only a tool and it can only work as well as I make it work. I am open t…

Hello all I just got banded on 4/8/11 and i am 5 weeks post op have NOT had a fill yet i have lost 18lbs gained like 4 back since eating real food again I am very discouraged which makes me eat bad ... I have not lost any weight since surgery that was all from my liquid diet. I also feel like i can eat way more then the 5oz of food they want you to eat now i wish i didnt even do this surgery im excercising and eating pretty healthy .. ugh Help !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, everyone! I'm brand new to this blog, and I'm wondering if anyone out there has recently gotten banded by Dr. Ortiz (in Tijuana Mexico). I've read from his website, patient testimonies and most of them sound "almost too good to be true." I mainly want to know, the cost of lap banding in Tijuana, by Dr. Ortiz. Can you also choose your own financing company, such as "CARE CREDIT?". Does anybody know? Those are the main questions I have... Thanks to you all and hope to hear from someone soon! strngbru

I have been reading on here about people who only did 3months of doctor supervised weight loss plan and got approved through Aetna. I thought it was 6months but I did see on my paperwork from my surgeon that it said 3-6 month supervised weight loss plan. Is it true that I might only have to do 3 months??? I honestly don't want to wait 6months but will if I have to. Oh please, oh please let it be true!!!!

Ok , simple and short. I have a surgery date of June7 but recently found out that a center of excellences does the lap band. The other hospital and Dr. I did shop around for that one, but now I found out cedars sanai does it. Would I be crazy to change plans at the last minute, am I the only one that have switch plans?

gastric banding

Can you ever drink diet pop again once you are completely healed? Or should it be off limits for ever?

Hi Fellow Sleevers, This is my first post. I've been reading for a couple of weeks now but now it's here. My surgery date is tomorrow. I thought I would have more trouble going clear liquid today but it wasn't too bad. Even fixed the husband lasagne for dinner. I'm being sleeved at 12pm at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital. It all came together really quick. I started classes on January 13, 2010 with Kaiser. They require 12 weeks of classes and when I started they told us the wait would be 4-6 months after our classes finished but they have contracted with Fountain Valley now and I am one of their first Kaiser patients. I am pretty nervous but reading your posts have he…

Good morning! So, it’s been over 2 weeks since I’ve actually stepped on the scale. Bad? Good? Neither, more like a huge sigh of relief. My scale has been living my life for me for the last 6 years. It has defined who I was, and it was the precursor on how I would feel that day. I go up a few pounds? Bad day and everyone around me look out! I go down a few pounds? The world is a beautiful place and everyone and everything are super duper!! Why is this? In the very beginning of my Sleeve journey (not my pre-band and not my band journey) I was only weighing in once a week. Every Wednesday I would jump on the scale and see how my week went. Pretty much e…

Hi my name is Samantha iam 33 and i am a mother of two beautiful children who are 7 and 5. I have a wonderful husband who is very supportive of my decision to have Lap Band surgery. I am booked in for surgery on the 17th of April at the Avenue Hospital in Melbourne. My surgeoun is Mr Paul Burton. I have decided that this year is my year and it's time to focus alot of my energy on myself. For so many years I have put everyone else's needs before my own, but this year iam taking control of my weight so i can truly become the person i want to be. Bye for now:tongue2:

Hi all! I'm living in South Korea for the time being. I just went to my first consultation apt. with a Dr. here in Seoul. Living in Asia, I would be completely self-pay (which is about $5K here.) I'm worried that if I fall into the very small margin of patients that have difficulties bad enough to warrant more surgery (e.g. errosion, slippage) I won't be able to afford it. Also, when I come back to the states (next year) will it be covered by a health care plan if there's complications later? I'm pretty overweight (5'5" and weigh 200lbs). The doctor here said he could band me no problem, and that my BMI is 36, and I'm carrying a little over 40 kilos of fat on my bo…

Hi was banded In October of 2010. Starting weight was 262 and i have lost 65 lbs so far. In December 2010, the wound got really infected and reopened. At first my doctor said that this happened to some people and that it was "normal". Here it is MAY 2011 and my wound is still open and STILL draining!.. I visit the doctor once a week for a silver nitrate treatment. it usually works for a day or so, then starts draining excessively. it seems like this thing will NEVER close and i am growing very impatient. I hate that no one can "close" this wound with stitches! The Silver nitrate burns like hell and seems as if its not working anyway. Does anyone know how t…

I've been doing reseach on the lapband for awhile now and I have decided that I want to go ahead and get it. However, I have no idea what is the 1st step in finding a dr. and meeting them and the whole begining process. Where do I start, and what is the 1st apt like (what to they go over/ask) I think I will probably be self pay ( well I'm hoping to find a Dr. that will repair a hiatal hernia at the same time, so that my insurance cover most of it and self pay the rest) So I don't really want to know the how to start the insurance battle part of things, just the other 1st steps lol

Hello Everyone, I am new here.... My Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery was Wednesday,May 4, 2011 in Stratford, NJ performed by Dr. Luis Balsama. On Wednesday morning while going to the hospital it began to rain and I remember thinking how awesome because for me the rain symbolized washing away the old and allowing the new to come and be nourished. Anyhow as I entered the Admission office in the hospital the woman registering confided in me that she had a the gastric by pass weight loss surgery performed about three years ago and it was the best decision she had ever made in her life. I felt a little more encouraged although 2 different procedures that i was moving in the rig…

I was banded on 03/14/11 and had my first fill on 05/02/11. I have lost about 50 lbs. But I feel like I have no restriction and I am able to eat more than I should. I have tried to eat the right foods and portion sizes, but it is getting harder. I go back on 06/03/11 to see Dr. Should I go ahead and schedule a fill at that time?

Hi there - in desperation i have googled this forum...that says it all! I would like some advise as to whether i qualify or not for this procedure. I am 45 years old, 1.64 cm tall, weigh 80 kg with a bmi of 29,7. The factor that has made me look at this option is the way in which my 20 or so kg 's is affecting my life and has affected it for the past 20 years. I am severely affected in the form of depression, mood swings, lack of self worth - all leading to me not wanting to socialise or go out. I have tried everything on the market, have success but then revert to my emotional eating as soon as I am stressed. The times i have reached goal (twice) , I can say are t…

I HAD MY BLAP BAND DONE MARCH 29TH 2011..... I AM AT MY 6 WEEK MARK TODAY AND I'M DOWN 13-15 LBS ALL TOGETHER 9 LBS SINCE SURGERY. I DON'T SEE IT BUT EVERYONE ELSE SAYS THAT THEY CAN. I AM GETTING INTO SOME OLD CLOTHES THOUGH. I WAS WEARING A SIZE 24 AND NOW I CAN GET INTO SOME OF MY 20S. SO I GUESS I'M LOSING INCHES. I GET MY 1ST FILL TOMORROW. I HOPE I GET MORE RESTRICTION AND BETTER RESULTS.... BUT I MUST SAY I HAVE NOT BEEN WALKING LIKE I'M SUPPOSE TO. BUT NOW THAT I AM OFF MY RESTRICTIONS I WILL START PLAYING VOLLEYBALL AND SOFTBALL AGAIN HOPEFULLY THAT WILL HELP. WHERE WERE YOU AT 6 WEEKS POST OP?

I need to get a letter of necessity from my Dr. Can I write it and have him sign it or does he have to do it? I have Tricare Prime and i just wondered if it would be easier if I wrote it and he approved it.. Suggestions or thoughts????

Hey everyone! I am one week post-op with the Lap-Band and feeling great. Total loss since April 25th is 16 pounds as of today. I've been exercising every day and am healing up well. I want real food so badly today - suppose that's normal. Would love to hear from you all.

So now my general isn't signing off on my surgery. He is concerned about my Blood Pressure. I have an appointment to see him tomorrow. I have been taking all my meds, but I don't think my BP is where he would want it yet. I was able to get my BP down over the summer using a drug called Exforge but my insurance dropped it from it's formulary. Now I am on the 3 drugs that made up Exforge and hoping my BP drops enough so that he will sign me off tomorrow for my surgery on May 13th. If he doesn't, then it is going to be a another few weeks or so as I work on bringing my BP down to a level that he will be happy with. UGH!!! Wish me luck.

Hi there! This is my first time on the forum, though I have seen it before. I was banded on 1/26/09 -- best choice I ever made (apart from my babies, of course!) To date I have lost 93 lbs, I began this journey at 245 and today weigh in at 152. Happy to be here! Melissa

Hello to all -- I am new to these forums but not new to the discussion forum process. I am in the run up stages for lap band surgery and a little nervous but am following the rules as I kow them so far..... the funniest one to me is the need to lose weight before the surgery.. if it was that easy I would not need the surgery, but so far have dropped about 15 lbs in about 2 weeks so I am on my way...... look forward to chatting

Hey everyone, Im new here and have joined because I am about to be sleeved! I am booked for the operation this friday the 13th of May at the london independant hospital Mr Mannur is my sergion. My Mum was sleeve by him 2 weeks ago so we are in it together which will be a big support im sure. I am feeling very excited about starting a new life but i am also nurvous about the big changes I will have to make! I have joined today for support and to find out how everyone else has found the experiance. I look forward to getting to know you all! x x x x x x x x

This is my very first post! Browsing through the topics, I saw something about insurance denials. It's gotten me a little worried! I am about 5 pounds away from having a BMI of 40. I have no comorbidities other than mild asthma. I'm not sure if age or sex is much of a factor for insurances, but I am a 23 year old female. I have Empire, New York State Government plan. In all of your experience, do you think I'm in the clear? I'd hate to think I made all these appointments and mental preperations to be denied Lap-Band surgery coverage. I know that the minimum BMI with 2 comorbidities has changed to 30. Does that mean that the minimum BMI for someone that doesn't have co…

I have completed all my requirements, now just waiting on approval from BCBS of Alabama. For 2 weeks I waited patiently and after 2 weeks and 3 days I began to worry. I called BCBS and they had not received anything from my surgeon's office. Ends up the day it was faxed, BCBS, had fax troubles. So, it was resubmitted on 4/14 and the wait continues! I call BCBS and I'm told, "It's still under review. It can take up to 30 days in review." And I was also told after calling several days, "Ma'am, most people call about once a week." Well, she obviously hasn't wanted anything as bad as I want this lapband! Getting a little down and out now, wondering if I will be approved…

Hi everyone...just getting started on this forum. I went to my lap band meeting saturday with the surgeon and I started my 6 month approval diet for insurance. I am excited and so ready for this. Good luck to all the newbies and congrats on all that have already been banded.