Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I had my lap band almost 2 years ago. Start weight was 320 I weigh about 156 now. Definitely the hardest best thing I have ever done. Dr. Bobby did my surgery. He practices out of Palm Springs, California. I joined because I just found out I am having a baby and am very nervous and excited. This is my first and I never thought I would conceive...

So my scheduled date is 4/25. I have GHI/Empire BCBS I am actually having the surgery where I work. So i called the finance person today, and she told me she submitted the paperwork, just waiting to hear back from them. I have been doing the 6 months medically supervised visits, have done most of my pre-op testing. And it dawned on me...what if they deny me. I know my mom would be ecstatic b/c she doesn't want me to do it. But I have been mentally psyching myself up to do this and i am READY. I am 33 y/o, starting weight of 343lbs now at about 318lbs, I have GERD, moderate to high cholesterol and joint pain, but no serious medical complications ( diabetes, etc) …

Hi Everyone, I'm Rebekah and I hate discussion boards. But, I figure this is a huge journey I'm undertaking and it might be nice to have some support along the way from people who have been there. I had my lap-band placed yesterday, March 25th. Today, I'm sore and still very bloated from the surgery gases. So far I've only had Water and a Carnation Instant Breakfast. Doc says I can eat anything I can get through a straw. I'm thinking...hmm, where do I buy jumbo sized straws? Seriously, though, I'm going to do this right. No sense in going through all thispain and trauma only to cheat the system. I'm a little timid about drinking my food the next 2 weeks.…

Hi everyone, I'm 3 days post-op and still very bloated and gassy. It hurts to drink liquids (in my chest) and I am burping constantly. I feel like I'm about 6 months pregant - my stomach is so full of air. Any suggestions?

Hi im Looby, The story so far! I like many of the other people on here have been overweight or at least struggled with weight problems all their lives. There is so much I want to say but in reality all that matters i suppose is that im overweight to the degree that my BMI is now 52 I feel really ashamed about that and keep asking myself why I let myslef get in such a state? I have the best GP who despite the NHS standard 5 minute appointment times has always had time to sit and talk to me. I have suffered from depression for the last 10+ years and he has been there for me. When I approached him after having a particularlly bad few weeks, and asked him to refer me for Bari…

i just had the sleeve surgery done less then a week ago, i was at 428.5 lbs on dec 1, now im at 384, and im looking forward to the big changes ahead, a little nervous on what to excpect with eating, and depression. intrested to know what is a typical 6 month loss and also 1 year weight loss.

Am I the only person who feels nervous. Hopefully tomorrow I will get my surgery date. I feel like I wont be able to eat again. I think my heart is ready but my brain says otherwise. Any advice?

I tried posting this a few times earlier but kept getting a error, so Ill try this again. Hello everyone, my names Ashley I'm 25 and I'm from Michigan (sheesh sounds like corny dating site intro lol) and going threw the process of having VSG. Ive had a few bumps in the road, had some problems with getting a referral from my original PCP, found a different one and finally got a referral... woohoo! I have my first consultation with Dr.Hendricks at Henry Ford Wyandotte on April 14th, I'm excited and nervous as hell at the same time lol I just wish it be here already! I already went and seen the dietitian (you have too see her before you can have a consultation) l…

It's been a rough road but I'm almost at the beginning. I originally wanted to get a band procedure done but changed my mind. Last March (2010) I attended my first seminar at Scottsdale Bariatric Center in Arizona with 120 lbs to lose. After going through all of the psych eval.'s, nutritionist, exercize guru, 1st appt with nurse, my insurance denied me - No co-morbidities and no 6 mo diet plan (I had called and asked about this before all the hoops I jumped through, really I did. Scottsdale and I were both told I didn't need the 6 mo diet. Guess they changed their mind when they realized I really wanted to go through with it). Nonetheless, summer came on and the kids got …

Hi Guys.... Im back, got sleeved on thursday, got out the hospital on friday and took the weekend relax and spend QT with my family!!!

My surgery is scheduled for 7:30 AM tomorrow morning. Really scared, wondering if I'm making a huge mistake!! Received lots of good wishes at work today (which helped a little) and my family is super supportive. I want to say thanks to all the VST members and their support over the last few weeks too -- answering my posts have calmed my nerves too. See you all on the "loser side".

I am so excited that my pre-certification packet has been submitted! I have heard that others with my insurance have had great luck with approvals, so I feel very hopeful. We had to submit a scheduled date to the insurance company on the Pre-Cert. SOOOO, I am scheduled for March 28, 2011!! I am SO incredibly excited and ready to start this journey. I have been SO impressed with Dr. Travis Goodnight and his staff and cannot say enough good things about them. They have been SO patient with me and my 10 million questions. I have LOVED reading all of your stories and I cannot wait to share my own. I look forward to getting to know all of you better and going through…

G'Day All Well as the title says I'm a bandster had my first band put in back in 1999 and it worked a dream and I losts over 350 pounds with it but it started failing a few years ago and I was slowly gaining weight, well April 2010 had the band replaced due to several medical problems the major was a hiatal hernia which had damaged my bands placement which caused me many medical issues from that well after multiple adjustments that are not cheap on this new band I have decided to get the sleeve done. Pre band I was 567 pounds in 1999 my lowest weight with the band was in November 2003 before wedding I stood on the Dr's scales at 197 pounds but now back at 410 and so …

Hi, I am new to the site. I have decided that the band is the choice for me and now that I have, I was told I have to go through a six month doctor supervised diet before they will give me a consultation. I was sent a check list. I wanted to know if anyone else had to go through this wait and about how long on average. I am excited but wish I didn't have to stay in my fat suit for another six months or more. I was diagnosed with PCOS and it has been difficult to lose the post baby weight from the last child. I have tried everything and met once with a dietician, la weight loss, nutrisystem, jenny craig, working out 2hrs day, and protein shakes. Everytime I attempt to lo…

I am a new member, obviously, and I was banded on 3/17/11. And I have GAINED 3lbs!!!! I spoke with my Doctor and he said not to worry that is probably Water weight and some swelling from surgery. My surgery was a little more involved since I also had a hiatal hernia repair which was not anticipated. My Doctor also told me that since my band has no saline I should not worry about a great weight loss and just focus on healing drinking water, maintaining a 1000-1200 calorie diet and EXERCISE!!!!! But, still, I worry, does this sound reasonable? Any advice, suggestions, ideas????? Thank you!!

VSG February 15,2011 at UCD by Dr. M. Ali Weighed 256 lb before surgery and lost 25 pounds in the first month but now slowed down and no wt loss this week. :-( I retun to Kenya April 11, 2011 where I live and work with women and children that have HIV/AIDS.

Hi, I was banded this past Wednesday and have some questions about pain. Wondering if normal? 1. I still have some pain when I breath deeply..Normal 6 days out? 2. I also have waves of pain after drinking sometimes and randomly through the day. Like I ate two big a piece of food or gulped air wrong. Is this normal 3. Pain on right side like a stich in my side after running..also radiates around...normal 6 days out. Is this gas/ Thanks to whoever has a moment to chat!

Hello everyone, I am scheduled to have surgery with Dr. Kelly on April 14...I am so excited.. Are there any others that are going to have surgery on or around that date?? Also how is Dr. Kelly? Everything I have read said he is wonderful. Any feedback would be appreciated...

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME AFTER BEING 2 MONTHS POST OP THAT I ATE SOMETHING THAT WASN'T RIGHT! I AM TRYING NOT TO BEAT MYSELF UP BUT CAN'T HELP THAT IT TASTE GOOD AND I REFUSE TO GO BACK TO OLD HABITS! WELL AT LEAST I DIDN'T EAT THE CHICKEN AND JUST PINCED OFF SOME OF THE SKIN.

Well I've been stalling the last couple of weeks, and was a little dissappointed to have missed my march 5th goal, by a whopping 7lb! However upped my Protein again, and today I finally got to onderland, and even if I sound a little self absorbed, it feels sooo good, and I am a little proud of self for getting there. Next Mini goal is 195lb, which is simply "overweight", well I never thought I'd be so excited by the prospect of being overweight, but it sounds so much better than being clinicaly obese, and on the road to morbidly obese, which is where I was until 5th January. I LOVE MY SLEEVE!!!!!!!!

Hi, new to the boards. Been lurking some. Got my insurance approval last week and am now waiting for Dr Kim's scheduler to call me to get things rolling. I have a sleep study scheduled for 4/8 but that's it so far. Currently I'm at about 367 pounds and am 5'11". I am 41 years old. Ideally I'd like to lose around 200 pounds. My story is the same as alot of you. I've always struggled with weight, have had some success in the past with diet and exercise, but always end up regaining everything and then some. I always thought I'd be one of the 5% who take it off and keep it off forever. It's only taken me 20 years to realize that I'm not one of the 5% and it's ti…

My SGV was Feb. 15, 2011 and I lost 25 pounds the first month and then have stopped I continue to loose inches but discouraged about my weight loss ... has this happened to others?

I'm 38 years old, single mom of 2 (17 year old son, and 20 month old daughter). I was recently diagnosed with Sleep Apnea (severe obstructive, 81 AHI incidents per hour!) and a few days ago I just found out I had high blood pressure. My BMi is currently 45 and I requested a referral for weight loss surgery from my PCP. She did say i was eligible and told me I will be receiving a call for a consultation and will have to attend a weight loss surgery overview class. I usually to the San Jose offices, but I understand surgery is only done in SF and Fremont. A friend of mine told me the Fremont location had a long waiting list vs SF. I'm interested in more the lap band. Is any…

I am 7 days post -op and feeling awesome!!!! Only one glitch today. I am having no issues at all. Except I forget to eat, never thought I'd hear myself say that. No hunger at all. Clothes are getting looser. This is everything I hoped it would be. I went back to work today. Energy level is high. Felt great. Didn't get much done though, lol. Everyone had to stop by and see how I was doing and wanted to hear all the details. No one could believe how good I felt. People are already noticing the weight loss in my face. I have some awesome co-workers. Except for one Cranky Old Bat!!! One of our overweight girls came in to talk to me, she really wants to do this and we…

I finished my pre-op appts except for the pre-op for the doc. Now I just wait for my surgery. Whooppee. Can't stand it. I want it NOW!!!

Hello - my name is Kami and I've been reading here for about 3 months but haven't really posted yet, so I figured I'd come in here and introduce myself. I'm in the pre-op process of trying to get insurance approval right now. Even with the insurance, I'll be paying around $5000, so part of me just wants to head to Mexico and be done with it! But, I've already done my first weigh-in. Two more and I can get approved and get sleeved. If I stay here and do it in the US, my doctor will be Dr. Shuster at Banner Gateway (anyone else have him as their surgeon?). If I get super impatient and head to Mexico, I'd probably go to TJ because Dr. Aceves is unfortunately out of …

I was sleeved 3 weeks ago, and I told everyone that I was doing it. My family, friends, coworkers, landlord, etc. I figured it would be best to just get it out there and then I wouldn't have to explain to people why I was losing weight, eating weird, etc. If people asked, I told them. However, I'm kind of starting to regret it. My landlord called to check up on me a couple days ago and said, "So, I bet you look really different by now. You've probably lost a ton of weight already." I told him, that no, since it had only been two and half weeks since surgery, you really couldn't notice a difference yet. I've also noticed people at work trying to check me out on the…

Hello Banders! I'm new to this fourm and looking for any people on here in the DFW Metroplex that have been banded by True Results or any other doctors in the area.

Hi I am new to the website. I was just banded March 23rd. Still recovering. The recovery is harder than I was expecting. Hanging in there.

Hello my fellow Bandmates, I am so excited, nervous and slightly apprehensive at this time because this is a new chapter that is about to begin in my life. I have never taken a risk my whole life that would essentially change me from the inside out. I am excited because finally I get the chance to become healthy while losing weight. I am nervous because I am scared of surgery in general and the risk associated with it. I also feel a little apprehensive because this is a significant life change and I wonder will I be successful. I went to a support group last week and many said that this is hard work, but they all felt motivated to get healthy. It also encouraged me be…

Hi all I'm new to this site and new to this Lap world I am starting on my journey I am going into my 2 month of 6 for my lap band pre surgery I was scared but very excited I cant wait for the new me I am 29 be 30 this may and I cant wait does anyone have any tips for me who been there done this part what do I have waiting for me ??? Let me know all

Okay the surgery wasn't bad at all. However, this post op. diet is killing me. I guess I will keep going and make sure I hear properly before I try to eat normal. This journey is a lot of work. The tool is just that a "tool".

Thought I had made the decision to get a lap band. I'd talked with my insurance company, and since I've had multiple issues related to my immune system they encouraged me to look long and hard because even laparoscopic surgeries can be traumatic ( I know... I've had 15). I'm glad I waited! This is going to sound like a cheesy ad, but I'm just offering an alternative before proceeding with banding/bypass... to make sure you really have to do it. Having tried Atkins, Weight Watchers, Perricone, Palm Beach, yada yada yada... I was NOT interested in having to weigh and measure everything and micro-manage my eating. After all, it was food --- not my life. A means to …

I've been to the seminar, consultation, and first doctors visit. My insurance requires three months of visits. I was wondering when I should start my pre-op diet. I have my second visit on April 13th. That will make it 1 month out of 3 down. I'm anxious, happy, angry all rolled in one.

Hi! I'm Missy, aka MissyCat, from StL County, Missouri! I was banded 3/14/2011 and still getting used to it... Im finally able to enjoy my first cuppa coffee in more than a week! I'm still learning more about the band, and hoping to get a lot of info from you all!

Hi all! I've been lurking around the boards for a couple of months now and thought I'd post. I went for the intitial consult on 1/4/2011 and after all the evals & stuff, scheduled to have surgery on 4/13/2011. Because of my insurance, I have to use a Ctr. of Excellence and its Dr. Keshishian doing the surgery. I don't have to do any pre-op diet or anything other than 2 days before a liquid diet and Clear liquids the day before with the clean out drink as well. I'm considering starting a liquid diet 2 weeks prior to get myself ready and be used to it by the 13th. I have purchased a bunch of Protein samples to try and I'm looking forward to starting this journ…

Hi everyone Getting banded on the sixth of April 2011 Live in the uk and am 47 years of age Mum of three young teen and carer to husband Nerves starting to set in after getting surgery date Any advice greatly appreciated

Hello everyone. I am one week out Post Surgery and seem to be doing alright so far. The surgery was more painful than I thought going into it, but I am back to work and not having to take any pain meds at this point. I am so happy to have found this site and look forward to meeting new friends as we make this journey together. I have already found the site very helpful in learning things I can expect in the future and look forward to learning more. My pre surgery diet was three slimfast shakes and 2 cups steamed vegetables per day. I have to say that really sucked, but I made it through only cheating twice. I find myself missing food already and do not find the liquid die…

hi i am new member of lap band talk this is nice site to talk Latin amirica.

Hi Iam at the beginning of this journey and have gone back and forth on the Sleeve vs the R and Y. Have decided on the Sleeve and am only 3 lbs away from being approved for the procedure. Any advice would be help or encouragement as am going thru this journey alone and do not know what to expect but am very excited. Thank you for all your comments and advice

Hi! I have decided to get the Lap Band, but I am self pay because of an insurance exclusion . I am still in the surgeon hunting stage. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am considering Dr. Terry Scarborough or Dr. Ken Hollis. I am sooo nervous but excited at the same time. I am so tired of being alive but not living! Hopefully I'll be one of the "banded" in April.

Was banded on 3/22. Still in some pain, but not as much. Each day getting better. I was able to move up to full liquid diet, but really don't have much of an appetite. Fluids are hard to get in too. Glad to be on this site learning from everyone! Good luck to all!

Hi, am new here and I have a scheduled surgery for July 5th.. I'm in Conroe Tx and Dr. Richard Wikenfeld from The Woodlands in Texas is doing my surgery. My insurance does not cover this procedure. I will be paying cash for this.. I'm nervous and excited. I will keep you posted and will be reading the post here, They are very helpful..

My name is Lilu I am 40 years old. In June 2010 I was reading a magazine talking how weight loss surgery could help me with my diabetes. In Oct 2010 I finally decided to talk to a weight lost surgeon and he suggest that I have the sleeve done. The reason I took these steps was because no matter what i did to control my diabetes it was still high and out of control. I start to have bad effects in my eyes and my feet. I also noticed that i had high blood pressure and was unable to exercise like i wanted too. So I have one more clearence appt. and have been trying to prepare myself for this life change I have had some set back in the prep.Due to part of my health has worse…

Hello! I am Tia from Richmond, VA. I have been considering this surgery for about 9 months. I got serious about the possibility in November when I realized my insurance would cover the procedure. I have jumped through all the hoops and received final approval. My surgery is 23 days away and I can't believe I am actually getting the opportunity to do this. I am so excited about what's ahead. I have been reading other people's stories both the good and the bad and I still feel like the benefits outweigh the risks. Like most people on this site, I've been overweight my whole life...my earliest recollection was when an evil twin (she literally had a twin sister who was as s…

I just wanted to thank everyone that has ever posted anything on this forum. In the past months, I have read them ALL and they have encouraged me and supported me very much with my decision. Today I am on my 2nd day post op –my op was March 24—and I feel well. Nausea, sleepy, stomach so tight went by as expected because you all shared your experiences so when I experienced it, I did not worry as much. THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING… I cant wait to pay it forward and share my experience too. But right now I am very sleepy. I just couldn’t not register and post this for everyone. Dea.

I am looking to talk with others in their 50's that either are trying to be banded or already have the band. I am a 54 year old lady in Houston Texas. I am a self pay and just trying to get cardiologist approval at this time. I would like to hear back from others in this age group. If you are in Texas even better!!! Thanks

Hi, I have been involved in the bariatric program at CMC (Manchester, NH) since last July, when I went to the infosession. Thought about it for a couple of months and then started in October. My insurance switched in January, and my new insurance (Cigna) requires 7 months in the program before surgery. I have done everything they asked - even lost 35 lbs. when they asked me to lose 23. I am really so ready. I will see the surgeon in mid-April, and then its just scheduling the surgery. My family all knows now, as well as friends. All supportive or neutral. I can lose weight ok, but not keep it off long-term. I am 59 and want to be around to see my (unborn as of now) grandc…

Well as i read the blogs, the more excited i get, its been a roller coaster ride for me, one day im nervous, next day im scared and now im excited. I have been overweight all my life, never thought i would do anything like this. I was always against it, but after a follow up vist with my diabetes specialist last september, i was told im only getting worst and there was nothing i could do, no matter how much i tried i would get worst, so i turned to the sleeve, and its been a process . Luckly for me im doing it with my sister, which happens to be one of my best friend too so we will be supporting each other, i dont think i could do it without her. So March 21 is the big …

I am so angry, and want to know if I am justified or just over reacting. I have chosen to tell my family and closest friends about my vsg surgery. However I did NOT want my in laws to know about it. I have my reasons and in all honesty it's not about the surgery itself, it's more about the money my husband and I are going to be spending on it. My in laws often put their noses where they don't belong,especially when it comes to money. They often call my husband for little chats about "OUR" money and make sure I am not invited to these meetings which makes me furious. Well one of those little meetings was called the other day and of course I was not told about it till aft…