Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi, I am new here. I have arthritis of the hip and am too young for surgery. I have been seriously considering being banded to help control my weight, therefore removing pressure from the joints. I am wondering if anybody has found that losing the weight has helped them with arthritis pain. I am 46 and weigh around 85 kilos. I am already in contact with a clinic, and might possibly be done middle of April. Thanks xxx

Yesterday I scheduled my surgery! I'm very excited! I start my all liquid diet on Sunday (to help reduce the size of my liver) and I'm slightly anxious about that. I fear that I will be so hungry!!! I can have one meal a day but 2 cups of veggies and a 5oz. piece of meat (chicken, fish, etc.) My boyfriend volunteered to participate in the diet with me up until 6 wks post op. I don't think he will be able to do it for that long but I'm very grateful that I have his support! I hope that you guys are having just as good of a day as I'm having Candace

I was sleeved on Mar. 2, 2011, by Dr. Zorn in San Diego, CA. It went fairly well. I needed very little pain medication. At the time of the surgery I weighed 238.6 lbs. Now I'm at 223.5 lbs. and I've hit a plateau. I've stayed there since day 12 (today is day 16). That is when I started soft/pureed foods (cottage cheese, yogurt...). I've been under 500 calories each day which includes my protein drink. I am up to walking 2 miles a day and have my mile down to 33 min. My goal is to walk the mile in 30 min. I walk 1 mile 2 times everyday. I'm getting a little worried. I don't want to continue to go through this plateau forever!! Help!!!!!!!!!

I have been determined to get a lap band but lately have been reading articles that say gastric bypass is better. Now that my surgery date is set, I am wavering. Should I ask my surgeon to do the bypass? I have about 100 lbs to lose and I am doing this to help with many comorbidities I have. I do not know how to decide. I know there are more risks with the bypass but maybe I should just go for it? Any thoughts out there? Thanks in advance

I'm out of recovery and have been in my room for 2.5 hrs. Doing good. Some soreness but no nausea or dizziness. Actually feels better to get up and walk. Ice chips never tasted so good. Might leave tomorrow since I am doing good. Oh yeah, fhey repaired a umbilical hernia that I didn't know I had. Talk to you later when I get home. Going to take a nap.....

I am doing okay...came home from the hospital today. Had lots of nausea yesterday which kept me feeling pretty lousy and I had to stay until I got that under control. I have been home since 1230 and nausea has subsided. I have considerable pain on my left side where the largest incision is where they remove the stomach. I am eating Clear liquids...jello goes down easy and room temperature Water. I have no hunger pain! I fell my stomach rumbling but without the hunger feeling. I am looking forward to a good nights rest in my own bed. The gas-x strips were a life saver...I never even asked the doctor if I could take them...just went ahead and started taking them and felt so…

hi everyone im new i just got my surgery done last fri 3-11-2011 tomor will be one week i have no more pain but i feel so weak any suggestions?

I've just made the appointment to see my Primary Care Dr to ask for a referral. So nervous to be taking this first step. Any pointers would be appreciated. I have my records since 2001. Thanks for the help.

I'm really exited about my surgery well been on liquids for two days ,

Well here I am on day two still trying to get the gas out. Not doing to bad as long as I take pain meds regularly. Not getting enough fluids but slowly getting that up to where I should be in the next couple of days.Yesterday after I got home I got a severe case of hic-ups. Has anyone else experienced this. The Dr. did fix a hiatal hernia when he was in there.

My name is Molly. I have hit 253 lbs and decided it is time to do something about it. I am scheduled for VSG on March 28th. I was asked to do a PreOP diet and it is not going well. I originally wanted to do the Gastric Plication but changed my mind today. Is it really going to matter if I mess up my pre Op diet? I have no health issues besides being overweight. I am really nervous and excited at the same time. I have not been thin since i was in Jr High. Now I am at my heaviest weight ever. I have done every diet on the planet, I lose weight and then gain it all back plus more.

Hello! I am Amber i am 24, and 236 at the doctors office. (depends on the day) my Bmi is 38. When i talked to blue cross they said i had to have the 6 month or be 50 bmi. So question i have is what happens if you lose a bunch of weight on your doctors diet, will you be disqualified from the surgery? That would break my heart. 5 months in and have them be like well sorry Amber you did so good you don't need it now! (i know it sounds twisted) What sort of questions should i ask my doctor, how should i bring it up to her? She is like a size 0. I see her on Monday. How did u all talk to your doctors? Also note i am on blood thinners, though i read that won't be an issue. An…

I have seen a Dr. for the lap band and have talked to the nutritionist, waiting on my phych eval and my 3 month waiting period to be over so I can have the surgury. worried about how I will feel after, and how hard the liquid diet will be the first two weeks before surgury. hopefully you all can calm my fears.

I was banded a few months ago. Am loving the weight loss -- 33 pounds post surgery! I still am not "restricted" after 3 fills, but I think its getting closer. Have gotten "stuck" a few times though. Next fill is next week -- right before vacation! I hope that's a good move!!!

Hello all. I'm Spanner (not a spammer) and I had my VS on 3/8/2011 and so far so good. I spent one night in the hospital and had my drain removed prior to discharge (no pun). I'm surviving and sponging up all the information I can about all the things that others had to go through after this procedure. At this point I've had no complications and a very positive experience with my doctor and hospital. Spanner

Hello All! I am new to online blogging and things of this nature, but I feel that this website has so much information and can be so helpful as I go through this process. I have my first consult with the doctor on March 28. I am a little nervous, but I truly feel like this is going to be a great thing for me. From what I am reading this is a tool that helps you but you still have to do alot of work on your own and that is what I need. I am nervous about the process but I think that is completely normal. I look forward to chatting wiht you all. LaToya

Hi everyone. I just had my surgery on mon, this is thur. So I'm still in recovery mode. Sore & slow. I'm 52 & seems I don't snap back as well as I did 14 yrs ago with my last surgery. But, I'm improving more each day. Just here for info & see how others have coped with all the changes.

I am in the middle of the process of getting my insurance approved. I got my first denial last week I have about 85 lbs to lose and my BMI is 35. I was tested for sleep apnea but did not have a "bad enough" case in order to get it to apply. My doc said that once I'm in his care for 3 months under weight loss supervision they will resubmit my claim. Has anyone else had any success after a denial? I have Atena insurance on the HDHP plan. I'd love to know if it has worked out for anyone.

I had my Lap Band on 12/29, 12 weeks ago. I lost 12 pounds in the 6-8 weeks pre op, and 17 pounds in the first 6 weeks. I had a lot of trouble in the first week with nausea, reflux symptoms, the combination of removing all the Fluid from my band at 8 d post op, and starting daily omeprazole I started feeling better within the next week. Unfortunately the removal of that 3cc of fluid from the band caused me to feel hungry again. So, basically I have been having to work at my dieting as much as before surgery. I just saw my Doctor today for my second fill and I hope that my stomach volume gets in check. I also do not like where my port is, it is right at my waist l…

My name is crystal and I'm 22 years old.I weiqh 256 riqht now and I'm 5'6.this will be my second surqery in my life.I have 2 kids and my weiqht seems likes it never qonna qo anywhere.I been biq since I was 12 years old.I feel so lonely in my life.Please Lemme Kno What Yu Think

Hello all, I went in for my surgical consult on Thur 3/10 and my doctor seem to be pushing the Gastric Bypass more than the band. I am more inclined to go with the band. The idea of having my insides switched around and cut away is very frightening to me. I want to lose 100 pounds and he kept saying that for that amount I should go with the Gastric and not the band. Has anyone else had their doctor push for this? Did you go with the band and get the results you wanted? I just cant wrap my head around having the Gastric it seems so drastic and end of the line kind of thing.

I have tried every weight loss method, diet, plan, doctor....anything to lose weight. I am a 32 year old female and I have been over 200 lbs since middle school. I have been banded for 2 weeks and am patiently waiting on my first fill (my doctor won't fill for the first 4 weeks for healing). I am hungry, but I can already see the tremendous difference in my ability to discern the right portion sizes. I am calorie counting so that I don't over eat with an unfilled band. I welcome any suggestions for the future, any success stories, any information at all!

http://www.realizebandsupport.com/ I saw that they started a "sister site" with Realize band individuals. I know there are both on this site but I thought i'd pass this along..you can use your same log in information from LapBandTalk to log into this site too. There aren't a lot of people on it, but I thought maybe those of you who are Realize bandsters would want to check it out.

Hello! I am new to the forum and I am so glad that I can talk with others who are making this incredible journey! I had my surgery on October 10, 2010, and I have lost 50 pounds. My weight the day of surgery was 230 and I now weigh 179. I'm still a work in progress!!

I had my Lap-band surgery on November 18, 2011 and I really feel so much better. My problem is when I get a fill (I've had 3 now). I don't feel any different and really only feel a slight restriction for about a week. I'm thinking that should be different. I don't know if I'm not telling my doctor something right so I'm not getting enough. I really don't know how I'm supposed to feel while he is giving me the fill. Are there any signs that I should feel to make me know what to tell the doctor so I'm sure I'm getting a good fill. I'm scheduled for an appointment on 3/21/2011 and know that I will be getting a fill as I have no restrictions now and can pretty much eat…

My name is Charli, I'm 32 and I joined this community in November 2010, but never really became involved. So, this will be my belated first post/introduction. I had Lap-Band surgery on March 7, 2011. I'm healing nicely and generally don't have much pain. My one biggest problem has been the post-op diet, but I'm managing. My room mate has been encouraging me to become active on the site to find community and support from people who've been on this path, since she can only help so much having never been in my shoes. Certainly I have a local support group, but as I'm also painfully shy, it's much easier for me to open up and connect online. So, there's that. Don't re…

Well here I am making my first postop post and it is around 2am. I have a morphine pcs pump so I am sleeping intermittently based on how many times I press the button. I have to say the pain is mainly on my left side at the port site where the Srimach was removed. The pain isn't too bad at all. I have been nauseous off and on but no vomiting thank the lord. I am using alcohol swabs under my nose for the nausea on between my doses of zofran which is every 6 hours. Ice chips only since surgery and they go down easily. I have the reds hose and scd boots going on and oxygen via nasal cannula. My roommate had the sleeve also and everything OS the same for her including…

Hello Everyone. I'm new to this site and am very eager to learn from you all the pros and cons of the lap band surgery. I am seriously considering this procedure, due to both my doctor and my insurance health coach advising me to do it. I need to lose about 100 pounds; and no matter what else I've tried, it seems impossible. I am experiencing a laundry list of various health problems; and my insurance coach seems to think most all of the problems can be resolved if I just get the weight off. The thought of having this surgery done is very frightening. Therefore, I am wanting to learn everything I can prior to having it done (if I do). I thank you guys ahead of…

Hello, I am new just getting started , so far I have been to my Seminar choose a surgeon, just started my 6 month supervised diet. I am so excited. I am on medicare so I hope it will go smoothly.

Hi. I was officially "Banded" as of 3-7-11. I am 8 days old as I like to think of it. Like a newborn, I'm still trying to find my way in this big new world. For those of you considering banding.... just do it! I know it's scary but what do you have to lose but weight! I'm so excited right now to get through my recovery period so that I can really concentrate on my weight loss journey. If you are well on your way with your journey and have any pointers or such for me I welcome your wisdom. I am 34/F/TX. Topped the scale at 251 on my 5'6" frame last summer. Lost down to 220 by myself counting calories and exercising but found that it consumed my every waking m…

Tomorrow I go in to schedule my sleeve. My insurance was approved and I'm ready to go! I'm slightly scared and excited. I'm just ready for a wonderful new beginning. Wish me luck, Candace

Hi my name is Kelly and I am 26. I live in Simi Valley and will be getting banded by Dr. Billy next month. Anyone else? Anyone live near me?

Hello everyone. I am scheduled to have my surgery on the 23rd of this month. YIKES..that is next week! Getting a little nervous, and excited too. I am glad to be here and learn from others about this awesome journey we are on.

Hello everyone! I have been lurking the forums for the past several months and recently have joined. Yesterday I had to visit the surgeon for the 6th time as a requirment of my insurance and now sit and wait. I have no idea how long this can take, but given the amount of time I have put into this at this point, whats a few more weeks. I began this journey back in June 2010. For the first couple months after meeting with the surgeon, I did some more research and finally decided this is what I want to do. I began all the various testing in September and now have come to the end with everything now submitted to the insurance company. I cannot see any reason it would …

I JUST STARTED MY LIQUID DIET TODAY. IM SCHEDULED TO GO IN ON THE 25TH OF MARCH. A LITTLE NERVOUS BUT TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW. ANY POINTERS THAT I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE I GO IN. ANYBODY.

Hello, everyone. My name is Diane, I am a relative newbie to this site, just found it the end of January and been reading your posts ever since. I guess you could consider me a senior sleever as I am 56 years old or maybe I should say 56 years young. LOLS! I was the chubbiest baby of all my siblings and remained very chubby most of my childhood. Even though I was very active in sports, and I loved swimming I was just always a very chubby child. I have lost significant amounts of weight many, many times thoughout my life but just manage to put it back on plus more to boot. But the weight has finally gotten the better of me I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis which…

Hello All--- I thought I would start a You Tube Video blog to show my progress. I tried doing a blog on myblogspot.com but just couldn't keep up with it. I would appreciate your support and would love for you all to follow my adventure on You Tube. Below are the links. My introduction was long and took two videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cvskeoFbVU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMGsqXV3BsM Thanks for all your support! Kara

Hi everyone! I am new here, hopefully I am posting correctly. I had the sleeve surgery done on March 1, 2011. I just wanted to introduce myself to everyone, can't wait to get to know everyone and chat! I have so many questions, I don't know where to begin! I am going to read up on what I can and learn more about everyone's story before I begin to ask and bore everyone . so glad I found this website!!! oh... before surgery I was 237lbs now I am at 217lbs woohoo!!!

So i found out last week that my surgery date is the 29th of march...i'm so excited i can hardly contain myself...it's been a long journey. I started the process back in july of 2010....it seems like forever. In one respect the length of time has really assured me that this is right and i'm ready for it. I"m not sure if any of you have had doubts...and to this day i still think what if i fail? what if it doesn't work for me...the curse of fatness...i hate it..it's such an emotional disease. The hardest thing now is waiting...I have one girlfriend who had bypass a few years back...she understands this process and she's so excited for me...everyone else is just weird. …

HELLO IM NEW TO LBT BUT I HAVE BEEN COMING ON THIS SITE FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS..I REALLY ENJOY READING OTHER PEOPLE OPINIONS..IM SO EXCITED TO START MY LAPBand ..I HAD TO DO A 3MONTH WEIGHT LOST WITH MY WONDERFUL DR.DR.PONCE DE LEON.APRIL THE 15TH WILL BE THE END OF MY 3MO WEIGHT LOSS MANAGEMENT WITH HIM.AFTER THAT THEY SUBMIT EVERYTHING TO THE INSURANCE FOR APPROVAL..SO NOW I JUST WAITING PATIENTLY AND TRYING DIFFERENT SHAKES FOR WHEN I HAVE TO DO THE 2WKS LIQUID DIET...SO FAR ATKINS SHAKES ARE AWESOME..I ORDERED SOME SAMPLE PACKS OF UNJURY SINCE I HEARD HOW GOOD THEY WERE..WE WILL SEE

just got band yesturday was sore the first day then not bad today wait for doc to come so i can go home have little pain where they cut but walk and got something to eat . Cream of wheat it was good cause didnt eat for two days

I'm new to this site and this type of interaction. Where are the instructions? LOL I have a ticker but dont know how to show it. I dont know if my messages are going out. Any pointers?

So I literally just joined...i have been reading the things people have been posting for a few days now and have found it so helpful! I think this is probably the best idea for people to come together and share their stories and support each other. Im here for the same reason everyone else is.....to share my story and get the infomation and support i need to get through this. I have already gone to the seminar and have my consultation with the surgeon this tuesday march 15th. Any advice?

hi my name is manda, i just turned 30 on march 4th and i've decided last summer to get the lapband surgery. my surgery date is april 11, 2011. as the surgery approaches i find myself getting more anxious about it. i'm not just nervous about the surgery itself, but more nervous about post op. is there anyone out there that can help? for 6 months now i've been going back and forth with my decision. unfortunately i still live at home with my parents and neither one is supportive of my decision. both of them seem to think i can do it on my own since i've done so well pre-op with the eating plan my dietician has put me on. did anyone else feel this way before their surgery?

Hello, everyone. I am scheduled for the band on 4/7/11. I am so super excited, and so totally scared. I'm a 37 year old mother of one, and I am ready to start my journey.

Hi my name is Ann , I had a VGS on the 7th FEB this year I have really bad acid reflux, it's very painful......... I have lost 30 pounds but have slowed down and yesterday I had put 2 on .?.... Has any one else got acid and will it go away ?? Thanks ANN XX

Tomorrow is my big day and I'm soooo NERVOUS! I'm NERVOUS about having a filter put in my neck, about not being able to have surgery (just recovered from the flu), and of course about something going wrong. I've done well on the pre-op diet- I've lost about 55 pounds in the last few months- so I think my liver will be smaller, which used to be a concern of mine. I'm also NERVOUS that my doc will have to do open instead of laproscopic or will have to do a bypass instead of a sleeve (both of which she said are small possibilities). I know I should stop freakin' out but it's so hard!!!

I HAVE A DATE!!! WHOO HOO!!! DOING THE HAPPY DANCE!!! It is April 19th unless someone cancels then I get one earlier. WHOO HOO!!!! So excited I can hardly stand it. Been doing the happy dance all day.

Hi my name is Amber I'm 24 a single mom of a 5 yr old son. I am considering having lapband I currently weigh 244 and I jus feel yuck all the time I'm always tired and seems like something on me is always is pain can't remember last time I woke up feeling great! My parents both have had gastric bypass too me that's too much and my mom mentioned lapband and told me once the weight is off I will feel so much better! I have joined the site to learn more about lapband and hear success stories.my first apt is on march 17th

So I had my initial consultation this morning, and it confirmed the beliefs that I already had about Lap Band. I have gone back and forth for 7 years about having this procedure done, and now I just know that it will help me lose the weight that I need to feel good and healthy. I wish I didnt have to wait the 6 months to schedule the surgery, but my insurance (blue cross) requires a 6 month history and my BMI is 39! I hope I can remain as positive an hopeful in the next 6 months, because I'll be honest, it make me a bit jealous to see all these other members having their initial consultation and surgery scheduled in the same month! Lucky ducks! Anyone else in a waiting …