Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

My hubby, who was not supportive of the surgery, has been a sweetheart. He just got me an ipad 2 as a gift for my first 25lbs. I am loving it all, the attention, the weight loss and the ipad 2 of course!!

new to this sight and want to get banded but have anxiety and scared of erosion and slippage of the band. does anyone else suffer from anxiety and still got lap band?

Hi everyone!! I know that it's been some time since I've posted anything but I just wanted to give an update!! Okay so as you may or may not know...The past couple of months, I've been waiting to hear. Well, in a few hours, I head for the first appointment to get this party started... It's very surreal. It's been a couple months since I've heard so I'm nervous, excited, and scared a little bit all at the same time!! I'm 20 years old so I'm hoping that once it's all said and done and the weight starts to come off, hopefully I'll still be young enough and my skin will still hold some elasticity in bouncing back. Mehh...I'll be happy either way. :-D This is so corny …

Anyone who is over their mushy food diet and is on real people food, what food do you eat? Can you have like burgers, hotdogs, wings, pizza or something like it?

I'm a 20 year old female from CT and I just decided that I'm going to look into getting the lap band. I've been over weight all my life and not only has my health declined, but so has my self esteem. I've tried typical dieting and exercise, medi fast, diet pills, but nothing worked for me. I would like to lose 100 lbs and finally get my life started. Being over weight has caused me to be depressed to the point where I do not even want to leave my home for days at a time due to embarrassment for how I look. I'm tired of living my life this way and I'm going to my first seminar this Saturday. I'm not sure what to expect and I'm very nervous. I hope the seminar goes well and…

Hi everyone. I have been lurking around this board for a little while as I have been researching the band. I am going to an info session w/ Dr Carcamo in San Antonio, Tx next Monday. 3 of my coworkers have been banded by him (well...one by his partner, Dr Wright but from what I understand they do all surgeries together, but she sees Dr Wright pre&post op, the other two are w/ Dr Carcamo). I am fortunate that I work for an employer that is very supportive of WLS. A few other coworkers have had bypass. My BMI is right at 40 and I have no comorbid conditions...well, i have no diagnosed comorbid conditions by my PCP. I have had high cholesterol for the past 5 co…

I was banded on 3/4/2011. I'm looking forward to healthy weight loss and to be healthy for the first time in many years. I'm a 33 year old female who lives in the Northeast. Glad to you meet you all.

Hi, my name is Jamie. I am 27 years old and had the lap band August 20, 2010. I have lost approximately 40 lbs. My highest weight was 293 lbs. My lowest was while I was in high school/early college around 160 lbs. When I was around 21, I went off of birth control. I gained around 100 lbs in a few months. Several years and several doctors later, I was diagnosed with Poly-Cycstic Ovarian Syndrome, which affects hormones. My endocrinologist told me that I was basically self medicating with the birth control and when I stopped taking it, the PCOS reared it's ugly head. Too bad getting the weight off won't happen as quickly as it piled on! Anyway, I have been strugg…

Hello everybody!! I'm two weeks post-op today and for the most part things are going great. I've already noticed that I have more energy...not sure how much of that is just my mind, you know? But, my afternoon naps are gone. I'm sleeping better too. Exercise is also going well. I'm up to an hour on my treadmill doing variable speed and inclines. Foodwise things are interesting. Clears were ok, full liquids made me a bit crazy, most of the time they were fine, but sometimes I'd drink too much and fell like I'd eaten Thanksgiving dinner! Today was my first day of mushies. I ate a whole egg for breakfast and for lunch some fish mixed with hummus. I tried to eat som…

Ok, so I am new to this. I will be getting Lap Band on March 24th. My goial is to loose 130 pounds through the whole process. I have currently lost 22 pounds with the pre-op stuff. I am excited and nervous at the same time. My wife had hers done on the 10th and she is recovering.

First I get a result from my dobutamine stress test that indicates I need to see the cardiologist....which has me in a panic that I wont get the surgery. Today I saw him and he could not understand why I was there as nothing in my results indicated the need. While relieve, I could not help being a bit bitter about having to pay $25 of our limited funds to be told this. Meanwhile I was so affected by the dobutamine I postponed my colonoscopy until this week from last Friday. Mind you, this is not normally on the list of required tests...but since I am due for it (sorry for the tmi but I had two polyps on the last one so need another after three years and my WLS doc wants…

Hey all! I'm Cam. I was just banded on 12/18/1. I feel 98% better then the first week of being banded. I was NOT expescting that amount of pain...but thankfully that part is over. I was banded in Mexico at the Port Angeles Hospital in Tijuana. The facility was clean and I was overall happy with the way things went. I am dissapointed in the lack of post op support but I am ok with that now since I started hanging out on this website. I am on solid/regular foods now and feel like I am doing ok. I did throw up once in my 2nd or 3rd week but I think I drank my milk to fast (I was really thirsty I guess) but it wasn't horrid, I didn't have any food only liquid that I threw…

I am currently just beginning. Wednesday will be my last weigh in for my six month supervised diet. All of my documentation is in, just waiting for the real work to begin. I'm a little frightened but waiting for the new life. I have never been thin that I can remember outside of pics of me as a little girl. I am the only obese person in family. Everyone is petite. I have been dealing with arthritis for years but recently learned I have it in my foot. I have tried several diets to no avail and am tired. I often get she is so pretty but so fat. I want to be able to run, something I haven't done since I was a child. I will be turning 35 and have a fear of turning …

Attended the second managed weight loss meeting today, and now only have four more to go! After the next one I will be halfway there, yay! It was an interesting class. Ended up being more like a group therapy session. After the meeting, I was talking with a couple of ladies and one said to me "you're not THAT large." I didn't think much of it until after I left...but, I did on the ride home. I told my husband I'm a woman without peeps!! I'm too fluffy for the skinny gals and not fluffy enough for the fluffiest ones...sigh. Have you ever had anyone make a similar statement? Did you take it as a compliment or dig? In your mind what size is TOO small for WLS? I meet …

So I am 3 weeks post op and feeling great. Im on my to a better and wonderful new life. I finally get to do all the things normal people do...go to theme parks and get on the rides. Ride go carts. Shop at the mall. All those wonderfull thing. And all thanks to the sleeve surgery. First 7 days post op and I had lost 29 pounds with a total weight loss of 74 pounds. Its two weeks later from the 1st weigh since the loss of the 29 pounds and not sure how much I lost yet. But I'm in my way to my goal weight of 200 pounds. I started at 612 now I'm 538. Ill keep everyone updated on my journey

So today I am 3.5 months out and loving my sleeve more each day. I can't believe how easy this process has been and I feel great!! My recovery was seemingly effortless and the weight loss has not slowed down as of yet. (knock on wood) Getting used to the new Way of eating has been pretty simple too. I've never been a junk foot eater and the last time I at fast food I was probably 11..So the transition from HUGE healthy meals many times a day to tiny meals has been easy with the aid of my sleeve. Even going in to surgery i didnt believe that i would be mentally satisfied with such little portions and I can now confidently say that I don't feel deprived in any way. I no …

Just wanted to introduce myself, My name is jennifer, i was banded on 3/1/2011. I AM LOVING IT! This was the best thing i have EVER done for myself! I have lost 16.5 lbs since the day of my surgery. I have started doing 40mins of cardio every day, and feel GREAT!!! my first fill is on March 30th.

My name is Karrie. I am new to this forum. Very excited to be getting the lap band. It has been a long road to admitting I needed help. Because of my BMI I have to be on the 30 day pre-op protein diet. I have to say the Bariatric Advantage shakes are horrible. But I keep on truckin along with them because I know in the end it will be so worth the nasty taste. I have already dropped 10lbs. I have 3 wonderful children that I am doing this for. I want to be around for them for as long as I can. My mother left this earth too early because of her weight and health issues. I refuse to do that. I am tired of being the "fat" mom!!!

I am hoping to find a USA doctor that will do the sleeve for about 10k all inclusive, I am a self pay and REALLY REALLY want it done, I'm so ready! Of course I want a great doctor that's highly recommended on a "beer budget". Does anyone know of a doctor they can recommend? Thanks so much!

Hello Im all ready to go and my insurance tells me I have to wait I all ready had my sleep study done and my EKG, endoscopy, lap work and I still have 4 months to go..kind feeling discourage

Ok, so today is my official start of the two week pre op liquid diet. Shrinking the Ole' liver. How can I make this better for myself? And why does my surgeon require full liquid, shakes only, when I read others pages that say they can still have food as long as its low carb? I want to make this as easy for the surgeon who is going to be digging around in my belly as possible, but I feel like im being punnished. I HATE protein shakes. (Well, at least the bariatric advantage ones!!) Does anyone have any recomendations?

Hello! I am Amber! I weigh 240-245 depends on the day. The "smallest" i have ever been was in high school when i was taking diet pills and got down to 160. Now i am on blood thinners, anxiety meds, and going to physical therapy for a misaligned hip( not because of the diet pills ). awesome! In 2008 I was around 180, but then i got about 6 blood clots and could barely walk and gained all of these lovely pounds in a few short months. I looked into gastric bypass and it looked a little too permanent and scary for a 24 year old grad student =) Also if i want to have babies i would like to be able to have my stomach go back to "normal". Can i get a few pros and cons of the Lap…

Hi I'm Kat and I'm a candidate for the lap band I am 282 lbs

Hello, My name is Claudia and I am a recovering food Addict! I just had my lap band surgery 2 days ago, but my journey did not begin on the surgery date. Like many over weight, and obese people I have struggled with my weight ever since I was a young child. I was always the chubby one from my two other siblings. I must say that most of my over weight problem is a combination of the "fat genes" and also from emotions. I do not recall ever feeling satisfied with my weight. During my senior year in high school I lost a lot of weight and I still kept telling my self it wasn't good enough. I guess I was a victim of subliminal messages that come from our peers, television, co…

Hello Everyone. I have been researching the LapBand for well over a year now and I am finally going through the process. All I am waiting on now is my Psych Eval and Im good to go! Now my problem is............... My mother has heard that alot of women/men have gone to become real bad sex/drug/alcohol addicts after the surgery, because they are so used to having food as their comfort and no longer have that, so they rely on other unhealthy things to comfort them and now she is afraid that may happen to me. So she is now trying to talk me out of havin the surgery. :) Have you or someone you know experienced this?? I can understand her point too, but I truly don't think …

Hello to fellow sleevers, I just had my sleeve done on March 8th at UCSD (La Jolla, CA) with Dr. Santiago Horgan and his wonderful CTO team. Prior to surgery I was put through an extremely strict and regimented program and diet plan. I also had blood tests galore, Upper GI's, Lower GI's, Middle GI's (jk) - everything under the sun to make sure I was READY. They had a series of Group Therapy classes I went to as well. After surgery, I began having this burning feeling in my chest and it still hasn't gone away yet but I continue to drink my fluids and take Prilosec. They did another Barium Swallow the day after to confirm there were no leaks. I also had a liver biop…

Hi, I'm new to this board. I was banded on Feb 11, 2011. Glad to find a board that's got people actually posting and exchanging. I had my surgery done by Dr. Coburn at SWLC in Ontario, Canada. So far, I've lost 20 pounds including the pre-op period. Only another 80 to go! ECK

My band date is the 23rd of March and my nerves are starting to get to me! When I 1st received my band date I was so happy but as the days go by I'm becoming a little scared. Even though I haven't told too many people about the surgery I don't really know if I can talk to them about my fear. So I want to hear those who've had the surgery to kinda talk me of the ledge {so to speak}lol...

I'm super excited and a little nervous all rolled into one. I start my pre-op diet Wednesday, March 2, and get banded on March 9th. I'm not sure why I'm so nervous, I guess it's just the unknown. I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions and am hoping to find support here as well as giving support to others.

I have just begun the process for weight loss surgery. I have two consults scheduled for next week, one in Bakersfeild and one in Fresno. I am hoping for a quick approval but it may be a long process. My BMI is 36 and I have Blue Shield of Ca PPO. I have had weight problems my entire life and am looking forward to a solution.

Hi all ! I just had my first consult at the wt loss center ---- I went in thinking that if I had surgery at all it would be the band, mostly because I really don't like the idea of cutting stuff away permanently; and everyone there (the surgeon, the nurse, the insurance person) were all like, you should get the gastric sleeve, we see people with the sleeve really having the most success... The nurse had had a lap-band and she told me that it didn't really work for her, she was still hungry a lot, she still had cravings, she was regaining weight... if she could do it again she would have had a sleeve instead and she was actually considering a conversion. T…

Hello all, I got my LB in December 2010. I have lost 23 lbs so far but am clueless as to what to eat. Any suggestions?

I am about to embark on the journey of a lifetime!! I found out last week that my insurance approved me to have gastric sleeve surgery. I found out this morning that my surgery is scheduled for April 11th. Exactly one month from today. I am so ready, yet I am very nervous too. I have to start the liquid diet on March 28th (yuck...) and get an EGD on March 29th. I am 32 years old. I have 2 biological kids, and two step kids. I have been married to the most amazing husband and best friend in the world since August 19, 2010. At my heaviest, I was 287 pounds. That was July of last year. Today, I weigh 254 pounds. I am 5'3" tall. Having this surgery is like starting a whole…

Hello. I am pre-op and waiting for ins approval. Waiting is killing me. I'm basically an impatient person and the waiting is driving me crazy. Was getting the DS but was changed to the VSG due to scar tissue and med issues. So not really all that up to date on the VSG, I know pretty much how it works and all that just not really anything else. Like the long term results, diet after surgery, etc. Any info would be great and will be checking out the other parts of the forum for answers too. I am hoping to be sleeved in one to two months. My doctor is Dr. Oakley in Boise, ID. I have been researching this process and options for about 10 yrs. Am ready to get it under way. I h…

Hi everyone! My name is Shannon and I was banded 1-11-2011. Since then I have lost roughly 30lbs. My surgeon was Dr. Metz and I will be forever grateful to him and his staff for the help they have given me! I have been large all of my life and have tried the pills, shakes, stravation, diets and all of the fads as well. Nothing seemed to help or if it did it never worked very long because it always came back! Weight Watchers would work for a while but the difficulty there was that I was still allowed sugar and that has always been my down fall. I have a sweet tooth that won't quit. Now I find myself reading labels with more caution and watching what goes in & h…

Hello... I had my Lap Band surgery on 8-16-10 and lost 20 lbs within the first 3 months and I feel great, however, I have not lost anymore weight. I have had 3 fills since September and have very little restriction. I can actually eat whatever I want, as long as I chew it well. I have been following the SB diet, only using splenda if I need sweetness. And I keep active. My Dr advised me not to drink Protein shakes anymore as he feels they are additional calories that I don't need. I am going for another fill this week and this time I will ask how many cc's I have had so far. Is anyone else struggling after the Lap Band surgery?? I am getting very depressed, especiall…

Hi! Just joined the group today. Hoping I can find someone to talk to and share stories with. I am schedualed to have the Lap Band surgery on March 23. I had resurched the surgery for two years and its taken me a whole year to get approved by the insurance company, but I am finaly on my way!!!! I am on my liquid diet before my surgery and it is going suprizingly well. I am only really nervous about how to measure things out when I can actually have pureeed and solid foods. And how do you actually puree something? Dont you have to add liquid to it? I know that joining this group will help with these things. (at least I hope it does!) Have a great day!!

I have wanted to explore WLS for a long long time, well after a few failed marriages in my early 20's and being a single mom.. I decided it was time to shed a little light on myself. I have general concern for my health, and of course want to be anything but "the fat girl with a pretty face." So I started a new job, and was elated to find out that my hospital has a Weight Mgt center, and its a "Center of Excellence" for bariatric surgery.. SCORE! I started my process on Feburary 1st, was approved for the program on Feburary 14th (best vday a chunky girl can get!), went thru all my intake, h&p, exercise, and nutritional evals, psych eval and am waiting on surgical c…

Hey. I just joined today after re-committing to my band. It's been four years! since I've been to my doctor and I've gained 44lbs. At my best, post surgery, I had lost 65lbs. and was thrilled with my progress. I'm back on liquids and looking forward to being back on track. I saw my doctor today and she was welcoming and supportive. So much has happened in my life over the past four years that helped to push me far away from my goals, but I'm back. I look forward to the support and I can get from this forum. Thanks!

Hello all! Just joined this morning. I'm just finishing up the process for the band. I've completed all the requirements and I meet with my surgeon this coming Friday (3/18). I've been researching the band for a long time now. I'm so ready! After meeting with the surgeon, they'll have to submit everything to the insurance company and I'm praying for a quick turn around so that I can start 'living' the rest of my life. I've been following the posts now for several months and find them very helpful. Thank you everyone for sharing!

Hi All. My name is Teri. I tried to get approved late last year for a lap band but was denied by Triwest. Since that time I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I think I may actually qualify now but I am not in the mood to get turned down again so I am kinda of worried about doing it again... however.. I believe it will be worth it, so on Monday I will contact the doctors office again and see where to go from here. Anyway, I am anxious to get moving on this!!

My name is Bob. I'm meeting my surgeon Friday forr my first consultation. Looking forward to hearing what he says. I've learned a lot reading these forums.

Hello everyone! With the encouragement of my husband, I decided to join this board. I have been banded since 02/28/11 and just in the last two days, been pretty rough... I'm thinking it's withdrawl symptoms, however I'm happy I made the choice and I hope to learn so much from everyone here. I am married, to my very best friend and totally in love with Michael and we live in Las Vegas Nevada since 2002. I am an office manager for a dental practice in addition to being a graduate student. So again, I am here to learn, meet new people and to maximize my decision to save my life.

My name is Bella and I am to have my band placed March 31st. I have Anth BCBS and was approved after just two weeks and two days....how shocked was I? I expected to wait at least 4 weeks and then to be turned down. My BMI is 44 but I have no co morbidities. I have tried numerous programs, diets, jonied a few different gyms and even tho I have lost wieght eventually I gain it back. I believe the band is the tool I need to help me to lose the weight and keep it off. I am a foodie....I have the mind set that I dont have to give that up, I just have to control it. There are foods I may never be able to eat again, but I am not looking at it that way. I see it as gainin…

Hi, I am scheduled for today at 5:00 for my blood work and PreSurgery Appt.....I will be scheduled for the actual surgery for next Friday March 18th..... I am 5'4 and 220 lbs....I am 34 years old........I know it is hard to compare peoples stats, but anyone's stats similiar to mine and what were your results? How quickly do most people go back to work? Jessica

I have already gone to the informational seminar. My first meeting with the doctor is on my birthday. I cant think of a better birthday gift to myself!!

Here's my story, I've lost 76 lbs this includes weightloss prior to my surgery. Now that I've reached 180 lbs I'm wearing a size 10 which I'm sure this is due to vanity sizing but I don't care I love telling friends I wear a size 10. Since surgery I have not stalled in my weightloss and I was ready to stop lossing weight when I was 185 lbs but I get up this morning and I'm 5lbs lighter. Does anyone know how I can stop lossing? So I can start maintaining my current weight. I welcome any advice anyone can offer. Thanks

Hello Everyone, This is my first time doing a blog. I have read so many encouraging blogs from you all, I decided to join. I am currently waiting for my surgery date. My starting weight was 247lb and I currently weigh 218lb. I have already spoke with the surgeon, Psyc, and intern. I plan to have the surgery @ pacific bariatrics in san diego, ca. Dr. Taller will be my surgeon. I need some support buddies, so please give me some feedback. I have soooooo many questions to ask.

My sleeve is 3/15/11, and I'm very nervous. How are the other pre-oppers doing on their pre-op diet? I'm finding it a little difficult. However, I have lost 3lbs since 3/4/11. Does that mean I'm following it better than I thought I was? ha. The only protein suppliments I can stomach are the New Whey 42g shots. I've tried drinking the powders/shakes, but I get nauseated and can't finish them. (I think it's the texture.) I've been drinking alot of soups, water, apple juice and eating ham and cheese lean pockets. I guess I'm just nervous and questioning myself. Any tips to get me through these last couple of days?

I was so excited to get this surgery and I knew it would be hard but I don't think I can handle this. I LOVE to gulp down a nice cold drink, not this sip sip sip crap. And no matter what I eat or drink and no matter the amount I get sick. I hate this! I'm happy I lost 20 pounds in a week but I can't handle this anymore!