Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I need some meal ideas for week two post operation. Any ideas would b greatly apperciate.

I am 3 weeks post op and have been at work for a week (reduced hours). My team usually have lunch together and they have noticed that I am losing weight and eating very little and they had assumed it was some sort of crazy diet. I decided to tell about the surgery and how happy I was with the results. Most of them were curious, asking questions and being supportive. However one of them started being very negative, about the whole experience: Mexico, follow up, rate of weight loss, need for 1200 cal per day, that she would never hurt herself just to loose weight, etc. I tried to be nice but I was about to say that even with surgery I am still eating ore than she does and …

Hi all. I've been on high Protein diet for a week. One more week to go. My surgeon wants his patients on a high protein diet for two weeks to defat the liver prior to surgery. My surgery date is 3-8-2011 To say the least the jitters are starting to kick in. I do see some cosmic humor in the date that has been designated my surgery date. I'm being lapbanded on Fat Tuesday... I'll always remember it.

I am still getting used to navigating this site~so far I love that everyone on here is so positive, although this my first post; I have read a few forums and am really encouraged by reading your experiences. I am meeting with the surgeon tomorrow~and if all goes well should have an operation date within the next few weeks! Really excited and a little nervous; although I know this is the right thing for me to do. I am looking forward to shraring my experiences with you and hearing all of your success stories and learning from each other!

This is my story so far: (Warning it is pretty depressing!, quick click on somebody else's story.... or hang on, your obese too, or once was so, I am sure your story hasn't been 'All Roses' either).. It all started at the age of 10 for me, within a wink of an eye I went from a fun-loving young girl, from a happy home, who enjoyed BMX racing; to a self-conscious fat girl, who never fitted in. Quite literally it happened with a bang for me. At the age of ten, my brother (Ian) died in a head-on collison, I started menstrating and stopped growing, the family quit BMX and I got instantly fat. Yep I have been this height since 10.. 158cm, a little taller than a midget! (WO…

My surgery is scheduled for March 23rd and I'm so ready to start a new chapter in my life! I was researching about the lap band and came across this site and I've been reading all the post and all have been helpful in many different ways. I do have to admit I am getting a little bit nervous because I've never had surgery but I know this is going to be so worth it! I will be coming here frequently for help and suggestions. Thanks for listening!

Well, decision made- I am having bariatric surgery. My waver- not 100% sure if doing the band or the sleeve. I am leaning heavily to the sleeve but frankly it scares the hell out of me. I have never even had stitches and the closest thing to a sprain was the one I faked in 5th grade so I could get some crutches. My kids are adopted so childbirth is not in my realm of experiences. Bottom line, I am a big fat chicken. The thing is- I want to be a skinny chicken. Soooooooo- surgery is in my future. End of June, beginning of July is expected surgery date. Here are my concerns- how likely are complications? I am generally healthy (despite the 100 lbs of extra fat I c…

Hello everyone...I'm new to the group and very excited about talkining to others about their experiences!!! I will be banded on Friday (3-4-11), although I am a little nervous I am soooo ready to do this!!

I've been home since about 3:00ish and I'm still very sore. But hopefully it'll get better within a day or two. I've haven't thrown up at all so that's good. And I just took my first shower since thr surgery. If anyone has any advice please speak your mind.

Hello I was banded in December 2010! My doctor was Dr. Madan and I loved him! He did a great job and I was so frightened that I was ready to bolt the whole time. The first week was really miserable but then one day it wasn't. I've lost 36 lbs and pretty happy about my journey so far. Okay so a little bit more about my journey. I have four kids (one is my step son). The first three were boys and losing most my weight wasn't to bad. After our third son we decided that maybe we were done. Fastforward six years (I'm now in my thrities) and we make the big decision to try for our girl one last time. God blessed us and we have the most beautiful girl in the whole world.…

I woke up this morning thinking "Am I out of my mind? Just suck it up and put in the effort you need to to lose the weight." Then my realistic brain kicked in and said I'm 41 years old 5'3 and 275lbs. I have been overweight since I was a child over 200 lbs for more than 15 years. I have tried to lose weight but I never last more than a month. In the last 2-3 years I have been so discouraged I haven't even really tried. If I could lose weight on my own I would have done it by now. At least thats what I keep telling myself. When I diet I am hungry all the time. Portion size is a huge issue for me. Those little 300 calorie microwave dinners are a joke. I need at le…

I've been floating around the board for the last week researching VSG and I'm 95% certain that is what I want to do. But I wanted to come around and officially introduce myself. Hi. My name is Dawn and I'm chronically obese. (Hi Dawn.) I've always been overweight, even as a child. The last time I was less than 200 lbs (at 5' 10") I was 13 years old. I remember it very well because I was living with my father for a few months and my stepmother, who was appalled when I told her how much I weighed (she asked), put me on a diet and I had to lose 25lbs just to get to that magic "Onederland" number. I can still remember my father saying "There is no way in hell my 13 y…

Here is my story of pre-op with the surgeon and I hope this gives clarity to those looking for what to expect during the pre-op visit... First item of business was the paperwork you have to fill out in the waiting area and then fees were collected by the secretary. My fees were as follows...$100 to surgeon, $300 for bariatric program fee which includes onlin support and first month of Vitamins, etc, and then $35 co-pay for my insurance(United). Next, the nurse called me back to her office to step on the grand scale for my pre-op weigh in and I was provided a print-out for my records of my weight which was 262lbs at this visit...down 9 lbs since the last time I …

I started 2 gain weight when father passed at 7 years old before then I was skinnier than every kid in the family!! After 7 each year I gained weight! When I was 14 I started 2 go on a diet and by the I was in the 10 grade I had got down 2 160lbs Iam not sure how much I lost because I was scared 2 get on the scale even now!!! After that I fell of the wagon and since then that's been pretty much my life!! I am getting sleeved march 15th with Dr Almanza!!! And I am so ready! I am not afraid 2 travel 2 Mexico bcuz I have already been there last year I got a TT and lipo!! When I was there everyone was asking me why I did not get the sleeve and at the time u could not pay me 2…

can't believe I am finally sleeved! Surgery was yesterday and took approximately 4 hours. My dr. said all went well. Last night was such a blur from the anesthesia and the morphine pump. Because my surgery ended so late in the day I had doctors and nurses in my room every hour last night. So I'm pretty tired. The pain hadn't been too terrible as long as I used the morphine pump and the nausea meds. I also have sea bands on and this cool little tube that smellls good and helps relieve nausea. I did spike a fever and my heart rate is a little fast. Labs this morning showed I was pretty low on magnesium this morning so they took care of that through the iv as well as a f…

I’m Mindy. 33 years old, just married the most wonderful man in the world in May. He has saved my life in so many ways. I do not remember a time when I wasn’t overweight. My sister, who is about 18 months older than me, was always smaller than me, a tiny thing. The beautiful cheerleader she was. I was always her younger, bigger sister, with a beautiful smile and a great personality. Even in elementary I remember my Aunt taking us school shopping and I always had problems finding clothes. I think even at that young age I was already looking in the plus size clothing. Though I look back at my pictures and I wasn’t that big. Just bigger. So I think it started the…

Hi Everyone.... My name is Faith, I am 32 (soon to be 33) and live in a very small but beautiful town in New Hampshire called Mason. I just signed up today and have been reading posts for the last few hours and am finally getting the courage to post my own hello. My story is not that different from most, I have been heavy since my pre-teen years. I remember waking up one morning and discovering I had boobs and then it seemed like I woke up the next day and was fat (or at least I felt that way)! I suffered like most with dieting, failure, and ridicule in school (which is the WORST!) amongst other things. However, my weight ballooned after I had my daughter at age 1…

In one sentence, give me advice on what my journey of weight loss will involve. All of the good things, and all of the bad things. I would like to know it all. Thank you for allowing me into this community. I have learned so much.

Hi, I am so glad to have found this online community for VSG because the forums are great and informative! I am 38 years old, widowed with three handsome boys and very excited to be getting sleeved this month (03/18/11) and to be doing something for "ME" for a change :-) I have been losing and gaining the same 50 or 60 pounds for 15 years and I am tired, but not ready to give up yet. I am a little scared, but after reading so many posts on here I am happy to be finally doing this :-) I will be having my surgery in Mexico with Dr. Almanza and Nina is my coordinator.

ok- so i just got the phone call to confirm my surgery time for tomorrow morning... ANXIETY! But also excitement. I am nervous... anyone have comments as to discomfort -or tips to avoid nausea after surg? And SUPPORT is always appreciated. My heaviest was 264 lbs. Got to about 258 pre-op... so HERE WE GO! Also- heard that oral contraceptives aren't as effective related to weightloss... Anyone just using pills or is it standard to need a barrier method as well?? And is it silly to ask when I can become, ahem, active again???

hey there- i was banded in Oct 2009.....i was wondering if any of the folks i was friends with at that time are still on here......i had to re register because i couldn't find my old profile. hope everyone is doing well

Hello fellow bandies... I am new to the online group but not new to Lap Band. I will be 55 on Friday and had my band April 9, 2010. I have lost 70 lbs so far and still loosing. I did my research when I was told I had to have surgery to repair acid reflux damage and hiatal hernia repair. I found that the surgeon was going to be in this area so thought it would not hurt to ask him if I could do the Lap Band. Come to find out, Lap Band was going to be great aid for my acid reflux and would also benefit my diabetes and high blood pressure issues as well as weight and arthritic issues. I am off all my meds and have not had day one troublewith Acid Reflux. I would do …

Hello all. I just scheduled my surgery for Monday, April 4th and I am a bag of mixed emotions. I am glad I found this site. It was difficult to find real stories that were not just paid advertisements for various doctors. I know this will be a long journey with changes to my diet and lifestyle being key. I just have that nagging fear in the back of my head that this will be yet another epic fail. I am trying to block those thoughts out so I don't sabotage myself from the get-go but years of faliure are difficult to forget. Thankfully I have the support of my husband and the few people I have chosen to share my decision with. But honestly unless you have battled se…

It has been one week such my actual surgery. I have had a great weight loss so far with my pre and post op diet. Today at 1 week of full liquids, I have to admit I'm a little nervous and wonder at times if I'm glad I did this. I am hoping that it's not buyer remorse and once I can start eating solids I will not have so much fear of the future. Is this normal to feel this way at this point? It feels like I'll never be able to go out to eat or enjoy food again. I know I can't keep on life I was, I want to get ahold of my life and enjoy being physical again. It takes me 50 pounds for myself and others to really tell I've lost weight. I just need to get to this point. Thank…

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and new to posting of all/any sorts. I've been banded since feb. of 2009 i just hit the 2yr mark. I've lost only a total of 48 pnds (not sure if that's normal but i'm still trying). I'm wondering how many people have had successful pregnancies after the band? I have had two unsuccessful pregnancies in 2010 and i'm pregnant again now. Ok let me say im also a newly wed in case the pregnancies appear excessive.I'm very nervous and just looking for support with the pregnancy. I do talk to my husband however I don't want him to know that i'm as nervous as I am. Is it normal with the band to experience miscarriages? Any feed back would be grate.

Hi all. I am also new to this site. I am joining because I am interested in finding answers to help me with some of my issues. I was banded in March 2010. I initially lost about 55 lbs. I started at 295 and am now at about 240. I am 5' 8'' male and 38yrs old. I still would like to hopefully get down to near 170-180 ish. I have stopped losing weight now for about 2-3 months. Of course I am to blame. I have not always ate well and still tend to spend alot of time spitting up/regurging. My family Dr. has given me a year to lower my cholesterol or I will have to take meds. I am looking for answers to the best eating plan for me and how to get myself on track.

I'm new here, my name is Bobbie. I am a 45 year old wife and mother of 3 (two are still at home). I'm an ED tech and will be starting clinicals for RN in May (very exciting). After researching ten ways to Sunday, I have decided on the sleeve to get rid of all the extra weight. I've slowly gained weight as I aged, then along came peri-menopause and I crossed over from "healthy" to chubby. Once I quit smoking I packed on from chubby to OMG child we've got to do something about this. I'm at 37-38 bmi depending on how close I am to that once/twice a year period. High blood pressure and osteoarthritis in my knees and feet make me eligible for insurance covered surgery. I have …

i've been obese all my life and tried multiple diets. In medical school i had my greatest weight lost with strict calorie count (i had lost 70 lbs with it), that was the first time i started dieting. my fourth year of medical school, i gained the weight back relatively fast after my diet routine got interupted, i was away from home and my scale (lol) and was wearing scrubs for 2 months so i did not realized i gained a whopping 30 lbs. since then it has been a losing battle for me and was getting frustrated. two years ago i decided i wanted the sleeve but my insurance did not pay for it. now my insurance covers bariatric surgery. i went to the surgeon for consult 1/19 bas…

Hi there, After many months of doctor's appts, nut appts, etc. I am now finally approved to have my VSG. I have been calling my insurance company 3 times a day for a week to find out if I was approved. My surgery date is March 28th at 8am. That is a whole 5 weeks away and how am I going to sleep knowing I am going to have major surgery and is it really needed. Everyone says, Sheila you are not big enough to have surgery. But my BMI is 40 and how big do I need to be to have it done? I am so scared but also excited. I read this forum daily and everyone is such an inspiration. I need some support from all of you that I am doing the correct thing. Thanks so much for…

HI Everyone! I am scared and excited wrapped up into one in anticipation of the band. I am so scared that this will be like every other time I tried to lose weight and it just won't work. Or that I will be miserable having to eat so little,....all sorts of thoughts are running thru my head. *sigh* I have done so much research on my own and spoke with the surg. twice already. I have another appt with the Doc on Mar 7th 2011. I'm not sure if I will be able to set a date that day or not. Depends on Tricare I suppose....if they have sent back the authorization or not by that time. I have the support of my husband and grown children (ages 20 and 22). My…

I called Aetna and the guy said VSG was approved! Bugging the clinic to get me in Thursday for my pre-op appt and start my 1 week liquid diet so that I can have my surgery 3/16. I have a block of time off of work so potentially I don't have to take off but a day or two because I can come back on light duty..... Now it seems more like reality...

have lost great til the last few weeks. just got first fill yesterday. doc says iv done great. down 36 lbs. anyone else experience this?

I'm meeting w/ Dr. Noel Williams at UPENN tomorrow. He seems like a great guy and I could listen to his Irish accent all day. I just hope I can make it in to the city by 9! That's the unfortunate thing with UPENN, they're the best, but they're in Philly. I hope I get approval, I'm on the cusp, but I do have high BP & high cholesterol. I've been eating out of control for the last few weeks. I feel like I won't be eating for the rest of my life so I have to get it in now! Anyone else have that problem? I've managed to put on another 5lbs!

Well I am sitting here in the Hotel Lucerna in Tijuana! Today was a long and exhausting day but I am finally here! I will be having my surgery with Dr Kelly at 3pm tomorrow, the 1st. SO excited! can't wait to get it over with. I will be here until the 10th of March. I know there are a few coming here during that time; how are you all holding up? How's your pre-op diet going. Man the clear liquid portion of it really was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Well, can't wait to see everyone! Please remind me when you will be in Tijuana, when is your surgery and when you will be at the hotel. Tracy

I didn't sleep much last night due to being so excited, I'm waiting for my parents to come pick me up, and take me to the hospital for a 7am surgery. I'll post again when the surgery is done.

Well it's 4:15 am and I'm getting ready to leave for my surgery. When I wake up I will be keeping everyone updated. I'm sooooo excited! As the saying goes "patience will be rewarded."

HI everybody new to this site, I hope to learn alot from you all and how to cope with my lapband. I was banded in sept 2010 and have lost about 70 lbs total. I still have a long way to go need encouragement!

Well March is here. I am scheduled for 830. Have to be there by 530 which means I get up to do my second CHX bath in about 3 hours. I want to thank all of the experienced sleevers in this group I have learned much since I have been reading from these posts. Was able to purchase many things ahead of time to get ready. I will hook up with you all on the other side. So glad to start my journey, thanks to all for sharing your maps so that those of us coming behind you can find our way along this long winding road. I hope that I can give back to the newbies that come behind me as much you all have provided to me. Thanks for all the information.

hi! im amanda. i am 23, live in southern new jersey. i have a 2 year old son, and a fiance that is an alcoholic. ive been severely overweight most of my life, in 5th grade i was 160.. and by 9th grade i was 225. i jumped up and down a lot in highschool, but mostly stayed in the same weight range. after graduation, i gained a bunch of weight, and ended up about 270. went on a massive diet, and got back down to 215... then i got pregnant. at 9mos pregnant i weighed 232lbs... i currently weigh in at 290lbs. my all time high at this point....ive spent the last 2 years contemplating WLS. im not so much of a sweet eater, i just have an insatiable appetite. i was originally…

Down 30 lbs (from day of surgery) and 14 inches. Needless to say I'm very happy and have no regrets!

In TJ....had surgery with Dr. Rod this morning. Let me start off by saying that my decision to go through BeLiteWeight was one of the best I've ever made. JoAnne was here all day popping in between Heather (fern) and I and making sure we were feeling alright...and this was pre-op! Such a good lady! Surgery itself was a bit rough for me. I have terrible veins, and they couldn't seem to get a stick, so I was rolled into the OR without even having anything to calm my nerves which we RIDICULOUSLY our of control. I cried all the way into the OR and the last thing I remember telling them was "Please just don't let me die, ok? I'm a newlywed." Hahaha....looking back it …

Hello my name is Linda. I had my first consult on thursday. Really made the decision spur of the moment. I have never been a "skinny" person. I weighed at my consult 257. I weighed that much the day i had my son, I gained 70 pounds during my pregnancy. I am ready. I am open to meeting as many pre and post patients as possible. My insurance requires I wait 3 months, and I had my sleep study last night. I am on my way:)

I am so excited! I just had my initial meeting with Dr. and team, am set up with surgery on the 17 of March, and I can not wait. My head is spinning, I have been thinking about this for some time and it just seemed to come together so quickly once I became determined to do this (that was at the end of this January). I actually got my surgery call last Friday and they wanted to set the surgery up for this Friday! Whew! I had to wait for spring break though, so I wouldn't miss much school. Any words of wisdom or advice will be welcome. Hope everyone is doing well and that it goes this easy for everyone else. Beth

Tomorrow is my surgery day! Finally I've been waiting for this day for 6 months! I'm soooo excited a little bit nervous but I know everything will be alright.

Hey, I am 26 year old female and ima so tired of being overweight. It has been a constant battle with trying to lose weight and as every attempt fails my confidence gets worse. I want so bad to be able to have a personal life and be excited about putting on clothes and going out. I am very Unhealthy and that is a struggle to since diabetes runs in my family and I have PCOS (Poly cystic ovary Syndrome). My issue is that I dont want to feel like a failure by accepting to do this surgery, but I also dont want my pride to get in the way of doing something that can be potentially life changing in a positive way. It seems that the risks are few and benefits are hi…

Hello everybody, I've finally made up my mind that I am going to get the band. I have my first appointment on Monday...I'm both excited as well as scared, but I know I have to do this in order to be healthy again. I'm 45 and weigh over 300lbs for the first time in my life. No matter what I try, I can lose 30lbs and then put that back on and more (I've been doing this for about 10 years now) and it is getting harder as I get older. I'm so excite about this, but scared at the same time, today I start my research.

Hi. Im new to this forum. I have had my band for several years and have maintained a 35 pound weight loss. I went today and had a fill as i am stalled and havent been losing and I want to lose another 30 pounds at least. I believe my restriction was not enough but i now think its going to be very different. I know already that my restriction is going to be noticable and i feel like im starting over. So here I am. Ready to continue my journey.

Hi all! My name is Kendra, 22 years old, and I am seriously considering getting banded. Im 248 pounds, BMI of 40, prediabetic, and have horrible knee and back problems. I have two children (both delivered by csection due to my weight and preeclampsia), and a wonderful husband of 2 1/2 years. I havent made any appointments yet, but i know a great bariatric surgeon in my town. Im considering calling him today, asking if i need a refferal, or how the process works. I have about 100 pounds to lose. I have been yo yo dieting since age 12. Recently, i joined a gym, went ona 1300 calorie a day diet, and have gained 6 pounds. Even my personal trainer was baffled. I have no thy…

Hi everyone......New to the group and my surgery is scheduled for March 21st. Just had my pre-surgery endoscopy today which went well so now I just have to do a count down for the next 21 days. I'm very excited and just a little anxious I guess. Have my nutritional education course set up for next Monday which will also be the start of my two week liquid protein diet. I've already been doing it now about 2x a day to get in the mode and it's not bad at all. I find out i'm much less hungry during the days that I am taking the protein shakes so that is good. Any other protein liquid ideas for those two weeks would be appreciated. Thanks Andrea

I want to have Weight Loss Surgery because I want to be healthy! I feel this may be one of the most selfish things I’m attempting to do in my life. Because I know it is SOLELY for me! I know that I have unconditional love from my husband and three little girls. But I want to be thinner! I am not hoping to be a size 2 or wear a bikini - I just want to feel healthier and have more energy. I know that I have been fortunate so far not to have any major health issues due to my weight. However, I am VERY overweight and have tried diets, exercise programs and have read many books. I want to be a good example for my girls on how to eat healthy and live an active lifestyle. …