Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Two weeks prior to my Jan 19th surgery date, I begin a 2 week Protein shake and clear liquid diet. My surgery went well and I spent the night in the hospital. I didn't have a pleasant stay so I was happy to be released. The procedure was more painful that I expected and the medicine caused nausea and nightmares...not a good combination. The first week post op was quite painful and the worst part was releasing phlegm every morning (sorry if that was TMI but it was my experience). I could not really follow the Stage 1 and 2 diets because everything including Water caused more nausea. I took two weeks from work and I needed all of that time to prepare myself both p…

So I had my surgery at 7am on 2/3, spent two days in the hospitaland got home on Saturday night. The doctor left a Blake Drain in my left abdomen. This morning the tube was trying to push itself out and was pulling on the stitches. Anyone else have this issue? Have a call in to the doctor but he's in surgery so it's likely to be awhile before I hear from him. I read one post where the person said that it didn't even feel asif she had surgery. Well, I did! OMG! I was in so much pain. I'm doing better now though I am having a little stomach acid problem. Almost makes me feel like I'm hungry without the sick feeling that hungerbrings. It, also, is better today. …

Hi all, I'm from Indianapolis, Indiana. I'm a 41 year old male, who has been overweight for about 15 years. My BMI is now 40, but it's been 35 or more for at least 5 or 6 years. I've tried weightwatcher (several times) and many other weight loss plans, but my biggest enemy was always my appetite. Even when eating the perfect low cal, high Fiber, low fat foods through Weight Watchers, I was still eating a huge amount at each meal. Sure I lost weight (42 pounds over 16 weeks at one time) but I couldn't sustain it with my appetite. I'm now the heaviest I've ever been, 6-1 and 318 pounds. At my yearly physical a couple of weeks ago, I told the doctor my weigh…

Hi, this is Sahar today is my first day with you, the opacity is following me from my childhood up till now i have tried many things to leave it behind and continue on my way , since became like a ghost disturbing my health and my life. at last i discovered that i want to be strong from inside before start any step to lose the wight Sahar

I was wondering if anyone has problems with reflux and has been told they can't get the band done because it will make it worst? I was told that, and left today from my Dr and now they say the sleeve may do the sam thing. I feel like they are pushing for gastric for some reason????

Hi just a short note to say that i am about to start my journey into a new life and basically starting all over again regarding my eating habits, 1 thing i must add is that i live in Scotland but as i am awaiting my date for surgery i found this site after looking for some information on people that have had this procedure done and i found this site and it is very informative and a great help to me as i await my surgery. All the things i have already been told (and more) i have come across on this great site and hopefully you don't mind a Scot amongst you all lol as i am sure the surgery procedure is pretty much the same wherever you come from so again i hope you all do…

My BMI is only 32 at this point. I was at 35 two years ago. My husband talked me out of the surgery and I went to Duke Weight Loss center for 2 months and I managed to lose 30 pounds. I kept if off for about a year, but never reaching my goal of losing 60 pounds. Lasy year 2010, I started CEAHOW (which is like overeaters anonymous) and again, lost 30 pounds but never reaching my goal. I want to have the surgery now because I know this disease is progressive and I really dont want to wait until my bmi is 35 again. I would like to avoid the problems I have at that weight, which are lower back pain, and slight incontinence along with the problems I currently have, which are,…

Hi iam almost 40 years. I will have my sleeve on 9 February . I am so scared i dont know why but i think this is normal . I am diabetic (type II) and i hope the sleeve will work for me.Did i do the right decision? wow hope it will change my life so i can live healthy and take care of my 4 children.Sometimes i feel i want to cry i dont know why maybe the sleeve will not work .Pray for me .

I have been considering surgery for a while now and have been getting some great information and inspiration from this site. I even found a Dr here. I'm 37 til April, haha married to my HS sweetheart for MANY yrs now and have two boys 9 and 4. I have been overweight my whole life. I remember even shopping in the plus size section at Sears with my mom when I was small. I did lose a TON of weight when my boyfriend, who is now my husband, broke up with me for a while when I was 18. Other than that I have been overweight. I have tried almost every diet out there. I have lost some of the weight before, but it just comes back. I'm looking into the lap band to help me w…

Hi there to all my sleeve brothers and sisters. After getting cancelled back in December I am now very pleased to tell you I have my sleeve !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My op was last Tuesday, Feb 1st and I came home on Friday evening. Like Viv I am also in the UK and had my op on the NHS. Although I have no co-morbidities, my surgeon insists on your staying in the hospital for a few days. Everything went just fine. I’ve had no pain at all, just a bit of discomfort from the drain until they took it out and of course some gas pain. It is so good to be home, you can’t beat sleeping in your own bed can you ? I’m doing great, so far, with the drinking and Clear liquids. I could,…

so i went to my first support group for the lap band and was really dissapointed..... the whole hour was spent on the ones that have already been banded and all they did was complain to the doctor about how crappy it is to live off of broth,protien shakes and small portions.... and about how yucky the vitiamins are. i think i really got my hopes up because i thought a support group is about well support and maybe meeting others that have been or are in the same boat? i waited 3 months for this group to get started and the doctor kept checking his watch and there was so much moaning and bitching....i spoke only once and said that i found this site that offers alot of great…

Ok heres my NSV.....the other day my son says my friend can put his legs behind his head......and I said I used to do that too.....and he said do it.......soooo I tried it and I CAN DO IT AGAIN......lol........my daughter and son got a big kick out of it!.....then my husband comes home and they go running up to him to tell him about it.......he says yeah right, let me see you do it.....so I did and he got a silly smile and said WOW! ......Who would have thought at 38 I could do this!

So next month it will be three years and the first two and a half years were great steady weight loss down 100 pounds. Over the past 6mths I figured out how to eat around the band. As a result I'm up 25 pounds. I feel like I can't get back on the wagon because I know how to cheat.... Any advice

Hi All! I've been a lurker for the past 2 months and everything on here has been really helpful! I was sleeved on October 10th, 2010 with Dr. Mark Colquitt in Maryville, TN at a starting weight of 308lbs. This has been the best thing I've ever done for myself!! I've now lost 76 lbs and am feeling soooo much better! I still have a long way to go but it doesn't seem so overwhelming now. I go to monthly support group meetings (which I highly recommend) but in those off weeks this forum has been a lifesaver! Thanks to everyone who continues to post updates... Us newbies really can use your helpful advice!

Hi I am new to this website. I was banded 11/15/10, I love it! I always had a weight problem but if I put my mind to it and followed a diet and exercised I was able to lose weight. Right before I got married I was doing just that watching what I ate and exercising like crazy and not gaining weight but not losing at all. I went for a physical and found out I have hypothyroid. For eight years I had gradual weight gain, surprisingly was able to lose pregnancy weight twice (I attribute that to breastfeeding) but after losing that the gradual weight gain continued. So in complete frustration I talked to my PCP about weight loss and he said his wife who is in practice with him…

Hey everybody. i got sleeved 2/1/2011. It certaintly wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, being scared to death of surgery. The sleeve was my first ever surgical procedure, stay in a hosptial, etc. It's been 6 days and I have already lost nearly 17 lbs. that is a huge PRO. My blood sugar is 109 so I em elated! My surgeon took me off of my medications, diabetes and high blood pressure, and told me I will probably not need them any more. Blood sugar is consistently normal so my diabetes seems to be gone. My blood pressure has been high normal so that is a little concerning but I have an appointment with my regular Dr. later thsi week. That should go dow…

Hello - I am 10 days post op and amazingly excited about the future. I did have my first solid (pureed) food today, a egg with sliver of lf cheese. I noticed food just does not taste like it used too. Good but nothing special. My sense of smells is also very sensitive. Is the dull tastebud syndrome normal and does this go away? What about the sensitive smeller? Thanks, in advance, for the feedback.

Hi all! I am just getting started in the process of learning about Lap Band. I am going to a seminar in a couple of weeks. I've struggled with my weight my entire life, and I've tried everything. My weight now is preventing me from getting pregnant with our first child, and the biological clock is ticking at a rapid speed (I'm 34). The only time I successfully lost weight is when I was medically forced to...had gall bladder out and couldn't eat fat, lost 65 lbs. I gained back 100 lbs. once I started putting fat back into my diet and took Zoloft...100 lbs. in a year. My husband recently had the gastric sleeve and has lost 80 lbs. I don't think I am ready to take t…

so two days till surgery and my nerves are getting the best of me! any one out there only have to do clear liquids the day before? i did a pre op diet over the last three months and lost 24 pounds! went for my pre op on friday and all he said was clear liquid the day before and obviosly nothing after midnight on monday. thanks in advance for your thought on the clear liquid thing

Hi My name is Kim I had lap band surgery May 17, 2010 in Gaithersburg, MD by Dr. Barry Greene. I'm currently on a band holiday due to overeating. I'm an emotional eater and a lot of things have changed in my life since October. I moved to NC, got a new job, trying to sell our house in MD, Mother-in-law passed over the holidays....too much stress....too much available food. Has anyone else been through this and come out the other side in a positive light?

I have a date with a surgeon on Feb 22nd and I honestly think that it will change my life. Ill no doubt have a stomache full of butterflies, Ill be wearing my best cotton night dress, complete with gaping hole at the back, my accessories will be made up of 2 id bands and my hair will be in a nice updo complete with elastic blue hair cap. No make up. No perfume and after 30 minutes of chit chat ill be knocked off my feet. Unfortunately its not a "hot" date .... its a "im doing this to save my life"date. I havent had the best support from my family. Ive told my parents and my husband. Initial response was bordeline cruel, but I can understand. They havent b…

Im sooooo super excited and nervous at the same time!! On Feb 10th I will be banded finally finally!!! I wake up in the middle of the night in a panic, i just want the surgery to be over with and me to be fine!! Im worried about being put under, it scares me sooooo much!!! sometimes I dream of how I will look, and I cant imangin it !!! is this really happening??? YES YES YES it is !!! Maybe in july i can go to the beach and wear a bathing suit !! hahahah LAP BAND TALK has really helped me,the support from u all is amazing!!! and when i think i am making a bad mistake, I look at alll ur pictures and it really helps !!! LOVE YOU ALLLLLL

My Name is Sassyann I had my band surgery on December 24th, 2010. I started my process back in April of 2010 , and as of today I have lost 63lbs. I had my first fill on the 17th of Jan,2011 and will have my second one on the 14th of Feb 2011. I went to my first PCP visit on the 31st of Jan and didn't have a good review. My A1C was 8.2 and I was told that my blood was to thick. Never had thick blood befor. I will go back on the 17th for more blood work and see if I need to have blood drown out of my system. Not to happy at the present time, just a little nervish.

<FONT face=Georgia><STRONG>Hello eveyone, I am currently in my first week of pre-op diet. My insurance requires three months pre-op diet. The last three weeks will be liquid diet. If everything goes to plan I should be banded in April or May. I was weighed in last week at 354lbs. I am 5'5" and just turned 24. I have been considering surgery for many years but decided that I liked Lap Band the best about a year ago. I am not worried about the actual surgery itself but I am terrified about what might happen after I am banded. Background: My mother said I was born wanting food. She said she could not breast feed me for very long because I was always so…

I am going to have surgery one week from tomorrow. I am looking forward to it, I guess, but I am really freaked out in so many ways. I am freaked out because I find it so hard to believe that I will actually lose weight. I have been morbidly obese since I was 12, off and on. When I am depressed or upset, it is always there for me to comfort me. Now I am going to be divorcing it for good and just the thought is almost unthinkable! I am having surgery because I want to live. I don't want to die young. I have visions in my mind about people standing around at my funeral saying how sad it is that I died so young. I don't want to die young. My weight has me with diabe…

I am scheduled to have my sleeve surgery on February 18, 2011, with Dr. Thomas Borland in New Iberia, Louisiana. I am excited, but at times I want to back out and I am sure this is normal for most people. There is no support group that I have found in my area. I weight 230, I am a diabetic and have rheumotoid arthritis. My goal is to get off my medicines, but worried that I will not be able to take them for a period of time. I am so close to cancelling my surgery, but I really want to do this. I have talked to people that has had it and has nothing but good things to same about it. If anyone that has or had diabetes or rheumotoid arthritis before sleeve surgery pl…

Hiya guys, well i am sleeved at last, HOORAY!!! I am really pleased, everything went well, many thanks to those of you that reccomended that you need to walk after the surgery, that piece of advice was the best advice ever, i had little pain from the surgery itself but the gas pain was horrendes, didn't realise just how bad that could be, anyway spent 5 days in the hospital, came home last night have lost about 11 pounds so far, now it sip, sip, walk, walk, and take some time for me, thanks for all the support talk to you all soon viv

HI everyone After much wait, research and multiple attempts to loose weight, I finally realized that I do not want to keep trying to loose weight by diet and exercise and medication just to regain it all back in a short time. Last July I went to Brazil to have a balloon inserted, but the doctor was very honest in saying that it just was not worth it and that after the 6 months when the ballon was to be removed the weight would start to go up again. He also did not agree with the band due to multiple complications in a long run and poor results after it was removed. He suggested the vertical gastrectomy but I was just not ready for it and decided to try again to loose we…

Just went to my seminar today. I am now planing on contacting Tricare West and see what are the requirements.

Hi all. As you can tell I am from New Jersey. Well originally NY but been in Jersey for almost 6 years now. I had my first meeting with my doctor on August 16. My insurance co required a 6 month dr supervised diet. Didn't require me to lose weight, actually said some people gain. They just want to make sure you can change your eating habits. Well if I didn't lose weight on it, how would they know that? Now I find out they are one of the last companies to require this (I'm sure their policy will change next week since I finished my 6 month diet). I went on Weight Watchers and as of today, lost 59lbs since Sept. 1. Went through all the testing which does take a toll. B…

I ordered a Vita Mix from qvc-my new best and dangerous friend!!! Anyway, does anyone else have one and if so what are your favorite recipes? My problem is I need to get more protein in. I was hoping the Vita Mix would help and help me eat more heathy. I am a teacher and I am waiting until the weekend to take it out of the box!! Thanks in advance for any recipe suggestions!!!

Hello. Can anyone who's been through it please tell me about the psych evaluation? Is it an interview or a questionnaire or what? And what are they looking for exactly? Thanks all!! Melissa

Well I am almost 2 weeks out and can't wait until I can actually put real food in my mouth. It is not that I am hungry, I just want to chew on something and experience the different flavors again. That has by far been the hardest part of the recovery process. Doc says to give it 3 weeks on liquids and I wont have any leakage problems...My current daily menu consists of strained Soups (tomato, broc/cheese, potato, etc.) with added whey Protein, crystal light mix drinks, and my favorite, a virgin spicy bloody mary made with V8 (awsome, have about 3 a day)...oh yeah and sugar free popsicles (a must have).... I had my sleeve surgery on Jan. 25th 2011. Surgery was easy, …

I've been struggling with severe hypothyroidism for about 8 years. Prior to that, I'd been overweight but it didn't really get out of control until my thyroid went on the fritz. Now we're finally getting a handle on my levels but my metabolism is still shot. All my efforts at losing weight seem to fail. Finally, my endocrinologist told me I would just always struggle with losing weight. At 100+ pounds overweight, I wasn't prepared to live the rest of my life this way, so I decided to look into WLS. To my surprise, I got approved right away (Anthem Blue Cross CA), and the ball started rolling in a matter of weeks. Now I'm worried I'm taking this big step -- a very per…

Anyone have a BMI of around 30? I am a 54 year old lady and have been over wieght for about 11 years. My BMI is 30 so I will have to finance the procedure myself. Just wondering if there are any others that are here with lower BMI's considering being banded?

I started my required 6month doc/dietician supervised diet 2 weeks ago. I joined my fitness pal .com to help me with it (I learned about that site on here). So far I have lost 11#s and have looked on their community and seen soo many success stories..now I am having doubts about the surgery. Can I do it on my own? If I can, would it last? What if I go thru all this pre-op stuff and back out because of this calorie counter...and if that fails, I would have wasted all my effort toward getting surgery.. I wish this was easier and less confusing. Anyone else go thru this?

Hi all, I had my sleeve on 1/18/11 and am still on soft liguid diet (1/2 cup yogurt and cream Soups for B/L/D and Protein powders with milk in between) until 2/8 per my surgeon's protocol. 20 lbs lost thus far. I am so sick of the dairy , Protein powder and milk that I gag getting it down, so can't get all of the food in that I am supposed to. When I tried to force down a Protein shake yesterday morning I felt sick all day and couldn't eat anything the rest of the day. How bad is it if you are not eating all they say? How bad would it be to move to pureed a few days early? Also I also have lots of pre-existing back and arthritic pain and so am not moving like I sho…

Hi my name is Nicola, I am located in Riverview, New Brunswick, Canada. Our system is a little different with medicare covering the cost of the surgery, however, I have been on a waiting list for quite sometime. I jsut had my first consultation with Dr. Beausoleil and it looks like I will be having my surgery in about eight months if everything goes well with the preliminary sessions that I am required to attend. I have to wait until March for the first full day introduction session. My family is not supportive of my decision, they feel that I look wonderful and do not need the surgery but I am tired of the mental energy that it takes everyday to feel comfortable with …

I had my sleeve on Dec. 6th. Most people who see me say I look great and the first thing they notice is that I am missing a couple of chins-LOL! Anyway, since my surgery, I have been "investigating" skin care and make up. I am 56 and I do not want to "age" because of my surgery. I know I will never be able to get plastic surgery (military will not pay) and I do not want to get a second mortgage-HA-HA. I am trying Philosophy Miracle Worker. It seems to be a good choice. Anyone else out there using it?? I ordered some bare minerals (the starter kit). Any opinions on that? I have dry skin, and according to the website, it works just fine for that. Any opinions or suggest…

How do you get enough (60-70 grams) Protein in a day without drinking Protein shakes. I have been drinking a lot of skim milk and I hope that is helping. I eat eggs, cottage cheese, greek yogurt etc., but I still feel It is not enough. My hair has not started falling out (surgery was dec. 6th), but I think it will start. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

My name is Dawn and I weigh 348lbs. I have been overweight as long as I can remember. Four years ago I decided to have gastric bypass surgery, my insurance denied me twice. I gave up and have gained even more weight in the last 4 years. My weight has held me back for a very long time. I took my daughter to an amusement park two summers ago and she felt bad because I couldn't fit into the seats on the rides. I was humiliated and sad for her. She worries about be constantly. My other daughter and son are on the same self destructive path I am on and I am afraid for them. I went in for my surgeon consult today. Before I went to the office I had my mind made up, I w…

I was banded Feb 4, 2010 and weighted 244lbs, current weight is 191, and my goal weight is 150. I am not please with myself, My band has 6.5cc in it and I do not want another fill. However I want to want to get to my goal weight... What should I do??? Please help...

I had my surgery on Dec. 6th. I was not sure I would be able to eat my favorite food again, steak. The other night we went to Texas Roadhouse. I ordered the 6 ounce filet medium rare. I ate half of the steak along with a few bites of salad and bake potato. I had no problem AND the most important part was that I ENJOYED IT!!! I stopped eating when I was starting to feel full. I think I am getting the hang of this new life.

Hi my name is Julie. I found this website because I was looking for info on insurance approvals. Well finally after this long six monthel process I finally got the call today saying that insurance was approved and they gave me a surgery date of 2.25.11 !!!! I feel very excited but more so just relieved that I am getting that much closer to a new beginning! I am enjoying reading everyones posts and it is extremely help. I will keep everyone posted.

Hi, My name is Brandi I have decided to do the lap band my procedure is 2/16/2011, I had my blood work done this morning I am so scared im not going to be able to follow the diet and eat healthy!! Food is my passion I eat when im mad, sad or just happy!! Im an addict to sweet tea and soda so I know its going to be rough my pre op diet is only 5 days worth of protein shakes so hopefully i will be able to stand it!! I have so many questions and worries about post op. I have watched so many videos about peoples journeys and some have complained about never eating the stuff they once loved again or not being able to eat in restraunts cause there food gets stuck I know its d…

Hi, I was banded on January 20. I've lost 13 lbs since and I feel great. I have a question regarding the healing process. My scars look like they are healing properly, however, they are red and itchy. Is that normal? Has anyone experienced the same?

Hello my name is Laura. I started the process in 8/10 and had the lap band on 12/1/10 in my home town. I've lost 95 lbs total ,,,55 pre and 40 post surgery. I had my first fill this morning actually. So far so good and its the best thing ive ever done for myself. Looking forward to meeting and sharing stories with others that have experienced this.

I have tried sooo many diets and think I'm ready to resort to WLS. I haven't even told my husband that I scheduled an appointment for a lap band consult on 2/8/11. I also scheduled my psych visit that morning. The insurance specialist told me I would need to have a sleep study done. I feel sooo overwhelmed with the feeling that my insurance will not pay for this. I do have lap band benefits, but my BMI is 36. I know that if I continue without surgery my weight will continue to increase. I have BCBS insurance. Has anyone had surgery with a BMI of 36...did insurance cover?...were you self pay? I am curious to know how much the procedure will cost if I decide to go …

Hello all. I'm new to this and at this point not sure what I'm doing here but I have a question. My surgery is scheduled Feb. 4 2011 and I am looking forward to it. I have been on the pre-op liquid diet for a week now and have lost 17 pounds on that. My question is can or could you eat instant mashed potatoes on the pre-op diet?

Hi all... New here and surgery is only 2 weeks away, Getting aliitle nervous now as it gets closer.... many people telling me I shouldnt do it... arghhhh