Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I can't believe I finially have a date for my surgery! After so many obstacles, I didn't think it was going to be scheduled so soon. I am so tired of being heavy. I can't wait to go back down to a small size again and look on the outside like I feel on the inside. I know its a long road. I didn't get to this weight in one day and I know it won't come off in one either. I'll be able to play with my children and keep up with them. I'm excited, nervous and scared all at once. I'm excited about getting my life back in control. I nervous about the surgery and I'm scared about the process and the trip thru my journey. I'm really glad that I found the site a…

For a few years I knew I needed wls. I did a ton of research and waffled between the band and rny. I weighed (no pun intended) the pros and cons of each and could not make a decision (or actually made a thousand decisions - a different one everyday). They both just seemed to meet my needs but in different ways. So, last night I attended an info seminar and the doc presented the info about the 2 best known surgeries and...ta da...the sleeve! OMG this is the surgery I've been looking for!!! Weight loss average close to the rny with no rerouteing of vital internal bits and safer with less of a chance of malnutrition. No dumping and good weight loss. What more co…

Im new looking into the process and how things work good bad whatever tell me true

I just got a call from my surgeon's office and they wanted to know my current weight because the doctor asked me to try to lose 10 more pounds before surgery. I have lost 2 more pounds since my pre-op appointment, but I'm afraid they are going to tell me that I can't have surgery now because I haven't lost 10. This has totally sent me into a tailspin because I need this surgery!!!! Any words of wisdom?

hi, so happy to have found this forum. Went to the seminar tonight. I am just going to make the BMI. I was wondering if anyone know about the likelyhood would have to do 6 month diet? I have lost the same 30 pounds(needed to lose 60) over the past ten years, with diet pills most successfully. I work as a nurse in the same hospital as the Drs that would be doing (hopefully) my surgery. My questions also are, do I go to Dr to have blood work done etc before I go in for a consultation, or wait to have them perform these tests? I do have several medical issues, that per peers at work would likely qualify me for the band. Seems like a hard process, one I am willing to go …

How 'bout a new topic for January Bandsters. New Years-New You! I'm being banded Jan 12th at UCI in Orange, California. How about you?

Today is the first day of my journey. I had my consult today and I am scheduled for my sleeve on march 14. I am excited, scared, curious, and so many other feelings I can't describe. I have read so many stories on here and they have all inspired me so much. I just hope that I have the same success that everyone else has had. I have 2 mandatory test that I have to do first. 1.) sleep study 2.) psych evaluation. And possibly an EGD this is still up in the air. I am not sure why I have to do the psych test. Maybe someone else who had this can explain better. Is there something they could say to prevent my surgery. Just sounds like a silly thing to have to do, I know I have a…

Hi my name is Linn. Although I am new here, I had banding in May 2008. I have been struggling for the past year. I'm glad I found this website. I am hoping to find some good support here.

I had my consult this morning. Met the Dr. (DeBarros of Phoenix), all forms signed and sealed..........................surgery scheduled for March 11. So excited!!! I feel very confident in the doctor (he and his patner, Dr. Orris, perform the surgery together) and the staff. I met EVERYONE in the office and have a lot to "digest" in the coming weeks. PCP for labs: 1/24/11 EGB: 1/28/11 Pre-op: 2/22/11 Begin two week pre-op diet: 2/25/11 BIG DAY 3/11/11 Watch Dr. DeBarros on Arizona Living today between 1 & 2. Great information.

Hi people, I'm going in this morning, sign in 6:30. Surgery 8:30, around 3-4 hours then recovery... out of recovery by 2 or so... thats what they say, lets see what happens! A little nervous about starting a new life with some old habits to contend with... think of me, I'll report back from the other side.... Kim

Just wanted to say hello to everyone! I am new to the board but definitely not new to the band. I have had my band for 7 yrs & love every minute of it, I can even deal with my lone overfill of the three fills I have had. LOL! I have lost over 110 lbs and still have 40 left. I even got pregnant, never had anything unfilled, and had my gorgeous hellion without a hitch. LOL! Now.... to find a way to get that other 40 off me.

I have been attending the Wharton Weight Management Clinic in Hamilton, Ontario to get some perspective on my weight and what I can about it. My good friend suggested I start there, as weight management is about more than what you put in your mouth - you need to understand some of the whys, and some of the bad habits, you have. It's been a great experience - I am down 25 lbs, feeling very good, sugars are much better. However, with a starting weight of 331, and knowing myself so well, I really was interested in surgery. Dr. Wharton, who is a bariatric specialist and not a surgeon, warned me that my huge(and I mean big big big...)hernia would definitely prevent gastric b…

Hi, all! I'm from Jacksonville, FL. I've been overweight for as long as I can remember, and I have a host of weight-related problems : high blood pressure, high cholesterol, irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, uterine fibroids. I started having knee and hip pain last year. Finally I decided that enough is enough. I'm turning 40 this year. I'm graduating from law school in December this year. I just got married a year and a half ago. I have too much to live for to keep on killing myself with food. That's why I decided to get banded. Dr. Cywes did my surgery on December 30, 2010. It included a hiatal hernia repair. So far, my recovery has gone very well, although t…

I was banded December 3 2006 and have lost 120 lbs including the 20 lbs presurgery from the liquid diet. (Yech!) I'm thrilled at the success and would do it all over again. After a 20 lb gain after the death of out 10 year old grandson from leukemia. (Yes you can gain weight on the lap band if you stuff eat "feel better" junk day in day out, and you just feel worse) I've been on a pretty steady minus 5-6 pounds per month since then. I'm thrilled to have join the Forum!

Hey there, I found this forum today and have been reading the posts. I've been thinking about having surgery for a while. Like so many others, my weight has been a lifelong struggle. I think that surgery would be a tool to help me get my life back. I miss feeling good and being active. I have so many questions....hopefully many of which will be answered at the seminar I am attending on 1/22/11. I am excited to start this journey, I just hope I get approved!

Well I had been dreading telling my boss that I needed off to go to a consult for the lapband. I am the office manager in a small office and have been for 10 years so, yes, I needed to tell him why I would be off. We are good friens so I don't have a problem with him knowing but...... He kinda shook his head, and I told him that I didn't want his opinion. He said ok but then said well have you tried losing it on your own with diet and exercise. Well yes for about 20 years. He said no I mean really try and stick to it, all you have to do is burn more calories than you eat. So there is the answer, boys and girls, just exercise and diet, lol . I told him I could lose …

I was banded on friday January 7th, 2011 in a small town in Central California. I'm 41-years old married with a wonderful wife and two daughters, whom I love more than life itself. Yet afraid and unsure, I knew this life-band was my very last hope. My current stats to-date are putting hopeful thoughts back into my life, I'm actually starting to smile once again. Pre-op 282lbs 11 days post-op 251lbs down 30lbs. These first 11 days have been interesting to say the least. One interesting fact that I wasn't prepared for was the continuing shoulder pain I experience after doing my daily treadmill workout. I'm aware of the pain related to the Anastasia relating to the surger…

I am looking for a local (Lakeland) support group. I have lost 25 lbs so far but want to do better. Need recipe options as I am having some challenges. Thanks

Hi there everyone. My name is Amber and I was banded on 12-29-2010. I am doing pretty good I guess. The first 2 weeks were pretty rough but it has been almost 3 weeks and I am feeling pretty good. Still not getting enough fluids in me as I run out of time before I run out of liquid. Still drinking the Protein shakes and trying to get 3-4 meals in. Overall though I feel pretty well. I don't have restriction from my band when I do eat, which is good that I am not over doing it. I love me some Water though. I find that I crave water like crazy and salad. I am missing my salads. I have spent the last year preparing my mind and body for this surgery so I was on a…

Hi!!!! I was banded on 12/17/2010. So far, things are going great. I have already lost 27lbs. I am so proud of myself and I feel great! Where are all my fellow bandsters banded on 12/17/2010 as well or in the month of December?

Hi My Name is Michelle and Im new to this forum. I'm getting my lap band on April 21,2011. I live in Dover Florida and my surgeon is Dr. Grossbard in Zepherhills Florida. I was wondering if any of you have had Dr Grossbard as your surgeon ? If you have please share your experiance with me. thanks in advance....

I am 56 yr old female, professional dieter, finally wanted to do something for me. Have all the 'nasties', type II diabetes, hypertension, and BMI of 45. Had my Lap band done on 1/10/11 in Pittsfield, Ma. Consider this the first day of my new life. Of course nothing went without a hitch. Had hiatal hernia repair along with procedure and then respiratory distress after being extubated from general anesthesia. Now I am 10 days post op. How am I feeling? Well, I trying the best I can on the liquid diet. I have no pain or discomfort. I am sometimes hungry, but am I? I have wicked nausea, lightheadedness and no energy. Of course, having surgery this time of…

Hi! I'm really kind of nevrves about this because I realize that this is my next and final step. I'm 23 years old and have recently married my high school sweetheart about 9 months ago. Before that I lead a really active life. I high school I was in JROTC and played sports. After I graduated and decided to take a break for a few years...I guess the pounds started creeping on. See I've always had a problem with weight since I was little but have managed to control somehow. However, once adulthood and all the resposibilities that came along with it started, I never noticed the size 14 going to 22. I started working 50-60 hrs work weeks and spending the rest of the time bein…

Hi all, I'm new on here so I thought I should start with my introduction. I've been browsing this site for a few months now but just joined the other day. My journey originally started December of 2008. I talked to my PCM about WLS and he completely shot me down. told me to diet and do what my skinny friends do. So I took matters into my own hands and found a surgeon and attended a seminar. Applied for surgery but got denied by my insurance(ODS) I was crushed and had given up hope. Fast forward to April of 2009. My husband is in the Army and I now have Tricare(Triwest) and a new PCM. My new PCM was very supportive of WLS and submitted a referrel to Tricare for the sur…

Ok so I'm approved and surgery date is Feb 1. I've been reading ur posts for a few days now and wonder if I should get gastric by pass instead of the band? I live 2 hrs from my surgery center and am scared to death about slippage and not getting restriction once I get my realize band. If I get by pass there will be no fills, faster weight loss (more skin? ) and I can eat "real food" faster. I wanted the band because I know I can lose weight - the band will just help me keep it off and motivated (hopefully). Also I'm worried with by pass that ill eat too much and my stomach will grow big again. Did anyone else wonder if they should do by pass or sleeve instead? How did …

Hello, I just got banded yesterday (1/12/11)! I am still pretty sore where the port is, but I am feeling better with every hour that goes by. I got home this afternoon and I am taking my liquids in every 15 minutes. I am super excited to see what this new year has in store for me! I am hoping to be close to my goal weight of 160 by the end of the year.

Hi Everyone, My name is Christina, I live on the Eastern Shore in a small town. I am 24 years old, and recently graduated from nursing school. I got married in June 2010 in Las Vegas woohooo to my son's father. Our son is 3 years old and we also have a 9 and 16 year old boy. I got banded on Jan. 13th by Dr. Alan Zarif (great doc!). I am 4 days post-op and starting to feel like a normal person again. Here's a little bit of my journey so far.... Day 1: Surgery 6a-Prep for surgery. They put a gown on me that hooks up to a warmer that blows warm air into the gown. I couldn't help but laugh as I blew up like a balloon. 7a- Anesthesiologists are starting to talk…

Greetings fellow banders, I was banded last March, lost 40lbs in the first few months and then stalled. Started a new job in September and munched my way through the holidays, gained back 12 POUNDS!!! My fault, cookies and holiday goodies go right through band. Ready to pay closer attention, not the bands fault, bad sweet tooth!!!

:rolleyes:I am new to this site as well have found some really interesting comments so far & am looking forward to being able to learn as I go alomg from some of you that have a heads up on us.. I love reading the success storys people have had & can only hope with time I can become one of them.. I have been over weight all of my life (I DID LOSS 125 LBS. & KEPT IT OFF FOR 8 YEARS ).. but now cannot seem to lose 10 lbs. then comes the battle with depression & the feeling of being unattractive.. I lost my husband of 28 years , then was in a relationship for almost 4 , but now find myself starting over again.. I just have to find & keep the motivation …

I never have been "skinny", but I was never obese growing up. I guess I was what you could call chubby, at least by my standards! I don't really remember when I became this morbidly obese person that I am now. It's like I just woke up one day and there I was...this person I didn't recognize. I am so ashamed of myself, I cannot believe I have let myself get to this point, what was I thinking? I just want to feel good...I don't have some disillusioned belief that people are going to see my as a supermodel or think I am this breath taking beauty, but I do know that I am going to be thinner and most importantly HEALTHIER and that no matter what others think of me I will be be…

Found this site about a week ago and find it really helpful. Hope to be sleeved in late February - will find out soon as clinnic is submitting my info to insurance after my last nutritionist appt., last step. Nervous, excited, hopeful, and working hard at the necessary changes to be made.....love the changes......love the success and hope for it to be life-long for good health. I have type 2 diabetis and a few other morbidities and look forward to a decrease in medication and all the benefits Met with my surgeon today and think the sleeve is a great choice for me. I am willing to do the work it takes and am so encouraged by the success stories. I want to uncover …

Hey guys and gal my name is Lorraine I am 33years old living in Brooklyn, NY I had my surgery on 12/21/10 at Lenox Hill hospital in Manhattan, NY my Dr name is Michell Roslin today I celebrated my 4th week since my surgery I am still struggling mentally this surgery is so much harder than I thought it would be I have been depressed for over 3 weeks this is my 2nd day feeling ok I felt like i am the only one feeling this way so I deceided to look online for a place of support and I hope I can find it on this site. I would appreciate any help you guys can help me with going during this process and how to navigate this website. Thank you Lorraine Starting weight 304 …

Hi, My name is Deb I am 54 yrs old , divorced, have 4 grown children, 5 grandchildren. I have battled my weight all my life( my grandfather and father decided I should be 25 lbs by the time I was 6 months) my highest weight was 302 lbs., I now weigh 279 lbs. I have fought diabetes, kidney disease, anemia, fibromyalgia and the list goes on . I take 20 different meds daily. I no longer work, ( I was a nurse for 36 yrs) . It hurts to walk, I try to exercise and end up hurting something else. I have looked into the weight loss surgery several times but was always told it " would kill me" because of issues I already have with my esophagus. I decided to check into …

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My name is Esther. I am 45 and I have battled my weight since I was 7 years old. I was chubby as a child and I became addicted to sugar as a baby drinking a bottle of milk laced with corn syrup ( doctor recommended). At 27 I became Type 2 Diabetic. By 30 I was Insulin Dependent. At 35 I caught a mysterious virus which gave me Congestive Heart Failure, permanently damaged both kidneys 65% and affected my vision. At age 36 I was blind for 6 months. At age 37 I went on Dialysis for 18 months. At age 39 I had a Kidney Transplant. All through these years of illness I tried diets, pills, hypnosis, psychotherapy, etc. NOTHING WORKED. In June of 2010 my Kidney Doctor told me I e…

I can't remember how to get to my signature. I got a ticker in there but I dont remember how I did it. I have been to settings and profile and cant find it. Thanks....

Like any addict, I've always believed I could solve this on my own. I always said that my mind and my mouth got me into this, my mind and my mouth will get me out of it! I've yo-yo'd all my life and now tipping the scale over 350 pounds (after gaining back a lot of weight) it's now time for me to get serious about weight loss again. I think (think possibly being the operative word) that I am an anomaly. I know I am heavy, but I am healthy. I am not diabetic, I don't have heart disease, high blood pressure / cholosterol, or sleep aptnea, etc. My bloodwork is near perfect and I can exercise with minimal joint pain. I don't have any psychological scars for why I over eat. …

Hi, My name is Nick and i'm new to this site. I am set to be banded on either the 4th or the 11th of February 2011. I am waiting to hear back from my Hospital to find out the exact day. I have been creeping around here and have been reading a lot of diffrent threads about other people dealing with life before and after being banded. I look forward to talking with lots of you on here about dealing with my everyday hurdles with y weight loss and the lap band. Talk to you all real soon. Nick

I have been researching the sleeve/weight loss surgery for a year and a half. Now that I have taken the steps to get the ball rolling.......I can't get the "fears" out of my head! The one thing I havent found are statistics.......not that they would make up my mind for me but I think it would make me feel better to know what they are. I havent read hardly any "bad experiences" which is a great thing. I know in my heart this is what I will need to do to get the weight off and get healthy.....and I hope to have surgery in May (gotta do a 3 month thing for insurance) and there are days May can't come fast enough and then there are the days I think ...is it worth the r…

My surgery is scheduled for 2/28/11. Are there any vegetarian or vegan banders out there? I am slowly working my way back to being a vegetarian (was one for a few years back in the 70's - 80's) with the ultimatee goal of becoming vegan. Just wondering how it is working the band as a vegan....

Hello , i had sleeve gastrectomy in September 2010. Iave loss 35 lbs and i know lots of inches . Not sure how many but i wear about 3 to 4 sizes smaller in my jeans. YAY!!!! Although for 3 weeks i have been stuck...the scales are not moving and it is getting me down. I don't want to get depressed about this. I'm drinking my protein and getting my fluid in but......im ready to see scales move again.Any suggestions on my diet .... I do walk at least 5 days a week on eliptical for 30 minutes. Please just someone tell me what to do to start losing again.

I was asked if I could post my story here, so here it is. If you make it to the end, I applaud you! I began researching WLS last January. My sister, age 33, had a heart attack Sept. 09, and then a triple bypass 2 days before Christmas 2009. My mom told me that we have a family history of heart disease before the age of 40. My 40th birthday was only 8 mths from that time. So about a month after her triple bypass I heard my husband talking about how a co-workers wife just had WLS, the sleeve. I never even considered looking into WLS. I always was one to say that you could do it on your own, just eat right and exercise..it's simple. BUT..after living my life at 3…

Hello, I'm new to this site and have probably the same questions as others. I was banded on September 1 and lost 18lbs in the first two weeks! OMG--I was soooo Excited! Then, I lost about two or three more up to my first fill which wa the end of October. I must mention how excited I was to lose more weight and then, sssccchhhrreeecchhh....no more weight loss. Well, I began to reflect what I was doing wrong, and I must admit, I was slowly moving back to my old eating habits but just not eating as much. Then, I tried exercising more, and still no loss. I went back to high Protein (tuna, scrambled eggs, low fat turkey and chicken sausages) and it appeared that I lost…

Hi my name is Lenore, and i live in st. Louis Missouri. I was band Dec 8 2010. And im looking for new supporters that has been through or is going to go through the surgery.. This is my first visit so I will sit back and check out the site. I dont know what to write about now.. so I'll get back with you all a little bit later. Thanx

I thought I would share my experience being sleeved. Maybe this will help some that are getting ready to be sleeved. On January 11, 2011 I arrived at the hospital at 7AM. I got into my room and put the nice gown on with socks. The PA came to visit with me and again explain what was going to happen. The lab came in and took blood work one more time. The nurse came in to weigh me ONE more time. I had three hours to wait but it went by fast! In fact they called me to surgery sooner then expected. The nurse quickly gave me my Heparin shot which I was REALLY nervous about but you know what I didn't feel a thing. They also put a patch behind my ear....kinda like dram…

Hi all I am a pre-op patient. I have been going through hoops for about 7 months so far. From tests to dieting to psych evals and cpaps ugh I'm still determined to do it though. I guess I'm getting close and still have some questions and concerns that I think might be better answered by actual patients then doctors. So if anyone wants to talk feel free. I'm open to discussing my experiences and hearing yours.

Finally Approved !!! It's been 1 year since I started this process, I'm now scheduled for February 16th. I wasn't nerves about the surgery until now, I suppose this is normal. I just registerd yesterday with LapBand Talk, I'm looking forward to reading everyones questions, concerns and success stories. Have a wonderful day... Patti

Hi, my name is Pat, and I had my surgery on Nov. 30th in Okla. So far, since starting this journey on Sept. 30th, I have lost 41 lbs. My insurance required me to lose 20lbs. before my surgery and I have continued to lose since my surgery. I went back for my first fill on Jan.4th and didn't get one because I had lost 11 lbs. since my first visit to the Dr. a week after my surgery. I was very excited by that news, but since coming home (I have to travel 4hrs. to the Dr.) I haven't lost any more. They told me this is not uncommon and that I would probably have a fill next month when I go back. I haven't been able to find a support group anywhere around where I live, so thi…

I was really nervous, even vomited right before banding but everything went well. I had to have a hatial hernia fixed during the banding and now I am experiencing acid reflux for the 1st time in my life...is this normal? The gas pains in my upper back/shoulders is awful but I am trying to stay positive. I weighed 203lbs at banding and have lost 2.5 lbs in the last 3 days. I am hoping to reach my goal weight of 135 by summer, hope thats realistic

My whole life has been a story of fat and thin but one thing that has been consistent is my self image. I have ALWAYS had a complex about my big thighs and for some reason felt more comfortable wearing longer skirts that hid my tree trunks. Now, granted, when I was 21 and weighed around 150, I was not adverse to wearing tight black trousers and the occasional bikini on the beach but this didn't stop me thinking my legs were fat. As I got to about the 200 mark, I began to feel a little 'chunky' in my trousers and switched for flattering, or what I though was flattering skirts. So I am now 2 weeks post op and sitting around the 270 mark and guess what? I put on my black fl…