Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello everyone! I have spent many hours researching lap band and reading hundreds of posts and I have decided to go ahead and try to get approval for the surgery. I have been over weight since I was 5 years old and I am SOOO sick of it!! I have tried alli adkins weight watchers results sort and sweet 20lbs gone 30lbs back. Problem is I have tricare and I know I don;t meet there requirements my BMI is almost 40 but not quite I am not 100lbs overweight for my body type and I have no comorbs that they list, I am however very close to 100lbs overweight have Reflux, Chronic back pain and depression from being overweight terrible family history of just about every comorb, hear…

I have booked to be sleeved on February, 6th. I am going through a company called Cosmetic Bliss and will be going to Brno in the Czech Republic. The surgeon is Dr M Cierny. I am very anxious and excited. Will probably be scared closer to the time. I am looking for any advice on what to expect and what to do to help my body & mind get through this dramatic change. Has anyone here had any experience with Cosmetic Bliss or Dr Cierny? I am so grateful to have found this forum and have really been enjoying reading everyone's posts. I am 35 and married with no kids. We do have a cat though and he rules the roost. I was born and raised in Canada, but moved t…

Hello everyone my name is Malinda and I weigh 273lbs I have 1 more class to do and then I get my surgery date. I am confused on which surgery to get I would like to know how much weight you lose with the lap band or if you had the gastric done. My concern is saggin skin and loosing too much weight and looking sick. I heard you get sick with the gastric, but Im tired of taking meds for my diebetes

Hi everyone. My name is Tami, and I was banded on March 26, 2010. I have lost 43 pounds as of today, and still have about 40 to 50 more to lose. I love having my band, but I do have a question for those who have been banded for a while. I was doing great, and then about 2 to 3 months ago, I stopped feeling full and stopped losing weight. I did NOT gain, so that's good. I went to my doctor on Tuesday and had a .2cc fill. I have a 10cc band and I'm up to 6.7cc. Is it possible that you get used to the level your band is at, and need more adjustments after you've already been in the green zone? I'm afraid of running out of room to fill my band!!! Can this happen?

Hello all, My name is Ieshea and I am 33 yrs old. I was recently banded Dec 21, 2010 at a Center of Excellence in Plano, TX (Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital). My dr was Dr. Cribbins. The surgery went well (I guess); my only complain would be that I have sooooooo many questions and no one to answer them. Now maybe it's that I got it done the WEEK of Christmas so no one is accessible but when you are going through something like this someone else's day's off mean nothing to you lol. Either way, I had no idea of what to expect. I wasn't started on my pre-surgery diet until 4 days prior to my surgery and no one warned me how it would be after surgery (the recovery …

Im confused how the Lap Band works. If people won't or can't exercise and eat healthy without the band, how come they can with the band? I went to my first seminar today on the lap band and the doctor stated that diet and exercise is a must even after banded. If that is the case, then why do people get banded?

I have tried to reply to several posts, but keep geting the "you must have 5 posts..." So here is one.

So I am trying my hardest to do things right! I am taking most of the vitamins, eating more protien, trying to leave carbs and starches alone! I feel better I am getting between 450-600 calories in a day which I still dont feel comfortable with but it is a big improvement from 300 calories a day! I know I have only been doing this for under 2 weeks but the last 3 weeks I gained 3 lbs. I know this week I maintained and didn't gain anything or lose anything which is good ( I guess)! The Dietitian thinks I am platooning because I have been consistently losing weight for 6 months (before and after surgery)! Is that possible this soon out to have a Plato? I get confused cause …

Hey again, One of the biggest things I've been doing to stay motivated is of course, following this website. I also found a young lady on You Tube to follow named Newtoy4kt. But what I love is reading BLOGS. So far, I have been reading Chronicles from Band Land and some other ones. Is anybody blogging their journey so I can follow?!? Thanks, Not trying to be nosy, just looking for inspiration.

Are there restrictions on flying before or after surgery, fills, etc? If you fly frequently with the band can it cause issues?

Hey Guys, I was Banded in April of 2009 and I have lost some weight right off the bat and hit a plateu of losing weight. I hope to learn a lot of what you guys are doing to lose weight and apply that to what I do.

I am new here and am just looking for a support outlet! I am having my Lap Band surgery February 17, 2011. I am excited beyond words for this wonderful step towards a new healthier me, but on the same token, I am so nervous. It's not the actual surgery that is getting to me, it is my 10 day pre-op all liquid diet. I know it seems crazy that I would be more stressed about that part instead of the actual procedure, but there it is. Is/Has anyone else felt this way? Any words of advice or encouragement? What were some of your recipes for the liquid diet? Thank you all so much! I am looking forward to chatting with all of you!

Hello all~ My name is Ruthie and I live in NC. I have gone through all the hoops that the insurance company wanted me to do. It is really helpful in reading all of the comments posted here. I have been overweight all of my life and I am ready for a new change. Hopefully soon I will here about my approval from BCBS. Thanks, Ruthie

Hello Everyone! Is anyone attending the seminar this weekend here in Charlotte on Randolph Rd? I'd really like a buddy to go through all this with. Here is a little about me.. I'll be 34 yrs old tomorrow (1/7) and I am married with two little boys. I am a transplant from NY to Charlotte. I work full-time at a beer and wine distributor. Not much to it but I'd like to meet someone going through this process as I'm serious about all I need to do.

I attended the 6 month lighten up pre-requisite class. Just found out yesterday that my insurance denied the lap band. I want to cry. I have been waiting 6 months for this. They said my BMI is not high enough. It is 39 and must be 40 without complications. I have no weight related health issues but I know if I don't do something about this now, I will start developing problems. My dad had a heart attack followed by quadruple bypass in 2004. He is very overweight and diabetic. WHY did my insurance decline? If I gain 20 pounds that will put my BMI at 40. I want to appeal to my insurance company. Any suggestions? Has anyone had to deal with this? I have Health …

Hello, I'm new to this site. I've actually lurked here for ages but, never posted. I guess I thought I didn't "need" support for this journey...boy, was I wrong. I had my LapBand surgery in April 2009, surgery went great, doctor was great etc. I instantly lost almost 50lbs. Great! I haven't lost a pound since...this is MY fault not the bands! I've had ONE fill in all this time and I pretty much eat everything I want...I have no control and regardless of cutting carbs etc. I still binge eat like crazy. Well, I've decided enough is enough....I have an appointment on 1/17 for a fill. I have a 14cc band, I think I have maybe 4cc's in (no wonder I can eat everything LOL). …

I began my two-week pre-op diet today and am committed to staying with that plan until my surgery on Jan. 20. I am a 51-year-old man who has been a very successful weight loser during my adult life but an even better weight gainer. Gained 80 pounds in college and have lost: 75 pounds in 1887, 95 pounds in 2002, 123 pounds in 2004-2005 and 50 pounds or so more times than I can count. I hate that I can't succeed at something 80-90 percent of people can: managing my weight in a reasonable range. But I also think it is naive and even foolish to think the next time will be the time I keep the weight off. So I'm having lap band surgery, understanding that is only a tool to make…

Two weeks from today is my surgery day. Seems like its taking forever. I feel like I am limbo. Trying hard to keep my eye on the prize. I dont want ti fall prey to the last meal idea. I know many of you kniw how I feel. Just needed to write it down, to help me stay accountable fir my actions.

Hello, I'm total newbie. I love looking at all your weighloss ruler things showing how much you have lost and how much you have left. Can someone give me a simple "how to" so I can do it too? I had my sleeve surgery Dec 29 so I'm one week out. Thank you in advance. This looks like a great group. Smillzee

Hi I am only 5foot and around 200lbs. I gained alot of weight when I had my son and being a stay at home mom just haven't been able to keep it off. I worked out most of the summer about 3 days a week and tryed to eat healthy. I felt better overall but saw no weight loss. I tryed the no carb stuff but couldn't stick to it. I am over all pretty health other than being over weight. My BMI is 39.1 just under the min. I am planning to have another baby this year. I am really thinking about getting the lapband done once I am all healed up and done breastfeeding the new one. Im just not sure. Any thoughts? Oh and a main reason I want to lose the weight is so I can get a breast r…

I'm anxious to try the Protein drinks. I've sampled unjury vanilla that the NUT gave to me and I liked it. I'd like to try some more so I can see what one I like the most. I remember reading that you can get free samples somehow from other sources. Any suggestions? TIA

HELLO, my name is Liza, I had my gastric sleeve surgery on December 7 2010. My original weight was 211 lbs. On the day of surgery, my weight was down to 199. Today at about 3 weeks post op, I weigh at 186 lbs. I feel great, sometimes I wake up in the morning and I had to remind myself that I had the surgery. I think my weightloss is super slow and I am not very happy about it, especially for someone like me who weighs herself about 5 times a day. I just started going back to the gym 2 days ago and I use the elliptical machine for 30 minutes each day. Still though, the scale isnt moving at all. I do take my 1500mg Calcium and Multivitamins everyday and follow the diet as o…

Hello all, My name is Courtney and I am 27 years old. I am about 100 pounds overweight and ready to make a change. Prior to my current battle, I was a personal trainer. I worked out daily and was in great shape. That was until my hormones went south. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism following a year of gaining weight and battling doctors. Following this, I was diagnosed with PCOS. For the past two years, I have been on every diet and done some extreme exercise programs. All of these attempts have failed, which is why I decided to have Lapband surgery. I went for my initial consultation two days ago. My patient advocate told me that my history, weight, and health issu…

Hello. I joined tonight to ask a question about slippage concerns. I'm a 50 year old female, had my surgery in September 09, starting weight was 283 and I've gotten down to 208 ... but am at 212 following too many sweets during the holidays. I have been going to Curves for all of 2010, but recently ended that membership to join my work fitness program (cheaper and hours work for me better). I pulled a muscle in early December so have laid off the whole month, but plan to get back to work shortly. My post tonight is because I'm scared about my band slipping if I start vomiting from a virus that's going through my family right now. All 3 of my kids have it, plus 5 oth…

I have been on the boards for a little while, posting a little and reading a LOT! I am a 47-year-old mother of two in Tennessee. I am 5'4" and weigh 248. Only on this board would I admit that! I suffer from high blood pressure, borderline Type 2 diabetes, mild OA in my knees, and I apparently snore like a chainsaw. My BMI is 41.8, I think. Today my surgeon's insurance coordinator called and said their review of benefits was complete and my insurance should cover the majority of the charges, minus my co-pay and deductible. My first appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Spaw, is next Wednesday!! I will also meet with the nutritionist, exercise physiologist and take my psych …

Hi all, I'm still waiting on my surgeon's office to respond to BC/BS's request for clinicals to see if I'm approved for surgery. It was a rough year beginning with a call to the surgeon's office in March and my seminar in May! I've passed all my tests required by BC/BS and my surgeon. Wait, wait, wait! I am so excited to lose the weight and toss my bi-pap machine. Just wondered how many of you have been able to stop using your machine. My job requires me to take the card in my machine to a local medical equipment supply store and have them download a readout. I have to take this with me when I go for a physical to prove I've been using my machine regularly. If I hav…

I had my lap band surgery on July 14th, 2010. I initially lost 20 lbs in the first couple of weeks. That was awesome! It just fell off. Now I'm struggling. I'm having a hard time getting the will power to exercise, and of course the holidays just ruined everything. I had lost 27 lbs total, but have gained some back. I'm so frustrated. I get fills quite frequently, but my hunger is always there it seems like. I will fill full, but I never have the feeling that if I eat another bite I'll bring it back up. I have never been sick, and never had anything get stuck, which is good, but I'm eating way more than I should. I keep telling my doc about this, but he doesn't…

Hi!!!!!! My name is Emily and I am 29, mother of 2 boys and 1 welsh corgi I live in central CA (think Modesto, Sacramento, Manteca....then go a little east to the foothills of the sierra nevada's). I have been with Kaiser for 1 year. I went to see my PCP in December to talk about lap-band, she ok'd me because of my BMI (which is approx. 44) I am going to a mandatory weight loss surgery class in 2 weeks and then my PCP will refer me to a surgeon. I have NO IDEA what to expect from there. I have read SO MANY posts on this forum and it seems everyone has a different journey when it comes to the steps that they take before surgery and I can't seem to find anyone who has g…

Hey! Just a quick little intro as I sit in my hotel room. My name is Mike, I'm 24, from the Rockford, IL area. I have struggled with my weight since childhood and am unbelievably excited to get this process started. My doctor is Dr. Ariel Ortiz in Tijuana, Mexico for surgery and Dr. Vafa Shayani in Chicago for my aftercare. Any other questions, just ask!

Hi all, I am a 63 yr old widowed male. I had a BMI of 55.4 that is now down to 52.4 thanks to Weight Watchers. I am retired after teaching at Johns Hopkins University for 35 years. I have a lot of hobbies, two German Shepherd Dogs and a 20 yr old son. I am going to get my surgery date for a VSG on January 10th. I had originally started this journey thinking Roux-en-Y but after a bit of research and thought have decided the VSG is for me. Didn't consider the lapband from the start. I have now been through all the re-operative testing and counseling and have been approved by my insurance company. Surgery is going to be done at Greater Baltimore Medical Center in To…

I'm two weeks from my surgery. Been doing a lot of thinking and worrying. Thought I'd make something positive and therapeutic out of it. I've started a blog. Feel free to read...hope it's not too boring, it's good for me to release the emotions. Only one entry so far...started late last night when I was scared. After blogging, felt some relief. http://shrinking2011.blogspot.com/

hello im jessica and im looking forward to meeting others that are on the lap band journey! please feel free to add me as a friend. im 3 months into my 6 month journey. my lap banding is this april of the new year!

SINCE MOVING BACK TO HAMPTON ROADS, VA I AM HAVING TROUBLE FINDING A DR THAT WILL HELP ME MANAGE THE BAND I GOT OVERSEAS...I HAVE BEEN HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS UNTIL LAST SPRING..A BROKEN TOE SLOWED ME DOWN, AND DID LOTS OF CELEBRATING AFTER RETURNING STATESIDE...HOPING A DR WILL TAKE ME WITHOUT DOING THE SURGERY HIMSELF: THE AFTERCARE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART! BEST TO YOU FOR A THIN DAY...

Hi. I am really needing some help and direction. I am 47, 5'0 and about 180 lbs. I am insulin dependent type II diabetic. I am addicted to carbs, sweets, etc. and seem to have no self control. I will start a diet and do well for a while, then something comes up and I am back to the same old destructive ways. I do exercise, I have been working with a personal trainer for about 3 months, but I just can't get a handle on my eating. Last spring I had an initial appt with a local bariatric surgeon and started doing all of the things to be banded. But I started to think that I should be able to do it on my own, so I dropped the ball. Well, now here I am several months…

Hi there, I am Brittany from Abilene Texas. I had surgery (VSG) on December 16thin Fort Worth Texas (about 3 hours away) by Dr. Michael Green. The first 3 days were awful and then I startedfeeling great and did until just a couple of days ago. Now I feel like I cant force myself to eatanything and I am so thirsty but I am having a hard time making myselfdrink. I love ice Water, its absolutelymy favorite drink in the world but I am needing to drink my Protein drinksbefore my water and I can barely get those down. When I finally give up I go to the water andliterally want to chug it but I know better than that so I try not to but Ijust feel like im not in a good spot r…

I am so pumped! I attended a seminar a few weeks ago. I had attended one before, but wasnt sure this was what I wanted. Regardless, after this past one, I was feeling that I definitely want to do this. I went to my PCP and pretty much got a lecture on diet and exercise. I felt like a failure, there was no discussion of the lapband. It was about "if you cant change your lifestyle and lose weight on your own, then you cant change your lifestle, and therefore, you wont be successful with the lapband." *@!!!^*&! I left feeling very depressed about it. She did review what she needed to review to make this my first visit, but she was very explicit in the fact th…

I am getting lap band surgery in a month along with fixing my hernia a little scared but am looking forward to a new me.What is it like after surgery????

So I am 4 days out of surgery. I am handling everything pretty well. Just going to take it a day at a time. I was in a tizzy trying to get approved before the end of the year. I got approved on the 29th and had the surgery on the 31st. It was a 3 month whirlwind. Now it seems a bit anti climactic. Sort of like "Now what do I do with my time?". I don't have a scale yet so I am not sure how much, if any, I have lost. I had an incredible doctor (Frank Chae in Lone Tree, CO) and an incredible team. I also have to say that, for the first time in my life, I have nothing bad to say about my insurance company. Go Aetna!!!! I am trying very hard to concentrate on fol…

HELLO EVERYONE! My name is Ashley, i am a 22 yr old full time student and tomorrow on 01/06/11 i will be getting the lap band. i am super excited about this big change in my life. i started my journey in 2009 ! but stopped because i didnt think i could handle it and also was dealing with normal life stress. i really thought long and hard and knew doing this is right for me and me only. i still live with my parents and they are against the fact that i am having this done. this are "old school" i would say and think other actions can be taken besides doing this surgery. i think once i am sucess with this surgery they will be happy with my choice and proud as well. i joine…

HELLO EVERYONE! My name is Ashley, i am a 22

HELLO EVERYONE! My name is Ashley, i am a

HELLO EVERYONE! My name

HELLO EVERYONE! My

I am scheduled for my vsg surgery on Monday January 17 so I have to start my 2 week liquid diet tomorrow. For the next 2 weeks I will be living on 3-4 protein shakes, sugarfree drinks, plain eggs and low fat cheese per day. I am so nervous and scared that I won't be able to do it. Any suggestions and tips to help me make through these next 2 weeks would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jen

Hello everyone, I had my surgery in mid-august. I was 271 at surgery. I am 213 now (well, 215 truly because of weight gain since Christmas -but it isgoing back down...). I am worried because I met with my nutrionist this week and she mentioned that I should only be eating 2 oz. of food at a meal. I can eat much more than that. My surgeon said I should be at 200lbs by New years. I am not. What do you think? I am trying to stay below 30 carbs and above 80 Proteins a day... i wonder why I am not losing faster. I am down 90 pounds since 2010. So, I am not totally unhappy. Please send me your advice. Thank you.

Hi All, My name is Dan and I'm about to embark on the gastric surgery road. Up until this point, I had thought I had firmly decided on a Gastrict Sleeve Plication with Dr. Corvala in Hospital Angeles in Tijuana. However, after reading some posts about still feeling hungry or miserable after the surgery, I'm starting to wonder if it's right for me. I currently weigh 405lbs with a BMI of 52. I'm 28 years old and have been overweight since I was a kid. Recently, my father and I have come into some money which would make this surgery possible, so financing is not currently an issue. But my father is nervous, especially about sending me to Mexico for what seems to be almost-…

Hello everyone, has anyone done the vertical sleeve plication in Mexico and if so can you tell me about your experience and how you are feeling?

Hi Everybody~ I was banded 28 December 2010. Have been thinking about it a few years, since my mother had it done at age 65, 4 years ago. I'm excited to finally have it done and ready to start losing. I'm 5'9" and my highest weight, a few months ago, was 338. I was 319 day of surgery. I have no idea what I've lost so far because my scale changes up to 15 lbs just depending where it is on my floor!! I did a 2 week pre-op liquid diet and the first few days after banding was all liquid, but then I tried some soft foods, chewed well, and they went down fine, so then I tried more. So far, everything has went down well, and I was starting to wonder if the band was really …

Yup...I am hard at work at becoming the crazy cat lady. Though I only have two kittehs at this time, I fully anticipate when I am old and senile I will be living on a large farm which I bough specifically so I could surround myself with cats. And with that lovely introductory line, Hello!!! I am a graduate student in Ohio and have debated WLS for quite a few years. When I first looked into it (about 2004) my insurance wouldn't cover it and I couldn't get financing so it was no go...back to doing it the hard way. Tried out the Atkins diet and had excellent success. I lost 75lbs and then my gall bladder; the removal of which was covered by my insurance. Flash…

Hi all, Was just banded Monday 12/27. I have never been so miserable as I have the last 3 days.The nausea is unrelenting and I am wishing I had never had the surgery now.I vomited in the PACU, in the car on way home,3 more times that day and then 2 times on post-op day1. I just got back from the local ER and had to have 2 liters of IV fluid for the severe dehydration. The band feels like it is stuck and if I threw up hard enough that it will come flying out of my throat. Please....has ANYONE had this much trouble and if so, what do you advise?