Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Just a quick update. I just finished week 8 post-op. It hasn't been easy. I struggle with getting my required fluids and Protein on a daily basis. Everyday is a learning process but I'm glad to be on the journey. I lost 15 lbs pre-op on my 7 day liquid diet. I have lost 35 since surgery 8 weeks ago. I did have a 2 week stall on my third week. My favorite thing to drink is ice cold Water....I hated water before surgery. I haven't started a work out routine yet. I'm trying to find the energy. I'm posting my progress pics, please forgive the horrible hair as the pics are taken before I get ready for work.

Hi. I 'm Kelly and I am 39 years old. Today, Dec 29, 2010, is post op day 2 from my VSG with Dr Pennings in Post Falls, Id. I decided to have this surgery vs a RNY or band because I wanteed to keep "my plumbing" as natural as I could and I didn't want a foreign body inside of me for the next 40 years. My OMG weight was 309 lbs. Before starting the 10% I had to loose before the surgery I was at 292. The day of my surgery I was 258.4. So why didn't I continue with the liquid pre-op diet and loose all my weight that way? Because it is an all liquid diet. I was having alot of what I call head hunger and was getting closer and closer to giving in to it. (oh I feel like e…

Hey Everyone. My name is Jenna. I am 20 years old. I was banded on November 17 2010. My highest weight was 347. I was 327 when I started my pre-op liquid diet. Today I weigh 289. I am waiting to get my first fill in a week! I can't wait. I just discovered this site. Looking forward to sharing stories and ideas with other band-sters. I'm getting tired of the same old same old food choices..so recipies too! You can find me on youtube.. " jdeport2"

Got my approval from BCBS yesterday, saw my surgeon today, scheduled for 3/01/11, of course there is a bunch of pre op appointments, endoscopy, bla bla bla.... Bottom line, Im gonna get to be skinny before 2011 ends, ok maybe not skinny, but skinny enough! I have to say a big thanks to Dr DiBenetto and his staff at Bariactrics of Western NY. There were times during this process that I was not the most pleasant person to deal with due to all the insurance denials, but Dr D's Staff, especially Lorie stuck with me and got me approved.

Hi, My name is Karen, I'm 45 years old and have struggled with my weight my whole life. I'm 5'6" and currently weigh 261 pounds, my highest was 277. I've tried every diet, under the sun. I've tried fad diets, weight watchers, taken pills and supplements, tried hypnosis..etc..nothing ever works for long. I am now disabled and can no longer do alot of excercise so just dieting is not really working..once over 40 I can't just go without eating for a few days and lose 5 pounds like I did as a 20 year old. You have to work harder as you get older and without being able to really excercise,,it's been almost impossible for me. I have several conditions that have limited …

Hello there. I am so excited. I finally got my surgery date! I kinda feel like I did when I was pregnant with my daughter- and the doctor gave you a "due date". Only this time instead of buying cute clothes and setting up a nursery, I'm out stocking my kitchen with Clear liquids and things I will need post op. I have been overweight since I was 12 with my heaviest being right now 252. Wow, I don't know how it got so out of control. I just wasn't paying attention to what I needed instead worrying about my Autistic daughter or going through a bitter divorce. This year, I plan on taking back control over my life. I bid adieu to the girls over at the Lane B…

Hey everyone!! Okay so...my journey is going by seemingly more quickly. What was ~supposed~ to happen was to not even see the doctor until next week.. but I was on Facebook this morning and my mom came into the room and asked me how I felt about seeing the doctor tomorrow..which would technically be today seeing as how it's 2am here haha. I was like "Okayy.." So I go for bloodwork in about 6 hours. To be perfectly honest, I am terrified because of my own family history. I'm adopted and I've got a brother a year to the day older than me (Weird, right?? haha!) I was told that he is already a diabetic...at 21. Because we're so close in age, I'm sooo scared tha…

My name is Kim; I am 48 y/o. I live in Indiana. I have struggled with the weight game since my early 20s : Marriage+babies=FAT. Several tries at WW with marginal successes (most recently since 2007: 30 off, then on; 25 off, then back on)...so ready to get off this bumpy wagon ride and make these efforts really pay off. FOR GOOD. Will attend the informational seminar at a local hospital on the 8th. From there, an appt w/ a surgeon, and hopefully a smooth track to The Day to change my life. I have 4 children...two older,on their own; two younger, 6 and 10...and I want to be able to enjoy these little boys. Not to feel ashamed of myself everytime there is a school eve…

Hi Everyone, I am 30 years old and am preparing for the gastric sleeve surgery. I just had my pre-op appointments today and am waiting for a surgery date. The surgeon told me that they are scheduling for March, 2011. It's been such a long journey already! I started this process in January 2010 after thinking about having wt. loss surgery for several years. It wasn't something that I initially wanted to do, but the glaring reality of the situation is that I can not lose the weight without help. At my highest weight I weighed 444 pounds. Since going through the Options classes through Kaiser, I have lost 26 pounds! My current goal is to be under 400 pounds bef…

Hey, I'm 19 and my bmi is 33.5 I have been overweight since I was 13 This has been a constant struggle I have to watch everything I eat and its still hard on me. Out of all my friends I eat the healthiest. yet im overweight. I have joint pains And Dr suspects sleeping disorder already at age 19. When I hit 25, 30, 40 or if I even make it to 50 what will b wrong than. My family had history of diabetes, Sleep apena, heart problems, high cholesterol, high blood suger, strokes, and cardiac issues, not to mention almost all the females are obese. I have my first lap band appointment tomorrow to see if I can get approved, does anyone think ill have a problem or…

Hello! I'm a newbee at blogging so bare with me! LOL! I had surgery in Sept. 09 since then I have struggled with vomiting, heart burn and had surgery in Sep 10 for a slippage. I have 5CC currently in the band and am feeling better but still struggling with my food addiction. I've lost a total of 70lbs but still have 45 to go. I want this to work but get very fustrated especially when I wake up everynight vomiting. Does anyone else out there have these issues? It would be nice to talk to someone who understands.

Hello, My name is Jaleena and I live along the coast of NC. Like most of the postings I've read, I am trying to make a decision regarding lapband surgery. At almost 50, my options for weight loss seems to be running out and my doctor has suggested this route. I've stumbled across this forum by googling - hoping that this might answer some of the questions I have. I've had a weight problem for all of my adult life - both of my parents were obese and I know that I use food as a stress reliever. I have 2 grown children and just recently became a grandmother! As a Christian, I struggle with viewing my weight issues as faith issues and see it as another failure in my li…

My surgery date is scheduled for February 14th! I start the diet on Jan 31st! I am soooo excited!

I'm excited to be here and to find others going through the same experience. I have met with Dr. Valentine in Meridian, Idaho and have begun checking off my requirements to be eligible for the surgery. I am 140 pounds overweight and have struggled my entire life, I was always chunky maybe 20-60 pounds overweight depending on the time period. However, 11 years ago, after the birth of my twins my weight gain really skyrocketed. I have consistently been 100-140 pounds overweight since that time. I have dieted (many times) and done really great, getting down to 50 pounds from my goal weight only to put every single pound + back on. I have decided that I am unable to d…

Hi...I'm a newbie. I don't really have a date for my surgery. In fact, my initial consultation is on 1/8/11. I'm really just not sure what to do yet. I'm getting so depressed. My husband is very supportive and I love that. However, I recently told my close friend that I was considering it and she was very negative. She said things like people need to just diet and exercise instead of doing this "quick fix" surgery. It's not like that for me. I was a size 12 (which is the size that I really loved) and I'm now almost too big for a size 24. I was diagnosed with a thyroid condition and shortly after discovered I was pregnant. I gained over 100lbs in the past 2y…

Hello there. I am a mother of three small children (3,6,8) and work full time as a management consultant. I am married 12 years and in my early 40's. I met with a bariatric surgeon a few weeks ago, and he feels the sleeve is the best procedure for me. I have a BMI over 55, so lap band was not an option. I felt very good about my meeting with my surgeon, but my DH is skeptical. He said I had to talk it over with my PCP before committing to next steps. So I did and my PCP is impressed with the decision and the facility (it has earned numerous recognitions) and the surgeon. He also said I am a good candidate for the pro0cedure so we shall see if tat out my DH mind to more ea…

Aetna just approved me. WIN. Now one more visit to the surgeon to see "if I need any tests", then I'm sleeved end of January sometime.

Well, it took a year of fighting, screaming, yelling, jumping up and down, 3 denial letters, 2 request for additional info, 1 last denial for Exploratory / Investigational, and one last appeal... I received a phone call from my Customer Service rep at BCBS, they are tired of arguing with me, and have approved me for the sleeve! I called my Surgeon, we set a appointment for tomorrow morning to go over everything one last time, and set a surgery date!! Hell yeah!! I feel like I won the lottery. Anyone else who has been denied by Excellus BCBS Blue Point 2 in NY for Investigational / experimental reasons, they will not being using those terms to deny people any longe…

I'm like sooo many of us: Losing and gaining weight for years, trying every diet imaginable, every diet pill available, you name it--I've did it. In 2008 I had hit my all time "top" of 270+ lbs. At 5'5" my size 22-24 was becoming tight. My BP, cholesterol, and everything else was sky high and then I started having heart problems. I was sitting in my recliner thinking here I am sober, clean, and quit smoking 8 years ago and I'm going to DIE OF OBESITY ?!!! I started jumping through the surgery insurance hoops and entered a doctor-supervised wellness program that I was to do for 6 months. In June 2008, I started exercising, eating healthy and keeping a journal of bot…

My name is Alison and I am a 45 year old single mom of a three year old. I am an ER nurse. I am being banded on Jan 4th of the New Year in Mexico by Dr. Pedro Kuri and am excited to start the New Year on a different note. Its nice to see so many other people on the same journey as I am...it makes me feel less alone. Good luck to all of you that are having surgery this January with me. We all need to stick together! Alison

Hello, I had my lapband surgery one year ago. I have lost 51 lbs, I was doing great until about two months ago. I am at a stand still and in the last three weeks I have gained 3 lbs. I am hungry all the time. What should I do and has anyone else had this problem.

Today I will be sleeved at 3:30pm PST. It feels so surreal! I have been waiting for 9 months for this day... can't believe it is here. Catch you all on the flipside!

Hello there my name is Ashley and I am new here on LBT. I have been "people" watching for a couple of months and have decided that I should join. I am very excited to get to know you all and share our experiences. I have a surgery date and am getting banded in Mexico by Dr. Ortiz (any info on him would be great). I am so inspired by you all I have created a blog so maybe one day I can then inspire others. Thanks!

Hi All! I am so excited that I can't stand it. Finally, someone is going to help me. I feel like someone just gave me an army to help me fight the evil FAT king. Yup! just a little dorky but, I am really happy so forgive me please. I live in Reseda Ca. I am 52 years old and raising three grandchildren as a single "parent." I need all the help I can get. I'm on a 2 wk pre-op liquid diet. And, I feeling great!

Hey everyone! My name's Sarah and I'm pretty new at this. I'm 20 years old and I'm in my 2nd year of college studying Education. This is going to sound really stupid but I'm not as bubble brained as I know this is gonna seem... I've been overweight my entire life and I've tried everything from Weight Watchers to Jenny Craig. My parents are really big on me losing weight and are on me all the time about it. I was watching MTV's documentary series "True Life" and an episode that happened to be on last night caught my attention, "True Life: I'm Obese" Well...as I was watching, I saw young people my age struggle with obesity and it made me realize.."the health complic…

Hi! I'm going to start taking my body and health more seriously starting now. I have plans to get a gym membership and start working my ass off literally! If I can't loose 50 lbs by summer then I'm getting lapband. I know 50lbs before summer sounds like too much but I think I can do it. Ten lbs a month doesn't seem unreasonable. If it doesn't work then my plan is to get lapband. We shall see what happens!

Hi everyone! Ive been lurking for awhile, as well as reading tons of blogs, watching youtube videos, etc, etc. Ive struggled with my weight since high school and Im sick of it! I dont like being the fat wife, the fat mom, the fat person walking down the street, the fat chick struggling to get up off the floor and even off the couch. I was advised not to use the word fat from the skinny bariatric nurse I had to see, I couldnt help but laugh. The truth hurts, thats where I am right now. Very upfront about being the fat girl and Im just tired of it. Soooo after going in to see my doctor about my ongoing back issues (had chronic back pain even while skinny) I f…

I got banded before Christmas and survived! I have lost all of the fluid from the surgery and get to start creamy liquids this Wednesday. Happy New Year!

So it turns out I am vitamin deficient and protein deficient and they have set me up with an appt. with Not my surgeon but a Dr. whom I have never met and that worries me! Also I have an appt. with the dietitian so she can help me find a way or ways to get more protein in my daily food intake... I am nervous about what they are gonna tell me... Hopefully together we can figure this mess I have made out....

So, my surgery is tomorrow at 8:30, have to be at the hospital at 5:30 and I cannot sleep! I think I'm excited and a little nervous, but mainly just afraid I'll oversleep and miss the surgery. Am I crazy or did anyone else get this paranoid just before surgery?

I was banded in Plano, TX on Dec 17, 2010 My weight before my week of liquid diet was 365 lbs. Today my weight was 324.2lbs. I am drinking protein shakes now an New Years eve I will be able to have blended food. It hasn't been that bad. I haven't done anything except follow diet and the weigh t just fell off.

On Wednesday I go in for my first fill. I am 6 weeks post op and I havent felt any restriction whatsover. Is this normal? will I feel a major difference on my fill? I havent lost any weight since surgery and I havent gained. Is this normal? My ecpectations where so different? confused but determined.

Ok so my surgery was about two weeks ago, seems as though its been longer than that. It is an odd feeling to have no huger after going my whole life obsessed with food. I don't even think about food. I find myself forgeting to eat sometimes. I am thinking about setting my alarm to remind me to eat lol. I have a long long way to go, but am so excited. I would be lying if I said I didn't do the surgery for cosmetic reasons, I am only 35. I feel like I have my whole life ahead of me. But the main reason is is my 4 wonderful kids ! I want to be able to play with them or go to their school without feeling ashamed. Anyway I worry alot about excess skin. I f look up tips on the …

HI, My name is Lori and I am 40 years old. I have 2 boys and a great husband who is very supportive. My decision to get banded was tough, as I was afraid to give up some of the things I love. BUt the more I thought about it and the more I looked at all the things that could go wrong with being overweight, my decision became easy. I chose my children and my life over eating a STEAK!!! I think that is a much more resonable decision! I did not tell many people about my surgery. I told my husband and close friends and chose to tell faily members a month before the surgery. THe decision had to be mine alone, and I didnt want to hear anyone tell me their opinions eithe…

I was banded at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21. I was in recovery from 1:00-9:00 p.m. My oxygen levels would not stay up to 95. I was outpatient and was sent home on oxygen for three days. I loved my surgeon, nurses, and anesthesiologist. They took great care of me. However, I thought I would be up and around feeling great by today. Not so much happening on that. I run a child care center as a Director, so I stay busy. But even today, I had no energy. I'm following the liquids diet to the tee. I'm just concerned because I still feel light headed when I do some walking. I'm realizing I need to take it easy even for a second week. Any advice? Also, I'm still ta…

I just found this site about a week ago and have found it SOOOO helpful. Not only in reading so many people's experiences, challenges and even some of the negative. Reading about the statistics available which appear to be limited since the Sleeve is still considered fairly new for historical data, but when I did the VBG so long ago, the internet wasn't really a tool to do research like this and I just went with what the surgeon suggested. The other issue is there wasn't any post-op support outside of clinical surgery follow ups from his office. I did manage to loose probably 70% of the weight I had hoped, it has come back over the years. I'm not blaming the surgeon,…

Hi Everyone! This is a sincere plea for your assistance. I was banded July in Monterrey, Mexico by an absolutely fabulous team of individuals. However, I have not been able to find any fill doctors in Va. who will conduct adjustments with flouro. I'm currently in need of immediate support. Could someone please please help me!! Thanks so much in advance.

Hi Everyone! This is a sincere plea for your assistance. I was banded July in Monterrey, Mexico by an absolutely fabulous team of individuals. However, I have not been able to find any fill doctors in Va. who will conduct adjustments with flouro. I'm currently in need of immediate support. Could someone please please help me!! Thanks so much in advance.

Hello everyone. I had my surgery November 1 of this year (2010) and have lost about 30 lbs. so far. I did really great during Thanksgiving, but this past week, during Christmas, has been very difficult. Everything sounds good and I've felt hungry. I'm told it's just time for another fill - which luckily will occur tomorrow. Any and all advice is welcome. I'm in my 50's and my health has been declining (as well as getting very depressed). I have six kids and 5 grandkids that I would like to stick around for.

Hello everyone.......I have been reading this forum for about two months now and everyone's comments have been so helpful. I was banded on Dec.6th in NJ. I have lost 12 lbs so far although this holiday has been difficult for me. I do not have any restriction and look forward to my first fill on Jan. 11th.

I am an attorney representing a young woman who was beginning to undergo a lap band procedure when the surgeon managed to put a through and through puncture through the aorta. She nearly bled to death as the surgeons were trying to figure out what they did and then deal with it. She wound up losing 80% of her blood volume and has significant unrelenting pain in her legs from the muscle tissue death that ensued. She has hideous scarring of her abdomen now and of her legs that were sliced open to relieve compartment pressure from what turned out to be many hours with no blood circulating to the lower extremities. I am interested in hearing from anyone who has had a sim…

Hello all, It's been a long time in coming for me, and I ready - hopefully! for the final battle with my weight. I had my band done in November of 2004 by Dr. Kuri and his team in MX. Lost ~70 lbs, got married, had two gorgeous babies, and somewhere in there my port and tubing broke. 5 1/2 years later, and back to my original weight, I am starting over. Surgery to repair my port and tubing is scheduled for Monday 1/3/11 I am so ready to win this fight - for good.

I was just wondering if it is normal to get severe gas pains 8weeks out after surgery? Yesterday the hubby took me for a drive and we were in the car for about 3 and a half hours then stopped to eat and drove another hour and a half home. On the way home I got this pain that started in my stomach and went to my back, shoulder and chest, It was so intense I screamed the whole way home! It felt like the pain I had after surgery which was Gas ! Is this a common issue and what causes it? Cause I sure dont want to repeat last night again!!

but, none the less I was sleeved on Monday, December 20th. They told me to show up at the hospital by 11:30 and do everything to prep for my 1:30 surgery. I decided to be there by 11 in case I could get in early, I'd be good to go. But, I ended up waiting for at least two hours before I even seen my surgeon. I kept joking with everyone. I really wasn't nervous at all. I was more annoyed with running behind schedule then ANYTHING. I didn't have to get a Foley since I went to the bathroom before the surgery. And, I am so thankful for that. I did NOT want one of those. My husband and I joke that I have a 90 year old bladder. I have NO i…

Hey Y’all!!! Wow this is so great – I feel like I already know most of you, I have been loyally reading your posts for quite some time now. I am grateful to each and every one of you for making my decision so much easier, and easing my mind on countless occasions. I have taken the first big step in this process and thought it only fair to introduce myself to y’all and hopefully my experience will be a chance for me to “pay it forward” to some of the other newcomers that are confused. Well let’s see where do I begin . . . My name is Jessi, I am a 27 years old, and I live in SE Georgia. I started battling my weight in junior high; apparently I am not much of a fighte…

Im 23 years old, just found this website as I was searching for more info on the lap band sugery. I work full time and am a college student i have been overweight for most of my life and have a crazy schedule as everyone does and know if i dont loose weight now my life will be cut short! Im having the pre op gitters a month away. I feel informed about all of the medical aspects of the surgery, but feel i need support of people who are in the same situation!

I finally got my date January 6,2011 , its just 2 weeks away to start my new journey!! Im so excited and hoping all goes wekk with surgery even though im no stranger to surgery after 2 c sections, gall bladder, 3 hernia's repaired. Im looking forward to sharing my experience with you all soon. My surgeon only requires a 2 day pre op diet of liquids which is great to hear especially after seeing that some require 2 weeks of liquids. Wish me luck

Having sleeve gastrectomy through Kaiser, West Los Angeles in one week. Have to say, feeling nervous, and a bit hesitant. Having a tough time tolerating protein drink already, so I am wondering how well then, the post -op is going to be. Could use some advise of how to get down 70-100 grams of protein a day? Also nervous about some of the post I've been reading on post op nausea and vomiting for unknown reasons. Like all of you, my life certainly can't tolerate that kind of detour. Gulp....soe encouraging, yet honest words would be in order... Thanks to all who have braved the path before me!

Howdy, all!! I was banded back on 4/21/10 and have lost a total of 50 lbs. I have about 70 lbs to go to hit my goal weight. I just found this site today. I'm looking for tips/hints to get myself back on track. I've basically held my current weight for the last 3 months. While I'm ecstatic to shop at "normal" stores again, I very much want to loose the rest of this weight and feel like the amazing woman I am. Thanks in advance for the experience on this site. Traci

Hello Everybody, My name is Alison, I am 27 yrs old and will be banded on January 5th 2011. I am nervous and excited at the same time. I have visited this website to get some information about what to expect before and after the surgery and have found this website very useful so I decided to join. I wish everybody the best of luck on their journey and with their new life.