Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hey Everyone! I recently hit the three stone lost point, and getting tons of lovely comments from people about how well I look. Loving being able to dress up pretty for Christmas parties for the first time too! Here is my horrific before pic again for those of you who haven't seen it, and a couple from last night. I hope everyone has an amazing Christmas, and that I might inspire anyone in a stall or on the road towards surgery to keep going! xxxxx

Hello everybody! I am new to this idea and a wee bit nervous. My emotions range from ecstatic to terrified. I have an information seminar on Saturday that I hope will give me further answers. My current BMI is 40. I am 5'1" and weigh 212.8 lbs. I am 39 years old and have struggled with obesity my entire adult life. I lost weight successfully several times. My most successful venture was an 80 lbs weight loss that I kept off for about 4 years. Life came at me a little fast for a while and depression and stress helped me put almost all of it back on. I hope to hear stories that will aid me in my own process, so I thank you in advance for sharing your stories with me. Tak…

Surgery is something I have casually thought about before, but was so sure I could lose weight on my own. 10 years later, it hasn't happened and I am finding myself with more medical issues: depression, sleep apnea and back problems. I met someone recently who had the sleeve surgery in Mexico about a year ago and she has lost well over 100 lbs. I didn't even realize surgery in Mx was an option. I have insurance but it wouldn't cover this specific surgery, I don't meet the guidelines, etc etc. I became a grandmother this past fall to a beautiful little girl and I really want to watch her grow. I want to have the energy to play with her and take her to wonderful places. …

i feel full, but hungry at the same time???? i am scared to eat!! is this normal??? full above band, hungry under band??? or at least that is what it feels like!!! LOL!

Ok, I was banded in Dec 2009 and for the last 10 months my blood pressure and heart rate have been on the low side of normal. Then my last two check ups late November and late October both values have been high (still normal range but high for me). Also, my resting heart rate which was 60bpm just after the surgery is now 77 even though I have increased my cardio workout and have lost 60 lb's. My values are still normal but I have no idea why they would be increasing? Anyone have any thoughts?

Well, here I am. It's hard to believe that this may soon be a reality for me. Let me start out by telling you about myself. I am 38 years old, a wife and mother of a beautiful little girl who will turn four years old on Dec. 23rd. It sounds crazy, but I know some of you will understand this.....I have been on a diet for the better part of 30 years. I started to gain weight when I was about seven or eight years old and have gradually gone up and up and up my whole life. I am currently morbidly obese and am afraid I won't be around to watch my little girl grow up. For many years, I was very skeptical of wls. I thought people who had it done were weak and were just l…

Hey folks, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all. I know a lot of people have been creating posts in regards to what they are looking foward to with the upcoming anticipation with weight loss. I know for me, the thing I'm looking forward to the most is having more conficdence and meeting more men. LOL Ladies...and Gents, stand up if you hear me. I know I am probably lame for this but I have never really put myself out there to meet guys. Sure when I was smaller and even at times when i was bigger, I would get advances. But I am just really really looking foward to feeling good about myself and sharing my company with somebody of the opposite sex. LOL, this is a s…

I have the approval letter in hand, I received the call from Surgery admissions on Friday, and I still feel like I'll be turned away at the hospital for some kind of glitch-LOL. I just made it by the skin of my teeth... My Insurance company (Health Partners) is dropping WLS coverage beginning 01/01/2011. It has been such a long journey. I will believe it's all going to happen as soon as they put me under. Monday morning, Dec. 20th 7:30 AM couldn't come any faster. I am excited and nervous all at once. I guess it was all meant to be, I feel very fortunate and grateful for this chance. Thank you everyone out here for helping me with my decision. Almost got Lap-Ba…

I am 27 years old and have been over weight my entire life. I went to my first lap band seminar in May of 2009 but decided to wait on surgery since I had just got married. To date I have finished my pre-op six month and met with my surgeon. I am expecting surgery mid January. I am a registered nurse and trying to find all the information I can on what works well for others such as recipes and tricks for coping with life after banding. I am beginning to be very nervous! Any advise, websites, secrets! HELP!

Today is the first day of my pre-op diet i have already had 2 shakes breakfast and lunch... I'm irritated and not sure how long I can handle this is there anything else I can have?? Any suggestions?

Has anyone had Dr. Atul Madan band them??? I have met with him and did all my pre operative testing and I am just waiting for insurance approval. Thanks for your feedback.

I am 48 Years old and have been married for 28 years. I have three grown kids and one grand child named Aden. I weigh 260 and am so afraid of dieing youngish. I want to get the lapband surgery or the Gastric Sleeve surgery but do not know which is better. I have watched several different videos of success stories on you tube and have seen many of people who first had the lap band procedure and then went on to have the sleeve done. Is this typical? I for one, don't have the money for more than 1 surgery so which is the best in terms of weight loss and less complications? I trust those of you who have actually gone through these kinds of procedures and have suffered the go…

I have not posted here in years! I got my lap-band March 08 and I have lost only like 60 lbs. I have figured out what foods I can eat and I'm really bad about those liquid calories. I want to lose more but I don't think that I need a fill because I'm still tight in the mornings and usually tight until the evening. But of course Cookies, chips do not get stuck:( I really need some support and suggestions for getting back on track. Plz help me!!!!

I was banded in December of 2008 and have lost 77 lbs. I am 1/2 lb from a healthy BMI, my original goal (I think I will try and go lower). I did have a fill approximately a month ago and am feeling like it is a sweet spot as I have lost about 5 lbs since. However, for the last week I am having a lot of pain on the left side of my port. My port does pooch out just below my rib cage, but I wasn't going to address that problem unitl I felt I was at my final weight. The pain feels like it is in the muscle almost like a stich in my side. Does anyone know what would be causing pain this far out from surgery? Do I need to get an unfill? Thanks

Hello everyone, I was banded on Sept 16th of this year. Things were going great until my husband was diagnosed with cancer. I have discovered through that...I am definitely an emotional eater. I ate anything I could get my hands on, which in turn discouraged me even more. I had lost 30 lbs by my first fill...but I am stuck there even now...3 months out. I have gone back to my old ways of eating (just smaller portions) and there have been times that I have REALLY overeaten! My surgeon is going to check my band on the 22nd to see if it is diallated from my overeating. If so, I have to go back to square 1 and start all over again : ( If there is anyone out there that ha…

Hello all, I am new to the site. I am have my surgery this Tuesday in Mexico. I am not really nervous. My step-mother and step-sister had it done about three years ago at the same hospital and it turned out well. Since I have to self-pay, BMI of 34.5, it seemed like a logical conclusion. My weight has been out of control since my senior year in college. I have only been obese the past three years. I am not nervous. I have an amazing skill to compartmentalize everything. I am really good in a crisis. But that is probably why I am obese to begin with. I have heard mostly good things about my doctor. My best friend is getting married Memorial Day Weeken…

Hello All, I am new to the site, and I am glad I chose to be here. I am on my first day of liquid diet, not having that much of a hard time with it yet. But I keep going back and forth with it,and wondering if this is the right choice for me. I have been overweight for quite sometime, and I know I want this procedure, I think reading some of the blogs have calmed my nerves a bit. So I will get up tomorrow for day 2 with a better outlook on the surgery. Thanks for this site. Signed first day jitters.

Will I have to give myself heparin shots? This is the first I have read of this! OMG....My surgery is on Dec. 29th. Now I am getting scared. That sounds worse than this diet that I had to start on the 14th. Any and all replies much appreciated. Thanks, Shannon

So after some arm wrestling i got blue cross to cry uncle, had my pre-op clearance, and I'm scheduled for wednesday AM (dec 15 -- Northwestern in Chicago). I have been *so* good for the past two weeks. stopped smoking, stopped drinking, did not let one carb pass my lips. Even was compliant on that damn CPAP machine. I hate that (*^_($^(# thing. Tonight, after confirming alcohol was not a carb, I went ahead and had a couple (vodka). Smack me with a noodle, but i was starting to lose it. What a really wanted was a going away party with white castle, but I held back. I actually don't mind the whole Protein shake thing. I got a gold card at GNC, and I t…

Well today is the day. I came across my first banded person about 7 years ago, it was inspirational then and you all are as well. What can I say I've tried it all, lost and gained, the turning point for me to finally do this happened Nov 22, 2010 the birth of my first grandchild! I want to see him grow up! I want to be able to run,ride and play with him. So it begins.............

Well my surgery date is Jan 10th and I am soo excited to start a new life. I am excited for myself and the new life I will have and enjoy with my young children. I am drastically over weight with a BMI of 51 how I let myself get to this is scarry but I have struggled with my weight since my late teens and I have had an extremely rough last couple years qith leaving my husband and starting a new live with the kids and I, and now its time to deal with me....my weight...I want to be active and enjoy my kids and I'm all they have! I don't know anyone that has had this surgery and I hope I can get some support and new friends to get through the life changes together. I sta…

Hi, I am 51 years old, married 27 years, with 2 kids and live in NJ. I am 5'7" and almost 200 lbs. I have high blood pressure and very bad back and knee problems. I have been overweight all of my life. I read that the FDA approved the Lap Band for weight loss under 100 lbs. Does anyone know anything about this?

Okay, I hope I don't get killed for asking these questions, but I do have a few. I will be getting surgery sometime in the spring, at Geisinger in Danville. I am super excited but my hubby is not. But anyway, I was wondering I am about 120 lbs over weight, Do you think I can lose that? I am so scared, because I am worried that this wont work for me and I have lost my chance of getting gastric bypass. I know it is just a tool and I am willing to work my a$$ off, as I have done for the last 13 years. But how much does 1 lose after wards. I am at 281, anyone around that weight that has any advice? I also have a question, Danville is about 1 hour away from where I liv…

HELLO, IM NEW HERE. I WILL BE BANDED ON DEC 30. I AM SO EXCITED. MY SURGEON IS DR. JAIME PONCE FROM THE GASTRIC BAND INSTITUTE IN CHATTANOOGA TN.

Hello all. I am new to this forum and so glad I found it. I was banded on 12/15 and my belly is so swollen and filled with gas. If anyone has tips on how to reduce the swelling or get rid of the gas, please share them. I'm so excited to have finally had my surgery! My surgeon is Dr. Panemanglore from Ellis Bariatric Center in Schenectady, NY. Thanks!

What is your family's favorite Christmas tradition? Will you have to change something up because of Band? Cheri

Hi Everybody....so I wanted to see if I can get some advise from you folks that have already gone through this process. I have Kaiser Permanente Insurance and my PCP appointment is this Friday the 17th. I've never met her before, and I'm hoping that at my appointment she'll give me her "blessing" and referral to go through the Kaiser "Options" Program. I emailed her staff and let them all know in advance as to why I was going in the office in the first place. You know, cause I'd really like to have WLS. The PCP was kind enough to request a full blood panel to be done a week before my appointment with her, so she can review all my test results with me during my vis…

Hello All! I've been going in circles reading everything I can and finally have the guts to ask/vent. I started the process in October. I have Cigna as primary and Tricare Prime as secondary. I attended the seminar, did my sleep study, got a referral from my doc, did my labs etc. I got everything in and learned that Cigna clearly has an exclusion. On to Tricare...I've called several times and got several answers, so did my Surgeons office. I had my first appt. today and they seem to be very positive about getting approved. I am 33, am 245 & have a BMI of 45, no co-morbidities that Tricare lists. They did NOT submit my claim to Cigna due to the exclusion, I did NOT do…

Hello everyone, I had lab-band on December 10, 2010. I have lost 17 lbs since then. I am really happy with that but I am still having pain in my right shoulder and under my left breast.. Is this normal?

Howdy y'all. I am new to this forum, but am looking forward to connecting with others who are going through the same thing as me. I had my 2 weeks post op on Monday and just yesterday had a mis-fortunate occurrence. I am supposed to be able to eat puree's and have had applesauce and some veggies. Well, I went to Chili's yesterday for lunch with my best friend and ordered a cup of potato cream soup. I only ate about half of it and felt like crap. I went to the bathroom and started getting over heated and sweaty. I then starting gaging, threw foam, and then yellow liquid which I think may be bile but it didn't have a flavor. I was surprised that I did not throw up the soup.…

HI, this is my first forum post. I have just started on my lap-band journey. I am taking the classes required by my insurance to get banded, and am on class 5 out of 12. The Nurse Practitioner supervising the program says that if all goes well I should be getting banded the second week of March 2011. Which is the week after I graduate my LVN program (YAY me). I am having a little trouble with motivation for exercising by myself at this point, and would greatly appreciate any motivation or tips you could spare. Nice to meet you all! Sarah

Hi everyone. I'm peter. this is the first time i'm here. I wanna say hello to everyone here .I want to be friends all over the world!THanks .

This is boring tonight so what are you buying your kids or grandkids for Christmas this year? What was the hardest to find? I have 2 granddaughters age 4 and 19 months so we have lots of Dora for 19 month old and Taylor Swift Hannah Montana, and anything Barbie for 4 year old. Cheri

It's officially two days before I get sleeved(Dec. 20th)-Yippee! I'm excited, nervous and bewildered all at once. I can't believe I've come this far-Day twelve liquid diet successfully completed. I am a little scared about not being able to enjoy eating again for the rest of my life. I know it's silly because so many of you here say that the way you eat now is better than it has ever been, and that you no longer crave the foods that got us all into trouble to begin with. I'm sure it's true-it's just really hard to fathom from this side of the equation. It still feels like a dream that after all the ups and downs surgery day is almost here. I'm excited to be healthy…

Hello everyone. I just started going to my lapband appointments in November. I still have a little ways to go before my surgery date. My estimated schedule surgery will be in February 2011. I'm excited but scared. I have many feelings that are racing through my head. I'm working on a workout routine. I had a membership to the gym for about a year but have not attended faithfully. Now, since I have decided to have the lapband procedure, I have been working on a exercise program. I worked out today for 1 hour and I was proud of myself. In the past, I have only worked out for 30 minutes. When I started the program, my weight was 317. Now, the weight is 315. My goal weight b…

Hi everyone! I'm new here, my name is Brenda! I turned 20 years old yesterday. Well here are the facts: I have Tricare Prime insurance. My BMI is 33, I'm 200 pounds. I have back pain, knee pain, joint pain in my hip, and acid reflux. Do you think this is enough to get approved? Thanks for any answers you can provide! xoxoxo

Today's the day! Am I supposed to feel nervous? Just wondering, because all I feel is EXCITED!!! See ya on the other side... Renee

Hello Everyone! My name is Sarah and I am not yet banded. I decided about 6 months ago that I definetly want to get banded. The week I made my decision on finding a doctor and getting this thing rolling I also found out I was pregnant! So, of course now I have to wait to get the band, which is fine. But now that I know I have to wait to get it I am getting more and more excited. I know I will not be able to get banded right away after birth. I am thinking about 12 weeks after my little boy is here. That is if everything goes well. I have an appointment set for January 2011 to meet a surgeon to start looking at my insurance and possibly start running some tests. I have be…

Hello Everyone! I am so excited to finally have begun my journey! I looked into banding about 3 years ago, and vowed that someday I would do it for me, for my health. BUT I didn't see a way that I could do this unless we had insurance. Two years ago, we got the insurance, but unfortunately my then 13 year old daughter was diagnosed with brain stem cancer, so obviously and rightly so, all of our financial and emotional resources went to helping our daughter. This year, I finally took the plunge and started the process. I started in June 2010, and things proceeded slowly, but finally got approval from insurance and the timing was finally right considering my daughters c…

Ok, so Today I will pick up another appeal letter from my PCP, that is supposed to be very strongly worded, My Surgeon, and his partner have both written appeal letters for me. I personally used a copy of Zenbunni's Appeal letter modified for my situation, and I wrote them a very personal letter explaining why I felt I needed the surgery. My surgeons office is handling the appeal for me, so I sent both the letters I wrote to them, and told them to use whichever one they liked best, they called back and said they were both outstanding letters, and they were going to submit both with the appeal. Today I will pick up my appeal letter from my PCP, and get it to my S…

Hi, I had the sleeve on December 10, 2010 at about 12 noon....Dr Hawasili, from Eastside Suregeons, at St John Hospital in Detroit Michigan. My first thought on waking up in pain was "Why the H** did I even Think this was a good idea?" But everyday with less pain, and able to do more so that is not an issue anymore. I just stumbled upon this site and I am looking forward to learning more and sharing. My husband had sleeve on November 12 -- he is doing very well and tells me he is not hungry. We have several friends at our church who have had sleeve, adn one has had the full by-pass. This is a helpful support group. I need help! I am hungry! No-not my stomach…

Hi folks, After much todo, filling out of forms, meeting of doctor's and starving on the 2 week pre-op diet (10 lbs down as of today!), I am ready to be sleeved tomorrow, along with my pals KGremmy and Bumblestich.... anyone else I've forgotten who is getting sleeved tomorrow??? I just want to thank everyone for all your input, and for sharing all your stories. I can't tell you how reassuring your friendship has been and how much I appreciate all the time people have given in sharing their answers to my questions (Tiffykins and LilMissDiva, you guys are truly amazing resources!). You have really helped me to prepare, and to feel optimistic about what I can expect. I …

Hello everyone.. I hope what I am writing is correct for this forum. Im Brand New and just spoke to my Doctor last week about having Lap Band surgery done.. She said sure did I want to start the process.. I didnt expect that quick of an answer from her... Yes I do want to start the process.. My only concern is that I am 60 years old.. I dont have any major medical problems except that my Chol has gone up in the last 6 months. I do take Blood Pressure meds.. But my blood pressure is perfect.. Is there anyone in my age bracket that can give me any information. I have never had any Surgery and Im a little scared. I sure would like to hear the good and bad about t…

Well I have been a member of this site for almost a year and havent told my story & thought I would today. January 2010 I decided to have the sleeve after researching for many months. The sleeve it was..until I went to see my GYN, umm (sorry TMI alert), I have been menstrating for many months, I kept thinking-'if I can just lose this weight, it'll be okay'. but Dr. decided to do a sterilization/ablation on me to see if that help, well it didnt. So after many ultrasounds, the 'ultrasoundist' asked if I had been told I had endometriosis. Noone has ever told me that, infact after 12 years of trying to concieve even with doctors interventions (all self pay), noone has tol…

Hello all, I have been prowling around the site off and on for a couple of months and I thought I would finally introduce myself. My name is Krista and I'm a future sleever in IL. I initally thought I would be having surgery in Nov or Dec, but a coworker on maternity leave has pushed my surgery back to at least late Feb. In July I knew there were 2 things I had to do before surgery: 1) Quit smoking & 2) Lose weight. I've managed to make it to nearly 4 months smoke free. Unfortunately, I've gained 20 pounds instead of losing it. However, now that I no longer am afraid I'll relaspe with the smoking everytime I leave my house, I'm ready to get serious about the w…

Hello Everyone, I'm into month 3 of all the APPT! I started the process in 2003 for the Gastric Bypass but my job changed insurance and didn't cover it!! Was very unhappy but what can you do? I guess everything happens for a reason. Gastric is so more then the band so I guess it was a good thing. I started a job in Sept. that covers the lap band.. boy did I hop on it!! lol Started going to Dr. appt and all the fun appts.. wow is it a lot! I was really hoping to have my surgery by the end of the year. But it's not going to happen. I'm trying not to let it disappoint me. I'm really excited about it, can't wait to get it done. I was trying not to take to muc…

Greetings, I'm a freelance journalist doing a story for a major consumer magazine on lapband surgery for teens. I'm looking for teens who are willing to be interviewed about their experience with lapband surgery--whether they had it or not, whether they considered it, what the outcome was. Please contact me backchannel: harriet at harrietbrown dot com. Thanks much, and happy holidays to all. --Harriet Brown

I got my surgery date, and I go tomorrow for Pre-Op. Started the pre-op diet today... Not too thrilled with the shakes ( any ideas on how to make them taste a lil better would be greatly appreciated), but everything seems to be going smoothly, and very very quickly! I just started this journey on 12/1/2010, and now I am looking at surgery in just under two weeks. Wow, I guess that goes to show if you leave it in Gods hands, and submit to his will totally, he will handle it and you better be prepared for him to move some mountains! :cool2: :seeya:

hello everyone, my name is Lulu. I am 29 years old and have 4 children. My B.M.I. is 38 and I am strongly considering the lap band surgery. But I honestly dont know how or where to begin looking for a doctor. I am also wondering the price. I live in Florida. Thoughts?? Suggestions??

Hi everybody!!!!! Just wanted to do a quick intro about my self here.... My name is Jose i'm 26 yrs old, I go in for my procedure this Friday Dec 17th.. I have been doing my 2 week pre-op diet and I have lost almost 20lbs and about 3 inches on my waist. I hope to meet great people on this site that I can come to for support for after my procedure. Its been a rough 2 weeks since my days are soo long due to my job. I am a school bus driver and my day always starts at 4am leave my house @5am to go to work and I don't get home 630pm on a normal day. But on days that I have field trips that are sport related I don't get home till 11pm or even midnight-ish.... crazy many p…