Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello everyone! I am new to this forum and site and I am so excited about joining! I am a divorced mother of 3 beautiful and rambunctious boys ages 10, 5, and 4. They are my reason for getting out of bed in the mornings, my reason for going to work everyday......my reason for living. Being an RN, I have taken care of a variety of patients, especially surgical. I have been interested in weight loss surgery for about 5 years. During my marriage, my weight spiralled out of control. At the time, I was in a stable relationship, we began having children and I got too comfortable with myself gaining 5 lbs here....10 lbs there...etc. Before I realized it I had gained 100 lbs si…

The lap band causes many complications. They say its minimally invasive but at least one third of patients need reoperations which can be much more dangerous thant the first operation. Also, a significant amount of patients dont lose much weight. The lap band company allergan is trying to get the band approved for bmi 30 to 35. Thats like everybody in this country. It's absurd. My opinion is try other methods to losing weight than wls. NYU is a dangerous place to get wls. read this department of health report I attached.

I've had my band for almost 2yrs. now and I've had 3 adjustments and still i'm not loosing any weight! I've been the same size for the past year! Does anyone have any suggestions or know what i'm doing wrong? I'm so frustrated!

Hi my name is Lora. I am getting lap band in January (hopefully). The last hoop I had to jump through is the six month supervised diet and weight tracking by my physician. I was denied by my insurance company in July. I would have had a $1,000 co-pay, so I got myself to the very end and was ready for the surgery in August, but was disappointed with the last hoop. So, tomorrow I call the lap band center to re-visit my next steps. My doctor knows I would like it January 3. The lap band center also have me scheduled for January 3 if all goes well. I am scared, excited, wondering how my life will change. Help me! Dr. Hanosh in Grand Junction at St. Mary's Hospital is…

I am 58 years old and was told that my insurance doesn't cover lap band because it is indvdual and no indvdual will pay for it. If so Im doomed. Please tell me different.

I have been a registered member of this site for quite some time but never introduced myself. I am more of the sit in the back, quiet, out of site, out of mind kind of girl. I used to not be when I was thinner. Anyway, I am at my wits end with trying to find the funds to get WLS. My insurance doesn't cover any form of WLS and it's not in the budget for me to finance it. I want the Lapband, I've seen thousands of people who have been successful in WLS and I think the Lapband is best for me. I am 42 years old, live in KC, MO. I have one son that I've raised on my own, he's now 21.

I have reached a major goal and have to share. The scale read 169 lbs yesterday. My surgery was on April 13, amost 8 months ago. That's 71 lbs LOST!!!!! I feel younger and even sexy, now! (Sexy as a grandmother CAN feel!) I'm wearing size 14/16; used to wear 3x. Yeah, I have some saggy skin, but it's not that bad. It seems to be getting tighter and I'm sure exercise helps. My health has been great. I was one of the lucky ones with no real problems with the gastric sleeve surgery. I feel more confident and love being able to shop for clothes that still look like they'd NEVER fit me...but DO! My mental image of myself has not caught up with my new body size. I…

Hello I just found this forum. I was banded over 1 1/2 years ago. I have lost 100+ lbs so far. I know after reading I lost that much weight you will be surprised to hear that I have had to struggle with this band. Especially since I have another 75 lbs to lose. It took forever to get restriction. Finally after my 9th fill felt that I was restricted enough. I think I might go for a fill in January. Just a little tweek. Recently (I know I should done this all along) I started an exercise routine. I workout 90 minutes, 5 days a week. I do cardio on the treadmill, I weight train, and I stretch. I love the stretching. It feels so relaxing. Since I have started…

Hello Everyone, Brand new to the site, I stumbled upon it by accident and I'm glad I did. I am one week pre-op, Scheduled for surgery Dec. 6th. and I couldn't be more excited!

Hello Everyone! I just wanted to give a brief introduction. I just found this site today and I am very excited to meet new people and learn from all of you! I was banded almost 6 weeks ago. So far so good-I am very happy that I chose the band and feel great! I've been married for 6 years and have two Jack Russell's that are my babies. I love my job and truly look forward to going into work each day, I am a Sales Assistant for a Steel Distributor in Michigan. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family going to all types of sporting events and concerts. I also really enjoy going to the movies, bowling and gardening. I keep trying to find a hobby-my newest inte…

I'm sure my story is one that is far from being unique. I have been overwight since I was a child, and since I am currently, 38, that was quite a long while ago. I have spent so much money on trainers, classes, exercise equiptment, bootcamps, books, etc. that I feel that although I was an expert on HOW to lose weight, I just couldn't seem to DO it. As health care professional, people asked me to recommend something for weight loss at least once a week. As I tried to control myself from rolling my eyes, my mind screamed" REALLY?, Look at me, if there were some magic pill, surely I would be taking it!" I could get to the 40 pound mark, but after that, it seemed a done deal.…

Freedom from the constraints my weight has put on my life. I am in the beginning stages of this. I attended a seminar, found out my primary and secondary insurances cover the lap band and am waiting to schedule appointments and start my journey to a new me. I have been overweight my entire life, and although I have had success in the past with weight loss, it always comes back with a vengence. Looking forward to a Jan or Feb surgery date, depending on my employer. Looking forward to meeting new friends, seeking advice and sharing my story.

I started my Weight loss Journey October 2009. This is when I decided to have surgery. Then researched for a doctor and found a really good one Dr. Christopher Hart Then started the actual 6 months of insurance stuff in April Surgery October 29, 2010 weight at the time 326 Current weight 295 (this is where I have been for a week and two days) don't like the stuck feeling Exercise everyday from 1 hour to 3 hours on some. Diet is still soft foods (sometimes just the whey Pro. drink It will be one month on Nov 29th(tomorrow) 100 lbs to go

Hello all, I'm Stan and I hope to be banded in October. about 80% through the process; get my GI series done today. I'm 6'5" and 380 lbs., 51 years old. Tired of carrying another whole person around on me,and I've probably lost and regained that person a few times now. As the day gets closer and I progress through the hoops, I alternate between excited about doing something good and frustrated that I have to resort to this. Sound familiar? Thanks!

Hello, Just dropping by to say hello. I am in the very begining stages of getting approved for the Sleeve and I am hoping to learn as much as possible before I make this move. I lost my mother last year to Diabetes. She struggled with the disease for 20 years and always struggled with her weight. I have seen my weight balloon up to my current high of 247 pounds over the last 10 years. This has to stop before it kills me. I have willpower, dedication and drive but my body likes to hold on to weight like crazy. I am hoping this procedure is the boost that I need.

Originally I wanted the DS, it is covered by my insurance but there is no surgeon in network that does it. I have exhausted all of my appeals including IMR which I will have the decision at the end of this month. I am approved for RNY Or Vsg. If Ds Is completely off the table for me VSG will be my choice. My question is: At 330lbs, what are my chances of getting to my goal of 170? and more important what is the % of regain?

Hello!! I am soo excited.. i finally got approved adn my band date is nov 30th.. (in a few days).. Is is just me or did you find it hard to stick to the pre-op diet?? but I did it !! I am so ready to start this journey.. This site looks as thought it will be a great resource.. I wish everyone all the best at their journey as I begin mine.. TTYL Bandsters DD

Hello everyone, I have been lurking and watching the site for months, finally have gotten up enough nerve to jump in:rolleyes: . I started my process mid-August and just found ou this week that I have officaially been APPROVED for surgery (big YAYYY). I was so excited , until I contacted my surgeins office inquiring about my surgery date, only to find out that I have to wait till January to have surgery. I was so disappointed, apparently my surgeon is already booked up for the month of December . Seems he is VERY popular here in Hampton Roads, VA. So, now I have to wait for his January schedule to open up , along with at least 30 others (so I've been told). I am j…

Hi everyone! Just stopping by to say hi and peek around and read. I will be banded on the 2nd. I am excited but worried at the same time. Today, I am trying to figure out how to added a weight loss ticker to my signature. Can anyone help me? Take care everyone! Judy

Hi everybody ~ I'm so glad I found this group! Here's my story... After jumping through all sorts of hoops to gain approval, including an appeal to the insurance co, I have finally been approved!! I have been through the psych consult and the nutrition consult, now am just waiting to get a surgery date but it's looking like it will be 12/28/10. After the nutrition consult, I have to admit, I was a little shell-shocked! I knew a little about what it would be like after surgery but had NO IDEA of exactly how radical the changes would be. Wow! I'm glad I have a little time to wrap my head around all of this - that way I will be able to handle the changes better I …

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hi my name is Tippi Got banded july 8th 2010 also had a heart transplant 8-28-08 so this is the only wls they would give me trying to work it but it is hard but coming off just slow!! Here for support and learn new ideas that work to make the weight loss happen!

I didn't plan it this way, but today (day after thanksgiving) is my first day of the atkins pre-op diet. 2 weeks from now I'll be under the knife in Mexico with Dr. Zapata. How exciting!

Hi there! Another new one here..... I was banded on Nov 22 and I am feeling AMAZINGLY well....kinda scary, I feel like I should be a little week still. I had my surgery at 7:30 a.m. and I was home in my own bed by 1:00 p.m. that day I was so proud of myself. I did sleep for the rest of surgery day, but each day I have slept a little less. By Wednesday I was up all day without napping or "resting". Now, I am not doing much, still on light duty as far as anything goes. DH doens't allow me to do anything except shower, getting my own Protein shakes & Water, and walking. He's been a great help So, that's it. I have lots of questions, but I am still navigating th…

Intro's... okay. I'm 27 years old. I'll be 28 in May. I'm getting married on May 7th, 2011. In 2006 I weighed 280. Earlier this year I weighed 325. I currently weigh 310. I've been kicking around the idea of getting Lap Band for a while. A week ago, I had to get an ultrasound - gallbladder issues. My doctor called me an hour after I left to tell me that I need to get surgery. Not only does my gallbladder need to come out but I need to get gastric. I go to orientation on the 30th to meet my gastric surgeon and then start the process from there. I'm overwhelmed, getting more excited and I'm a little scared. My weight is my shield. It's my Chuck Norris. Now that…

Hello, Looking forward to my journey with you all... Had our Thanksgiving dinner last weekend... and I was BANDED WEDNESDAY 24th ( 2 days ago). Still feeling bloaty from the gas and the only sore/painful area is the port. Started mush today about 3 table spoons and I feel bloated/cramping... is this normal? Any idea how to get rid of the gas from the surgery? Thanks

Hi Everyone! I am new to this and I am so glad I found this website. I still have so many worries and concerns about life with the band, but at the same time I am more worried about what my life and health will be like if I do not lose this weight!! My insurance does not cover the surgery unless considered medical necessary so I have to go on a 7 month diet monitored by my family physician and provide weights from the past three consecutive years proving me being overweight. It's almost as if Insurance is hoping I'll change my mind!! I hate having to wait but than again this may be a blessing and get me prepared for my new life after surgery. I've already had blood wo…

Hi im new here. have been reading at this site for about months, I really enjoy all the good information I have been reading. I am 39 years old 3 kids and tired of being fat. just got up enough courage to go for it. My surgery date is set for DEC 17. still a little scared but will push threw it.

Hi everyone, my name is Jamie and I am new here. I am hoping to be banded in the spring. I am super excited. I wish my hubby was as excited, but hopefully he will come around. Any advice on do's and don'ts or anything would be fantastic. I love reading stories about everyone's experience.

Good Afternoon! i am sort of a newbie on this site. i have visited the forums as i began this journey. I have been very informed and received a bunch of tips getting prepared for surgery. I was pleased to get the ok from my insurance on Tuesday. I am going to be banded on December 21, 2010. My family is really excited for me and is ready to support me in whatever way is needed. i have found several people in my church who have had the procedure and are wishing me great luck. I am a MS girl and we like to eat. however, i have gotten to a point in my life where i can not eat anymore. My health and my family mean more to me than that extra serving of good ole comf…

Hi, I am new to the board. I was banded Nov 16th by Dr Bertha Advanced Laprasocpic Surgeons of NJ, I have my post op appt on Dec 1 so I am still on full liquids at this point. Down 15 lbs in the first 10 days, (I am sure it is part dehydration).

Hi, I'm new. I'm struglling like hell with the pre-op liquid diet. Did anyone else struggle? I'm doing it, but it's brutal. I've got no energy. Just looking for some support out there. Getting my band on in 11 days --- I'm very nervous.

I know i should be following the dietitians advice but me and Optifast are at war here, I've taken my shakes plus i've been nibbling (i know) sux. My op is on the 6th of Dec. Im not sure if i can even old out until then since a nibble here and there is gonna stuff up my chances even having the op. i am weak i know and i can't even hide behind the lines ' the devil made me do it' and does anyone feel scared of having this surgery done cos im scared as hell..................................just wondering

I just had my band put in on November 17th and while I am very excited I'm a little nervous as well. I am doing better on the post op liquid diet than I thought I would, but it sure is tough to stick to especially since it was just Thanksgiving. Having to watch everyone enjoy a big turkey dinner was difficult, but I figured if I can make it through that and not tear the drumstick out of my sons hands, then I can have success with this.

I'm trying to set up a "ticker", but it's telling me I haven't done my "signature" yet (whatever that is.) This is really frustrating.

Just signed up for Lapband Talk and can't find the "ticker." Hard enough to find the profile stuff. Can anyone tell me where it is?

Okay so I'm new here and am just trying to hear from people that have had surgery and gone through the steps, etc. Anything really. Let me start off by saying, i was completely against weight loss surgery earlier this year. Maybe it was denial but I thought I should have been able to do this on my own. My stepdad actually suggested it and I was offended. But I guess this is what made me start thinking about it. I've been trying for fifteen years to not be the chunky kid and it just wasn't working. I turn 30 next month and I decided I was going to start right. I finally got everything submitted to the surgery center earlier this week. I have BCBS of TN - Netw…

I just finished reading the BandWagon book and it was great. I have my appointment with my surgeon to discuss the surgery on December 1st. I am going from; I can't wait to be healthy and feel good, to; I can't believe I can't lose 50-60# on my own and then if someone asks us to a steak dinner I can actually eat steak, or a hamburger cook out. I hate when these thoughts creep up on me because I know I will be so glad to have this done but I am also sure that I will be mad sometimes because I did have it done. Does any of this make sense to anyone out there?

Ok, I just got my sleeve one week ago. I have been feeling anxious about the hole food restriction thing and feeling like I will never be able to enjoy a good meal again because I can only eat two bites of my food for life. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE HELPPPPP! 1. What are your typical days meals and how much of it can you eat? (PICTURES WOULD BE FABULOUS IF POSSIBLE) 2. Do you every wish you could eat more than what you are eatting and get depressed over it? 3. Do you regret the surgery or are you happy you did it? 4. How many months/years post sleeve are you?

Ever since I have been banded i am having a problem with gas and not the burping kind. I have tried the over the counter stuff but just doesn't seem to help any ideas? LinK

Hi... I have been researching the Lap-Band®® system for several months now and am 99.9% sure that this is what I need to do. My insurance, Highmark BCBS, will cover this surgery provided that all of their guidelines are met. I understand that and I understand with all but one. I can't get ANY clarification from BCBS. One of their requirements is 6 consecutive months of structured nutrition and exercise program. I can't get them to clarify exactly what they are looking for. Do I need a nutritionist and a personal trainer? I'm not made of money. If I was I could self pay. I just don't understand. Can anyone help? My PCP says that until I can get that clarified she won…

I am in desperate need of help/support. I was banded on Monday afternoon. Since then I have pretty much only been able to eat ice chips and drink grape juice. Today I added popsicles and pudding to the equation. I have had diarrhea since surgery and have only been able to urinate once today. I just resumed taking my vitamins today and I'm not sure if they made me feel worse. I feel this lump in my chest like something wants to come up but at the same time my stomach is growling to indicate that i'm hungry. What is going on with me? Am I possibly doing something wrong?

Hi everyone, I hade my sleeve gastrectomy last Nov. 13, 2010 here in the Philippines by the wonderful Dr. Oliveros..a day before the surgery i was 113kls and now after almost 2 weeks i lost 8 kilos.. I spoke with my doctor today and was told that i could start on my soft diet on saturday but im scared and i fear that it would hurt or i would have stomach pains and id stop loosing weight... can anyone share their experience with me...and any suggestions on what to eat... please can someone share their sample menu

Since having the sleeve surgery July 1, I have now lost 105 lbs. (340-235). Many thanks go to this forum and it's members for the information and testimonies that helped me make the decision to have the sleeve surgery. To say that I am glad that I had surgery and love my sleeve would be an understatement. Thanks again!!!

Hi I am new here but I am about 2 weeks shy of my 1 year anniversary of VSG and I am soooo glad I had the surgery. I have lost about 115 lbs so far could not be more pleased. :thumbup: My husband would like to have the surgery as well but he is losing just by me having had the surgery and changing the way we cook and eat.

Hi everyone, I am knew here. My name is Michelle and I am 28 Years old. I have 4 kids and I am just starting the process for the Lapband. I go for my orientation Dec 9th, and my psych evavaluation on Nov 30th. I'm not really sure what to expect at the evaluational. Im also not sure what the process consist of there after. Any insight would be grateful. Im just curious as to how long it takes to actually get a surgery date. I'm living in Phenix City AL and going to Albany Ga to the clinic there.

Well I talked to a facilitator today and gave all my medical data.... so I am on my way to getting sleeved. I am excited, anxious and nervous at all the same time. I am told that it should be withing 8-12 weeks.

Today I received my surgery date from my doctor-Dec. 6. At first he told me to start my pre-op diet tomorrow-Thanksgiving-then I talked him into Friday-lol. My surgery will be at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio-(military) I am so excited. Bad news-my daughter had lap band surgery in July 09. She lost 80 pounds and weighs 110. Well she has not been feeling well the last few weeks. You guessed it-her band slipped and she needs a whole new procedure. She was self-paid back in 09; still does not have insurance. I am looking for a way to help her finance it. At the same time, I am trying to talk her into the sleeve-doctor told her that since she lost so much we…

I just had my Surgery yesterday. So far so good. I was able to drink 1 protien drink today although it took me all day and about 2 cups of Water. The pain isn't too bad, the only place that is uncomfortable is where the port is. I hope this gets better soon. I am also new to these types of 'forums/blogs'. I will enjoy hearing from other people like me.

Hi - I'm thinking of having the vertical sleeve surgery. My BMI is over 50. So am I. I'm afraid this is my last chance, but I'm really scared - of the life change, of the diet change, of the surgery, of the loose skin, even of being thin.