Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello everyone!!!! My name is Jackie, I'm 37, married and I have a 3 year old son. I am currently new to Lap-Band. I have spoken to my surgeon and he wants to schedule me before the end of this year for surgery. I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions and I can't wait to meet a lot of you!!!:blushing:

I begin my first weigh in and diet Oct 26, 2010. I am very excited and nervous too.:blushing:

Hi everyone, I'm new to posting but I have been reading many posts. First I want to say thank you all for your insight. Reading your posts have helped me realize that the sleeve is the right choice for me. I'm having a bit of trouble though... I am 5'1" 204 lbs with joint/arthritis issues in my hips and back, depression, anxiety and asthma. I finished my psych exam & 3 nut consults and I was told that my paperwork was going to be submitted. But now the surgery consultant is trying to force me into getting a sleep study. I mean she's seriously bugging me daily about it. I told her that I had one before when I was 25lbs heavier and do not have sleep apnea. She told m…

I started this journey with my husband and he has been very supportive during all the doctors visits, nutrionist etc. Now that I have a date this surgery has become more real to me, so I decide to tell my bestfriend, two good friends who are also co-workers. My best friend was very happy for me and she told me she's a little jealous (we both have been trying for over 2 yrs to get sleeved) I know she will give me support through this whole process. My two co-workers a totally different story, one started giving me diet tips and new excercises that I could do to loss the weight then she brought up my weight loss 3 yrs ago and said "if you did it then you can do it again." …

Hi, I'm new will be banded on Nov. 15. Does anyone know the stats on excercising. Specifically, running and sit-ups, and also weight lifting. I have a very physical job and need to know when I can start to do these things safely. Any comments or advice. Thank You...

Good evening all... I stopped by the Dr office today and asked if they could show me where I was in the journey to the LAP-BAND® and to see if they had on record what I have on record. They didn't. Some of this process has been confusing! As it turns out, I have completed EVERYTHING that I need to do on my part. The office insurance specialist even typed up the letter to the insurance company stating why I don't have medical records for '06. She was wonderful! Soooooo this means that Monday they will be submitting my information to the insurance company! yipee!! Any idea how long that the approval process will take? And after approval (note the confidence…

Hello everyone My name is Nicole and I am in the beginning stages of the process . I have already gotten recommendations for surgery from my primary Dr and scheduled to see the dietitian on 10/26/10 . I currently haveUnited Health Care -- Badger Care Plus for insurance and they are extremely secretive about what qualifications I need to meet for approval . They will only tell the Dr and Surgeon . Can one one tell me what to expect from here ? My BMI is 43 I current suffer with high blood pressure, sleep apnea , a hiatal hernia ,and asthma and mitoprolap heart vale (might have spelled it wrong) ... What do you do think my chance are of getting approved by insurance . Lo…

I have been lurking for about a month when I had first found out about the VSG surgery. The stories and information here has been sooooo helpful, and inspirational that it convinced me that VSG is the right way to go. I am a 31 year old father of two, who has fought being overweight since I was a kid. I think VSG is going to be the stepping stone I have always needed to get healthy! I have my first consultation tomorrow afternoon with Dr. Jossart, and am hoping to have my surgery after the 1st of next year. Any other Dr. Jossart patients on here? Thanks to all of the posters here that make it an easy choice to look in to this surgery :biggrin0:

i am so glad that there is a web based support group for lab bandees, the lap band journey site has not support what so ever, i can talk to people all over the country and world with this site, so glad that i found this!

Just wanted to post an update as today is the first day I've really felt like turning on the computer. Surgery was last Wednesday, the 13th and it was a success. Dr said the procedure ran a little longer than anticipated due to previous surgery I'd had 30 years ago to remove my spleen and he ran into a lot of scar tissue he had to go through (as if there wasn't enough other stuff in the way like pounds and pounds of fat LOL) but anyway I'm on the mend. Still in a lot of pain but as they say no pain no gain. Didn't expect to come home from the hospital with the drain tube still in but I was happy to be released after two day. Hopefully the tube will be removed on Wedn…

Ok, so the nurse just called me to give me the news. Unfortunately, I will not be having my sleeve surgery I have a BMI of 44.6 and BCBC just updated their requirements for bariatric surgery in Pennsylvania. The potential patient must have a BMI greater than 50 along with other extenuating circumstances, none of which I have. Even after mentioning my family's history with hypertension, high blood pressure and diabetes I was told because I didn't have any of those things, that didn't necessarily have to be my fate. I told the nurse that I still may be interested in the psych eval, seeing the nutritionist and taking the class and she said I could but because BCBS wa…

Hi everyone, My name is Lacey, im 23 and I live in the houston area. I had my surgery on September 14th 2010, So far im down almost 40 pounds. It has been an exciting ride so far and I look forward to hearing stories from all of yall!!!

I had surgery January 13, 2010. My highest weight (after most likely a Christmas cookie binge) was 251. On my day of surgery, I weighed 243. Yesterday morning I weighed 156.4. My initial goal was 175 but that came and went without question in August. During my whole journey, I always sort of wondered if I could 'make it' to a normal BMI. When I reached 175, I reset my goal to keep stepping closer to 157 (normal BMI for my height). I have teetered back and forth but hadn't "officially" made it until this morning . I record my weight on Wednesdays so those are the only weights that "count". I realized also that I hadn't taken my measurements since February! I …

I'm just at the accepted BMI for insurance coverage and I am hoping to start my journey just as most of you already have. I am so amazed at the outcomes and am so happy for all of you. I hope to be just as successful one day. I know what it's like having to struggle with weight my entire life and am hoping someday with the help of the lapband I can actually reach my life long goal of 135 pounds. It's just been so long and for once I don't want my weight to be an issue always haunting me in the background affecting everything I do or my personality. I want to be free. I have been able to lose a lot from working out but it never stays off and I seem to put more back on when…

Hi everyone,:w00t: my name is Caz I am 47 & quite a new bandie, I was banded in May of this year & to date I have lost 3 stone, sorry 42lbs. (we use stones er in the U.K.) I have had one band fill under xray & I am having another fill next week. I have had my op in the private sector, as my start B.M.I. was only 39 & in order to get it free on our N.H.S. (all medical services are free here in the U.K.) I had to have a B.M.I. of 50 so I paid £6000.00 but it was worth every last penny:biggrin: I am still trying to work with the band, & if anything, I now realise all my eating habits are in my head? I have trouble eating bread & meats, but i will k…

Hello!!! So my name is Jim and how did I get to this point...well I like food which I guess is obvious. But why did I want to loose weight? I have been big most of my life just like the nick name BigJim says. I am 6'2" and about 280 at the most I have been 300 which is not the worse BMI in the world but lets talk about health... Have any of you ever had your blood pressure taken and the nurse or doctor looks at the machine and then looks at you and they have the look of how are you still alive? Thats me so I got Stage 2 Hypertension Type 2 Diabeties and Thyroid Cancer the later is actually how I ended up here. Let em explain when I was going through my radiation food…

Hello, I am new to this. I have been in out and out of this site for the past 5 months, but decided to join yesterday. Everyone seems very nice and very help and understanding. I got approved by my health insurance this past Wednesday for the surgery. So I am excited but very nervous. But on the same day I got my approval I found out I gained 5 pds. So, that means that I have to loose that weight plus atleast another 3 pounds, which I think I can do. This has been a learning experience and I am in this for the long haul. I spoke to my nutritionist and we went over everything I was eating. The culprit is those darn carbs. So now I have started a day to day d…

Hello Everyone! I've been reading posts on the site for several weeks now and I must say, I have to thank all of you. I'm scheduled to be sleeved on Nov 4, and all of the information I've read here has made me feel much better about my decision. I grew up a big kid, but dropped most of my weight throughout my teenage years and into my military years. I even body sculpted for a while, but shortly after the military I put on a lot of weight and struggled to bring it down. Its been over ten years and its only gone up. I finally decided to have the sleeve, and my doctor was very supportive (as is my beautiful wife). I've been on my Pre-op diet for 2 weeks tomorrow. I …

Hello everyone! My name is Shante and I am in the begining stages of my journey to get lapband. I just saw my PCM on Tuesday to get a referal to see a lapband surgeon. I have Tricare Prime insurance so I am nervous, but hopeful that I will get approved. My current weight is 257, height 5'6 and my BMI is 41. I have no co-morbities. Has anyone else had a good or bad experience with Tricare to get approved? If anyone can experiences they have had with the lapband thaat would be great. Looking forward to getting to know you.

I can't believe it! I called my ins co today and they told me I was approved! Yay! My date is 11/30/10! So many different emotions going through my head.. One minute I'm so excited, next i'm freaking out! Just wanted to thank everyone for posting your own experiences, it helps to know what to expect! --Kelli

So, it's 5am and I'm on the forums... I was just thinking about a previous doctor's appointment and I would love to share it with you. Back in June 2010, I went to see my surgeon. Well, there was this nurse and she was taking all of my vitals and etc. She asked me, "How tall are you?" I replied, 5' 5" She said, "Really, stand up against this wall." So she measured me and she said, "You are 5' 3 3/4." "No way, measure me again please." And once again, I am 5' 3 3/4" Well, on my October 15th pysical, I got measured again and this time I am now 5' 3" "Are you joking?" Well, it's offical--- I am 5' 3" I told her that everytime I come here, I keep get…

I am having the sleeve done in Mexico in November 18th and I am getting nervous. I have a low BMI 30.4 and I know this surgery is usually done on heavier people but i have struggled for the past 6 years with my weight like a rollercoaster and I am tired of all the fad diets. I am hoping to hear some postive comments about this surgery and maybe even some comments from people like me who do not have a high BMI and have done this surgery. I am going with Dr. Ramos Kelly at INT and would like any info or comments. My sister and I will be recording our "adventure"and sharing our experience in Mexico and our journey to hopefully more healthy and beautiful bodies. Any po…

I am being banded oct.26. Getting a little nervous. I have been up and down in my weight, I knew i had to make a change and i feel this is it. I want to be around to enjoy grandchildren, and being with my husband. So here goes nothing. .:wink2:

I know, I know. I've said this before, but I thought by this time I would be over it. I'm not. I'm still annoyed with not being able to eat. I don't really know how to describe it. The best way to say it is I don't feel like I'm enjoying food anymore. I know it's not going to be the same as pre-op when I could stuff myself to the gills with awesome food and that's okay. That's not my problem. My problem is a take 2 bites and I'm done but I've hardly even tasted the food. Am I making sense? I guess I just miss it..... I'm not missing the volume of food I used to be able to eat or the fact that I can't grub on a delicious box from Taco Bell. For example, during lunch I …

I finally made the decision to pursue the Lap-band surgery on a self-pay basis, after years of waiting for my husband's employer to remove their exclusion of weight loss surgeries. Got the appointment, arranged for financing, got all excited, this is finally MY year!! I could basically set my own surgery date, and then... I suddenly developed an enlarged thyroid. Now I am waiting between one test and another, to figure out what to do next. In one way it is a blessing that it happened now, because the main symptom is that my thyroid is pressing on my windpipe a little bit and is causing a now-and-then shortness of breath, but a more often feeling of something stuck …

So this is my first string. I had surgery on 10/4/10. Luckily I feel great. I have lost 13lbs. Dr Gritsus in Pequannock NJ was my surgeon and did a great job. I start solid foods next week and I am slightly terrified. I am hoping that this new journey will lead me down the right road of weight loss...finally!

I am beyond ready. I was supposed to have the surgery in April, but my wife and I had to pay some bills down as I am a self pay patient. I thought the liquid diet would be difficult and the first few days were, but I have realized through discussion and it has been said to me more than once that I need to eat to live and not live to eat. I know this is the beginning of the journey and weighed 328 before the liquid diet. My pre op visit with my doctor went as expected. My labs were not the best. High Chol, I am Diabetic and have sleep Apnia ( I look forward to the time with out sleeping with the cpap so I can cuddle again with my wife). I am doing this so I…

I am 26. My bmi is 36 and I'm a mother of 5, struggling, as all of you know. I'm so tired of being this weight and fighting this uphill battle. I hope and pray that this is the answer for me. I want it so badly i can taste it.. I have filled out the 17 pages of paperwork and have a seminar to attend Nov 8th. I'm unsuer what all the steps are after that, but i'm excited about it. SO HI, and ic an't wait to get my feet wet!

Hi Everyone Im extremely nervous about this lapband process. Im in the beggining stages. I will be having surgery at Womack Army Medical Center on Fort Bragg if I get approved. I called this morning and the nurse ask me questions over the phone to see if i even qualify. I wonder if they would have considered me if I didnt qualify to their standards. I guess they go off of your BMI because she ask me my height and weight and my BMI turned out to be 39.7 ...close enough to 40 she said. Now I have an appointment on the 29th (Im assuming its a seminar) for four hours. I have told myself that even if I dont get approved by tricare that I wont be disappointed (disappointments …

Hello! I was on the OH website and I still am. But I am having some trouble with a couple of trolls there who are band haters and had revision surgery. So I am looking for a new support site! I am 34 and just got banded with the Lap Band 10/12/10. I am doing pretty goo. Back to work! Today is my first day on mushies! Happy to be off the liquids! My start weight was 327. I was down 316 for surgery. I have not gotten on a scale since surgery. Trying to wait till my follow up appt on 10/28/10. I am a mother and wife. I husband and I celebrated 8 years together on 10/08/10!! I have 2 little boys! One turned 2 TODAY! And the other will be 5 in January. I am so excit…

Hi, I'm new here today. I was banded October 4th (2 1/2 weeks ago). Still learning, but very excited to reach my goal some day and hopefully soon. It took 4 years for my doctor to hear me and he finally gave me the go ahead back in February. I'm 45. Have 3 grand kids and another on the way. My family has been very supportive of me doing this. I'm hoping that being here I can learn from others as I go through this journey and beyond.

Been lurking around the site for a few months but now that I have my surgery date official I should make myself official here as well.:biggrin: I am scheduled to be banded on November 8th @ 945am. All I have left is a presurgical class tomorrow, some more blood work, and a final visit with the surgeon.:thumbup: But from now until then I am on the liver shrink diet.:wink2: Shhhh....was that a carb?!?:scared2:

Hey Everyone. :wink2: I'm twenty-five and was banded March 25th 2010- I'm quickly approaching seven months post-op- and completely blown away by how quickly time has flown by. I am looking for some support and WLS friends. I have recently undergone port revision surgery as well (September 30th 2010) due to my port healing at a severe tilt- fills were done fluoroscopically every time, and so to eliminate that my surgeon reset my port, and took away some excessive scar tissue, I am still healing from that; I'm very open to answering any question anyone of you may have, so please contact me if that be the case. Anyway, here is my quick hello, and again... I'm …

I had surgery June 11th and since then my life has changed soooo much. I just bought size 8 jeans....shopping for regular clothes in the "Missy" dept. is so fun, it's hard to put into words. I would have never thought I'd wear an 8. I am 3.5 lbs from my surgeon's goal and I plan on losing another 5 - 7 lbs below that. Who knows, maybe I will end up in a size 6. I can't even wrap my head around that. I look in the mirror and I see a smaller person, but I do NOT see what others see. I have been called thin, even skinny by my husband. (In a nice way) I don't see thin or skinny, I see smaller. I am not sure how long it will take for my brain to catch up with what Dr. …

Hey Y'all! Well, I'm really new here- just starting the lap band weight loss journey. Hopefully this will finally be my last weight loss journey! I've got a blog going (San Diego Lap Band Blog ) and I'm doing weekly videos to chronicle the changes I anticipate (and also to keep me on track ;-D ) . I'm also facebooking at San Diego Lap Band | Facebook So far I've had one appointment with the doctor, learned that my insurance won't cover any of it, and made the decision that I'm going to do it anyway. I haven't completely picked the doctor yet, I figured that I'd meet with several and then pick one. I'm still researching all the little details that I didn't …

Hi all! I'm brand new to this website and am just looking for some guidance or feedback from people who have had the surgery. I have mine on November 3rd and am starting to get nervous. What were your biggest struggles? Fears? Best or worst moments? How has your life changed?! I don't really know anyone personally who has had this done and while I am SOOOO excited to start my new lifestyle I guess I'm just wondering what are some other experiences people have had out there.

hi there, i'm so glad i found you all here! In 8 days i'll have my Lap Band surgery. I'm just finishing my 7th day on the pre-op diet. BLECH! i'm hungry and grumpy but know its an ends to a means...so its ok! I've also lost 12 lbs so thats an upside! I have lots of weight to lose and pray that this is the last thing i ever try! i'm already thinking about starting c24k...but not sure when i should plan to begin that...any advice on that? my stats...here they are. i'm 34 yrs old 5'1 and a week ago was 270lbs (today 258) i wear a 22-24 or 3x my bmi is 50. i am looking forward to getting to know your stories..and being inspired by you all!

Hi All, I just got a letter of approval and cant wait for my doctors office to open to schedule an appointment. I am worried and excited at the same time Hugs, YanaBanana:biggrin:

Hello everyone!! I am so glad I found this site. I'm finally getting closer to my surgery. I don't have an exact date but my doctor and I are thinking the 2nd or 3rd week of November. Wow. That seems so far away. I thought I would have had my surgery by now but my insurance came back and said I had to have 6 months of supervised weight loss visits. 4 down, 2 to go. I can't wait. I'm so excited. My doctor is Diego Velarde and he practices in Palm Bay, Florida. That's where I live. Anyone out there close? I would love to find a close buddy to go thru this with. Any advice, suggestions, motivation is greatly appreciated!! I hope to learn alot from this forum. …

Hi all. I have gone through all the hoops to have the sleeve...the nutrition classes, the psych test, the consultation with the surgeon and now I'm just waiting on approval from insurance, which my doctor thinks will be no problem. So here's my dilema...I am going to have the VSG and nothing will change my mind. However, there are always those nay-sayers, pessimists, judgmental types, as well as those who are genuinely concerned for me, worried something could go wrong, or those who simply think I'm taking the easy way out. I want to avoid all of that drama and I don't want to tell ANYONE. Not my my co-workers and not my friends or family. I only see my boyfriend…

Started this all back in March. Denied twice and just yesterday, APPROVED! Noc. 4th is my date. I just know it is gona come fast. Happy dance! So much to do! I am soooo geeked. Just wanted to share. Thanks to all of you for all your input over the past several months. I have learned sooooo much. And I am sure I will have more questions as time goes by. God bless. Vicki

I just got banded on the 14th so I am on my third day being banded. My surgeon was Dr Benavides in Richardson, Texas. His office was awesome. I havent lost anything yet :smile: but I am just going to take it easy for my first few weeks and just follow the diet and heal. My first day after banding believe it or not I just felt depressed. It took me 5 years to decide to do this and 7 months of visits per insurance requirements to finally get here. I feel a little like "oh what did I do" and hope I do not fail. I thought I would join this group and see how everyone else was doing! I am really excited to lose the weight! I hope to meet people who are on the same journey I am.…

HELLO!!!!! Im Cherita I had my surgery 2/23/2010!! wohoooo ok. Down 60lbs new woredrobe and all BUT I still feel very large. Eventhough I know I have lost a good amount of weight I still have issues with the smaller me. I know that is backwards but I was just wondering if anyone else have issues with their new appearance similar to mine. Thanks!

I'm 4 weeks post op and I feel like I'm not losing any weight. Can anybody tell me why I feel like this?

Greetings everyone! I have jumped on here to search for questions and always found plenty of help. I just never felt like I had anything useful to add. I LOVE my LAP-BAND®. It is not easy, but it makes weightloss possible. Thanks for all the helpful info people post here!

Hey all, its been a couple of months and a lot has happened. I just had a quick question. When I was researching the band back in 2005 there was a rash of band removals going on here (maybe I should have paid more attention). Is there anyone around still from that time frame and do you still have your bands? I had mine removed 6 weeks ago and converted to VSG, just wondering how many old times are still on the boards?

Hi! I am new to this forum but I'm not new to trying to lose weight. I've finally decided to seriously look into lap-band surgery and joining this forum was my first step. I would be very interested in hearing from all of you, but people who also reside in the NL would be great. I've been here 6 years and also have a Dutch passport and can speak Dutch, although English is much preferred (and I'm sure once you tried to read my Dutch, you'd understand why). I am especially looking for a doctor in the Netherlands (Im in Amsterdam) if you have a recommendation. I look forward to "meeting" you all and getting to know your stories. Sincerely, Hollandy

I have just stated the journey - hoping to have my surgery to be scheduled middle of November - seeing the surgeon on the 1st of november and I will see what he says. Someone suggested that I come and join this forum so here I am.:cursing:

Im new to the forum. After a long discussion with my doctor I've decided to seriously consider the lap band. Im 25 years old and an army wife currently stationed in Germany. I look forward to getting to know everyones stories

I am strongly considering lapband surgery. At 5'9" I am way overweight at 237. I've lost over 10 pounds in the last month with a Dr. monitored diet....but it takes SO much self-discipline, and with all the other things I have on my mind, and the running around I do, it is SO difficult. I'd like an aid, and I think lapband surgery may be the answer. Plus, I've been diagnosed today with diabetes (from my diet Dr.), so now I will visit my family Dr. and probably be put on meds....for life. But, if I get it under control I can avoid taking it to the next stage where I have to inject insulin. So I'm going to read here to find out other people's experiences. I want to k…