Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello, My name is Trish. I started this journey in Jan. 2010. I am currently on the liquid diet..A Big Yucky lol!! I am so excited to finally have my surgery date on 9/23. I have done my preop and now just counting the days. I currently weigh 222. I started at 232 in January. I am really having a hard time with the liquid diet. I am doing it and not cheating, but I am a very picky eater and I hate drinks like slim fast, energy drinks, etc...Does any one know why the liquid diet is required before surgery? Anyway, I have 2 more days of this & then it is clear liquids...It is hard to do this & work. I am having trouble staying focused lol. Any ideas?

This is my first post, though I've been reading this forum (lofting) for about six months now. I'm starting this thread for me, but I'm hoping to pick up some veteran advice and support along the way. I have always been heavy. It's in my family's genes, though I certainly don't blame heredity alone for my current size. My grandmother died from complications with obesity and though my dad has seemed to keep the pounds at bay at various times in his life, my mom fought that battle once and won, only to lose again over time. She is now at her heaviest and a smoker and I worry about her at times. This thread isn't about my parents, though, but about me. I'm a tw…

Good morning everyone question, how long did you take off from work. i'm trying to decide if i need to sign short term disability papers for when i am out or not. i thought maybe i could just put in for two weeks vacation and should be good with that. what do you think is that unreasonable to think i would be ready in two weeks to go back to work. how long were some of you guys out.

Just wanted to stop by and say hello to everyone. I am not banded as of yet. I go for my first consultation on October 12, 2010, which will be one of the first days of my wonderful transformation. I am a little nervous about what to expect from my 1st consultation. I have attended a seminar and found the information very informative. I am excited and nervous all wrapped in one.

In my nutrition classes I have been told that I should expect to lose about 60 lbs. I was hoping closer to 90-100 lbs. I know it will take a while and am willing to put in the work and the time, but which projection is more realistic?

Hi everyone, I am Shari and i'm new here i live in Roseville Ca, i went to the orientation back in april 2009 and i just wasn't ready to do it. I am now, i just called the Bariatric center in Richmond and they are re activating me, so to expect a call from Robin in the next week or so. I am so excited and so nervous, they want me to go to my Dr's off and get my weight recorded, i guess that is their way of telling me to start losing? LOL.. I am looking for some postive feedback on the band, the last time i had my heart set on gastric bypass but after reading about it, i just feel the band is a better choice. So i would love to hear from you all about your experiences …

I already introduced myself and explained that I went to a WLS seminar and they sent my records and primary dr.letter into my insurance company to see if I could be approved for treatment (i.e., surgery as outlined in my dr. referral letter). I received the letter about a week after the records were submitted and am waiting to hear back from the WLS place for moving forward with the other steps of meeting with the dr. etc. After reading several posts it sounds like most people had a surgery scheduled before they got their approval letter? Why did I get approved so early in the process? Not complaining, wondering if this is "too good to be true"...

Hello Everyone! I'm new here and I haven't been banded or been to a doctor yet. I am trying to find as much info as I can before I make a decision. I may not even qualify for lap band surgery. I have a low BMI (32). I'm 5'4" and weigh 187 lbs. I've got high blood pressure and high cholesterol which scares me because my father had a heart attack in July at the age of 60 and had to have stints put in and half his heart is dead now. I'm 36 and have had a weight problem most of my life. I'm been on lots of diets where I've lost some weight then gained more back. Does anyone know of a doctor in Atlanta,Georgia that they would recommend me talking to?

New to site. Researching Lap Band after a failed Gastric Bypass 12 years ago. (Roux-en-Y). Wanted to know if there are people out there that had a gastric bypass a few years ago and are now being banded? Want to find out how it is going for you personally, any risks, what went wrong with bypass, etc. Need someone to talk to about this. Thanks!:biggrin:

Hi everyone! My name is Louise. I am a little more than one month post op...and I've lost 38lbs so far. I have about 70 more to go. I have a great support system in place with my husband, kids and my boss...but can never have enough support...especially considering none of them have had this. I am looking forward to talking with people who have been banded...and helping to encourage others that are thinking about it.:drool:

Hi Everyone! So I finally made the decision, I have been researching for the better part of 2 years now. I wish I COULD have made my decision earlier, but either way I'm ready and happy. I have decided not to tell my co-workers due the fact they were negative about a group of ladies that did it last year. HOWEVER, I do have the full support of my family and few close friends. I have slow & long journey ahead of me, I have Aetna insurance, and I’m required to do a 3 month nutritionist diet, which starts Thursday. I can't wait! I went to my first seminar on 9/27/2010 and it’s officially the new beginning of my life. I would like to do know if anyone was requi…

hello everyone first i must say i am not feeling the new format of the site, i just joined and was just getting use to the way things were and wala today it's all changed. oh by the way i changed my post name to thickinphilly it use to be pennick i just officially joined on friday. anyway i think there is some type of mix up because i received a few email from people congratulating me on losing 100 pounds and i have not even been sleeved yet. i don't know if thats wishful thinking on someone part but as i said friday i am just starting my journey and have not lost an ounce yet. oh to give you guys and update i told you i had all of my pre-op testing well with my upper GI…

This is my first article. Hello everyone and people management. Hopefully I'll contribute a little to the development of the forum. If so, it is happiness. Beauty is always an issue that all people are interested. I hope to find their own experience.

I have just started taking the first few steps in organizing my lap band surgery. I must admit that so many things are running through my brain, will this work!! Will I have complications, how can I avoid those complications, will I still have a life, have I picked a good doctor to perform the surgery and how fast am I going to loose the weight. I have struggled with my weight in the last 10 years; I have tried diet pills and number of diets like the Cohen’s diet, I am up and down with exercising (to be honest I don’t have time anyway) nothing seems to keep it off. My current BMI is 42 and that’s the highest it’s ever been. I am looking forward to receiving advice from…

Hello I am researching LAP-BAND® for my son he will be 14 in January. I know a lot of you will probably say he is to young but he is 5'11 and weighs 355 pounds. He has type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Diets do not work he is constantly hungry and he complains of his knees hurting him even when he does not try to exercise. I am scared if he does not have surgery he will have a heart attack or stroke. Always has been a big boy even at birth I have run out of options on what to do with him. Family doctor has suggested he have the surgery. I have an appointment scheduled for the middle of October for him to see a surgeon and they want him to attend a seminar the Satur…

Hi guys, This is my first post on here but not my first attempt at WLS so it would probably help if I share my story. I decided to have a L-B in 2006, I weighted 123kg(let it be know, thats the first time I have EVER told ANYONE my pre-op weight!). I was fine for 4 day and then I started to feel very, very ill. After a wasted trip to a private hospitals ER where the moron doctor gave me Enoz and said go home I ended up a few days later in my hospital on IV antibiotics for 7 days. I had developed an amazing allergy to the metal port, it was horrid and battled this infection for 13 months before my surgeon and I gave up and she removed my port. 3 months later she repla…

Hi my name is Benny and i am new to the forums. I got my lap band done on september 28, 2010. I currently weigh 344 pounds. Its been almost a week and i was wondering when people got their lapband done if they were put on a liquid diet for the first week and a half?? What do you guys drink or eat on this diet?? Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

i am in the middle of obtaining approval. hoping to have insurance approval with surgery in december 2010. it's taken me a little more than a year to finally decide this is my best option to good health. i am a nurse and the biggest hurdle was facing the fact that i was not going to be able to "fix" this myself. in fact, it was a horrible admission to myself that i am this broken. but, now i have made the decision and am excited, anxious, weary, and hopeful. that list is not all inclusive of the multitude of emotions i am having every single moment i breathe right now. questions that i need to hear answered from women who've had the surgery. (please!!) i'm not fin…

I will be banded on 10/20/2010. I am super excited. I cant wait to begin my new life. :smile2:

:smile2: I am excited beyond words! I received a letter in the mail last Friday from Blue Cross Blue Shield and my surgery has been approved. My surgery date is set for October 19th. I am so ready to begin this new journey in my life!

im having surgery on the 11th of Oct. I have all ready lost weight but i have a hard time seeing changes in myself. my daughter came up with a way i can see my changes. we bought a large sheet of paper large enough for me to trace my body on it. So we hung it on the wall and traced around my body, were gonna do this every month so i can see my changes. Kids are so cleaver!

Well, here I am! 100 stinking pounds lighter and I couldn't feel better - I feel like I am "home" - back in the body I was supposed to have. I feel like a million bucks, I feel like an 18 year old. I feel like I have a chance to STAY this way for a change! That's the best part. This has been one helluva ride but I have absolutely no regrets at all. I would do it again in a NY second. Overall, my experience has been... boring? No complications, no drama, just good stuff all the way. It is a head twist, however, and it takes some getting used to - I imagine more for some than others. It's been pretty easy for me. My only "issue" has been acid and it's keeping me from losing…

Hi! I am new to LapBandTalk after just receiving approval for surgery last week. I would like to see if there are others in the 50 something range that are going through this. :smile: After making my decision to have Lap-Band surgery I was first denied by my Insurance Company (United Helath Care) in 2009. The Weight Loss Clinic helped to appeal the denial of service but it was denied again. Luckily, my company changed insurance carriers in 2010 to Anthem Blue Cross. At the beginning of the year I did not think about re-applying for the surgery, since I was denied by United, but then someone told me that they had it approved and I started my research again to see if Anthem…

Dr. Phil had a couple on the show where the wife doesnt want to be intimate because she has gained weight and feels like a failure!!!. Unattractive and less of a woman. This is exactly how my relationship is.. my hubby always tried to help me on all of my diets.. but when i failed and failed and failed.. i felt like such a failure and it took such a toll on our relationship!!.. i feel so bad for her... but when i see her i think to myself, im so glad that will never be me again.. anybody else in that boat with me?

Hello everyone, I?m Ken and I had GPS, Gastric Plication Surgery, by Dr. Watkins Sept 22nd, 2010. My weight was 228lbs on the day of surgery ( I?m a 62 yr old man, a little over 5? 11? with a 32 BMI ) and ten days later I weigh 216lbs. As far as how much weight I want to lose it is whatever weight loss it takes to permanently resolve my diabetes. I want to give a big thank you to your forum members for sharing their experiences and questions. In viewing your forum I was introduced to Dr. Watkins? thorough explanations of GPS and exactly how and why he does the surgery. I was impressed by how he always searches out and repairs any hiatal hernia. If you don't have a he…

After a lifelong battle with my weight I decided last year to have WLS. I sought out a DR and was very happy to go throught the program at GBMC this year. My surgery was on the above date and so far i have lost 20 lbs. My post surgery issues are minor but aggrivating. difficult sleeping patterns so far, loss of taste of soups that i liked prior, resslessness.

I Finally have a date after two years of fighting with my pcp and my insurance I will be getting sleeved Nov. 8th:lol0::biggrin0::lol0: I'm so excited that this is finally going to happen this time, I'm having my stomach scoped next Friday has anyone had this done if so how did you feel after the procedure?? My surgeon was not happy that I gained weight, I know I can lose the 7lbs before surgery my explanation was working out with my trainer turned fat into muscle it has been 3 months since getting approved by insurance company he said that is no excuse I was so happy to get a date to argue with him. Nov. 8th then I can start my weight loss journey:svengo:

Hi all, I signed up and have been lurking for awhile and finally decided to post I have been overweight/obese/morbidly obese my whole life. Currently I am 33 and 267 pounds. I am a happily married (10 years this month!) mother of 5. I work as a secretary and have for many years - probably contributed to weight. I have tried numerous diets and pills and programs over the years with success, but of course, not long-term. In the Fall of last year I began the documentation process via my primary doctor to be considered for WLS. She referred me for Lap-band®/gastric bypass. I attended a WLS seminar last month through our local hospital who is also a bariatric cen…

I am way beyond frustrated. This week I should have found out whether my insurance had approved my surgery. I called my patient coordinator who although very nice has frustrated me because she seems to busy for me. I called Tuesday and finally got a hold of her only to be told, I will follow up this week with your insurance. I gave her two days and when I didnt get a call back I phoned my insurance. They told me they had no record of any submission for bariatric surgery so they promised to follow up with the Authorization department and call me back. Two days later, no call back from either cooridinator or insurance. I called insurance again and was told no authorization …

My surgery is scheduled for the 6th, and I gained 5 lbs last week....I am so scared that because my weight went up they will not do the surgery....as of right now, nothing but liquids until wed....I cannot exercise do to over exercising these past two days and causing blisters on my feet...I can barely walk....any sugestions? Anyone have a weight gain before surgery???

At almost 2wks out, there are some significant changes that I?ve noticed. 30# seems like such a small number in the grand scheme of things, but just like I thought ? it was probably the last 30-40# that did me in. I have notcied that the knee pain I had been feeling in a major way (ie: felt like they would blow @ any moment, w/every step) has drastically diminished & is on it?s way being gone for good. The back pain I had ? gone. And the fact that I?ve lost weight in my feet is kinda weird, but I?ll take it. One of the biggest things ? for those that know about my foot issue preceeding the major foot surgery I had back in ?07, complete with screws-fa-lyfe *pfft* ? I…

hi everyone! well ive finally got my band ! iam surprised that iam not hungry , two spoons of soup and im full!!!!!!! normally those two spoons would have been ketchup on my chips [fries] !!!!!!!!!!! half a cup of tea takes me an hour ! it used to be a pint of beer every 15mins! i think i have found diet nirvana!! i know its early days yet but i think this is going to turn my life around . i lost 56 pound pre band and when my little girl, shes 6 asked me to play football the other day id realised what i had been missing no back pain , no heavy breathing because it was no longer a struggle to walk. normally i would have been reading the paper and watched her play , but now…

*grinnin ear to ear* *pls excuse the jumble/typos - blogging via crackberry* Heyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! ((This will just be a quickie update until I can get to a pc)) I made it to the other side!! Not w/out a few obstacles. But 3 days post-op, and I feel pretty great. My surgery was on Tuesday, and today...I'm in amazement. 1st of all - the pain that I anticipated wasn't the issue - my biggest prob has been nausea. Like, morning sickness on crack. The. Worst. *blah* And other then my BP going thru the roof and them having to admit me to ICU b/c of it...everything else went off with out a hitch. I was up walking by wednesday eve, and kept it going yesterday...(And looking …

I'm 10 days till Sleeve surgery, Oct 11th is the big day. Happy right now, kind of feel sad about not eating some of my fav foods but I need to get healthy. Wondering how bad the first week will be? Anyone want to share?' Kim

Well, Friday I go get my diet from my doctor's office to start on Monday my two weeks liquid diet. Then Tuesday I have an EGD and Wednesday preop testing. Busy week next week, but one week closer to 10/18/10. I can't wait until I can finally sit on the loser's bench. I am so excited and nervous all at the same time. One problem I am having is my allergies are acting up and I have a cough and sore throat. I love this time of year, but my nose doesn't, so if you would, say a prayer that this doesn't get any worse and I don't have to postpone my surgery. I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and even better weekend. Lisa

Banded yesterday, 9/29/10. My husband's last words were "Don't do it!!!" But he has been supportive since. Dr. Francis from Orange Coast Memorial was my surgeon. So much pain! Have to sleep on my back. Can't get up without help Not too hungry. Don't mind the liquids yet. But, it's only been two days:eek: Wondering when the pain will stop. Neck, port site and back. so far, no gas. So happy there are support sites like this one!!!

Hello everyone. My name is Chris. I was just approved on 9/23/10. My surgery is scheduled for Oct 27. I am so excited to finally have a chance to be healthy.. I am 35 yrs old, 6ft 350lbs. My goal weight is somewhere around 220. I am also having some work done to my shoulder at the same time. Most of the doctors and other medical ppl i have talked to keep telling me that i am going to hurt. I am starting to get a little nervous. This will be my first surgery, so i guess my issue is all the unknown. I watched my wife go through this procedure Nov 20 2009. She has had a pretty easy time with the band. She has lost 40lbs so far. I welcome your support,encour…

I got my approval today from my insurance company. My doctor sent all the paperwork last Tuesday. I'm scheduled to be banded on October 15. My doctor was able to do the surgery on October 8, but it was a 4pm and I wanted to make sure I could be home the same day. I'm so excited!!

I finally made the doctors apointment to talk about my weight loss goals! He sent in a referral to the bariatric surgery department with 3 clicks on the computer! i have my first class on october 18th still a long way to go but i thought if i was going to tell my story i should start at the very beginning! thank god for this website now i know its not so simple and there Are hoops i need to jump through. i want to have the sleeve or Gastic bypass but with the recovery time being so short with lap band im thinking about that too.. i have two young children both under 2 and the faster healing the better.. i have kaiser so cal. Im looking for people to share their stories w…

I was sleeved on Friday, the 24th, and I'm sort of bummed to admit that my time in the hospital was rougher than I'd hoped it would be. I felt pretty good right after the surgery and was able to complete my one mile walk around the hospital floor, but by Saturday things had taken a turn for the worse. Fever, vomiting, utter misery. I was in a bad panic. In the midst of it all, however, I made myself complete that day's required mile. Sunday things began to turn around, because I realized that I was making myself sick by pushing too hard. I was too eager to get going with my new life, despite all the good advice I had received, both here and from friends who've had the …

Hello I am still new to this all my ins co says 3/ months bend class w/ weght loss dr , of which 1 st appt was on 8/26/10 so far I am 2 classes in I have one more class to go :thumbup: .. does any hve aetna and generally whats the process for approval. My weight has increased due to all my kids it just seem so hard to losse serveral diets ,weight loss meds, i mean everything i could think of . Ive reviewed lapband for years now and happy to say I finally took steps to defeat FAT.:thumbup:

Well, it's been almost 3 weeks since my surgery and I am doing ok. I lost 9 lbs in the first 2 weeks after my surgery and this week....nothing. Not gaining just staying the same. I go in for my first fill on 11/1 and I hope that start to feel restriction like I did right after surgery. It's hard to try and stick with my diet. I mean sooooo hard. But I am determined to change my bad habits. Anybody have any good advice? :smile2:

Starting Weight: 190.4 BMI: 33.8 Surgery Date: 10/15/10 Surgeon Information (Dr. Hollis / Houston) What I ate today: 1 20oz bottle of Isopure Punch 3 oz Turkey Jerky 1 Myoplex Low Carb shake 1 Crystal Light Focus Drink Mix (w/ Caffeine) 1 Crystal Light Pure added to Smart Water 1 Medium Sonic Unsweet Tea with Lime 1 sugar-free Jello Water, Water, Water Total: 520 calories / 113 grams Protein / 11 grams carbs Thoughts: I feel excited and nervous about everything (weight-loss related) right now. Today's pre-op diet pretty much sucked. In fact, I feel a little nauseated. I am not really hungry but feel a little unsatisfied. I am trying hard to stay fo…

I have my 1st surgeon appt tomorrow. Wondering if I will schedule my surgery date tomorrow? I have everythi else scheduled already ( upper GI, psych veal and meeting with the dietition on oct 20th) I have tricare prime. When I went to the seminar they said the whole process with tricare can be done in about 30 days. So far everything has happened with lightening speed just curious to hear at what point in the process did you get your surgery date?

Hello, My name is LaShonda and I am a 24 year old single mother who weighs 388 lbs. I have been researching the lap band for about 9 months now...and recently have gone through some steps in getting it over the last month. I started my journey with the idea that this might be an easy road for me, but I have come to realize that it is not. However I have prayed about it and have come to the conclusion that this is what I want to do. I started in at 403 lbs the heaviest I have ever been, since then I have tried numerous diet pills and diets. But with my High blood pressure there is not a lot of things I can take. Good news is I have lost 15 lbs and plan to lose more,…

Hey everyone i just found this site yesterday and i have to say your experiences have been so encouraging. i am just starting my journey and have not had my surgery yet, i don't even have it scheduled. I did however have all of my pre-op testing done and with just that i am so excited. you guys have answered a lot of my questions and given me insite on so much. according to my dr. (dr. soriano at temple university hospital of phila) i should be scheduled in february some time and i will certainly keep you guy posted. question can someone tell me what the drain is all about. i don't recall that being mentioned in office visit or my seminar.

Just wishing there be people from ct on here. I would like to talk to people in my region thats going through this. maybe meet up its hard to find people that accept what I am doing and have this in common.

My name is Luke and I'm 31 and have been over weight my whole life. I have just been approved through my INS to get the weight lose surgery. I'm still undecided on either the Lap Band or Gastric Bypass but I'm leaning towards Lap Band. My highest weight was 385 back about 5 yrs ago. I am currently on a low cal diet and I weight 345. Luke

I am here in Mexicali at my hotel, scared as Sh*t, waiting for Ernesto to pick us up at 7 for my surg. W Had pre ops done yesterday which went well. Staff was al nice and everything went as planed. Ernesto will be here at 7 to pick us up. Gota to finish geting ready so I wil keep u updated as I do it....you will too. There is me and the other girl who arrived yesterday her name is gloria and she is getiting a band. T Keep me in your prayers! Lydia

Hi everyone, Was banded on Monday on the 27th and am feeling pretty sick lol. I've got terrible back problems which I hope is the reason I'm having problems breathing. It hurts to eat anything - having a band doesn't make me feel full (it just hurts to get it down if I haven't chewed it enough). It hurts to take deep breathes, it hurts to yawn or sneeze...I don't have a fill in it yet. I got my band through private health insurance. Out of pocket 5K which is good for Australia. I'm 22 years old and hopefully the pain and issues I'm having will go away. I have been pretty careful with eating - haven't thrown up yet. I can't lay down flat either because my band feels l…