Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Would like to know if anyone has had Gastric sleeve surgery?

Hi there my name is Dawn in from SW Florida and i met with the surgon today, Tricare approved me 5wks ago which took a day to approve me, but 5 wks to get in to see the surgon, i loved him, so sweet and caring and explained everything, i dont seems worried at all (fo now) so now i amw waiting for the office to call back for i guess the next step or blood work, a scope or my stomach i guess, he said Tricare sometimes does not make you do nutition or pysc but we will wait and see, nothing like getting this done before the holidays of eating, i guess thats why i need this... I look forward to sharing my story and hearing about eveyone here

I have not been banded yet. My consultation appointment is 9/15/2010. I am nervous and excited. Can anyone tell me what to expect during the consultation? I have so many thoughts running through my mind. I am terrified of surgery but I know it is time. I am tired of my lifestyle and want to be healthy.

I joined this site a LONG time ago to get information and support my husband who was looking into LapBand at that time. Well things didn't go as planned and he wasn't able to have it (He was active duty military at the time). Well now things are very different, for both of us and we are both looking into it now (he has been medically retired). We both have appointments with a surgeon in October. We know there should be no problem with him but I am not as overweight as he is but enough and I have very high cholesterol. So here I am again, needing as much information as I can get to be able to make informed decisions for our family!

Hello, I am just starting out on the Lap Band Journey. Been almost two weeks on the Optifast Meal Plan and surgery is on Tuesday, Sept. 13:smile2:

Hi all, I had my lap band surgery last Tuesday and feeling pretty good at the moment. Im just so relieved the surgery is over and I have started my new life. The liquid stage has been ok, 1 more week to go. I look forward to staying in touch

Lurker coming out of lurk mode for some support and a question. I went to my 1st appt in August and was told insurance covers my lap band 100% (YAY!) but I have to do a psych eval, nutritional appt (no biggie) Except the worsed of the worsed 4 months of diet recording (Boo!) I am so about instant gradification (hence needing lap band) and was so hoping to have this done before the holidays. I know I am whining because I am blessed to have it covered. Okay so on to the question. My diet is great right now trying to stay around 1300 calories but strangely enough I am terrified that I will lose too much weight and insurance will not do it. Did anyone else have this fear a…

:thumbup: Ok, my history is that of a lurker- so this is kinda tough for me - but if things are to change I should start changing too. I am in the pre-approval stage and am praying that my insurance gives the go-ahead for the surgery. I have truly tried everything and feel like this weight is slowly smothering me and the person I could be. Any words of wisdom/ encouragement?

That is where I am right now. I have always been pretty active or I would probably be about 600 lbs or more now. Recently, my back has really began hurting and limiting my hysical activity. I have done all of the pre-op bloodwork, doctor's visits, nutritionist.............etc. I am just waiting to hear back from insurance for my surgery date. That's all for now. More to come later!

How are people getting the psy exam, the nutr, teh adn everything else done b4 they even see the surgon??? Should I be doing something, or trying to get this stuff done b4 hand?? Please Help me... I'm starting lol been worring now im just plain stressed and actually scared I won;t make it in time... HELP PLEASE!!! :smile:

Hi All! Stopping by to introduce myself and say hi! I was banded September 3rd and I've been quietly lurking :thumbup:

Got approval on Thursday and Surgery date today!!! I can honestly say that I am ready and can't wait to start this new life! I have visited these boards off and on for the past 3 years and it has been a journey researching and making this decision for myself, and knowing it is the right decision! :cursing:

After months and months of insurance hoops, fully expecting to be denied the first time through, imagine my shock when I found out today that I was APPROVED in two days after turning in the final test results required!!!:biggrin2: I almost fainted dead away in the office. Seriously.:w00t: And now, due to conflicts with work schedules, I need to wait to get my date until late December or early January. But hey, NO COMPLAINTS HERE. :biggrin0: Know why? I'M APPROVED!!! :thumbup::laugh0::thumbup1:

Hello, name is sabrina. Totally new here. Two weeks from now I will be banded. :l I'm a little scared and excited. I'm looking for good recipes and advice on what to eat.

Today is my 3 month surgiversary and I am down 48 pounds (including 7.5 lost pre-op). This is not exactly where I wanted to be at this point, but I will take it. I know most of the issues are mine, and not my sleeves. I catch myself grazing on some days and eating things that I shouldn't. I think the reason for that is that I feel so good. I don't have the restriction most seem to have (I need to talk to my doc about that at my appt. next week!) I can eat a lot more than what most people post; whole small wendy's chili, entire order of pintos and cheese from taco bell, 8 piece nuggets from chick-fil-a (I know - not the best choice), and I just had an entire jimmy d…

Howdy all. I am still pretty early in the process. I have gone through my 6 months of PCP observed diet and I go in next week where she will write my referral to the surgeon. I have pretty well decided on the lapband. I have my "informational" seminar in two weeks. I am crossing fingers that I can be banded by thanksgiving! :thumbup: Looking forward to getting to know everyone!

I had my gastric bypass in 2001 and I was 490 pounds. I now weight 300 pounds and am having a tough time breaking the barrier. I was told there is a redo on the surgery, but can I have lap band after gastric bypass. Does anyone know?

I have my 1st app with my surgon wed the 15th and I am going insane waiting... I hat to wait and this is killing me... No pun intended... I don't know what to expect adn how long things will take.. My insurance will no longer cover the Lapband after the 31st of Dec. so i am like rushing to get things on the ball, and its not going fast enough.. for me..lol Can anyone tell me what all the Psy is about and how long it took for insurance approval from UHC? I have the weight thing done the 6mth is done Dr, list are all done now just waiting to see surgon and the other 2... Help going crazy with anticipation and anxiety...lol Thanks :smile:

Hey all. My name is Tyler, I'm 25 from Alabama. I was 367 at the doctor's office the other day, and 5'10", giving me a real sucky BMI of 52. I'm glad to have found this site, some of the folks I've met on here are very cool and all of the pictures I've seen and stories I've read are very inspiring. According to BCBS of AL, I've got to have the same 6 mos. pre-surgery diet that most of you need also. Mine also states that with a nutritionalist-led diet such as Weight Watchers that I only have to visit with my doctor three times during that 6 mos. I started WW in April of this year, so that gives me 5 months so far. I didn't decide to have the surgery until last mont…

hi i was wondering if anyone out there can explain to me how this whole thing works. I will be having my first appt. with my dr in october. I know he will be able to answer my questions but im just way too axcious to find out like. What happens before and after surgery how long does it take to recover ect...i wonder if recovery is a long time because i can't afford to be off work for a long time since im a single mom of 4 lil ones and well i am the only income but i do know my health depends on this too...im so hmmm anxciously confused...can someone help me??:thumbup:

I'm finally excited about this! I just got a call form my surgeon's office that I am scheduled to be sleeved on 9/27. I've been struggling not to tell people close to me until I was for sure locked into this. I can't WAIT to change my life. I'm also really surprised about how quick this was. It might be because I am self-pay, but I started this process on 8/23 (met with my PCP, got an EKG), about a week later I had my upper GI and blood work done, met with the surgeon yesterday, and in 17 days I'll be having surgery

Wow... ok starting to really hit home. I have done my prep work, followed the diet, behaved myself haha, and soon surgery. I can't believe the day is finally almost here. Honestly, I have been up and down all day hahah about ready to tear my poor husbands head off one second and dancing around the house the next. LOL Any words of advice from everyone who has made the journey to the bench? I decided the other night when I woke up at 1:00am that negative thoughts and fears were no longer welcome so they better shove off. haha We leave for the hospital Monday at 5:00am. Wish us luck!

I tried to add a ticker but when i went to the website it was just for conception. What am i doing wrong :thumbup:

What exactly is Bandster Hell? Does not sound pleasant :thumbup: Is it possible to lose weight before fills:blink:

Hi my name is Kathy I am a 2year bander. I've lost all my weight Yea! but i have a serious problem acid reflux. This stuff is killer stuff. If you have any suggestions please let me know thanks:crying:

Happy Saturday to everyone. I just found this site, and it seems pretty cool. Although I am new to THIS website, I am not new however to the whole WLS roller coaster. I have been researching and trying to have surgery for about 15 years. My first go 'round was trying to have the old VBG back in '95. I fit all the criteria, but my PCP at the time felt WLS was still experimental. Alas, no surgery. I've spent the years since then working for companies that had exclusions to WLS in their policy. I'm now working for a company that covers the surgery, and just added VSG to the list of covered surgeries on 7/1/2010. Woooo Hoooo!!! I've already attended the mandatory se…

:thumbup::smile::wink2::thumbup::tongue2::tongue::smile::drool::thumbup::laugh::tt2::smile2: I was banded on 8/5/10 I am very glad I did it . It Certainly wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be . I wasn't even that sore. I have lost 40 lbs ,most of it before the surgery .I still find myself wanting thing's I shouldn't have .I haven't been sick at all and I was very worried about that .So far their isn't anything I can't eat .I haven't tried Choc.Candy yet , trying to stay away from sweets . I crave crunchy thing's ,Anyone else have that problem?Anyone want to chat with a greenhorn so we can incourage each other ?

I ate half a hamburger just two weeks post-op. Will my staples tear? Yikes.

Hello all from beautiful Rockville, Maryland! I was "sleeved" August 4, 2010 and I am having a hard time with my mind catching up to my body; realizing my limitations. I healed beautifully! In fact, I felt so great that I did not follow the doctor's orders. I was suppose to follow the liquid diet for 3 weeks and today was the day to officially transition to soft foods. I've experimented and tried various foods since week one - August 11. My major problem is that I do not like nor can I stomach the foods that I am suppose to eat. Cannot drink or smell another Protein shake, Jello or broth. Cannot stomach cheese or diary products - lactose intolerant. And this le…

Hi everyone, My name is Kris.. I decided about a week or so ago that it was in my best interest to pursue lapband surgery. My BMI is 41 being that i'm 5'3 and 232 lbs. My seminar is next week. They say I'll make my appointment with the dr there..I'm looking forward to it.. Any info and advice is welcomed.. I have UHC insurance my hubby works for Union Pacific any with experience with this insurance.. Please Advise..

I'm a Kaiser patient and took their Options class. finished mid-June. Getting the Sleeve Surgery next Friday with Dr. Kim at WLA Kaiser. I've already lost 20 lbs. in prep. I'm ready, but I feel like I'm waiting in line for an exciting ride at an amusement park. Kinda' nervous, excited, and a little worried all at the same time. But I've waited this long to get to the front of the line, so I'm ready. Before I retired I wondered what it would be like to retire. When I did retire I realized it wasn't like jumping off a cliff. It was more like taking another step. I think the surgery will be another step in my life. A very good step! All my life I have done for other…

Well I have battled being over weight all my life. I went to see Dr. Kim in Ft Worth Tx. He asked me what kind of surgery I was thinking about. He told me about the Gastric Sleeve, and Lab Band. Doe anyone know whice one is the best. One more question as well what am I to expect from this point forward. I have a BMI of 49.4. He told me that I would have to be on a liquid diet for 3 weeks before the surgery. So I came home today from the Dr and started putting that in my daily life style. OMG

Hello "sleevers", and "sleevers to be". I am scheduled to have my sleeve on November 1st. Exactly 2 months away with Dr Zane at Kaiser Harbor City and I am having major anxiety over this HUGE decision. I know most people here who view the forums are those that have already had the surgery, but I'm wondering if anyone actually just simply changed their mind and just lost weight on their own. Somebody? . . . Anybody? . . . lol One 1 hand it seems so unnatural, eating such small amounts of food for the rest of your life, not being able to drink large amounts of any liquids (Water included) at one time. But on the other hand of course there are quite a bit of benefits. …

So i went to the doctor not i'm waiting on insurace most likely i'm approved.I am not buying lots of veggies and protien.. omg the doctor wants be to drink slim fast, even though it don't taste too bad. it makes me potty..lol instantly maybe thats why it called slim fast. anyways do anyone else have any protien ideas?

Well I'm on my pre-op liquid diet and I'm five days out from becoming a bandster. I guess I should consider myself lucky because my doc only placed me on a five day liquid diet. I'm excited about the surgery but Im still a bit nervous about the unknown. Was anyone else nervous. My surgery is scheduled for September 10, 2010.:thumbup:

Wow! That's next week. I started pursuing this adventure in February 2010. Thanks to all of you who generously shared your appeal letters and information. I believe I was acutally more excited about winning the appeal then finally having the surgery. My doc uses a two week modified liquid diet, and I lost 9 pounds at the end of the first week. I also put on a pair of pants that have been hanging around my closet for over a year... you know what I'm talking about!! To our good health Fit

Previous Post: I was sleeved last Wed in Tijuanna Mexico, and the day after surgery, I was having so much pain they were not sure what was going on so they decided to take me under again for another surgery to see what was going on, turns out I had a leak and low hemoglobin so I had a blood transfusion. Well leak was fixed and then I ended up getting liquid in my lungs, which there is not much to do for that, I am finding it so tough to sit, lye down, just bending over to pick up something takes alot of effort out of me. 1 week after Surgery: Well Im not out of the complications yet, seems they keep getting more and more. I went to Dr today in home town who sent me f…

Finally it's here! At 6am I am going to the hospital to get my sleeve. I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. I'm sure many of you know the feeling...Please keep me in your thoughts & prayers tomorrow. Thank you so much everyone for the support & encourgement! And make some room on the loser's bench! LOL Also I know there are others getting sleeved tomorrow & in the wks to come, Good luck to all of you & God Bless!

Hi! I am new to this site. I was banded in July '09 and have lost 54 lbs to date. My surgeon was Dr. Daniel Huacuz @ Huacuz Weight Loss Center in Mexico. My insurance felt I wasn't fat enough and that my other health issues were not significant enough to warrent them paying for weight loss surgery for me. So I searched around and wound up with Dr. Huacuz. So far so good. :thumbup:

I am a military wife. I went to my doctor and he sent the referral today. Should get an appt 3/5 days. I will update as soon as i do.

:thumbup:My surgery date is Sept 20th!

My name is Tara and I have been trying to lose 200 lbs for years upon years and I just dont know what i am doing wrong. I am a single mom and I want to live for my three girls. I live in boca florida and I am looking for grants or gov help to help my afford this surgery. If anyone knows how what I can do please let me know.

Hi, I am in the early stages of getting ready for Lap Band. I am a moderately active individual who has been unable to successfuly loose weight. My current BMI is 38.7, and am 10 lbs under the magic BMI number of 40. I love to swim, and walk. I go for an information session on the 9th of september (in 1 day), meet with the psychologist on the 18th of September, and with the Dr. and Dietician on the 22nd of September. Insurance request will be filed shortly thereafter. If I get approved on the first pass, I anticipate a surgery date of between haloween and thanksgiving. (this should make for an interesting holiday season) Looking forward to getting to know new f…

I jacked this link off Obesity Help forum...interesting little study. Elsevier

Hey there! I'm new to the boards but have been reading for a couple months now. I want to thank you all for providing such great, truthful information, but most importantly, you're inspiration! A little about myself: I'm 25 living in the north Dallas area. I went to a seminar back in March, did my homework and submitted all the insurance paperwork and waited. Then found out my husbands employer did not opt to have weight loss surgery as something they wanted to cover, I was totally bummed of course. I had just finished grad school and had only been working a couple of months (meaning I was dirt broke). Well a couple of months later, I saved up half the cost and was app…

Hi. I am a newbie and wanted to introduce myself. A few weeks shy of turning thirty-one; I've been approved for gastric banding and am totally, totally excited about getting a tool to assit with becoming healthy and of course, smaller [the ultimate goal]. Surgery is 9/22 and I am on day two of the pre-op diet. :thumbup: So glad to be here!

Hi lap band community! Soo excited because after the last month of researching which wls I wanted and seeing different surgeons (self pay) I finally decided on the band today! Yaaay, can't wait..and I'm doing it Oct 1st! Thank God for this site which has been soo helpful in my research and will be a great tool for my post op! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Hello, I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Melissa and my LAP-BAND® surgery is scheduled for October 5th. I am very scared, but thrilled all the same. This journey has taken my up, down and all around so far, but its nearing the climax. I originally started out as a gastric bypass patient, but I backed out at the last minute. Good luck to everyone... This truly is a life changing experience.

Just wanted to take a moment and say thank you to all who participate on this board. It has helped me more than anything else whenever I needed information or just plain support. I had my surgery on May 4, 2010 and have lost 70 pounds (62 post op). I never imagined this could happen for me. I remember right before I had my surgery I had just resigned myself to a life of obesity after 20 years of failed diets. Then I heard about VSG and came to this board. The rest as they say is history. Well, not quite, yet. I still have 40 pounds to go, but I KNOW I can do it. I have found it to be so easy as long as I follow the cardinal rule: Protein first, veggies second and …

Well I got a surprise today. I called the doctor's office yesterday and she said that the lady I need to talk to is off all week. :biggrin0: Then today the lady called me and I am approval for sleeve. They gave me a tentative date 10-18-2010. It could be earlier or it could be later, scheduling is supposed to call me. I can't wait. I am so happy!!!!!:lol0: