Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi I am scheduled for surgery Aug 20th 2010, today was my first day of pre-op diet and I am so stressed and worried, I am lost on what to eat and what not to, its really just hitting me. So please if anyone can help and give me some good idea I'd be most thankful...:redface:

anyone tried this stuff or know of someone who has?

Hello all I attempted to create an album just a while ago but the submission of photos was failing so I just thought I would attach a few progress photos here, if it works. Perhaps another time I will try to make an album again with more before and after pictures, but for now here's an idea of the changes that I am experiencing. PS Recent mini shopping spree was amazing, feeling good and confidence in new clothes is on the rise!:thumbup:

(1)...if you follow the post-op instructions for the first 4-6 weeks (i 4got who long it is...lol) from ur surgeon u will lose weight with the lap band (2)...if you exercise with the lap-band u will lose weight (3)...if u watch ur calorie intake with the lap band u will lose weight (4)...if u eat smaller portions with the lap-band u will lose weight (5)...if u choose to change ur eating habits after surgery u will maintain ur weight with the lap-band (6)...if u stick to an exercise routine u will maintain ur weight with the lap-band (7)...if u had bills to pay b4 ur surgery...u will have bills to pay after surgery (8)...u will be able to shop at the "skinny stores"…

:redface: so far i am very happy with my surgery

:thumbup:My name is Stacie and I'm from Fort Walton Beach Fl. I'm 47 yrs old. I have my first appt with the surgeon on 10 Aug 10. It is a group meeting, so I guess it's the initial class. I'm very excited about starting down the road to a healthier me. I have been reading threads here for about a month, I'm very lucky to have the support of my family as I start this new life. I've asked some of my friend what they thought about me doing this and it's been nothing but postive. However, I'm not telling them I'm having the surgery, I feel it's something they don't need to know right away.

- I'm about 3 weeks post-op. I'm going on vacation in the middle of December. What will my portions/eating be like then? - Has anyone ever plateaued in the first month? If so, what happened? - In the long run (long term)....if you don't get enough Protein, what happens?

Hello, I have a meeting with my surgeon on Monday. I was told at the educational class to prepare a Medical Neccessity Letter. Do anyone have examples or tell me what i should include. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Everyone, I am inquiring about a surgeon in the Northeastern area that specialized in the VSG procedure. I stumbled across the gastric sleeve just a few weeks ago. I started by reading testimonials by people who had the surgery and was most impressed by their after pics and video blogs. I live in Delaware, but if you know of any surgeons in any nearby states, I would appreciate the help.....Thanks

I attended a seminar yesterday and was shocked at the idea that where I'm going they don't do alot of lapbands anymore because the success rate was low. The presenter also mentioned that one person in a years time had lost 7lbs. I thought that was unbelievable it really made me confused as to what to pick in regards to WLS. I see so many wonderful stories hear of success. I just can't imagine getting the band and only losing that amount of weight in a year:thumbdown:

Hello, I have a meeting with my surgeon on Monday. I was told at the educational class to prepare a Medical Neccessity Letter. Do anyone have examples or tell me what i should include. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Today I went to the hospital for my lab workup, chest x-ray, and EKG. That was 7:30 this morning. I just received a call from my surgeon's office and the nurse stated my potassium levels are to low and they might have to cancel my surgery if I can not bring them up. They are calling in a script as I am writing this. I NEED to start taking this medication immediately. I have waited and waited for this and now......:sad0: My emotions have been up and down lately and this seems like a crushing blow to me.... I feel like crying. My level is at 3.3 and they want at least 3.6. My surgery is in two weeks. The nurse said they will take lab work again the day of surgery. If sti…

Just want to show you Newbies what you can achieve if you follow the rules and do the work required and it is work ! The band doesn't do it for you - it's only a tool... You gotta make healthy food choices and exercise This is a total lifetime lifestyle change !! 3 yrs ago right now I was in surgery... 1st year got to goal 145 !!!! (Thanks Karri for being my muse) Got the next few lbs off by Sept 08. Have maintained my weight loss for 2 yrs !!! (fluctuate between 136-140) How you may ask (by following the rules) I have finally gotten that this really is about a lifetime lifestyle change and not a diet I…

How is everyone doing? And the weight loss? Anyone develop a hernia after surgery? if so, how was the issue addressed--any suggestions? I was banded in feb 2010. I had the single incision surgery. I am now up to 5cc's sometimes i am starving and do not understand why? Last month when i had a 2cc fill, after i left te hospital i had to return because i could not hold anything down. I did the sip of Water test, but after that.... thanks.

:thumbup: BigDreamer2010 Here, I am 25 Years old and I just got approved for the LAP-BAND®. I can't wait til the next step in the process. My Dr. will be Dr. David Rau in Houma, Louisiana. I am super excited. I started out at 227lbs and now I am at 220lbs. and well now I can be on the road of sucess. I have bcbs of tx and well it wasn't as hard as I thought as long as all the ducks are in a row. Any questions or concerns please ask. <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wi4cD9w/"> <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wi4cD9w/weight.png"></a>:tongue2:

I had a telephone consultation yesterday with my surgeon at the Surgical Weight Loss Center in Ontario and made an appointment to have my lapband surgery on August 25. I'm terrified and excited and nervous and anxious all at the same time. I start my liquid diet next Wednesday (Aug 11) and am planning one last hoorah with my fiance Monday night... we're going out to our favorite restaurant because it's the last time I'll be able to go there and eat what I want to. I feel like I'm saying goodbye to my best friend. Does anyone else feel like this? Don't get me wrong - I'm extremely happy and excited to be having the procedure done, but it's such a drastic change and I kn…

Hello everyone...I'm SO excited I found this site bcuz I've been looking all over the web for info regarding the sleeve. I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes & having to take pills for it. I tried the Metformin & I've never felt so bad in all my life...luckily the Glimiperide I'm on now is helping, but diabetes still scares me to death and that's what prompted me to research weight loss surgeries. I went last month to a seminar & that's when I decided against the Lap Band & talked to the dr about the sleeve. I will be going for a nutrition class on Monday, August 9th. The insurance is requiring me to go for 3 months of nutrition & weight cla…

just stumbled on the site, and am soooo happy to have found you all. i'm now 11 days until surgery, and am happy and nervous! was just telling my sister how i can feel determined that this is the right thing and feeling like it's too drastic all in the same thought. when i really know it's the right thing, i just want to eat something other than protein shakes! but my presergery weight loss is going well, except getting all the water down in a day. and i think i'm feeling its easier to do things, or maybe i'm more motivated. anyway, glad to find you all. you ask great questions!

Hello. I am a new prospect. I am currently looking into this procedure. I am schedule to attend the seminar to meet the doctor at the end of the month. I am really excited about my journey. I currently weight 278 pounds. I am 5ft 7inches give or take who measures you. My BMI is 43. I have been overweight my whole life since puberity. I have always been active. I was in JROTC, Civil Air Patrol. So, I can't say I was a couch potatoe.. but I am now.. I am a mother to a beautiful little girl who means the world to me. I want to be here for her. I want to do things with her without being too tired or not having the injury to do anything.. I want my life…

Hi all, I am new to this websit. I am having my sleeve done next Friday :001_tongue: Super excited about the whole process. I appreciate knowing the good, bad and ugly!

The night before last I FINALLY had a dream that I completed the surgery. I know that sounds strange but here is what was weird. I have been planning the surgery since at least April/May and I had a surgery date in June and I had always had dreams about going in for the surgery. Then after I went for the surgery in June (that I didnt end up having the surgery at) I came home and would dream about what happened when I had my reaction to that medication pre-op. I just never have had a dream where I went through the surgery and completed it. Well I finally had that dream the night before last and I have no idea if I am making sense but it totally makes me feel better. It was…

Hi everyone! This is my first time here, I am 52 years old, and I will be having the Lap Band surgery on Aug 5th. I look forward to chatting with you guys and learning tips that I can use to help me now and after surgery. :cursing: Ocnlvr

Hello all, I got banded over 1 year ago and really havnt lost a lot of weight until recently when i got a huge adjustment. It has slowed me down quite a bit. My problem is i find ways to slip things past my band should not be eating. pudding and such sugar filled stuff lke soda. I am ashamed of myself for not following some sort of diet that will help me melt away these pounds and get my life back. I have a back conddition and neuropothy in my feet so i have not been excersising properly at all. I am tryng to work through the pain however as my deterination is building. What am looking for here is to find a diet of healthy protien filled meals. Some sort of…

I am 23 years old and have been on sooo many different diets so far. Tried Lindora for months and lost about 20 pounds then right after gained it all back... weight watchers and so many other diets by myself. i weight 162 and am 5 2" do you think it's a good idea for me to get the lapband? :blushing::cool2:

As the title says surgery was July 27th starting weight of 272 one week post opp 257.7 Yes it has been worth it only pain is in my left shoulder and that seems to come and go

This is an email that was sent to me from the surgeons office: Melissa, We will not do any of the pre op studies (EKG, CXR or labs) until we have a surgery authorization. We will draw nutritional labs and do a breath test for h pylori at this appt though. I will explain everything when you are here. If Myrna has all of your information we will get our part together and send in after your visit Thursday. It usually takes a couple of days to get dictations, the packet made up and we will send in within a week. Then once we get authorization you will get a surgery date then return to do your pre op testing within a 30 day period prior to surgery. See you Thursday Jill …

Hello everyone this is my first post. I found out Friday I was approved by my insurance(anthem bc/bs) for surgery:thumbup:. I am scheduled to get my LAP-BAND® on 7-27-10. I start my pre-op diet tomorrow. I have been reading alot of forums on here and it has really helped me understand the pros of listening to your surgeons advice and the cons of going against them. I am really excited,scared,anxious,happy, and worried,all at once. I have been researching LAP-BAND® for around 4 years now and I am finally going to get it!! I look forward to having this site to help me through my journey.

by no meanz do i regret my band...i love my band...when the threat of having it removed came up...i freaked out...no way would i take it out even with all that i've been thru...what i am dissapointed in is the after care...and all the billboards that r up...making it sound like this is just an easy way to lose a lot of weight..."need to lose 50 pounds...go get a lap-band"....its not that simple...i wasnt allowed to go to my surgeon's support meetings...in-order for my insurance to cover my surgery i had to have my surgery at a center of excellence...there wasnt any support meetings there...just the surgery itself is performed there.....the hospital that my surgeon often p…

I've read things about 'sliming'. What is this?

Hi i'm new and was just lurking the forum for a few hours trying to make up my mind.. I have a pre op appointment on wednesday.. well i suppose that would be me already with my mind made up right haha.. Umm but I have just heard so many horror stories and whatnot.. Its scary but im still going to go through with it! ohh and how about a real introduction! Hi i'm Lindsey and from California i'm 28 years old and married with no kids yet.. I hope to meet some good friends to go through stuff with me.. I'm planning on using a camcorder to make a kind of video blog so wish me luck..!

Since my surgery I have lost only 25 pounds and it feels like it should be more?

Just had my first 'you ate too much and/or too fast' vomit session. I now know what it feels like to be 'stopped up'. NASTY......Horrible feeling. :tongue_smilie:

I'm going to a Bariatric Surgery Seminar tomorrow night and am excited, nervous, anxious, but ready to do this. I grew up as an overweight child and have always been an obese adult. I think my anxiety is due to the fact that I will look different, but will I really be different or is it possible to stay the same inside, just with a different shell? I know this is a question I need to address during my psych consult, but I'm wondering how many others felt this way prior to surgery. Thanks, and good luck to everyone! :wub:

Well.....for the first time, I started weighing myself every day (yesterday and today). And I didn't lose a thing!!! he he. But that's okay. I'm trying to look at this in a larger scheme than a 'daily' scheme. I'm 16 days post op and have only lost 14-15 pounds. To me, that's not a lot. But again....I need to just 'chill out' and accept what comes off, WHEN it comes off. It's easier for me to get Protein in now (of course) because I can now eat. I went and bought a George Foreman Grill today (on sale at Walmart for $15.00) and bought thin sliced chicken breasts that were almost 20 grams of protein each. I poured some teriyaki sauce on it and grilled it. Ate almost 3/4 o…

I am booked for a much anticipated cruise with my sister in Jan (she has lost 80 pounds as a result of surgery in 2007) I am just beginning the process and will probably be banded some time in late September. The food used to be one of the cruise highlights and recognize this will no longer be the case in terms of eating frequent large amts. Can anyone tell me if I will be able to enjoy any of the food in solid form 3 months out. Am I fooling myself and wait until after the vacation. Any advice would be much appreciated.:blushing:

Hi everyone, Im Danielle! Im 30 years old and have a scheduled surgery for September 7! I am so excited to get on board and change my life for good this time. Im so done with the up and down thing and just want to live my life! Im hoping to get some support here as well as give support! :wub:

I recently completed my preevaluation for the lap band. I was preapproved based on my BMI being 45. Yikes! Anyway I am just waiting on what my insurance says. My last appt was on July 13th. I went through True Results in Richardson and they informed me who my surgeon would be. His name is Dr. John Marsden and I read up on him. He seems to have a lot of expertise with the lapband and I have seen good reviews on him so far. If anyone has been banded by Dr. Marsden, please share your experience with me. I am excited about the lap band and decided to go this route after many failed attempts at dieting, exercise. I think you get to a point where you realize that you…

Just today, I scheduled my first appt. with a a nurse specialist to begin my journey to a healthier life! With a BMI of 40 and probably another 2 months of meeting with PT, Psych, dieticians etc, I'm inclined to begin an exercise routine and try to reduce some extra weight prior to the actual surgery. My worry is my BMI will decrease and knock me out of my chance for lapbanding. I know I have gone over the "deep end" when I stress over decreasing my BMI. How nuts is that?:blushing:

Hi Everyone! I am so excited to have found this community online. May name is Alexis, I am 27 and am a stay at home mom to 2 young children. I recently submitted a claim to UHC for the sleeve surgery and it was denied. I am trying to figure out how to appeal so that it gets approved. The one major issue is that i haven't been at my current BMI of 40 for 5 years. In fact I have only been at it for a year. I have no major comorbidities either. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to appeal this and win??? Thanks so much for your help and I look forward to getting to know everyone.

have any of u watched that show "huge"...i personally found it offensive and humilating...the title of it...says it all...when i was over-weight the word huge didn't make me feel too good...1st of all...they casted a group of very unattractive over-weight people...some of the cast ...i'm saying this as gentle as possible looked "slow"....and at the end of the episode i watched...they had the lead actress selling food illegally like it was crack....come on now!!!!!!!!!! 1st of all...i c a lot of beautiful over-weight women...thank u very much...#2...just bcuz u r over-weight doesn't mean u r "slow" and 3rd i NEVER ever tried to hustle food to anyone...and that show is supp…

Hi everyone! I was just "banded" about 7 weeks ago. Although I have read a lot about the procedure and the lifestyle and eating habits after the operation, I still have a lot to learn! I am 5'8",50 years old and was at 275 lbs. I am now down to 240. My goal is to get down to 165 lbs. I did the operation on my own. I paid cash because I didn't want to wait for the insurance. I was desperate to lose weight, get healthy....and buy new clothes! I have been following my doctors instructions as much as I can. First week...liquids. Second week...soft foods. Third week....regular, but easily digestable foods. I had my first fill 2 weeks ago(3cc)and my second fill yesterday(…

My name is Paula. My lap band surgery is scheduled for Thursday. I am excited and am so happy about all the support online.

Hi, I had my lapband surgery October 2, 2009 and have lost 50 lbs. I have 30 lbs. to go and have hit a plateau.:thumbup: Any suggestions?

Hi, everyone! I'm new to this website, but I am SO glad I found it! A lot of my questions have been answered! My surgery date is August 31st, 2010. I have never had surgery before so that is also making me nervous. How do you feel right after surgery? Can you acctually feel the band on your stomach? Can you feel the port? I guess I'm nervous about having a foreign object in my body... and comments or support would be greatly appreciated! I'm kinda freaking, but yet so ready to change my life!

I am new to the forum and am investigating having the lap band done. I am very nervous about it and am really pleased I can chat to others about my worries.:thumbup:

I am just starting my 8 month post surgery. I am doing ok but a bit disappointed in my weight loss to this point. I have only lost 27 lbs. I am at 5.5 ccs in my band. My biggest issue is that I'm an emotional eater and I've known that for a while - just didn't know that it was such a high level! I'm dealing with it but am really struggling. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Hey everyone!! I am so excited to find this forum and website! I went to my first Dr. Appt 2 weeks ago and was approved 2 days later! I meet with my surgeon tomorrow to set the big day!! how is everyone doing? :thumbup:

Hi everyone! I'm in south africa. I 28 and need to find out the costs for lap band surgery. I would like dr dillemans to perform my surgery! Can anyone help me to find out what the total costs would be?

New here!! I'm in the "thinking about it" stage. I meet my insurance qualifications, though finding that out was interesting. Their website has a section where you can ask questions; I did so and was told that I should try "armchair exercises" to lose weight. Well, I'd be a bit scared of how that'll peel off 110 pounds. Perhaps I am supposed to bench-press the chair? (lol). Anyway I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who posts here; lots of great information. It's been very helpful. And I'll wait to buy that armchair.

Hi, my name is Julie and I am new to this forum. I finally got approved for the LAP-BAND®® (my inital appoint was in Nov. 2009). I have my surgery scheduled for Aug 3rd. I am excited and nervous but I'm mostly ready to start living a healthier life! Is anyone getting banded around the same date? :tt2: