Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I am 395 and 5'7" and trying to decide if the band is right for me. I never really see any female testimonies from women of my size and so I am not sure if it's the right choice. Anyone with results... Also I am self-pay any cheap places in the US or are they all south of the border?

hello again all.... so i have decided to get the lap band and will be banded in aug but i find myself not wanting to tell anyone in my imediate family that i'm gonna be getting this done, i don't know why sometimes it's cuz i don't wanna hear the "that's so drastic, you could lose weight with out that surgery" bla bla bla has any one else been where i'm at??? :bolt:

Hi Guys, My name's Rachel but on YouTube I'm TheUrbanWasteland so I thought I'd register with that name ! I've been banded one week today !! My Surgeon was Steven Kelly from INTUS in Christchurch NZ and he rocks !!! I had an Allergan APS (small 10ml) band with a low profile port & today is the first day I havent felt any pain from the port site so...YAY !!! I have complete restriction still with a few small sips of protein drink I'm stuffed, but i realise this may be short lived! Lost to Date; 14.8kg or 32.5lbs 29 July 110.9kg (243.9lbs) 1 WEEK POST-OP (-2.1kg - 4.6lbs) I've been reading so many of the posts here.... and I'm still surprised when some s…

so i was reading on a different web site and i have seen it a few times here as well but what are sliders? is it what it sounds like foods that slide? or is it something else. please let me know all of you that know so i will learn now to avoid them once i get my band.... thanks :cursing:

Brandnew today! Hi everyone. I am Chrissy.. I just found out my insurance will pay. Waiting for an apt.

Soooo, I had surgery Monday (6 days ago). Had it a little rough. Esophageal Spasms, my abd has been hurting due to the incisions, slow-going,...etc, etc. I've been sticking to the diet (only cheated 1 time - had a bite of mashed potatoes and mac/cheese ---- both went down fine). My husband works 24-48 hour shifts. He came home this morning and said, "OH MY GOD honey, you look skinnier BIGTIME". Then, my son commented on how I looked skinnier. Which FINALLY gives me some 'hope'. I was getting upset because I felt so bad. I had the "What have I done" feelings, and it just felt like I was going to stay fat forever. My family made me soooo happy. NOW,....my journey ca…

I think either my co-workers are thick, or I was so huge that 50 lbs was a drop in the bucket!

I'm just gonna go by my handle. I'm from the Houston area and decided to get the Lap-Band performed by Dr. Hollis a few months back. Insurance is Anthem BCBS of Ohio; approval was quick. My portion is $1360. Pre-op is scheduled for this Wednesday and Surgery is scheduled for August 11th, 2010. Currently 6'6" @ 375lbs. My short term goal is 300#. Long term goal is around 240#.

hiya all, my name is Amanda and I have been viewing your website and reading your posts for a few months! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Reading everything you've posted~The Good and The Bad~has made it much easier in making a very important choice in my life. I have been to the seminar, and on wednesday I have my first consult and I am thrilled to be on this journey. I'm like most..have done loads of diets. WITH success but always hit a plateau and dropped off and gained back. I am ready! So now it is time to hurry up and wait! I'll have lots of questions...so thanks in advance!:smile2:

Hello everyone I am new to this site but I have been reading and watching it for some time now. I am eager to step in and meet some individuals that are experiencing what I am experiencing. I want to share in your weight loss success just as I want you to share in mine .

So the other night i my 9 year old daughter says to me "mom could you die from your surgery" my children know that i am gonna get the lap band next month and so she asked me this, of course i said no. but really what is the posibility that this could happen??? no one really tells you do they??? :scared2:

I got my referral today. I have my first appointment with Dr. Miles office August 26th! I am so excited to finally at least get started!:cursing:

Hi everyone! I'm excited to head to Mexico for my lapband in September with Dr. Kuri. Let's all keep in touch. It will be great to have the support of others in a similar position. Good luck to all!:bolt:

My name is Erika, I went and spoke to the lap band center here in my city out of curiosity, I am done with my nutrition consults and I am now awaiting the approval from my insurance company. I started the process in April and now I am so nervous during the waiting phase. :thumbup:

went to see the dietician yesturday afternoon. My psych evaluation is on Friday. Consult with Dr. Gomez at the IU Surgical Weight Center is next Thursday. I will also have Pre-op testing done that day as well.. what kind of pre-op testing do they do? i know about the blood work. i have GERD insomnia/snoring.

How do I do this? I give up searching the FAQs! Thanks!

Hi all! I already posted a message on the support group forum, but I'm doing it here also to reach more members. I just got sleeved 20 days ago, and am in desperate need of attendind a support group. I love this site and it's helped plenty, but I'd like to also join a support group in my area. I'm from downtown Los Angeles and am willing to travel 20-30 minutes to meet. Anyone know of support meetings? Thank you and God bless you all!

Hi, my name is Kathy, and I'm fairly new to the LAP-BAND® process, although I have been contemplating it for a few years now. I'm 46, 5'6" and 300 pounds and have been overweight or obese since 7 years old. I have tried numerous times to lose weight and was successful in the short term, only to gain it all back and more. I'm still in the early stages, but am attending an informational session tonight and have my first appointment with the surgeon tomorrow. I have Aetna insurance, which pays 100% of the cost (except if I have to stay overnight, for which I have a $4,200 deductible. My surgeon I think generally likes to keep people overnight, so I'm hoping that he will make…

Hi! I've been lurking forever and finally built up the courage to introduce myself :thumbup:. I am 32, live and work in NYC and have a surgery date of 8/30 with Dr. Ren @ NYU. I have been working on getting this surgery since October of last year (when I first attended the seminar) and at first I was really, really excited! Now that it is almost here - I am scared. I am scared to have an implantable device inside of me, I am scared I will want it out and I am scared I won't be able to handle... well all of it really. I know that I need to sacrifice something. If it's not this - it needs to be something - I need to lose weight, I need to be healthy - I am tired of…

Hi my name is Tracey and I got my band on 12th July 2010. I was in hospital for 2 nights, having quite a lot of wind and shoulder pain. Now on day 3 and home but have a lot of heartburn pain, and shoulder pain. Not sure what is causing this. Well I hope it doesn't last too long. Looking forward to having a new body in the future.

Hello friends, Well, I've been around LBT for some time now, mostly as a lurker but have posted a couple times and messaged back and forth with a few peeps. But here's my "formal" intro now that the ball is moving a lil faster with my journey :ohmy: I began in December 2009 with the "mandatory" 6 month supervised diet (per my HMO). Once a month class with the dietitian and I'll tell you, it was probably one of the best things I could have done. Learned a whole lot about the stages of the LapBand diet, nutrition requirements, etc. So got a good start with 5% down in 5 months. Then there was a delay with the paperwork going in for approval for the surgeon consult cuz my…

Today my husband and I are headed to Mexico, and when we come back we'll be sleeved! Please say a little prayer that all goes well because we are a little nervous and alot excited.

I am finally getting my sleeve on Thursday. I am so nervous but excited at the same time. I can't believe I am getting sleeved this week!!!! WoooHoooo!

Okay I trust my surgeon this is why I chose him, but God! It's been six months since starting this process, psych. visit, nutrionist and seeing my doctor every month. Just submitted my all documents to my insurance company today, while at the surgeons office I find out that he's complete booked the month of August and they will not schedule my surgery until my insurance is approved and I complete all my pre-op testing at this rate it will be October by the time I get my surgery. If I knew I had to wait three months after following the surgeons guidelines I would have paid out of pocket this is crazy. I'm so ready to start my journey, to get healthy and not wear my cpap e…

Whats in your fridge/ freezer/ pantry.... Be Honest!!! :eek::ohmy::tt2::w00t::mad::present::wub::tt1:

Pleas help I've been trying for a week now to add my weight tracker to my signature. I keep getting a Invalid File message. Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong I have gone to three different sites they will not upload to my signature. Thanks :confused1::confused1:

I'm getting the vertical sleeve surgery August 4, 2010 in San Diego's Scripps mercey hospital. Anyone having surgery in august? I have Dr. Taller!

Hello! I am new to this site just found it today. I was banded on March 3rd of this year. I have 4.4cc's in my 10cc band. I have had 3 fills the last one was last week. I have lost 30-35lbs since surgery. I look forward to talking to everyone!

So, I'm on my last day of the liquid diet. And I started early and went ahead and had a SF pudding (yum). But, as soon as I ate it (which only took 3 minutes...is that normal?), I felt guilty. I felt like...."Oh my gosh, if I eat food instead of just drinking broth, etc.....I'm not going to lose weight". Is this a normal fear?...or the beginning of a small eating disorder. Please don't laugh, I know it's a silly question.

Im 4 weeks out and im down 32 lbs, I was just wondering if this is where I should be while this far out... Would love the your Input. Thanks

Another newbie and Im so glad I found this forum!! I was banded on 15th of July 2010 and I'm sure this place will help me get through all that's ahead of me. :ohmy: Already from just peeking at different forums im just amazed how at the plethora of info on this site that i knew i had to join up and become a member!!

Hello, thinking of getting banded by Dr. Martinez in OCC, your reviews will be appreticated, it is very hard to find reviews about him online...thank you everyone.

I am getting nervous with my surgery coming up on Wednesday. I had my pre op appointment this last Thursday, when I asked my surgeon how many sleeves he's done. Now, keep in mind that the hospital where I am going is in Boise, Id, a relatively small, rural city. They have a wonderful bariatric program for a small place. My surgeon has done 3 sleeves, I will be number 4:svengo:. He has done more than 500 RNY's though, and countless gall bladders, and other abdominal surgeries. I have full faith in him, I guess I just expected a higher number. I should have known when I went to my pre op class, nobody in the room had heard of VSG, and the class was totally geared for RNY p…

Wow... I'm relieved to find this site, I've lurked for a bit. I'm having surgery this Thursday (7/29) and I've been a member of another site that encompasses all types of WLS. However, the more and more I read, the more negative it seemed towards LAP-BAND® and there was little to no moderation (of the ridiculous negativity), going into surgery, that is definitely not what I need right now. Hmmm... A little about myself. 32, have two boy (9 and 5), married my HS sweetheart. I'm a financial business systems consultant. In my spare time, I love to read, I'm a music fanatic and spend a lot of time as a Moderator on a forum for women (I feel kind of goofy being at the…

Hey Everyone, New to the board/forum and wanted to say "Hi." I look forward to chatting with you and reading more about your journey as well. :sad: Zippy

I was banded June 25th. Would love to chat with anyone that is close to that date. Actually would love to chat with anyone. But it would be nice to talk to someone going through the beginning stages. My biggest struggle has been with my bowels. The eating has been ok. One of the hardest things I've ever done even though I'm not hungry. But it's all a positive thing. Anyone interested give a yell. Kathy:smile2:

I am new to the site and am very excited about my upcoming date set for Sept 3, 2010. I love to see before and afters and seeing the weight loss that is posted at the bottom of peoples post. wish me luck! I'm so excited:lol:

Hi All! I'm blesed to discover this site. I just had surgery July 8th. I can't complain because my wounds are healing well, and overall I feel strong. I know I'm ok, but can't help to freak out at all the new sensations my body is experiencing. I'd like to know if anyone shared my experiences and how you handled it. I'll see my dr in two weeks, but would like to know of other patient's experiences. To begin with, I experience lightheadedness in the morning. Not enough to feel like I'll faint, but enough to make me nervous. I try to eat no more than 30 minutes after I wake up to combat the occurence, but it still happens. Did anyone experience this? Is it still rela…

Hi, I was banded on Jan 29, 2010 in Chicago and around the end of May my hair started falling out. Not the 100 strands you hear about all the time, but major loss in the shower and in the brush. I started my internet research and found out that it can be a side effect with the anesthesia. Not everyone has this side effect. The same hair loss happend to me 10 years ago after my hysterectomy and went on for 3 months. I was so thin on top, you could see my scalp. Noone knew why. I was tested by Dermatologists, etc to no avail. Now thanks to the web I got the answers. I started taking Biotin 5000 mcg a day which is basicly mega doses of Vitimin b12. I ordered it from t…

Hi my name is Roxy. I am just getting started in this wonderful process! I have a seminar in August before I can meet with the doctor, and then from there just hope & pray my insurance is kind to me! I am really set on doing this, and making a whole new life for myself! Wish me luck! :bolt:

I want to know what Goals everyone has. I don't mean weight goals. Like goals of getting into that pair of jeans or that mini skirt or swim suite. or possibly your CRUSH! Anything that you see yourself doing that you now want and it is so close. Like mine is to be able to use my Wii Fit and then after that telling me i am not obese :bored:

Well, almost! After getting the sleeve on the 13th I head back to work on Wednesday, which just happens to be the day I can start on soft foods and it's my birthday!! I have to say that I had what seems to be a really speedy, successful, and thankfully uneventful recovery. My time in the hospital was fine, I happen to work at the hospital where I had surgery so I had some friendly visitors from colleagues and great care (which I know would have happened no matter what) and I was told all along the way how well I was doing. I had my surgery at 9am on Tuesday and was out around 10. My Dr. said that it went great, that there was minimal bleeding and when I woke up I d…

hi everybody its me again, im at home now. i was sleeved on the 24th of july and everything went well. the nurses were incredible and the doctor was great. there was no pain at all at the incision sites, however the gas pain was horrible. i vomited 12 times total during my stay in the hospital and they reassured me that that is normal. today i went and got my leak test and that was another horrible part. i had to sip some disgusting Fluid while they check for my leakage, we had to do this twice as i vomited the fluid twice! however the third time was a charm and i have no leakage :thumbup1: then came the nutritionist to explain what i can eat during the next cou…

My name is Wendy, I'm 26, and despite all of my efforts to lose weight I've ended up here. I've been overweight for my entire life. I've lost weight in the past (80 lbs in 2005) but have gained all of it back over the past 5 years. I've come to realize that my weight is not something that I need to fix just temporarily, but for the rest of my life. I have no problem losing weight if I stick to it, but it becomes VERY discouraging when you lose and regain it all over and over again. I think this might be my bottom. I'm the heaviest I've ever been and I feel helpless. I feel like no matter how hard I try to lose the weight and keep it off, I'm eventually going to end up bac…

Hello peeps. I joined Vertical Sleeve to offer support, as my Mom is awaiting approval for her surgery! I have learned the inner workings of the operation and pre/post operative expectations as I have educated myself too along with her. I feel it necessary and beneficial to have a supportive family member during this exciting, yet nervousy process. So if anyone can give me advice as someone that will be the sidekick, so to speak, please do so as I want to be there 100% for my Mom! Thanks.

I have my EDG (I think, the scope thing) going on Tuesday. This is the last step, maybe, before getting a date. I know it sucks that I let myself get this bad, and surgery is drastic, but maybe drastic is what I need to get my head wrapped around the fact that my life is out of control. I have been doing OA online meetings, but they bug me. I have been told that is because I am not ready, and that I need to hit bottom first. Why? Can't I get support without having the "hello, I'm so and so, and I am a compulsive overeater." And then 50 different people saying "hi so and so" The one person at a time annoys me. I want a give and take conversation. Or am I really …

Just had lapband surgery 3 days ago. Feeling pretty good. Cannot wait to see less of me.:bolt:

How do you get your posts to show your personal information at the bottom? My weight, etc...doesn't show up when I post a new thread. Thanks!

Hello! I've been hanging out here for about 9 months learning. I'm relatively low BMI, 32. I've been about 186 for the last year at 5'5". In 2005 I dieted and took up jogging and weight lifting and went from 176 to 148 and maintained that about 6 months. Then something stressful happened and I popped up to 168. Then in 2008 something else stressful happened and I've been in the 180s every since. I'm just so so so hungry all the time. But I feel CRAPPY at this weight-exercise feels too hard, I need a nap everyday, I hate sex cause I hate my body, my feet hurt etc. Anyway I'm pretty ready to get sleeved as an aid to weight loss. Most of my problem is constant hunger cons…

Hey there y'all .. My name is Laurie and I am on the verge of my final decision to either embark on this journey or not. I am praying for wisdom about it, researching everything and trying to get personal experiences about it. Anyways, I am 30 years old and have a beautiful little girl that is 4 years old. Anyways. I never considered surgery because I never thought I was "that" fat. I know how to eat and exercise. I basically take care of myself but I swear that if I eat one chip it makes me gain 5 lbs because I have PCOS. I eat about 90% clean about 90% of the time and I am fairly active most of the time as well. I just cannot shake this weight. well thats me I gues…