Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Ok... here goes... Will the Lap Band REALLY work for me??? i have been reading all kinds of post and it seems like there is alot of good and bad i am scheduled to be banded August 26th By Dr. Jose Rodriguez in Tijuana Mexico and am really wanting this to work but will it??? :smile2:

I was Banded on Monday! Had wanted the surgery for many years, and waited whilst my husband got banded 2 years ago. We recently seperated and I knew I was ready to make this change for me. Dr Fisher did my surgery on Monday, he also found a huge hernia and repaired that for me too. The first 2 days were hard with the gas pain I was unable to get comfortable but yesterday and today have been a dramatic improvement.

Hi guys ... I am just starting this life changing journey and was wondering if anyone out there can give my some advice or pointers....

Hey y'all :biggrin: First time caller. I was approved y'dy for lap band and I will start the 4 week pre op diet this weekend. Thx, dave

Hello All! My name is Tereasa and I will begin my Lapband Journey on July 20, 2010. I'm nervous, anxious, and excited all rolled into one. I'm 41 yrs old and have a multitude of health issues ie. high cholestrol, high bood pressure, Diabetes, Diabetic Neuropathy, and probably a few more things yet to be determined. In all seriousness, I feel like I have always been a bit heavier than most of my peers in High School. After the birth of my children, I found it extremely difficult to lose the weight. While I was pregnant with my youngest, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. That should have been my first clue! Now I'm scared for my life and have decided that i…

I was sleeved on Friday, stayed at the hospital one night, and came home yesterday. My stomach feels tender, and as if someone punched it if I try to take my liquids, cough or burp without using pain meds. But, the pain meds have enabled me to start sipping again. The gas is also a little painful, mainly a tight feeling in my abdomen until it passes. I'm on hydrocodone/apap, but I don't take it constantly, just when I feel miserable. I am hoping that this passes soon, but I am not surprised. After all, 85% of my stomach was cut out. Just one question - is my experience similar to y'alls?

Hi there! I'm still trying to figure out how to navigate around here. I had my info seminar and my orientation was July 16th. I am scheduled for my first dr's appt on August 23rd. I wanted to ask if anyone has experience with BCBS of NC. I am a federal employee-I think our program is a little different. We have to have a BMI of 40 or 35 with co-morbidities. The problem with the 40 BMI is that we have to prove that morbid obesity has been present the previous 2 years. 2009 is no problem..I've got that. But for 2008, I didn't show morbid obesity until December-it may have been present before that, but that's when I actually weighed in with a doctor. I'm worried th…

Today marks two months since surgery and I am 54 pounds down. I can't believe the weight loss but more then that I am starting to feel so much better. I am starting to have more energy and I am having to work harder to get my heart rate up while working out. Other then that, my body doesn't hurt as much as it use to. I still have a long way to go but boy... this feels awesome. I won't lie the first few weeks after surgery were hard but I got better day by day. For those of you new to the surgery and still in your post op Phase.... it gets better I promise. Keep your head up and keep going. Thanks to everyone for all there support. Pictures will follow later!

Hi, my name is Janice. I am new to this site, but not new to lap banding. I had my band put in place on February 9, 2008 in Atlanta, GA. I have never regretted it for a moment. I still struggle with "head hunger" but my band tells me "NO". And that's exactly what I needed. My highest weight was 250 and my weight right now is 180. I still have about 30 pounds to get off - my goal weight is 150. I have flucuated some these last few months, but am trying to stay on track. I know your communications will help me a lot. Looking forward to talking with all of you. Thanks.

Currently: I am a 43 yr old woman. Mother of 1. Married for almost 10 years. I am 5' 5" & 242 pounds. From southern TN area. Past: Extremely thin all my life until around 19. Before that, I was the girl in H.S. that everyone said they were jealous of because I was soooo thin. 100-105 lbs. in H.S. Reason(s) for weight gain: All sorts of things. Bad things in my life, not exercising anymore, got a car so I didn't have to walk everywhere, got married/divorced, parents died...etc.,etc.,etc. But --- the REAL reason was because I ate. Period. MY FAULT. I own it. Surgery of choice: The Sleeve. I have a few friends who have had The Band with little results. The friends …

OK, my upper GI came back with esophageal dysmotility. Has anyone else had this and still have the VSG? I'm praying it doesn't stop me! Thanks for any advice.

Surgery yesterday and home today with only slight discomfort! God is good!! Thanks for all your prayers.:cursing:

I had my sleeve surgery on 7/19/10, I've felt so much better the past 2 days. The first 2 days were so tough but I kept reading some of the blogs on here that said to sip, sip, sip and walk, walk, walk and it really helped! My fiance (loyal boyfriend of 11 1/2 years, getting married next year)found this site for me and its been so helpful since I got home. I go back to work towards the end of next week and am looking forward to it. Hardest thing has been with my 3 year old daughter not understanding why she can't jump and play with mommy. But she's getting better at "taking care" of mommy. My 10 year old son has been such a great helper when it comes to his little sister …

IT'S BEEN 8WKS AND 4 DAYS. My weight loss has been slow and I believe it fluctuates quite a bit due to water weight. But today I finally hit an even 30 lbs!!!! I have 99 to go and I finally feel like I'm headed there!!! Thanks for all the encouragement I've been given on this site! Love y'all, Sheryl:lol0:

I have just started the process. Have had Dr. consult, psych eval and 1st meeting w/dietician. I am a self pay. I was wondering how people make it thru the pre op diet? I have been told my Dr. has people go on all liquid for 2-3 weeks. I feel like if I can do that, I should have been able to lose this weight before. I am really scared about that pre op diet!! Also, I am type II diabetes, what goes on with your sugars right after the surgery? Thanks for any info.

So I was looking at pictures of myself from a recent family get together and I nearly puked on myself. Ok so I have decided I need this lap band more than anything. Diets have driven me up a wall, from counting points to pre packaged food (gross). I've done it all and now its time for a tool to help me with this battle. My BMI is about 37 which puts me at a possible self pay but I'm gonna try the insurance route any way. It does cover WLS so I'm hoping it goes thru. Phhhheeeewwww glad I got that off my chest. Abs from NJ

Hi my name is Sumer as is in the season, Summer. I was banded 5 days ago (July 20th). The first few days were a little rough, but things are slowly getting better. I am excited about my band, and hope to gain some knowledge from all you banders!:smile2:

I was banded on 7-19-2010, and so far things are good. I can't wait till I start feeling and seeing a difference.

Hi everyone, I just wanted to get some insight about eligibility for the band based on ppl's personal experiences. I have United Healthcare through my parent's and medicaid here in NYC for myself. UHC won't cover weight loss surgery - the particular plan we have and i'm sure that medicaid does. Here is my issue: I am 22 y.o., 5'8, about 310 lbs (saddens me to write that #) and a bmi of 45 i beleive the calculator says. Before I began to seriously consider Lap Band as an option, I got a physical back in May. Doc told me i'm not even in the prediabetic range, bloodwork is great, urinalysis was clean, no thryoid issue, blood pressure great, cholestorol great.... pr…

Hi everyone, my name is Ryan and I'm 22. I live in Bossier City,LA and have been overweight since I was a kid. I'm 5'6 @300pounds. Very active,hyper and I decided it's time for a change. I will be going under the 17th of August to get banded. I'm very nervous, mostly about how I will look after I start loosing all my weight!!

hi im new here, im not from the states or in the states im from kuwait. i visited this forum a couple of times and found it really helpfull. i will be having my surgery tomorrow morning and just wanted to share this and be a part of this group. wish me luck :001_rolleyes: regards KS.

hi everyone I am a newbie and have my consultation july 26th and am soooo exicited. does anyone know how long process takes 2 surgery date? thanks:confused::biggrin:

I was banded 7/2/2010. Things had been going great, Ive lost 22 pounds and feeling good. I blew it tonight, I am soooo mad and disappointed with myself. I completely LOST control and started eating everything in sight. I ate mac a roni and cheese. / I ate half of a cheeseburger patty / then even though i felt full, I ate 2 bites of a polish dog and bun. I dont think i have hardly any restriction ( althoughim not even sure I know what restriction is yet ). I ate the food and didnt vomit or have an PB. I couldnt control myself and am paying fot it now. I feel so bloated, and my stomach hurts, and I have gas. I feel like a failure, I have done so well until now. Im worried i…

Hi there, I'm a 32 year old mum living in Perth, Australia. I stumbled across this website and have spent hours on here already reading blogs and checking out peoples pics. I am probably going in for surgery in the next few months and would love to chat with others that are starting out and also, if anyone who has already been banded wants to take me under their wing I would be very appreciative:smile2:

:mad:I don't really want to seem like I am venting but I am about to. I hate it when people ask me "why are you choosing the lap band and not the normal procedure?" Why does it matter, shouldn't you just be happy i am trying to make a postive change in my life regarding my weight. Why do I or should I have to explain why me wanting the lap band which is an easier surgery plus I won't lose weight so fast that i can't keep up with working out and getting my body into shape. I hate that people have the nerve to say all the bad things about the lap band when I am in the process of changing my life for the better. Yea It will probably take longer to lose 200 lbs...so what at l…

Hello, My name is Neomi and I from MS. I will be getting banded on 8/25/10. I am very excited!!!!!!!

I've been lurking on these boards gathering information for over a month, and I've finally made up my mind...I'm going to have my sleeve done with Dr. Almanza. I just got the ok for the money today. After 5 minutes of sheer joy and excitement, panic started to set in. Now I'm nervous, which is so crazy. What started as research to find out how much money I needed to save for a lap band (I was thinking $15K) has turned into an opportunity to change my life. Deep Breath...let the journey begin!

First operation,2 months to go, getting very anxious and nervous. Have diabeties, wake up alot at night, thirsty, always drink water. Can not drink from that evening till surgey, makes me very uncomfortable. Maybe i am thinking to much about surgery, want to do this , but don't want to get there and want to leave.

I have had a lot of pain over the past 3 weeks. As I got further from my original surgery date, I realized the pain had to be from something new. Saw the Dr yesterday and was sent to the hospital for an ultrasound which showed gallstones. There is no infection though, which is a relief. I was admitted and scheduled for a CT scan. I am now waiting to see a gastro Dr. I have been told that surgery is a given. They are trying to decide if it is urgent enough to do later today or to schedule me for Friday, which is my Drs regular surgery day. The CT showed 3 areas where there are still large remnants of the hemotoma I got following the massive bleed that I had after m…

So, I have a new surgery date with a new doctor and new facility. My new date is Friday August 13th...yes friday the 13th, but i feel like I already used up my bad luck on my last surgery attempt! Surgery here i come!

Hi everyone!! I was sleeved on the 16th instead of the 15th thanks to some wonderful flight delays in Mexico by Dr. Almanza. I got home around midninght last night, took a shower to wash Mexico off of me lol and fell into bed - I slept like a princess in my big comfy bed - it felt soooooo good to be home! I am having zero pain, and the good night's sleep in my own bed did wonders for my tired feeling. I have felt a little weird at home today. My head and body are used to thinking about or eating all the time. I found myself to be really restless and kept thinking I wanted to have something but when I would make myself stop and ask if I was really hungry, I wasn'…

Hello, my name is Scott and I have been seriously considering getting the LapBand surgery, now, for the last few months, though I have thought about doing it for several years. I have a BMI of 42, and have been overweight most of my life. I am ready to actually do something about it! My health insurance wont cover this, and I have seen that the cost for the surgery has come down significantly, recently. In order to keep it more affordable I am considering having the surgery in Tijuana, Mexico, which is only an hour drive from where I live (San Diego). I am looking for suggestions, comments, tips, reservations, or anything about this. I have seen ads for The Obesity Co…

Hello, my name is Scott and I have been seriously considering getting the LapBand surgery, now, for the last few months, though I have thought about doing it for several years. I have a BMI of 42, and have been overweight most of my life. I am ready to actually do something about it! My health insurance wont cover this, and I have seen that the cost for the surgery has come down significantly, recently. In order to keep it more affordable I am considering having the surgery in Tijuana, Mexico, which is only an hour drive from where I live (San Diego). I am looking for suggestions, comments, tips, reservations, or anything about this. I have seen ads for The Obesity Co…

I will have my first consult with the surgeon tomorrow. I am very excited and of course nervous. I have completed the requirements from my insurance (psych eval and 6 mo diet) now just need to see what else the surgeon requires. For those who have already been through all of the pre surgery stuff, can you think of any questions you wish you would have asked at your initial consult? I would love your input.

So my story is like this...my whole life overwieght, I was referred by my dr. back when I was like 25 for they gastric bypass...I knew I wanted it, but I wanted to keep trying to loose the wieght on my own..it always went down and then right back up...and so on..Now, Im 36 and Im 304 lbs...and I can no longer hide the fact that Im sooo uncomfortable in my own body...No matter how nice I dress, how I do my hair and makeup or how well I carry myself...Im tired, I have no energy...my feet hurt and I hate to see myself in pictures now...so, finally I got on My husbands insurance since he has a ppo and whats more this time is that he is being very supportive and he is even goi…

Hi, my name is Lisa and I am new to this site. I am one week post-op and feeling great! Today I actually walked about a mile and a half and then got in my pool for the first time since surgery to cool down for about 10 minutes. I am already seeing small changes and each one keeps me motivated from day to day. I am also feeling more energetic as the days go by. I started a blog to keep track of my journey to a new me. Check it out at www.Lcheriesjourney.blogspot.com Have a great day!

Okay, so I actually had the surgery a week ago, July 14, and I've been hanging out, bored silly the last couple of days, in a hotel room, recuperating. Couldn't find my password for the forum here, or I'd have posted before. It went VERY well, though I checked into the hospital at 5:30am on the 14th, and didn't actually get prepped for surgery until 7:30pm that evening. After that, I don't have any clear memories. That's when they gave me the sedative. I think they only did it then to make me shut up, because I remember that I had been making comments to the surgery prep team that they were giving me rat poison derivative (blood thinners--and I was trying rather lamel…

So, I called the VA about my surgery, and making sure the extension on my consult for approval for my surgery was extended, and guess what they denied it. They have approved it twice now, and I have been working on this since last October. So if I was able to have surgery next week it would be approved, but because my surgery is after that, the next referal was denied. I want to scream. The other new is they will allow me to have bariatric surgery at a VA facility in West Virginia, which is 6 hours away, but I don't know if they even do the Sleeve. I have alot of questions, now so for you who get you surgery done in Mexico, how do you do the follow up's and what if …

Soooo, I got 'sleeved' yesterday at 8am @ Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga. Surgery went well. The problem I had w/surgery, was the way the anesthesia made me feel. Although I did have an issue: I am having SEVERE esophageal spasms. These hurt. I I even swallow a melted ice chip --- my stomch will have a MAJOR spasm. So, because of this, I haven't wanted to drink anything. They have confirmed that it's not a gastric leak. The Radiologist stated that he could actually watch my stomach spasm through the machine. I had a morphine drip, but it didn't touch the pain. The gave me Levsil (muscle relaxer) and it barely did the trick. So they gave me a double dose of …

I'm getting married Oct 3rd, my work doesn't cover the surgery. Just wondering if anyone from the az state got covered? Thanks Melissa

Hi Lbers! Here's my story and I'm sticking to it. This is my second attempt to get approval from my Insurance company for lap-band® surgery. My first attempt was met by nothing but No's except from my wonderful primary care physician. I was told by my insurance company that any and all weight loss surgery was specifically denied in my policy. I was told by the lap-band® center that they no longer helped a patient to get coverage from an insurance company if their policy specifically stated the surgery was prohibited. My financial situation was horrible and there was no way I could afford cash-pay since as far as getting a loan, fuhgetuhboutit. But this time, …

:svengo:Am I doing well? I have been sleeve on april 9...I have already 85 pounds losed...The problem? I am always tired, I am losing my hairs and I can't eat more than 400 cals a day since I had my surgery. If I upgrade my cals...I gane weigt! Is that normal??? For now, I cannot training, it is difficult to pass through my day at job and my energy is so terrible.....Help me please.

I dream all of the time. I dream about all kinds of things, mostly nice dreams, not too exciting stuff. I enjoy my dreams, remember many of them and really look forward to what's next on most nights. I used to have many, many food dreams - about actually eating yummy stuff... night before last, however, was a particular landmark to me, some kind of turning point, for sure. I actually dreamt "skinny". I was going to go to a restaurant with a girlfriend and she was hesitant because it was pretty fattening. I said we would just share something small, don't worry. WOW?!! ME?! And then, I proceeded to flaunt around in public in this ridculous chemise with black stockin…

Hi everyone I am new here. I Went to my primary care doctor about 2 weeks ago I have PCOS,and borderline diabetic my BMI is 37. The doctor sent my referall to the insurance company the next day after my appointment and I was approved the same day. So it was very quick. I have my consultation tomorrow with the surgeon and I was just wondering what I should expect. I am extremly nervous and excited at the same time.:thumbup:

I got sleeved yesterday and this is NOT what I expected. I've always been the "tough girl" type. I thought I had a very high pain tolerance, but I guess not! The worst part is the bloating and pain that radiates in my shoulder. Thanks to the advice of everyone on here, I've trying to walk as much as possible and that seems to help. Just tell me it will get better soon!!

Hello everyone! My name is Jennifer and I am anxiously awaiting for the new chapter in my life to begin! I attended my first Seminar last night (a class where they give you info). I have my appointments set up and ready to go! I have a best friend from high school that had the LapBand done last year with her hubby, and have heard the wonderful stories from them. Listening to them got me interested in it for myself. When I first set up the Seminar date, I was extremely nervous. You hear so much negative news with the positive news. I was afraid of dying (as with any surgery) but after lots of heartfelt thinking, I decided that with my weight and genetic background…

:sad: OK I know this sounds weird, I was banded 5 months ago and all is well. But about a week ago, I began to feel small thumping on the left side under the breast and toward the middle of that area. It started as a flutter, but now it's a thump. It doesnt hurt, just feels strange, almost like little kicks from a baby! I am not pregnant. I dont think its heart related, it's too low, but well above the port area.. So now I can look down and actually see the area jumping like a spasm. I am seeing the lap band doc tomoroow. Has anyone had this happen??

I have Cigna Insurance. My policy says it excludes weight loss surgery. Does anyone else have Cigna that excludes weight loss but have been able to get them to cover the surgery? Just trying to see if I have a chance at getting them to cover the surgery for me. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone...i am new here....my surgery date is scheduled for 8-9-10.....i am very excited !!!! I had two questions: 1. I have to choose between the Lap-Band and the Realize Band....and I still havnt made my choice....I would like the better one all around but which has a port that shows the least? I figured I would ask first hand experience... 2. How many days is the clear liquid diet? then how many days are you on the full liquid until you can go to soft foods? Any comments or suggestions are welcome !!! Thanks everyone !!! and again im super excited to start my new journey !!! :w00t::w00t:

I wanted to share some hope for people who might be frustrated. There are many people who have the sleeve who did not have as much weight to lose as others. Like myself. I started at 221 did the two week pre op diet and was down to 209...Today I am at 176. 175 in the am. I was stuck for 4 weeks at 181-183. I was very upset. I started wondering if I had messed up. Was this it? Then all of the sudden I stepped on the scale and there it was 179. Two days later 177 and today two more days later 176. I did increase my protein with a meal replacement. The bariatric advantage. I cannot stand anything else. Makes me physicaly ill. I have been attending weight loss …