Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi everyone! I just wanted to thank everyone for the well wishes. I am home from surgery and I feel great! I went in at about 9am (well went in earlier but my surgery time was 9am) and was out in 45 minutes. No, discomfort and no pain medication necessary. Oddly and pleasantly enough, they did not put a drainage tube or catheter. I was not allowed to eat or drink anything the entire day. I walked around the moment I got a room and that has helped greatly with the gas. I can BURP like a grown man!! But like SHREK says, better out than in. I had my leak test this morning (that liquid was horrible) and I passed!! I was exited to hear it!! I was then given Water, chic…

I found out 7 months ago I had APS. It is an autoimmune disorder. I DO NOT HAVE LUPUS. Does anyone know if I can be "banded"? Thanks.:thumbup:

I began this process on July 1 receiving a letter from my insurance that I had been selected to participate in our state's pilot program for weight loss surgery. I called the surgeon on July 2 and had an appointment for July 7. I went to that appointment and now have surgery scheduled for July 29!! Whew..... Never in a million years did I believe this would ever be possible....I am both nervous and excited, and also amazed at how quickly and smoothly this has gone. I now have to make an appointment for the psych eval, which they told me just has to be done before the surgery date. I will start the pre-op diet on July 15th of 1 Protein shake for Breakfast, and for lunc…

I'm hoping to get banded September-ish. My mom is having it done July 21st. that is all

I had lap-band surgery 18 months ago, and have LOVED it!!! I changed my lifestyle to include eating right & exercising and have reached my goal weight! I started having problems about 6 weeks ago, after I completed a triathlon!!! I took some Advil to help with joint pain (which I had not taken since my surgery) and feel like it caused some irritation in my stomach lining. I don't know if this is the cause of my band slippage, but I have to wonder. I had thrown up maybe a dozen times throughout my 18 months after surgery when I ate some dry meat and it just seemed to "get caught" and not "go down". Maybe that was the start of the band slippage. Whatever the reason, sin…

Today I met with the surgeon and was given a surgery date of July 30th. I have to lose 7lbs since I gain. He told me that he trusted me to lose those extra pounds and that he normally would not give a date if you had gained weight.

Yes, OMG, Holy Sh*t, It WAS really happening... until yesterday afternoon, the DAY before my scheduled surgery, when I was told that my EGD (endoscopy-done last Friday) showed some ulceration. After a back-and-forth of phone calls, emails, and faxes between the EGD doc, my surgeon (in NYC at the time), his scheduler, and the nurse practitioner, it was decided that my surgery is cancelled. Did I mention that all of this craziness was LESS THAN 24hrs BEFORE my actuall surgery? Did I mention that I have been on a THREE-WEEK liquid DIET???? By the time the RNP called me back for the final confirmation of what we then already knew, my husband and I were knee-deep in sushi tr…

Testing my ticker

Okay, I am having a pity party tonight. I am down pounds as of this morning and only 6 weeks out. I was so excited to see some networking friends of mine at a luncheon. I haven't seen them in at least 3 months. Unfortunately, NO ONE NOTICED! Talk about burst my bubble. Why is it that people at the office notice, but no one at the luncheon did. I was even the speaker. I mean I was standing in front of them for 30 minutes.... still nothing... :scared0: I am trying so hard not to cry or get depressed over this, but I can't help it. :sad0:

Hello I am new at this site. I am scheduled for lapband surgery on 8/16/10. I am a little nervous when I read of the struggles of weight gain after being banded. I hope I can do this.

Hello All I have join this site hoping to find some people ging through the same issues as me, and for support in this new life i have began. I am Rita I live in Stafford Va, I got my band placed on May 25th and I have been learned everyday since. I just recieved my first band fill on tuesday. I am feeling full all of the time. Which i thought would be good but in reality it feels weird. I have been feeling alone in the world as well.

HI, I am so excited!!! I am 34 and have been overweight my entire life. I am a nurse in the OR and I have been wanting this procedure since I first saw it. When I found out my insurance (bcbs TX) started covering it I made an appointment right away. Tonight I have a "webinar" with the Dr.'s office and then Friday I go see him. Tomorrow I go see my regular Dr. so I can start my three months supervised diet. I really hope i can have the sleeve in October. I am so glad I found this forum. I think it is so great how everyone supports each other. I look forward to sharing my journey with you all.:biggrin0:

Hi everyone! My name is Robyn and im 21. I have been in the process of doing my pre-op appointments and classes so that I can get my insurance aproval. My date is set for Wednesday july 21, and I am VERY nervous. I am also excited too. I start my liver shrinking diet tomorrow and I m excited to see if I lose any weight from it. Good luck to everyone else who is about to be banded!

Hi my name is Alice. 2 weeks until I get banded. I started my Protein shakes yesterday and so far so good. I'm excited but nervous, too. I have tried so many diet and all failed. I know 2 people who had the surgery, did great and look great. I have heard the first month is really the hardest. I have read alot on this forum and feel the support everyone gives. The information on here is great.

Hello Everybody. I have been lurking around here for awhile and figured it was time I said hello. My name is Scott and I am 6’3” and weigh 395. I am just beginning the process of finding my surgeon and have learned a lot from reading all the posts. I am interested in some personal experiences from people living in and around the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs, CA area). I live in La Quinta and have no problem driving to Riverside or San Diego for the right doc but would obviously like to stay close to home. I have already heard some great things about Dr. Coon at Parkview Community Hospital (Thanks Rose) and will be attending one of his seminars soon. I am also interested…

I am not at goal. I am 5' 8" and 63 years young.:svengo: I am a size 14. I am happy with that. My hubby is happy with that.:001_wub: I dont think I want to loose any more. I look a bit like a deflated baloon.:scared0: My face has so many wrinkles now, not a place that is not wrinkled, unless I smile, so, I smile alot.:biggrin0: I look great in clothes, but, not so good without. No way can I go sleeveless. Swimsuits are so embarrassing. Even in a size 14. My lumpy legs are awful!:scared0: If I loose anymore it will just get worse. I do not want to have to go have more surgery. Besides, I am only 4 months post op. so, it is too soon. I am thinking maybe I sh…

I just wanted to share a little of my 1 Year story with you all. I was banded last year on June 19, 2009 so I just hit one year! Yay!! I was super super fast and aggressive with fills and dropped 35lbs in 4 months and I was on top of the world! Then I got some food stuck and had to go to the ER. Not fun!! I had all my Fluid taken out!!!! I had to go back to the Doctor's practically every 2 weeks and just get a really tiny fill. Guess how long it took me to get restriction back??? 6 months!!! Oh and guess how much weight I lost during that time, nothing!! Bummer I know but I learned my lesson, go really slow with fills!!! Getting stuck was so painful and I would HATE t…

I AM SO EXCITED!!!! I have (looking at my calendar) 40 days until my surgery. As everyday passes, I get even more excited. My momma asked how I could be so excited about having my stomach cut off. (She is very supported in my decision, she doesn't like surgery). I tell her because I have a fresh start on the horizon. I will be on my journey to no longer being the "woman with the pretty face" or the "fat friend". I will one day be the same size. I will be so happy when I will be able to slide into a booth without having to move the table or being uncomfortable. I have been so fortunate with all the love and support I receive from everyone. Believe me, I …

Got my date; July 21st! I start the liquid diet tomorrow (ick) but I am so ready to get this going. I started a blog to keep people updated; please feel free to take a look. Banana Pouch

Hi I was wondering were there any michigan banders aboard? And if anyone went to Henry Ford Hospital to have their surgery?

Hi there. I've lurked the forum for quiet a while now, finally registered for a user name and discovered the photo albums that tonsssss of members have put up. WOW what an inspiration!!! So, wanted to say hi. I attended a seminar for Dr. Chua in Milwaukee at Aurora Sinia. I sent my packet in (waiting for their mailroom to deliver the Fed-ex envelope I paid $10 for....) and am now ready to get the ball rolling. My insurance is wonderful, I don't have a waiting period or anything, I'm just at the mercy of Dr. Chua's staff and how fast they schedule everything. I'm pretty excited, especially after seeing how well so many of you do. I've had a handful of friends t…

Okay, so this is the second day of my pre-surgery liquid diet. I'm actually doing fine on the diet itself--come up with some really interesting ways to get plenty of fluids and still drink stuff that tastes really good. What's driving me absolutely insane is the headache. I often wake up with headaches in the morning anyhow--not something that is due to caffeine dependence, either--but my usual remedies are not working, mostly because of the fact that I can't take over-the-counter headache remedies. I've tried sleeping through it all, but I've had a non-stop headache since Sunday morning. It's not a migraine--I already tried my prescription-strength migraine medic…

I'm a bit worried and confused. I was banded on 6/30, so am only a week out, I have been reading some posts that have me concerned. Right now I am still on a "Full Liquid" diet, but have added a bit of cottage cheese from the soft food phase which I will be moving into. I am hungry! True when I eat/drink I don't take in more than like a cup at a time, but it doesn't last long, I am hungry very soon after. I was looking forward to the point where I could eat real food and feel satisfied again, but now I am reading posts that say it is all about will power, and you never REALLY feel satisfied again:frown: Is this true, will it always be about will power:confused: One p…

Has anyone been self-pay in the US? If you were, about how much did it cost, in total? I have a lap-band and my insurance has approved the removal, but denied the sleeve. My Dr has agreed to do the sleeve in 4 weeks, my band is coming out tomorrow. but i need to know how much to apply for my loan. Do you think $20,000 is enough? thank you in advance for any help you can give. patti

Hello everyone I have been researching the lap bad for quite sometime now. my BMI is 41 and I weigh 237. I suffer with Gerd, Asthsma and Hypertension and thyroid problems. I have researched that alot of people symptoms have went away or medicines have been drastically reduced. I hope to lose weigh reduce medicines and live a healthier life. I have lost weighed and gain back and nothing over 15pounds. I lost 20 once when I was lupron shots that cause me to lose my appetite ad I only drunk water for 1 month. I have found this website very informative. Looking forward to sharing my status. My insurace is United Healtcare so I'm hoping not having any problems gettig approve…

Hi! Im from California and I'll be banded by the amazing Dr Patching on July 26th. Im so excited I cant stand it :confused:

Getting ready for banding on 7/19, wish me luck. :tt1:

I was banded on July 1st by Dr. Hill in Saranac Lake, NY. I was having trouble with my medications sticking and clogging the stoma. Wow did that ever hurt!! But I learned to go much slower with my pills (minutes rather than seconds) and they seem to be going ok now. I have received some conflicting information on when to go from clear liquids to creamy ones. One dietitian and the Lap band for Life book say two weeks post op. The hospital dietitian sent me home with a list where after the first couple of days, I can go to protein shakes. So, which is right?:thumbup:

Hello everyone, My name is Bree. I am not really new just havent been here in a while. Last time I posted it was to get information insurance denials.. I am happy to report after a 2nd appeal letter I was approved and had my surgery july 1st !! I am on my 7th day and boy has it been a challenge ! I hoping to make some great friends here. :confused:

Hey guys, I'm new here, banded on 6/29/10. So far it's been a bit rough. I was in a lot of pain for 4 days after the surgery. The gas pain was unbearable, and the incisions were right through my ab muscles. I remember thinking that I would be in pain forever, and feeling so depressed for electing to put myself through it. It did get better though, I'm still sore, but it's completely tolerable now. I'm just starting the mushy foods, which is a welcome relief. Right now, although I'm not restricted, I can feel the tightness. It's a very strange sensation. My pouch feels full, and I often find myself burping, while my stomach is completely empty. It's so strange. But I recog…

Today is my third of six classes and I'm going to be up a pound from last month. :thumbup: Each month I swear that I'm going to be down next time. I even started exercising three times a week and logging my calories, and I still gained! OMG, I could just cry. I get so jealous when I see other people on here who lose so much weight pre-op and I can't seem to move the scale five pounds. What a way to start my day.:confused:

Hello Everyone, my name is Renesse and I live in Louisiana, I was banded in April 2010 by Dr. Thomas in New Orleans, :thumbup:and I have not looked back. It was by far the best decision I have ever made. The road has been a little bumpy but I am working my tail off to see the great results at the end of the road. If anyone has any questions about the surgery, i am very open and will help anyone I can.

Hi- I haven't been on the site since surgery March 23. Things were going good for a while. I realized I am a slow loser and didn't have a problem with that. I started out at 226 and up until mid June I was 191. I was excited, had not been in the 100's in years. The reason I is writing I am scared of regainining. I am at a point where I realize I can eat more and I have experimented with things like pizza. (Ate a half of slice). I find that I do get full quick but not to long after I feel empty again. Does anyone have any suggestions what type of diet to follow or how to get back on track? Next dr's visit is in Sept and I would love to be down at least 10-15 lbs.…

Hola! I went for my first consultation today and found out I can have my surgery in as little as three months! I have to go through testing and the like but my insurance is on board! I cannot believe it! I only found out about the sleeve on Monday (I was considering LapBand) and I cannot be more excited. I have been researching like a maniac and have loved reading all of your posts! I am ready to get healthy! If anyone has any wisdom they would like to share, please feel free!

I had my sleeve gastrectomy May 19, 2010, so am almost 7 weeks out. I'm disappointed that I have not lost any weight since the week after I got home. I lost 30 lbs. immediately after surgery, then another 4 or 5 lbs. the next week, regained that again, but no more since then. I journal everything I eat, and count protein grams. I'm currently at 50-70 per day. I am more active than I have been for many years, and get in about 15 mintues of walking at the end of the day. I am thrilled about getting off most of my meds for water retention, blood pressure, & all diabetes meds including insulin. I feel so much better being off those pills! But, I'm at a plateau and…

Hello! I had my sleeve surgery on 6-28-2010. I really wish I would have found this forum before my surgery. My surgeon is Dr. David Treen, Surgical Center of Louisiana. I do not own a scale on purpose. If I had one, I would obsess about it daily. So the only scale I use is when I go to the doctor's office. My highest pre-op weight was 315 pounds. I have no clue what my weight is now. As soon as I know, I'll be happy to share. I'm looking forward to reading all of your posts and finding friends that I can relate with in the forum.

Hi! I'm scheduled for surgery on July 15th. I'm so excited! I love on Long Island (Suffolk County), but I work in NYC. I'm looking for a buddy (or two or three or twelve) for support because I know this is going to be a challenging and life-changing experience.

Hello, I am so excited! I am being banded Wednesday 6/30. I have had 3 laproscopic surgeries in the past, does anyone know if it is about the same as far as post op recovery? I begin my liquid diet tomorrow. I just found this site and love all the posts and support!

Hi I had been about 60kg for as long as I can remember, In June 2003 I had an accident which left me with permanent injuries. Since the accident I had also fallen pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The weight kept creeping up and over the years I found myself at 80kg range. I had gained around 20kg. I know to some people this would be an idealistic weight range to be in, but for me this was alot and as I had a back injury the extra 20kg made my pain worst. Like alot of you I have also tried every single diet, pill, lotions, potions, shakes out there with no luck. I ended up gaining more and more weight and a hefty dint in my pocket. I was fortunate i…

:thumbup: Howdy all, My wife and I were recently banded in Cancun, Mexico on July 3, 2010. It was great we used a company called Belite and all was great! So far so good, feeling good, no problems so far. I think the being hungry feeling is more a "mind game"...lol. My wife will probably strongly disagree with me :confused: So time will tell.

I introduced myself several months ago, then my plans got way-laid and I stopped visiting the site. My husband lost his job in March, so I had to delay surgery. Luckily, our insurance didn't come from his primary job, so I still have access to excellent coverage (Tri-Care). Because my doctor isn't "in network" for my insurance company, he requires a $4000 deposit; with Hubby out of work, that just wasn't possible. Unfortunately, Hubby is still out of work. My mother made her transition last month and the administrator of her estate (my sister) wants to give me the money to pay for this. I'm so grateful. Like many of you, I haven't told a lot of people about my decisi…

ok its been 13 days and I am starving!!! I have only lost 9 lbs and my 1st fill apointment is 7-21. I have been eating more and more due to hunger pains and I have little to no restriction. Is this normal?

Hi I am looking into having lap band surgery in the next few months. Anyone here form Canada have it done?

Hi! I am going to be banded in late June and would love to talk to anyone and everyone, but would especially love to hear from other people my age. I am in college and I am not planning on telling anyone about my surgery, only my immediate family, so I am would love to talk to any other secret banders about how hard they find it to keep a secret while going out to eat or to bars with friends. Yay Lap-Band...here I come!

Hello Everyone I have struggled with my weight for the majority of my life. Currently I am 5'6" and weigh 243 lbs with a BMI of 39. My insurance carrier is GHI PPO. I have been obese since the age of five. I went on my first diet at age 11. I have tried everything from Weight Watchers, pills, starvation etc. My most successful weight loss was about 50 lbs and ten years ago. I managed to do it by using ephedra and working out 6 days a week. My weight just slowly crept back up and then some. I have hypothryoidism, gallstones, and some joint pain. I try to exercise at least three days a week and eat pretty well. Sometimes I get so frustrated and just feel like I am dest…

So I was having some problems with my lapband. One day I can eat anything and the next day I can?t eat at all. I went yesterday and had an Endoscopy done. Much to my amazement, I have an eroded band and a small pouch dilation. I was already contemplating taking the band out and putting the sleeve in due to decreased weight loss. I got my band in June, 2007 and have lost about 60 pounds with it. My doctor does not want to remove the band and do the gastric sleeve at the same time. He wants to remove the band and wait 6-8 weeks for me to heal. Of course I want to do what is safe, but I worry about weight gain. I have come so far with this and don?t want to be back at s…

New to the Site and hope to have my band done in Dec... From the Louisville KY area and looking forward to learning more about this

I am attending a seminar about WLS tomorrow. I have been considering it for a long time now, but I am finally getting to the point where I am really ready to take the plunge. I look forward to getting to know many of you, and I'm looking forward to starting a new life!! :thumbup:

sooo they just called 945am.. i willl be going in to havesomething done that wll hopefully change my life forever....happy but scared....thanks to all that shared their story cause i new sooo lil about the sleeve..and was sooo set on the lapband till i came on here...thanks all... and plese keep me in ur prayers....

hi all, i have been thinking about having wls for many years. after many almost attempts i have decided to take the steps to get the surgery. just started the process with kaiser in columbia md. i would love to see if anyone has gone through kaiser in this area to see how the process went for them. i'm excited and nervous, hopeful and skeptical....sounds crazy right?!?!? i'll take any advice you all may have to help me along the way.