Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Heyyy. I'm in need of some help. Ready for my story? ..I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in TJ, Mexico when I was 15 (2005). I did good. I remember the excitement when I was finally below 200lbs. I got in the scale, hopped off, and immediately called my mom and told her. It was the greatest feeling ever. She had it done too, so me making it below 200 was helping her. Anyway, that was in probably 2007. Rewind. When I was banded, I weighed probably 275#. It took me about two years to lose 75#s. So, in December of 2007 I got a boyfriend. We got serious, and (not to use it as an excuse) I got comfortable. Here I am, July 2010, I am back to 275#, maybe more. I refuse to get on the sca…

I had my relize band done on Friday June 18th and i feel really, really good, by Dr Juarez@St Lukes ( i just:wub: luv the man) ,best thing i have ever done for myself, should have done it sooner, but i let fear keep me from it , how silly do i now feel after going thru it, it was nothing as i feared it would be so don't let fear:unsure: stop you. dreaming of being skinny where are you we were banded the same day how are you? praying blessings upon us all. Sheila:thumbup:

Hi, I just started down the path of better health. I'm going to a seminar on July 10th and they've told me that if everything (blood tests, insurance, etc.) goes well, then I should be ready for surgery in late October. Happy Halloween to me! I have Personal Choice, which I've found to be a good insurance policy. I'm just so tired of feeling fat, tired and ucky. I'm not expecting miracles, but I know I need help and I can't do this alone. I'm going to be digging around this site and getting lots of advice, I'm sure. I'm hoping that in time I can be an advice-giver. Good luck to all. We're all in this fight together, aren't we?

I remember an old saying . Be careful what you wish for because you might just get. I have been trying for 2 years to have the banding done. Now I am on the road to recovery and a whole new life. I have been keeping up with different threads on this site to get a review of how many respond to the post op trials. I am having some gas pains and feel like my band isn't letting the fluids go thru very easy. I can tolerate only small sips and when it goes down it feels like I have swollowed air. You know like when you have taken a big drink of water and it is caught with air and the pain you feel. When I had a Barium swollow done 20 hours post op it revealed that a small and v…

I'm new to this site and it will be one year since my surgery next week. I'm at a loss. 12 pounds in one year and I need to relook at this. Great to be here.

Hello, I'm new to site. I have been going through the process to have LAP-BAND® surgery this coming July (in the next 4 weeks~!) BUT I ended up getting Pneumonia on May 5. I was in the Hospital for 6 days on oxygen and heavy antibiotics, and also prednisone which I remained on for 2 weeks after being discharged. I'm so upset because i was doing so well . I had lost 8 lbs, my surgeon was happy, i was happy, and then this happend. Now i'm being told the anestesiaologist won't tell me for at least 2-3 months after a clear chest X-ray which I don't have yet. And thanks to prednisone, i have gained back the 8 lbs and a few more to boot!:scared2: The only good outcome is that …

Hi There! I just signed up on the site today. I was banded June 9, 2010. I am just surfing around and checking things out. It is nice to have a place to go to talk and listen to others!! Thanks~

right now. Today I have my seminar to start the process. Over the last 4 months through my own hard work and dedication I managed to lose 80lbs. This was just eating right and starting to work out. I weighed 483 lbs and as of my last doctor visit last week I was at 403 lbs. The problems is, and what my doctor warned me about, is I would start to get pains in my back and knees from my size and trying to continue to work hard to lost the weight. I would love to be able to lose the weight but I do not want to get to a healthy weight and then not be able to remain active because my knees, ankles and back are in constant pain. I have gone back and forth with this sin…

I am new to using this forum and am very excited about getting the LAP-BAND®®! I am scheduled for surgery on June 29th and starting to get a little nervous! I have been on my pre-op liquid protein diet for almost 3 weeks so I have lost almost 20 lbs but am starving! I know I will be a liquids for a while longer after the surgery but hopefully wont feel hungry since my stomach pouch will be much smaller! My starting/heaviest weight was 272 and my personal initial goal is 200 and then ultimate personal goal is 150-155.

Hi, My name is Liz. I am a mother of 5, live in Sydney Australia and had gastric band surgery on Monday the 21st June 2010. My surgeon also found I had a hiatus hernia and went ahead and fixed that to. I must say I am VERY sore. Mostly in my left sholder blade. How long will this last for. I am also having this feeling of gas or something moving up my chest and shooting into my sholder and it is really really painful and nausiating. They only prescribved digestic, which I don't think is really helping with the pain. My stomach is so puffed up I look pregnant and today I suffered horribly with constipation. When will things get easier ? I was booked in to have…

Hi everyone, I've been a reader for a little bit now, and have finally decided to get the surgery done. I have my aunt as inspiration as she has recently had it done, and she looks and feels fantastic. I was just wondering what the affects of smoking pre-surgery are? I only smoke casually (with friends, parties etc.) and not sure if I should be doing it this close to surgery. Thoughts?

I have always had a weight problem, with weight gains and losses, but now I am out of control with my weight. I am over 300 lbs. 17 months ago, I was at 200 lbs. I am so miserable, so depressed, that the doctors keep putting me on diets that don't work, and I honestly follow them. I actually excercise too. I think it's the depression pills they have me on along with my other meds that are making me gain so much. I need help. Does anyone know if Kaiser pays any part of the surgery?:scared2:

I'm on my pre-op diet right now I'm only three days in and i can't wait for this part to be over!! I'm scheduled for surgery on July 7th!!!!! I could use all the support anybody can offer i'm having a hard time with just the shakes:unsure:

Hello everyone! So I had the Surgery on March 12th and everything went well. The first two days were really rough due to the gas pain and pressure but I was expecting that from all the stories I've read on here. The Star Medica hospital was REALLY NICE..almost like a hotel room! My surgeon, Dr Jose Rodiriquez was great and his assisting surgeon Dr. Elmo Aramburu was phenomenal.:thumbup: Dr. Elmo visited and checked up on me at least twice a day. I think I was "favored":blush: a bit due to my BFF Melissa who was an "after" of their team and she showed the entire staff her before pic and she has lost 180 lbs and looks fantastic. They want us to submit before and after …

Hi everyone, my name is Jolanda and I'm living in Stockholm, Sweden. I had the surgery late in October at BMI 36 (in the past 3 years I'd gone down from BMI 46 to 36, basically losing the weight in 8 months and then yo-yoing up and down since then) and am now at BMI 32. The op itself went ok but the day after they had to go in again and remove some 4 pounds of clotted blood as there had been some leakage (apparently due to my coughing all night after the first surgery, which I remember nothing of). Four nights in hospital, quite a lot of blood transfusions the first day. No problems since then :thumbup: Have lost 30 lbs from the surgery morning weigh-in. I'm looking…

Just wanted to say Hello! I am just starting this journey.....been researching the LapBand for a few years and have finally decided that I am in the right frame of mind to do this! I am anxiously awaiting my surgeon appt on 7/22!

Seminar finished with my husband on 6/24. Consult scheduled for 7/15. They say with my insurance it is like a golden ticket. My husband is super supportive. I really like the doctor and his staff. We are scheduled to move back to the US in the fall so I think the timing will be perfect. I am excited!

Hi all, I was banded in November 2008, I fell pregnant in April 2009 and had my gorgeous boy in Dec 2009. I am now struggling to move forward. My first adjustment after birth, done in Feb, prove to be too tight, so I went back and he removed 3/4 ml. Since then I have been back 4 times and although I now have more saline in there than before I still have no restriction! I now go to the hospital tomorrow for an xray fill. I feel really fed up and have been making really bad food choices and sabotaging the weight loss already acheived before I fell preggers (3 stone) I still have another 4 1/2 to go and feel like I will never get there. I was banded in London.

hi everyone! I'm scheduled for 7-12-10...nervous and excited! Planning on lap-band, but pre op consult with Dr. Brown here in Denver, Co. I might have alot of scar tissue from previous auto accident so might have to have open surgery....and a chance might have to go the gastric bypass way.... as long as I can have either if okay by me.... I'm nervous about the 3 1/2 day liquid fasting and wonder just how hard will it be? How was the recovery time afterwards? Any information about your journey is appreciated...thanks!!

So I feel a little guilty for doing surgery. My BMi has never been higher than 33 and I will probably be right under right before surgery. I'm just tired of the yo yo diets and I haven't been able to get this "healthy lifestyle" started on my own. I want to do surgery before my BMI gets even higher and while I am still young. My biggest worry is not doing it now and waiting until I am even bigger, wishing I had done it sooner. I am schedule on 8/4/10

I see there are one or 2 other aussies on the forum. I am 34 and just got banded on the 27th of may. I used to work in the corporate world but was retrenched in a merger. Since i was making a lot of changes this year anyway i have gone back to uni to do a masters in social work. This kind of work is more my speed anyway. Had my first fill yesterday. So far so good. I seem to be loosing about 1.5 kilos a week but as i am a far too hefty 150 kilos i have a loooong way to go. I have joined this forum because i am not really a face to face support group kind of girl. But it is easier for me to share the mortifying personal details of my life (like just how fat i really a…

Hi, I just wanted to introduce myself, My name is Trish and I am getting done in July, am a Little nervous, my surgeon has told me that I can choose to have the lapband or a sleeve and i must decide. I am not that big, borderline -BMI - 33, I need advice

I was on the internet looking for a good support group and came across this site. I am 4 days in and have a few questions so I am going to do some research and if I don't find what I'm looking for I will ask. Thanks guys.

Just had my lap band done yesterday and as most people do, I have lots of questions that only people who have been through it can answer. I guess it won't hurt to lean on people for support either as I go down this road so feel free to pitch in any info you can. I'm sure I'll have my up days and down days so it'll be nice to chat with people who know what I'm feeling. Thanks, Ron.

Hi my name is Marsha Duka and I am 48 year old and stand 5 11. I have three grown children and two grand kids. I have decided to have a super sleeve done. I have been in health care over 25 years and I feel this is the best surgury for me. I was in the navy for 22 years and never had a weight problem. Once I retired and hurt my back I gained over 100 lbs. The supper sleeve is a new procedure they basicly fold the stomach and suture it. The part I like no cutting. I live in san diego so am have Dr Joel Rodriguz in Tijiuna Mexico. I have done my research all the doctors in mexico. I will have it done in July or Aug 2010. Will keep you all posted.:lol0:

After 2 years, I have finally decided to have the surgery and get healthy!! Yea Me!! I have attended the seminar, had my first appointment with the surgeon and have to go through a 6 month weight program that is required by my insurance company. I am excited that the process is started, and I can't wait til next summer. This is my LAST fat summer! :smile:

guys if you all could help it would be amazing if you could answer my questions individually so i can get a wide inset into peoples opinions, feed back, criticisms and knowledge ill give you my background im 21 years of age,im 21 stone (294 pounds) iv been going to my obesity clinic for up-to 4 years now, in which my weight has increased over the years. im currently in the early stages of surgery, having regular trips to the dietitian, to see the dr, and this week im going to see a respiratory doctor.iv still got to have a "sleep test" and have to attend regular concealing sessions, iv been told my ill be waiting till early nexy year before surgery my questions are…

Hello everyone, Im new to this site. I am a 33 yr old stay at home mom of 3. I have been doing some research on the lap band, because I think its time to admit I need some help and I cant do this alone. I found this forum and have found alot of useful information and awesome people. Today at 3 I have my very first appt. Very first so im nervous but very excited. Wish me luck I never thought I would say this but the receptionist said it my BMI is 47 and that will benefit me as far as insurance is concerned so wipeeee for a high BMI lol. I look forward to talking to you guys in the very near future. Blessings, Dragonfly74

Another new pre-op joins the ranks. My name is Luke, I'm 21 and 335 pounds with a BMI of something around 54, which I hear is not good :thumbup:. I'm scheduled for my third weight loss visit tomorrow. With my procedure to be scheduled so soon, I'm pretty sure I've never been more nervous about anything in my entire life, but, the more I think about it, I've also never been more excited. I'm a geeky college student and I live my life with one rule in mind: humor can be found in everything. I like to think that's a good way to live life, since they say laughter is the best medicine, though I'm not sure whoever said that had a license to practice medicine. I've neve…

Hi My boyfriend had a lapband fitted about couple of years ago. He had it reduced by 50% after losing weight. However he couldn't keep any solid food down. He then had the whole band deflated but this didn't help. He vomits everything up either that or it gets stuck and he needs to flush it out with fluid to induce vomiting. A barium meal came back clear. He stomach which is fairly flattish in the morning looks like he's swallowed a couple of beach balls by the end of the day. We can't afford to have the band removed and we're at our wits end. He lives off yogurt drinks and smoothies. Help please......this is no way to live. Many thanks for any advice.:bored:

I have been lurking in the shadows reading the different threads. I decided I want to have the lap band done. I am at the heaviest I have ever been at and nothing I have tried has worked. I am in the Northern Va area in between Richmond and Maryland. I am waiting on my referral from Tricare. I am trying to find a place to have this done. Anyone know of any good doctors that do the Lap Band? Reading y'alls stories have been so inspiring. Thanks for allowing me to join you guys. MSladyBug

Hi Everyone: I received my approval letter from my health insurance today and will be having surgery on August 2nd at Beth Israel by Schneider. I am so nervous and scared. Totally hate the thought of surgery but I feel this is the best thing for me right now. Anyone have Dr. Schneider as a surgeon? Any difficulties. He seems very competent. Thanks for any information. Debbie

booked in for band on the 6th of July. I'm v excited and will keep you posted

I am almost there!! Gathering my things tonight....checking in at the hotel tomorrow and will drink the magnesium citrate for pre-op.....and will report to the surgery center at 6am on Monday morning. WOOHOO!! Still not the least bit nervous, either!! I prayed for peace and that is what I still am feeling. Now I am praying for a smooth and uneventful surgery, and a quick recovery. Now, lets see if I can sleep!! :001_rolleyes:

As of today, I am 2 weeks and 1 day since getting banded. I initially lost 9 lbs the first week but noticed that my recovery has been a little too easy as I have gained back 4 of the lost 9lbs already :thumbup: I have decided to buy frozen meals to help with portion size. I do notice that I get really uncomfortably full when I eat and drink soon after. It actually keeps me feeling full for a lot longer that waiting to drink if you can believe that. Unfortunately, I learned just before my surgery that the surgeon was leaving for his own practice, and today I learned that the nurse practitioner is following him so I have to wait a month to get my first post-op check-up. …

Well its finally here. I am due to arrive at the hospital tomorrow morning at 630am. I'm really not that nervous anymore just very anxious. I bet i wont get any sleep tonight. I'm just so ready to get this surgery out the way and start my new healthier life. Well wish me luck gotta go finish pumping myself with water because nothing after midnight.

Having researched the various alternatives I have decided on the VSG. I see all sorts of possible complications from the lap band. My self image tells me that I am not that fat. The mirror tells me otherwise. I discovered that when most overweight people tie their shoes the knot ends up on the inside of the shoe due to having to cross the legs to make the knot. My BMI is like 42. I don't want to go through the hassle of having to have the band adjusted periodically. Yet I definitely don't want to be the 1 or 2% who end up facing my creator on the operating table. However, if God wants to take me home then, so be it. Over the past few weeks having endured a diet o…

Please send prayers my way for tomorrow. I will be in San Diego in a few hours and then on my way to TJ in the morning for my surgery. Nervous as heck but excited and ready.:scared0::thumbup1:

Hi everyone, I am new to the board. I am having surgery on June 29th and I am exited and scared at the same time. I was on another board but unfortunately, many of those on that board had done the other types of surgeries and not very many had done a gastric sleeve. So, I hope I can get lots of information as to what to expect. My dr. is great but they don't always tell you ALL you need to know. The one frustrating thing for me has been hearing that there isn't any long term data. But, I hope to give them that. This journey has been many years in the making and not until 3 months ago did I make a decision. But it seems like once I made the decision everything has be…

Hi everyone, Just joined and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm 25 and live in Western Canada. I'm currently 195 lbs - after losing 40 lbs in a year, I've regained 30 in 6 months. I'm a medical student and recently attended several lectures on obesity. The specialist opened my eyes to the fact that the odds of me ever losing much weight and maintaining that loss are essentially zero. He also informed us that for obese patients, bariatric surgery is the only way to lose weight for good. As a medical student, I have the luxury of access to a large line of credit, so even though at a BMI of 33, I'd never qualify to have my surgery covered here, I'm willing to take the risk a…

Hi, Just started my journey 8wks ago. I have not been banded yet. Went to seminar on all the procedures for weight loss surgery, then had my 1st appointment with the PA at surgeons office. He then said they want me to loose 16lbs. In my head I said not to bad, but wow Ive been struggling. Ive gained so much weight this year at leat 40lbs since last December. So I had to put the brakes on, now I have to do it. So thats were Im at. Ive been mulling over weight loss surgery for 2yrs, but I need to do this now. Ive lost nothing in 2wks, but I have not gained. So justed wanted to introduce my self Thanks

Hi everyone. My name is Jen and no I am not skinny (yet!) I was banded on June 1st (Dr. Holiver). I am married and have 3 kids. And I have a million questions. So off to the post-op board I go!!!

Hi everyone, I am really excited because I just made the decision to go ahead with the surgery. I am just waiting to get a date but most likely it will be in the summer. I look forward to reading your posts and getting to know you. Susan

hi everyone! i have read so much in this forum and want to say thankyou to every single poster! ive learned so much and sincerely appreciate verticalsleevetalk.com. im a 47 year old male living in brooklyn, new york. i currently weigh 305 lbs and have been overweight all my life. ive been hovering around the 300-315 mark for about 10 years. before that i hoovered around 280-300 for the prior 10 years. my high weight was 323, which was in 2004. the most ive lost dieting and exercising was about 40lbs on a few occasions, but i always put it back on. in 2004 i decided to have wls and was going to have gastric bypass done. after being approved by my insurance, i went to the…

I have always been the cute chubby girl. Then I became the pretty faced heavy girl. After having my third child, I was big. I looked at food I'd gain weight. I'd eat to hide my pain or if i was happy. I love food. Like most of everyone I have had my share of heartaches and disappointments. I'll be brief, my first born son passed away when he was 18 months old (medical complications), my step son passed away (he had cerebral palsy), my parents divorced when i was 15 and my father remarried (I love my step-mom) but the rest of the family won't speak to him anymore, its very hard for me to be in the middle, and other crap but that's the big stuff. So, for me hiding…

Hi Folks: I'm Nicole. A french teacher from NJ. 2 days post op at this point. Sorta uncomfortable but yeah that's to be expected. Just wanted to say hello to everyone and introduce myself. I'm all for learning from those who have more experience with this,truthfully I'm a little shocked I was brave enough to do this. But I'm glad I have and though subsisting on chicken broth, ice pops and crystal light is not thrilling i'm actually feeling pretty great. anyone have feedback on how long really it will take before i can stand and walk like a human being again haha!! I'm such an active lady this is bizarre! :biggrin:

I'm 5'6", 238 pounds. I have BALLOONED up since I was 15. At 15, I weighed 125 pounds and had a beautiful body. Now, at 21, I'm 238. I have attached a few photos for reference. I am very interested in Lap-Band®, and was wondering if anyone knew a good doctor in Mexico to recommend? I don't have the cash to afford the surgery in the states. And, if I have complications, its still going to cost me money regardless of where I have the surgery. Any suggestions would be very helpful. I have already been to a seminar and was selected for surgery.

So, my insurance has approved the removal of my band with no questions asked. BUT they denied the revision to the gastric sleeve. The reasoning is that my BMI is not above 40, and that I am only allowed one bariatric procedure per coverage period. So, the Drs office is going to send in a letter of appeal on my behalf. what are the odds that it will be overturned? Does anyone know how much the cost of the sleeve is if I am already in there for the band removal? I am totally bummed right now, and have no idea what to do. The insurance coordinator at the office asked the rep if i was supposed to gain all of my weight back to get my BMI up above 40 again, and the lady s…

Surgery is friday. I leave for San Diego thursday, my mind is spinning and I know its normal but this ride sucks!

I go today to tell the girls in the office that I'm having the Lapband done. We are all overweight, and that would be from years of who's b-day is it tomorrow snacked filled days. We have all talked about the Lapband and how wonderful it would be. So, why did they come at me like a pack of wolves saying that I am taking the easy way out and that all this is going to do is cause me emotional and physical problems? I kind of lost it and told them, Hey who here is the only one with the gym membership, who walks just about everyday and lifts weights? Who's followed Weight Watcher to the tee and still has problems? ME! So when you are ready to come down off your cream puf…