Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

I was sleeved on April 26, 2010 and lost 21 pounds the first 2 weeks. Weeks 3 & 4 I hit a stall - I thought it was because I started eating food, apparently this is something your body does (I've read lots of posts, lol). I started walking on the tread mill for 30 minutes, 2 times a week when I hit the stall - I really want to run but I resist the urge. I think I broke through as I lost one pound as reported by the lovely scale this morning. Overall, this has been an easy experience for me, not much pain after the surgery just discomfort. I started eating fairly early - albeit I was full after 4 or 5 small spoons. After reading all the posts on calcium and Nexuim I ha…

New to the group just banded yesterday May 21, 2010 I'm 32 yr old female from Central IL Doing good so far only thing I have experienced is face & neck swelling and warmness? Anyone had that? I am excited about this journey. Looking for others that were banded around the same time to share experiences & milestones with. Start: 5 foot 7 inches & 320.9 lbs

Hi all, I am 29 and I have been overweight most of my life. I had the lap band done on 5/19/10. I went to the seminar that my surgeons office provides on 2/17/10 and I started dieting that day. As of the surgery date I lost 29 lbs on my own. From 5/17-5/24 I lost another 8.5 lbs. For anyone that is post op, do you have a feeling like you are not really hungry but that you mostly just want something to chew on?? On 5/24 my surgeon told me I could start back on the protein shakes having one for every main meal and plenty of water in between. I keep weighing myself and I think that I have only lost another 6 lbs in a week. Does this sound right?? Any info or though…

Hello everyone!!!! Im so excited and scared at the same time that my surger date is july 28th!!! My mommy is also having the lap band done and her date is july 21..This fourms has helped me alot to just get some info about everything!! I cant wait to start journey....this week and for about 3 more its alot of doctor appts. do get all my pre screening done Im not scared of the pain after the surgery cause I went thru 2 c-sections and Im not afraid of the new diet after.... Im mostly scared of being put under during surgery, but Im goona go in there with a positve attitude and jump in!! Thxs for all ur questions and all ur answers, for it has helped me!!!! :thumbup:

Hi. I'm new here and thought I'd go ahead and introduce myself. My name is Gypsy and I live in Lawton, OK. I had my lap-band surgery May 20th at United Regional in Wichita Falls, Tx. Dr Chris Finnell was my surgeon with Dr May assisting. This is all kinda new to me and I'm still trying to figure it all out and not be so darn confused by it all. lol yes that will take time. So far since my pre-op appt I have lost 13 lbs. Really excited about that too :thumbup:.

So I guess it's a good time to introduce myself. I've started a blog (On the road to being fit...again.) which I hope will help keep me on track I haven't booked an appointment yet because we're going away for the entire month of July and I'm looking at the calendar for August but hopefully it will be the second week of August. I'm hoping to lose 140lbs and stay healthy and happy for myself, my hubby and most of all my daughter. I don't want her to lose her mummy before she's even a teenager. Thanks for reading :thumbup: cheers

My sleep apnea has been cured. How you ask...I wear a CPAP. How does it work? It keeps you awake so you can't sleep. No sleep =No sleep apnea. :scared0: LOL Seriously though, after 3 nights with that thing, I am so freakin tired. I can actually handle the air. But having that thing strapped to my head is horrible. For the air not to leak, it has to be on rather tight and it's so uncomfortable. They said after about 3 weeks, that you start really feeling the results and waking up refreshed. I can't imagine 3 weeks like this. UGH I even took a sleep aid last night but all that did was make me feel more tired this morning because I didn't "sleep it off". …

Does anyone know a few good websites to find hard statistical data about complications? As far as there is a 1% chance of this or a 5% chance of that? I am not very internet savvy so any assistance would be appreciated! :thumbup:

I´m not following all the rules as I should probably, and I´m out of the country all the time, but will fly back to Houston for the surgery the 17th of June. Don´t know anyone who has had this done so I´ll go read the Freq. ask´d Questions forum. I hope decaf is ok...? Hope refills are not frequent..? Anyway hello all and let me know if I should be doing something I´m not or vise versa. Best wishes to you all.

I'm a little scared of surgery in Mexico :thumbup:

Hello all, I am here because I'm finally ready to start the process and get on with my new life. I have been overweight for nearly all of my adult life. I have tried diet after diet after diet, hours of exercise every week, and feeling so frustrated at my inability to lose more than two pounds in one year... I'm ready for this. I want to go to Belgium or Germany to get the lap band, I've got the money, I have my passport, I'm taking the summer off from school, I am good to go. I just need to select a surgeon and get scheduled. So I'm basically just starting. I've been researching for over a year, but this is the closest I've gotten to doing something. I'm waiting t…

:thumbup: Hi - I just found this site today. I am 9 days away from my lap-band surgery. Currently on my pre-op liquid diet (although I did cheat today), and have my final dr. appoint tomorrow, endoscopy tomorrow - then smooth sailing til surgery. Was 262 when the dr. put me on Adipex to lose some weight before the surgery - at 242 now and looking forward to being below the 200 lb mark before too long I look forward to meeting you !!!!

I am now able to progress my diet and see what I can tolerate. I have tried some soft ground beef, chicken and a couple bites of mac & cheese which are doing good. I also has 3 TINY bites of hot dog (baseball game, with no other option) and it wasn't as pleasant. I know to stay away from it right now. I'm just wondering what all of you guys did for your diet progression, am I trying too much too fast? My stomach seems to tolerate it pretty good just a lil acid after some of it. I do have one major question..I love salads so when did you guys try lettuce? I'm afraid to try it too soon i'm not sure how it would feel going down:blink:! Any suggestions and tips are greatl…

So today is my first day on the Opti-fast "pre-op" diet and I have done good so far. I hope I make it for the two weeks and then I will get banded on May 18th. I am so excited! I will post pics soon. We can do this!!!!:bored::thumbup:

Hello everyone, I'm a 34 yo young woman who is very grateful for this forum. I can't tell you all what a great support group this is. I have spent hours and hours and hours here reading posts and finding answers to my questions. Thank you for being here. I'm day 73 post op. I feel like i'm not losing as much as i should be, but i've found myself not exercising as much as i should be. I'm trying to make a commitment to myself to do so so that i can do this the right way. After a 3 week stall, i want that weight to come off! Thanks for listening and hello to all. 01.01.2010 Highest weight 289 03.18.2010 Day of surgery 262 05.29.2010 Current weight 217 Dr. Van Wa…

Hi Everyone! I am Kerry-Anne from NZ. I haven't had my surgery but I'm told by my dietitian that I'm "on the list". I was referred to the Gastric banding after I the birth of my son Noah. My obstetrician felt that it would be in the best interest for me to have this surgery (which I had never heard of) this was last August, so after 6 dietitian appointments I'm starting to have mixed feeling about the process. In NZ we can either pay for it $15000 or sit on the public health waiting list. According to things I have read only 3000 operations have ever been done in NZ... as opposed to the US where it is a widely known op. So I need help nothing that I have read has …

Hi, my name is Shayna and I'm getting the lap bad in a few weeks. I'm getting nervous and excited. I'm looking to forward to getting information and advice from everyone.

Hi! My name is Tiffany. I am 31 years old, and live in Jacksonville, Florida. I went in for my inital eval on 1/21, and coming close to the end of my 6 month waiting period. I am really looking forward to joining the group, and getting to talk with those that have been there, will be there or those in the same "holding pattern" as I am in right now! Can't wait to start my life over again! :cursing:

Hi everyone. :cursing: My Name is Lynn I 'm new to the site, My Surgery date is June 15 for the band, Im ready for a change, I've been a big guy all my life, but you cant tell it from they way I work etc.etc. Im sure I need a buddy & a friend and I am open for suggestions Thanks Lynn

I just had my LAP-BAND®®® surgery last Friday. Done by Dr Enochs of Cary, NC. The operation was done at REX Hospital in Raleigh. Tonight I attended my 3rd support group meeting held at REX Hospital and found it to be VERY informative. Just finished Clear liquids today and I am moving to the next stage. I do NOT have a blog or anything like that. I am new to the forum and even chat rooms.

Hello! everyone I'm new here, I just had an appt. with the dietitian don't know what's next in line for me. When will I get scheduled for surgery. Anyone?? thanks:smile2:

That's right, old as Methusaleh, 68, and going for the sleeve. My PCP told me I"ll have a stroke or heart attack w/i 10 years if I don't lose this 100 pounds and I took him at his word. Dr. Aceves is my choice, after reading just about everything on the Internet and watching everything on YouTube. I"ve already had my knee replaced and would like to keep the other one. I love hiking and x-c skiing and want to get going again. Age, I've come to understand, is a state of mind. It means I've been around the sun 68 times and on this trip I'm giving back a piece of my stomach. Seriously, any advice, esp. about going south of the border? TIA!:biggrin0:

I got insurance approval from BCBS North Dakota in 3 days! One day at the bariatric clinic for clearances, and then I got scheduled. I'm still in shock!

Howdy all I found this board a great resource during the time I was considering WLS, so I thought I would take the opportunity to give some feedback on my experience with the VSG. Ten years ago, I was 38 yrs old and 350 pounds. I found my weight oppressive and had not been able to effectively manage it. I signed up for lap band surgery, which was attempted but abandoned mid-procedure when my liver turned out to be an impassable barrier. Last year, I was 350 pounds again. Over the last decade, I had been up and down between 350 and 275 pounds, several times. Because of an deteriorating spinal disorder (ankylosing spondylitis), I was down from 5 ft 10 in to 5 ft 7 in …

Hello all I got a call from my insurance company(UHC) that I am approved for VSG!!!! I can't believe after 2 mths of appointments and classes I was approved in 2 days!!! The WLS cordinator told me that my surgery is schedueled for June 29th!!! I haven't confimed that with the clinic but that day works perfectly for me (everyone left early for the holiday weekend). I am so excited 2 more weeks of normal eating before I start my 2 weeks of liquid diet!!! I honestly can't wait to start that because then I know that the surgery date will come up fast. WHOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!!! :001_cool:

Hi everyone. My name is Nicole, Im 35 yrs old, married with 2yr old son. Scheduled to get banded in August , 2010. I have viewed the site during my research stage but now am ready to join in, meet new friends and get the support and information I need to make it through! I am selfpay for this surgery, unfortunatley my husbands United Healthcare plan does not cover the surgery, but we sure did try. Wish I was covered but gotta do what I gotta do! My surgeon Is Dr. Small based from the Weight Loss Clinic in MD.

Hey everyone, My name is Morton. Im 37 yr male 300lbs with back problems. So i finally called my insurance carrier (health net) and asked what i needed to do to get approval for the LAP-BAND®. They need me to have my Doctor call the pre authorization phone number with some info. Now im just waiting to hear from my doctor. Ive been thinking about doing this for awhile now and have finally decided its medically necessary as i suffer from alot of back pain and have failed over and over again when it comes to dieting and i just dont have the time anymore to piss around. My wifes due in August and i need my mobility back. Im hoping that this goes well and that i g…

:smile:is there any one here that is using medicaid, if u can tell me what are the requirements for to be approved for the lapband surgery?

How do you edit the weight ticker once you have it on your signiture.

I am two weeks post op, still on clears and protein, taking in about 400 calories a day... haven't done anything different, but in the past 5 days, my weight has stayed exactly the same... not on my period, so I know it's not that.... I know that plateus can happen, but anything I can do to tell my body that I am not in starvation mode and that it's okay to let go of the lbs???? Any ideas?

Ok, so yesterday was officially 2 weeks and I want to tell all you newbies and lurkers how much of an impact this surgery can have for you. I have lost 23 pounds and am eating about 800 calories a day. The week before I had this surgery the hunger I felt never seemed to go away. What I mean is that I would eat and within a very short time I would be hungry again. NOW, my hunger is different. I do get hungry but it doesnt feel the same and when i go to eat, NO JOKE the smallest amount fills me so comfortably it is A FREAKING MIRACLE. For the last five years I have lived with the band and felt like a complete failure for being so hungry when a tool was in place. Well I C…

I had my pre-op appointment yesterday everything went great! I've lost enough weight and my labs and EKG are perfect! I really have nothing else to do except an education class today and then just wait until June 8 at 2:00 Ill be on Clear liquids for 2 day prior to surgery and thats about it!!! My Dr has made me feel very comfy and Im just SO anxious. Can someone pls tell me how to put a counter on my page and manage it Thanks a bunch Randi

Hi all!I am currently going through a three month preparation for the Band with Aetna! I am super excited and a little nervous! Has any gone through the process it? What was the whole process like? Thanks in advance. :smile2:

Hi, everyone, I am mickenut, I am on day 3 of my pre-op diet... so far so good... my surgery date is set for June 8..am excited and nervous all at the same time... I have been monitering this site for a while and I think it is time for me to join in and be friends with fellow lap-banders.... it is really helpful to "talk" to others who are experiencing this.. friends and family try... but they don't quite get the true picture.... so HELLO to all of you and lets talk!!!

Hi everyone, I've just found this site, im due to have my band on the 2nd of July, im excited and nervous. Im on shakes atm to loose 5-7kgs before my op. looking forward to sharing the journey with others

I have lost 18 pounds! 6 came off in the first day on liquids (before surgery) and 12 more this week. Amazing, can't hardly believe it. I already have said a long overdue goodbye to the 300's - went from 310 to 292 in just 8 days!! Also my healing is going great - got my drain out today and I feel so much better. I've been walking 30 mins+ the past 3 days. Getting in all my Protein and all my Water. Today I got to eat some refried Beans... yay real food! I am already feeling my strength returning, and I just feel WONDERFUL! I am feeling more healthy already.:001_tongue:

Well, I had a big moment of food regret today when I was out for my fitness walk (2.2 miles today! huzzah!) All along the Seattle waterfront (where my walk goes) are these amazing restaurants, big and small, from deli to Anthony's (anyone in Seattle will know Anthony's). The food smells were dizzying and delicious. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not HUNGRY. It's just that after three weeks of being on mushy/slushy foods and Protein shakes, the idea of one of those delicious, meaty, hearty philly cheesesteak sandwiches was just... overwhelming. And then I got to thinking "well, with the bread... and the meat is sometimes a little tough... I can't have a philly. Ever a…

Well I kind of jumped in and didn't introduce myself first. I am Stacy, I live in Missouri, married with two kids, two dogs and one strange cat. I love watching NASCAR, work as an Accounting Manager for an engineering firm, and am enrolled in school...still.... I weighed 264 at the time of my pre-surgery appointment, I have lost 12 -15 lbs depending on several things... My approval process went very quickly, becuase I knew the minute my insurance said that begining 1/1/10 they would cover it that I was going to have the surgery come heck or highwater! I have not always been overweight. I was 120 my senior year. I had my son and had to have a c-section, gained to m…

:biggrin:JUNE 29th!!!!! I'm beyond excited!!!! It only took my insurance 2 days to approve me! Don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing, but I'LL TAKE IT!!!!! WHOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO My birthday was yesterday, so I'll call this a belated present!! Thee BEST yet!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup:

New to the group.... Hi! I was banded on March 6 2010 and just had my 3rd fill today!

Well here I am at two months. I continue to learn new things every day. I reached my first goal of 50 pounds and am thrilled by the weight loss I've had so far. I am also enjoying a few NSV's *My feet don't hurt when I walk *I went up three flights of stairs and it wasn't very overwhelming (hee hee) *Pre op I used to have horrible stomach issues (really uncomfortable diarehha every single day) and I was totally used to it and just figured it was a part of my life. Now I don't feel like that at all. I am also learning new things all the time. I am learning to trust myself, in the past I have started so many diets and even as I began them knew that I wouldn't be succe…

I am finally myself again..ahhhh it feels so nice! I talked to my doctor and he said to start full liquid since i'm doing so good. I have ate: pudding, soft cheese, oatmeal, grits and can't wait to have everything else that's on my list. It's so nice to only eat a 1/4 of something and feel full I have never had that happen before. My swelling is almost gone and I drink and swallow just fine now. I am drinking my Protein down which the thicker shakes do still have a lil trouble getting down, it just takes it a while to make it down. I am walking and doing everything I was doing before, we even went to the grocery store yesterday! Life is going so good now and I am happy to…

Hi everyone, I am new to this site. I very excited because I have made the decision to have lapband surgery. At my consultation with the surgeon I weighed in at about 323 with a BMI of 45.5. I have made my decision based on lots of research and questions from others who have had this procedure. I look forward to getting it done. Kevin

I haven't been on this forum very long, but I need some help. I started the 6 month process, to get approved for lap band, about 3 months ago. Ever since then I have been eating like a fool! I am completely out of control and I don't know why. I know in the back of my mind I'm thinking about the future restriction, but I know I need to get control NOW!! I feel like I am the only one with this problem and I'm almost in tears. I'm not a crier and this is the only thing that scares me about this process. I'm fine with surgery and not scared of that at all, but I'm afraid I can't get the eating controlled before my surgery. Can anyone out there give me some insight o…

Hi! I have been researching the LAP-BAND® for quite some time now. I know a few people that have had gastric bypass done, but have gained the weight back. I, honestly, know I don't want any part of my stomach/intestines cut out. I've already had my gallbladder removed - it was done laparoscopically when I was 22 weeks pregnant with my son (who is now 18 months old:) No issues there. I recently had some cysts removed from my ovaries, also done laparoscopically. I've also had two other surgeries in the last two years. So, a total of 4 surgeries in less than two years. I'm kinda of an old pro when it comes to surgery, so THAT part doesn't really scare me. There…

Hey everyone. I started my lapband journey in July of 2009. I was banded on April 29th 2010. My total weight loss during that period was 36lbs. I've lost an additional 10lbs since surgery. My first fill is on June 7th. I'm excited but not really sure I know what to expect after the fill. Any insight would be appreciated.

First off, hi to everyone. I'm new here. I've been lurking a while, but now it's time to post. I'm a 24 year old teacher from Monroe, Louisiana. I am having my surgery Friday in Dallas by Dr. Joseph Cribbins. I am 5'11'' and weigh 315 right now. I am nervous about my surgery for several reasons almost to the point of backing out. First, I'm paying out of pocket because my insurance didn't cover it. I'm worried that I'll get home and fall down the stairs or something and the band will slip. Where will I be then? Out $11,000. :smile2: Since I'm young, what will my band be like in 50 years? Eroded and slipped all out of place? I guess I'm mainly freaking out about it…

Hey team, well, my slfeeve did not teurn out quite the way I plan. Has surgrery , feflt good for less that a week and then it it was all down hill from their. I have been in the hospital since April25 and it is now May. I have a leak and their apporch is to withhold all food/liquiuids from my stromach until it it is fully healed. This is has been the hardest time of my life. I have a very good American surgeon, but life happens. Please do not think this only happens to other people. My medical bills are accumulating faster than I can place in a pile. We all like to think this happens to other people...well I guess I am the the other person. Forturnately, I'm healing an…

Hello everyone - got the notice yesterday that my surgery date is 7/20/2010. Before LAP-BAND® I have to have my gall bladder removed, do some healing & be on a liquid fast for 2 weeks prior to the surgery. Everyone I have talked to says the fast will be the hardest part of the whole process, but I am very motivated and feel strong enough to do it. Has anyone else gone through these steps? If so,could you share your experiences?:smile2:

Tiffikins, you left the chat room last night without the usual notification and good nights. I wondered why? Then I thought of our conversations going on and I realized you might have thought I was arguing with you. On the contrary, I was agreeing with you about what my doctor told me. He didn't want to listen to me about my foot problem. I have had no problems in the past 10 years of taking daily NSAIDS. I know he is protecting his surgery, and is probably ethically bound to tell me not to use them. But you take them, and others take them, so I agree with you. . If you thought I was arguing with you, I sincerely apologize. I value your input as much or more t…