Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

SO it will be 2 weeks tomorrow and I am doing great. I have learned a lot such as icecream makes me have chill, sweats and the worst sea sickness ever!! (BTW i would normally not have ice cream but I was stuck at a BaseBall Game with nothing to eat). Anything creamy makes me feel overloaded like I licked raw butter. YUK. I recently found that Isopure mixed with fruitpunch flavored crystal lite is the BOMB! For those who are post op and maybe having problems with going to the bathroom I wanted to suggest CHERRIES. I have been eating a couple cups of fresh raw cherries and it has enough Fiber or something that is making me go. WHICH ROCKS NSV LOL. Just be careful not to s…

:scared0: OK I have completed the "Pathway" that Madigan Army Hosp requires and today I got the date of my appointment with the Dr. who will perform the surgery. Looking forward to finally getting to talk to him and set up the real date for VSG! Feeling like there is light at the end of the tunnel finally. Anyone have any questions that I should ask from your experiences? I already have a ton of my own but would like to hear what you wish you would have asked your Dr. prior to the operation.

I can't believe I am one week away from surgery. Such an array of emotions and feelings are flooding through me. I am so excited to start this new chapter of my life! Anyone else just one week away or just had surgery? How are you all feeling???

I have followed this forum for a while, but not as an active poster. Dr. George Merriman in Shreveport, Louisiana performed my VSG surgery on December 4th, 2009. My recovery has been uneventful, and my weight loss has been phenomenal. My maximum weight was 310 lbs, and I had been between 290 and 310 continuously for the past 15 years. Since my surgery, I have lost 96 lbs, and am currently swimming 2500 yards a day in under 55 minutes. At age 60, I have not felt this good in years. I had a hip replacement in 2008, and that has also improved my life. I am a surgeon myself, and can tell you that this is truly a life changing surgery. I have not been hungry or fel…

Tomorrow morning in go into the hospital for my lap band surgery. I am both excited and nervous I am looking forward to the changes ahead. I know it will be challenging but I am up to it. :biggrin:

Hi all! i'm completely new to this forum and in the last 6 months have been seriously considering going to Mexico for the lap band procedure. Two of my coworkers have done so and look amazing. I am 37 years old and have had a weight problem ever since i can remember (probably since i was 3). The doctors have said my thyroid is sluggish, but even with lots of exercise it doesn't make a huge difference. I've been on every diet you can imagine, and i end up gaining it all back. I can't live like this anymore and am terrfied of getting diabetes, or a heart attack. Of course there's a bit of vanity involved, but i just want to be able to go into a clothing store and buy "reg…

Now that I have a date I have to tell my father that I am planning on having this surgery and I am extremely nervous. I have already told my mom and that went like I had thought it would. She cried and is very worried about complications which I understand but has since calmed down. She understands I am almost 30 and it is my decision and she will do whatever she can to help. But she definitely has made it clear she is not necessarily happy. My father is very black and white in his thinking. He believes that if I had enough discipline and will power I would be able to lose the weight on my own. I am not looking forward to the speech I am going to receive about ri…

Hi Everyone, I am about 4 weeks out from having the sleeve surgery. Still undergoing pre-op tests. The more I read about the surgery, and more specifically, the results, the more excited I am to have it. I am wondering if anyone can offer some tips and suggestions for me as I begin this journey. Really looking forward to sharing with everyone. Thanks ahead of time for your support. Diann

I hear that in Mexico you can only get the "old model" of lap band, instead of the LapBand AP. Is this true? And if it is, does anyone know if it really matters? Whatever they improved may not make much of a practical difference. Thanks for any help!

Hi all! June 7th is coming up quick! I am schedule to have my first visit with the surgeon, nutritionist, and fitness counselor! Ahh! Can anyone shed some light and tell me what there visit was like. Does the doctor just talk to you or is there blood work involved too?? I'm not to worry about the nutritionist or fitness counselor! Ha! Doctors scare me! Any advice would be helpful! Thanks in advance! :biggrin:

Has anyone gained any weight? I am almost 4 weeks out. I was down 17 lbs then gained 1/2 - 1 pound but ended up loosing another 2 1/2 pounds over the past week or so. Then woke up this morning to a 2 pound weight gain overnight! What is up with this? Extremely frustrating. I am on the treadmill 2 miles a day. The only thing I did differently yesterday is I had two slices of cheese with 4 slices (very thin) deli chicken at about 9pm. I don't usually eat that late but felt very hungry. That cannot possibly be the reason could it?

Hi Everyone, I've had my lap band for about 3 1/2 yrs:thumbup:. Had lost 75lbs and kept it off, went from size 24-26 to size 14 . Recently have gained about 10lbs :tongue2:. Working hard to stay on track. It gets easier with time but it's also very easy to become complacent. cbn

Hi everyone, I was banded on 4-22-2010. I actually flew to Detroit MI. to have my surgery because I was paying cash. My pre diet lasted two weeks and my starting weight was 252 pounds. Weight at surgery was 240 and weight today is 229, :tongue2:. I need support, because I feel kind of alone in this and am wondering if I am doing everything right. I live in Texas and have found a local doctor and he said I needed a support group. I was hoping someone knew if there was a support group in the Houston, or Alvin area.

Hi Everyone, Im new to all this. I have never posted before, but I have been reading and loging on since March. I have been researching the lapband and the only way I will be able to do afford it will be in Mexico. I am planing on seeing Dr.Sergio Verboonen in TJ. I have not heard one negitive thing about him or his staff. Please let me know what the facts are. I need some reasurance. Thanks JoJo

Long journey..... so similair to so many of yours over weight since about an hour after my first period started....(.later diagnosed with PCOS at age 26) . Dieted my way for years and lost well over 600 lbs total my whole life! :cursing: Currently I am a stay at home mother with eight children (5 adopted special needs children with down syndrome and one with autism too) I decided on the band when I was pregnant with my first biological child..... right about the time Carnie Wilson had had her bypass. I was not interested in the bypass and malabsorption thing. I was 330 lbs before I got pregnant...... I delivered on July 4th 03 at 270 lbs. (I am a puker) I wasn't wor…

Well its been 10 days and I can say thankfully that I have not had any negative problems from the surgery except from the nurse who took my staples out neglecting to tell me to leave the steri strips on. They were hanging off two days after I got my staples out so I took them and that was not such a smart move. Doing errands with my mom I leaned down to get something from the ground and popped an incision which caused a waterfall of blood streaming down my shirt and jeans. Unfortunately i had no idea till we got where we were going and i felt something wet on my shirt and reallized i was in trouble. After panicking we went to get it stiched closed because you could see…

Hi, I'm new (obviously).... Thus far I have attended the seminar. The surgeon told me I am a candidate (although I'm not really sure). 1. I am 227, 5'7, BMI 35.4. Now, I know I am squeaking in under the parameters because I've had a sleep study done years ago and advised I had sleep apnea, and I also have PCOS (not listed as a "medical" history that warrants this surgery according to the hospital and my insurance). 2. I'm scheduled for my first nutrition class June 15th. In doing this, I'm trying really hard to watch my diet as it stands now. i'm taking 500mg of Metformin, and seriously cutting back on my carbs. 3. How long after you finish up your last clas…

Hey Gang, Here is my follow up to a thread that was running a week or so ago about the dangers of ppi's, long term consequences, etc., that gave me enough initiative to try and get off; afterall, the entire reason I had a VSG in the first place was to get and stay healthy, not cause more problems for myself. So, I had my VSG on Jan 25 and took Nexium as prescribed, once a day, for three months. If I didn't take it, I paid dearly. Needless to say, I took it religiously in the morning and on the rare occasion I had to take a half tab in the evening. Ran out, bought Prilosec OTC which worked just fine. Enter the thread as mentioned above. Last Tuesday was my firs…

Had my surgery on the 12th, I had quite a bit of discomfort and paranoia in the beginning, but reading all the posts helped me through. Now I am finally starting to feel great!! I have lost almost 30 pounds!! I was super excited to start eating real foods, and am loving some of the weirdest combinations, like eggs and cottage cheese, or refried beans and greek yogurt! I think my taste buds have changed, and I do crave off the wall stuff, like ripe tomatoes and cherry limades!! Walking has gotten better too. It was taking me 15 minutes to walk 3 blocks after surgery, and now that's nothing. I just have to say this is the greatest thing ever!! I love that I get full afte…

hi guys i am a new comer i am a little fat i really want to be your friend i really wantto share experience with you this is my zone keep fit welcome to visit it,thanks a lot!!

Hi I was banded 5/21 (today is the 24th). The experience was not pleasant. Did not recover too well in the hospital, almost passed out once from pain, then had alot of pain the first night and day. I was prescribed Rociet? and stopped taking it after one day because it put me out and was disgusting going down. I think most of my discomfort was anesthesia/surgery related stuff, sore throat, headache-really bad for a day and a half, weak, and surgical pain at site of incisions. Started feeling alot better the 2nd day and today (my first day on full liquids) I feel alot better. I took a shower, got dressed, put in contacts, and feel human again. Still really unsure about …

I was reading some information on stomaphyX procedure which is done through endoscopy....isn't that basically the same as VSG, though it is done to patients who have had RNY previously and stretched out the stomach? StomaphyX - Bariatric Revision for Gastric Bypass Surgery Would sure as heck be nice to have it done without incisions.

I've tried dozens of weightloss techniques and strategies, most recently I've been on weightwatchers and visted with a nutritionist. None of which have I been able to stick with. I've gained and lost weight since I was 13 years old, never keeping it off for more than a few months at a time. Now I'm 22, in an amazing relationship and working on my bachelor's degree. Since graduating in 2005 I've packed on 40lbs, going up a pant size steadily each year. I'm currently 5'4" tall and 240lbs. I've always been told I wear my weight well and that no one would guess I squeeze into a size 20 bottoms and an XXL top. Which of course is not very reassuring to me. I'm proportionally…

I am in the process of being officially "approved" by the team for my surgery. I am also getting married at the end of July. I am not entirely sure when my surgery date could be but could possibly be as early as the end of June. Part of me would like to have the surgery and use the down time between then and the wedding to adjust physically and mentally to how we will have to be as a married couple. The other part of me really wants to make sure I can dance and have a good time at the wedding and do not want to be sick or too tired. Does anyone have any thoughts? How long does it typically take for you to recover? I know the doctors say 2-4 weeks but what is realis…

Well all my worries are set aside... for now! LOL. My consultation was May 10th... which went great. My psych evaluation was also May 10th. I have my dietician appointment on May 19th. I also start my 2 week liquid diet on May 19th. My pre-op is June 1st... and my surgery is June 3rd. Things are moving rapidly... and it hasn’t hit me yet. I am trying to enjoy my favorite foods for now... sensibly. I am excited! Anyone else have a June 3rd date? Perhaps we can help each other get through hard times together... since we will be going through it together. :biggrin:

Hello everyone... I just wanted to send a update.... I got sleeved on the 12th of May. It was kinda different for me this go around. As many times as I have gone under I had never been scared but for some reason this time I was. I was scared to the point that I wanted to make sure my life policy was out just in case something was to go wrong. So that Wed I had to be there at 10 for a 12 start time. Ok well that wasnt bad but when 12 came and left that just had my anxiety go to another level. When 1 came I was down in the holding area just waiting, praying and crying... 1:15 is the last time I remember seeing. When I woke as usual I woke to vomiting. But this time it wa…

I got my band on 5/20. My surgeon has me on a 2 week clear liquid diet.... Has anyone really stuck to that for a full two weeks. By day 3, I tried some creamy Soup, like cream of broccoli and did pretty good with it. And I am still having some type of contracting type feeling, which I haven't eaten anything to get stuck or anything, but was wondering is this just a feeling that will go away or what was going on... Anyone have this. It's not awful and seems to be going away not experiencing it as much as before, but I hope it doesn't come back when I start trying to eat real food. At first I was like WHOA what have I done??? Kinda got depressed because the relatio…

I have been researching lap-band for about a year now.. and attended a seminar last week. I called my PCP to get a referral for the surgery, but the soonest they could see me was August, which is insane, so I am going this Friday to a different doctor (who will be my new PCP) who also sees my mother. I am pretty sure I won't have a problem getting a referral from her, as my BMI is around 47, but I am embarassed and nervous about discussing wanting the surgery with a doctor. Did anyone have any issues discussing weight loss surgery with their doctors? Also, my insurance requires you to have a BMI >40 AND two co-morbids to qualify for the surgery. I don't have any prob…

And I'm doing pretty good. Day one and two were pretty rough, and there was once or twice that I questioned WHY I did this. But, here it is, day 3 Post-Op and I'm up and about. The swelling is going down, I'm able to drink the liquids I need to get in, and I've been doing pretty well getting the Protein requirements in. I did eat a cup of sugar free pudding yesterday. It took me an hour of small bites, but I got it down without feeling nauseous. I have had part of an atkins Protein Bar today, but its the kind that falls apart in your mouth, so my doc said it was alright as long as it was complete mush before it went down. I asked before I tried it. :thumbup: I…

I am glad I found this board - the group that my doc's office referred to me doesn't exist anymore, and I am more comfortable discussing some things online than in person. My surgery is 2 months away. I am excited and scared all at the same time. I haven't always been fat - I have yo-yo'ed my whole life. Sometimes thin, sometimes fat... all times on a diet of some sort. To be honest... I am uncomfortable being thin. I don't like the attention, and I am hoping there are others on here that can help me with that. I saw someone's post that said "you have to let the walls down to let others in and yourself out" and I really love that. I just need help learning how t…

Hi, just winding my way through this site...haven't had much experience writing online, but here I am, and this is who I am: married woman, 5'1" (used to be 5'4"!), 275 lbs; live with hubby & 3 cats (one is buttons, which makes me, buttonsmommy). I started gaining weight in 9th grade, had some plateaus and several losses along the way but re-gained each time plus more. I'm 60 now and if I don't change things I'll just get worse and worse. My life has become very limited. I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, low thyroid, crappy knees from osteo, low back pain w/arthritis, and a strong emotional connection with food. I have one consult with the bariatric psych…

Hi Everyone, Thought I would jump in here. Don't really know what I'm doing but that's never stopped me before. So, if I make any online faux pas, my apologies. :smile2: I'm self pay (booooo), and am getting banded on June 14th here in Utah! The process has been incredibly fast! Went to a seminar on May 19th, turned in my paperwork the next day. Received a call from the Dr.'s office on the 21st to schedule the surgery. Holy crap! Now, just waiting for another call about all the pre-op stuff. Since I'm self-pay the process is smooth and pretty darn easy so far! I'm in shock from how fast it's going. I'm still trying to determine, who I'm telling about this surg…

So, I'm not a blogger, or writer for that matter but thought that this would be a good tool for me to get used to using. I am obviously pre-op as I don't even know which procedure, if any, I will end up with. My primary physician is the one who has lead me onto this path and I have researched it alot and finally made a consultaion apointment with a surgeon in my area. I have SO many questions... Lap-Band or Gastric Bypass? gurgling? dumping? slime? fills? I am still young, so how will either of these affect a pregnancy later down the road? My list is endless and I sure hope this doc had a TON of time to spend with me. LOL. Thanks to anyone who had read this and I wish you…

I just got banded on 5/13/10 and am good. I don't get my first fill for another couple weeks, so as far as I know, my band is empty. I sometimes feel full on fluids alone, but then realize that my protein is due and need to take that in on top of my already full feeling. Since it is all liquid I figure its just gonna go through and couldn't cause any major harm. Am I correct in thinking this, or could a band be slipped by excess fluids? BTW no mushy foods for another 2 weeks (so taking only clears and protein shakes still.Thanks

I am getting my band on June 2nd and would love anyones feedback on what to expect and not expect. I am trying not to put my expectations too high in the beggining because of the 6 week wait for a fill. I do have my treadmill ready and am already using it.

Tomorrow is the big day. I have been on my liquid diet for four days. Today has been the easiet day so far. I am actually pretty lucky because I can have yogurt/apple sauce/pudding. all of them have to be sugar free or fat free. It has not been so bad. The first day was the worse. I knew it was bad when I was sitting my pantry contemplating sucking on a cracker. Anyways, my surgery is tomorrow at 2:45 p.m. Starting to feel the butterflies.....so everyone say a little prayer or cross your fingers that everything goes okay!!!:thumbup:

:thumbup: I have been dealing with a weight issue all my life. I have been off and on diets or excercise plans. I have spent most of my life taking care of others. I have 3 children, 2 step children and 3 grandchildren. I am 39 years old and I want to be around for my famil a long time. I currently weigh 313lbs, I am 5ft 9. I would like to weigh 180. I have my first consoltation on June 8th with Dr. Higa. I have been to a seminar and believe this is the tool I need. I am trying to get all my pre-surgery medical requirements done as soon as I can. My insurance will cover it as my BMI is 46. Hoping to get started right away. I would apperciate any advice. :smile2:

Well here I go telling my story after posting on this site a couple of time already. Yeah I know I can do things backwards. Well my story goes like this....... I'm a 27 year old wife and mother of three. I have High Blood Pressure, Minieres;s Disease and a BMI of 42.3. I have thought about having WLS for a least 3 years now. But I was one of those people who thought oh I'm young I can just diet and excercise and everything will be ok. NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to realize that it is now or never. My husband is totally behind me 100%. His only concern is me loosing my butt and boobs what a man !! I went to a seminar for WLS surgery in Jan 2010 I had a …

patrick here from lascassas,tn. i had my surgery on 5-12-10 with dr. westmoreland in murfreesboro. at my first visit with the doc my weight was 397lbs. i have always been secure with my weight and my wife has never had a problem with it either(at least that what she tells me lol). but, its my 4 year old daughter that has made me decide that it is time to something. no, she has never said any thing about her daddy's weight, instead its the little things like playing ball, going to the park, riding bikes, and all the other things daddys do with their little girls. so, i am very excited about my journey and what the future has in store in for me. like i said, I AM…

Well, after waiting about about a week and a half since my insurance documentation was submitted, I found out today that I'm approved for VSG surgery. I am sooo excited I could turn cartwheels! :001_tt2: I kind of knew I had everything in place to be approved, but it wasn't real until the nurse coordinator called me today to give me the news. NOW IT'S REAL!!! I've been grinning at myself in the mirror and doing the happy touchdown dance every time I went to the restroom at work today. I hope nobody heard me in there laughing with myself. :thumbup1: I talked to my surgeon's office a couple of days ago about pre-op testing. Since my paperwork looked good for insurance, …

At 246 lbs, checked into hospital 6 am, home by 11:30; no complications. On 5/13/10, at 233 lbs, had first fill, 3 cc's in 10 cc band. I feel no restriction whatsoever! As a matter of fact, I feel no diff today then before WLS. WTF?

I am taking it easy today. Seemed the experience went so fast . Dr. Aceves in Mexicali did a revision for me. Had a band for 2 yrs. prio,r but experienced so many problems, decided to have a verticle sleeve.So far so good and I feel wonderful..just exhausted from the trip back. Sp many delays in the airport coming home that it took 24 hours to return to my home of Florida. Just sip, sip, siping away. All went very well. What a wonderful experience with such a great Doctor and hospital staff.

Because of you, (VST members) I had to join! Because of you, I have learned a ton of information and am even more excited that I have made the right choice to follow through with having VSG surgery! I have not found this much honesty and courage at ANY other site! I am awaiting loan acceptance and then will be scheduling my surgery in Mexico with Dr. Almanza through a lady named Patti. Does anyone know how far out the scheduling is? Will I have to wait forever after my loan is approved? I hope you will support me through my journey as you have supported so many others!

after a lot of soul searching I have decided to go ahesd and get the lapband surgery.First I backed out then I was thinking where am I going to be in a year or five and I don't want to be bigger than I already am and then decideing that it's the right thing to do I don't want to set myself back that far.So I mailed off all the paperwork that they gave me at the seminar.And made an appt. with my pcp.I am ready to start my journey and do what ever it takes to succeed at it. Thanks for listening just had to tell someone who would understand all the doubts and fears then the revelation that my mind has went thru.

I know we all have them, but plateaus are hard to get through without advice and encouragement. So far I haven't had much problem with it - until NOW! Almost 3 weeks of no loss. I've been faithful and have been exercising. What are your thoughts on plateau. Need ENCOURAGEMENT!:thumbup:

:sad:Sincerely if Dr. Almanza is known by the board n it is sfe to have a gastric sleeve??

Well, I did it. I got sleeved yesterday (Thursday May Th) and the surgeon said it went better than expected. I haven't taken any pain meds, only one gas X strip, and the best part is that I will not have the barium swallow unless I develop symptoms. I listened to everyone about walking early and lots, so I did that. SF popsicles are my friends, jello is OK, the broth is awful. I start protein shakes tomorrow. So move over on the losers bench, I'm here and ready to go. Thanks to everyone on the forum for all the great advice and especially the encouragement.:001_tongue:

Hi Everyone, Well like the title says... i'm a new member to the site and to the Lap Band world. I'm a 33 y/o male located in Montreal, Canada (go habs go!) who needs to lose a decent amount of weight. Four months ago I finally took an appointment to meet one of 3 doctors who do the op in Montreal. Cancelled twice because I was unsure about this and finally grabbed the bull by the horns and went to my first groupe meeting Tuesday morning. I've been reading up on the Lap Band for about 3 to 4months (on and off) and found this site Tuesday night. Some of the things the Doc said kinda worried me... I guess changing 20 y/o habits isnt an easy thing to do and sure does…

I'm finally on the schedule for surgery. So far, it is July 19th that is if my boss doesn't ruin it. She told me last Friday I wasn't a team player nor a respectful person, b/c I am having this surgery during our busiest time of the year and she is gonna be short people. In my opinon that is NOT my fault, but she is making it mine. I have gone thru 2 yrs of trying to get approval and have updated her each and everytime I knew something. I'm having a tough time just getting myself mentally prepared for this surgery let alone have to deal with her on top of it. Anyways, I need some advice.........I haven't got my actual orders of what the doctor requires before hand for me…

I was sleeved on April 27, 2010. I knew it was going to be painful but wasn't prepared as to how painful it actually was. It's been 3 weeks now since surgery, I feel so much better. I want to loose about 40-50 lbs and have lost 17 so far but it is not coming off now like it was in the beginning. I was loosing a pound a day! Old clothes are fitting again and my blood sugar is great. Prior to surgery, I was averaging in the low 200's and since it has dropped from the 140's - 150's to as low as between 105 -110. I am simply estatic with this! My surgeon was Dr. Nick Nicholson, an excellent doctor and I can't thank him enough for this new lease on life. I want to figure out h…