Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi all, I just joined this group. Has been 2 weeks and 4 days since I had the sleeve. On bariatic soft diet BUT can only eat about 1 Teasp of food. Hard for me to get in the water/liquid, Protein and all the vitamins BUT trying to get at least 1 of the 2 tables of Multi Vitamin in along w/B12 and 1 or 2 Calcium chews. Is this stuggle with theliquids in the "normal range"? Sips are BABY BABY sips - Thanks

I am a control freak worrier. Nobody around me needs to worry because I worry and overthink everything enough for everyone! I am obsessing over the surgery. I am not thinking about bad things, I just find it occupies my thoughts and now my dreams. I have had several dreams about the process. I have now moved on to cleaning, it is almost like I am pregnant and I am nesting or something. I feel the need to have everything organized. Was anyone else like that or is it just me? p.s I was cleaning out a book shelf and I came across three diet cook books, three books on dieting in general and in a closet the full six week body makeover kit I purchased 3 years ago. The medic…

I finally got a surgery date and attended the pre-op class today. It's finally setting in for me, I'm very excited! The doc has had me on a liquid diet for over a month, it's it getting a little tired. I have food here and there, since I know it won't hurt me/make me vomit. I know I can handle the liquid diet after surgery since it didn't kill me the last few weeks! I have lost a little in the last month, it feels good. I can't wait to see even more change in my life in the up coming months.

Hey guys. I'm Jason. My wife Jessica Kolman is also on this forum. She had her surgery in November, and I just had mine this past Wednesday. I've dropped 13 pounds already and this is the lightest I have been in years. I'm super excited and can't wait to see what the future holds. Still struggling thru Clear liquids, but only for a few more days. Anyways, just wanted to say "Hi" and I'll see you around. Jason:thumbup:

Well, just a little update, was supposed to leave BWI at 5:10 and the left engine would not turn over so about 1.5 hours later, they got it fixed and we are on our way, love having wifi on the plane! Mom is at the hotel near DFW, we will leave tomorrow morning for San Diego and then on to Mexicali! I took my daughter's pillow, has cute little hearts all over it (already had a few looks from other passengers...). This is my oldest and she has the worst time with me leaving so I gave her my pillow and took hers, I hope this helps her get through the next 5 days. I will update as I can and also give Mom a tutorial on VSGtalk so she can update if I am unable to after su…

Did you actually have leak test performed after your surgery and it showed normal, but you still had a leak?

I'm new! My name is Laura and I'm 22. I had my surgery just two days ago, on the 14th. I first started looking into weightloss surgery over two years ago and went to my primary physician with questions. He referred me to my surgeon, David Von Rueden. I had been working and waiting since then to get this done. Actually I've been waiting much longer than that. Even though it's only been 2 years since I've had this surgery on my mind, I've been obese for so much of my life. And I'm sure I don't need to go into how little fun that is. My heaviest weight was 300 lbs. Before I had the surgery I had to lose around 20 lbs and I got down to 282 lbs. I now weigh 274 l…

Everything everyone writes here is negative. It all sounds horrible. Can anyone tell me of someone who has had a positive experience? :-/ The link is this: http://au.messages.yahoo.com/lifestyle/lap-band/11074/ Please tell me your thoughts. These are real people, real stories...

Good Morning Everyone: This is my first post. I am anxiously awaiting approval from my insurance company, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Has anyone had any experience with them? They received my information on September 24th and I have been calling every week to check if I am approved. They tell me it is still in review. They say it takes up to 30 business day from receipt of the claim. I am getting nervous that I won't be approved. I have a BMI of 38 with no comorbidities, but I do have a long history of obesity. I would love to hear from anyone who has this insurance. Annie

Hello all, I have decided to get banded and am scheduled for June 2nd! I am excited to get started and have familiarized myself with the process but one thing in particular concerns me. I work in an industrial atmosphere and am wondering, first of all, where the "fill port" will be loacted (i.e. behind or in front of the abdominal wall, upper or lower abdomen, left or right side), and if it will get in the way of me performing my job which sometimes requires lifting heavy objects. Kudos to all of you have undergone the surgery. I will be there soon.

Hello, everyone! I'm in sunny Michigan (not) and I FINALLY will be banded on Tuesday, May 18 by Dr. Kevin Krause. Anyone else being banded this week? Best wishes to all...

I went to the seminar on the 12th of may.Took hubby with me and every since then I been thinking that this all dpends on lifestyle change diet and exercise good eating habits and such if I can do that without the band then what do I need the band for to teach me not to over eat thats a easy one just stop when you are full I don't think this is the right time for me to get the band maybe if I fail at my new lifestyle change then I'll get the band I wish all of you who have decided to get banded the best good luck!

I hung around for quite some time, trying to decide whether the band was right for me or not. I finally made up my mind and I was banded on 2/15/2010! I live in Las Vegas NV and Dr. James Atkinson was my surgeon. My top weight was 247 (that was in November 2009) and my weight on that special day in February was 229. I now weigh 195 (I'm under 200 for the first time in MANY years!), so my total weight loss is 52 pounds. I feel terrific and my only regret is that I took so long to make up my mind. I'm slightly more than half way now, and although it has been SO easy for me throughout this whole process, I still haven't found my "sweet spot" after two fills/adjustments. I'll…

Well today my wife and I are two months out and things are good! I got on the scales today and I am down 40lbs. From 341 to 301! My wife is down 22lbs. Russ & Sonia

I'll be banded May 26th I was not nervous UNTIL NOW ...I have to start a liquid diet this thursday. Any help or hints would be greatly appreciated. My surgeon is Dr. Mehta, at the Peconic Bay medical center in Riverhead Long Island.. Also can anyone help me, how do I get a bmi scale and weight scale progress thingy for my signature. Thanks in advance!

I was sleeved on March 19. So far I have lost 20 pounds and most of that was nearly immediately. Once again I fear I will be the only person who had this surgery and loses 20 pounds and maybe that is it. I am concerned because I feel the same hunger as before surgery only now I can't eat as much so my only choice is to be hungry or eat more often. Today I am in a self pity place. I think I will get on the treadmill instead but I am sure kind of depressed right now.

It's been a while since I took a look in the mirror to look at myself without the fear of seeing the damage I've done to my body. I would avoid or barely glance because I knew I would only be disgusted with how I looked, and avoid any type of cameras. I'm sure there are some out there that understand where i'm coming from, but today I decided that in order to be successful in my journey It has to begin with loving myself just where I am today. My weight is not coming off as fast as most but it is coming off, I don't see any drastic change but I want to let you know that when I looked in the mirror my extra chin was gone, my neck looked smaller, my face is slim, "Oh mirror…

Just got my Appoval Letter!!!!:biggrin: One less thing to think about. I'm ready to go today. Surgery date July 7th!!

Hey All, Just call me lazy and that is the reason for this post. I am living in Norway and have no access to Isopure Protein Drinks, so I am lacking a bit on the protein side. I have been told not to worry so much about vitamins and protein during this stage, but then others have said otherwise. I did find a Chicken soup recipe I used last night that helped some I believe. Can I continue to just liquify chicken and fish and make soups of them? I had Type II Diabetes and have not seen a sign of it post op. AMEN! But, I do not want to drink to much milk in those protein shakes for the same reason. I was wanting to know if anyone had any ideas for me. Be creative,…

I don't know if this is the right place to post this but I'm going to. I just wanted to share a little of my journey. I had my sleeve on 3/14, and have been overwieght the majority of my life. I am 41 years old, single (divorced 4 years ago), no kids. I am discovering that the hardest part for me of this journey is facing the emotional/psychological issues that the food has been masking all these years. I am in therapy and I knew that this would come but I didn't realize how intense it would be. For me the biggest issue is learning to love myself and accept myself. I have constantly, since I was a child, relied on other people for thier approval. I am my …

Hey everyone! My name is Nicole aka FXA. Here come the stats Age: 29 Current Weight: 126kg (277lbs) Date of surgery: 06/16/10 Location of surgery: Sweden (Nyköping Sjukhuset) Surgeon name: Dr. Per Lundquist I'm originally from America, but moved here to Sweden 1.5 years ago. I have been overweight for my entire adult life and most of my adolescents. So getting this surgery is a great ray of hope for a much more positive future. Most of my family is overweight or obese. My father's side is extremely bad, with virtually every ailment known to man. Thankfully here in Sweden this surgery is covered by social healthcare. So I don't have to deal with insuran…

Hi everyone....well, after about a month of reading this website, my VSG is finally here...tomorrow!! Very nervous and excited and unsure about the week ahead and the weeks to follow, etc....any suggestions on how to stop worrying? Thanks! I'm here in Atlanta and Dr Chris Hart is my surgeon...:001_unsure:

My name is MaryAnn and I've been overweight for most of my life. When I was younger, I lose it in the summer playing outdoors. Now that I'm old, it's not as easy as that. I've tried everything. I can lose weight, but I'm unable to keep it off. A co-worker had the Lap Band done. I didn't know about it until she had lost about 30 pounds. I decided to check it out. I went to the first seminar in April of 2009, and took about 3 months to make my mind up. My surgery is scheduled for June 3rd and I cannot wait! :redface:

Hello from CT! My name is Nicole. I am currently jumping through my "hoops" to get my approval. In 2 months I have completed 85% of my insurance requirements for approval. My tentative date is September. I am 37 years old. I have been morbidly obese for 18 years. I am a Passion Parties Executive Director. I have 2 boys and have been with my husband for 18 years also. :smile2: I WAS avidly against weight loss surgery because my MIL had the gastric bypass and almost died. It wasn't until I switched doctors last June that I even started thinking about it for myself. It took me until March of this year to actually move along and DO something with the referrals my doctor…

Has anyone had any experience with this insurance? How long did it take for your approval? It said that it takes 6 to 8 weeks. I am very apprehensive about approval. BMI of 40, did 6 mo with dr, supplied 5 yrs of med history, all of the weight loss programs I have tried. I am going to go nuts before this is over. HELP!:redface:

Help! I want to put up a profile picture! How do I do this?

Hi Everyone, I am approved and have a surgery date. I am scared and excited!!! Starting the pre-op diet today. I am sure I will be on here A LOT from now on. Have a great day!!!

Hi, Live in FL. Benn going to do this for many years & have now found that my ins will cover it:scared2:. I have just completed my 6 mo. dr. visits. & the paperwork has been submitted. Now the waiting begins. it is 6 to 8 weeks to hear back from the insurance. Have you been waiting that long? I started out at 271 & am down to 238. It is a battle to loose weight. I hope that the approval comes quickly. Will be taking the per op class in June. Hope that the liquid diet is not to hard to get through before the surgery.

Apologies if this has been discussed already. I have read posts about different kinds of bands.....I have tried to research this and can't find any information about different models of the band. All I can find is information on LAP BAND. Can someone send me to a site that they know of or just give a brief description of the different kinds. Thanks a bunch Amy

Hi all, My name is Dana. I am 28 single F from California. I am getting my lap band surgery on May 17th 2010. I am so scared and terrified of being put to sleep... mainly. I have tried to ease my mind but nothing seems to work. I want everything to go smoothly and I have done numerous research on my surgeon and here he is a VERY good one in Los Angeles. ...however I am still terrified...... Please anyone... someone....?! help me get over this fear of being put to sleep or at least get some kind of comfort..... I suffer from Sleep apnea.. (sleep with C-PAP machine) High blood pressure (on pills) High Cholesterol on pills) and horrible acid reflux (on pills) also I am borde…

I was all set in my mind to have this surgery then I went to the seminar last night and everything changed now I'm scared and confused about wether its the right thing to do or not I have tried really hard in the past to lose weight and have but then I gain it all back and then some maybe I'm letting my fear get the best of me maybe i"m just scared about the surgery its self I don't know anymore everyone says its a decision I have to make on my own. Has anyone ever been in this position before?I'm still excited about the surgery but scared to death that i"m making the wrong decision.did anyone else go thru this?

I've already posted a couple of times elsewhere but I came across this forum and thought I should introduce myself. I'm Chelsie, from Auckland, New Zealand. I'm 18 going on 19 and I was banded on May 6th - so just over a week ago. I came looking for a forum because the last couple of days I've been feeling like I'm in a bit of a rut. And I don't personally know anyone else who's done this. (:

Hi all I was banded in April and am two weeks post-op. I am to start "mushie" stage tomorrow. I have been instructed by my Doc to puree meat. Has anyone done this and how do I make it palatable?:laugh::w00t:

Hello, I have been approved and my date is August 20, 2010i. I am both excited and nervous but know that this is the only way I can lose weight and keep it off. I weigh 257 lbs and am 5'6" and can stand to lose more than 100 lbs but I want to do it and stay healthy. My problems are high blood pressure, sleep apnea and I had knee replacement several months ago. The weight loss should help all 3 of these. I'm tired all the time because I'm carrying around all this weight and want to feel better.

So yesterday was my big day! I had my surgery at JourneyLite in Cincinnati by Dr. Fegelman. Everything seems to have gone very well; and I'm spending my day today napping, walking around the house, and try to get enough "food" in. I just don't feel hungry or thirsty at all - especially since I have a really sore throat and I feel like someone kicked me in the stomach! Prior to surgery, I lost 42 lbs (down from 342 to 300); and I'm hoping to lose about 120 more lbs during this next phase in my life! I'm really looking forward to all of the support this site provides!

Sooo...I'm scheduled to have a revisional lap band surgery a week from today, May 21st, meaning my old band will be taken out and a new one will be put in its place. I had the band originally put in 5 1/2 years ago (jan 2005). The reason for the surgery is slippage of the band, something I only learned a month ago. I am excited that I'll get back on track, but I'm also nervous about starting all over again. And I'm concerned about the post-op period, being that I have a 3 1/2 year-old daughter and a six month-old son (whom I have to carry, as I can't get around it). I have no support other than my husband, who will take off the first five days from work. I'm also s…

WELL! I just got back a couple of hours ago from meeting and consulting with Dr. Nicholson and we have a surgery scheduled for June 1st at 11:30am!!! I FLOATED OUT OF THE DOCTORS OFFICE I WAS SO HAPPY! I start the pre-op slim fast diet on May 20th, so I have just one more week to eat my favorite things before it's down to business. Dr. Nicholson was caring and kind and hilarious and made me extremely comfortable and confident in my decision. He has a black eye from his 8 year old practicing karate on him, so cute. This is actually happening. I can't wait to join the sleeved. Oh happy day! Lori

Hi, I've had some trouble finding other young people doing lap-band. I'm only 23, but I have been overweight almost my entire life without a lot of success losing weight. I'm worried about doing the procedure because I know lap-band is something that stays in your body forever, and I have a long life (hopefully) ahead of me, and also haven't had children yet. Does anyone have any advice for someone in my age group or where i could find more information on if this would be right for someone like me? Thanks! Amy

Hi, My name is Mo and I've been considering LB for about 2 years now. Lately I've been thinking this may be a good option for me. I have about 135lbs to lose and I think this will be an effective tool to reach that goal. I've been dieting for years and i'm frustrated (with myself). I went to seminar last night..it was really good. I plan on having a consultation soon...This is such a big decision for me..i'll be lurking around here for a while ..so I just wanted to say hi! Thanks!

I went to a seminar in Feb. 2010 and at that time was not able to afford the surgery, thru the grace of god my husband got a new job with great health insurance. I do not have to pay out of pocket but I do have to see a nutritionist for 3 months prior to surgery. I had my first appointment today and I am so glad, she is helping me learn how to eat and choose the proper foods so when I have the surgery I will be able to continue my new healthy lifestyle. I have been looking thru all the posts on this site and it is nice to know that there is so much support and that I am not the only person wondering and asking the same questions. I hope to make a lot friends and find a lo…

Hi, I am new to the forum. I am starting the process of trying to see how I can afford the surgery. I do have insurance but when I applied for a weight loss program I was denied due to time I had no health issues. I gained additional 89 lbs and have some small health issues BUT want the madness to stop before they become larger issues. So I am looking for any advice on how to handle my insurance which is PPK. Any other advice is much appreciated in advance.

Well.....I did it! Surgery was Wednesday morning. Everything has went well so far! I have been walking the halls today....just had a shower, and am now enjoying a little broth and jell-0! It was soooo amazing how good ice chips can taste when you get to pre-op...I thought I was in heaven! I have been treated with so much respect and dignity, way to go Munson Health Care Team! Hopefully I will be able to go home tomorow (Friday):thumbup:

My doctor had to move my surgery up one day due to the hospital schedule so I am having my sleeve on May 19! I am so excited and cannot wait to begin this new life! I am on my 2 week low-carb diet and so far so good...I just keep looking at the countdown 10 DAYS:w00t:! I go in for all my bloodwork and last appt. this Thursday. Thank you to everyone on this board for being so uplifting and supportive..cannot wait to join you all as an official sleever:biggrin0:!

One of the reasons I joined this forum in Dec '09 after my VSG was to understand all about stalls and how to break them (live with them !). After almost 6 months I have realized that stalls are inevitable, they way they react is unpredictable but finally breakable. My longest stall was 9 weeks, not only was it a stall, I had actually gained weight. To all friends who come here to seek answers on stall - you will win ! There are many NSVs also, I am fully off diabetes medication, sleep well (no snoring), walk and run 4 miles a day, trouser size down from 55 to 38, shirt from 46 to 42. The best decision I ever made was to go for VSG. Keep the spirits high. The wonderful…

Yes, I am 33 and freaked out to tell my mama I am contemplating and pretty much have decided to have surgery in gasp :mexico:. She is an RN and has always been against any sort of surgery that is not a matter of necessity, but she will in the end be the person who will go with me to support me (noone can take care of me like her right? LOL) anyways I am going to tell her because my hubby will be unable to make the trip with me due to work and it will be easier with the children plus with her medical background I feel much more comfortable with her there with me. WISH ME LUCK and any advice is welcome.

So after all the hoops I had to jump through I got approved today by Aetna and my doctors appointment is Friday to sign all the paper work so I am guess surgery should be in a month or so depending on how busy my surgeon is. I am so happy to get this news So does anyone know what the pre op diet consists of??

Hello, I am new to the forums. I am so happy I found this site. I attended a seminar in April. On Friday I will have my consult with the surgeon. I am so nervous for Friday, I do not know what to expect or what will happen at the appointment. I plan to attend my first support group meeting in June. I hope to stay active in the forums throughout my journey. Carol

Hi Everyone, I am new here and am going through the doctor and insurance requirenments before my surgery. I am super excited to start my new life! I have one small issue, my ex. We are in the process of trying to get back together and I don't know how to tell hime about this. I don't think he will be supportive and I don't know how that will affect me. I was wondering if anyone had some adivice on telling him. (small background: we have a 3 year old together and have dated since high school) I appreciate all of you help. The decision was easy, this isn't.

I have been lurking around this site for weeks but not really posting. I am just curious as to why so few people from South Alabama and South Mississippi seem to be on this site. I live in Mobile County. I was banded on June 15th in Pascagaoula, MS. I sure would love to hear from y'all!!!!

Well, it better be at least!! I got a call yesterday from the surgeon's office saying they were waiting for one peice of info from their in-house nutritionist and once they have that, they can submit to my INS. THANK YOU GAWD!! They said it takes 30 days to hear something back, but then when I asked if it REALLY takes that long, she said no, normally two weeks! My birthday is at the end of the month....wouldn't that be an AWESOME birthday present?!! I think so!! heehee Anyway, just wanted to shout my good news! (since I can't update my blog. Grrrrr)