Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I am getting as much info as I can about the LAP-BAND®. The only reason for my hesitation is my insurance will cover 0 % ! :thumbup:

Hi, I'm new to the forum and I am getting as much info as I can about the LAP-BAND®. The only reason for my hesitation is my insurance will cover 0 % ! :thumbup:

Well just another update. As of last Monday it has been three months since my VSG surgery and I have lost 82.8 pounds as of today. I have been lucky not to suffer any problems. I am including a photo taken on 1-23-10 and one taken last night to show the difference. People that I have not seen since Jan 10 are telling me that I am starting to look like a different person. Oh well I still have over sixty more pounds to get rid of before I get to my goal weight. Oh yeah I don't want to hear any laughing out there at my pictures, I told you guys before that I am just an old gray headed guy from Arkansas. Thanks again to the everyone on this site for your thoughts, prayer…

Hi All!!! So I've been a lurker for a while, and now I just wanted to post my experience thus far in my WLS journey. Last Thursday, 4-22 I filled out some online forms for info about 3 different surgeons---two about 1 1/2 hours away from my hometown and one for Dr. Aceves in MX. And guess whose office responded almost immediately? Yup. Lucy sent me an e-mail with pricing info (literally 1/2 the cost of U.S. sleeve even with plane tickets) just 1 hr later. I have yet to hear from anyone else. It doesn't matter now, though. About 7:30 that evening i phoned Dr. Aceves' office expecting to get a voice message with office hours so that i could call back in the morning (it w…

Hi everyone, I'm new here . I actually had my surgery back in November 2008. I came here for some much needed encouragement,I've been pretty down lately about my lack of weight loss . I was almost 300 pounds when I started the program ,now I'm 249. I will post more of my story in another folder. Thank you ! I look forward to getting to know people :thumbup: .

Hi all; I had my band out last wednesday. Before the band removal, my doc said that in 1-2 months after the band removal that we could do the sleeve revision. I went back in for a post-op check up today, and now he is talking 2 months! He didnt give any emperical evidence about why we need to wait 2 months, he just said that this was just a post-op visit, and that we needed to start the bariatric surgery back from the beginning about getting me qualified, etc. I brought out the big guns and told him my company was talking about layoffs(what else is new, right?, but they really ar), the time frame is may-june, and that since I know I have coverage with my current i…

Hello I am Rachel from NC. I had my surgery Mrch 10th, 2010. I have lost 20lbs so far and had my first fill. Dr. Enochs in Cary did my surgery and I was so impressed with him. It has definitely been a learning process but I am so happy I did it.

Hello all, I am so mad......FINALLY after 2yrs of working on getting approval my boss refuses to let me have the time off. Her reasons are we are to busy during the summer and she won't approve my FMLA for time off. I work at a hospital in a touristy area. I am so ticked off it isn't funny. She said it is a elective surgery and doesnt have to be done NOW or during the summer. I don't know what to do:crying:....I am approved for the sleeve up until April of next year. My ins actually approves you for a year and then if not done I have to go through all this over again. I have been through it 2x now trying to get approval.:smile1:

Made it! Am sore and stiff today, but holding a pillow to tummy when walking and sitting straight up really helps. Am doing well with fluids and Protein (thanks to Protein shakes and protein soup). Dr. said would feel some restriction right away, but I don't really notice anything different yet, but the swelling is just starting and feels like a chest tightness or "stuck" feeling if I take too big a swallow. First fill will be in 4 weeks...then I'll know what it's really all about. Glad to be a part of this group and anxious for the restriction to become a part of my everyday life. Walking and sipping all day and resting in between right now. Carol:thumbup:

Hello All Im a n00b to this forum. I used to lurk around a similar forum. Well Yesterday I went to an "orientation" at a Bariatric Center here in Orlando. I am 5'8 and 351lbs @ 27 years old. To my surprise this morning speaking to a co worker she said she was approved last year for WLS because of her hypertension, (she opted not to do the WLS) I hope the approve me based on BMI and my sleep apnea. Last April I enrolled at an MMA school and lost 60lbs, but late last year during traing I took an injury to my knee which the Dr told me to stop training immediately. In a matter of nine weeks I regained every single pound I lost which made me a believer that WLS maybe a…

Hi all just checkin in. Things went great. I had a little case of nerves and started shaking in the elevator but everyone here is great (ive never even been in the hospital.. much less have surgery). I'm up and around and cant wait for those ice chips i was promised for Breakfast. I woke this afternnon with a satisfird grin on my face. I thought to myself... "ive done it, I get to havethe life I want now." I'm sure I have to contend with much more once the pain killers and iv fluids are gone... but for now all is good. :thumbup: Thanks Stacey ps sickofrollercoaster. It aint no big thang

Hi! Everyone, I'm so thrilled to find this site!! I am three months out from my LAP-BAND® surgery (Jan 25, 2010) I've had my ups and downs, but I've looked at these first months as a learning session. I've tried different times of day to eat my meals(six small versus three meals + one snack) The best things for me so far are measuring portions, a food journal and making sure I have something I can take with me when we go to family or friends homes. I'm incorporating walking on a daily basis. Lifting weights at least two times a week. I know that this is something I will be doing for the rest of my life. I am so glad I have the help of the LAP-BAND®, but I know if I am t…

I am a 20 yr old starting my last year in college and I am getting banded! I am studying overseas this year and flying to the US. I will be landing exactly a week before surgery and getting my first checkups the next day (Im a self pay- didnt meet BMI- so it goes faster...) Im a bit nervous but being in a different country helps- I dont need to think about it until I fly in. Im hoping and praying everything will be okay and I am on the way to a healthier better life!! Anyone with any info on the drinks I can get internationally for the 2 weeks before liquid diet would be appreciated... Yours truly, PhDGirl

Hay, I had "gastric bypass" 08/2000 and did great (lost 100 lbs). Then, of course it started creeping back on. So, my doc suggested "lap band" on top of it. I haven't been very successful and I really don't know why and I am quite frustrated. It has been since 10/09 and I can eat what I want still and I have not lost the weight that I wanted to by now. What am I doing wrong? I need help in Texas!! Glad I found this Support Group...I need support that I don't have to drive to.

Hello! I am Muddie from Raleigh, NC. I have been looking into bariatric surgery for 2 years however finally decided that I am ready to move forward. 04/20/10 - initial consult 04/26/10 - nutrition consult 04/27/10 - lab word 04/28/10 - psych consult Not sure how things will go but crossing my fingers for surgery by the end of June. Hugs to all!

I am very new to this and just had my first visit with the dr on April 23rd. I have to go through a six month nutrition program before I can have my surgery, insurance reasons. Anyway, I really am on here for support and friends!!! I am nervous but very excited at the same time!!!

Hello fellow Band Geeks! I was banded a little over a month ago and am finally on solid foods... I had my hernia repaired when he installed my band so my recovery time was a little longer but I feel great. I have lost 35 pounds so far and will find out my next weight on my first fill visit... May 6th. I am glad that I found you all on here for support. My whole family struggles with weight and food issues but most of them continue the same losing battles... I wanted to win the war so my battles needed to change. I gave up most carbs... and have so much more energy and hardly any carvings. My husband is very supportive but since he can eat anything he wants without weight …

There is so much great information here that I'm thankful I found this site. I was banded July 2006 - had one fill 2 months later and unfortunately, it was too full... I got frustrated and stopped going back (big mistake) so for the last few years, I've been struggling with PBs, sliming, pain and frustration... the irony of all of it was that healthy food won't go down but junk food slides like butter so all in all, I gained back all of the weight I had lost in the first couple of months... I didn't realize that all of my symptoms could be explained by being too tight... So, I just went back to the clinic where I had my banding done and met with a different Dr - mine n…

Hi Everyone! I'm Tina....last weigh in last week was 334 but I have been on Optifast 3x a day & a small dinner ever since. 16 days until my surgery & I am SOOOO ready!!! I look forward to getting to know everyone, giving & receiving support

Hi I want to have lap band surgery so bad!!! In 2007 I went through all the pre-surgical requirements then chickened out. A few years later and I'm bigger than ever. I am very unhappy being this weight (i'm 295). And it has begun to affect my health. I have a MD appnt with my primary tomorrow and on thursday an appnt with the baraiatric surgeon to begin my journey. I would like to make some friends here some that have been through the surgery and those who will be having the surgery. Cynella :eek:

When i was in the 10th grade i hit 200 lbs and thought i would just die!! Throughout the years i packed on a couple here and a couple there. I met my husband in 1997 and was 219 lbs. I then had 2 children (which i lost weight when i was pregnant) and gained 83 lbs after my last one. So there i was 30 years old and 302 lbs. I had diabetes, i barely could tie my shoes and the worst thing ever happened to me. We were at an amusement park and i was asked to get off the ride cause i couldn't get the seat belt buckled!! ***JAW DROPPING*** followed by ***Crying*** That was it!! I started the Atkins diet along with my husband and was pretty successful. I lost 100 lbs and …

Hello everyone! My name is Dez. I'm 30, about 300lbs and live in a burough of NYC with my husband and two dogs. About a year ago my husband and I started on this journey...we did the six months of dr visits and then spent six more months fighting with the insurance company...we finally got approved (me as in-patient, him as out patient) and I went in for surgery on April 22. As part of my surgery they were going to remove my gallbladder. I knew that there was a chance they wouldn't be able to do both the gallbladder and lap-band at the same time, but I thought the chance was slim...turns out, my gallbladder was really bad and they only did that surgery. My husbands …

Hi everyone, I'm here becuase I have researched and checked out this wonderful website on more information. I have also researched other websites and the Lap-Band website. I have research what doctor I would want the surgery with and I have gone to a seminar to get some questions answered. I decided to look into Lap-Band surgery about a month ago. I have dieted, exercised, and everything you can think of. I have actually maintained pretty well in the last two years but I have started to gain it again in the recent 3-4 months. It makes me depressed and my health does not get any better. I have a weird condition called Pars Planitis and it's inflammation in the eyes. T…

Hello... I am just starting my LB journey and I am excited and scared at the same time!! I have gotten the go ahead from my PCP, now I have to choose a surgeon, and I am finding this to be fustrating!!! Just wondering if there is anybody in Arizona who could recomend a Dr?

I've been pudgy most of my life, in my mind, if not in reality. I'm an emotional eater and after Hurricane Katrina hit, I'm sure you can imaine what happened to my cute size 12 college figure. Now I'm 25 and 272 lbs. I've dieted, famined, and starved myself to no avail. Admitting that I fought with a cupcake and lost has been the hardest reality check to myself. The heavier I get, the more self conscious I get. I find myself avoiding certain places and certain people that I used to see when I was smaller. But I decided that 2010 was the year of M.E. and I'm having the sleeve to take my life back. I want to enjoy my twenties. I want to feel attractive again. I want to m…

? Many people from the forum told me to focus on non-scale related victories. I tried to think about this a lot this week. I have found several: my belt is now in the 3rd hole instead of the 1st; the constant aches and pains that I use to experience in the morning when I first got out of bed are gone; and my butt seems to be slowly but surely ?falling off? ? haha☺ I can tell by the way my pants are fitting!:sad0: ? I have a little bit more energy this week. I am trying to go walking as soon as I get home from work so that I don?t just collapse on the couch. This is working well for me physically and mentally. ? I am definitely feeling better about myself. Inste…

With less than 40 BMI? I am at 37-38 BMI...(depending on the day of the week!) I know they say if you have other morbid conds, you can get approved, but I dont really have any Dr visit notes to provide on them....I am one of those people that don't really like to do to the Dr when I am hurting. I am always sleepy, freq headaches, joint problems, etc...but nothing I can document. Please let me know if you have similar BMI and were still approved? Thx! And congrats to everyone on here that's had the surgery and is now loving life even more!!! I can't wait and am trying not to get too excited just in case. Thx!! :biggrin:

I just had my lap band placed on April 13th. I waited almost until the last minute to tell my family, primarily because I knew they wouldn't be supportive. I told my mother and grandparents back in mid-February. I think they understand why I did it, but at the same time they don't understand why I can't do it on my own if it just means changing habits. I waited until two days before surgery to tell my sister (who is also overweight) about what I was doing. She was furious! She claims she was only upet because I waited so long to tell her... I think there is more to it than that though. Part of me thinks there is a little bit of jealousy there because she is unable to have…

I am Having VGS in June, and very much looking forward to it!!! Reviewing the boards out there on the internet, there is not a lot of info or recipients of the VGS procedure. I am glad I found this forum! Is anyone from the Albany NY area and did they have Dr. Atilles perform their surgery??? She is a great surgeon and a wonderful human being! !!!

Came home yesterday afternoon afterhaving surgery on Tuesday morning. You guys that travel are tougher than I am. Lots of nausea, had to stay in the hospital one extra night because of it and I was not getting enough liquids in. I can't sugar coat this - this has been a difficult surgery for me. With the help of my sister this morning, I weighed 210. Pre-diet: 224 Day of Surgery:218 4 days after surgery: 210 Still having significant pain. Liquid viocodin is nasty. I managed to get in about 32 oz in today. Please keep me in your prayers and I hope to write more tomorrow. Diane

Hello Everyone, I'm Trixie and I'm new here. I signed up for the LBT forum last month and have been lurking around trying to figure this site out and reading a lot of the threads. A little about me: I live in Michigan and had my surgery in August of 2009. I've had a very slow time of reaching restriction and just this last month finally got the band adjusted to a good level. It's been terrific and the weight is coming off a lot faster now, which is obviously more exciting : ) Having this surgery has been one of the best things I've ever done. Nice to meet you all, Trixie

Hi everyone my name is Heather and I am 26 years old, I am considering the lapband due to my weight has increased to 280 pounds. I have an amazing husband who is in the army and a beautiful daughter that I want to be around for! I go to the orientation class next week and am scared. I have questions such as "Have I done everything on my own to lose the weight?" "How will this affect my family?" "Willit hurt?" I was hoping to get some input from others to see how they felt as they atarted going through the process and would you do it again? Thank you and God Bless.

I just set up my initial counseling session to learn about the procedure. Can anyone tell me what the typical timeline is from start to finish? Such as: how long must you wait before actually having the surgery since insurance isn't an issue I will be paying out of pocket. What pre-op procedures are required. . obviously the basics like blood work and stuff, but are sleep studies? Upper GI's? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hello everyone!! I have been banded for a week now and I still can't believe I did it. My surgeon was Dr. Verboonen. As of a couple of days ago I have lost 16lbs and I am so excited!!! I am a mom to 4 awesome kids and I hope to teach them the right things about nutrition and staying active so they don't have to follow in my footsteps, well atleast in my obesity footsteps. I am really hoping for some tips and some reassurance from time to time. I can't wait to meet people who are going down or have gone down this road!! Good luck :biggrin:

Last night I signed up for a seminar near me to learn a little more about lap band surgery. I have done tons of research over the internet so now I am ready to talk to some people in person and get the ball rolling. I'm a little nervous because I know this is a major commitment and a complete lifestyle change, but I am excited about the possibilities and what the future holds. I welcome any comments or just genereal information that anyone is willing to share!

Hello Fellow Bandsters, I just received my surgery date yesterday and I am so excited! This journey has been wonderful so far. From the start I didn't rush the process by wanting to have the surgery like yesterday. I believe because of this everything has went as smoothly up to this point for me. I was even approved the first time around. As I get ready to start the testing and Protein Shakes I realize that this is really going to happen for me. I am happy for a site like this because I believe we all need the support of each other to make this a success for us. I look forward to sharing with you the progress I make once the band is in place. Until then.....join me on…

Well I am just at the beginning of a very long process. I just started my first appointment on March 3. I have my second PCP appointment next week. I have already seen a nutritionist and psychologist. And can go back whenever I want. I have tons of info from the nut. with info for before and after surgery. I still have to see a cardiologist closer time and a pulmonary Dr. I have been over weight for so many years and have finally decided that I needed to do something about it before I ended up with major health issues. I have a hundred pounds I need to lose. And a BMI of 40 to start. I started off thing that I would have the band but wasn't to happy about…

Hey! I have read quiet a few of the post on here as I was researching Lap Band. There are so many inspirational stories! You all have definitely helped me in making my decision to get the procedure done. So- On May 6, I go in for my initial consultation. Because I am paying out of pocket, the finance guy said I would be put on the "Fast tract" and have my surgery within 10 days of my first visit. The day of my appointment, I am going to get a private seminar, and teaching classes to go over the diet, and make sure Lap Band is right for me. I am very excited about all of this, and at the same time, slightly nervous. I think I am more nervous that losing weight is g…

hello everyone , ive finally got my date for surgery !! may 17th . waiting to hear from hospital about the pre surgery diet . only 1 week of proper food ... feel like im on death row about to choose my last meal !!! i think a nice barbecue with a few beers as we have got lovely weather here in england at the moment....:smile::thumbup::drool:

Hello from Snowy Denver, Colorado Anyone have any resources for before and after surgery support groups in Aurora or Denver Colorado? What's up KCJones are you getting excited May 25 is quickly approaching.

I was banded 4/21/10. Currently all is going ok. I had been thinking about surgery for years but only in a "wouldn't it be nice to do" sort of way. When our insurance stuff went out this year, it mentioned that it covered weight loss surgery. I made an appt and started the process on 2/2/10. After being turned down twice, I was finally approved. The 10 day pre=op diet really wasn't horrific as there is an end in sight. Day 4 was the worst day but then when you reach day 5 you know you're 1/2 there. Now, 2 days post op I am still recuperating. Liquid diet for the next 2 weeks but to be honest, I haven't been hungry yet. :thumbup:

Hello everyone! I had a surgery date with the gastric band on May 27th, paying cash. Looks like an omen as I just got a new insurance card in the mail and it turns out that United Health Care/Oxford bought my insurance company and they cover the VSG 100% with a $250 deductible. Of course I was jumping for joy because at the bariatric seminar last month, I was very interested in the sleeve but I knew I could not afford it. It was around $6,000 more than the band (about $24,000). I am so so exited now, I can't sleep! I will have to wait til July for my new insurance to become effective but the benefits were already quoted to the surgeon's office. It takes less than …

Hi all, I am traveling to TJ, Mexico to have my band placed. I am a self pay and could not justify paying 17,000 for the band here in Seattle. So off to Mexico I go. Any hints on things I should take with me? Is there anyone out there that lives in the Seattle area that would like to chat? Thanks:rolleyes2:

Hi All! I was banded on 12/30/2009 and have been struggling to lose weight since then. It has been pretty frustrating. I lost 16 pounds before I was banded. Lost 10 pounds before my first fill, then only lost 4 pounds in the 6 weeks following the first fill. I was beginning to wonder if the doctor had actually filled me at all. I was able to eat without much restriction at all. I just had my 2nd fill on Monday. I have lost 3 pounds since then. So, hopefully I will see the weight start coming off! I haven't been able to do much exercising due to a ruptured ovarian cyst. I can't even claim to be making the best food choices. What I need is for people who are goi…

Today is exactly one week from the day I was banded. So I started the "mushies" It is pretty interesting. I guess I wonder what people out there are eating during these next couple weeks. The full sensation is a really different feeling. It's kind of like having indegestion, but not quite.The one thing I have been amazed with is the fact that I have not felt hungry at all even though I know I am intaking less calories than I did on the Medifast diet I was put on prior to surgery. This might sound weird, but does anyone else have gas problems? It is probably the most annoying part since surgery. I have to get up and walk around to get things moving. All in all …

Greetings from Buffalo, NY. My name is Barbara and I am scared. I want the surgery... I'm almost to a surgery date... but I'm getting cold feet. Decided I should come here and get some input. I enjoy eating and am afraid I'll never get to enjoy it again after the surgery. When you are my age there are few pleasurable things left in life. Will I ever be able to eat pizza, a hamburger, hot dog or ice cream again? Will I always have to eat just 1 cup of food? I've done all the paperwork have all the tests done and just have my doctor appt scheduled for May 25th. I can still back out... Current weight 236 5ft 2

Howdy all! I'm getting ready for my big day..April 26th and just found the board. I'm sipping strained soup while typing, hope I can eat solids again soon! Hope to share thoughts with you. Alex

Well I figured I would post, I have been silently stalking you all for about a month now. I have to say this site is great. I have to get on everyday and see what is new. I am Tammy from TN. I am scheduled for surgery on May12th. Dr Westmoreland in M'boro is doing my surgery. He seems to be a great christian man, so that makes me feel better about the whole thing. I am getting nervous and excited. I am ready to start my new healthy life. I know it will be hard work, but I can do it. I have tried every diet. Bought 1000's of $$ in pills and get thin quick programs etc. I just know this is going to be what it takes for me to be successful. Everyone keep me in your…

Hi I just found this forum and am glad to see other feel the same as me. I have been looking into having weight lose surgery for about 5 months now. I was going to have Lab Band but when I met with the surgeon he feels I have a better chance with the sleeve. I am 48 married have 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren. I am 5ft tall and 256 pounds. I have had to have so many test and Doctors appointment in the last 5 months. I am told they are requirements for the insurance company but they have been checking everything. Better safe then sorry. They have set a date of May 19th for my surgery and I will need to be on a 2 week liquid diet. I am so nervous about the liquid die…

I WAS JUST BANDED ON APRIL 13TH 2010 BY DR. MITCH ROSLIN. I AM VERY ACTIVE NOW AND I HAVE LOST 3 POUNDS SO FAR..I FEEL GREAT AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MY FIRST FILL!!!