Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi! My name is Courtney. I have my consultation with Dr. John Bagnato tomorrow (April 8) and my surgery is scheduled for April 30th! I'm so excited to get started on this journey. Unfortunately, I will be completely self pay, as tri-care will not pay. Personally, though, I'm convinced that this is an investment in my future. For the price of a low end car, I can significantly decrease my chances of getting all the weight related issues that I'm headed towards. :-) I think I can handle that. I have been reading a lot of the forums on here for about 2 weeks, and I find a lot of encouragement from reading other people's posts. Thanks for that! :-)

He's annoying the ever living crap out of me. I first started thinking about the band about 5 yrs or so ago and decided that wasn't for me. He was all for it at the time but when I dropped it so did he. Since then my back issues have gotten much worse...so much so that I've become pretty much sedentary and spent a good 1/4 to 1/3 of last year completely immobile due to pain. I'm not a pain pill kind of person so I suffered through it and did what I could. Saw my chiropractor twice a day when it was really bad, took muscle relaxers and stuff for the spasms during the worst of it. But it's really made me realize how my quality of life has gone downhill...not to mentio…

hi.i am new to this my english not the best . I just need surgery lap-band, please help:cursing:

Hello everyone. This is my first post in the community. I've had my first appointment and now I'm doing the surgical clearances that my wacko insurance requires........ a phsyc test...... really? Probably sounds worse than it actually is. I'm in the Annapolis area and my doc is Dr. Singh through St. Agnes hospital. They are nice people that's why I've chose them. I'm starting into the liquid diet, even though I'm more than two weeks out, as the doctor recommended. My apprehensions about this have gone away I think. I just hope my whole life changes completely not only with the surgery, but also with my choices about how live. Have a nice day everyone!:thumbup:

:thumbup:Hey, I need your vote.. Just 1 vote... I am 1 of 5 finalist in a "free lap-band" contest. this is a chance of a lifetime for me. It could mean getting my life back. I have many physical issues that have been complicated by my obesity. Please, Please... This doesn't cost anything...just about 30 seconds of your time. go to www.obesitynomorefl.com and vote for Dawn W if you want to know more about my story go to dawnslimmeddown thanks so much for your time. You will never know how much 1 vote will be appreciated. dawn wenzel

Hi Everyone, I had my band on 3/15/10. I lost 7 lbs. the first week and 1.5 the second week, and gained 2 lbs back. I was so hungry by the end of week one I started soft foods by the second week. The second week i could drink 12 oz. and now I can drink 16 oz. Has anyone else had these issues, if so, what did you do to get back on track. My first fill is not until April 26th. I can't eat nearly what I could before surgery and seems like I should be at least losing a couple lbs. weekly. I am walking more, but not a lot. I'm trying to slowing build to longer distances. Any input would be appreciated. :bored:

I have booked everything. My date is April 27 in TJ with Dr. Kuri. Anbody have him as a doctor let me know. I have so many emotions right now. I have not been able to lose the weight by myself and keep it off. All that I read from the Lap talk the lap band is the same. I have a bm of 34. And I really want to have a healthy BM. I have been down once before in my life and it felt great!:thumbup: Does the Lap band work? It sounds just like a diet. Only with a regular diet your hungry with a lap band your puking and spiting.:thumbdown:

Finally..Finally..the date is fixed.. its 12th of this month.. :sad0: Yes, i know its just 6 days more... But, i finally kinda feel relieved that my surgery date is fixed after being postponed for months (initially it was scheduled in december but got postponed due to my ill health cold,cough and asthma)... :cursing: Got my blood tests done 2day.. i did liver,renal function tests done...ESR,CBC,H Pylori etc..etc.. Will get the reports 2morrow... Hope everything is fine... Keeping my fingers crossed... Ok.. so my first day of pre-op diet wazz like this..Had LEAN BODY Protein shake for Breakfast and for lunch i had veg Soup and for dinner i will have slim-fast... Till …

YAY!! 96 lbs. But I am experiancing some problems. I go to sleep on and empty stomach, drink only Water, no soda, no coffee, water and hot tea thats it. But I am regurgitating clear liquid in my sleep, it goes into my lungs, sinus cavity, and mouth. There is no color, completly translucent, nothing solid in it, and it is not acidic. I am not drinking anything after 8 and I am in bed by about 10:30pm. My stomach is constantly making this sound that can only be described as a frog like "ribbit". When I relax and start to transition into sleep my stomach makes alot of these "ribbit" sounds and I belch, with the air coming up my throat comes this liquid. I have begun to take …

Hi everyone, My name is Shawna and I had my lap band surgery on March 9, 2010. I'm so excited to start this new chapter in my life and I'm looking forward to sharing it with everyone. I am scheduled for my first fill on April 22nd. So far I am down 24 lbs. The pants are already getting baggy. What a great feeling. If anyone has any secrets they would like to share about their 1st fill, I sure would like to hear them. I'm glad to be part of this group. Shawna

And due to stress and everything that life brings to the table, I have only lost 50 lbs roughly, I try to force food and things like that that make god awful noises, and just aren't good/healthy for me. Anyone have any ideas suggestions to help me out?

Hi all, just wanted to introduce myself... My name is Jessica and after a long, hard, and thought out decision I decided on the band over gastric bypass. My surgery date is set for April 6th and I'm extremely nervous, yet excited to start this this new chapter in my life. Like many others, I've battled my weight my whole life. I've never been thin or really even a normal size despite being a very active child and teen (I played softball competitively up through college and showed horses up until high school). Today, I have a wonderful husband who is a drill instructor in the Marine Corps and 2 great sons (5 yrs. old and almost 9 mos.). Yes, I'm the fat wife with a h…

I finally got my new surgery date! Went from Sept 1st to May 3rd!! I am so happy that they were able to re-schedule me for this! I can't wait!! :thumbdown:

Hi everyone, I am scheduled to have the VSG done in Mexico on Friday and I am nervous and excited. My pre-op diet requires three days of liquids only but I have seen posts where some patients had two week liquid diets. Any idea why the difference in duration. I joined this site for some reassurances that the anxiety that I am feeling is normal since I am about to embark on the unknown. Any and all positive vibes are welcome. Thanks so much, TTGirl

Today my doctors office called to ask me if I am ready for surgery.....OH MY I told them I have been ready for the last few months jumping through those ins. hoops! My 6th doctor visit is April 6th and they want to put me on the schedule now so that after my visit they will send everything to the ins. co for approval and as soon as they respond(according to the doc's office and his ins people I will not have a problem...time will tell) I will start the pre-op diet to shrink my liver.:Banane20:

Hi everyone You guys have a great forum here, LOTS of helpfull information. I was banded in 2005 at about 295. I was scared of the bypass, so I opted for the band. I lost approx 70 lbs by 2007, and was doing well, but then my weight started creeping back up. I also have had terrible, uncontrolled heartburn. Then I started getting stomach aches from trapped gas(I think from the hearburn) that didnt have a place to go and wouldent come up. I had the barium swallow and they didnt see anything wrong, so I had a complete unfill the first of march 2010. I was researching and a friend of mine got the bypass 11 years ago. She losted 130 lbs give or take, but now struggle…

Hi all just joined, have surgery date, May 7th, I've have 2 more weeks of weight watchers, I've gone to all my specialist have my dietitian appointments are April 12th & 19th and I need my PCP clearance, blood work coordinator visit and pre-op visit with Dr Irgau. Every thing is set up. When do I find out what my insurance covers? I'm getting really excited about my new life.

Hey everyone! My name is Lacey & I am going to get the Lap Band very soon!! I have been going through this 8 month process, I had to do a 6 month diet for my insurance company and a few things have held me back a bit but I'm happy to say I'm going to Pre op on April 15th!! I'm very nervous about everything...I'm scared of the surgery itself and I'm worried about after the surgery, will I be successful? I have done my research but of course there are those scary stories but I'm definitely going to move forward and get R' done! :smile2: I can't wait to post updates!!! Wish Me luck!!!

I am registered for my first seminar in exactly one week. The anticipation is killing me. I know this is a big step, and I'm ready to take it. I'm doing this not because of image reasons. I'm doing it for my children. I want to be around here for them. I'll be 35 on Thursday and I have a 1 year old. If my lifestyle continues, I'll be lucky to see her graduate high school. And, that scares me to death.

Hello Everyone, I really want to get the lap band but it is not in my budget. I currently have HMO insurance and of course that does not cover the procedure. I will be able to change my insurance in about a week, can anyone tell me what PPO i should go for the insurance will be with Blue Cross Anthem? Any help will be greatly appreciated. :smile2:

I had the band done about 5 years ago. I have had nothing but trouble the entire time. The first fill I went for was unable to be done because My port had come loose. So, I had to have surgery again to fix the problem. I then was pretty successful after that. From Oct to July I lost about 90 lbs then in August I started having problems and then found out that my band had slipped so in less than a year my port came off then my band slipped. Need I mention insurance does not cover my procedures. After having my band repaired I have had no luck and felt horrible. I have gained 60 of the 90 lbs back. I just went yesterday and had what Fluid I had in taken out because…

Hello, My name is Mandie. I am from Roxboro, NC. I am 37 years old. I have a 15 year old daughter and I just got engaged Valentines Day of this year. I am 681/2 tall and weigh 236lbs. I turned in my application just yesterday to have the lap band surgery. I am so tired of struggling with this weight! It has been a constant struggle since the birth of my daughter in 1995. I pray that my insurance company will let me have this surgery. Is anybody familiar with Blue Cross/Blue Shields (Teachers and State Employees) Insurance? Are they going to make it hard for me to proceed with this surgery? Any experiences? I wish everyone the best of luck on this journey. Congrat…

I have been saying I would post some current pictures, here they are! Sorry, could not figure out how to post one here. They are on my home page!

Newbie here . im on 2nd day of 10 day diet . i was so hungry yesterday i had thoughts of giving the whole thing up . getting a cpap machine and living a much shorter albeit not hugry life.:bored:

Hello everyone...after a while of Medifast and attempts to loose weight i have decided to get banded. I am thinking of doing it in Mexico...does anyone have any accurate information about Mexico as i see most threads here on it are very old...I am 30 and I live in Austin,Tx.

Hello i am new here. ive had my band for 1.5 yrs with no success(read my info), im ready to make this thing work for me. I was given a fill fri afternoon and I have been unable to eat anything.I am able to sip water and broth but cant even keep down a protein shake. When will this loosen up a little so I am able to eat something? my last meal was fri morning 730 so i am quite hungry.

Hi Everyone! Well, VV2010 and I are here in TX, ready to drive over the border tomorrow to see Dr. Alvarez and WE ARE SO EXCITED!!! We've had a great day so far, except that the woman sitting one seat up and over the aisle from us on the plane brought a ziploc bag filled with homemade sugar Cookies and ATE THE ENTIRE BAG while VV2010 and I were salivating!!! I nearly fell out of my seat when VV2010 took out a Listerine breath strip, put it in her mouth, and declared, "Man, I'm full!" The plane ride was just fine, and honestly, that's the part I was most scared about this whole process--- I HATE flying! I swear to you that I was more nervous about the flying than t…

Welcome from the Land of Gracious Living -- that is what it says on the local license plates. I am watching the sun set after a full day of watching the NCAA basketball tournaments, 60 Minutes is on the HD flatscreen, and I am overdue for my delicious dinner: a chocolate Protein shake. I am scheduled for my surgery on Wednesday, March 24th. I won't know for sure until tomorrow afternoon. Last Thursday I went to my surgeon's office to meet with the surgery scheduling person; they weighed me as I had been on the liquid only diet for the previous ten days. To my chagrin I had gained four pounds; the young lady I met with informed me they would need to reschedule me because…

Hello.... I'm only a few steps into the process towards banding. Started reading and learning 3 months ago and decided to do something more permanent about my weight having really tired of the yo-yo dieting I've done all my life. I have spent time researching this, found great information at my physician's conference, and in the last 3 weeks I have been evaluated at the clinic, by my family physician, dietitian and have the first of three psych visits done. Starting a series of 6 phone consultations with my insurance company's steps to wellness program next week. A lot of hurdles to get through but I am convinced they are worth the time. So far, I have added exerc…

Hello everyone, My name is Queen and I am very excited and scared to say that I have been approved by my insurance and my date is April 16th. Dr. Carter is my surgeon and I am excited about my future. This battle of the bulge has been with me for the majority of my life. I know have children and a husband that I want to live forever with. God bless everyone on this forum for all of your inspirational messages and good wishes. My date is right around the corner. Are there any tips you have for me????:smile2::thumbup:

Can anyone tell me how to deactivate my account and remove all my postings along with pictures? I dont see that option anywhere? Am I missing it?:confused

So after 3 yrs I finally had the funds to travel to Italy, had the band installed within hours of arriving in Italy no problems. I am 12 days into my new life now, and honestly didnt have any problems whatsoever. No shoulder pains, gas, throwing up etc. Today however I had my first problem, I havent been to the toilet much since the op (except for the initial "runs" a few hours afterwards) today was 3rd time toilet action and straight afterwards I have had a major stomach cramp, should I be worried? Could the band have slipped? I'm worried, and dont know if I am over reacting?

Hi my name is Joanne and I had the LAP-BAND® done on Feb 15 2010, I will go for my first filling next week. My surgeon is Jorge Rabasa. I have lost 10 pounds so far.:blushing:

Good evening fellow bandits! I am Marina and newly banded on 3/20/10! I am still trying to find my way in this new way of life with the band. It took me a while to join because I thoughtIi could go it alone but was I wrong! My friends and family are extremely supportive but they cant relate to what I'm going through. So I'm here seeking any advice you all can give.

On April 4, 2009, I was banded by Dr. Alp Bozbora at Hizmet Hastanesi in Istanbul. Weight loss has been slow and so far I'm only down about 50 pounds, but I'm still very happy with that. I shall continue working on it. I would like to thank the people of lapbandtalk.com for answering questions and giving me the courage I needed to go through with the procedure. Happy Spring to all! B.

Hi, my name is Michelle, and this is my first post. I feel like I am caught up in a Lap-Band whirlwind. Ahhh, let me start at the beginning... I have been obese since my late teens, and I just turned 40. I have been considering WLS for at least 5 years, but due to military moves and other issues I have only recently decided that NOW is the time to move ahead. I only made this decision about 2 weeks ago. Since that time things have happened at a speed that I would not have believed possible! I had discussed WLS with my PCM before, and knew that I more than met the requirements, so I called and asked for a referral. Within days I was told about a Lap Band Semina…

I am new to this forum. I am 57 years old and have been yoyo dieting since the age of 10. Over the last 10 years, I have lost and gained 40 to 70 pounds at least five times. My life is either dieting or gaining weight and I'm totally discouraged and ashamed. There is nothing legal that I haven't tried. My last weight loss experience was a very low calorie medically supervised diet (I've done that at least four times). I lost 2 pounds per week while others lost 3 to 5. I had a resting energy expenditure test to see how many calories a day my body needs for basic function. Most "normies" use 10 or 11 calories a day per pound, so a 140 pound woman needs 1400 calories a…

I still cant figure this site out yet lol, still learning it, so hear goes.. My Name is Shonna, I was banded on March 11 th In Fresno, Ca, by Dr. Boone... I have lost 24 pounds and feel pretty good.. I have not had any complications (knock on wood) lol.. I go for my first fill this Wednsday so I am a little nervous about that.. But I am very happy with my progress so far... :bored:

Greetings!!! I am on my 3rd month of supervised dieting and have been thinking Lap Band is the way to go. Lately, however, I have been wondering if Lap Band or Roux en Y is the way to go? The stats say Roux en Y give better results....seems if I were to "screw up on my diet" it would still enable me to lose weight. Question - Am I just looking for the easy way out? Does the Lap Band really help you guys not eat as much and therefore lose weight? Seems I have heard so many people say they are not losing with the band...just want to make sure I make the right decision. Honestly....I've practically given up on dieting. So I'm wondering if I have what it takes to fo…

I have been reading these boards for about a month. At an information seminar my surgeon mentioned the Vertical Sleeve and after a ton of resarch, to include this board, both my surgeon and I agree that I am a great candidate for a VSG. I was never keen on the lap band and feel strongly that this is the best decision for me. And, I am pumped. I was attempting to fast track this (self-pay);however, my blood work indicaed I have Iron deficiency anemia. So, I am now taking mega doses (under Dr. supervision) of iron. I'll find out this week if this will delay my surgery. Thank you to all contributing membes on this board - you make a difference. Having this kind of inform…

Hello everybody!! My name is Stella and I am a new bandster. I had my surgery on March 29. I am 37 years old, married to the same wonderful guy for 18 years. We have 2 beautiful children-Amanda, who is 15 and Richard, who is 12. I have struggled with weight most of my life and it just kept getting worse. My kids are heavy too. I decided to get the LAP-BAND®® for several reasons. #1, I want to see my kids get married and being extremely obese was killing me. #2, I want to learn how to be healthy so I can teach my kids...maybe I can spare them some of the pain and struggle that I have faced as far as my health and weight is concerned. #3, I want to know what it feels like t…

I am sooo excited....i will be banded march 15!!! First i was denied last thursday...then wednesday the decision was reversed....today i got my phone call with the date!

Hello, I decided about a month ago that I was going to get lap-band. I told my mother and went to a seminar within 2 weeks of deciding. Two days after the seminar (a week ago yesterday) I was at the doctor's office, doing the pre-op visit, meeting the dietitian and getting a psych evaluation. It happened really fast. The only thing I was waiting for was my funding, which is coming out of a savings account. The managers of the account said it would take 4-6 weeks to process the request and get the check out to me. I sent the request out less than 2 weeks ago and the check came in the mail today! Now I just have to call the Dr. and let him know we can go ahead with the…

:redface:Hi everyone. I am new to the board, and I am scheduled for banding on 3/31/10. 3rd day of pre-op diet, already lost 3 pounds. I have never had sx before, never even had a broken bone or stitches! So I am realllllllly nervous about it, but excited at the same time. I am wondering what life will be like?:Banane20:

Hi all! I've been lurking for a few weeks and today I finally had the guts to call a doctor to make the first step and then post on here of course ! I have a bariatric seminar held by Dr. Singh on 4/14! I'm so excited but it's going to be a long wait because I'm plenty impatient. I've read a lot of the stories here and I hope I can be another success story! I'm only 19, but I've been overweight since the middle of middle school. When my parents divorced I really just blew up. My eating habits have always just been off. Recently with a full-time job I've been just waiting until I get home to eat, so no Breakfast or lunch, which I know is horrible. :thumbup: With m…

Wow! I'm finally sleeved! Just a few months ago I didn't even know what sleeved meant. I was sold out to the lap-band until I spoke with the psychologist and surgeon who educated me on all of my options. I then knew the sleeve was for me. I was sleeved on 3/23/10. Going into surgery, I was at peace with my decision and I had a positive state of mind. My recovery has had its ups and downs but overall I am recovering very well. When I woke up from surgery, the first thing I noticed was terrible pain in my back. I felt no pain in my stomach. It was all in my back. I was told that it was a combination of the gas that they pump into my stomach for the surgery and …

I am considering LAP-BAND®®® @Tampa General Hospital in Florida. Does anyone have any advice or experience with this facility?:thumbup: and I have UNITED HEALTH CARE... just wondering if they approve fast? Thank you! :cursing:

My name is Dana, I began my LAP BAND journey a year ago and after my 6 month weight loss program and trouble with my insurance company, I am now coming down to the line. Tomorrow I will find out when the surgery will be scheduled for, hopefully in two weeks, but I am getting very nervous and anxious! My first appointment I was at 267 lbs now I am at 238, and my goal weight is 130-140 lbs. I could really use some support and encouraging words! Not everyone is supportive of my decision and believes I can do it on my own, but I am 22 years old and have already had back surgery once and struggle everyday through back pain due to my weight. I felt like this is my only choice a…

Hi Guys, My name is Irene, I've been fighting the system for over a year trying to get this surgery on the books. They finally approved it and have a scheduled date of May 3rd. I'm terrified. I'm 246 lbs, 33 yrs old and 5' 5'' recently graduated from nursing school and want to lose weight to get a nice job without having this horrible back pain. Any advice guys?

I'm going today for my first consult with the Dr! I'm nervous/excited/terrified. I've been in the weightloss program for about 3years so I've done the dieticians, psych, and information sessions. Any advice?? I've done a lot of research and have been checking out the posts here for awhile. So excited to start this new chapter in my life!!