Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi all. Well, I was sleeved on March 8th and spent one night in the ICU. I was in the military hospital here and had pretty good care overall. The only negatives I experienced in the hospital were that I got hiccups once during my first walk (painful), and an IV infiltration in my right hand on the second night, which was very painful and made my hand look like something out of a sci fi movie. Other than that, no leaks were detected during the tests and I was sent home on Thursday the 11th. I've rested and walked but I'm still getting used to sipping. I haven't really experienced nausea or excess gas, just a bit of crampiness here and there. I love, love, love my heati…

Hello I am Kenneth Gibson, and I am residing in South Korea. Monday I had my LAP-BAND® surgery done-very successful from a doctor in Seoul, Korea, his name is Soo In Kwon, MD.PHd. I am looking forward to learn about the diet plans and to finally reduce my weight. I have started at 270 pounds with a BMI 44.7. Now I am joining this site to learn about good eating habits, particularly what I can eat and what not. If anyone has any inputs as to a good diet plan please email me at giby97@hotmail.com. I want to make this a great final effort to reduce my weight and to live longer.

Well, today, technically yesterday was my 24th birthday. Sooo a little bit of info. In a little bit over a month I am scheduled for my life changing event, SURGERY! My date is set for April 20th as some of you already know. I am so excited I may indeed piss myself. Also, since is was my birthday and I am a big baby, I got a new digital camera, so I am going to start a youtube channel as promised, mostly about my surgery, the pre and post op business. So people can really understand the journey. Right after I figure out how to operate this Sony Cybershot. Ill soon be posting my first annoying video = D Thanks for all the support everyone. -Tif

anyone?? I've done the info seminar. I've had a physical exam (my choice). So...what happens after I go to this consult?? What's the next leg of the process??

Hi everyone. I'm Lauren. I've been seriously thinking about having bariatric surgery for almost a year now--ever since I graduated vet school. Now that I've gotten settled into my job and have been working for a while, it's finally time. I've decided to get the Lap-band and last Monday I had my initial consultation with my sugreon. I'm starting to get all of my Dr.'s visits out of the way so I can get clearance for surgery. My goal is to finish all my consults by the end of the month which I think is doable since I work a 4 day work week which gives me lots of free days for Dr. visits. Then, hopefully, I'll be able to schedule my surgery for the end of March/early April. …

I was certain that I wanted the band surgery. Now after much research I am leaning toward the sleeve. I am interested in other's experiences. I am 60 years old, weigh almost 300 lbs. and no serious medical issues yet. I am so ready to get a life. I will be going to Mexico due to cost so any info on Mexican facilities and doctors would be appreciated. Thank you for any help. Brenda in Fl.

It took a long time to come to this decision! My surgery is March 17th! The process has been great so far! The surgeon and his staff are wonderful! It is funny...I'm not really nervous about the actual surgery...more about how is 8oz of skim milk gonna work for dinner post surgery! Wish me luck and I will be sure to post how it all goes!:wub:

Woman aims to become world's fattest Got this link from my Australian Lapband group .... How stupid is this woman , she will be lucky to live to see her daughter grow up.....:thumbup:

I am attending my first seminar tomorrow (3/15). I was wondering about how long after the seminar should I expect to have a consultation with the surgeon. Im so excited to begin this journey to a new me I want to start it as soon as possible.

Hello everyone! I've been reading posts here for weeks, but decided it's time I join in. I am new in this process, having attended my first info session on March 2nd and first preop support group last night, (March 8th) Is anyone else feeling bi-polar about this whole process? One minute I'm so excited about the future that lies ahead... and the next minute, I'm scared, a bit deflated and questioning my decision to have the lap band! That usually changes back to the excitement... but the "other" times scare my husband, who is so supportive. I've been overweight since I was 5, with small glimpses of time being thinner and healthy... but at 48 and with 2 back surger…

I was over on the Lap Band board until I found out today that the surgeon I've been referred to doesn't do them. So I'm here with the Sleeve people now. I'll be here a while as I have to do the 6 month diet. My seminar is April 1 and we're estimating my surgery will be competed before the end of 2010. I'm 35, married, roughly 37 BMI with sleep apnea, PCOS, infertility, an elevated A1C. I have Blue Care Network/ Michigan. So, hello! :thumbup1:

Hello new friends! It is just past midnight on my seventh day after my banding. My tummy still feels odd but I may get used to it. I'm a lifelong foodie and culinary historian. Having to cut back on the portions is tough for me but it had to be done. Last summer I looked 300 in the face and said NO and got on the path to here. I am very keen on developing new recipes, especially for this liquid diet I'm still on. Glad to meet ya!

Hello All, I am a Mother to two of the best boys in the world and married to my soul mate. He loves me unconditionally, but I found in the recent years that I have stopped loving myself. Because of this I find it hard to let anyone love me. Even though I am overweight and classified as Morbidly Obese I currently do not suffer from any comorbidity, however I know it is in my very near future if I do not take action now. I hope to have the banding procedure done by 8/2010 before this disorder takes it toll on my body and organs. I am a nature lover and absolutely love the outdoors and its natural wildlife. My goal is to one day kayak in my favorite place in the word -…

Hi everyone, this looks like such a friendly site, that although I`ve never done this before I felt I wanted to post my feelings on here. Last Monday - 8th I had my initial consultation with my surgeon to explore the idea of gastric banding. During that a dtae was set for 29th March. Today I have seen a specialist nurse who was lovely and explained to me what life would be like post op - everything mashed, no tomatoes or salad ever, no white bread ever etc. etc. and my heads now in a complete spin. I know that loosing the weight is the most important thing but the thought of never again eating fresh salad, or strawberries etc. etc. is really difficult to get my head round…

This is my first posting… and I’m sure not my last. I was going to wait until I was banded – but that has been put on hold. My story…. I as many of you have, did a bunch or research and committed in my mind that this was what I needed. It was a very hard decision as I am really addicted to food, my diabetes is getting worst and weight going up. The first step was to find a doctor close by that was accepted by my BCBS. Found one that was the husband of my wife’s doctor who has been great for her. I went to his seminar and setup an appointment the next week. As I did my homework, I brought a bunch of stuff with me to this appointment including the requirements that …

I will be 3 months out on Mar 21. Feel great. Am able to walk into a normal clothing store and pick up clothing without having to go to a "big" store. A big thanks to all the friends here for making this journey possible.

So I'm posting here because I have no idea how to blog. (Could somebody maybe help me with that?) I personally walked my 5 yr medical history from my PCP to the New U center on Thursday last week. I filled out my packet online (seriously, I do not remember how much I weighed when I was 10 yrs old). The nurse said she would go over my history and my packet and determine if I was a good candidate for surgery and I would know this week sometime. THIS WEEK SOMETIME?!?!??! I want to know now! :thumbup: (Patience is a virtue I'm working on, but not right now LOL) My BMI is definately high enough at 53. I have no diagnosed comorbidities. BUT...this is what I am worried ab…

Hello! I am a 43 year old guy, 6ft 2" and weigh 468 lbs as of today. I recently was diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis, IBS, chronic dry cough, an enlarged heart and they are still testing me for heart disease which is big in my family. With all the pain and suffering from being 270 lbs above my weight as a former athlete, I feel like I will die soon. I am on 6 pills to control my conditions but it is so tough to move my body without pain and getting breathless and dehydrated, that I have to procrastinate about doing anything...I rarely leave the apartment. I used to be a social person and get on with everyone, but now I am embarrassed to b…

WOW time has flown. I was sleeved 30 days ago. I'm down 18 pounds. I resumed my walking 2 weeks ago and returned to Curves today. Curves about killed me but I feel great. I was panting when I left. :001_unsure: Its been a real struggle to get in my Protein but I have finally figured out how to do it. I'm mixing powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury Unflavored with 2 Medifast shakes a day. That keeps my numbers up. I only discovered this a few days ago. It has made a big difference in my energy level already. chicken seems to not agree with me just yet. I haven't tried any other m…

Can someone please describe to me what happens if we swallow something that's not sufficiently chewed or otherwise won't pass a band at all? This was the closest I've come to understanding what happens: Wishful Shrinking: PB isn't Peanut Butter in LapBand World but she doesn't describe whether the food eventually went down or came up. It sounds painful whatever happened. Can someone describe in frank graphic detail what I should expect? I assume it'll happen at least once in my life. I'd like to know what to expect beforehand. Is it vomit/burping? I expect it's not as traumatic as normal vomiting because it hasn't been mixed with gastric acid and partia…

Anyone? what happens next? I'm ready to get this show on the road!!

I have been praying, saving and researching for so long that I am so ready for the surgery. I have my surgery scheduled for 04/09 with Dr Almanza in Tijuana and am very excited but my family is not as supportive. They're afraid that something will happen to me while there. I am a single parent as my husband passed away 5 years ago and see my surgery as an investment in my life as well as my kids lives....but I also understand why my family feels the way they feel. What can I do or say to make them feel more at ease?

Hi my name is Lori and I just wanted to introduce myself. I am still in the information stage of my journey. It was time for my yearly appointment and I so dreaded the scale, and for the past 5 years my Doctor always asks "Have you thought about having a Lap Band done?" I always said no and never gave it a second thought. This time I left the office telling myself that I would think about it. I came home and the first site I came to was this one. I want to say I have enjoyed spending the weekend with y'all. I laughed, cried, and cheered with every story that I read. There was so much great information that I think all my questions have been answered. I am tired of s…

I have been lurking in LapBand and Sleeve Talk for awhile and today I went to a weight loss seminar. I had decided the sleeve procedure was best for me but found out that Medicare insurance will not pay for the sleeve and is now requiring a 6 month supervised diet for the other procedures. My options are self-pay here, self-pay Mex., 6 months diet and hope Medicare starts paying for sleeve, 6 months diet and have gastric bypass or lapband, or forget it. 1. If I have complications here or in Mex.Medicare would not pay and if they were bad enough (a stroke, etc) it could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. 2. Self pay here is $20,000. Mexico would mean no one to do fo…

Just had my surgery on Friday March 12th. Feeling a bit of pain, gas, nervousness....Did I REALLY do this? It happened so fast. I thought about it for a few years, but just dreaming. I'd have to say that it was golfer John Daly that pushed me to make the move. I thought if he could do it, so could I. I've always liked him and it's kind of easier when someone that people know have gone through it. Kind of takes the embarrassment and stigma away. Found a local Dr. about a mile from me that did the procedure and set up and appointment on December 18th. They took my insurance card and did everything. Although he is not in my plan, he accepted the insurance payment w…

I am a avid reader and wondered if anyone here had read my favorite series (Author) The Crosstitch /Outlander series .... http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/g/diana-gabaldon/ Its tha absolute BEST .. I have just finished re reading it before I read the latest book Echo in The Bone..... My next Favorite Author and series is.. Sara Donati`s The Wilderness series .. http://www.saralaughs.com/ I am going to re read the complete series before I read her new book in the collection ...The Endless Forest.... I am off to my sons to have a BBQ (or not to have a BBQ but thats what everyone else will be doing ) I will play with my 2 grand-daughters and eat yogurt..…

Hi, Apologies I am a complete newbie in terms of forums, blog sites etc. I posted the below as a reply initially as didn't know how to post, so please bear with me if you have already read it/responded to it. I've just been sleeved as well. Surgery was 23rd Feb 2010 so am now 11 days out. The surgeon said I should have 2-3 yoghurts and a good bit of Soup before they would let me out of hospital. They forgot this bit and let me out after 1 yoghurt, which took about an hour to eat. I am just able to sleep on my stomach now (as of last night), thankfully but not sleeping great anyway. Up til stupid oclock in the morning as just not tired. The acid reflux was hor…

I stumbled upon this forum this morning looking for information on the Pre-Op liquid diet. I have been researching the lap band and attended a webinar. I am also type 2 diabetic (fairly controlled with just metformin). BP is a little on the high side but not horrible. (take a low dose of lisinopril - 10 mg) and have some knee pain due to thin cartilidge. I am hoping to find some support, suggestions and also to check out my potential surgeon and look for others who may be on the board that he performed the surgery on. Also, I'm thinking that I would like to try the liquid diet out on my own to see if I can lose a good bit extra on my own and who knows, if I am succ…

I'm having surgery the 16th and started this diet thursday and my stomache is doing nothing but growling at me. I swear I can smell everything my neighbors are cooking lol. I can't wait to get this thing going already. :wink2:

Hi there ... my name is John and I will be 62 years young next month. I'm about 300 lbs. Was on the RNY wait list for a long time and was constantly being told the surgery was "just around the corner". Anyway, I removed myself from the list and am in the process of looking into the Gastric Sleeve. I don't regret my decision to take my name of the RNY list as I think the Sleeve may be a much safer option for me. I have quite a number of co-morbitities that I hope the Sleeve will address as I lose the weight. I do understand that it is just a tool but I think now I'm in a better frame of mind about losing the weight. I'm going to be doing a lot of lurking and learn…

This is my last hope... it HAS to work! I WILL make it work, forever~! Hi! I am Jen Hardy in Houston. I am fed up with being this overweight (120 overweight). I am tired of my life being stolen from me, tired of being envious of "normal" people I see, tired of feeling like a failure to myself and my family. Tired of giving up life's most precious gift, the feeling of good health, self-love and loving other people. I will not tolerate this anymore. I will use this tool to achieve my goal and use it wisely, not throw away a special opportunity to change my life back to the way it was and should always be. I refuse to give up any more special days with my family because I …

I am researching the lap band, and I have a question. I was in a car accident about a year ago and was left with an injury to my carotid artery that requires me to take one low dose aspirin daily. Will this effect my eligibility for gastric banding? I also was wondering if my other injuries could effect my eligibility. During the car accident, my neck was broken in two places, two of my ribs were broken, and my lung was punctured and collapsed. These injuries have all healed as well as possible. The only long term issue is the damaged artery. Does anyone know if its possible for me to still have the lap band placed?

Hi, :wave:I'm in Seaton Delaval, just outside Newcastle Upon Tyne in the North of England (although I am originally from Portsmouth in Hampshire). I'm scheduled to have a lap band fitted on 17th December by Mr Woodcock at North Tyneside General Hospital (paid for by the NHS - only 6 weeks and 6 days to go). Mr Woodcock told me that I had to lose weight before he would fit the band so I have lost 75 lbs since May this year (2007) through a sensible balanced diet and lots of exercise. I am really worried about how to eat after the surgery. I have been on a diet for so long that I don't know how to eat normal diet foods any more. I am a vegetarian too. Do you just ea…

I was intially denied by my insurance last year for lapband. I was quickly let down i have tried dieting and exerise 1000 times since and never stick to any of it my latest great idea was the whole HCG injections although i lost i just couldn't keep it up long term, i have decided i will be self pay i will have my saving bulit up in the next 4 months to have it done in MX by Dr. Kuir (any info helpful) my questions i guess are mainly will it work???????? i can stick to something if i see the progress and also if i really don't feel hungry ( i think) or maybe just wont want to eat cuz i can't. SO would this be the right way to go about i mean wls any help greatly appreci…

First let me say hello to all. I look forward to this journey we have embarked on. Weight loss surgery was one of the suggestions made to me by my surgeon after being hospitalized to have a disk replaced in my neck. After surgery I was unconscience for 7 days and developed a pinched nerve problem in my leg which is aggrivated by my being overweight. I had three options: 1. live with it (not an option-too much pain) 2. have surgery to slice the nerve in half leaving me with no sensation at all (not an option for me) or 3. weight loss surgery (well I guess you already know which option I chose). After going to the seminar I chose the Lap Band. Have my first appointments wit…

Hi everyone! :thumbup1: I have been lurking for the past month or so and finally decided to post. My surgery is scheduled for March 9th in Houston. As for most, this is a huge decision for me and I continue to struggle with losing 3/4 of my stomach. I know that I don't need it, but removing most of my stomach is a bit hard to 'digest'. :biggrin0: The stories and experiences shared in this forum have helped and I look forward to sharing my story over the next few months.

I have just about reached my initial goal of 250 pounds following my VSG surgery. I never really thought that I would beable to achieve this goal but this surgery has made it possible. I thought that at 250 I would be happy. I can sit confortably in a plane seat. i am commuting via the rail road and I only take up one seat. I can buy my cloths at Walmart. While I am very happy and feeling great I think that I should be able to continue into normal weight range. My new goal is going to be 210 pounds. This will put me into a normal weight range for my height and I think it can be done. I have my six month follow up with Dr. Pomp next week and I am actuall looking forward …

It's wonderful to a)have found this site, and b)find out I'm not alone in this journey! I don't have a date yet for my surgery, but am working on the latter part of April. I share all the excited and scared (out of my gourd, if I'm honest) feelings. You know what I'm most scared of? How I self-sabotage! Gonna need support, yes I am, and I'm good at giving it (I'm a nurse and a psychotherapist). Here, I just want to be me...

Hello everyone My name is April, I am 33 years old and I have not been banded. I am currently looking into going to Mexico to have the surgery done. I already talked with the doctor now its just a matter of getting my passport. I'll be traveling by myself to Mexico and wish I wasn't. I think it's always good to have someone to support you on your journey! Peace~ April

Hi Lap Band Friends! I am from the Charlotte, NC area. I am currently in the insurance approval process for this exciting journey. I have met with all of my required specialists and the reports are being written as I type. It is my hope to have the surgery by June at the latest. I feel pretty good about the whole process. I am most fearful about finding a liquid protein shake that I like. I am and have always been a finicky eater. 2 weeks pre and post op on liquids only sounds extreme. ANY advice you all can offer an good tasting drinks is welcome!:blushing:

On March 10 I began my lap band journey. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I am excited to meet people who are going through the same thing.

Hi All - What a great site I'm Bec, 27, from Australia and have just begun this journey - my surgery date is on May 13 and I'm having all the pre-op workup done between now and then. Seems like I have gallstones too so that'll take a bit longer. I'm a GP in a small country town and my surgeon wants me to take three weeks off work (not that easy!) - people are going to notice I'm not there and friends will notice I'm not eating much when we go out to dinner etc - I don't really want to tell EVERYONE what's going on - I only plan on telling two friends for now that I'm being banded because as a doctor everyone thinks you should be able to fix yourself without "resorting…

Banded February 5, 2010

:001_tongue:My name is Christina I am a wife and mother of 3.with one set of twins.i had gastric sleeve done on the 8th of march.i am doing well so far.I have lost around 140 back in 2002.but after the kids and hitting 30 i just could not seem to get it off.so i had the surgery.i was at 300 then the day of surgery i was 276 and now 269.ready for the next few weeks to be over with.i hate not being able to lift my kids.but atleast now it wont make me so tired.

Hello all! I am getting ready to go into the hospital for pre-op tests and am scheduled for surgery this afternoon. Thank you all for the support and for giving me the answers to SO MANY questions through your wisdom! I will post how everything goes...getting nervous but also excited to start this new chapter in my life! "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it become a butterfly...."

I'm not really new, as I've been a lurker for a year or so. I had been trying to get my insurance to pay for it, but after getting a definitive "NO WAY" from them, have decided to bite the bullet and withdraw my retirement to go the self-pay route. I've already attended the info meeting, submitted my paperwork and have my first appt. with the surgeon on March 22nd. I met with her already because I need a hernia repaired, and she told me that based on my info I don't have to have a lot of the pre-op tests like the EKG, stress test, etc. Mainly only the sleep study and lab work. My BMI is 41.5 and I have 115 lbs or so to reach my "perfect weight" (not really aiming for t…

My question is im a diabetic. I dont think i can go on with only liquid diet. I get hypoglycimic if i dont eat. Does any one of you guys diabetic but can tolerate everything?

Hi, my name is Beth, I live in Richmond, VA. I'm a 30 year old mom of two and I'm hoping to have a Lap-Band placed soon. I'm 5'10" and currently my weight is 250 and my goal is 165. Overall I'm hoping to prevent some health problems as I get older and enjoy a more active lifestyle without being held back by my weight. I'm interested to get to know you all here and learn your stories.

Hi all, Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm still very early on in the process, but I have had my first visit to the location where I'll be getting banded. So the wheels are in motion.... I just realized that's the first time I've ever really said "I'll be getting banded" freely. It's a bit scary, as was the initial visit to the bariatric center. I think that's because it's such a major life decision, and all life decisions are scary. But I think it's especially scary because it's such a personal decision and it concerns such a private and painful area of my life that I haven't really opened up about (not even online). One of the things I most admire about folks o…

hi everyone can some one tell me how i find post that i have made in the past. thx:rolleyes: