Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

At 102 Kgs and 40.5 BMI, I got sleeved on the 5th of February, 2010. This has been perhaps one of the most daring and dragged decisions I have ever taken in my life, which took a lot of convincing of family members, including my husband, in-laws and parents. Was down 5 Kgs in three days post op and am totally on liquid diet, do not feel like having anything but am going through a fair amount of pain in the stomach especially with a drain still hanging out of my stomach which is oozing liquid (read liquids mix with blood). While there is no inch-loss to rejoice about . There are a fair amount of things which are a little inconvenient at this point of time like: - P…

well i had surgery feb 18th 2010 lost weight with liver reduction diet but none after surgery....everyone tells me wait for my first fill...lets hope it works:thumbdown:

I'm having a weak moment... Just discouraged about the whole process in general (from consult to pre-approval to surgery) HELP! :huh2: I might add that Im feeling like the new kid in the sandbox. I think im just a tad overwhelmed here - but i know that this forum will be imperative to my success. :smile2: I am trying to make it around to all those who have replied to my posts. I'm just trying to get it done with a killer schedule. 9-5 job, jewelry biz @ home, 2 yr old midget, and a hubby that works nights. :sad: I WILL engage :w00t:

I would like to know what are the best pre op shakes ou there?

Hello all, I'm a newbie here, just joined yesterday. :biggrin: I'm 28 and ecstatic to be starting on this journey. Ready to live a life that doesn't revolve around food, and for my five year old daughter to follow in my future footsteps, not those from the past. I was banded last Tuesday 2/23. It wasn't a bad surgery at all, I'd say it went really well. Not too much pain, the gas-x and lortab have kept that under control, along with walking and following the liquid diet. I may be biased, because I have not forgotten the pain of the c-section I had five years ago. In my mind, I am always thinking of that pain when I think of "worst pain ever." Compared to …

I am just now looking into lap band surgery. I am 40, have been overweight since around 25. I currently weight 225 and my BMI is 36. I have high blood pressure and the beginning signs of diabetes. I have tried various weight loss diets the most successful being Weight Watchers, but then I only lost 40 pounds. I guess my question is...am I obese enough to consider lap band? I know they say BMI of 40, or 35 with health issues. I barely qualify for that.

Done with my six month nut visits. Waiting on insurance approval now! Cross ur fingers that United Healthcare shakes their ass!

First post. Just absorbing all the LAP-BAND® information I can get here on the site. I've inquired and received information about having the procedure done in Juarez, Mexico. I've read alot of the good and bad reviews here, but know the ultimate decision is mine to make. I'm 48 and tired of years of dropping 12 pounds and gaining 14 over and over again. I'm just trying to convince myself that the LAP-BAND® is right for me and hope following this site will help me pull the trigger. Congrats to all of those have had success and thanks for the inspiration.

Good Morning, My name is Steve. I live in the Sacramento area. Dr. Patchings is my doctor. I am scheduled to be banded on March 10, 2010. I am looking for fellow bandsters I can communicate with that are having the surgery near my surgery date. Having someone in the same boat can be beneficial to our success. Thanks Again.

I read this site right now with envy and tears in my eyes. I just came back from GYN and was informed that I have endometreosis and will have to have hysterectomy. At 42 yrs old, infertile my whole life, I am now just being told this- why now? It took me forever to finally come to the decision of the vsg! This stops everything, do I continue with my bariatric surgery & hold off on the hysterectomy? I am so lost. I've been so looking forward to my new life. If I go ahead with the hysterectomy I wonder how long I would have to wait to get the go ahead for the vsg. I think if I wait on the hysterectomy & I lose the excess that when I do go in for it, it would be easi…

Hi, all! I'm anxious to meet others that are on this journey. My surgery is scheduled for Friday, March 12, 2010. I live in Maryland, I'm a happily married empty-nester. My two adult children (boy and girl) are both married and living in other states. My wonderful husband is super supportive of my efforts and I have some great friends and other family members that are here for me as well. There's just nothing like talking to others that are going through the same experiences. I'm currently on my liquid diet prepping for surgery - I've been doing it now for 1-1/2 weeks and I've already lost 13 lbs. It feels good to know that I'm going into my surgery with some momentum.…

Hello everyone. I am new to the site and have my airfare for March 29th but have not seen much about my doc on here. dr. verboonen is doing my surgery on 3/30. I am probably going alone, I don't want anyone to know because ever since my husband died in a car accident 12 years ago, everyone watches and tells me how I am living my life wrong. My only friend near where I live, wants to do lap band, she says I don't need it because my BMI is only 31, but I tell her I am getting it because of my health. Well... kinda for the looking and feeling better too... I am hoping to meet some people on here, offer my help and support where I can, and hopefully get some support and gu…

Sleeved on Dec 21, here is a before and after picture !

Hey everyone. Im Lisa. Im 41yrs old. Im married with 2 kids. I got my Sleeve March 17, 2008....so Im almost 15 months postop. I have lost a total of 109 lbs so far. I still have a longggg way to go. Im not even half way to my goal. I started with a BMI of 73, weight of 396. It was a long, hard road for me....getting the Sleeve. I couldnt find anyone near me that either would take my insurance or that would even do my surgery with my high BMI (without first losing alot of weight, which I couldnt do without the surgery). So, I traveled to Mexico with my husband and had it done there. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought I would go to another country…

I just wanted to say a quick hello. And to thank this site for being here for all of the past, present and future bandsters. It is a fantastic resource. It took me about 2 years to finally make the decision to get banded and I am extremely happy I did. I already feel healthier and look better. I am looking forward to this lifelong journey to regain my health and my "hot bod" lol.:smile2:

SURGERY 3/1/10 2:30PM - 4:15PM; STARTED WALKING @ 5:10PM. I'm doing GREAT!(Pampered myself b4 surgery got my hair, nails, & toes done, who does that for surgery? Me that's who smh @ myself. Went to work for a few hours, left @ 11:15am 2go2 the hospital for surgery. Surgery went well! Home now resting no gas pains, no pains at all just a little discomfort. My Dr. found hernia's which he removed when he went to band me, greatful he used some the same incisions from my gastric bypass that I had in 2004. Since I'm banded over gastric bypass he filled my band to prevent slippage & 2 secure the fit, not sure how many cc's I have in my band already, will find out on my f…

Anyone else going to have it on that date? ST Pattys day... I am very excited and nervous at the same time. Any advice on what to buy ahead of time or medicine I should have. Cant Wait!!!

Changed my mind about posting.

Hi all: I'm Sandi and I am 6 years post op and maintaining a 250 pound weight loss.My desire to give back to this community which has supported me in reclaiming my life, has inspired me to start a retrospective (reverse) blog of my experiences on my journey. One of my most memorable experiences was the morning after my surgery. Please share it with me at Recovering # 002: What Have I Done? Or – The Day After Lapband Surgery – May 29, 2004 Please let me know if you find some useful information.

Hi- Ok, so most of the no weight loss is my fault. Junk food and no exercise. I got the band without much thought and now I am trying to make it work for me. Have hard time eating solid foods, going to try slimfast and be more active. Anything at this point would be very helpful. I need to do this for me, would love to hear from banders who have made it work for them. Much thanks in advance

Hi there everyone Have my date set for Gastric Sleeve Surgery 3/15/10 with Dr. Liza Pompa :thumbup: my flight gets in 3/15/10 @ 12pm hope there are no delays. Yes I'.m scared but have great :thumbup:Coordinator(hope thats spelt right) Not telling any of my Family until much later after surgery. :mad: 216.6 LBs Starting Pre - OP diet Monday thats scary don't know how I stick to that. How much weight does One normally lose in the first 6 weeks and again in the first 3 months I know everyone is different but would like to hear others results & how there coping. I'm one of those people if I think of food I gain. Ankles hurt too bad too walk.Hoping if I loss weight the…

March 16 is the big day. It's been a roller coaster! I am thankful. There is a lot to do in the next 13 days!

Hi everyone. I've got my first appt with my doc on Friday to start this procedure. Tired of constantly failing at weight loss attempts and this is my final optioin. I've done tons of research and this seems to be the best option for me. Thanks for all the great stories, pros/cons. advise and tips. Will keep you updated as my journey begins.

I called last month to get on the list for the informational seminar and they said we would be notified by mail and to call immediately since the seminars are always full right away. I had a weird feeling yesterday so I called to see if they had selected the date for the March seminar and not only had they picked the date, but it was already full! I didn't get anything in the mail or notified by phone so I had no chance to respond. I left a message for the bariatric coordinator yesterday to see if there was a way to add me for march but she hasn't called back. The other person I spoke to said that I was on the roster (which doesn't guarantee a spot) for the April semi…

Hi All, I was banded on 2/24/10. I have lost 15 lbs from my highest ever weight so far (including preop diet). My surgeon is Dr. Benavides in Dallas, Tx. A little about myself: I am a 27 year old 'sole provider' of two young children. My son is 3 years old, my daughter is 2 years old. My soulmate went to wait for me in heaven in November of 2008. I am doing this for my children, and for me...and so I can be proud of the way my life went after my husband past away. I want him to be proud of me when I get to see him again. I have well over 100 lbs to lose, but I am mostly looking for being healthy for my children, and ensuring that they never miss out on anythin…

hey everyone i think i have a problem i have trouble eating have had the band for 6 months lost 31kilo i kept telling dr i was hungry so he would give me more fill so i would lose weight now i cant even eat a spoon of food have been living on shakes have no problem eating dry biscuits or chocolate the wrong things i am scared to tell dr cause i dont want him to know i guess i am worried he will take fill out and i will gain weight what should i do

Hi Sleeve family, Even though I've been busy, Ive promised to keep you guys updated on my progress with pictures. For those of you who dont know me...I was sleeved in September (almost 6 mos ago). Its been a wonderful experience, Im feeling GREAT! Im getting married in only 8 weeks and now Im about to up my cardio/weights so that I may speed up the toning/weight loss process. I am still attending my WLS support group meetings and I am so glad I had the sleeve. All the sleeve people in my group are doing the same or better than Bypass patients!! My surgeon said the sleeve will be the new gold standard and he would rather give all his patients sleeves than anything els…

I wondered initially if blogging would be a waste of time/energy/cyberspace. But in addition to the comments here, the msgs I’ve received have only fueled my desire to make my self more transparent. I think half the battle *for me* will be accountability. Holding myself accountable for my decisions, and having others lovingly do so as well. I think if I would have been more forthright and open in my past “attempts”, they maybe they would have been a little more successful. Obviously, its still very early in my journey. But I’m determined and inspired. The fact that I’m literally forced to lose at least SOME weight on my own before being approved for surgery, o…

OMG! The surgeons office told me my insurance approved my surgery BUT I have to have cardiac clearance first. Well it seems to me that I can't actually be approved then until I do a treadmill test and have a consultation with the cardiologist. I did my treadmill test yesterday and my results were within normal limits. So why do I still need to have a consultation with the Cardiologist? Once I jump through these hoops they will schedule my surgery date. The waiting is driving me mad!! :w00t:

Hey Sleeve Family, I know ive been missing in action lately but with holidays, a new job, wedding planning, working and going to school full time my time is so much shorter! I did not forget to update you all with pictures! I still love each of you, I have just been so busy- I will try to peek back in here at least once a week. I have been attending my monthly support group meetings (which I am enjoying)! I was sleeve on 9/15/09 for those that dont know. I started out around 248 lbs, as of this morning, I weigh 188 lbs! Woo-Hoo! (The guy in the photos is my future husband). I am still about 40 lbs away from goal (I think) I hope everyone is doing great! [/ur…

Hello everyone!! I am just starting out on my lapband journey. I have attended one seminar and have another to go to at the end of the week. I have already narrowed it down to two doctors in my area that I trust to do the procedure. I am hoping to have it done as soon as possible. I already have an initial consultation set up with one of them I was hoping someone could tell me what kind of questions I should ask at my seminar coming up and at the consultation. I was also wondering how easy the financing was for self pay patients. Thanks in advance!!

Hi, My name is Michele I am 27 years old from New York and was banded on January 4th of this year...I figured I would start the new year off with the new me :scared2: In the beginning I had great results, I lost 20 lbs in my first 3 weeks...now that I am 2 months into it I have basically stopped losing weight and I am starting to get discouraged. I am not sure what I am doing wrong/right. I had my first fill last Tuesday ( a week ago today) and I still don't feel that much restriction. I am also having a very hard time not drinking any fluids while I am eating. I realize this is important because if you drink you wash the food down and then you don't feel full as long,…

GREAT NEWS! Today I got word from the surgical center that they ran my insurance and Aetna will pay for Bariatric surgery. :thumbup: I will have a 3-6 month "processing" (ie: jumping thru hoops) time. I also found out that the facility is on my insurance providers "in network" list, so I'm covered @ 85%. *sigh of relief* Now, my goal is 75-100lbs, BUT my Dr’s recommendation is at least 150lbs based on my height. (Im still in my feelings about being smaller than what weight *I* personally would feel comfortable at) Good thing is that factor is exactly why he said he’ll push the surgery for me should any roadblocks arise, even if to just get me to MY target before he …

Hi everyone, I wanted to let everyone know, i have been reading the forum for over 4 months, but this is my first post!! Great community and great info. I was banded last week - 2-23-2010. SO FAR doing great, and already down 16 lbs between the pre-op diet and the surgery!! So i thought i would just say hi to everyone, and keep up the great site, and great results!! :w00t::scared2:

Hi all! I just found this site a week or so ago - I have been on OH mostly but really like this site as well - nice and organized! So, I don't have much of a "story"... yet. I am having a revision from a slipped & eroded band to VSG on 3/12. All at the same time I am nervous, excited, scared out of my mind, hopeful... well you know. Most of you have been here already. A little background on me: I'm 37 and as most, have fought my weight my whole life. At this point I need to lose anywhere from 80 to 110. The BMI chart says 125 but I know that is way too much. I have never been thin - I honestly don't think I am meant to be and I'm cool with that. Even at my most …

Hello all!! I am new to this site, however, not new to the Lapband, I currently just passed my two year anniversary from having the Lapband and couldn't be happier with my choice. I also have been working for the surgeron that does these surgeries for almost four years now. I am anxious to start talking to some of you! Ash:wink2:

I got the lapband Feb 2, 2010 . I am feeling a little lost with out food. My life every day was food. Is this feeling ok to be feeling and how do you over come it?

...or as we say in my land, Kia Ora!I am a new bandster- it is my 2 week anniversary today.after 4 weeks so far, of liquid only diet, I am down by 50.7 lbs ( or 23 kgs)...and loving it. It was a hard decision to make, to have the band fitted, but I am so glad Idid it. I am so glad to have found this place , now I can learn more from all you people who have already mastered the whole thing!

:thumbup: Hello everyone my name is Hannah and I am 24 years old and 253 lbs I really want this lapband I have been wanting it for a while now and finally i took my first step to do so! I have been happily married for 5 years to the man of my dreams I love him to death and he supports me in everything I do so now all i need is support from people who know what im going through and that has either started the program or has already been throught it so please help me in any way I would like to know around how much weight you lose and how long does it take to start seeing progress and how is the port and everything else there is to know from the surgey to how it changed your…

Im Bob, Im 38 years old. Im having my surgery on March 3rd. I doubt this decision every minute of every day. I wonder why my life has come to such a drastic crossroad! My life revolves around food.(Im fairly healthy,high blood pressure/treated with medication, Sleep apnea/treated with c-pap). When Im eating breakfast Im thinking about lunch and so on. Im a self-employed plumber, I schedule my jobs(locations/times) around resuraunts in certain areas. I feel like this is my last resort, basically ive given up on the usual "diet". Im so nervous about the whole procedure because I have no idea what to expect. Every day I think of reasons not to go through with it. But I see w…

Well I made all my phone calls and i found that my insurance will pay for it if my Dr. recommends me but they want me to mostly do a weight loss program before i do the lap-band. So my dr appointment is this coming tuesday (the 9th) Man i am so excited:w00t:

Hi, Im new to the board and to the LAP-BAND® world. I was banded on 2/18/10. I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was wondering if there was anyone from here who has recently been banded too. Looking to try to meet people in area that have been banded around same time to chat with and compare notes. Dee

this is my 3rd day on the optifast shakes and my surgery is on 3/11. i never EVER thought that it was going to be this hard. i never thought that i was addicted to food untill i couldnt have it. the first day was hell for me and all i want is something salty. my family is supportive but still they need to eat and i have great friends at work who are helping as well. im going to make it through this and cant wait for my surgery but i just want this phase to get easier bc sometimes i feel as though i cant do this. :eek: im nervous about after the diet and the liquid diet that i have to be on. im nervouse about the surgery period. i think i might start writing a blog …

Hello everyone. My name is Marilyn. I am seeing the specialists and having the tests done right now, and I hope to be approved to have the surgery in April. I am having a difficult time deciding whether to have lap band or gastric bypass. My initial thought was lap band. I met with the required psychologist yesterday, and he said because of my diabetes I should have the gastric bypass. I am so confused. I made another appointment to speak with my surgeon. I know she leans toward gastric bypass but I want to discuss the pros and cons of both.

My surgery date is March 12th.... So Excited!:biggrin:

I had my Sleeve done on Feb. 24, I had to spend the night in the hospital since I lived so far away. I felt ok afterwards, but still kinda sore. I have been burping a great deal and that is the only uncomfortable feeling that I really have. I don't really have a appetite, but I know that will probably change. I'm still kinda tired but I know that it should get better as time goes by. My doctor told me to not worry about protein the first week. I just wonder if I will ever get rid of this burping!!

banded on 1/6/10 in Port Charlotte, Fl:smile:

hi peeps. just wondering about the pre-op diet. they told me it is a 2 week diet before you get banded. On march 11 is my surgery and im starting my diet as of tomorrow. my consultant told me 7 days and the person that schedules the appointments told me 14 days. So does this mean I have to reschedule.:w00t:

Well, it's been 6 1/2 months and I thought I would post my progress for the first time. I am down 60 pounds (ticker says 59). My surgery was mostly un-eventful except for some nausea while in the hospital and for 2-3 days after I got home. Chancie helped me a lot on here. Looking back this is to be almost expected. Dr. Alanis is a fantastic surgeon and I would recommend him to anyone in the Houston area that is looking for a experienced, caring, low-cost surgeon in the states. As far as my home life, my husband and I have such a better intimate relationship, not because anything has changed for him, but for me. As a mother I am more involved as a whole, not this person …

:frown: Just had Lap band surgery Friday Feb 19th, feeling great!!