Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hello, My name is Jeff. First I would like to say that I am glad to have found this site (what I would do without Google, lol), as I am currently pre-op and it really helps to have all the information one can get from those at various stages, especially on a forum dedicated to one surgery. Anyway?I?m a 24 guy from Oshawa, Ontario (about an hour east of Toronto). Since the age of 6 I have been dealing with an evolving weight problem. I went from being ?husky? to being, well I suppose ?super, super, super?morbidly obese?. I think a timeline might be the best way to document my struggles with my weight: Birth: 11lbs ? oz 11: 180lbs 16: 375lbs 21: 663lbs 24: 745…

Hi everyone out there. So I decided to take the big step and go with Lap band hoping that I weighed enough to where insurace would cover half of the surgery. Except I only found out I was 15 pounds shy of them covering. The only exception that could of been was sleep apnea. Unfortunately I don't have. So, if I decide to do this I will have to pay out of pocket. I in no way have the full amount so I am looking for suggestions on what to do next. I feel like this is my only hope :w00t: Thank you for taking the time to read, Mcgee

I start my pre-op diet on the 3rd (surgery is March 17th) just looking for any pointers on making the transition, I have pretty much ate everything on my "food bucket list" so I am extremely exited to get it started. Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

Okay, I joined this site back in september of last year after doing months of due diligence. I've learned more in the past year about lap bands than I ever thought possible. Well, I finally went to a seminar, met with a surgeon and now have my procedure date set. Friday, March 26th 2010. 4 weeks to go and I'm really excited. I cannot wait to shed this weight. These past five years I have been packing it on and now I'm ready to be start my new life. I have fought with my weight my entire life and realize that for some people diets alone just don't work. I've lost and regained so many times over the years. Now, I just want to lose it, and for good. Can't wait to start po…

hey everyone!! I joined the site because i just started the surgery process and have no one to talk to about it. my mother went thru gastric bypass about 7 years ago. im only 21 so i dont have any friends to really talk to about this and i have no friends who understand what im going thru. im not sure what to expect with all of this. hoping to have my surgery my august and i have my first intro class next week. so any advice or anything that you could give me would be much appriciated

Hi everyone, Today is the day for my sleeve - 23rd February. I'm have been pretty cool and calm about all of this. I'm just looking forward to the day when I can be the real me. I have lost 6kg in the 2 weeks prior. Off to the hospital now. Catch up soon. Cheers Michelle

Hello I'm new to this forum.I'm from NB Canada.Canada, you know "hockey","Gold" medal,yeah.I'm now on my pre-op diet of boost for two weeks,I'm down 20lbs and my surgery is wednesday the 3rd of march.I look forward to the new me and hope all goes well.I'm 42 and I'm doing this not to be vain but to see my two girls (who are only 6 and 3) one day get married and have quality time with them until that day,and to feel better about myself also.I look forward to meeting people on this fourm for information and just good conversation.I'd like to mention I have great support from my wonderful wife who is there when I need her(all the time).Thanks honey,I love you.:biggrin:

Hi, I am going to conference by the Dr. in March. I do group in March. I hope after that I will get the appointment for surgery.. I am excited but really scared. I have heard a lot of bad things about after the surgery. Lots of complications. It really worries me but, I want my life back. My weight now is 390 and I hate it because I can't walk much, can't do anything with my grandkids, can't sit in a booth anywhere because I don't fit.. So many things I can't do because of my size and I hate it.. I want to live and see my great grandkids, but with my size it's not going to happen. Please give me any info. you have on lap-banding.. Thank you very much....:sad:

I had my consultant at the beginning of this month and had my 1st official nutritional visit yesterday. It's really happening.. I'm scared, frightened and excited all at the same time. I've been overweight my entire life and I honestly can't imagine what it is going to be like to be healthy and beautiful. I have 6 months of the nutritional visits, a psych visit and my "tentative" time frame is mid July. I can't wait to chat with everyone that have/is going through what I am and share stories and experiences.

Hey guys just joined the other day.Been reading the forums for a few months.Got everything ready for my surgery.Dr.office said it looks like I don't have to do a 6 month diet plan but now the Insurance is saying they need it......So now it looks like I have to wait till August before I can see if i get approved.I'm 30 years old 5'9 319 49 BMI.So anyway just saying hi and wish me luck sucks but I know this is just a door that I have to go into in order to reach my goal. Thanks Jason:thumbup:

hey everyone! im totally bummed out today cuz i was supposed to get banded tomorow and the surgery has been cancelled due to this crazy snow storm we are having?!! i had totally mentally prepared myself. It looks like the procedure may be rescheduled in 2 weeks:(.... i kinda just wanted to go ahead and do this thing already... suxxx sorry just venting! thanx for listening (reading):smile2:

Yikes..1 month post-op and on solids, no fill yet and using strictly will-power because I have no restriction. :wink2: 1st fill in in 2 weeks. but can't seem get any urge for the potty. I am always constipated and have had to take gentile laxatives 3 times in the month. I have tried Milk of Mag 3 days in a row but may as well be drinking pink liquid chalk, tried prunes, benefiber (gave me major cramps), and activia., I AM drinking 60 oz of Water a day in addition to other fluids. Nothing is working. I went to the health food store today and bought some smooth move tea to try, And starting taking omega-3 fish oil because someone told me that helps and they are good fo…

I'm being banded May 25th and am very excited about my new life. Can someone tell me how long to recovery? I'm assuming the most pain will be from the C02 used to inflat the abdomen region during surgery and once that leaves the body I should feel like I've been punched which should dissapear in about a week. Am I correct?:smile2:

I am a newbie who have decide to get the lapband procedure. I have had my consultation, in the process of getting the needed test, and the other requirements needed. I am hoping that everything goes well because I have paid enough to WW and diet pills. I am ready for a new me!!!!

I wanted to share the best birthday present ever on this intro board - today I tuned 49 and I’m in the best shape of my life - I've been maintaining at goal for over 2 years! You can find my story and my before and after on my blog at http://www.gloriasbandedliving.com I think I’ll start telling people I’m 38 (LOL). My birthday gift - still maintaing, loving banded living and I have this strong, healthy body to live the rest of my life in, and I have an incredible support team who's helped me very step of the way. Before my band, I never thought this would be possible for me.

I'm sick & tired of being sick & tired...so I've decided to do something about it. 5 foot 4. 298 lbs. Obesity does not become me! On March first, I go in for a physical exam and for the initial info session & consult at the bariatric surgeon. I'm assuming that I'll have to start some type of diet, along with the other various tests & counseling along the way. But i'm READY. While I am doing this for me - it is ultimately to benefit my family. In particular, my 22 month old daughter that needs her mommy here & healthy to see her grow up and play an active role in her life. Wish me blessings!!!

So I got banded...yay:tt2:. Everything went fast. I went to a nurse at the Army hospital. After she asked me to verifiy my name and date of birth she asked me if I wanted gastric or lap-band. It was a little suprising because I was there about my anemia. 4 months later here I am. The process didn't take that long, I just needed a date to coordinate with another health issue. I'm nervous. I don't want to do anything to make me toss Cookies...so i'm still on clear and Protein. Being very patient and careful. I also keep getting mixed messages about what I can eat at this point!!!! GRRRR! What exactly is full liquids....do I need to blend the Soups?! Can I have baby like f…

Hey everyone! I just had my surgery 1/29/10. that night and the next morning i couldn't stop crying. i wanted it OUT. I'm getting used to it now but I'm a very anxious person by nature. I'm so nervous about slippage and erosion! AHHHH. Anyway... HI!

I have been hanging around here for a few weeks now, and just love this site. It is by far the most supportive and least judgemental place for WLS support on the net. So, I had my first consult with my surgeon on Monday (2/22). They decided to have me do a 3 month supervised diet, just because the formal program requirements are so vague in my insurance company policy. The wonderful insurance lady from their office called my insurance company today, and other than the psych eval, and this 3 month diet, I am good to go... for the Band or RNY :sad0:, neither of which I want. I posted on another thread that i live in Oregon, but we have insurance through BCBS North Dakota,…

Hello everyone, Just wanted to give a one month update. I had surgery on 1-25 with Dr. Aceves in MX. I lost about 8 pounds prior to surgery and as of Monday 2-22 I have lost a total of 47 pounds and 19.25 inches. I'm sure loosing that much weight that fast has to do with me being a guy and having a starting weight of 362 pounds. But I'm still proud to see it coming off. I'm getting back into clothes that have been tucked away in my closet for sometime. Thanks to everyone on this forum for the information you have shared and continue to share. When I was invited to site in December I was considering Lapband and quickly changed my mind. Thanks again f…

Hello everyone! I have been researching about WLS for many years. And have finally decided to do it. Ive been reading things here and there but now that Im serious I want to know all I can. I have at least 100 pounds to lose and think that the Lap Band is for me. I like the idea of it not being so permanent as Gastric bypass. I have so much to get healthy for. I have two kids and two young grandkids. I want to be able to run and play with them. but I also want to tie my shoes with ease and walk a flight of stairs without wanting to pass out. Im looking forward to the journey and hope I meet lots of people who have allready been through it or are like me, starting ou…

1st post here folks. This past friday I finally got my surgery date! March 9th. Been on the liquid diet for 3 days now. I can honestly say I'm not really hungary, but I feel empty and sluggish. It's everything I can do not to stop on my way home from work and shove a cheesburger down my throat. I'm doing 5 packs of carnation instant breakfast each with 8 oz skim milk 5 times a day, about 3 bottles of water and 8-12 oz of beef or chicken broth. I drank a half a can of heart healthy tomato soup last night and felt horrible that I did, so no more cheating even it's "just a little bit". Stay strong everyone:unsure:

Hello, My name is Jeff and Im a 5th yr student at PSU. I am about 2yr 5mo post op. My surgery was 10-10-2007. So far I seeing excellent results. Day of my surgery I was 380lbs and currently I now weigh 224lbs and still losing. The road has been tough for me at times it is truly is more than just a diet it is a complete lifestyle change. I am so happy that I decided to take a semster off from school and have this done though as I really needed to do something as diets and exercise were not working for me. I will be posting more in the future but in the mean time if anybody has any questions about my procedure or would like to know more just ask. Take it easy folks and good…

My name is Michele and I am from South Jersey. I am having surgery March 2nd...yes, 5 days from now...4 if you don't count the day I go in. I have no reservations about making the lifestyle change and learning how to eat the right way. My reservations are simply with the whole surgery needing anesthesia thing. Everyone keeps telling me I'm young and healthy (other than my weight) and that I ill be fine. I have only been in a hospital scenario with anesthesia once before, for endoscopy and colonoscopy. I don't think my wisdom teeth extraction anesthesia is quite the same. I am only 22, almost 23, and I want the surgery more than anything, but have nerves somet…

I became interested in LAP-BAND®® surgery about 3 years ago but my insurance didn't cover it - I worked for a health system that had bariatric surgery. Last Fall, I saw a commercial for the Realize band. I decided to start looking into again. I found out that my husband's insurance (Feb BCBS) would cover it. I went to my first seminar in Sept 2009. I followed through with another seminar for another surgeon and started doing my homework. I finally submitted by initial paper work to the first surgeon. I received my letter from the surgeon in December telling what clearances I would need to get and submit. I started making appointments but because of my work travel sched…

Hello All! My name is Stephen Bennett, and I am a Senior in High School. I am 18 yrs old, 296.4, and 5' 7". My scheduled surgery date is 3/2/10. The purpose of this thread is my concerns during college. I am going to Arcadia University in the Fall for physical therapy and was wondering if there were younger people who areor have gone through a similar situation. 1.) How was college life with the band? 2.) Was there a cafe that helped you out with regards to your surgery? 3.) Did the band interfere with classes? These are just a few of my concerns, but I figured for my first thread I would start it out with this! Please let me know if you have any experience with this…

I've been reading and re-reading the information on this forum for a couple of months now and felt it was finally time to say hello. I have been overweight/obese in some form or another for my entire life, and can't remember the last time I weighed less than 200 lbs. I am an army spouse in S. Korea with a scheduled surgery date of March 8th. I originally started out as one of the staunch believers in the lapband (mainly because my mother found success with her band) until I began reading about the sleeve. I knew nothing about the sleeve until I found this forum, which has provided me with a wealth of information, as well as some reassurances. So for that, I truly thank…

I am almost 4 weeks out. Even when I sip on Water, etc., eat my two ounces very slowly, my stomach growls & aches. I would love to take a good drink of water, not kill a whole glass but a good decent swallow. I dread every sip and bite as I know my tummy is going to let me know it just doesn't like it. I know this is temporary and will get better. :crying: But... How far out before a VSG patient can take a bite of food rather than a nibble. How about a good swallow of liquid instead of just sips?:ohmy: Thanks in advance... :wink0:

Hello Team, I finished my first week! I've had food challenges as moving to full liquids gave me the runs. Hopefully this will get better. The big incision isn't causing me near as much pain as it was a few days ago! My fevers have subsided. My sore throat finally cleared up yesterday. Each day shows more improvement. I started back to work yesterday. I'm working from home for a week. I carefully count my carbs and I haven't felt a moments hunger this week. Best of all...... a loss of 7.4 pounds this week. How cool is that? I don't know what's "normal" because I don't think there's a normal because we're all so different, but for me this roc…

After 37 years of struggling with my weight, I too have taken the leap - I have found a sugeon and have scheduled the date...March 24th. I am thrilled, scared, elated, nervous, but mostly just REALLY EXCITED about the prospect of getting the help I need to overcome this thing that I have struggled with for so long. I am really blessed to have the full support of my friends and family - and especially a friend of mine who took the same leap...just one month ago. She is my daily reminder of hope that wonderful changes are coming!:confused1: She told me she had lost 30 pounds as of today...amazing! Everything inside of me tells me that this is the right thing for me. I hav…

My oh my, So...I had originally scheduled my surgery for this June with a surgeon here in UT. A great surgeon, but his cost was just as great, well as I have read, posted, and chatted with all of you I have had a change. I am scheduled to have surgery one month from today with Dr. Aceves! This is all really happening. I can't believe it. Anna

Well today I am 5 days post op. I am in a whirlwind of emotions! First my experience in Mexico was great, I was VERY scared and nervous upon arrival but then I was in and out in no time. The staff, physicians and everyone else were extremely attentive, caring, and compassionate. My first day was down right awful, nothing or no one could have prepared me for that day, but I will say everyone is different, my roommate did awesome the entire time. After receiving several pain meds I was finally in a comfortable zone. The rest of my stay was pretty uneventful, accept that roads are awful there and waiting at the border is no fun post op! I got home on Saturday, yesterday w…

soo i have BCBC of NC..and i was wondering if the BMI number of 39.5...and above would be rounded up because i have checked some places and for instance a weight of 224 and height of 5'3 is a bmi of 40 in some calculators but in others it is a decimal...please let me know if that would be approved by BCBC of NC without having any co-morbities...i only ask because i am starting my journey and collecting past weight history...thank you:scared2:

Never tried it, but Im tired of dieting my entire life.

Hello! I've been researching information about the lap-band and feel very strongly about having the procedure done. I'm 32 yrs old, 4'11 and weigh 220 lbs, this is a lot of weight especially for my height!!! I haven't always been overweight, it seems after the birth of my daughter 12 yrs ago, the weight kept piling on. I've tried several diets and even taken pills to loss the weight but i would only drop about 10 lbs average. I know some of you can relate but I'm really ready for a change and hopefully become successful in achieving my goal....................

Hello all, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Tracy and I was just banded on 02-18-2010 by Dr. Drahota at the Overland Park, KS surgery center. I have been reading a lot of the posts here and have found a great deal of useful information. I am glad to have found this site. I'll try and keep you all posted on my progress. Thank you, Tracy (OokLoc)

Hello, I am new to this, so here goes. This is my story. 2 years ago I looked into lapband and talked myself right out of it for whatever reason.Then June of 09 I was at a party and was talking to one of my neighbors and one thing led to another and she told me she had labband surgery. Then I started looking into it again and started to get the ball rolling.Long story short, July started the process. I was hoping to have the surgery before the end of December for 2 reasons. 1 my husband wanted to be here with me before he got deployed and 2 we had to change insurance because of him being deployed. The one insurance we had, didn't have as many requirements as Tricare…

Today is the 1st day of my pre-op diet.:smile2: I am so hungry right now and the smell of chocolate chip cookies baking in my house isn't helping... My surgery is on March 8.

Hi I am Vixian, I am 19 yrs old, and i weight about 310lbs (height is 5'4" and bmi 53.2) Lately i have been really depressed out my weight i cant find clothes that fit that i like. So i have been looking into lap-band. I currently need to check on my insurance to see about it paying or not because from what i can tell i have an extreme case, and i just wanted to know what are the risks (other than death) and the side affects?

:001_wub:Okay so here's my story...I'm a mother of 2 girls ages 12 and 2. Both are very active!! I have been an athlete for most of my life but after my second child my body can't keep up with my weight! The day I found out that I was preggers with my first child I weighed in at 199. That was the last day I ever saw the 100's. 10 years later I got pregnant with my second child and weight 242. I gained 40 lbs during that pregnancy and my heaviest post pregnancy weight was 272. With all that said, I started my weight loss surgery journey in June of 2009. I called my insurance and they covered WLS! I was so excited! I chose a dr. at Stanford medical hospital since there were…

This is my 1st post ever Great news!!! I got my surgery date today, my life will officially change on March 17, 2010 at 7:10am. I am extremely excited and confident the lapband is exactly the right tool for me. I feel that I have a good beginners understanding about how it will work and more importantly the changes I need to make to ensure it works. I look forward to my new life ahead and the challenges I am sure it present me. All that being said my question is this; I have read on here a lot about people who are able to return to work pretty quickly, but it seems that most of them have office jobs or jobs that require very little physically. I work at a steel mil…

Hey there! I'm new to this site/forum. I was banded on 2/4/10 & am super excited to get this show on the road! I'm lucky to have had my insurance cover my surgery, & I'm very fortunate to have family members on my side during this process. I joined because I wanted to hear about other people's experiences along their way, & if I had any questions about any of this. I hope to give some insight about a few topics, too! Happy Banding, Heather :tongue_smilie:

I have my consultation on March 8th and my pre-op on March 16th and then my surgery on April 13th. I am not really sure what to expect. I won the Lap-Band® surgery on my local radio station (that still sounds weird and I have now been saying it for two weeks), so I am not sure what I am going to have to have done (tests-wise) since there is no insurance and I am not self-pay. I do know that I have to do the liquid diet for two weeks before the surgery. I get back from vacation on March 27th and start the liquid diet on March 28th. I have no idea what to expect. I am very excited, I would never be able to afford this surgery on my own and my insurance wouldn't cover…

Hi My insurance will not cover my surgery. No big surprise there..... but i am wondering what kind of financing those out there did. the interest rate on it ect...??? I found one place for financing but the interest rate was 24.99% my jaw literally dropped. My husband and i have thought about getting a personal loan or refinancing our home, which in the economy has held quite a bit of value. we were refinancing before we decided about the lap band but now we are thinking we would like to take some money out at 6.5% interest rate. Anyone do something similar? How and what did you do to make your lap band dreams possible? thanx Mallory

Hi there guys! Let me introduce myself... My name is Melanie, and am from Litchfield Park, AZ. I am 31, 5'6" and am currently 212 pounds. I joined this forum because, after YEARS of trying what seems like EVERYTHING on this planet, commiting myself to rigorous work out routines 3 days a week, walking 3 miles 4 days a week, watching what I eat, and focused every second of every day on my health, I still can't lose the weight. The real kick in the face is that, while physicians have no problem vocalizing and labeling me as OBESE, I feel that I have no support or viable options to help myself be removed from that category. My BMI (according to online calculators) is 34…

This is my first post on here and it is about diarrhea. lol Woohoo, go me, way to break the ice! So I am really embarrased about this but I am 2 days preop and on day 4 out of 5 of the liquid diet. I woke up this morning with diarrhea and it has been going on all day now. I was just wondering if anybody had this problem or if something is wrong? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everybody!! I am obviously new to this site! I am in the begining stages of Lapband. Excited to chat with everybody and to hear your stories! :sad:

what happens after the required seminar? i am going this evening and i am a little nervous.

Things had been going so well with my sleeve -- tomorrow is 8 weeks out for me, and I'm 38 pounds since surgery -- but my boyfriend and I broke up last Monday and I am finding it really hard to deal without food. It does not help that I am working in Alaska right now and everyone I love is on the East Coast. I don't really have a support system here. I'm so annoyed with myself and scared that I am going to ruin the chance the sleeve is giving me. Before the breakup, I had been perfect in staying between 600-800 calories. This past week, I slipped up daily and added a glass of wine here, a piece of chocolate there, an extra cheese snack here, bringing me to 900 or ov…

Hello everyone, I am relatively new here. I am strongly considering lap band and am going for my 3rd consultation tomorow. I just had a question for all those experienced in this. I know my problem. I stick to a diet plan for a week, 10 days, 2 weeks and I will lose weight...but because of my emotional eating habits (which i need to learn how to control)...there will come a day that i binge. It happens over and over again and I get off track. Im wondering if the lap band will help me avoid that binge???? I think if it does just that much for me, It would be very helpful....the rest i think is up to me....what do you guys think??!! thanx in advance.