Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Hi! I've never posted on a board before. I have been going back and forth about the lapband for over a year, and at this point, my only regret is that I haven't done it yet! I was signed up and ready to go with Dr. Kuri, but I never went through with it. Dr. Almanza Reyes has such a crazy deal right now that is hard to pass up. I know, I know. I'd MUCH rather go to Kuri for his expertise.. Anywhoo, is anyone else going to Dr. Almanza Reyes antime soon? I'd love to speak with some of you. Have an amazing day! I am concerned about infection because his rate for that does seem high.

Hi Everyone. My name is Cristina and I live in Vancouver Canada. I was banded on Jan. 13th. I had to pay for the surgery myself but I think it will be worth it as my health has been declining quite a lot in the past year. I am looking forward to my first fill in about 4 weeks as I am starting to feel really hungry!!! look forward to connecting with others who have been banded. thanks Cristina:wink:

Because I am a diabetic and have sleep apnea, I had all my test reports available. Having the chest xray and uppper GI tomorrow and stress test next week and I am done that part. Also have the Psych eval next week. The doctor told me I could probably schedule at the end of the month because my insurance does not require any pre op diet care. I told him my head was not ready and that my husband had a week off in April for Easter and to schedule it then. There were 2 young women there just starting their journey and were shocked I was waiting. I explained that I was 60 and fat for 60 years. This is the only body I know and since I was not going to be thin the day after surg…

Hi everyone, I am so nervous about the operation and I really don't know why. I've had 2 C-sections and people tell me this will be a piece of cake! I've been on my pre-op diet and my surgery is January 28, 2010. I've heard after surgery you experience severe pain (gas), and soreness...is it really bad?? :biggrin:

Hello everyone. So glad to find such a thriving online community to "meet" other people going through similar things. I'm getting banded in 1 week and have to admit that I'm feeling kind of jittery about it. My pre-op diet has been going really well and lost 13 pounds in 5 days. Not sure if that's average, it certainly isn't for me! But I mean, come on, who can live on 700 calories a day forever? We'll see what the next 6 days reveal. Other than that, I just have to wait out these nerves until surgery day.

I am in the first stages. Seminar set for the 11th. I am so ready to get this done and start my journey. I have tried everything including the cookie diet. I did loose 50 pounds on that and then gained it all back. I have tried to do it again but I just cant. Heavy since a couple years after I had Chemotherapy for Leukemia in my teens. Now I am 32 with a almost 2yrs old and wanting to have another baby and I dont want my son's classmates to tell him "your mom is fat" when he goes to school. I have severe sleep apnea so motherhood, wifehood, and a fulltime job do not equate with exercise. Anyone from Miami or seeing Dr. Anthony Gonzalez let me know how this process wo…

I was seriously overweight since childhood. I spent most of my life life yo-yo dieting. On August 16, 2006, I got a Lap-Band. Learning to use this tool has helped me transform my life. I have been maintaining a healthy, normal weight for nearly two years now. I am now the fit girl at the gym. I am the active mom at school, I am the confident presenter in business, and I am a more loving wife, because I no longer carry the burden of my weight on my body and in my heart. I am a different person today, and I love “Banded Living.” I feel confident that I will be able to maintain a normal weight for the rest of my life. When I decided to get my band, I didn’t tell anyo…

My date is in two weeks from today....I am so worried, anxious, scared and excited! With that being said I really need some guidance: When can/do I start all these vitamins/minerals? Which ones do I take? What can I do to prevent being so fatigue after surgery (Mom of 2, work and school) AND any other advice to help me through these next two weeks, PLEASE! :thumbup1:

I used to lurk a long time ago, after my surgery (Feb 8, 2008). I reached my goal and was fortunate enough to reach it quite quickly - all healthy eating. My Dr loves me for that! lol But, in the last year, I've had so much stress, new medical problems, which meant more new meds and weight gain side effects, that I decided to come back here t get me on track again. I need the positive reinforcement and daily reminders. It's the first time in my life that I was comfort eating. I never want to do that again. I've really beaten myself up over it. I'm fortunate enough to have an amazing supportive husband who's been with me through thick and thin (even does his …

Hi everybody. I was searching the internet for Lapband information and this site came up. I need to loose over 100lbs, and want to get the surgery but I cannot afford it. OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Policy) covers gastric by-pass, but not the lap-band. The lapband surgery is $16,000 to $18,000 Canadian, and I simply do not have that kind of money. OK, to be honest, I don't have a husband who is willing to go into that kind of debt....basically, no support. Anybody here from Ontario? Did you get the surgery? And if so, is any of the expense covered in anyway..... I just want to give up....

Hi, I'm in the middle of my 3-month approval process, and am very ready to have my band! I have a 5-year old son who's AWESOME, and I finally decided that I needed some help if I'm going to get healthy and be here for him!! I've also quit smoking (which I'm blaming for my weight gain at my last weigh-in!!). I'm in Dallas and will be banded by Dr. Louis Fox. Anyone have any experience with him? He was recommended by my regular doctor. And my small rant: I'm having an issue with all this pre-surgery testing. People (even overweight people) have surgery every day all over world without psych evaluations, stress tests, and sleep studies. I'm just starting to think that th…

At my high school graduation I weighed 160 pounds . I had always tried so hard to be athletic, I tried to play volleyball, basketball and joined the track team. I was able to maintain my weight between 155-170 by playing sports. By the end of my first year of college, I ended up gaining the freshman 30 bringing my weight up to 190 pounds. By the time I graduated from college my weight was up to 220 pounds. Even though I walked everywhere, I was consuming too many calories. What hurt me the most was that I had promised myself I would never graduate from high school fat, and I did. I promised myself I would never graduate from college fat, and I did. I promised I woul…

Hi I am here to learn as much as I can about the lap band. I am thinking of getting the surgery. On monday I am going to a seminar that the doctor gives to learn about the procedure. I am also looking for the right health insurance to buy and hopefully cover the surgery. Thanks to everyone for sharing all of this so people can read it and learn if this is right for them.

Is there anyone here from around Owensboro, KY that I can talk to about their experience. I'm at the last of my journey and ready to schedule my band...but having second thoughts....please let me know if you can talk my email at jcollineal@me.com thanks

I work in a small company (family-owned, not my family, 23 employees TOP!) with no HR or legal department. People here have NO sense of what are appropriate questions vs. inappropriate ones. I'm having WLS on March 26 to coincide with my Spring Break from school, and I've chosen to keep my WLS a secret. My quandary is, how do I ask for the time off from work, and what reason do I give? I thought about waiting until the last minute and calling in saying I had an "emergency" surgery, but I'm not sure whether that will work. Any ideas? Time is running out for me, so your suggestions are GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!!

I am so excited I am one more step closer to have the Sleeve. I completed my Psych eval yesterday and passed.. Just talked to the coordinator at the doctors office (Dr Nick). She is going to submit everything to the insurance today. Of course she says they have 30 days to approve it. I am going to be calling the insurance company later this week and see what they say. I read on here if you keep bugging them they might move it faster. I sure hope so. She said once the insurance approves it then i can get in for my consultation within a week. Then the rest depends on what kinds of test the doctor orders and how fast i can get that done. I really want would like this done b…

hi all. the wifi has not been working properly here at the hospital so i'm using my phone to let you all i made it through surgery yesterday. today has been a bit rough but i'm hanging in. tomorrow will be better especially if the drain is removed :blushing: anyways if the wifi gets up amd running again will give more details. thanks to all for the prayers and good vibes!!

Hi everyone, My name is Shannon and I have been doing some research on Lap Band. I actually have my surgery feb 11th and also having my esophogus repaired at the same time. I am so excited! This site has been very helpful on researching. I am fortunate that my insurance cover the surgery without jumping through a lot of hoops. I have been doing my pre-op shake diet and have lost 6 lbs in 5 days so I think things are already looking up :thumbup:

Good Morning! I am going for my surgical consultation next week on the 11th. I am beginning to worry that for some reason my insurance will deny me....I have called them for approval twice, and they said yes, it is approved. The 3 criterias that I must meet are....1.) BMI over 40 - I have a 40.7. 2.) Must be over the age of 21 - I am 38. 3.) Must have 5 years proven weight history. - I have 3 documented with a 40 BMI, however they other two are not. I was on diet pills and had lost some weight.... BUT....I do believe I have sleep apnea. Has anyone else been in this situation and still gotten coverage? I want to have this surgery so much. Margo

I'm a 39yo single mother to a 5yo...Tadpole. I want to get healthy to see my sweet Tadpole blossom! I've been lurking on this site for about a year. Found it while researching LB surgery. Turns out, I had insurance that would, under no circumstances pay for the surgery. I have since changed insurances and the new one will pay if it is deemed medically necessary. I'm thinking that more than 10yrs with a 40+ BMI makes me a great candidate! I finished my last appointment yesterday...now my paperwork is being submitted to the insurance company! Here's hoping!!! I did have a thought and wonder if anyone here has thought or tried the same thing...On the chance that the in…

Hello everyone, I am scheduled to have surgery on March 12, 2010. Please give me some positive feedback about the lapband surgery, and some up to date outcomes of the :smile2:surgeries.

Has anyone left the states to get their band. I'm considering it. I feel desprate. I dont want to be fat any longer but I need to get some feed back .:frown:

I am new to this site and found it tonight looking for some help and encouragement. I am on my second band and have not lost any weight since my surgery last summer. My doc says this band is harder to find the "sweet spot" than my old band, but more effective in the long run. I have had 4 fills (I think) since my surgery and have very little restriction. He does them under fluoro, so he and I can see the restriction. The most recent one, there was just a trickle going through and he assured me THIS one would be the one. I seem to have some restriction for a few days, once I get back on foods after the fill, but then it disappears. He always pulls out all the Fluid …

Tuesday January 26th I had my surgery! I am recovering so far down 15 pounds i am so excited for the beginning of the rest of my life!

Hi, I just wanted to post here and introduce myself and hope to one day join ya on the losers bench. I'm 43 (ugh), mother of 3 adopted kids -I have high blood pressure & incontience. I have, like many of you, thought the lapband was the answer for me until I researched the lapband, now I cannot believe that there isnt a class action law suit on the makers. I am so glad I didnt go for it. My first consultation is Feb. 18 with Dr. Inman in Carmel Indiana, anyone hear of her? good or bad?. I have elected not to do the RNY b/c two of my sisters had it with problems. One ended up in the ICU for weeks because her staples came apart. Three yrs later she is still looking …

Hi everyone! My name is Mary, and I am very new! I have struggled with my weight my intire life! I started taking perscription diet pills when I was in the 6th grade in order to make the weight limit to be a high school majorette. When I entered into the 9th grade I weight 130 lbs. By the time I graduated I weighed back up to 163 lbs. After highschool I got up to 225 lbs. I started taking diet pills agian and lost back down to 165 lbs. I am now 27 years old and weigh 310 lbs. Wow! My BMI is 50. My weight has never bothered me in the past, but over the past year I have really realized the limits it has put on my life! I would love to go to a concert or the movies with my h…

Hello everyone...I am so excited about getting this procedure done...I am a 35 years old married mother of three beautiful children. I have an appointment with Dr. Moore on March 13th....at that time I will have all requirements met to get approval from my insurance company so I am hoping to have my band done around Easter time....I've been overweight for the last 15 years and its like life just passed me by during this time....I'm just ready to start living again...I want to enjoy the wonderful family God has blessed me with.

After a 6 month wait for insurance coverage, every test in the book and the giving up of my firstborn, my banding finally took place 1-29-10 at Dayone downtown Chicago :thumbup: The first 3 days were rough. I am terrified of vomiting and so far have not, so now I am doing ok. My post op diet is day 1&2 Clear liquids, days 3-7 full liquids, 1 week puree, 1 week soft foods and then introduction to solids. I am following the diet to a T. My stomach growls quite a bit, but the Protein supplements (AdventEase,Myoplex,Muscle Milk) blended with juice or skim milk or even decaf instant coffee granules added, curb the hunger. I am shooting for 60 gr of protein a day and i…

Hi !! How are all you members going that have had your banding ?? are you glad you did it ..any down side..?? I am going to a film and talk on the banding tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday) ..I really think its the only way left for me to go ..I have just given up on all other ways to loose weight.. I am a oldie ...62yrs old in February ..I don`t want to be fat on my 63rd Birthday so hopefully will get the surgery asap after seeing the specialists .. What am I in for ..?? My weight gain has continued slowly from about 50years of age (menapause and the empty nest syndrome hitting at the same time)..I was slightyly over weight in my mid to late forties , so I thought but …

I hope this is helpful for others..it's on wikipedia. Just in case anyone is interested..I was not aware of a lot of the info. Does everyone already know all of this? Good luck to all! Adjustable gastric band From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: sleep apnea, food each meal. This pouch fills with food quickly and the band slows the passage of food from the pouch to the lower part of the stomach. As the upper part of the stomach registers as full, the message to the Calcium supplements and Vitamin B12 injections are not generally required following gastric banding (as they are with RNY, for example). Fluid and restriction, and likewise require a min…

Sorry I'm in my work out clothes

My surgery is set for February 4th and I'm really looking foward to this journey.

Hello all - I am new I am from the Houston area and I got banded on December 17th 2009. I have had no problems other then eating too fast but I think I have that under control now! Dr Hollis did my surgery and I am very happy with him and his staff! I started my LAP-BAND® journey thru True Results and they are great there as well. Before I began my journey I was weighing in at 312, day of my surgery I was at 287 and as of right now I am 260! I have a long road ahead of me because my goal is 145 but I am ready for it.:frown: jade

Not feeling so hot, but it is done. I had to stay an extra day because my oxygen levels were low, but I am home now. I had some baby applesauce when I got home, now I am having a protein shake. I am in some pain, but not too bad. I didn't have much gas pain either. I was just so tired of sitting in that bed. Oh well. It is done now!

Hello, I'm in the application process for lapband surgery. I'm a 63 yr old female. I was avg weight most of my life. After a hysterectomy at 45 yrs, I started putting on excessive weight. I have high bp, high cholesterol, urine leakage, bad knees and depression (all under control with meds) This surgery seems almost too good to be true...what are the negatives?? :thumbup:

:confused: Hi there! My name is Tammy. I am VERY interested in getting the Lap-Band surgery. I have been overweight for about the last 13 years. I am desperate. I have tried Weight Watchers, diet pills, Atkins, etc.... you name it, I've done it. My issue is that I really don't know where to start. I work for a hospital that has insurance that covers the lap-band surgery up to 10,000. I called today to get details, and honestly, I didn't get too far. Does anyone have any suggestions? Do the dr's offices help out with finding out how the insurance works?

I had my lap band put in in Nov of 08, two weeks later i had my tonsils removed and was in ALOT of pain. Needless to say i lost some weight approx 15lbs, once I was able to eat I noticed I had NO restrictions I advised my dr of this and he said just wait and it will happen. Fast forward to Feb 09 I have my first fill and I have NO restriction and that was with a 6cc fill(the capacity on this sucker is 9:crying:) I lost all faith in the lap band and had just decided it did not work for me. I became depressed and gained approx 40 lbs:mad:, Just this past November I decided to just suck it up and try something else. I set the timer on my cell phone and at small meals eve…

Just joining. Been surfing, but decided to join today. Just got my call that I was approved through insurance :confused:. Waiting on the scheduler to call. They are saying beginning of March, as I have to go through a sleep study February 21.

Ok here goes... I have been trying to get the lap band for about 4 years now. First time my insurance would not approve... then I waited and waited, now I have new insurance and I am on my way. I have a surgery date for February 12th. I must say that I am really excited. I just wish it were already here.

I want this surgery more than anything. I have my first appt this next week with a doctor. Can anyone tell me any idea how long it can take to be approved by insurance? I am so scared but I want to be healthy and happy once agian.

Ok, I was told last week that my chart is on my surgeon's desk. He needs to check to see if I've had all the tests required before surgery (they are done!). My chart then goes back to the surgery scheduler and she will then call me with a date. She told me to expect that it will be in about 6 to 8 weeks. Now that I have done all I was supposed to, I want it to happen NOW. I'm sure other people have been as impatient as I, right????????????

i have had a thought that we could all keep a track of each others journey as friends for encouragement on face book as well what do you think???

Anyone close geographically or with a similar "go" date?

I got my approval letter after TWO appeals with Cigna. The Obesity Law Center did the appeals for me for no charge - Allergan pays this fee. This process took almost a year. I had missed my six month weight loss because my months weren't exactly consecutive - I actually had 8 mos but missed a month inbetween so they were going to make me start all over again. Plus my nutritionist/psychologist said I wasn't ready because I wasn't eating like I had the lapband yet. (?) Anyway, now I have to call the doctor to set up a date. This is getting to be real now. Took long enough!

:tt2:Dr. Turton in lagrange, ga done my band he is a grate guy I started at 266 im now at 221 Ive been stuck for a few months now next appt. is Feb.11th im sure I will get a fill. I have a hard time with getting up off the couch but im working on that one.

Greetings all, Here I am on the LAP-BAND® road. I've attempted many times to lose weight, each try less successful than the last. Things have gotten especially bad since I changed to a desk job. I've also been completely unsuccessful at keeping the weight off and have gained even more weight with each yoyo cycle. In the last year, I've started noticing the symptoms of insulin resistance and aching knees and decided it was time to address the problem once and for all. I had my first visit with Dr. Orris at the Weight Loss Institute of Arizona two weeks ago. Since then, I have had most of my preop tests done. The only things outstanding are the EGD, my primary doc…

Hello everyone, my name is Ronda and I am awaiting my surgery date 2/11/10. I am very excited, and a bit apprehensive at the same time. I am currently doing the liquid diet portion of the process. I am a wife of 19 years to Tim, a firefighter, mother to Kaitlynn, 15 and Sarah 14. I am a social worker who works with the elders. I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I have been a yo-yo, up and down the scale. I must have lost what feels like a 1,000 lbs, but never was able to maintain it for the long haul. I know that the band is not a quick fix and that it is a commitment to change behavior and my relationship with food. I am on the road visiting clients and …

Hey everyone.... Welp.....tomorrows the day!! Getting banded in the morning, a lil scared but I think I'll do okay~~ Wish me luck!:wink:

Hello all you banders, I have been researching all the gastric surgeries that are available and you all have me convienced that the band is the way to go. I have been waiting to for my tri care prime to kick in and now just have to figure out my next step. Lots of great attitudes out there. Thanks WayneL:thumbup:

Hi my name is Meesa. on January 8, 2008 I had Lapband Surgery. It has been 2 years of misery. Approximately 3 months ago my surgoen suggested I switch to the sleeve. In researching it I don't see alot of information/testimonals.I am curious if anyone has converted from the band to the sleeve and their testimonals.