Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

Should I bother to say it... yes, you know, I was always the overweight pretty girl. I was a cheerleader and always had a boyfriend, but I was fighting the battle of the bulge by age 8. At 13 I was smoking so I would eat less, not to mention trying every crazy diet that someone told me about. I can actually recall an "ice cream diet", where all you got was a half gallon of chocolate or vanilla for 3 days! That was a good diet - I remember losing weight and being able to stay on that one. I found WW at age 15, and with some success I lost 15lbs but life often happens and by the time I was a senior I was 211lbs and pregnant. My doctor recommended RNY to me at about ag…

Hello all :willy_nilly: my name is Kayla, I'm 20 years old, a junior in college, and I'm from Minnesota! I just joined this website figuring it would be good for me to have others to talk to who are going through similar situations and so far I think it's really cool! I've always been a chubby kid growing up and just became used to it. I got made fun of a little bit but not as bad as some people, I figure it was just the 'average' amount if that makes sense. Growing up I never really let my weight bother me but the few times that I heard some of the mean things that people would say it really hurt my feelings and made me hate my body. After experiencing my bullying I b…

Hi, my wife and I have both been approved for banding... all of our tests and classes are complete, and we are now on our pre-op diet. Surgery is on Dec. 19th for both of us... excited and nervous at the same time (I've never had any kind of surgery before)! Doodle :willy_nilly:

Hi all! I've been lurking here for a while and have learned so much from all of you. You guys are so much inspiration. I will start my 2 week pre-op December 30th and my surgery date is January 13th. So excited to begin my new life with the sleeve. Hoping to get to know everyone! Dana

I have lost 80-83 lbs...up and down in my weight... but I want to be a size 16 by March 20 2010. I hope I can do it. I put a call into my doctor today for a fill sometime in Jan; its been 4 months since I got a fill. I dont know how many ccs I have so I am waiting for them to return my phone call with that answer as well. Well I hope to hear back from all of you. thanks, Monique:rolleyes2:

Hello... I am very scared I am about to get the LapBan this month in about 3 wks... I was informed by my doctor that this is my only option to get healthy.....I also found out that I stop breathing in my slow very serious...I am just needing support and looking for some friends on here to help me get thru this and know that I can do this and live healthy.:willy_nilly:

Hi Friends, Leaks seem to be very rare but do you agree that it sounds like 2 weeks post-op is when they are most likely? From what I read, I think that may be the case. I have a theory about what might cause them. Those of you who are nurses like me know that about 2 weeks post tonsillectomy, when the "scabs" fall off the wounds in the throat, there is an increased incidence of hemorrhage. Well, I wonder if two weeks post VSG when the stomach incision "loses it's scab", there might be a greater chance of a tiny opening showing up where it falls off. That is also a time when many people start to advance their diet, and maybe put a bit more into the sleeve, which could m…

I am new here but would like to get to know all of you and your stories! My surgery date is scheduled for January 5th! I am so excited! If anyone has some feedback of things I should be aware of, or things I need to prepare for, or maybe things I should stock up on...I would love to hear it! I can use all the help and support I can get!! Thank you, and hope to hear from you soon!

:willy_nilly: Hi to all. I'm at the very very beginning of my journey and need to know all I can - the good, the bad, the success and the oops!

I had the opportunity 8 months ago for this surgery and got scared. I am more than ready now for the Lap band. I now suffer with infertility, sleep apnea, body pain, high wbc, and I just hate the way I look and feel. I am ready. I plan on getting a referral through my insurance for the Southwest Bariatrics Hospital

Hi there. I'm a low BMI (34) self payed bandster from the UK. I started reading these forums about a week before I went for surgery, and I wish I had joined up back then. I saw a lot of what I was worried about in the pre op threads which helped and then after my op I have been hooked in to the post op thread thinking 'yup, thats me' :thumbup: The reason I have only just joined? Well, for some strange reason I was sure that lap band surgery wouldn't work. That somehow something would go wrong ... enlarged liver, band slippage, you name it. Sad I know, but that's the truth. It is only after I have had my first fill today that I realise it has worked and that …

Hi There! I'm new to this forum, but I'm glad I joined. I'm 31 years old and I have been battleing obesity since I was 15, I had tried all diets and had always lost weight, just never kept it off. So, I started researching lap band surgery 2 years ago and for the most part was "sold" but couldn't get up the courage. I began this journey in August attending my seminar, and now I'm 10 days from surgery 12/21/09. I'm doing my pre-op diet of meal replacement shakes right now. It took me a long time to come to this decision, but I'm glad I did. I'm very nervous about the pureed diet week because I have huge issues with texture of my foods. I tried buying the turkey …

Hi y'all! I am Angie and I live in Georgia, however I am and will always be a Tennessee girl. I have been looking at this site for some time but thought it was time to introduce myself. I am your average teacher/mother of one/grad student. Well a little above average weight wise. I am scheduled to do pre-op on January 19 and have surgery January 26. I must admit I'm a little scared. However also excited about making some changes. I currently weigh 215, which I am told by many is too low to do this, but being on the short side (5'2") this is making me miserable and unhealthy. Thanks for all your posts. The wealth of knowledge you all place on these boards is so…

Hello! I'm new and just had my 5th appointment. My final appointment is scheduled with the surgeon near the end of January and the surgery will be scheduled then. I have to wait until closer to tax time to have it so my income tax refund will pay for my portion. Of course, that's assuming my insurance agrees to cover the rest! While my BMI is only a smidge over 35, I have ALL of the co-morbidities, so my doctor isn't concerned about the insurance. I'm not nervous yet. I'm sure that will come as the time gets closer. The funny thing is, as much as I love food, I'm looking forward to freeing myself from what has become an all consuming love affair. I'm just…

Hello All, My name is Hannah...surgery is Thursday at 9:30 a.m., by Dr. Matthew St Laurent in Houston Texas. I am a little nervous I guess, but waaaay more excited about being able to gain some control over the weight. My History: 2002 I was banded by Dr. Molina--Non adjustable---lost 170 lbs, but the last 100 was because the band had moved and I was SICK for about 6 months before finding a Dr who would remove the band (and convince insurance to pay). So in 2007 band was GONE--thus I gained 200 lbs REALLY quick, my body gained 9 lbs in 2 days at the hospital just in liquids--no food. Anyway in under 1 year, 200 lbs came back--I signed up for Weight Watchers th…

I am a member over on OH, and I heard about your fourm so I scurried on over and signed up. I am a married mother of one, and happy just heavy... I started my journy out at 313lbs and so far I am down to roughly 275 lbs I have a huge support system at home and at work.

Hello everyone. I have been jumping through hoops since June to have lapband. From the beginning, at the seminar, I really liked the idea of VSG. But my insurance only covers the band or RNY, so VSG was just not an option. My surgeon does VSG, but doesn't accept private pay for it. So I began doing my homework regarding the band and on 11/17/09 everything was sent to insurance for approval. Today is 12/9 and I haven't heard anything. I'm almost hoping they deny. Because..... on another internet site, there was a message that mentioned that a surgeon was having an "end of year" sale for self pay patients for VSG for $11,999. The cheapest I had found in Iowa was…

I'm 26 years old and I have been battling my weight for pretty much my entire life and I have spent most of my adult life as obese. As of now I am not 100% sold on the surgery but I will attend the seminar on January 12, 2010. I'm worried about post-op complications and rigid diet restrictions. It's hard to loose weight and nearly impossible to keep it off with traditional diets. I don't know if what I said made sense exactly but it seems overwhelming especially having not been successful before. I'm a little familiar with the surgery because I work in a hospital that performs the procedure. I'm just not sure it's the right choice for me but there's no way to know without…

Wow, I want to pinch myself sometimes. I cant believe I did it. What a journey I have been on and its only just begun. I am recovering nicely but starting to become more uncomfortable today. More than yesterday. Trying to get up and move every few hours and stay super hydrated. Thats what I have been told to do.... This crushing up pills is the worst though. I will have to find out how long I have to crush these. I suppose every doctor and pill is different right? Hey I would love to do a weight loss ticker. Where and how do I do that? Any suggestions? :eek::thumbup:

I just had my surgery yesterday 12-9-09 & I have the worst pain in my chest & my left shoulder! They explained that it is gas pains but I think it might hurt worse than the actual incision sights...Did anyone else have this pain that bad & how long did it take to diminish????:eek:

im in the process of of getting everything together to submit to tricare,(my imsurance) to get my approval. im really nervous about being approved because my BMI is only 38. But i have lots of health problems and my surgeons office thinks it should go threw. So im playing the waiting game.

i was banded june 2007, did geat first year, well over the last 14 months lost 10 lbs, my fault i know. Have gained 12 over the last 3 months. I want to get back on track. Will start going to the gym Jan 2 of this new year. I just want to follow someone. Eat what you eat. Anyone willing to share their daily menu with me. PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!! I cannot afford fancy foods, just normal foods. LOL. I have a 10 cc band and I am at 9 1/2.

Hi, my name is Julie. I live in Safford, AZ. I am going to my pre-op education class next week. This is the last step I have before the actual surgery. I am not sure when the surgery will be yet but hopefully soon. I am excited and apprehensive.

Hi everyone! My name is Jennifer. I'm new to this website so I thought I would post a lil info about myself. I'm 22 years old from south GA. My weight hit 285 in September of 2009. I had my lap band surgery on October 23rd. I got my first fill on December 7th, 2009. I weighed 259 when I got my first fill, so I am doing good I think!! Dr. John Bagnato in Albany, GA was my surgeon. He is amazing and the bariatric institute that works for him. I would recommend anyone go to him. I have saw other peoples scars on pictures and I virtually have no scars. I hope to post pictures soon!!! Hope everyone is doing GREAT!!

Today I found out Aetna approved my surgery!!! It took 6 days (including a weekend). My surgery date is 12-22-09!!!

HI everyone !! I got home Wed. evening, and I'm doing great. NO problems what so ever. Just taken it easy, drinking, walking, and sipping. I feel much better that I thought I would at this point. No nausea, not much pain. SO far everything is great! I'm glad to be home.

Yesterday was a wake up call. I had been having right upper quadrant pain. One episode last month sent me to the ER from work as the medical dept thought I was having a heart attack. I had a gallbladder ultrasound and Hyda Scan on 11/30 and just found out the results yesterday. My gallbladder is shot (only functioning at 5%) and I have "fatty infiltration of the liver." I've been looking at gastric surgeries over the past two years including gastric banding, gastric bypass and now VSG. I was sort of on the fence thinking I could still do this on my own. However, this has brought me back to looking at gastric WLS. I am meeting with my surgeon re) the gallbladder on Mon…

Hi, I've made a couple of posts but mainly I've just been lurking! I was pretty pumped up about the whole lap band thing and I still am for the most part but lately I've been reading a lot of posts from people-new banders and seasoned banders- who are MISERABLE! They're hungry, they're in pain, they have gas, they're not losing weight, they're gaining weight. Am I making the right decision in wanting to have the LB. Maybe I'm just setting myself up for months of misery and not much payoff. I haven't been to the seminar yet, that comes January 23. But I have to admit that I am starting to wonder about my decision. Please help. Any words of encouragement will be gre…

I am new to this site and I am looking at having surgery in venezuela with Dr. Sanchez, has anyone out there had surgery with him that can give me information on how it went..thank you

My seminar is finally only 5 days away! I've been waiting a month for this! Ready to get the ball rolling!

Hi, my name is BJ. I briefly introduced myself a month ago. I am 54 y/o and live in NC. I am in the process of getting ready for the band. I am waiting to be scheduled. All my stuff was submitted to insurance , hope it won't take too long. I am excited about the proceedure but also scared. I am afraid I won't lose enough weight. I need to lose 100 lbs. I am a sweet eater and I have heard they have the most trouble but I am hoping that that will give me a jump start to get on the right track. With support I know I can do it. Has anyone had this done that has hypothyroidism and taking antidepressants. I hear both can slow things down normally but don't know how that will wo…

now, i've been reading the forums, and i notice that there were not a lot of teenagers. does anyone think it's safe to have this surgery. im 16 and want to get it down.

I am scheduled to have lapband on Friday. I am very nervous for some reason. I have had surgery before, but never of my own choice. My seven year old cries every night and says, "please don't have lapband moma." It breaks my heart and makes me even more nervous. Any reassurance would be greatly appreciated.:scared2:

Hi. I'm new to the forum and new to the LAP-BAND®. I was banded one week ago today. I thought I would be able to go back to work today, but I'm still feeling very tender and bloated. I have a pocket of gas or something on my left side that I can barely stand to touch. My surgeon said that I would only need five days to recover, but I took a sick day today so that I could get stronger before returning. My LAP-BAND® surgery was my second procedure in four days. Four days before banding, I had a gyn procedure done that kind of laid me low for a few days. I wasn't expecting it to be that painful or difficult when I scheduled my LAP-BAND®, but having those two procedures so cl…

I am a newbie to your site, I am post surgery (Dec. 1,2009) and am just beginning my journey. I am feeling pretty well, a couple of tender spots (also had a hernia repaired) but nothing I can't handle. So I begin and with this tool may I do all that I have dreamed of and more. Thanks for having me and inspiring me to take the leap of faith.:thumbup:

hi. i also am new to this site. i'm going through all of my doctors lists of doc's to see, before scheduling my surgery. hopefully it will be in mid january!!:thumbup:

i have been banded for 2 1/2 years now and cannot get under 200 pounds and have decided to join this forum to get motivated. i have already lost 179lbs and kept it off but cannot get any further. maybe 'further' is not an option for me, but i am going to give it my all! i am open to answering any questions you have and i am willing to try any tips that anyone has to rejuvenate my motivation and achieve my end goal!

Has anyone heard from Mountain_lover? She had her surgery the day after mine, but I've not seen her on line yet.

Hi Everyone! I'm finally doing it, after checking into it 2 years ago. Im 50 and have 100 lbs to lose. I'm looking forward to getting back into a size 18, which is my first goal. Hope to post and update often!

Hey all! My name is Elizabeth, you can call me whatever nickname that comes to mind :thumbup:. I'm 26 years old and I'm from Staten Island, NY. I'm in the process right now of getting all my tests done (and there's a ton but worth it) before surgery. As it states in my profile I'm not really good at telling stuff about myself but I'm very open to answering questions. I look forward to getting to know everyone around here and I definitely can't wait to start posting about my progress in my weight loss journey!

hello everyone im am new here and this is my first time posting in. I had my suregery 11/19/2007 and everything is going well i have lost 90 pounds which is great but the past few weeks i have been eating all the wrong stuff i feel like im loosing conrtol i dont want to go back to my old habbits i have gained 4 pounds im so upset. I am always worried about streching my pouche, can some one plese give me some motivation, and ha anyone ever streched thee pouched? how easy it is to do that?:thumbup:

I am now one year banded with AMAZING success. My fear? Is this too good to be true. I NEVER want to gain my weight back and I don't want to have any trouble with my band. Is it possible that this is good for life?

Hi, I'm kind of new here (created my account a while ago but never posted XD) and have been going through the motions to get the surgery approved for the past year. I got approved aout 2 weeks ago and my surgery is this monday. Although I'm somewhat excited, my nerves are starting to get to me. Part of me is starting to doubt myself and trying to get me to call and cancel everything. Is it normal to question if what your doing is right? Even up to the last days? I really do want this... I want to lose the weight and feel better and everything else but I cant help but be scared... not only of the surgery itself but that I wont lose the weight or that I wont be strong enoug…

I've been working so hard to make this surgery a reality, and now that it is, I'm wishing I hadn't told anyone about it. People around me could care less about what I'm getting ready to go through. I have to give up so much to gain so much and I feel like I'm being treated like a lazy, fat loser. That's not true and that's not fair. I'm just really down in the dumps and thinking about not talking to anyone about it anymore except you guys, my docs, and my husband from now on, and if my "friends" have questions, they can research the way I have. I'm just very sensitive today and feeling very misunderstood.:thumbup:

My name is Jenn, and I am 6 weeks post-op today! I am excited to have found a place that is centered on the lap-band, because the recommended support groups from my doc where 99% gastric bypass. I have lost 41 pounds so far, and I am waiting on my first fill next week. I wish I had done this surgery years ago! I look forwar to meeting new people on here, and getting some great tips!!:thumbup:

Hi everyone, I am so excited to find this website and see all the support that is offered. I am 45 years old and have waited all my life to get the help I need to get this weight off. I have gained and lost 100's of pounds throught my life just like everyone else on here, I have just never been able to keep it off. I feel like the lapband will be the tool I need to accomplish my goals of being healthier and happier. Any suggestions, help and support is appreciated. Looking forward to getting to know everyone and to build lasting friendships. I have met my surgeon, I am in the process of getting all my pre-surgery requirements completed. I am excited to start thi…

I am one week out from surgery and finally figured out that I can either eat or I can drink but I can't drink anything clear with my meals.

I am brand new to this forum. I have just sent in all my paperwork to the Bariatric Coordinator RN who will schedule all the pre-op Dr visits. I am 54 yrs old, will have surgery done by Dr. Sufficool in Rapid City, SD. At first I was so excited, now I'm terrified. I have had 8 other surgeries (not weight related) in my life & get more scared with each one. I keep thinking about how I will feel, all the things I'll be able to do, all the health problems I can kiss goodbye when I lose the weight. I'm just flat scared of the surgery (will it go right? will I throw up? will I be allergic to the band? will I be able to stick to the various diets?). What a worry wart I am! …

Hi all, I have oodles and oodles of questions and thought to myself that I could share my story and all the things I learned here... Start Weight: 275 Height: 5'8" BMI:40 Current Size: 24 W/XXL - XXXL (US) Goal: 170 or less Age: 34 Marital Status: Married, 3 stepchildren Procedure: Gastric Sleeve VSG Surgery Date: 12/18/2009 Pre-Op Diet Start Date: 12/4/09 (2 wks) Location: Dominican Republic Insurance: None - Self Pay Surgeon: Dr. Edgar Leino Through: Global Surgery Center (www.globalsurgerycenter.com) Cost: $8995 for all procedures with 2 ngts in the Hospital & 5 ngts in a Resort (NOTE: Only ~$500 is resort) Transportation: Airfare from Wiscon…

Hi, I am new to this site also. I seem to be doing okay. Still getting some weird hipups and tightness above stomach. I think it is the gas. I had some hunger pains yesterday (1st day post op). Start full liquids today.